Saturday, March 17, 2018

Widener Partnership Charter School Begins Search for New Principal


Widener Press Release
The Widener Partnership Charter School is launching a search for a new principal/CEO. April Thomas has stepped down from her role as president/CEO at WPCS effective at the end of the current school year, on June 30, 2018.
The school is working with WPCS board members, faculty, staff, parents, students, and community members to gain input on securing a leader to further the mission and success of the Widener Partnership Charter School.
Community members with questions or comments are encouraged to submit their feedback to wpcs@widener.edu.
Widener Partnership Charter School is Pennsylvania’s first university-based charter school. Established in 2006 as a partnership between Widener University and Chester community leaders and residents, WPCS takes a holistic, well-rounded approach to K-8 education, equipping the next generation with skills and resources to succeed.

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Chester High School students walkout in solidarity with national gun violence protest


Chester High School students walked out of school in protest of gun violence in solidarity with a nationwide call for action brought on by the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida on February 14, 2018. They honored the 17 lives lost but they want you to know how much they too have been affected by gun violence in their community.

They gave a speech.

On behalf of the class of 2019, I’d like to share the impact that gun violence has had on our city.
Gun Violence has...
·       Given us the feelings of hostility every time we  
step outside
·       Given us a paranoid outlook
·       Created losses that isolate us emotionally
·       Become a regular part of life in this city
·       Stolen our youth and our childhoods
·       Forced us to be strong beyond our years
·       Created an unending cycle of hopelessness
·       Made us prisoners in our homes
·       Forced us to suffer along with others, as we empathize with their losses.
As a result, of the violence we have witnessed,
We should...
·       Be more respectful to one another
·       Be mindful of the feelings and needs
·       Not give in to peer pressure
·       Seriously evaluate the validity of our conflicts
·       Settle conflicts sensibly
·       Establish a city culture that is undivided by
·       territory and affiliations
·       Show value and gratitude for the lives we live each day

They shared a poem.


I’d like to end by sharing a poem that exemplifies the self-destructive impact of gun violence in Chester.

Before You Pull the Trigger…

Before you pull the trigger,
Know your victim has a name.
Like you, he’s disappointed with
Life’s sacrifice and pain.

Before you pull the trigger,
Know he yearns for better days.
Like you, he simply needs a chance
To mend his sinful ways.

Before you pull the trigger,
Know he has a family, too.
Who never will forget the loss
Of all you’ll put them through.

So, before you pull the trigger,
Take the time to think it through.
The person you’re about to kill,
Is someone just like you.
By Viola Norman

Chester Clippers Boys Basketball team falls short in Bethlehem



By Terry Thomas

For the second consecutive season the Chester Clippers (19-9) had their quest for a State Championship ended at the hands of the Abington Heights Comets (24-3). And for the second consecutive season it was also on the campus of Liberty High School in Bethlehem. However this season the loss came in regulation, 49-48. Trailing by twelve, 28-40, entering the 4th quarter Coach Taylor charged his team that the comeback would be one possession at a time. The team clamped down defensive and demonstrated the C-Pride that Chester is known for. After a twisting reverse layup by sophomore Malik Langley with 3:20 on the clock Chester took their first lead of the game 48-47. As the Comets were running their offense trying to get an open look, senior Brian Randolph III stole the ball with 1:55 remaining. It was now Chester's turn to work for an open shot or hold the ball to the end. With 57.2 seconds remaining the ball slipped off the hands of a wide open Clippers under their basket and the Comets had life. The Comets scored to regain the lead 48-49 but the Clippers had one more chance to taste victory. With 12.1 seconds remaining the Clippers made a costly turnover by stepping out of bounds with the ball. The Clippers were forced to foul and the Comets missed the front end of a 1 and 1. Freshman Karell Watkins rebounded the missed shot and passed the ball to senior Brian Randolph III who drove to the basket but could not covert through the contact. And the run was over.

Junior Michael Smith was high man for the Clippers with 11 points followed by Randolph (9) and Watkins had 8 - seven came in the pivotal 4th quarter. Junior Rahmaad DeJarnette contributed 7, sophomore Rahmee Gilbert added 5, senior Timothy Johnston finished with 4 and junior Rahnel Sparks and Langley each added 2.

*Thank you Terry for a great basketball season of reporting. Your reports are much appreciated. Awesome job!

Saturday, March 10, 2018

Chester Clippers Boys Basketball advances in State Tournament



By Terry Thomas

Coach Taylor was awarded his first State Tournament victory with the Clippers 61-47 win over Philadelphia's Martin L. King Jr. Cougars. Chester will meet Abington Heights in the 2nd Round on Tuesday, March 13th at a site and time to be determined.

The seniors did not want their careers as Clippers to end on the campus of South Philadelphia H.S. Facing a front-court of 6'9", 6'7" and 6'7", the undersized Clippers demonstrated patience and followed Coach Taylor's game plan to the letter. Brian Randolph III led the charge in the 1st quarter with 7 of his 14 points with Timothy Johnston and Kylair Blackston each contributing a bucket as the teams were tied at 11 after one quarter. In the 2nd quarter the underclassmen held down the fort for the Clippers with 6'5" freshman Kareel Watkins being the force in the paint with 8 points. Junior 6'4" wingman Rahmaad DeJarnette finger-rolled 4 points and the Clippers took a 23-19 lead into intermission. With the slow pace of the game neither team could establish a significant run. The team continued with the game plan to take the ball inside via both dribble penetration and feeding our bigs resulting in five players producing the team 14 third quarter points. Defensively the Clippers hounded the Cougars big men by boxing them out or stripping them of the ball when they brought it down on the rebound. Watkins again was the best big on the floor producing 6 more points as his teammates Michael Smith, Randolph, DeJarnette and Blackston each contributed 2 points. At the end of the third, Chester - 37, ML King - 32. The Clippers finally warmed up in the cold South Philly gym and after Watkins completed an old-fashioned 3-point play Chester's lead had grown to 50-35 with 4:20 left in the contest. Chester secured the victory by keeping the ball in the hands of their best free throw shooters down the stretch and they didn't disappoint producing 9 of their last 11 points. The team went 9 of 12 in the final 4 minutes of the contest. The Clippers spread the wealth in the 4th with six players in the scoring column producing 24 points. Watkins and Smith led with 6 points followed by Randolph (5), DeJarnette (3) and sophomore Rahmee Gilbert and Johnston with 2 apiece.

Three Clippers scored in double figures with Karell Watkins a game and career high of 20 points. He also recorded a double-double with 10 rebounds. Brian Randolph III also had a double double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Rahmaad DeJarnette finished with 11 points. While Smith fell just short of double figures with 8 points, he did manage to tie a career high with 7 assists. The team ended with 12 assists on 19 made baskets.

Senior Timothy Johnston had a productive evening with 4 points, 3 blocks which tied his career high, 6 rebounds and 1 assist. Two of his blocks came on one Cougar possession when they recovered one of his blocks came back at him and he blocked their second attempt. Johnston ran the floor and was awarded with a feed from Smith for a lay-up that gave the Clippers the lead 47-35 at 5:06 in the 4th quarter.

Game Site Announcement

The Chester Clippers (19-8) will take on the District 2 Champion Abington Heights (23-3) in the 2nd Round of the State 5A Tournament. The game will be played on Tuesday, March 13th at Liberty H. S., 1115 Linden Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. This will be a rematch of last season's Quarter-finals game won by Abington Heights 65-60 in double overtime that was also played at Liberty H.S.
 

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

Jamai Springfield on ‘The Voice’

Glad to see Jamai Springfield doing his thing on The Voice. He will be singing on Alicia Keys’ team. Jamai was a student at Chester High School. He performed for students at a pep rally in 2011.

The talented music artist made the CD, Earthquake. We will be rooting for you. Great Job!