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 J. Gonzalez -’24/CCB Contributor
Editor’s Note: This video was created and produced by J. Gonzalez-’24/CCB Contributor, and broadcast on the 11/3/23 At Conwell We Are On! morning show, interviewed by ACWAO! student lead anchor R. Rowan-’24. The following is the script read during the show:
R. Rowan –
Next up, we have Jayden Gonzalez of section 83, who researched Native American tribes with his class. Welcome, Jayden.
J. Gonzalez –
Thank you for having me here, Riley.
R. Rowan –
Thanks for showing up! Why were you researching the Native American Tribes?
J. Gonzalez –
We were researching Native American Tribes for Indigenous people day, and also because we were previously learning about some Native American tribes in Mr. Verdi Social Studies class. In my opinion it was very entertaining and informative. Hopefully we have something similar upcoming.
R. Rowan –
What inspired you to present your classes Native American Projects?
J. Gonzalez –
What Inspired me was the fact that I found it truly interesting and I decided to record it for the CCB Productions. I also wanted to provide recognition toward the Native American and Indigenous people so we can see how they lived and how advanced we are now as a community.
R. Rowan –
Thanks for this information Jayden! Now, Let’s view the video.
Play view the video.
R. Rowan –
Thank you Jayden! Wonderful editing and production.
J. Gonzalez –
Thank you, Riley.
Posted by CCB Staff
by R. Cosme – ’26/CCB Contributor
Editor’s Note: R. Cosme – ’26/CCB Contributor, interviewed and produced a video report with Conwell Middle Magnet School Social Studies teacher, Mr. Verdi, about his perspective on the celebration of Italian Heritage Month, which takes place in October. The video report was featured on the PAWS for a Cause school morning show on Oct. 23, 2023.
By M. Hernandez-’25 and I. Speir-’25/CCB Reporters
Editor’s Note: Students wore Pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness in mid-October. The following is the script written and presented by R. Rowan-’24/At Conwell We Are On! Lead anchor. She interviewed the reporters for this story M. Hernandez ’25 and I. Speir-’25, live on the At Conwell We Are On! show on 10/13/23.:
R. Rowan – Yesterday was Breast Cancer Awareness, where everyone had worn Pink! With me, we have Mia Hernandez and Isabella Spier of Section 71
Hello! I understand that you two Interviewed and took Photos of the people who wore Pink yesterday! How many people would you say wore pink?
M. Hernandez and I. Speir About 30 people wore pink.
R. RowanThat’s a lot of people helping celebrate breast cancer awareness. Kudos to all the people who had worn pink!
I’ve heard you went around the school all day interviewing people. What are some of the responses you two received from different students for why they decided to wear pink?
M. Hernandez and I. Speir A. Rodriguez from 72 said that she wore pink because some of her family members had breast cancer and she wanted to stand out and support it
G. Gomez from 71 Said that she had worn pink for breast cancer awareness, and wanted to support it.
S. Montanez from 72, said that she wore pink for breast cancer awareness, and she wanted to wear it to support breast cancer awareness.
And lastly, A. Peralta wore pink to honor those who had or have breast cancer.
R. Rowan -That’s great to hear. Let’s move on to the video which is more of a slideshow, created by Jaymar Colon of section 51!
(Play video)
Amazing production. Do you two have any comments about Breast Cancer Awareness you’d like to share with everyone?
M. Hernandez and I. Speir The reason we wanted to wear pink is that we wanted to support and honor people who suffered from Breast Cancer.
R. Rowan – Very inspiring! Thank you for being on the show with us!
M. Hernandez and I. Speir Thank you for having us on!
Posted by CCB Staff
By R. Rowan-’24/CCB Staff
Editor’s Note: R. Rowan-’24 along with other members of the Conwell Cougars Blog were trained by the PSTV team. In the process, Rowan and other students were able to interview the PSTV team members as part of their practical training. The following is a portion of the script Rowan wrote to present her video report and interview fellow CCB member J. Haynes-‘25. that she presented live on Conwell’s At Conwell We Are On! morning student news show on Oct. 6.
ROWAN – Our Conwell community has grown the Journalism and Media Studies program for the past three years. Just earlier this week on Tuesday, October 2nd, 4 members of PSTV, had visited us!
HAYNES – And, yes, you, me, and four other ConwellCougars.Blog student reporters were invited to attend this special media equipment training session in room 307 with the PSTV staff.
ROWAN – According to the PSTV website, the mission of PSTV is to provide youth equal access to media tools and digital and media training.
HAYNES- That’s right, they work through the School District of Philadelphia, and schools have to apply to receive industry-standards level equipment, as well as training.
ROWAN – Yes, and according Mr. Jim, the PSTV Media Technician Production Facilitator, there are about 40 schools currently in the program, and Conwell Middle Magnet School is now among them now!
I had a lot of fun learning how to use the new microphones, recording equipment and even the tri-pods.
HAYNES – And I really liked how I got to learn more about those cameras. I’m really grateful about the PSTV helping me learn. I’m hoping to learn more about digital storytelling and putting together shows like this. And, I understand that you put together a report about our 90-minute training session with PSTV?
Yes, and I even got to use the new equipment. Let’s take a look. ?
Click to transition to next slide and video will automatically play
HAYNES – That was a good time! I even saw Principal Green join us on a Zoom meeting! Our thanks again to Mr. Jim, Ms. Anyae, Mr. Dylan and Mr. Naiser and all the media wizards at PSTV for helping grow the CCB. The full report and photo gallery will be on ConwellCougars.Blog soon.Yes, I agree, I can’t wait to show off what the CCB is is capable of with all this new technology!
ROWAN – Speaking of future award-winners – let’s now turn back to Jayda and Alissa who will spin that PAWSome wheel!
Photo gallery of PSTV training session on 10/3/23. Photo credits: Ms. Green, Ms. Branch, Ms. Sanford, R. Rowan-’24/CCB
Posted by CCB Staff
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
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 CCB Staff, A. Peralta – 62 and R. Rowan – 72
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.
Posted by CCB Staff
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