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When the silence becomes too loud; Palestine vs US Media

May 26, 2022 by Fatima Abashera Leave a Comment

Staff Writer

Fatima Abashera

On Wednesday May 11, the world awakened to the devastating news of the murder of Shireen Abu Akleh, a Palestinian- American journalist who had spend the last for 25 years working as a reporter forthe Aljazeera, a prominent Arabic news channel.

Abu Akleh was a very familiar face for viewers of the news channel, including myself. She covered much of the updates on Israels’ attacks on Palestine and the constant war going on there. This news for me was the climax of escalating events in Palestine and across the Jerusalem Peninsula. I appreciated her because she took a huge risk to bring light to these global issues and she was not afraid with the knowledge of how risky it was.

As someone who has kept up with the events on this news, I found it extremely concerning that the Western Media had little to no coverage on the killing of this famous journalist because this was not just an attack on her but also an attack on the news and information surrounding what is going on in Palestine.

Abu Akleh was a United States citizen, so the fact that Biden and other leaders in the US have not addressed it is very concerning. Although it is unclear whether or not the Israeli forces killed her and further investigation is being worked on, the US can do a lot more to protect journalists from any potential dangers that come as a price with reporting on ongoing dangerous situations. among the many other journalists who risk their lives everyday in an attempt to shed light on the global issues that affect minority groups. Journalism is an extremely dangerous job especially for women in the field.

I believe that people internationally should make efforts to help and educate themselves as much as possible. Personally, I believe that people already consume so much media on a daily basis so it doesn’t hurt to read about issues affecting other parts of the world. Nevertheless, Abu Akleh wasn’t just a person she was a journalist and this murder symbolizes a lot more. It symbolizes an attack on the news and information she helped bring to light.

Trash Day At SLA

May 23, 2022 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

The amount of trash in the commons is absurd. People really should begin to clean up after themselves because this is our school and we should definitely keep it clean because our school is a reflection of who we are.

As the first quarter comes to an end people are realizing the mess that is left in the commons and they really don’t like it.

I’ve talked to a few students who don’t like the fact that during their independent study period they have to clean up after the other students. Some wonder why the students are “irresponsible to clean up the mess they made during their lunch”

infact me and a couple of friends stopped sitting in the commons during lunch periods because of the amount of chaos and trash all over.

On top of that, the students that have to clean up others feel unsafe and think that there is a possibility that they will get sick and don’t think that it is safe at all. So I have thought about writing an article on it so we can make a change and create a way for students to dispose of their trash and not have to leave.

Over the two, one hour long lunch periods we have plenty of students who eat school lunch, bring their own lunches and buy things from the school store.

People sit in their friend groups and can talk until the end of their lunch band and the crazy thing is is that when the invisible bell rings all students run to their next class leaving the trash of candy wrappers, sandwich bags, noodle cups, etc. lying around and the janitors are left to clean up after them this is not ok and we need to put a stop to this before it gets any worse.

I wouldn’t say that it is the kids fault. I think that the fact students only have two trash cans in the commons is the reason there’s so much trash because there’s nowhere to put it.

The amount of waste begins to stink up the commons and we are left with food particles everywhere on the floor in my now 4th year at SLA. I wonder how we get like this and before it was never like this and what can we do to change it.

Having only 2 trash cans in the commons is a problem and there is an easy solution. I think that we should get some designated trash cans that stay in one area so that people can find them easily. I think that there should be a recycle bin, and another trash bin for just plain trash like forks, bags etc.

If we were to put three of these connected trash cans in the commons in three different locations I think that we would be able to keep our school clean and this will keep us in the position we need to be this will always make it an easier job on the janitors, the trash would be disposed of correctly and it would help the world in a way because things (trash) would be going to the right location.

Students Give Teachers Makeovers

May 19, 2022 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Staff Writer: Aylin Echandy

It’s no secret that students judge the fashion choices of their teachers. I have heard students point out certain clothing or shoe style that they were disgusted by when their teachers walked past. I have always wondered why students would frown their face and stare with a face full of shame and embarrassment. So why are students so bothered and impacted by teachers’ clothing?

The issue went viral last month when students at Freire Charter decided to start their teacher a GoFundMe because they felt as though he needed an upgrade on shoes. The GoFundMe was supposed to be an April Fools joke, but it ended up going viral. Mr. Julian’s history class wanted to see their teacher in new kicks after wearing the same shoes for four years. The students raised over $3,000. No word on how many pairs of shoes they bought their teacher.

I admit that it can be hard to focus when you see questionable and weird-looking clothing walking around, so I could understand and vouch for the feelings of certain students when they are paying attention to what their teachers choose to wear. And. But how do SLA teachers fare in the eyes of their students? Are they more fashionable than the teacher whose students wanted to buy him a new pair of kicks? Or are they old and out-of-date?

I decided to randomly ask students about what their dream outfits would look like for their teachers.

“I like how Mr. Todd dresses, but I really feel that his shoe game could use some improvement,” said Sophmore Jabree Brown. “If I were to dress him, I would pick him out some black jeans, a Polo white tee, and some OG Patent Bred Jordan 1’s.”

Sophomore Fanta Dukley chose Ms. Gasser to makeover.

“She dresses really comfy and that’s like her signature style. It fits her well since she has this soft attitude. A dream outfit I would choose is a cardigan with some baggy pants.” -10th, Dukley

Sophomore Jasmine Young had somewhat-kind words for the instructional staff at SLA.

“I mean some of them usually don’t actually dress badly, you can just tell that they are a teacher.”

Now that the students have made their opinions known, will teachers continue to allow their students to be distracted by their clothing, or will they take inspiration to switch it up and show their ‘22 “swag”?

Only time will tell.

Religion and Ramadan at SLA

May 19, 2022 by Fatima Abashera Leave a Comment

Staff Writer

Fatima Abashera

April 2nd marked the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, the holiday observed by Muslims all across the world. During this month, Muslims do many other things to build their relationship with God and strengthen their faith, including fasting from sunrise to sunset and making other sacrifices.

Because of the continuous growth of the religion in the United States, there are so many people that are observing Ramadan that have to navigate day to day life while doing things like fasting and praying. School can be one of the many environments an individual has to navigate and this can raise questions about what it means to be a Muslim student specifically in America.

At SLA, the accommodations for students observing Ramadan include making a space for Muslim students to pray the daily prayers.

So, how are SLA students handling this season while still being full time students?

“It definitely is harder than being at home”, Samira Ahmed a senior at SLA noted. “Sometimes it’s hard to explain these kinds of things to people”.

However, Ahmed also stated that educating other people helps them understand other religions and break through cultural barriers.

Muslims students can feel isolated at times especially because of the media bias surrounding Muslims, which encourages negative stereotyping. However, there are many efforts being made to help students feel welcomed in school and free to express their faith and beliefs.

“Yes, I think like they respect a lot of cultural differences and they make others feel more inclusive and share more about their religion. There are classes like world history that help students share more about that”, Tina Zou a sophomore at SLA expressed when asked to giver her opinion of SLA’s efforts to make an inclusive community from a non practicing Muslim perspective. Many students within the SLA community have had the impression that the community is inclusive towards the Muslim community.

Ramadan is recognized as a month of growth, humbleness and refresh for observing Muslims. However, as the month of April comes to a close and Eid is coming close. Lehmann says “Eid Mubarak to all who celebrate!”.

Wardrobe of SLA

May 5, 2022 by Harper Leary Leave a Comment

By Harper Leary Staff Writer

Philadelphia is a diverse city, and the student population of Science Leadership Academy reflects that fact— not just with their identities, but also with their fashion choices. If you walk down the hallways of SLA, your head will turn every which way to get a glimpse of all the different outfits. Baggy pants, Nike sweatpants, Yeezys, graphic t-shirts, leggings, and pajama bottoms are typical at the school but don’t even cover half of what is worn.

Sophomore Miles Shenk stands in front of white wall. *Photo by Harper Leary*

“I just think there are a lot of different kinds of people. And when a few people take a risk in fashion, other people are more likely to take a risk and feel comfortable taking it,” said sophomore Cana Berkey-Gerard.

The social formations at SLA do influence student fashion, but not always in the way you might expect. Some friend groups dress similarly, and others look like they’re all from different decades. No classroom looks the same when it comes to clothing. School is a perfect place to express oneself, and the students at SLA have taken on the challenge.

Fanta Dukuly, a sophomore, noted that people wear what they feel the most comfortable in, whether sweatpants or jeans.

As a Muslim, Dukuly dresses modestly, and it does influence her clothing choices. “It definitely is harder [to find clothing as a Muslim]. Most of the clothes that you will find online, you would be like, ‘I would definitely rock that,’ but it’s a crop top, and I can’t wear that.”

Sophomore Fanta Dukuly stands in front of grey wall in stairwell. *Photo by Harper Leary*

Despite some obstacles, Dukuly has no trouble finding outfits through which she can express herself. She is often seen wearing colorful hijabs and dresses along with matching accessories.

Whether for religious or personal reasons, many students have some rules or guidelines that they follow for what they will wear and what they won’t. There are some outliers, though. They can’t be put into any box; their wardrobe has pieces that fit into every category.

Sophomore Na’im Faulkner stands in front of lockers. *Photo by Harper Leary*

Junior Yahil Ortiz’s wardrobe includes all types of items. “I kind of stand out because I come in with dress shoes some days, I come in with turtlenecks, I come in with different types of jackets that are so crazy; off the wall. And that’s just me.”

Ortiz is from North Philly and has noticed the geographical impact of SLA’s fashion. At the beginning of his time at SLA, he remembers the differences he noted just from where people are from in the city.

“I met some people that were from my part of the city, Northeast and North, and they dress how I dress— tight jeans, graphic t-shirts, newest Nikes and Jordans,” he said. “And then you have some people that dress really urban and they were from South Philly.”

Another factor is ethnicity and racial background. Ortiz is Haitian and Dominican, and because of that culture, he feels that he can pull off things that other people can’t. “I could come into school with a durag and then I could come to school with a tie the next day,” he said, “Because of that, I have so much leeway in what I wear.”

Sophomores [from left to right] Lily Weston, Ellie Palandro, and Marly Leventon stand in front of lockers. *Photo by Harper Leary*

Chris Lehmann, the founder and current principal at Science Leadership Academy purposefully has an open dress code. Despite receiving backlash for it before, he stands by it. “I think that how we choose to express ourselves in the way that we dress is a part of who we are,” he says, “One of the reasons to have boundaries is so that teenagers can figure them out and push up against them.”