Student and Staff celebrations, School News Features, and probably some wholesome wacky randomness
Walking Up (and Down) The Right Way at Conwell
by N. Champion-62 and J. Cruz-62, CCB Staff
This is a video created to show how to use the stairs the right way and also shows how our safety patrol helps students.
CONWELL MUSIC: Students Feel the Beat
VIDEO
By E. Vega-82 – CCB Editorial Staff
Conwelll students during rehearsal with Drum Teacher Mr. Robinson. Footage by A. Vega-81.
Students at Conwell Middle Magnet School show off their great talent by playing the drums with drum teacher Mr. Robinson. Students played three different practice pieces in the above video, and one song called “Boom Cat Samba.”
Students play every Wednesday, throughout the day. If you wish to join drums, please contact Mr. Robinson or Ms. Maria at the main office.
Video Editing by K. Velasquez 83 and Video Footage by A. Vega 81
CONWELL NEWS: Mr. Ford is Working Hard Toward Positive Change
By R. Currid – 72 – CCB Reporter
Photo of Mr. Ford and the article’s author, R. Currid-72. Mr. Ford is the Conwell Middle Magnet School Counselor. Photo courtesy of Ms. Williams, Conwell SBTL.
This week is National Counselors Week. At Conwell Middle Magnet School we are celebrating our school’s counselor. Mr. Ford came to Conwell when the previous counselor was going out on sabbatical. Mr. Ford filled the spot in 2013 for half a year, and soon became our permanent counselor.
Before Mr. Ford was Conwell’s counselor, he said he was a teacher of Technology at an elementary school. In the second month of teaching, he thought he needed to help the kids more and soon he became a school counselor.
When Mr. Ford chose Conwell, he had many other choices. It turned out that Conwell was an easy choice for him.
When Mr. Ford was younger, he said that he was always good at school. However, he warned that students who think school is easy, and don’t need to give much effort, will need to give more effort at a Magnet school, such as Conwell Middle Magnet School.
“Work gets harder,” Mr. Ford said, “then you figure out smart people work hard.”
He went to all Philadelphia public schools, from second to 12th grade. At some point in high school decided to give himself a talk and said give it your best shot at the classroom and in sports and see what happens. It worked out that I was successful, got a college degree from West Chester University and the rest is history.
Editor’s note: Leave a comment here to say a quick word of thanks to Mr. Ford!
To hear Mr. Ford share a bit about his counseling philosophy through music, play the video above!
Posted by CCB Staff
Conwell News: Black History Month Assembly – Celebrating The Black Culture
by A. Snowden – 62 – CCB Reporter
Conwell Middle Magnet School hosted a live Zoom event on Feb. 28 in celebration of Black History Month. The event included five Conwell Cougars.Blog produced interviews by Conwell students and staff about their African heritage.
The event was created by Conwell’s Black History Month Committee, and featured:
- CCB student Interviews
- African Music
- African Dances
- Different Flags
- Different foods
- Posters of Black History
- Colorful slideshows about Black History
Students were dancing, singing, and there were positive feedback all around!
“The Celebration was really interesting to see and learn about all the foods”, J. Rivera of section 6 – 2 stated as she described what it was like to see this presentation. ” I would defiantly see this again.”
Check out the student video interviews that were featured in the school assembly:
Check out the student video interviews that were featured in the school assembly:
By 72, N.C, CCB Editorial Staff
If you stop by Nurse Tosin’s office during this month she will help you seek healthy eyes.
Nurse Tosin is promoting National Eye Care Month, this January.
According to the flier outside of the Nurse’s office it gave some tips on how to keep your eyes healthy. It states:
- Cut down on screen time,
- Wear sunglasses,
- Always wear your glasses if needed,
- Eat eye healthy foods like green leafy, and vegetables proteins and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Get regular eye exams
¨In the month of January we check 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders eyes to make sure their eyes are healthy,¨ Conwell school nurse, Nurse Tosin said.
Fun facts about your eyes, according to Nurse Tosin’s flier:
- “Your eyes focus on 50 different objects every second
- A normal eye can distinguish approximately 10 million different colors,
- The most complex organ after the brain is the eye with 1 million nerve bundles
- 8 oz of your learning is obtained through your vision,
- Eyes can not be transplanted because they are connected to the brain via the optic nerve which can not be reconnected if served,
- If your eyes were a digital camera they would be 576 megapixels – an iPhone is only 12 megapixels”
For more information please visit the Health room on the second floor.
Posted By 72, N.C, CCB editor
SCHOOL NEWS: Shining Bright Stars at Conwell Tutoring
by A. Peralta-62-CCB Staff
Mr. Stockdale and Mr. Verdi are offering free tutoring lessons in Math, Social Studies and Reading after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 2:35-3:35 in Room 301.
“Tutoring helps the success of Conwell students,” Mr. Stockdale stated.
Mr. Stockdale has been teaching math ever since he came to Conwell Middle School in 2009. He’s been teaching for 13 years. He started teaching 27 years ago. Mr. Verdi has been teaching for 10 years. And been teaching here for 7 years.
Photo by A. Peralta-62-CCB Editor
“All students can benefit for a little extra help,” Mr.Verdi said enthusiastically.
“Students have powerful potential,” Principal Green said,adding that practice during tutoring will get them to their desires.
Mr. Washington, Climate Manager at Conwell also said tutoring is good, and quoted Malcom X, when he said, “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to people who prepare for it today.”
If you are a Conwell student who would like to sign up for tutoring, Contact Mr. Stockdale in room 301 or Mr. Verdi in room 206.
Or Email them at
Posted by A. Peralta–62-CCB staff
CONWELL MUSIC: The Strings to Success
By S. Hogan – 62 – CCB Correspondent
Impromptu Conwell Classroom Concert led by Ms. Manuela, Conwell Violin Teacher on Dec. 12.
Lead videography edit by K. Velasquez-82-CCB Staff with footage by Mr. Dungan-CCB co-advisor and CC Turco-62-CCB Contributor.
Conwell Middle Magnet school has many musical instruments for its students, but today I will tell you about the violin and the many kinds of people that love instruments and today we will talk about one lovely person who teaches it.
“I think [the violin] helps the class get more active,” A. Snowden-62, a Conwell violin student said.
She was explaining that music is something that can get people to be more active, rather than sitting down on some sort of electronic device. Ms.Manuela, Conwell’s violin teacher, is one of the best violin teachers to learn from, A. Snowden said.
According to Ms. Manuela, when she was nine years old, she loved the idea of teaching. By the time she was the age of 17, Ms. Manuela loved seeing her students succeed in life and go on to inspire others to discover their own ability to play music.
“I have loved playing the violin since the age of nine and now I’m a violin teacher,”
Ms. Manuela said. “I love to teach my students how to play and after all these years I still love what I do.”
Ms. Manuela said that when she first started teaching, she just thought it would be a cool experience. But, it’s different now.
“I now know this is what I was born to do,” she said. “And I love this with all the kind loving students I teach!”
Editor’s Note:
S. Hogan is also a member of Ms. Manuella’s violin class. Ms. Manuella holds classes every Monday. To enroll in her class, please talk to your homeroom teacher or see Ms. Maria in the main office.
Posted by CCB Staff.
CONWELL NEWS PHOTO GALLERY: Dr. Watlington’s Visit
GALLERY
By A. Peralta-83 and A. Vega-81 CCB Graphic Arts Team
A photo gallery of Philadelphia Superintendent Dr. Watlington at Conwell Middle Magnet School in November 2022.
Posted by A. Peralta-83 and A. Vega-81 CCB Staff
SCHOOL NEWS: Conwell NJHS Hosts Virtual Tour
Article By B. Beregszaszi-83-CCB Contributor
On Thursday, Nov. 3, members of the Conwell National Juniors Honor Society (NJHS) gave a stunning virtual tour to the elementary school, Prince Hall Elementary. The NJHS members who participated were Conwell eighth-grade students Brianna B., Lia V., J’Ryah S., Nehemie F., Aiden R., Timothy W., Cocomi Z., and Katiana M.
Photo by N. Fanfan-83-CCB Contributor and graphic art By A. Peralta-62-CCB Editor
They showed the many wonders and opportunities our school has to offer. As they entered classrooms, students spoke about their personal experiences and opinions regarding Conwell.
“Conwell has a lot of creativity”, said one student. Some school activities mentioned included volleyball, basketball, and ASAS, and the school newspaper, the Conwell Cougars Blog.
CCB Staff Note :
According to Principal Green, Prince Hall was an abolitionist and leader in the free black community in Boston. He Founded Prince Hall Free Masonry and lobbied for education rights for African American children.He was also active in the back-to-Africa movement.
Ms. De Jesus, Conwell’s Spanish teacher, speaks to Prince Hall Students in a Conwell virtual tour, led by NJHS students.
Photo by N. Fanfan-83-CCB Contributor
This post was published by A. Peralta-62-CCB Editor
CONWELL NEWS: Students’ Hard Work Pays off with NJHS
Posted on by Aida Peralta
By A. Schemes-72 CCB Reporter
Photos courtesy of Ms. Williams-NJHS Conwell Chapter Advisor, Conwell SBTL
National Junior Honors Society (NJHS) is an international student organization.
Eligible NJHS students had to have a GPA of 3.5 or higher to get the invite. Then they have to fill out a form of all the clubs, jobs, and leadership things they have done to get accepted.
Once you are accepted you can choose whether you want to be in the ceremony or not. This year nine students got into NJHS. But there are 14 students total in NJHS. Only one of the 14 students were absent from the ceremony that occurred on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 10:15a.m. The NJHS ceremony took place in room 202.
Due to Covid, it was live on Zoom with the whole school watching. As well as parents who joined the Zoom.
The ceremony was about celebrating the students who got into one of the highest honors that can be awarded to a middle school student. The NJHS is not just about what grade you get, it is about leadership, service, character, citizenship, and so much more.
Here is a quote from the one and only Ms.Williams, Conwell’s School Based Teacher Leader, who spoke on her role in NJHS and what it means to Conwell!
“I am an NJHS Adviser for the Conwell Chapter,” Ms. Williams said. “At Conwell, NJHS is an opportunity to be a part of a nationally recognized organization that promotes and celebrates scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship, and character.”
NJHS is important to Conwell because it really shows that hard work pays off. It makes students feel like all the work done is appreciated.
All the students who are in NJHS worked super hard to get good grades. NJHS is not all about grades. You have to be a leader. You have to have good citizenship. Last but not least you have to be kind and care for others.
A. Irizarry of section 81 explained what it means for her to be in NJHS.
“I feel honored that they chose me and it brings up my courage about all the wonderful things i could do,” she said. “It motivates me to focus on school.”
“I feel honored that they chose me and it brings up my courage about all the wonderful things I could do. It motivates me to focus on school.”-A. AMARILIZ – NJHS INDUCTEE OF SECTION 81
As Amariliz said, all students can tell that getting praise for the work you do will encourage you to not give up on yourself.
Editor’s Note – A. Schemes is one of the 14 NJHS inductees at the 2022 NJHS ceremony of Conwell.
This article is published by A. Peralta -CCB Editor
SCHOOL NEWS: Making Social Studies Appealing
Posted on October 4, 2022 by ccbstaff
By A. Snowden-62-CCB Reporter
Have you ever heard of a map of the world made out of an orange?
Maybe you haven’t, but Mr. Verdi’s seventh grade Social Studies class, in September, decided it would be a good idea to make it.
J. Gonzalez-72 said that he had to learn about map distortion before his class could make this wacky project. According to Gonzalez, Map Distortion is the action of being distorted/pulled.
He said that this project taught the class that the globe and distortion are different by showing that distortion is on a flat map and a round globe.
The creative person that came up with this idea is none other than Mr. Verdi himself, Gonzalez said.
If this class didn’t learn about distortion, they wouldn’t understand how to MAKE distortion on a map.
J. Gonzalez said, “This was one of the best projects I have done so far!”
This article was published by A. Estevez-Rivera-62-CCB Editor
Celebrating Women’s History Month at Conwell
by N. Champion-62, CCB Staff
Ms. Green, principal of Conwell Middle Magnet School, at 8 a.m. on March 23, in a Zoom assembly meeting inspired the whole school with a Women’s History Presentation. Ms. Green had amazing words to say throughout the assembly.
“Specifically for the month of March we highlight Women’s History Month,” said Ms. Green.
Ms. Green presented Ms. Gartside and Ms. Leone’s Women’s History month google slide presentation. The slide show presented six women, each slide contained information about each woman in a video.
The phenomenal women were:
Mary J. Blige, a singer and songwriter,
Lena Waithe, an writer and actor,
Abby Wambach Team USA, soccer player,
Serena Willaims, Championship Tennis Player,
Sandra Cisneros Latiana, writer
Fei – Fei Li a Chief Technologist at Google Cloud.
Among the six phenomenal women was Serena Williams, who has inspired many women.
“You have to improve yourself so that you can go out there and be the best you can be and not prove anything to anyone,” Williams said in the interview.
In 73, student S. Ortiz and Ms. Kerwin, Conwell Middle Magnet School Art Teacher, said that the women’s History Month assembly was influential
“This was important to recognize such a diverse group of women. It was awesome to see athletes, writers, singers and tech pioneers,” Ms. Kerwin said.
“I really enjoyed it and so did the students,” S. Ortiz added.
“This was important to recognize such a diverse group of women.”
MS. KERWIN – CONWELL ART TEACHER
Edited by O. Ojo-61, CCB Staff
Conwell Students Earn a AAA in Safety
by R. Joshi-83, CCB Staff Writer
Photo Credit Kasiem Mitchell, Section 83 – CCB Contributor. Image by Raghav Joshi, Section 83, ACWAO Producer.
AAA School Safety Patrol members are school sponsored student volunteers from upper elementary grades, middle and junior high schools. Patrollers’ jobs are to protect students from hazards of crossing roads and highways on their way to and from school, teach fellow students about traffic safety, and keep them safe overall.
“You are all made of stardust and are stars for being in this program.” Conwell’s Principal Green said at the March 8, 2022 swearing in ceremony. “This is a task that requires a lot of leadership.”
The members stay overtime after school and provide services such as holding the doors, preventing fights, etc.
Images of the 3/8/22 AAA induction ceremony, where Conwell students were sworn in as a AAA Safety Patrol officer by Philadelphia Police Captain Rosario of the 24th Police District. – Photo Credit: K.Mitchell-83, CCB Contributor
“Patrollers affect the population positively,” says Mr. J. Washington, Conwell’s climate director, and AAA patrol school advisor said.
This shows how much dedication, effort, and sacrifice is required to be in the program.
“Not everyone can be in it, and it’s an honor and privilege. So, if you want to be in it, Step up your game”, says Mr. Washington.
Typically, teachers and principals appoint patrol members, who participate with parental approval. A teacher usually serves as the patrol advisor. Local law enforcement officers may also be involved with the patrol.
“What I think about the program is that every student in it is a Star,” Philadelphia Police Captain Rosario of the 24th Police District said. He officiated the event’s swearing in ceremony. “And, even though it is not meant for everyone. You can make it if you try.”
Edited by O. Ojo-61, ACWAO Editor
“Patrollers affect the population positively.” – J. Washington – Conwell Climate Manager
J. Washington – Conwell Climate Manager
Conwell PSA Series:
Respect Your Teachers
by L. Waites-71, CCB Contributor
You should respect your teachers because they want you to succeed.
Our generation is their future. Teachers aren’t out to get us. They have a career that they do because they enjoy it and they want to help you. Respect your teachers because they are trying to help you and give you the tools you need to succeed in life. That aligns with our school’s mission. You might not realize it, but teachers are the key to getting an education.
“You Should respect your teachers, because they want you to succeed.”
L. Waites-71, CCB Contributor
They are preparing you for life. They spend hours preparing lesson plans so that you are able to succeed once you leave the school. They contribute greatly to your future and if you haven’t thought about that, maybe you should. It’s not easy teaching students, especially the ones who tend to act up in class. It’s tough trying to teach and then having to be interrupted every ten minutes because a student is clowning around or being disrespectful.
Think about how the teacher feels. They go through a lot of stress, too, and it makes their job that much harder when a student doesn’t want to listen when the teacher is the one who is trying to help them.
Here are some ways to respect your teachers:
You can kindly greet the teacher. Also, pay attention by listening and following teachers’ instructions. Raise your hand to ask something instead of just shouting out. Have good manners and students show respect to their teachers.
Edited By: O. Ojo-61, ACWAO Editor
Student Projects Add Up Historic Black Excellence in Mathematics
By A. Capps-82 and M. Crawford-82, CCB Contributors
Ms. Branch, eighth-grade Conwell math teacher, gave students the opportunity to research and present on historical figures of the Black and African American community who made an impact on math.
“The students created a project honoring the excellence of African and Black Americans and their contributions to mathematics throughout history,” Ms. Branch said.
Below is section 81 students A. Capps and M. Crawfords research on Dr. David Blackwell, which they presented live on the 2/18/22 ACWAO show.
Welcome to The Show!
By R. Joshi-83, ACWAO Asst. Producer
Hey fellow explorers, this is a show called “At Conwell We Are On” where we are all a family and celebrate the successes and events that happen in Conwell Middle Magnet School.
This month we have planned events such as the new School Safety Patrol, Black History Month presentations, and more. Join in on the fun today and read some of our previous recreational blogs. Remember: Don’t just have a good day, have a great day!!!
Conwell Cougars Blog 