Mr. Washington, Conwell Climate Manager, showcasing one of the footballs to be used in the upcoming Flag Football Program at Conwell. – Photo by A. Vega-82 – CCB Photographer
Mr. Washington, Conwell Middle Magnet School Climate Manager, is hosting a flag football team. Every morning, Groups of students from all grades, boys and girls come early to play.
Flag football starts this Spring from March 6 to the middle of May. According to Mr. Washington, the times for the games will be from 6.45 to 7.15 a.m., and will occur between 2 to 3 days a week, particularly on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Some sources say, if the program goes well, it might extend to after-school hours.
Mr. Washington says that there will be forms to contact parents for their permission to participate in the program. According to Mr. Washington, parents are not allowed to be there for safety purposes.
Mr. Washington believes that there should be no contact in the flag football game, as is the reason for the flags in flag football. Mr. Washington hopes to make sure the team is well trained and ready for the future before they will play flag football.
“The purpose of the program is to make sure that the players are learning to play as a team,” Mr. Washington said.
According to Mr Washington, Principal Green said that there might be Jerseys for players who sign up. When the teams win, they will be awarded with a trophy.
Years back, Mr. Washington was in middle school and he played flag football. Mr Washington said he enjoyed the sport because of the team. He was encouraged by the team and had an idea that he would start his own flag football team for the students of Conwell Middle Magnet School.
editor’s note: to sign up for the the Conwell Flag Football Team, contact Mr. Washington at JWashington4@philasd.org
Edited by A. Peralta-83-CCB Staff – Posted by K. Velasquez-83 – CCB Staff.
Graphic Art Created By E. Vega 72 and K. Valasqeuz 83 –CCB Staff
Well… They lost. Eagles fans around Philadelphia are still salty about their 35-38 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs in the epic showdown
That doesn’t stop the football, however. There is still more sports to be played.
Instead of the Philadelphia Eagles, we have the Philadelphia Stars. Instead of the Kansas City Chiefs, we have the St. Louis Battlehawks. In fact, this is the second time that these two leagues try to start a league besides the NFL: The XFL and USFL.
The USFL was around in the 80s and was once extremely popular with many famous players and celebrities going into the league. The XFL was made in the 2000s and quickly devolved due to low attendance.
In 2020, The XFL restarted and began making better moves than its counterpart.
However nobody knew how to run a league in a whole pandemic so the first season of its return was cancelled.
The success overshadowed the XFL and its predecessors. It was one of the first times when a spring league actually did well in its first season (Besides the Arena Football League and FCF – Fan Controlled Football) and it was a sensation as the first championship was a showdown between the Philadelphia Stars and Birmingham Stallions in which the Stallions won in a close 30-33 game. It was also the first of four straight championship losses by a Philadelphia Team that year.
But anyways, hype was up for the league’s next season as even the MVP in the league was getting known in the NFL. The XFL game came back with … The Rock?
But anyways, so far the XFL is doing exceptionally well with many Internet sensations being created off of the creative rules and teams in the game of the XFL.
The USFL is also being hyped up with its next season starting on April 15, 2023.
Editor’s Note: Have an idea for a student column? Email Mr. Dungan at gdungan@philasd.org
Edited by A. Peralta-83 – Posted by K. Velasquez – 83-CCB Staff
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:
N. Fanfan-83 CCB Contributor interviews A. Mejias about her Dominican Republic heritage.
K. Velasquez-83-CCB Lead Graphic Artist interviews L. Victoriano-83 about her Trinidadian heritage.
M. Hernandez – 61 – CCB Contributor interviews O. Colon about her African American heritage.
A. Mejias-83 – CCB Contributor interviews Conwell Middle Magnet School’s Nurse Tosin about her Nigerian Heritage.
A. Mejias – 83 – CCB Contributor interviews N. Fanfan-83 about her Haitian heritage.
Editor’s Note: Videos were produced by members of the CCB Graphic Arts Team: K. Velasquez-83, A. Vega-82, and A. Peralta – 83.
This is a Drawing of Fannie Lou Hamer, an African American Civil Rights activist in the 1960s, who may be best remembered for her effort to bring hundreds of college students of all backgrounds, races and creeds to help with African American voter registration, according to womenhistory.org.
The artist, Conwell Middle Magnet Student N. Holland said that she made this depiction of Fannie Lou Hamer because, according to Ms. C. Green, special education assistant, N. Holland was asked to draw the image of the Civil Rights activist as they were reading a book about her in class.
Edited by J. Boggs-Mendaloski -61 CCB Staff and Posted by CCB Staff
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.
Conwell Middle Magnet Students with more than 90-percent attendance recently earned free dress-down passes. – Photo by J. Boggs-Mendaloski-CCB Editorial Staff
The Attendance Dress Down event has passed for the Conwell Cougars! According to Conwell Middle Magnet School counselor, Mr. Ford, this event was for selected students who had accomplished 90% or more attendance.
These students had the ability to dress down for free for 3 days. This event showed how most students stay in school and their determination to have a good attendance. Mr. Ford, o handed out the certificates to all the students who reached this goal.
“Being here is half the battle,” said Mr. Ford.
“Being here is half the battle.” – Mr Ford, Conwell Middle Magnet School Counselor
Mr. Ford holds up the coveted attendance incentive pass. Photo by J. Boggs-Mendaloski-61 – CCB Staff
The trailer begins with Shuri holding the mask of her fallen brother T-Challah (Chadwick Boseman).
All the Wakandians are marching while wearing white, their color of mourning as seen in the 2018 film, Black Panther. Remora, knowing how hard it is, decides to hold Shuri’s hand to comfort her while she is walking down. Next we see the Wakandians marching while two statues one of the two being Bashinga the first Black Planther and the other one being his wife and I believe the statues represent the Black Panther going from male to female, after a long period of time.
Next we see Namor painting a god. The god I believe he is painting is the feathered serpent from Mayan Mythology. This shows that Namor is a follower of the feathered serpent, probably the avatar of this god as well, like how the Black Panther is an avatar of the Panther God which took gods that I didn’t think was in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (616) but I guess they are. Next we see Shuri making a Wakandian salute with her tattoo, which if you look closer you can see that the tattoo is really Vibranium atoms.
Then we hear Namor saying “Only the most broken people can make great leaders” pointing to him and Shuri. We also see a mural of T-Challah (Chadwick Boseman) and the mural says “The king lives in the black panther that is forever in us, rest with the ancestors” then we see Namors kingdom and we get a closer look at Namors helmet and we see that his helmet is a feathered serpent which is more evidence that Namor is the avatar of the feathered serpent.
Then we hear MBaku saying “His people do not call him general or king they call him the feathered serpent” and that quote is even more evidence that Namor is the avatar of the feathered serpent. Then we see the new Black Panther with the same dots on her face and forehead as Shuri, possibly confirming Shuri is the new Black Panther. This paragraph is my trailer breakdown of black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Editor’s note: If you would like to submit a review for any media related content, Please contact gdungan@gmail.com
Contest By Y. Hiraldo – 61 – CCB Editor — With Graphic Arts by N. Champion – CCB Staff — With reporting by R. Rowan – 72 – CCB – Editor
The Conwell Cougars Blog will be holding another contest in honor of Black History Month, and we’re focusing it around the amazing bulletin board outside of Room 108, titled “Black History Month, Celebrating African American Greats” where students can match impressive historic facts with the correct African American figures.
In order to enter this contest, you must:
1. Read the bulletin board next to room 108
2. Match at least ONE fact from the Room 108 Bulletin Board article to the person!
3. First three students to comment the correct matches will win a CCB-Sponsored free pass to the next Cougar – Cash in or get their name automatically on the PRIZE WHEEL!!!
“You may not recognize some of these people,” Ms Clark said, explaining that she had chosen these individuals in order to increase their popularity. “ We want to spread a little light!”
Students can make their comments by scrolling to the bottom of this post under where it says: LEAVE A REPLY.
The deadline is Feb. 22 at 2:30 p.m.
See slideshow gallery above for more details on how to enter the contest!
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!
Video of CCB Reporter Y. Hiraldo’s – 61 interview with Conwell Middle Magnet School’s counselor Mr. Ford for National Counselors Week. – Video edit K. Velasquez – 83 – CCB Staff.
To hear Mr. Ford share a bit about his counseling philosophy through music, play the video above!
Graphic Image created by K. Velasquez 83 – Photo images all rights reserved.
The Wildcards
I’m gonna say it right now. All the National Football Conference wildcard games were awful aside from the Bengals and Jags games. We will be going over them.
Seahawks 23, 49ers 41
It was expected from the beginning that the Seahawks would lose this game, it’s just that we didn’t know it would turn out this way. Other than that I still have to congratulate the Seahawks for being the biggest underdogs this season and beating out the Broncos.
Cowboys 31, Buccaneers 14
Welp, now we were forced to hear the Cowboy fans yell out that their team is going to the big game. This is also probably Brady’s downfall as he’s played badly this year.
Vikings 24 Giants 31
I have nothing more to say but the Vikings were outliers. You may think they are good but they really haven’t been for the past 45 years.
Graphic Image created by K. Velasquez 83 – Photo images all rights reserved.
AFC WILDCARD
Im gonna enjoy writing about this
The AFC playoffs were a real definition of what a playoff game should be (besides some decisions) Starting off with the Bengals – Ravens game. Ravens took the lead 10-9 at the half and were jumping out to a good start in the game but then in the second half, the Bengals managed to tie the game at 17. The Ravens marched down the field but then out of nowhere, The running back Tyler Huntley fumbled the ball and was returned for a 98 yard touchdown which won the game for the Bengals. The rhythm for the Ravens this season is choking away games and it seems as if they just did their last choke, the season ending choke.
Next up was the Dolphins Bills game. After killing Tua Tagovailoa all season long with concussions they finally realized that he needs neurological help. So they started quarterback Skylar Thompson. And Thompson, forgot what a play clock was. They were several key moments ruined by the play clock and they lost 31-34.
Now the Chargers and Jaguars game. You saw the famed defensive back Joey Bosa slamming his helmet. The Jaguars were being dominated. In the first quarter, 17-0. Second?, 27-7. The Jags were down by 20 points. They began a comeback, and after the 3rd quarter, needed only 10 points to tie up the game. But then, after a “missed call” Edge Rusher Joey Bosa was flagged for throwing his helmet twice. It motivated Coach Doug Pederson to go for two and it worked.
On the final drive The Jaguars officially have moved on after a walk off field to win the game 30-31.
NFC AND AFC DIVISIONAL ROUNDS
The divisional round was pretty bad with rebuilding teams entering in the round. The AFC and NFC first seed Eagles and Chiefs were able to play, and they played as well as you’d expect. The Eagles pounded the Giants 38-7 and showed their first blowout victory since Hurts got injured. However the Chiefs had to work for their win against the Jaguars and the Jags nearly came back and won the game. However the Chiefs then came out with the win 20-27.
The rest of the games weren’t all that great. I mean the Cowboys did lose to the 49ers 19-12 but then again quarterback Dak Prescott did not play to expectations with only 1 TD and 2 picks. The Bills tried their best against the Bengals but it wasn’t enough. They had everything locked down from the start, winning 27-10 and moving to the NFC Championship.
The NFC and AFC Championships
The 49ers quarterbacks uh… Its safe to say they were on life support when they had Brock Purdy. Mr. Irrelevant could only make the team relevant for so long.
The eagles would’ve rolled over the 49ers anyways. The 49ers could’ve brought up a chance if they had Purdy or Jimmy Garoppolo but still. The Eagles did a total Roll Over on the 49ers and destroyed them punching their ticket to the big game.
The Chiefs won due to Refball (Referees making horrible mistakes) plus the Bengals were doing a lot of trash talking. They were getting way too cocky, Eli Apple and other players talking trash, Arrowhead being called Burrowhead for the Quarterback Joe Burrow. And the biggest one of them all, Mayor of Cincinnati asking Burrow to take a paternity test to see if QB Patrick Mahomes is his son. That really put the nail in the coffin and Kansas City was not gonna take that level of disrespect. They would end up winning 20-23 en route to the Big Game against the Eagles.
Graphic Image created by K. Velasquez 83 – Photo images all rights reserved.
Super Bowl LVII
Both of the best teams from both divisions play out in todays big game. The Eagles and Chiefs are both extremely talented teams. Chiefs enter their 3rd super bowl in 4 years while the eagles were at one point 13-1 before Jalen Hurts got injured.
The amount of talent the Eagles have is astronomical with so many key factors. The O-Line is the most stacked in the NFL with most being people from the Super Bowl 52 Team. They also have the most stacked defense in the NFL. This Eagles defense had 70 sacks this year. Just two shy of the NFL record.
I mean, the Chiefs are good right? Well, really good. They are being coached by the great Andy Reid, a former Eagles head coach who took them to a Super Bowl XXXIX. Most of their weapons were lost in the Off season however they even added some pieces to the team.
However would it be worth it? All of these additions All of this trouble and revenge. Who will win it all?
FIND OUT NEXT IN SUPER Bowl LVII.
Super Bowl LVII will be played on February 12th at 6:30 PM
Editor’s Note: If you’re a student at Conwell Middle Magnet School and are interested in writing your own special interest column, please email Mr. Dungan at gdungan@philasd.org.
Dr. Childs points to her middle school self on in the Conwell Middle Magnet School Year Book. Photos are courtesy of Principal Green.
On Jan. 13, we had a very special visitor named Dr. Childs. A fun fact about her is that she graduated Conwell in 1975!
“You guys are wonderful,” Dr. Childs said. “I’m very excited to come back and see everyone grow from the last time I came.”
She is 65 years young, and she is currently a professor at a nearby university.
“I came to Conwell because when I come I never get disappointed from all of the new wonderful faces.”
While she walked the halls of Conwell Middle Magnet School, she recalled the legacy she left here so many years ago.
“I was one of the students who made the year books,” Dr. Childs said.
The new Conwell Student Council officers hosted Dr. Childs around the school.
“I love how you guys change up the place from the last time I came here,” Dr. Childs said.
Conwell Middle Magnet School Climate Manager Mr. Washington and members of the Conwell Student Council show Conwell Alumna Dr. Childs a copy of the yearbook she worked on in the Mid 1970s. – Graphic by M. Hernandez- 61 CCB Editorial Staff.
Editor’s Note:If you are a member of the Conwell Middle Magnet School Alumni and would like to visit, please contact the school by calling 215-400-7210.
By D. Alvarado – 62 – CCB Staff with contributions by A. Peralta – 62 – CCB Editor
Currently, Conwell Middle Magnet school is holding an event! Conwell is currently presenting an event called “Conwell Kids.” This occasion has been officially held by staff and other people to talk about students’ recognized talents and interrelation between themselves.
This event takes its information from the teachers and staff in Conwell who associate with the students to create a good atmosphere for the students to connect and belong with other individuals.
This event showcases the students positivity and shows the internal uniqueness of our student body’s handiwork.
Principal Green, who created this event, said that the purpose of the event card is to spread some love and encouragement to students.
She said when she was a teacher she taught middle school. She taught 6th grade and 8th grade of literacy and reading. She also wrote summer letters or particularly a postcard and sent it to her students to let them know she was thinking about them. An extra wording was that a former student from her class who is now a nurse saved the card that Principal Green gave her years ago.
This event popped into Principal Green’s mind and she thought of some postcards and wanted to give it to others.
These cards were made by a program called “Imagine Math.” These cards were produced by the company for Principal Green.
“The Conwell kids have so much individuality and so much talent,” Principal Green said. “They should be celebrated.“
Mr Adams, Conwell’s Physical Education and Health teacher for all grades, greatly believes in this event.
“It’s a card recognizing students about achievements that they have done and building a connection with students,” Mr. Adams said. “The reason that the staff had done this is because students need to know that the staff love and care about them.”
The Conwell Kids event definitely shows its pride and love for the students that belong in Conwell Middle Magnet school.
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
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
Graphic image created by K. Velasquez -82 – Photo images all rights reserved.
To start this column of mine, I need to go back to Oct. 24, 1971.
It was a Lions’ game, a player by the name of Chuck Hughes was player for the lions in a game against the Chicago Bears. During a play in which quarterback Greg Landry threw an incompletion down 28-23, Hughes collapsed on the field. Hall of fame linebacker Dick Butkus was near and requested help.
Hughes didn’t make it. He was only 28.
Science has changed since 1971. The NFL learned after its mistakes and successes kept advancing their goal of making the rough sport of American Football safer. Who knew that more than 50 years later, another close call approached. A safety for the Buffalo Bills would unfortunately have to take this call.
Damar Hamlin was a starter safety coming into the week 17 matchup against the mighty Cincinnati Bengals. The Bills was coming off of a 35-13 win against the 3-11 Bears and was hoping to prove themselves as a Super Bowl contender.
Damar Hamlin had 6 total tackles and was doing pretty good. Before the game started Hamlin was even practicing during the game and was pretty stable.
Bills 7 Bengals 6 First Quarter
During a passing play, Quarterback Joe Burrow passed to his Receiver Tee Higgins. As Damar Hamlin went in for the tackle, he experienced a blow to the chest.
Damar then stood up, took 2 unstable steps, and collapsed.
The blow turned Damar into a cardiac arrest and his systems shut down. Time was ticking as he was in critical condition at the time. CPR was administered and the game was suspended.
At the time of this column’s publication, it is still unknown how the cardiac arrest happened but this is the most accurate statement I have which can also be proven by many other sources. Damar Hamlin was in the hospital and in critical condition but “improving.” As of Jan. 5, Damar is finally awake and is being asked about the game. An absolute miracle for the family, team, and fans.
His GoFundMe as of Thursday Jan. 5 is more than $7 million. I really do hope he survives this however we cannot be so sure so soon.
Thoughts on the situation
Many people want to have the NFL take more away from tackling and focus on health. However Football is a tough sport, The aspect of Football is the tackling and the whole base of Football is about the tackling. The History of why football was made is based on tackling a person with a ball.
Its only been 51 years since the last recorded death. In soccer according to the FIFA Sudden Death Registry, 31 players died in 2021, meaning that football in fact is safer than their counterpart soccer.
Damar was hit at the perfect angle and the perfect part and the perfect time. It was no ones fault. No one to blame. The only way to double down on tackling is if more players turn out like Hamlin. If not then there nothing to worry about.
The Bills will play the Wildcard round on sunday against the rival Miami Dolphins at home 1 pm ET. Stay tune for the next Retrospective on the NFL Playoffs!
Have an idea for a student opinion piece or column? Contact Mr. Dungan at gdungan@philasd.org or stop by room 205 and pitch your idea!
Editor’s Note:The following script/article was presented on the live At Conwell We Are On! morning show, which occurs on the homeroom Zoom links every Friday throughout the Entire School. The script has been edited for CCB publication.
A screenshot of the presentation slide as shown on the ACAWO live show 1/6/23 – Image by R. Rowan – 71
Greetings, and Happy New Year Conwell Teachers, Staff and Fellow students!
Riley Rowan of section 71 here with Aida Peralta of section 62 reporting live for the Conwell Cougars.Blog.
That’s right Riley, we’re here today to not only celebrate the new year, but also the career of one of Conwell’s most helpful support staff, Ms. Clemens!
Yes, Ms. Clemens has served at the Conwell Middle Magnet School for the last five years. She kept a watchful eye and gave a helpful hand in our hallways and cafeteria.
And it has come to the Conwell Cougars Blog’s attention that Ms. Clemens will be moving on to the next stage of her good work, as today is her last day with us!
That’s right, Aida, and in honor of Ms. Clemens’s retirement, the CCB would like to present some wonderful reflections from some of Conwell’s finest.
“Ms. Clemens is a sweet and caring individual, hardworking, and takes pride in her work,” Ms. Green, Principal of Conwell said. “And she is a compassionate person who loves the Conwell family.”
According to Ms. Green, Ms. Clemens has served in the School District of Philadelphia for more than 30 years! During her time at Conwell, Ms. Green especially noted that Ms. Clemens has a can-do attitude, saying that she never wanted to be on the sidelines when it comes to helping someone, whether it was in the Annex, Main Building or during the Virtual School.
Ms. Clemens (left) posing with Conwell Middle Magnet School’s Principal Green (right). – Photo courtesy of Principal Green.
“My first impression of her was that I liked her right away,” Ms. C. Green, Conwell Support Staffperson said with a warm smile. “She was, has been and still is willing to do whatever it takes to keep the school going.”
According to Ms. C. Green, who is a long-time member of the Conwell staff, Ms. Clemens started her career at the Conwell Annex.
“All I have to say is great things about her. She’s fantastic and good hearted,” Ms. C. Green said. “Sometimes it’s hard to put in words. But she is one- of a kind, and she will be greatly missed.”
Ms. Clemens’s most recent position has been here in the Main Building, where she warmly greeted students in the hallway and in the lunchroom, as well as working with Conwell’s Climate Manager, Mr. Washington.
“She came to work on time everyday,” Mr. Washington said. “It shows that she’s dedicated.”
Mr. Washington, who also started at Conwell’s Annex building the same year as Ms. Clemens, noted that she is also very accommodating, and has built strong relationships with staff and the students.
“It’s been fun working with her,” Mr. Washington said. “She will be greatly missed.”
Thanks for listening to Ms. Clemens’s story. Let’s take a moment to say congrats to Ms. Clemens on her retirement.
I’m Riley Rowan of 71 with Aida Peralta of 62 signing off for the CCB, and now back to you Professor Posnan and DJ Dungan for our Friday Celebration.
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 Magnetschool 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.
Conwell Cougars Blog 