Middle School and Beyond (VIDEO)

PS4 parents, teachers and scholars in 4th & 5th grade attend an assembly about the middle school application process.

Scholars in 5th grade will apply to middle school this fall! Online applications will open in October. The scholars will have the opportunity to apply for up to twelve schools. The deadline to apply for middle school is December 2, 2019. Therefore, it is important that scholars are aware of their expectations. At a recent assembly entitled, "Middle School and Beyond", scholars in 4th and 5th grade, as well as many parents, discussed the importance of planning and thinking ahead.

Mr. Cantu, Ms. Javier and Ms. Rojas speak to 4th and 5th grade scholars about the importance of showing determination.

This month, we focus on the virtue of determination. Presenters Ms. Javier (Social Worker), Ms. Rojas (Social Worker) and Mr. Cantu (ENL Instructor and Dean), gave scholars four ways to show determination, as it relates to planning for middle school:

• Making a decision requires planning - planning well, requires determination
• Determination is an important part of success
• One way of showing determination about something is by setting realistic goals
• There are two types of goals: short term (ex: completing a math assignment) and long term goals (ex: getting into middle school)

As 5th graders prepare to apply for middle school, there a few things that families can do. Parents can sign up for our middle school admissions email list (Open external link) to get the latest updates on middle school admissions, including event information. Families of 5th graders can also go to a middle school fair to earn about the application process and explore school options in the district. The first Middle School Fair for District 6 will take place on Wednesday, October 30, from 5:30 -7:30pm at The Paula Hedbavny School (421 W219th Street). Check out the video below, from the Department of Education, about the middle school application process!

Ellington P.R.I.D.E. - The Matrix

PS4's Behavior Matrix lists the expectations of scholars in the classroom, shared spaces and the cafeteria.

At the end of every morning announcement, students hear:

"With something to think about, this is Mr. Cantu.  Make it a great day...or not.  The choice is yours."

These words, along with some Words of Wisdom, support our Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) System.  This is a proactive approach to establishing the behavioral supports and social culture that are needed for all students in a school to achieve social, emotional and academic success.  Our students are encouraged to make good choices in their classroom, in the hallway and in the cafeteria.  Students that show positivity, respect, integrity, determination and excellence (P.R.I.D.E.) are rewarded with "Knight Notes". 

At our first assembly of the year, scholars in all grades were treated to a screening of our Ellington P.R.I.D.E. Video professionally filmed and edited in 2017! Click here to see it!  Scholars were shown the behavior matrix and reminded of how they are expected to behave in the classroom, hallways and in the cafeteria.  They also learned about Knight Notes and ways to show determination. Mr. Cantu (Bilingual Coordinator/Dean), Ms. Scollo (Phys Ed 2 Teacher), and Mr. Lagares (Phys Ed 1 Teacher), gave examples of how they showed determination. "I read the book over and over again so I could be ready for my teacher the next day", said Mr. Lagares. "After that, I learned to love reading".

PBIS Assemblies will be held each month. For more information on our PBIS System, please contact Mr. Cantu or your child's teacher.

Mr. Lagares, Ms. Scollo and Mr. Cantu speaking to scholars about ways to show determination.

Ellington PRIDE Celebration - October

Columbia musicians, from The "Back to Bach" Project, visited PS4 to celebrate this month's virtue: integrity.

Our scholars celebrated this month’s virtue with a performance from students at Columbia University. Heather, Zoe, Annette, Yael, and Zane represented The "Back to BACH" Project! This global initiative inspires music and arts education to young children, and teaches them the value of hard work and passion. The Back to BACH Project is a global initiative to inspire music and arts education to young children, and to teach them the value of hard work and passion. For more information about the project, click here.

PS4 is a PBIS school! Through our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) system, our school showcases a different virtue each month. The virtue of the month for October is INTEGRITY.  Students show integrity by being consistent with completing their classwork, always supporting their classmates and coming to school ready to learn.  

PBIS practices include preventative and responsive approaches that may be effectively implemented with all students in a classroom and intensified to support small groups or a few individuals. To encourage our scholars, they are commended with Knight Notes for excellent behavior.  Classes that receive the most Knight Notes are recognized at our monthly assemblies.  This month, Mr. Cantu (PBIS Coach) awarded classes 304, 402 and 504.  Congratulations to all of our Knight Note winners and special thanks to the musicians from Columbia University for bringing their Back to Bach Project to PS4.

3rd grade Class - Knight Note winners: Class 304 pictured with musicians, Mr. Beller,  Ms. Cole (teachers) and Mr. Cantu.

4th Grade Knight Note winners: Class 402 with musicians and Mr. Cantu (PBIS Coach) 

5th grade class Knight Note winner: Class 504, pictured with musicians, and teachers; Ms. Anderson and Mr. Rosario.

Donated Book Bags Go To PS4 Scholars

Mr. Cantu with students who received donated book bags filled with school supplies.

As the school year begins, many organization are giving away school supplies and book bags to support learners all over New York City.  Our very own Dr. Thomas, currently teaching 4th grade, recently brought the needs of many of our scholars to the attention of Jason Cohen, Executive Vice President & General Counsel at Diamond Resorts International! Along with Jennifer Wellington, another kind donor, more than fifty students received a brand new book bag filled with school supplies.

PS4 Guitar Program's Spring Recital

The PS4 Guitar Program, with Teaching Artist Ayodele Maakheru, perform for an audience in the auditorium.

The Guitar Program, in partnership with the Midori & Friends Organization, celebrated its eleventh year at PS4!  During the 2017-2018 school year, eleven upper-grade students received once and twice-weekly instruction over thirty-two weeks with Teaching Artist Ayodele Maakheru!

Teaching Artist Ayodele Maakheru performing in front of a kindergarten class.

Mr. Maakheru is a composer, performer, and teacher who plays guitar, banjo, bass, mandolin, ukulele, harmonica and djembe.  He studied at Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, City College of NY and Brooklyn College.  He has performed, toured, and recorded with a variety of artists such as Eartha Kitt, Phylicia Rashad, Gregory Hines, Miriam Makeba and the New York Philharmonic.  In addition, he has nearly four decades of performance experience in the orchestras of Broadway shows including A Chorus Line, The Full Monty, Bring in Da Noise/Bring in Da Funk, The Color Purple, Shuffle Along and Bella.  He has recorded three CD's of music and has taught our young guitar players for the past four years and uses the the '12 Notes' instrumental instruction program, which allows students to explore the basics of posture, playing technique, instrument care, and music theory more information about Mr. Maakheru, click here!

The Citywide Spring Student Recital Series, featuring PS4 Guitar Students, took place on Tuesday, June 12th.  This celebration also included a performance from the PS4 PRIDE Steppers and the Ellington Poets.  It marked the culmination of this year's guitar program at PS4.  Special thanks to the Honorable Mark Levine, City Council Member District 7, and the Midori & Friends Organization for funding this program.  To learn more about this amazing organization, click here!

Mr. Maakheru and Mr. Cantu (Guitar Program Director) pose with Guitar Program members.

The Ellington Poets Perform At The Langston Hughes Festival (VIDEO)

The Ellington Poets with Principal Stevens and Mr. Cantu

To celebrate and honor the legendary American writer and poet, Langston Hughes, school children from grades K Through 6 attend and view poetry, music, and theatrical plays at the annual City College Langston Hughes Festival at Aaron Davis Hall in Harlem!  In what has become a school tradition, this is the fifth year in a row that the Ellington Poets Society has performed at this festival!

The Ellington Poets curriculum includes studying famous American Poets like Langston Hughes. This year, the poets performed original spoken word in response to reading and discussing various of Langston's finest poetic verse. The poem they wrote and performed was titled "Langston PRIDE" as an ode to practicing positivity, respect, integrity, determination and excellence as part of the PBIS/Character Education System we practice at the Duke Ellington School. "Of course they were inspired by Langston Hughes", says Ellington Poet Director and Arts Coordinator for PS4M, Mr. Cantu.  "Not only his poetic wonder... but also for the character with which he lived his life".

To read some poems by Langston Hughes, click here!  For more information about the Langston Hughes Festival, click here.  Take a look at the video below to see the Ellington Poets perform!


The Ellington Poets Perform At The Langston Hughes Festival - 2017 from PS4M on Vimeo.

Jazz & Civil Rights Show

Band leader and pianist Samora, plays for students during a Jazz and Civil Rights Show in the auditorium.

What does jazz music have to do with civil rights?  Students, teachers and parents assembled in the auditorium for the third and final assembly from the Jazz and Democracy Project.  The project helps the scholars make connections between democracy and jazz in a historical perspective. It is a music integrated curriculum that utilizes jazz as a metaphor to bring American democracy to life, enrich the study and teaching of U.S. history, government, civics and culture, and inspire youth to become active, positive contributors to their communities.

At this Jazz and Civil Rights Show, more than two hundred audience members learned about the origin of "Spirituals" and how they helped people in coping with the obstacles and struggles that came with the slavery experience. Slavery in America began when the first African slaves were brought to the North American colony of Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619.

As part of the Ellington P.R.I.D.E. Arts Series, organized by PS4's Arts Coordinator Mr. Cantu, students have been learning about the history of jazz music. When asked about how the arts help our students, Mr. Cantu said, "our students are able to make connections with everyday personal conflicts that they may have in their own lives..they find ways to cope with problems by using music or art".  To see photos from a Jazz & Democracy Show done in Novembers, click here!

Ellington Poets Will Perform At The Apollo On June 6th

Members of the Ellington Poets Society, comprised of students from 4th and 5th grade.

The Ellington Poets Society, directed by Mr. Cantu, were selected to perform at the Manhattan Borough Performing Arts Showcase at the Apollo on June 6th!  After sending an audition video to Rachel Shapiro, Director of Arts for NYC Department of Education, the poets were selected to perform as part of the festival! Congratulations, poets!

The festival showcases the wonderfully diverse talents of our students and schools across the island of Manhattan.  NYC School Chancellor Carmen Fariña kicked off the third annual Borough Arts Festivals, on May 5th.  The series of visual and performing arts events in each borough provide platforms for nearly 2,700 students from over 460 schools to showcase their work from the school year. The borough arts festivals take place at art galleries, theaters, museums, and other cultural locations across the City, and host families and community members.

“The arts are an essential part of all students’ comprehensive education, and this is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the many talents of New York City students and teachers,” said Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña. “The arts are not frills, instead they inspire us and reenergize us. I congratulate the talent and creativity of our students and urge community members to join in celebrating their achievements.”  To see a video of highlights from last year's festival, click here!

PS4's Film Club

Mr G shows Film Club members how to use cameras.

PS4's Film Club had it's first session on March 20th!  Twenty students were hand selected because of their achievements in technology to be part of this club which meets in the computer lab, on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3-5pm.  Led by director, writer, producer and teaching artist Roderick Giles, or "Mr. G.," students will create a narrative on the topic they chose during the first few sessions.  Members of the Film Club then began working on content before being given camera equipment, as it supports the flow process of creating a finished piece.  Currently, they are filming and editing scripted performance projects putting an emphasis on different issues that many young people face in the community such as peer pressure, identity and academic responsibility.  Their final production will be shown to the school community in June.

Film Club members learning how to use cameras.

Notes on a white board show elements of the story that club members are filming.

Special thanks to Branden Baskin from Vivid Imagination Program for bringing this innovative program to PS4!  Click here to learn more.  For more information about this program, contact Mr. Cantu.

Ellington P.R.I.D.E (VIDEO)

With support from Dr. Montanez and the Turn2 Us Staff at Columbia Presbyterian, the students, teachers and staff at PS4 used their Ellington P.R.I.D.E. (positivity, respect, integrity, determination and excellence) to create this video that showcases our positive school culture. (Credits: Music from Justin Timberlake's "Dance", production by Jose Cantu and editing by Jesse Means.

Guitar Program - 2016

Twenty-two students have been members of the PS4 Guitar Program since October.  In order for these 4th and 5th grade students to participate in the program, they had to hand in an essay about why they want to participate and undergo an interview.  "Our students are eager to play everyday and their parents are very excited about their first concert happening in the Spring", said program director Jose Cantu. 

For the seventh year in a row, Midori & Friends has funded our guitar program. This year, twenty-two 4th and 5th grade students receive guitar lessons from instructor Ayodele Maakheru. Mr. Maakheru is a musician, composer, performer and teacher. Not only does he have more than thirty years of experience playing in Broadway orchestras and touring bands, he has recorded two CD's of original music! Click here to read more about this talented musician!

Jazz & Democracy At PS4

Musicians from The Jazz & Democracy Project visited PS4 to perform for 4th and 5th grade students.

Hosted by Mr. Means (Music Teacher) and Mr. Cantu (Dean/ESL Teacher) students in grades 4 and 5 recently enjoyed a performance by a group of talented musicians from The Jazz & Democracy Project!  Their Jazz for Young People Concert Series allowed students to answer questions about where jazz began, details about woodwind instruments, and about the form or patterns that "blues" music follows.  Mr. Means was very proud of our students.  "I was so proud", he said.  "It was wonderful to see our students make the connection between jazz music and what we must do for a successful democracy".

Mr. Means speaks to students about the history of jazz music.

Mr. Cantu speaks to students about the connection between jazz, democracy and pride.

The Jazz and Democracy Project at PS4 is organized by Mr. Cantu who serves as our Arts Liaison.  The project helps the scholars make connections between democracy and jazz in a historical perspective.  It is a music integrated curriculum that utilizes jazz as a metaphor to bring American democracy to life, enrich the study and teaching of U.S. history, government, civics and culture, and inspire youth to become active, positive contributors to their communities.

For more information about the Jazz and Democracy project at PS4, contact Mr. Cantu. 

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Assembly (VIDEO)

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said his 'I Have A Dream' speech on August 28, 1963.

"I have a dream that little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character" is what Dr. King told an audience of millions in August of the year 1963.  As America continues to struggle with racism, students at PS4 honored the great man by listening to presentations by our students and inducting fifteen new members of our National Elementary Honor Society.  Hosted by our Social Studies Teacher, Mr. Harris, this celebration included students reading excerpts from Dr. King's most famous speeches:

• Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech (December 10, 1964)
• Montgomery Bus Boycott Speech (December 5, 1955)
• I've Been to the Mountaintop Speech (April 3, 1968)
• Letters From A Birmingham Jail (April 16, 1963)

After learning about the meaning of each speech, Mr. Harris spoke about why we celebrate Dr. King and encouraged students to learn more about his life by doing some research.  Here are some kid-friendly websites about the life of this great man;

• Brainpop.com - Martin Luther King, Jr. (VIDEO)
• Time For Kids - Honoring King's Dream (VIDEO)
• Social Studies for Kids - Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Our assembly to honor Dr. King also included a candle-lighting, induction ceremony for the fifteen new members of PS4's National Elementary Honor Society (advised by Ms. Lennon), a great vocal performance of Estelle's song 'Conqueror' from Kasiyah O. (class 502) and a poem from the Ellington Poets (directed by Mr. Cantu).  To see their performance, click the video below.

Ms. Lennon with the new members of the National Elementary Honor Society.

Kasiyah O. (502) sings 'Conqueror' by Estelle.

MLK Jr. Celebration - Ellington Poets from PS4M on Vimeo.

Our 9th Annual Talent Show

Our 9th annual Talent Show was a success!  Thanks to all of the teachers, family members and student-performers for making the show so successful.  Take a look at the slide show below for some highlights of this fundraising event.

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Guitar Program- 2015

Congratulations to the thirty students who participated in PS4's Guitar Program, funded by Midori & Friends.  On June 3rd, under the direction of master musician Ayodele Maakeru and Mr. Cantu, our young guitarists played for a full auditorium of fellow students, teachers and parents.  The Music in Bloom Citywide Spring Student Recital Series takes place in schools all over NYC.

Special thanks to Gary Padmore and the Midori & Friends for keeping music in our schools.   Another special thanks goes to Councilman Mark Levine, represented by Naomi Lopez, for keeping music and the arts a priority for our students.  Take a look at the photo/video collage for highlights from this event.

Photo collage created with Smilebox

Guitar Program - 2015

Instructor Ayodele Maakheru works with students in the PS4 Guitar Program.

 "We're once again off to a successful start", said Mr. Cantu.  For the sixth year in a row, Midori & Friends has funded our guitar program.  This year, twenty-five students receive guitar lessons from a vivacious instructor named Ayodele Maakheru.  Mr. Maakheru is a musician, composer, performer and teacher.  Not only does he have more than thirty years of experience playing in Broadway orchestras and touring bands, he has recorded two CD's of original music!  Click here to read more about this talented musician!

Students in the guitar program have already learned how to play "Happy Birthday To You" and will be learning how to play "Amazing Grace" in the next few weeks.  They are not just learning how to play musical notes, but are learning how to play chords!  "This year, we have many students who are English Language Learners and we even have two third graders", said Mr. Cantu, Guitar Program Coordinator and ESL Teacher.  "We've also added journals to our lessons so students can write about what they've learned".  The Guitar Program meets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Congratulations to the girls and boys of the PS4 Guitar Program!  We look forward to seeing your first performance in March!

3rd grade musicians Britney M. and Amadou F.

5th Grade musicians

PS4 and FedEx Walk To Safety City

Once again, students from 3rd grade participated in National Walk To School Day!  This year, three classes participated in this annual event where volunteers from FedEx walk to Safety City with our students.  Safety City is a traffic safety program for school children that uses a simulated New York City street to teach children about traffic safety through hands-on experience.

Special thanks to Renso at Safety City for making sure PS4 students know how to be safe as they cross the street.  Take a look at photos and a video from the exciting event and click here to learn more about Safety City.

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Garden of Kindness

In preparation for Respect for All Week (February 11-15), a group of students in 4th grade have been working with our school's Dean to discuss the importance of living in a kind society, the importance of not calling people names and the destructive ways of bullying and insults.   

During one particular lesson with Mr. Cantu, students gave examples of acts of kindness they have done for someone else.  At the end of the lesson, they wrote these acts of kindness within flowers they drew and colored to make a Garden of Kindness.  "These types of lessons pay homage to the wonderful example that Dr. Martin Luther King left us", said Mr. Cantu.  "He spoke of not only equality, but of the greater lesson of humanity; to respect all individuals and do so with the utmost kindness".

Photos taken by Joel H. (520)

   



For more information about Respect for All Week, click here!

Wash Your Hands!

Recently, Dr. Aaron Hultgren and his interns and volunteers from NYU/Langone Medical Center visited our school to educate 1st and 2nd grade students about the importance of washing their hands.  Following the assembly, selected classes received a special visit from Dr. Hulgren and his staff!  To enrich the lesson given in our school's auditorium, each student got a chance to create a germ using construction paper and Popsicle sticks.

Take a look at this slideshow for highlights from the event.

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New Members of PS4's Honor Society

Twenty-five 4th and 5th grade students have officially been inducted into PS4's Epsilon Chapter of the National Elementary Honor Society.  Parents, friends and teachers were invited to a ceremony hosted by Honor Society Adviser, Ms. Lennon.

Guest Speaker, Candece Tarpley discussed the importance of service.  "Helping people builds character", she said to audience members in the school's auditorium.  Ms. Tarpley is an actress, poet-writer, artist, dancer, singer, craft person and educator who currents works with LOTUS Music & Dance as a resident instructor teaching our 4th grade students about Native American Dance.  She is a World Champion Eastern Blanket Dancer who has dedicated her life to service.   Click here for more information about Ms. Tarpley.

During the event, Principal Delois White-Jones and Mr. Cantu (Co-Adviser of the Honor Society) lit candles to represent the main characteristics of every Honor Society Member:

1. scholarship
2. service
3. leadership
4. character
5. citizenship

Congratulations to our new members who were chosen based on those characteristics as well as high scores on the NYS Math and ELA exams.  Click here to learn more about the NEHS and see the slideshow below for some highlights from the ceremony.

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