Welcome to the original Conwell Cougars Blog. Stay awhile and explore all the wonderful Conwell students’ digital creations from 2020 -2022.
And when you’re done, come visit the Conwell Cougars Blog 2.0 for the most up-to-date-Conwell Middle Magnet School students’ original digital media creations!
by M. Lanza – 62 – CCB Contributor
Images and media courtesy of Ms. Ms. Levister, Girls on the Run coach and Conwell Middle Magnet School teacher, as well as Ms. Turner, School Aid.
For the second time in my life I walked, ran, skipped and jogged a 5k at the Philadelphia Navy Yard!. We ran on Saturday, June 3.
For me, Girls on the Run was a fun experience and my running partner was great. She really helped and motivated me. It was great because Mrs. Levister, who is not only a great teacher at Conwell, but also a great coach for the school’s after school program called, Girls on the Run. Mrs. Levister was waiting and pushing me to run and not stop.
It felt good to get to the finish line!
I was mainly scared to start because I thought I was going to get trampled. I was really excited because I had a partner. Overall it was fun and we got new gray shirts and a ten year anniversary medal. I can’t wait to join again next year!
Editor’s Note: The Girls on the Run program is lead by Ms. Levister, and takes place throughout the year during After School All Stars. To join the program, please see Ms. Maria.
Posted by CCB Staff
By T. Velez – 51, with contributions from CCB Staff
Photo gallery by T. Velez-51 – CCB Contributor
Conwell Middle Magnet School celebrated another successful year of After School All Stars (ASAS) Ms. Maria, who leads the ASAS program, held the festive event on May 23, which took place in the school building and in the school yard.
The event was held to celebrate all the people who were associated with the After School All Stars Program that have been there since day one, and for those who didn’t hesitate to follow all the ASAS program rules.
During the event, people went outside and played games like football and dodgeball, while Mr. Washington, the school’s Climate Manager, grilled for those in attendance some good food like sandwiches, chips, burgers and hotdogs.
See above photo gallery for snapshots of the ASAS event.
Published by CCB Staff
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
By A. Peralta – 83 – Lead Senior CCB Reporter
Starting on March 6, Conwell Middle Magnet School became the site of a Watershed of environmental knowledge.
The Watershed team, as part of the After School All Stars (ASAS) program, visited and played activities with the students present in the program. The Watershed team comprised of four coordinators: Peter, Avarree, CJ and Nathanial. They educate students about the environment, nature and its organisms.
According to Peter, their primary goal is to be able to initiate discussions that help influence the prevention of pollution, contamination and overall harm to water sources. The Watershed team plans to hopefully take students to explore and take trips to visit and work in community gardens.
“I’ve had a lot of fun in the Watershed program, they taught me things in a way I can understand.” – A. Peralta, a sixth grade student, said.
Activities that Students and the Coordinators have done were games that included hand signs, physical movement, guessing games and a mixture of all. These activities symbolized Nature and environmental related subjects.
They offer other alternative activities for students who wish not to participate in the selected game, such as coloring and paper activities and small science experiments such as kits.
“We’re really excited to get to work with students across Philadelphia to learn about Environmental Awareness” – Peter, A Watershed coordinator, said.
The Watershed program will be available on Mondays in After School All Stars. If you would like to experience the program for yourself, please contact Ms. Maria in order to sign up for After School All Stars.
Posted by A. Peralta – 83 – CCB Staff
By – I. Speier-61 – CCB Reporter
6ABC reporter Matteo Iadonisi (left) talks with Conwell Middle Magnet Teacher Mr. Posnan about the Media Lab Fundraising efforts. – All Photos in this article by I. Speier – 61 – CCB Reporter.
Conwell Middle Magnet School is full STEAM ahead as thousands of dollars in donations have come in to help build a brand-new media lab. The donation efforts were led by Mr. Posnan, Conwell 5th-and 6th-grade Science teacher, to help the school’s Journalism and Media Arts program. The program will help kids reach their goal of being a writer or journalist.
The program will help kids publish their stories or drawings and more, so they can make kids’ dreams come true like they do here on the ConwellCougars.Blog.
“And they want kids to be good writers,” said 6ABC reporter Matteo Iadonisi. “They also would like a good life for the kids that like writing.
Mr. Iadonisi came to visit Mr. Posnan’s classroom to report on the media lab fundraising back in January. At the time of this publication, there was over $22,000 in donations.
“It’s nice how much people care about the media lab,” Mr. Iadonisi said.
According to Mr. Posnan, they’re going to buy iPads, green screens, video equipment, sound studio furnishings, editing software, etc. Right now, the school is trying to find a good, quiet and spaced room.
“Each day, they persevere. Each day, they walk through a million reasons to give up, yet each day, they persist,” said Mr. Posnan
Students at Conwell are excited for the opportunity to get their voices heard.
“I think that this is a really great thing, A. Rodriguez-61 said. “I think it will really help with students’ problems and it will probably help them with their future jobs.”
Editor’s note:
Click this link for more information about the Conwell Middle Magnet School’s Media Lab Fundraiser.
Posted by CCB Staff
By A. Peralta-83 – CCB Editorial Staff
Photo and Graphic Arts by A. Peralta – 83 – CCB Editorial Staff
Ms. Golub, The 7th grade math teacher currently runs the Brain Olympics club at Conwell Middle Magnet School on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. In addition to this information, Brain Olympics are held In After school All Stars. Brain Olympics focuses on fun, quick and easy games that anyone can understand. It helps keep the students engaged and occupied as well as exercising their practical skills and at times their critical thinking skills.
However on Tuesdays, Ms. Golub decides to play games on paper, Instead of the games that you can physically play. (Board games, Puzzles etc.)
Photo and Graphic Arts by A. Peralta – 83 – CCB Editorial Staff
The funds for the games come from Donorschoose.org. The reason Ms. Golub decided to use this site was because it was a part of a STEM class she was attending. It was also a practical alternative to buying the games herself.
Conwell After School All Stars (ASAS) students, J. Robles, Section 82 and E. Santiago, Section 61, said they believe that the Brain Olympics club helps positively influence students’ social and communication skills and their mindsets. This includes helping them understand the basics of games and other activities alike.
If you feel interested in Brain Olympics or overall just enjoy puzzles, Sign up for ASAS and ask Ms. Golub for more information
Photo and Graphic Arts by A. Peralta – 83 – CCB Editorial Staff
Posted by A. Peralta-83 – CCB Staff
By E. Reyes -81 and N. Fanfan-83 – CCB Contributors
There are so many fun dances that you can learn at PA Ballet, through After School All Stars. You learn new moves everyday, and learn new dances everyday.
You learn 3 dances and perform all 3. You also get to meet new people and show your true colors. Even though you might give up because you think you can’t do it. Don’t even doubt yourself because all the other students and especially the teachers are going to keep pushing you to do better and to not give up. Some dance moves are hard but it does not matter because you can take as much time as you need.
We usually have about 2 to 3 months but all together it’s 6 to 7 months to practice. PA ballet is for dancing so if you give up you need to believe in yourself all the students and teachers can keep teaching that is why they are there
We started in August, and Ms.Karen became our dance teacher for the second year in a row. She taught us many things that will be useful in the dance world. It has helped many dance students establish and further an everlasting love for dance.
By joining PA Ballet, Ms. Karen, along with other teachers can help you do the same!
Photo courtesy of N. Fanfan-83-CCB Contributor. This is a photo of the 2022 ASAS Dance team
Photo courtesy of ASAS
Published by A.Velez 62 & E.Santiago 61, CCB students
By A. Peralta – 83 – CCB Reporter
Photo by A. Peralta – 83 – CCB Staff
The Conwell Middle Magnet School After School All Stars (ASAS) and PA Ballet students had an opportunity to spectate the Nutcracker Ballet that is being performed at the Kimmel Center. It was hosted on Dec. 20 through 11:00 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. According to ASAS coordinator and Conwell Middle School secretary Ms. Maria.
The Kimmel center is a large theater dedicated to spreading diversity between the audience through Performing Arts and Education, according to the Kimmel Center website. The Kimmel center is located at 300 S. Broad St. in Philadelphia, just six miles from Conwell.
Ms. Maria said that she enjoyed the performance, describing it as, “a story without words.” She also stated that she, “experienced the full show, and she loved the story, beauty, and atmosphere.”
Mr. Young, an ASAS assistant stated, “the play demonstrated the history of the Nutcracker greatly. It helps expose students to different types of media than what we have now.”
Students that participate in the Conwell Middle School PA Ballet program were able to receive a trip to the Kimmel Center using a bus as a means of transportation.
One of many students that attended the play, J. Gonzalez – section 72, has said that he liked his experience at the Kimmel Center.
“[It was] enjoyable due to their experience and mastery over their performance,” Gonzalez said.
He also stated that the performance simply made you want to watch the actors act in their respective roles.
If you like to attend the play for yourself, visit the Kimmel Center website. The performance is currently being held through Dec 9 – December 28.
For more information about PA Ballet or ASAS, please see Ms. Maria in the Main office.
Photo by A. Peralta – 83 – CCB Staff
Posted by CCB Staff
by J. Boggs-Mendeloski – 61 – CCB Editor
Photo by A. Vega-81-CCB Photographer and graphic art by V. Escorza-62-CCB Staff
ASAS (After School All Stars) students are learning boxing with Coach Drew.
Coach Drew is the boxing teacher for ASAS, as well as the basketball and volleyball coach.
Coach Drew always teaches boxing on Mondays. Boxing class takes place in Conwell’s auditorium.
“Boxing needs practice,” Coach Drew said.
Coach Drew said he wants to help kids protect themselves. He wants the ASAS students to work hard and really pay attention to how he does it.
B. Thomas and K. Waters, ASAS, both students of 72, said that they had previous experience with Boxing and they wanted to learn more.
¨I was already in boxing, and fun,” said K. Waters and B. Thomas agreed.
Coach Drew said the strongest hand goes in the back. It is important to duck and block.
I.Bermudez of 82 said the practice “is to open your mind to new experiences.”
Photo by A. Vega-81-CCB Photographer and graphic art by V. Escorza-62-CCB Staff
For more information about this or any other ASAS club, please contact Ms. Maria, at the main office or visit http://www.conwell.philasd.org
Posted by A. Peralta-62 CCB Staff
By T Wiillams-71, CCB
At Conwell Middle Magnet School we have this after school program called After School All Stars or ASAS for short.
In ASAS we have yoga, basketball, volleyball, journalism, and many more.
After school All Stars is hosted by Ms. Maria, Conwell’s School Secretary, and other teachers who host different activities.
For basketball, we have Mr. Andrew Young or Mr. Drew for short. In basketball we start off easy with simple dribbling moves and shooting drills. Sometimes kids in ASAS get to play against each other like races and shooting competitions.
It is also fun because sometimes kids get to play shooting games, for example, we play Knockout if they have a little bit of spare time.
Mr. Drew tries to make the best players out of everyone even if you just started playing basketball. Overall basketball is a fun program because the teacher tries to make you the best player in fun different ways.
By A. Rivers 61, ASAS editor
Delicious cake Photo Credit to S. Ortiz CCB Contributor
Let’s slice the cake Ms. Maria, Conwell Middle Magnet School ASAS coordinator, was so generous and took bought a delicious yellow cake just to share with the ASAS students. We split it between the whole ASAS program and it was very good and delicious.
Everybody had a fun time and we savored every bite of it. Ms. Maria is so kind to put money into this program and encourage others to give. The cake was a yellow balloon cake with white frosting and blue frosting and the bottom of the cake and had a red surface all around.
“I appreciate every single one of you,” Ms. Maria said.
“I appreciate every single one of you”
Ms. Maria – ASAS School Coordinator
by T. Williams-62, CCB Contributor
The coach for ASAS basketball, Mr. Young, gave all the kids in ASAS (After School All Stars) Fitbit watches to keep track of your calories, footsteps, and general well-being at the beginning of March.
“You can use the fit bit watches in everyday life and all the time if possible,” Coach Young said.
You can get the fit bit watches anywhere like Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Amazon. The reason that Coach Young gave the kids in ASAS the Fitbit watches is because Coach Young has a heart of gold.
“So kids know we care about your health,” Coach Young Said.
Coach Young gave all the kids Fitbit watches because ASAS has a partnership with Fitbit to help keep kids aware of their health.
C. Serrano-62, A student athlete in ASAS, gives his view about the Fitbit watches.
“I like how you can see how many calories you burn, how many footsteps you take in a day and all the other special features it comes with. Also I like how there are different types of colors between blue, black, and pink,” said C. Serano-62, ASAS Student.
“I like how you can see how many calories you burn, how many footsteps you take in a day.”
C. Cerrano-62, ASAS Student Athlete
Edited by O. Ojo-61, CCB Staff
by D. Turner-72, CCB Contributor
Photo of delicious Pizza Tortilla – Photo Credit to L. Vaught-72 CCb Contributor
Cooking in ASAS comes with a lot of responsibilities but in a fun way.
A way to make sure everybody in cooking has fun and do their own little part. We get to try out new things and sometimes things we already tried that we haven’t been able to make.
In cooking we get to share our opinions with different foods and we get to learn new things about that particular food. In cooking, it has its serious moments but most of the time they turn into fun moments, such as when any of the students or adults are cooking, when the kids that aren’t helping get to talk and make new friends and sometimes give ideas to help with what we should cook next.
The last thing we made was pizza tortillas. Before that it was a green smoothie that had bananas spinach blueberry and etc each meal gets better as we learn.
“I appreciate every one of you,” Ms. Maria, ASAS Coordinator and Cooking Club advisor, said.
“I appreciate every one of you”
-Ms. Maria, ASAS Coordinator
Edited by A. Rivers 61, ASAS Editor
By A. Rivers-61, ASAS editor
Photo of current ASAS Basketball coach, Mr. Young. — Photo Credit to A.Rivers-61, ASAS editor
Previous ASAS basketball coach Mr.Chris passed the rock to Mr.Young on Feb. 16, 2022 in ASAS. We had a previous member from our summer fill in for Mr. Young. His name is Mr. Chris and he coached the basketball program in ASAS summer camp. He was really fun overall. We did several drills then we played a six on six game. Mr. Chris gave us a chance to reveal what we learned and what skills we had in a game which was very helpful. Overall he enhanced our basketball skills.
And while Mr. Chris was really fun, now that he is gone, the original basketball and fun coach Mr.Young is back, which is excellent.
“Hard work beats out talent when talent doesn’t work,” Coach Young said.
“Hard work beats out talent when talent doesn’t work”
-Coach Young
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