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On April 25, 2022, LMSD Superintendent Dr. Khalid Mumin announced his recommendation of Shawanna James-Coles as the new Director of Diversity and Equity for the district, an endorsement confrmed by the Board of School Directors. James-Coles will assume the role on July 1 this year. James-Coles is a seasoned veteran of the educational system, with nearly three decades of experience as an educator and supporter of students. Having served in a variety of roles—from kindergarten teacher to elementary school principal, instructional specialist to diversity director—James-Coles also has not stopped with her own education, as she pursues her doctorate from Immaculata University. James-Coles draws from a myriad of experiences spanning both urban and suburban districts as she takes on the new role as diversity coordinator at LM. James-Coles draws her own story from humble origins, growing up in the inner city as the eldest of three siblings. She cites her role model as her mother, who raised her “three children as a single mom” and instilled in them the importance of “resilience, hard work, dedication, and sacrifce.” James-Coles fondly recalls how her mother would always take the time to be there for her, from sending her of to school to being there when she arrived home, and notes how her mother’s emphasis on family contributes to her current desires to bring her community together. Despite the fnancial limitations of her upbringing, she recounts how her mother’s emphasis on education, along with the support of teachers and extended family, was what helped shape her own aspirations for bettering those around her, because education is “something no one can take from you.” James-Coles carried this philosophy of community-based education into her professional career, where she strived to be as visible and impactful in students’ lives as possible. As a kindergarten teacher, she would directly engage with families out in the community, and as principal, she would regularly conduct friendly home visits so students and their extended families—especially those new to the district—could “get to know me.” After transitioning to a district-level administrator—a decision she admits was quite difcult to make—she continued to go out of her way to connect with students beyond the walls of her ofce, even keeping the latter in the same building where she was principal so students could access her whenever they needed. “I’ve never been a teacher or administrator who liked to sit behind a desk,” James-Coles refects. “I want to be in touch with the students, I want to hear about their day, I want to be in the lunchroom, I want to be invited to all the events they have, and so I think early on I understood the importance of being involved.” James-Coles’ eforts have certainly made their mark in her community, with many of her students ofering their unwavering support of her as a mentor and advocate. James-Coles describes how her most memorable moment as an educator was following a difcult episode in which she was diagnosed with liver disease, after which a local news outlet interviewed some of her students as part of a report on her. The response from students was heartwarming. “She cares about me. She looks us in our eyes. She makes us feel that we matter.” Similarly, after conversing with her two children, Jared and Kelli, a few years ago about whether she should continue with her current career path, James-Coles was inspired by what they told her as students coming from a suburban district lacking in racial diversity: “Be what we didn’t have.” All these experiences have helped JamesColes come to appreciate the way in which she can touch the lives of her pupils. As James-Coles continues her educational journey at LM, she seeks to continue to apply her philosophy on being highly visible for students in order to best engage with her new community and build upon what has already been done. She strives to develop a learning environment conducive to all forms of diversity, including but not limited to race, gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation, and be in a position where she can “empower their voices, show that I am listening, so they feel that they have an advocate, an ally in me.” She also hopes to develop partnerships between school districts, as she has done previously with Springfeld Township High School and Centennial School Districts, so as to best “elevate the collective voices” of the student body. One of the best ways she believes she can facilitate change is through partnerships with students and student-run organizations as well, which have made tremendous impact in her own previous experiences. After partnering with a student equity group called Voices for Change at Centennial, she was able to help support a book club to read beyond required texts, an initiative for sending birthday box gifts for students in need, and a program for visiting local elementary schools to read with their students. She hopes to continue to develop further initiatives for advancing student growth and diversity by getting to know the student body, exploring all that LM has to ofer, and enjoying the wealth of opportunity that comes with the role she is about to embark upon.

Photo courtesy of Shawanna James-Coles

Continued from PRIDE AT THE PARK on page 1

The planners for this event include Wurtzel, Maya Taylor ’23, Ruby Davis ’23, and Sylvie Weisbord ’23. “We have been working with the Narberth Borough and they will be providing police officers to watch over the event,” explained Taylor when asked about the safety precautions that will be in place. Taylor added, “Hateful protests legally aren’t allowed to enter the park during our event.” Through these measures, there hopefully won’t be an incident like the one Wurtzel, Taylor, and others endured last June. The headlining musical performance is the Philly-based queer band, Kate Dressed Up, with other local musicians also taking the stage. Drag queen Balena Canto will be giving one of their iconic storytimes for kids of all ages. Andrea Duetsch, the mayor of Narberth, will be speaking along with Brian Sims, a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Entrance is free due to the support of many local businesses, but Wurtzel recommends bringing money to support local artists and food vendors. Although Pride at the Park is still a month away, prepare for an exciting, inclusive celebration. Prepare your most outrageous outfit and get ready to show your pride!

The month of Ramadan is celebrated by Muslims all over the world. This is an important month for Muslims because this is when the Quran, the Muslim holy book, was revealed. This holy month is where Muslims fast for thirty days, meaning they abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. But why do Muslims do this? In Chapter Two line 185 of the Quran, God says, “Whoever is present in the month of Ramadan, let them fast.” Not only is it mandatory for Muslims to fast during this month, but it is also one of the five pillars of Islam. The five pillars in Islam is what makes someone a practicing Muslim. The five pillars in order are the Shahada (believing that there is no one worthy of worship except God, and the Prophet Muhammad is the messenger of God), praying five times a day, Zakat (giving charity), fasting during the month of Ramadan, and Hajj (the pilgrimage Muslims make to Mecca). Ramadan is a chance for a person to improve spiritually, and it purifies one’s soul. Ramadan also purifies the heart, which is arguably our most precious organ. This month, Muslims increase their participation in acts of good deeds and charity. This is a time of the year when Muslims are grateful for their blessings. Food and water are blessings that are given to us from God. LM student Sarem Khan ’24 says, “Ramadan is a time where I can connect with God and become a better Muslim. Everyone comes together and it is a great time of the year.” While Muslims keep away from their food and water, they also give these blessings to the ones who need it more than them. Charity and Ramadan go hand in hand. Charity is the third pillar of Islam, and it increases tremendously during this month. One’s generosity should increase 100 percent during this month. It is said in a narration that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was generous all year round; however, during Ramadan, he was described as a hurricane of generosity or a wind that bears gifts. A hurricane wipes away everything around itself, meaning everyone around you should feel your generosity. Charity and fasting are vital factors in bringing oneself closer to Islam and God. People may think fasting limits a person’s ability to do things. This is a misconception about people who fast. Muslims still participate in activities and sports. Kyrie Irving, a professional basketball player for the Brooklyn Nets, fasted while playing in the NBA playoffs. Irivng averaged 31.8 points since the start of Ramadan and put up 42 points against the Rockets on April 5. Athletes could potentially break their fast in the middle of their games if the times of sunset and their matches overlap. The meal that Muslims break their fast with is known as iftar. A number of famous athletes have iftar in the middle of their games. It is the way of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to break the fast with dates and water. This is a healthy way to break your fast because dates are a natural source of energy and are a filling fruit that can make you feel energized in a short amount of time. These aspects are what make Ramadan precious to Muslims and the real reason why Muslims fast. Fasting purifies the heart and soul for a closer relationship to God.