Super Saturday Math Academy - 2016

PS4 scholars log on to math websites to help them prepare for the NYS Math Exams in April.

More than 100 students in grades 3-5 are taking advantage of our Super Saturday Math Academy! From 9am-12pm, scholars play math games, log on to math websites and receive instruction to help them prepare for the NYS Math Exams from Wednesday, April 13 – Friday, April 15.  Students are taught to have solid conceptual understanding, a high degree of procedural skill and fluency. They are encouraged to apply the math they know to solve problems inside and outside of the classroom.

5th grade Super Saturday Academy students work on test questions.

4th grade students work on math problems at Super Saturday Math Academy.

If you would like your child to attend Super Saturday Math Academy, please visit the main office or speak to Mr. Theodore, Director of Super Saturday Academy.  For more information on what is on the test, click here!  See the list below for great math websites.

• hoodamath.com
• AAAmath.com
• IXL.com
• KhanAcademy.org
• coolmath-games.com

Are you having trouble understanding place value?  Watch this video from Khan Academy!

Midori & Friends 20th Anniversary Gala

On May 2, 2013, the PS4M Choir performed for more than 200 guests at the Midori & Friends 20th Anniversary Gala; Share the Music. Community partners, supporters, students, artists and friends came together to celebrate the achievements of the organization and to toast the collective vision of music education for all young people.

Award winning student Shawn T. (center) and his Guitar Instructor, Nick Russo, pictured with members of the PS4 staff.

Shawn T., from class 501, was given the Byron Gustafson Award to honor his high level of motivation, a true passion for music, and a caring spirit for other classmates.  Shawn began studying the guitar last year, inspired in part by his father, who was also a musician.  He was assigned as one of the Guitar Team Leaders and was appointed Guitar Club Student Coordinator.  When asked about Shawn's commitment to music, Mr. Cantu said, "He has worked tirelessly to promote the message of music appreciation to all the students, young and old, and he is a tremendous asset to the PS4 community".  Congratulations to Shawn on his commitment and his accomplishments!  We wish him all the best in his continued growth as a guitarist.

Click here to see the choir's performance at this gala as they sang "This Little Light of Mine".

The PS4 Choir at the Midori & Friends Gala

Welcome Back!

Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year!  The first two days of the school year were very exciting for the parents, students, teachers and staff of PS4.  From the new Promethean Boards in each classroom to the new uniform colors, PS4 is ready for a productive school year.  "Students seem very eager to come to school", said Mr. Theodore, Staff & Budget Coordinator.  "This was the easiest arrival and dismissal process I've seen in three years".

Blog editors look forward to your comments and will be updating weekly.  This blog will share important updates about events that occur in our school and in the Washington Heights community.  We will also share stories about great things that our students and teachers are doing.  If you would like us to share a story with our readers, feel free to contact us using our Facebook page.

View of main yard during Monday morning arrival.

View of cafeteria during Monday morning's arrival.

Get Your Tickets!

Haitian University Students Visit PS4



Mr. Theodore (center) with university students and professors from Haiti.

 A few weeks ago, ten university students and two professors from Haiti visited PS4 to learn more about education in America.  With the help of Mr. Theodore, who is also from Haiti, the students were given a given a chance to tour our school and speak with a few PS4 students and teachers in their classrooms.  "The teachers here are very knowledgeable and I am impressed with how the school is organized", said one Taris Lynn Audrery during the tour. "And I really like the Smartboards", added Professor Jean Claude Abraham.  Student Abraham UJean Claude Louikes said, "I can't find the words to explain the way that I felt appreciated at the school." 

On behalf of the administration, staff and students of The Duke Ellington School, thank you for visiting our school and we wish you all the best in your professional and personal goals.  We look forward to your next visit! For more information about the country of Haiti, click here.