Tag Archives: Phifer
Phifer Eighth Graders Promoted To High School Class Of 2022
By Judith Kristen, AAP Columnist and Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
Congratulations Howard M. Phifer eighth graders, now the Class of 2022!
Phifer Becomes An Eco-School
Phifer recently became an Eco-School, with student-driven teams dedicated to issues like recycling and energy conservation.
Pennsauken Township’s Phifer Middle School is committing to sustainability. Phifer is the latest to register as an Eco-School with Eco-Schools USA in New Jersey, a partnership between National Wildlife Federation and New Jersey Audubon. Eco-Schools USA, is based on the work of student-driven teams dedicated to issues like recycling and energy conservation and claims more than 4,300 schools in the nation. There are more than 200 Eco-Schools throughout New Jersey and 14 registered in Camden County.
Seventh grade students are taking the lead on sustainability initiatives at the Phifer Middle School. First on the agenda is building a school vegetable garden using the innovative technique called hugelkultur, which essentially means hill mound. Hugelkultur is a method of raised bed gardening that utilizes layers of old sticks, logs and leaves and creates a nutrient rich soil with superior irrigation that requires less intensive watering than a traditional raised bed. The students are also learning how to “feed the soil” by creating their own compost, using worms and old food scraps. Other students are collecting trash to create upcycling projects that will decorate the garden space.
Phifer Students Take Virtual Tour Of Ancient Ruins
Phifer Middle School students look at Mayan Ruins via a virtual field trip.
Phifer teacher Mrs. Beals, along with Park Avenue technology coach Mrs. Sara Allen, teamed up to organize a tour of the ancient Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza. And students never left the classroom.
This was, in fact, a virtual tour; students in Mrs. Beals’s class attached an iPhone to cardboard goggles and followed their teacher on a “tour” of ruins. The class has been studying the earliest Americans cultures that arose in Mesoamerica in their social studies class.
The first-ever virtual field trip at Phifer was a success. Teachers hope to continue to use virtual field trips for students to explore many different, faraway places from the convenience of the classroom.
Phifer Girls Lacrosse Celebrate 2016 Season
The Phifer Girls Lacrosse Team made great strides for the 2016 season. First year coach, Jennifer Worrell had a great turnout for tryouts back in March. Over 60 girls in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades tried out for the team. The girls worked very hard to improve with each game. Coach Worrell is very excited to see what the future brings for Pennsauken Lacrosse.
Phifer Girls Lacrosse Team
Ruby Anyanwu, Ciara Carver, Leishmillie Cedeno, Ramsha Chowdhary, Alema Gadson, Emine Gunaydin, Kiara Haywood, Arianna Hernandez, Rebecca Hudson, Elizabeth Knaus, Leslie Knaus, Satta Massaquoi, Jhocelin Morquecho, Nyla Nasir, Colleen Nguyen, Nancy Nguyen, Geoliana Nieves, Angelia Pho, Laila Porterfield, Melinda Queensbury, Eurdine Robinson, Aliyana Santiago, Aigner Settles, and Vanessa Terreros.
Team managers: Arinnett Minaya, Leslie Palmero, and Tiffany Toch.
Phifer Students Destined For Greatness
Congratulations to the following Phifer Middle School students destined for greatness:
February 2016
Jada Reese, Mekhi Brown, Bryan Jimenez, Angie Mendoza, Cameran Clark, Jhocelin Morquecho, Ian Pierre-Louis, Jillian Rivera, Issac Monroe, Jenette Crawford, Adrianna Padillo, David Nguyen, Nasir Cross Griffin, and Taliyah Ross.
March 2016
Jocelyn Molina, Adrian Kim, Princess Ellis, Eurdine Robinson, Duy Nguyen, Kevin Nguyen, Daphne Kallelis, Dakota Brown, Gia Victoria-merino, Ta’shon Parker, Nyla Nasir, Christine Phuong, and Nicholas Singh.
April 2016
Ashley Rivera Acosta, Zachary Martin, Zaisha Torres Rodriguez, Mehki Rippy, Amanda Chin, Vicky Huynh, Genan Farhat, Soleil Collier, Jeriel Delgado, Thien Doan, Catherine Seltzer, Benjamin Morales, Tyanla David, and Joshmarie Hernandez.
Phifer Wins At Coriell Institute Science Fair
By Angel Cook, District Science Supervisor
On March 19, Phifer Middle School students and staff visited Camden County College’s Blackwood Campus for the 35th annual Coriell Institute Science Fair. Sponsored by the Coriell Institute for Medical Research, young scientists in grades 6-12 from Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester counties showcased scientific explorations in the fields of chemistry, biology, physics, zoology, botany, medicine, and more. With the excitement of viewing interesting science experiments from all over the region, 73 Phifer Middle School students registered to attend the fair. While the fair has been in existence for more than 30 years, this was Phifer’s first year of participation.
Pennsauken eighth grader Sarah Mireles, seen here with her science teacher, Tim Gilbride, won third place at the 35th annual Coriell Institute Science Fair.
Eighth grade student Sarah Mireles represented Phifer Middle School in the Consumer Science division. Her project, “Which Candle Burns Faster? White or Colored Candles?” studied the combustion rates of a commonly used household item. Mireles’ project was initially developed under the tutelage of her former seventh grade science teacher, Beth Hillmann. After winning in the 2015 Phifer Middle School science fair, Mireles cultivated her experiment for competition in the larger, county level Coriell Science Fair. Her eighth grade teacher sponsor, Tim Gilbride, ensured all project requirements and deadlines were met and the scientific process was followed. At the fair, Mireles proudly explained the dimensions of her investigation to judges and visitors. Hours later, her hard work and dedication were recognized, as Sarah was called to the prestigious Dennis Flyer Theatre stage to accept the third place award.
Participating in the Coriell Science Fair was a great success for both Sarah Mireles and Phifer Middle School. It was a testament to the power of science. An observation lead to a question; a question lead to an investigation; and an investigation lead to an award-winning project with real life applications. With support, Pennsauken students will continue to investigate the wonders of science. The young scientists of today will turn into tomorrow’s innovators.
Lockheed Martin Engineers Speak With Phifer Students
For the second straight year, Howard M. Phifer Middle School is offering robotics for a full marking period as a related arts class. The robotics program, taught by Mrs. Tracey McSweeney, is designed for students to explore, build, and program small LEGO NXT robots.
Phifer Middle School Holds Annual Career Day
By Frank Sinatra, AAP Editor
Last month, Howard M. Phifer Middle School held its annual career day, an almost day-long event where students can interact with professionals from a variety of fields.
“It’s a special day where kids get to see glimpses of their potential selves for a couple hours,” explains Thomas Honeyman, principal at Phifer. “Our career day committee organized a great event. It takes a ton of effort to put together over 40 professional guests and 800 students and coordinate the schedule. Logistically, it’s a challenge, but it’s so worth it.”
Phifer Holds Candlelight Memorial For PE Teacher
On Thursday, June 18, Howard M. Phifer Middle School and the entire Pennsauken community suffered a terrible loss. Taryn Johnson, a Pennsauken School District physical education teacher for 18 years, sadly passed away. Ms. Johnson was more than just a physical education teacher: she was a friend, colleague, and mentor to both students and teachers alike.
On Tuesday, Aug. 25, the members of Pennsauken community gathered together for a candlelight memorial to honor her spirit and service.
