PS4's French & African Dance Club Goes To The United Nations!

Members of PS4's French and African Dance Club at the City Council's Committee on Cultural Affairs, Council Chambers.

The NYC City Council’s Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations held a meeting on Monday, April 29, 2019 at 10:00 A.M. in the Council Chambers, City Hall, New York, NY regarding the Cultural After School Adventures (CASA) Initiative: Bringing Arts & Culture To New York City Public School and Enriching The Lives Of Students. PS4's French and African Dance Club was invited!  The meeting brought members of the staff as well as students who are active participants in the CASA programming, like our French and African Dance Club.  Most exciting, was that students were asked to perform in front of the Council Members!

On March 18, our scholars were also invited to perform at the United Nations! This particular event was held to celebrate women and girls around the world. Congratulations to the members of the French and African Dance Club.  Special thanks to instructor Assetou Sy for exposing our scholars to great experiences and to Ms. Martin (Assistant Principal) for taking the following photos!

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.

PS4 Capoiera Program - 2015

Teaching Artists Alegria & Chuvisco with Catelina.

Congratulations to the members of this year's Capoeira Program!  This year, 26 students from 2nd to 5th grade learned the Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, sports, and music known as Capoeira. With instruction from teaching artists Chuvisco and Alegria, students were taught the history of this form of martial arts, its complex moves and kicks, as well as a variety of songs in Portugese. This program promotes disciple and self esteem, as well as cultural awareness.  Click here for more information about Capoeira.

Thanks to Teaching Artists Chuvisco and Alegria for making sure our young Capoiera dancers learn and have fun!  Special thanks to DanceBrazil's founder and Master Teacher, Jelon Vieira and Executive Director Patty Bryan for continuing to be great partners in the education our students for the fourth year in a row.  To see photos and videos from past Capoeira programs at PS4, click here!  To see photos and videos from this year's program, click below!

This free collage generated with Smilebox

Capoeira Celebration

Graduates of the PS4 Capoeira After-School Program with their instructors Chuvisco and Gafa from Dance Brazil.

On February 1, 2013, PS4 students from the Capoeira After-School Program celebrated an 8-week course where they learned about Brazil and the components of the martial arts and dance style of Capoeira. Click here to see the video from the event!

With an audience of more than thirty teachers, parents and friends, graduates of the program got a chance to show what they learned.  Thanks to our very own Mr. Theodore for overseeing this and all after-school programs and instructors Paulo Da Silva (Chuvisco) and Angelo Ribeiro (Gafa) for their expertise and knowledge.   Special thanks to Jelon Viera and Patty Bryan from Dance Brazil and Fordham University Partnership Support Organization for making this program possible for the second year.  We appreciate your commitment to the boys and girls of PS4.

Capoeira graduates in front of parents and guests.

Congratulations to the following students:

Program participants having fun during practice.

Franchesca M.
Arleny V.
Juan T.  (PS4 graduate)
Sterlyn T.
Joshua S. (2nd grader)
Amberly M.
Krismely A.
Cinthia C.
Francis D.
Andy C.

Instructors Gafa and Chuvisco with Franchesca M.

Saul H.
Janser M.
Carlos H.
Amy A.
Alexander V.
Angel V.
Anderson T.
Edward G.
Jordy G.
Elvis P.
Frank A.
Franly R.



For more information about Dance Brazil, click here and click here to see a video from the celebration!

Did You Know?

Did you know that Capoeira (pronounced cap-o-ware-a) is a Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, sports, and music?  It was created in Brazil with African and Brazilian influences.  It is known by quick and complex moves, using mainly power kicks and quick leg sweeps, with some ground and aerial acrobatics, knee strikes, take-downs, elbow strikes, punches where the opponents never touch each other.  Click here to see videos!

Capoeira instructor leads the class.

"The Circle"

Since Monday, November 14, nearly 50 students from 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade have participated in PS4's Capoeira After-School Program which is held on Mondays and Fridays from 3-5pm.  This program promotes discipline and self-esteem, as well as cultural awareness.  Master Capoeira Instructors from Capoeira Brazil have been training students to perform this expression of art.

Although no more students are being accepted for this program, click here to find information on how you can take classes.

PS4's YMCA After-School Program Gets Ready

On Wednesday, June 15 at 4pm, boys and girls of PS4's YMCA After-School Program will celebrate the end of the 2010-2011 school year. They have invited parents to join them for an afternoon of merriment as they appreciate the beautiful work that the children have done. Refreshments will be served at this family gathering to celebrate the students' efforts and creativity. Program Coordinator, Ysabel Abreu is very thankful to have support from the parents of the students in the program. "It has been a great pleasure to work with the children, this school year", she says, "the generous participation and authentic concern for the learning of all children made us stronger and helped us serve the needs of each student in a more efficient manner. Justyn R. (from Ms. Sanchez's class) is very excited about the event! "It's a party for all of us", he says as he shows his drawing of a tiger.

PS4's YMCA After-School Program consists of nearly 40 students. In addition to supplementing what they have learned in school, they participate in interactive learning games that engage critical thinking skills, get assistance with their homework from trained YMCA staff, have a chance to socialize with each other, and form long-lasting friendships that enhance their development, growth and self-confidence.

Jazz is the Roots!

On Thursday, April 15th, all after-school programs were treated to a free jazz concert sponsored by Jazz at Lincoln Center and Midori & Friends. Students, teachers and parents enjoyed a lively performance by Lafrae Sci and the Scenic Route Band. Lafrae is a very talented drummer who educated members of the audience on how jazz music works. "Jazz music is like the roots of a plant", she announced. She went on to explain that all other types of music stem from jazz. Everyone had a good time learning, clapping, singing and dancing! Students from our Guitar Program even got a chance to play a popular Duke Ellington song (click play) with the band!

Take a look at a slide show of photographs from the performance!

The Guitar Program Is Back!

Thanks to an organization called Midori & Friends and a lot of support from the Sports & Arts After-School Program, 24 students will get free lessons from professional guitarist, Nick Russo.

This is Mr. Russo's second year working with PS4 students and we are happy to have him back! During a recent workshop with parents and new guitarists, 4th grader Christian S. shared his love of jazz and gospel music. "That's awesome", said Mr. Russo, "we'll definitely play some of those styles during our classes".

Did you know that the guitar was created in northern Africa? Did you also know that playing "air guitar" helps you develop your skills? Along with a few fun facts like these and some important vocabulary, every Tuesday and Thursday students will be given a 2-hour guitar lesson by Mr. Russo. If you would like more information about the Guitar Program or instructor Nick Russo, please write a comment below.

Students Learn How To Play The Guitar!

Forty students have been selected to participate in a new after-school program sponsored by Midori & Friends (http://midoriandfriends.org/)! This organization has donated 50 new chairs and allowed us to borrow 50 brand new guitars. Soon, students will have the opportunity to take a guitar home. This will allow them to practice.

The Guitar Program meets every Friday and Saturday. With instructor Nick Russo, 4th and 5th grade students are learning how to take care of a guitar and how to play basic musical notes. Mr. Cantu, who is a guitar player, assists Mr. Russo on Saturdays. "Nick is a really great instructor", says Mr. Cantu, "and the kids are doing pretty well". The parents of children who were chosed are very excited about this opportunity and look forward to their first concert in May.