Greater New York Dental Meeting

Our fourth grade classes were invited to participate in this unique event held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.  They participated in an entertaining educational program which emphasized the importance of oral health care utilizing proper brushing techniques in a fun and child-friendly atmosphere.

During the field trip, students had the opportunity to visit five different “stations,” consisting of an educational film, an exhibit on nutrition, a “How to Brush” instructional demonstration, and Colgate’s “Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Van” where those students who were granted parental permission had their teeth screened by a dentist.  Students practiced their newly learned oral hygiene skills at sinks under the supervision of dental hygiene personnel and receive a gift bag containing items, including a toothbrush and toothpaste to reinforce their newly found knowledge.

Special thanks to Jayme S. Spicciatie, Program Manager for the Greater New York Dental Meeting, for always inviting us to this exciting event!  Click here for more information about this event and take a look at the photo collage below!

This free photo collage generated with Smilebox

PS4 Kids Smile

Students from the 4th grade were once again asked to participate in the "Greater New York Smiles" program for the 2012 Greater New York Dental Meeting at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.  According to Jayme McNiff, Program Manager, over 1,400 students from all five NYC boroughs attended this educational fieldtrip!  "We learned how important it is to brush, floss, eat healthy and see the dentist on a regular basis", said Lamaya (pictured bottom-left).   Brayan (top-center) was very excited about seeing the Greater New York Dental's mascot, Dr. Rabbit.  "We got to see the big purple rabbit...he showed everybody how to take care of our teeth".

The program was an enormous success and plans are already well under way to repeat the program next year!  Each student received a bag filled with gifts from Colgate oral care products and each class received a photo from the event.  Special thanks to Jayme McNiff who makes sure PS4 kids attend each year.  Click here for more information about the event.





Fourth graders attended 

The Biobus Comes Back to PS4

Fourth graders, teachers and a few lucky parents were very excited to board the Biobus last Friday!  "We're happy to be back", said Dr. Ben, Founder of the Biobus.  "We couldn't wait to see PS4 again", he said via our Facebook page.  This is the second year that the 1974 San Francisco Transit Bus has parked outside PS4!  Thanks to Dr. Ben and his team of scientists, students got on board this high-tech laboratory on wheels!  Each student got a chance to use microscopes, learn about what scientists do and see Daphnia!  Click here for more information on this tiny, shrimp like animal!

"This was an excellent way for students to see the food chain at work and to understand how things in the environment can effect us in the long term", said Ms. Thomas who accompanied class 401.  "Most of the world eats fish and Daphnia is the feeder for fish!  Students really had to think about what would happen if there was a decrease of Daphnia", she said.  Dr. Latasha, Biobus scientist, was very proud of our students.  "They really understood the fact that what effects the bottom of the food chain will effect the top of the food chain", she said.  "They also asked a lot of good questions".

Dr. Latasha and class 420.

Biobus Scientist Matt, teaching class 401 about Daphnia.

Once again, special thanks to Dr. Ben and his team (Dr. Latasha and Matt) for bringing this great experience to our school.  We can't wait to see you again next year!  For more information about the Biobus, click here!  Click here, to see photos of last year's visit from the Biobus!

Double The Fun At PS4: Rossy and Jessy

Fourth grade twins Rossy and Jessy B.

When you walk the halls of PS4, you may think you are seeing double. Don't worry...you are not. What you are actually seeing are some of the twins that attend The Duke Ellington School. The school now has nine sets of twins from kindergarten to the fifth grade! Most of them are identical, but there are some that are fraternal. With fraternal twins, even though they were born at the same time, the siblings do not look exactly alike and some sets are different genders!

Each week we'll feature a set of twins that go to our school!  This week, we're featuring twins from the Dominican Republic, Rossy and Jessy!

Rossy and Jessy are identical twins from Ms. Daniel's class (401).  They were also in the same class last year.  When asked, what is the one question that people always ask, Jessy said, "people ask my Mom how she knows which is which."  She goes on to explain that Rossy has a beauty mark on her forehead and a scar on her nose.  "Sometimes it's hard being a twin because people get us confused", says Jessy.  Rossy and Jessy are the first set of twins in their family.