The Final Year at PS4

Coaches McArdle and Coach Nycz with the PS4 Baseball Team at the Turn 2 Us Awards Ceremony.

The Turn 2 Us Organization, funded by Derek Jeter, has funded many programs since it began its tenure 10 years ago at PS4.  This is the final year of the program and they recently celebrated all of thier accomplishments for the 2014-2015 school year.  At their final awards ceremony that took place at Jacob Schiff Field, the Turn 2 Us sports teams were recognized.  The ceremony was attended by coaches Brent Nycz and Kelly McArdle, along with the boys and girls of their baseball team. 

Although the new PS4 Wellness Committee has not officially booked any events for the coming school year, that will happen in their next meeting, the committee will aim to continue the work of the Turn 2 Us program in the areas of wellness initiatives for families and staff, sports teams and mentorship, school assemblies, and mind-body exercises for in-class, cafeteria and recess. 

PS4 Wellness Committee for 2014-2015 school year.

The mentorship program runs in conjunction with the Turn 2 Us sports teams, drama, and art clubs. This program allows students to spend lunch time once each week learning problem solving skills, stress management, and other healthy lifestyle practices. 

Students 4th and 5th grade Turn 2 us programs.

Dr. Montanez had the priveledge of handing out scholarships to the YMCA Camp Hi Rock's Sleep-away Camp.  These scholarship recipients were chosen for their excellence in class and in program or for overcoming personal obstacles. The six students will attend sleep-away camp at YMCA Camp Hi Rock in Mt. Washington, Massachusetts for two weeks this summer, from August 9 to 22.  More information and pictures are available at camphirock.org.

 

Honorees of the Hi Rock Sleep Away Camp Scholarship.

 

Special thanks to Dr. Montanez and her dedicated team for supporting the boys and girls of PS4 since 2004.  We appreciate her dedication to educating the whole child and we wish her all the best.  Click here to read highlights from programs that Turn 2 us has had at our school over the years.

Turn 2 Us Celebrates St. Patrick's Day

Last week the boys and girls involved with the Turn 2 Us Basketball League participated in a special St. Patrick's Day program by Dr. Montanez and the staff at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.  This special St. Patrick's Day program included authentic Irish step-dancing and musicians playing instruments from Ireland. There were even moments when students were asked to participate with the performers! The students had a good time and were given knowledge about Irish culture.

Special thanks to Dr. Montanez, the Turn 2 Us organization and the staff at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.

The Wolves Make It Two In A Row!

PS4 Boys Baseball Team

After their first victory of the year, The Duke Ellington Wolves Baseball Team made it two in a row after they defeated PS115 with a score of 8 - 4. With big hits by Zenny R. and Danny W., the Wolves played the type of baseball they have been taught to play during their practices that first began in early April. "Your team played very well", said the coach of PS115.   Janser M. also played a great game as catcher, blocking balls at the plate.  Pitcher Carlos E. also threw his best game, striking out seven players and giving up two earned runs. "I think your team is getting better with every pitch", said the umpire of the game, Mr. Rodriguez. "It's like they have found who they are as a team and capitalized on their strengths."

After their next game on Friday, May 17, The PS4 Wolves will start the playoffs and try and win their very first Turn-2-Us Baseball championship!

Wolves Lose First Game of Season 14 -13

The first game of the year did not end well for the PS4 Wolves.  Despite scoring 13 runs, the Wolves lost their first game of the season; 14 -13 to PS192. "It basically came down to who was going to bat last", said the coach of PS192, Coach Jason.  Since we were the home team, we got to bat last and that made the difference. The Wolves played well, considering this was the first time they played on an actual field.

Big hits were made by most of the boys in the starting lineup. Carlos E. and Elvis H. both hit the ball into the outfield and hit two home runs. Defensive errors hurt the Wolves as they were unable to make key plays on the field when it counted.  Once the players are able to make better plays on the field and better decisions on the bases, the Wolves will be a hard team to beat.

Play Ball!

The PS4 baseball season has started and the team can't wait to take the field!. Once again, the team will try deliver a Turn-2 Us baseball championship to Ms.White (our principal) and the boys and girls at PS4.  One change to look out for is the school's uniform! For the past three seasons, The Wolves have been wearing grey pants and a matching green uniform shirt. This year, the team will be wearing uniforms that match their school's uniform colors; grey pants and a burgundy uniform shirt. "The team has showed a lot of promise in practice", said Coach Harris.  "If practice is any indication of what they will do on the field, The Wolves will have a very eventful season."  Their first game is Friday, April 5th at Schiff Field (Amsterdam Ave. between W136th and W138th Street) against PS192.

Members of the  2012-2013 PS4 Baseball Team are...

Coach Harris and baseball team members during a recent practice in the gym.

Derek G. (401)
Jeryan R. (401)
Alex M. (402)
Anderson T. (402)
Ayendi V. (421)
Carlos E. (421)
Edward G. (421)
Jhan S. (421)
Wesley M. (421)
Brianna P. (501)
Jaime P. (501)
Camil D. (502)
Danny W. (502)
Michael G. (502)
Janser M. (520)
Zenny R. (520)
Elvis H. (520)

Wolves Go Down to PS325

The baseball season is over. Sadly, the PS4 Wolves' baseball team lost their playoff game to PS325 with a score of 6 - 0. Despite the loss, the boys never gave up. Special consideration must be given to the starting pitcher, Vinny, for taking the ball and striking out a few of the players from PS325. Elvis also contributed with a base knock and Eric made a spectacular catch in right field. While our record wasn't the best, (2 wins 4 losses) The Wolves left everything on the field last Friday and have left a great foundation for the team next year.

PS4 Baseball Team (in green)

 On behalf of Coach Harris and the team, we would like to wish PS325, and all of the baseball teams that are still playing, the best of luck in the playoffs. Special thanks to the "Baseball Moms" that have come out to the games!  Your support is greatly appreciated!  When the season starts next year, The Wolves will be ready!

PS4 Baseball Shows Promise

The PS4 Wolves lost a heart-breaking baseball game to PS115 with a score of 1 - 0. The loss is the second in a row for PS4. But, there were some good moments for The Wolves! Starting pitcher, Christopher R., struck out 8 batters and the PS4 defense completed many plays in the field and played a game without many errors. "This was a good game and PS4 would not have lost if they didn't make that mistake at third base.", said umpire Angel R.

Even though the Wolves lost this game, Coach Harris is confident that they'll be ready to win the next time they step on the field.

PS4 Baseball Team Suffers First Loss

Members of the baseball team.

After winning their first game three weeks ago, the PS4 Wolves lost their first official game of the season with a score of 5-3. "You had them, but you let the game go", said Umpire Mr. G.  "You were the better team."

The Wolves were winning until the last inning when too many wild pitches and bad defense caused the defeat. "But", says Coach Harris, "PS4 will be back and ready to play their next game". A special salute goes out to Christopher R. who helped his team by pitching well and striking out seven batters!

Baseball Season Begins At Highbridge Park

2012 Co-Ed Baseball Team (green uniforms)

Baseball season has officially started!  That's right, The Wolves of PS4 began their season with a game against PS192. Returning this season, are two of the players from last year!  With fourteen boys and one girl on this team, PS4 hopes to finally bring a baseball championship to the school from The Turn-2-Us League. "This will be an exciting year", says Executive Director Dr. Evelyn Montanez. "Everyone seems to have a shot at winning games."

The first game of the season began successfully, as the co-ed baseball team won their first game at Highbridge Field in the Bronx, with a score of 3-2.

5th Grade Goes To Yankee Stadium

On Tuesday, 5th graders visited Yankee Stadium in the Bronx!  The new home of the New York Yankees opened on April 2, 2009.  Students were able to visit the museum and sit in the dugouts.  Tour guides shared lots of facts of the stadium and gave a lot of information about famous baseball players, including Derek Jeter.  Naa M (class 523) was very excited about the trip.  "I have to start watching baseball", she said, "now that I'm learning about the history of Yankee Stadium, I'm interested."  Five parents also took the trip to Yankee Stadium and enjoyed taking pictures of their children.  Everyone was given a key chain to take home.

We are very thankful to the Yankee Stadium staff for being so kind to the boys and girls of PS4.  Go Yankees!

Coach Harris and the PS4 Boys Baseball Team Salute Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson's legacy was memorialized on April 15, 2010, by fans, players and Major League Baseball, marking the 63rd anniversary of the Hall of Famer breaking baseball's color barrier. For the second consecutive year, every baseball player at the 12 different ballparks where Robinson played, were asked to wear his retired number; 42.

Click here to see video clips by professional baseball players discussing this historic moment.

The Lady Dukes Take a Loss

Last week, The Lady Dukes lost to a Bronx School with a score of 22 - 6. Although the Lady Dukes did not play that well they did try hard. The team from The Bronx was very good with their point guard putting on an all - star performance. But, there were some good moments that came from efforts of The Lady Dukes. Aileen R. scored two baskets. Those four points seemed to give her more confidence. Hennesey A. showed a lot of courage for a third grader. The PS4 girls basketball team may have lost this game, but Coach Keys an Coach Harris are seeing a lot of improvement!

Baseball Season Officially Starts!

Baseball Season is here! Now that the weather is getting warmer, it is time for the boys to get their bats and gloves and play the sport known as America's Pastime. Sponsored by Derek Jeter's Turn 2 Us Foundation, there are seven teams that will compete against each other for the baseball championship. According to Dr. Montanez, director of the program, sports are a great way to bring out the best in the students. "These programs are intended to make our students know that school work and sportsmanship go hand in hand", she said. "That is why we check with their teachers throughout the season to make sure they are taking care of business in the class room before anything else." She reminds each student that participation in this program is a privilege, not a right. The students our looking forward to this season of hitting, catching and throwing. "They are enthusiastic, energetic and willing to do what it takes", says Coach Harris. "We want to bring home a championship to PS4".

Click here to see a story about last season's boy's baseball team.

Coach Keys: Man On A Mission

Coach Keys wants another championship! Those are before a crucial game between his team, The Mighty Dukes, and P.S. 92. "I think we have a good shot at making some noise in the playoffs." His players are feeling confident after a 28 -6 victory over P.S. 173 before the Holiday Break. But Coach Keys urges whoever roots for The Mighty Dukes not to get overconfident. 'The best team is P.S. 28" he says. "In order to beat them, we are going to have to play our "A" game. Anything less than that and we can forget it." But, this veteran coach is very confident that his team can win the next game being played on the home court. "We are good and definitely capable of winning the next game."

P.S. 4 Boys Baseball Team Wins First Exhibition Game!

Playing for the first time as a team, The Mighty Dukes Baseball Team won an exhibition game, 4-2 against P.S. 173. Coach Dan Goodman of P.S. 173 was disappointed with the loss, but thought that P.S. 4 had a strategy that helped it win. "You guys came late, so by the time we started playing, our team was tired out." Led by pitcher and shortstop Adrian R. and catcher Edwin R., the Mighty Dukes were very impressive battling back from behind a 2-1 deficit. The game served as a warm - up for the season that starts Friday April 16. The Mighty Dukes promise to play good games all season.