Canned Food Drive

Did you know that nearly 1.4 million New Yorkers struggle with hunger, including close to one in four New York City Children?!  Since December 12th, Student Government Members have encouraged their classmates in grades 3, 4 and 5 to donate canned food for hungry New Yorkers.  This year, City Harvest will rescue 55 million pounds of food and deliver it to 500 soup kitchens, food pantries and other community food programs throughout New York City.

Student Government Member Jaybrian, from class 520, packs up all donation in the lobby.

In total, our school has collected 172 cans of food, 26 boxes of cereal and macaroni and cheese, and 25 bags or rice to donate to hungry New Yorkers.  Some of our donations will go to City Harvest. The rest of our donations will stock shelves on our new food pantry here at PS4!  Principal Stevens will give us more details about this important initiative will come next month.

Student Government member Maria, from class 520, counts the donations of canned food.

Congratulations to PS4's Student Government Organization for a second successful service-learning project! With their leadership,we collecting more than 225 pounds of food to donate to hungry New Yorkers.  Our next service-learning project will focus on those individuals living in shelters.  (Photos taken by Jaylen C.)

Senior Trip to Sportime USA

5th grade students from Ms. Marmolejos & Mr. Nycz's class at Sportime USA.

Congratulations to the graduating girls and boys of the 5th grade who went to Sportime USA in Elmsford, New York!  They enjoyed 4 hours of unlimited games, roller coasters, laser tag and bumper cars!  They even got a $10 game card!

Thanks to Kenya our party host who made sure we had a lot of fun.  Special thanks to Jackie Rivera (Sales and Marketing) and Jay Matthew (Sportime President) for making sure our students had an opportunity to participate in all that Sportime had to offer.  Take a look at the slide show below for some highlights from the festive occasion!

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PS4 Celebrates Black History: Learning Through Art

Artwork depicting African-Americans demanding equal right created by Chrismaldy D.. (class 521).

Black history and culture is such a part of America.   Established as Negro History Week in the 1920's by Carter G. Woodson, February was chosen for the celebration because Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln were born in this month.  Extended to a month-long celebration in 1976, Black History Month is an opportunity to emphasize the history and achievements of African Americans.

Class 521, led by Ms. Cabral, celebrated Black History Month through art.  Students spent weeks learning about and reviewing facts about leaders in the Civil Rights Movement and investigating life in the South during the time of segregation.  To see more artwork created by class 521, visit the 4th floor, room 402.

Wall of art  from students in Ms. Cabral's 5th grade class.

Tar Wars Comes Back to PS4

Recently, physicians and medical students returned to PS4 for our annual Tar Wars presentation for students in 5th grade.  Led by Dr. Anita Softness, who coordinates Tar Wars, the program has been a hit at our school for more than seven years! 

Tar Wars is a tobacco-free education program for students in 4th and 5th grade students.  The program is designed to teach kids about the short-term, image-based consequences of tobacco use, the cost associated with using toacco products, and the aderttising techniques used by tht toacco industry to market thier produts to youth.  A follow-up post contest is conducted at the school, state, and national level to reinforce the Tar Wars message.  After a visit from doctors to her classroom, Ms. Cabral said, "I'm sure after experiencing 'Tar Wars', my students will encourage members of their family to stop smoking".  For more information about this program and the poster contest, click here!

Special thanks to Andrea Hausel, from Columbia University and Dr. Anita Softness, Tar Wars Coordinator, for making sure our school is always at the top of the list for receiving this great program!  Check out the photos below from the Tar Wars presentation at PS4!

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