In their final warm-up game before the State Qualifying tournament this weekend, the SLA Boys Ultimate team had one of their most convincing wins of the season, beating Abington Friends 15-4. SLA was led sophomores Brian Birkmire with four goals thrown and two goals scored, Julian Makarechi with two goals scored and three goals thrown, and junior Nuri Bracey with seven defensive blocks.
The team plays in the Division 1 Philadelphia Area Championships at Archbishop Carroll on Saturday, go Rockets!
Let's ask Philadelphia's professional sports teams to save high school sports in Philadelphia by sponsoring high school sports next year. Sign our petition and pass it along to everyone you know!
Due to the overwhelming demand from the students and families of Philadelphia, the Science Leadership Academy and The Franklin Institute are proud to announce the opening of the Science Leadership Academy - Beeber Campus. Science Leadership Academy – Beeber (SLA-B) will open with 125 9th graders at the Beeber Middle School complex in the fall. SLA-B is being generously supported by a $1.9 million grant from Philadelphia School Partnership.
The students of the inaugural class of SLA-B will be chosen from the students who interviewed for SLA in the fall. Students who are still on the waiting list for SLA can email their interest to admissions@scienceleadership.org; teachers interested in working at SLA-B should send copies of their resume and a cover letter to teaching@scienceleadership.org.
For the full story, check Jenn Wright's story at SLAMedia.org.
On Thursday, the Boys Ultimate team beat Masterman HS 15-9, marking the first time SLA Ultimate has beaten Masterman. SLA was led by the defensive heroics of junior Roberto Abazoski and sophmore Pierce Luck. Junior captain Rob Jenkins threw four of SLA's 15 goals, and sophomore True Black scored the game winner. The team put together its most complete game of the year, playing precision Ultimate on both offense and defense.
SLA continues its season on Saturday morning at Edgely Fields for a tournament that will see them face off against Lower Merion, Methacton and Archbishop Carroll. Go Rockets!
Clorox wants to support healthy schools with the Power a Bright Future grant! SLA has qualified for the final round of context with a $50K ask to continue our innovative laptop program. The winning school is the one with the most votes between now and December 19th! You can vote for SLA once a day!
The SLA Girls Soccer teamed defeated Philadelphia Academy
Charter School (PACHS) 4-2 on Wednesday Oct. 31st to capture the
Single “A” Public League Championship.
Sophomore Alyssa Winner scored two goals and Aateeyah Sherrieff
and Korah Lovelace each added one a piece for the victory.
SLA never trailed in the game, but it took a penalty kick by
Lovelace 25 minutes into the second half to break a tense 2-2 tie. Winner iced
the game with a rocket into the side netting with 10 minutes left to play.
SLA opened the scoring early with Winner hitting a direct
kick from 25 yards out into the upper-right corner above the goalkeeper at the
five-minute mark of the first half. PACHS equalized off a scramble following
free kick in the SLA end of the field 18 minutes later and the teams entered
the half tied at 1-1.
Sharrieff opened the scoring in the second half on a
scramble in the goal mouth following a bobble by the PACHS keeper at the
seven-minute mark of the second half. PACHS soon equalized, however, and the
game entered a tense period with neither team producing scoring opportunities.
The 2-2 tie was broken when Michelle Torelli streaked down
the left wing to chase down a loose ball in the PACHS defensive end. Her hustle
earned a penalty as she was brought down in the box by a defender. Lovelace
coolly converted the penalty kick in the lower right corner of the net to give
the rockets the winning goal.
The playoff win by the Rockets avenges a 2-1 loss to PACHS
during regular season and brings their record up to 10 wins and five losses.
The SLA Ultimate team picked up a big win with a 15-7 win over Central High School on Tuesday. The team was led by captains Rob Jenkins and Matt Marshall, with strong games by senior Jakobi Martin-Howard and sophomores Brian Birkmire, True Black and Julian Makarechi. The game was a co-ed game, and SLA girls Ultimate players Imani Holness, Nikki Adeli and Alyssa Winner all had very strong games as well. Both the boys and girls teams end their season on Saturday at the Kit Kat Tournament at Edgely Fields in Fairmount Park.
The Science Leadership Academy's Boys Soccer team brought home another victory against Douglas High School with a final score of 7 to 0. This was made possible because of the dedication and strength each player devoted to the game. It's important to acknowledge Tomy Fleurine, Daniel Wirt, Jeffrey Schwartz, Owen Grzywinski, Ilker Erkut for all scoring goals during this match. Jhonas Dunakin continues to shine as goalie by making unbelievable saves and leading his team to success. Keep up the good work!
SLA science teacher was recognized by Temple University in their most recent issue of Educator Magazine. In the feature story, "The Science of Teaching Science... and Everything Else," Mr. Sherif's innovative, progressive teaching style is highlighted as a model for educators everywhere. Read the entire article and see cameo photos and quotes from many SLA students from the Class of 2015!
Another amazing win for Science Leadership's boys soccer team against Lamberton High School! Each player played beyond their potential and gave this team a fight to the finish. Jhonas Dunakin kept his team in the game by making unbelievable saves. A tremendous performance by Winston Wright in not only the defensive zone, but for also having a goal that was perfectly assisted by Owen Powers. In addition, a shout out to Daniel Wirt for his outstanding effort throughout the entire game. He made sure to encourage each of his teammates, as well as assist Jeffrey Schwartz with an unstoppable goal. This team has so much strength and dedication on and off the field. Way to go boys!
Congratulations to Science Leadership Academy's boys soccer team with an outstanding win over Roxborough High School with a final score of 8 - 0. A remarkable performance by Jeffrey Schwartz with four goals as well as goals made by Rabbi Awsan, Ruben Burenstein, William Johnson, and Jacob Lotkowski. It is also important to recognize Owen Powers, Ethan Reese, and Daniel Wirt for assisting their teammates with these goals. The goalie, Jhonas Dunakin, made incredible saves. William Derry filled in for goalie in the second half having a great save on a penalty kick. Overall, the offense did a great job at passing the ball, and the defense did an excellent job at protecting their side of the field.
SLA's Girls Volleyball Conditioning begins the week of August 27th from 10:00 am- 2:00 pm!
All interested girls MUST bring current physicals and knee pads. We will meet at SLA and then walk to the field on Chestnut and 31 St.
Practices will take place on Tuesdays from 3:00-5:00 pm and Thursdays from 4:00 -5:00 pm at the field (on Chestnut and 31st) or Freire Charter School. Questions should be addressed to Coach Hirschfield at khirschfield@scienceleadership.org or 917-797-9807.
Welcome to SLA! Before coming to school in September we'd like you to read one of three books:The House of the Scorpion (Nancy Farmer), The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins), or Ender's Game (Orson Scott Card).
While you may get the book from the library, we strongly suggest that you purchase your choice text, as we will be using it in English classes in September. Of course, feel free to read more than one title! They are all so great!
Below are some questions to help you navigate your novel and help you prepare to discuss it with your classmates and teachers. As you may already know, SLA utilizes guiding questions that help focus our studies and make learning more meaningful for us all.
As you read, think about the following larger questions as they apply to the characters,action, conflicts, and resolutions in your choice text and also as they apply to your life. Part of active reading includes some writing. Prepare to hand in a journal consisting of at least eight entries, each one longer than a half page. Before you write, consider the following questions to explore in your journal. Include your own personal responses to these questions, and how these questions might apply to your choice text. This will be collected in September.
What is family?
What is the power of friendship?
What does it mean to be a caregiver/mother/father?
What is education and where can it exist?
What is love?
How does a person become evil?
In what ways can the line between good and evil be blurred?
How do you justify the idea that a person can be both good and evil at the same time?
Who is a survivor? Why?
What does it mean to be human?
How can children create their own paths in a world run by the adults?
President Barack Obama addressed the Science Leadership Academy Class of 2012 at The Franklin Institute today. In his remarks, President Obama challenged the graduates to change the world, stating, "There is somebody in this room who’s going to help make sure that we are defeating diseases like Alzheimer’s or cancer. There is somebody in this room who is going to help revolutionize our agricultural sector, or our transportation sectors, or will invent some entire new industry that we don’t even know about yet." The faculty of SLA could not agree more!
Thank you to President Barack Obama for an incredible gift that the graduates will take with them for the rest of their lives, and congratulations to the Class of 2012!
In anticipation of the extreme heat, the School District of Philadelphia has notified us that schools will be closing at 12:00 noon tomorrow June 11th, and all extra-curricular activities are cancelled. However, this does not in any way affect tomorrow's graduation. Graduation rehearsal will still be at 8:00 am and graduation ceremonies will begin at 6:00 pm with all seniors to report to TFI by 4:00 pm.
AGAIN - TOMORROW'S EARLY DISMISSAL HAS NO BEARING ON GRADUATION EVENTS!
Laptop turn in is Thursday, June 7th starting promptly at 10:30. Please come with your laptop and charger, if you no longer have a charger there is a $25.00 fee.
During this time you will be cleaning out your locker and turning in all materials issued from the school. If you are missing any issued materials please check in with your teacher about the cost of those items.
Congratulations to the 2012 Franklin Institute Board of Trustee Scholarship Winners!
Luna Frank-Fischer Dia Johnson Jeff Kessler Natalie Sanchez Marina Stuart Whitney Washington
Thank you to The Franklin Institute Board of Trustees for their generous support of SLA students and thank you to all the SLA students who applied. Congratulations!
SLA's Home and School is running a "Fuel the Rocket Campaign" to raise $40,000 to help close next year's budget gap. These funds will pay for keeping the building open until 6pm, school supplies and after school programs.
We are almost half way toward our goal! No amount is too small. Monthly donations are welcome.
Please online donate today or send a check to SLA Fuel the Rocket, c/o Home & School, 55 N. 22nd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Congratulations to the Home and School Association for an INCREDIBLE event on Friday night! Over 200 folks showed up to support Science Leadership Academy. The night featured the SLA Parent Band (and rumors of a Van Morrison imitation by Mr. Lehmann are completely unfounded... unfounded, I tell you!), some chocolate-covered Oreos, and more items to bid on than we can name. While the final numbers are not yet in, it looks we raised more money than last year!
Thank you to Randi Kessler and all the members of the Auction committee and the entire Home and School Board for their tireless work for our school!
SLA welcomed Mayor Nutter and Storm Chaser Reed Timer for a visit on Friday, March 23rd. Mr. Timmer spoke to the entire 11th grade at The Franklin Institute in the morning and then met with a smaller, multi-grade group in the library. Mr. Timmer was duly impressed with the thoughtful and complex questions SLA students, and Mayor Nutter told us that he would return!
The PSSA Tests are coming up. The dates, section(s) tested, and start times are:
Date
Section
Start Time in testing room
3/20:
Math/reading sections 1 and 2
8:15 am
3/21:
Math/reading sections 3 and 4
9:00 am
3/22:
Math/reading sections 5 and 6
8:15 am
4/17:
Writing sections 1 and 2
8:15 am
4/18:
Writing sections 3 and 4
9:00 am
4/25:
Science Sections 1 and 2
9:00 am
4/26:
Science Section 3
8:15 am
Please make sure that all students are ON TIME.
On Wednesdays, juniors should be in their testing room by 9 am. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, juniors should be in their testing room by 8:15 am. Breakfast will be provided in the testing rooms on all days.
Testing standards call for all phones/PDAs/computers/anything electronic to be restricted in the testing area. During testing, you will not be able to contact your son or daughter on the phone, or via text message. In the event of an emergency, call the school.
The only thing that students can do if they finish testing early is to remain in the testing room and read. Please make sure they bring a book!
Packing a snack for the testing block is encouraged.
Please do not schedule any outside appointments on testing days.
Please make sure your student has plenty of rest.
Sincerely,
Stephanie Dunda and Sunil Reddy, Testing Coordinators
Next week, February 15th - 17th, we will be having Winter Parent Conferences. These conferences will be different than our Narrative Report Card conferences as they will be using our Standards Based Report Cards, not our Narrative Report Cards as the complimentary data to the report cards. As a result, parents and students will be able to speak to specific teachers after checking in with their advisors.
The schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, Feb. 15th: Grade 12
Parent Conferences on February 15th from 1:00 pm-3:30 pm
Meet in advisories from 1:00-1:30pm to have a bite to eat and get the SDP report card and the Standards Based Report Cards
1:30-3:30 - 12th grade teachers will be in their classrooms to meet with parents regarding student progress and development.
All seniors should report to their Advisory at 1:00.
All 10th and 11th graders have their ILPs
All 9th graders go to The Franklin Institute
Thursday, February 16th: Grades 10/11
Parent Conferences on February 16th from 1:00pm-3:30pm
Meet in advisories from 1:00-1:30pm to have a bite to eat and get the SDP report card and the Standards Based Report Cards
1:30-3:30 - 10th/11th grade teachers will be in their classrooms to meet with parents regarding student progress and development.
Classes end at 12:50.
All sophomores and juniors should report to their Advisory at 1:00.
Friday, February 17th: Grade 9
Parent Conferences on February 17th from 1:00pm-3:30pm
Meet in advisories from 1:00-1:30pm to have a bite to eat and get the SDP report card and the Standards Based Report Cards
1:30-3:30 - 9th grade teachers will be in their classrooms to meet with parents regarding student progress and development.
Classes end at 12:20
All 9th graders should report to their Advisory at 1:00.
This weekend, Science Leadership Academy hosted EduCon 2.4 - a national education conference exploring the intersection of progressive educational philosophy and 21st Century tools. Over 500 educators from more than 40 states and six different countries came to SLA to learn with us. By all accounts the conference was an incredible success, both from a philosophical standpoint and a financial one - as the conference raised over $50,000 to kick off this year's laptop fundraising. The conference was run completely by student, parent, teacher and administrator volunteers, and we could not have done it without them. Thank you to all the students and parents and teachers who gave freely of their time and energy. We heard over and over again from hundreds of conference participants how incredible this community is and how amazing our students and parents are. Thank you all for the work you do and for being an incredible example to the world of what a school can achieve together.
SLA Science and Engineering teacher Matthew N. VanKouwenberg has been named the Delaware Valley Engineers' Week Outstanding Science Teacher by the Philadelphia Engineering Foundation. Mr. VK will be honored at a luncheon on February 17th. Congrats to Mr. VK!
Please save March 23, 2012 for an adult-only evening of food and fun at the THIRD ANNUAL ROCKET TO THE STARS Silent Auction. This year's event will be at the Chemical Heritage Foundation at 315 Chestnut Street in the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia.
This fundraising event is Home & School's biggest of the year. Funds raised go toward school trips, sports equipment, fees for science fairs, field trips, SAT prep classes, and SAT applications, music programs, clubs, painting & repair of the school interiors, and supplies.
Buy your ticket(s) online today through the Home and School's Paypal Account!
If you are planning a trip to Modells, be sure to print out the attached coupon and get 15% off your purchase while supporting SLA! For the next four weeks, Modells will donate 5% of all purchases made with the coupon back to SLA Athletics!
Planning on buying some Phillies playoff gear or just a new pair of sneakers? Be sure to support SLA when you do!
Science Leadership Academy will have a shortened advisory and dismiss at 3:30 pm today so that students can get an earlier start on SEPTA. The only students who will be allowed in the building after 3:30 will be those who are waiting for parents to pick them up. We are urging all students to go straight home today given the traffic issues affecting the city.
Reminder to all incoming Science Leadership Academy families:
SLA's Summer Institute will be held Monday, August 22nd to Thursday, August 25th, from 9:00 am - 12:30 pm. Students should bring a pen and paper for the first day, and lunch will not be provided.
Congratulations to Teila Allmond, recipient of the first ever SLA Alumni Scholarship. The $250 scholarship is in recognition of all of Teila's achievements and contributions to the SLA community! She will join the SLA Alumni Association as an officer of the Class of 2011. Congratulations!
As part of the on-going and vital partnership between the Science Leadership Academy and The Franklin Institute, The Franklin Institute Board of Trustees have announced winners of The Franklin Institute Board of Trustees scholarship. The students will receive a $5,000 scholarship for their first year of college renewable for the second year. The competition for the scholarship was very strong this year, and we at SLA are proud of all who applied.
SLA Senior Teila Allmond wanted to make sure her prom was memorable not just for her, but for her grandmother too. So she brought her grandmother - who was not able to attend her own prom - as her prom date. NBC Philadelphia tells the whole story.
Congratulations to the following students who have been recognized for their high achievement and performance in the study of Spanish! They will be awarded certificates for this honor on May 11 at the School District's World Languages Honors Convocation at Masterman.
Attend the kick off event of SLA senior Amira Young's capstone project, Project Give-Back Philly on May 13th! Also, there will be a bake sale on Tuesday, May 10th to raise money for the project!
Congratulations to Davonte Shahir Martin for being the 2nd recipient of the Bill Gates Millennium Scholarship at Science Leadership Academy. Gates Millennium Scholarship is granted to only 1,000 students across the country to further their education to the university of their choice.
The award is renewable for up to five years for an undergraduate degree in any discipline. Scholars who go on to pursue graduate degrees in computer science, education, engineering, library sciences, mathematics, public health, or science are eligible to receive continued funding.
Davonte will be attending Pennsylvania State University, main campus, and is interested in pursuing computer science and broadcasting majors. His interests are in film and media and he wishes to be part of executive media industry.
Come to the Home and School Meeting on Wednesday, April 13th to meet with SLA parents, students and faculty to discuss the impact of the cuts to the School District of Philadelphia's budget on SLA. We will be discussing how the cuts to SLA's program and ways parents can help to support the school.
The Board of Trustees of The Franklin Institute is offering a $5,000.00 Franklin Institute Board of Trustee (FIBOT) Scholarship, renewable once, (to total $10,000.00) for outstanding Science Leadership Academy Class of 2011 students matriculating college and pursuing a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM).
The Board of Trustees anticipates awarding multiple scholarships each year. The requirements for the scholarship are:
Minimum 3.0 High School GPA
SAT Score
Two Letters of Recommendation
Primary Letter of Recommentation from a Teacher/Senior SLA Administrator
Secondary Letter of Recommendation from a Non-SLA individual
Declared STEM major for application
Personal statement addressing the question: "What is your career in the STEM field going to look like in the future?".
On March 26th, Phresh Philadelphia, led by SLA junior Rashuan Williams, will be partnering with other organizations in the city hosting a ground breaking ceremony in celebration for the future they plan to build together. Phresh and their partner organizations will be rebuilding the Clearfield Street by rehabilitating vacant and broken properties, constructing urban gardening and street cleaning events, and empowering the community with economic education to help them manage the resources they receive. The location is 1324 Clearfield St. and everyone is invited to attend from 12:00am to 3:00pm. Students can sign up to volunteer with Phresh Philadelphia on the scheduled dates for some of these project development dates.
Come out this Friday March 11th, to see your fellow peers represent SLA in the first slam of the Philly Youth Poetry Movement's Slam League. The event starts at 4:30pm, it is free and will be held in the drama studio at SLA. Schools competing include Germantown High School, Constitution High School, Central High School, Plymouth Whitemarsh High School, Overbrook High School and of course, Science Leadership Academy.
SLA's team is coached by Mr. Kay and Sinnea Douglas after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Anyone who wants to join is more than welcome. It is not too late!
SLA placed 2nd in the Mock Slam on February 25th. Gina Dukes, Eryn James, and Joshua Melendez all participated and had tremendous performances. Check out the videos on the teams Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/SLA-Slam-Team-PYPM/171147346261542.
Founder of Tune-Up Philly and world-renown trumpeter Stanford Thompson came to SLA on Tuesday, March 1st to jam with the SLA musicians and talk about Tune-Up Philly. Rough Cut Productions will have a much better video of the experience soon, but until then, please enjoy Mr. Lehmann's attempt to share the visit.
Friday, March 11, 2011
6-9pm at the Chemical Heritage Foundation, 315 Chestnut Street
A festive evening of fellowship and fund-raising for our students.
Come celebrate the SLA Community with parents, teacher and friends!
$45 per person or $80/couple
Please RSVP today!
Use your invitation reply card or pay by credit card using PayPal
The Auction Committee welcomes donations of tickets, items, or services. Please fill out this form to make an auction donation. Donations must be made by February 28th to get into the Auction Program.
Just want to make a donation? Click below to choose your own amount
As many of you know, school is cancelled tomorrow - the first day of EduCon. EduCon will still be happening, and attendees will begin arriving at school at 10:00 am. We will have activities for the attendees set up at school all day long and the building will be open. In addition, several of tomorrow night's panelists were planning on speaking to SLA kids during the day. Those conversations will still happen for students who wish to attend.
No students are mandated to come to school, but the building will be open for EduCon. We know that many students are very committed to the conference and have been working very hard for tomorrow and the weekend. We are all committed to making sure that it is an incredible event for all.
Students who wish to come in should bring in a note from their parents.
Congratulations to SLA Science and History teacher, Mr. Gamal Sherif, for being chosen by the National Science Teachers Assocation to be awarded the 2011 CPO Award for Excellence in Inquiry-based Science Teaching. Mr. Sherif was one of three teachers in the country and the only high school teacher to be chosen this year.
We at SLA are thrilled to see that NSTA has recognized what we have long known - that Mr. Sherif is a master teacher who helps students to inquire deeply about their world and learn powerfully from the questions they ask and the answers they find.
Congratulations Mr. Sherif, and thank you for all you do for SLA!
A FAFSA completion workshop will be held here at SLA on January 19 at 6pm. Sharon Scott and Nichole Moore, Assistant Directors, Student Financial Services, University of Pennsylvania will assist parents in completing the FAFSA application. Students and parents must bring the following items:
Parent and student social security numbers
Parent and/or student Alien Registration Number (if applicable)
Parent and student 2009 0r 2010 W-2 Forms
Parent and Student 1040 Federal Income Tax Return for 2009 or 2010
Copies of untaxed income for 2010 (i.e. amount of any unemployment, welfare benefits or social benefits received)
The Science Leadership Academy Boys Basketball team registered their first victory of the season on Tuesday with a win over the Arts Academy @ Benjamin Rush, 71-52. SLA was led by junior Sam Kabangai with 16 points and junior Tyler Hankinson with 13 points and 10 assists. SLA was leading at halftime 33-24, and then put the game away, out-scoring Rush 22-12 in the third quarter.
Come out and cheer on SLA on Friday, Dec. 17th as the Rockets take on Douglass. Go SLA!
Photo: Freshman Sterling Perry lays it up against Rush. (Photo credit: Ayanna Robinson)
As part of the on-going Scaer Library Speaker Series, Jonny Goldstein, founder of Envisualize, will be speaking at Science Leadership Academy during X lunch today, Tuesday, November 23rd. Students interested to learn how they can better visualize powerful ideas should come to the Scaer Library during lunch and meet one of the people re-thinking the way we communicate ideas.
The Science Leadership Academy is featured on the Apple Education website! SLA is one of four case studies showcased by Apple on how computing can change education. SLA is featured along with Greene County, NC School District, Ohio State University and Central Elementary School in California. SLA is the only high school and the only urban school to be showcased. Apple is using our case study to demonstrate to schools and universities all over the world how Apple products, along with a clearly defined progressive pedagogy, can transform schools.
Thank you to Apple for choosing to showcase SLA, and thank you to all the teachers and students who gave their time to the project!
My Rock and Pop Music class is coming along nicely but we are lacking a few pieces of musical gear.
If anyone has guitars, electric guitars or basses, keyboards, microphones, guitar straps, mic or guitar stands, 1/4" instrument cables or amplifiers that they are not using and would like to donate to our cause, please do so! We will use the gear! We will dedicate songs to you and play them for you with your donated gear! It will be great!!