CONWELL NEWS: Class of 2023 Advice and Memories Video Interviews

Video

By B. Smith – 83 – CCB Reporter with contributions from A. Mejias-83 and E. Perez-83

It’s been such a great experience and a great year for everyone at Conwell Middle Magnet School. Every student here at Conwell has created great memories and has met great peers, as well. Unfortunately, the Eighth-Grade Class of 2023 has to say goodbye and start a new chapter of their lives. 

Please check out the above video to hear what some students of the Class of 2023 want to share with you, along with advice they have for the younger and incoming students of Conwell.

We hope you find this advice to be valuable and take this advice seriously.

Posted by CCB Staff

STUDENT COLUMN: Conwell Cougars in the Hall – Spring Edition

Video

by Y. Hiraldo – 61 – CCB Staff

Video production by Y. Hiraldo 61 – CCB Staff with video engineering contributions from J. Rivera – 62 – CCB Contributor.

Conwell Cougars Blog student Columnist Y. Hiraldo spoke with students and staff about how they enjoy the warmer months!

Editor’s note: If you are interested in creating a student column, email gdungan@philasd.org.

Posted by CCB Staff

CONWELL SPORTS: Flag Football Championship Game Highlights

Video

Video report by A. Vega – 82 CCB Photographer

Article by L. Colon – 62 CCB Contributor

Conwell Cougars.Blog Photographer, A. Vega, has put together a photo gallery of the championship game of flag foot ball that took place on May 18 ,

Blue team the Cougar Selects triumphed over the Green team Hawks, 34 – 38

They played a true championship game, and while the Hawks fought and tried super hard, the Cougar Selects fought just a little stronger and only won by four points with just 10 seconds left in the game .

Editor’s Note: 6ABC reporter Matteo did a fantastic story that featured Mr. Washington and how his Police Athletic League experience helped pave the way for the Conwell Flag Football League.

Posted by L. Colon – 62 CCB Contributor

ASAS – Conwell PA Ballet Students Show Off in Leaps and Bounds

Video

by A. Peralta – 83 – CCB Lead Reporter

The PA Ballet program ran through September to May, ultimately ending with a final performance on May 5, 2023. Conwell Middle School students were taught three dances to practice, Jazz Dance, Bachata and The Finale Dance. The final dance, There were nine different other schools, all dressed in different colors while Conwell was dressed in green.

“Just the thought of them performing in front of lots of people, makes it all worth it,” Ms. Maria, Conwell School Secretary and After School All Stars coordinator for the school, said.

Ms. Maria has stated that the students learn discipline, cooperation and also learn how to be precise. One of the performers had also received a scholarship to a dance school, however they are going to receive this recognition later during the 8th grade award ceremony.

Ms. Maria also looks forward to more participation in the next school year and she encourages everyone to join, male and female, dancer or not, she still encourages everyone to join.

Check out the above video to see the 2022-2023 Conwell PA Ballet dancers in action, during their performance at the Cherry St. Pier on May 5.

Editor’s Note – Footage from the recital courtesy of Ms. Maria and Conwell Parent Ms. Palmer.

Posted by A. Peralta – CCB Staff

CONWELL SPORTS: Inaugural Flag Football Season Video Overview

Video

by A. Vega – CCB Videographer

The Conwell Middle Magnet School Flag Football games were an amazing experience to film. It’s because the students look like they are having a blast and the spectators were enjoying themselves. My video can be the second best way to watch the game. So come on down to watch our student athletes play on Thursdays. It’ll be happening after school and we look forward to it continuing year after year.

Editor’s note: reporting contributions by V. Escorza and E. Vega.

Posted by A. Vega-CCB Staff 

CONWELL COMMUNITY: Meta Facebook and Instagram Field Trip Lifts Up Conwell Students

Featured

By A. Snowden – 62 – CCB Reporter

Photo Gallery of Shelice’s Angels Field Trip by A. Peralta-62 and R. Rowan -71 CCB Staff

Recently, a group of young women from Conwell Middle Magnet School got the privilege to go out of state to see the Meta Facebook Company in action. 

On Friday, May 5, Zaire Franklin, one of the linebackers for the Indianapolis Colts, gave them the opportunity to meet with important workers at the colorful, technology full, Meta Facebook Company, through his nonprofit organization Shelice’s Angels.

According to the Shelice’s Angels website, the aim of the nonprofit is to educate young people about the greater world around them.

The girls on this trip got on a luxury bus and drove 2 hours to New York City. Franklin talked a little about how he named the trip.

“I named you all the ‘Shelice Angels’ because my mother’s name was Shelice, “ Mr. Franklin stated. “She was very dear to me because I grew up with her, and learned a lot.”

Franklin went to Conwell Middle Magnet School before becoming a professional football player. Since graduating Conwell, he has made several visits to our school for motivational talks. One of his recent visits to his alma mater even brough NFL Films

“I learned to do more than my limits, “ Zaire explained of his time at Conwell. He added that his mother saw his potential in himself that helped lead to his successes.

In the beginning of the Meta Facebook field trip, the girls were allowed to do a Question and Answer to learn more about how the Meta Company operated.

“People make mistakes, believe me I did a lot,” Ms. Lauren, one of the Meta Facebook employees told the students during the Q and A part of the tour. “You can’t take those back, so don’t think about what you could have done, and start thinking about what you can do in the future to make it better.” 

All the workers that were in this Q and A, had no idea that they would be working at the Meta company. They all had ideas in being an athlete, or a technologist. In fact, some said that they didn’t even know this company existed!

There were nearly 30 people that went on the Shelice’s Angels trip. There were 7 chaperones, including Principal Green and Ms. Branch. According to Ms. Green, Meta Facebook provided the other chaperones.

The chaperones split everyone into groups, and took them for ice cream and to see the breath-taking New York City skyline on the company’s roof. 

“The view was beautiful! “ J. Rivera of section 62 stated. “I would definitely go there again!” 

Everyone who participated got Indianapolis Colts hats, and Shelice’s Angels shirts.  

Posted by CCB staff

CONWELL COMMUNITY: Upcoming City Council Public Safety Hearing At Conwell Middle Magnet School

Featured

By A. Peralta-83 – CCB Lead Reporter with contributions by CCB Staff

Image courtesy of Conwell MMS.

On Tuesday, May 9, from 5:30 through 8:30 PM, Conwell Middle Magnet School will be hosting Philadelphia City Council’s next Public Safety Committee Hearing. At the public event, Council member Curtis Jones Jr. (4th district), chairperson of the Public Safety Committee and Council member Quetzy Lozada (7th district), will be speaking about Kensington’s crises of Crime, Narcotics and overall harmful environment for students and civilians alike.

According to Conwell’s principal, Ms. Erica Green, Conwell Middle School has support from the 24th Police District along with Town Watch, IDAAY, The City Of Philadelphia and School Police.

As explained in an article published in the Philadelphia City Council Weekly Report, the purpose of the hearing is for the public to weigh in on Councilmember Lozada’s proposed Marshall Plan for Kensington. The plan is described as a way for leaders from across the city to develop solutions in collaboration with community residents. 

In her resolution, Council member Lozada stated that the plan was so named after, “The Marshall Plan, also known as the European Recovery Program, grew out of the horror and destruction caused by World War II.” Her plan connected the horrors of World II with the current Opioid and gun violence crisis in the neighborhood. 

“They chose Conwell because it is in the heart of Kensington and the Opiod Crisis,” Principal. Green said.

“They chose Conwell because it is in the heart of Kensington and the Opioid Crisis,” Ms. Erica Green, principal of Conwell Middle Magnet school, said. “Voices of the parents, students and teachers should be heard because they are all stakeholders.”

Principal Green encourages the public, residents, and especially students and their families to attend the meeting to have their voices heard.

“Voices of the parents, students and teachers should be heard because they are all stakeholders,” Principal Green said, “and the only way we can make change is if we work together for our community.”

According to Principal Green, students are expected to speak and express their concerns, opinions and worries. Some students were also asked what they would say to the City Council members during the meeting. 

“Our community needs more police officers around making addicts and the homeless get proper help,” said A. Irizarry-82, Conwell eigth-grade student and president of the school’s Student Council. She added, “and ensuring no more addicts are in our community.”  

Many of Conwell’s students walk home, take public transit, and travel from outside the neighborhood, which makes this a major issue and hazard for the safety of the students.

“There should be police officers to at least get people off the street,”  said E. Jasper-83, an eighth-grade student. “I once ran into someone high.¨

Furthermore, the crime rate in Kensington makes this dangerous situation even worse.

“I don’t want to see needles on the ground,” A. Capetillo-61, a sixth grade student, said.