Ellington Poets Have Lunch With Principal Stevens

After a recent performance by The Ellington Poets, Principal Stevens hosted a luncheon where he shared the importance of sharing their talent with the community. 

PS4 hosted a Community Board Legislative event for District 6.  In attendance were Senator Espaillat, State Senator Jackson, Assemblyman Rodriquez and our Superintendent Manual Ramirez. Principal Stevens sat alongside a cohort of our districts finest Principals, and cheered our poets on. Superintendent Ramirez raved about their salient talents and called on parents and dignitaries in the audience to pay attention to what district 6 students represent, “the best and the brightest”.  

Under the direction of Mr. Cantu, The Ellington Poets performed 'Imagine a World Without Hate', in commemoration of Respect For All week. During Respect for All Week, February 11-15, schools across New York City will had the opportunity to highlight and build upon ongoing programs to help students, staff and communities gain a better understanding of diversity. Schools all over the city, promoted respect for diversity and focused on preventing bullying, intimidation, and bias-based harassment.  Our very own Ellington Poets wrote and performed this powerful poem that promoted kindness and peace.  

Ellington Poets Perform At Inauguration

Councilman Jackson and distinguished speakers give the thumbs up to audience as Mr. Cantu (right - front) sits with his daughter, the Ellington Poets and student performers.

A recent tweet from the Honorable Robert Jackson, State Senator of New York State District 31, showed how thrilled he was with a performance by our very own Ellington Poets!  The Ellington Poets performed at City College's Great Hall, on Sunday, January 13th, to an audience of hundreds of community members who celebrated the senator's inauguration.

Councilman Jackson makes a promise to honorably represent the citizens of District 31.

This is the 3rd time Councilman Jackson has been re-elected to represent District 31. When he was first elected to the City Council in 2001, he helped create more than 4,000 new Pre-K spots, fought against teacher layoffs, and helped start the Drop-Out Prevention Initiative. He also served as chair of the Education Committee and co-chaired the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus. He is a leader in our community and our poets were honored to celebrated his re-election to the United States Senate.  For more information about the councilman, click here.

The Ellington Poets Society perform at the inauguration of Councilman Robert Jackson.

Leading up to the performance, Mr. Cantu was with his Ellington Poets in the green room and shared  the magnitude of the moment and the powerful dignitaries that were present on the stage. He reminded them that they had worked so hard and with such conviction, and that they needed to share their wonderful work with the world.  After the performance, Mr.  Cantu said, “today is a wonderful day for The Duke Ellington School. You all have raised the bar of PRIDE and excellence for the entire PS4 school community and beyond. I am incredibly proud of you."

Congratulations to the Ellington Poets Society, under the direction of Mr. Cantu. Bravo!

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 Perfrom at NYU (VIDEO)

The Ellington Poets perform at the 2014 No Place for Hate Recognition Ceremony.

No place for Hate is an initiative of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) that offers students educators, administrators and family members the opportunity to work together to combat prejudice and enhance a culture of respect in their schools and communities.  Recently, the ADL awarded the seventy-six schools that participated in this anti-bullying initiative.

This year,  The Ellington Poets performed in front of an audience of students, teachers and honored guests at NYU's Performing Arts Theater!  Under the direction of Mr. Cantu, PS4's Dean and ESL teacher, the talented group of 4th and 5th grade poets were chosen to perform their rendition of Imagine by John Lennon.  Congratulations, boys and girls!

Take a look at the video below or click here to see a video of their entire performance!  Special thanks to the ADL's Associate Education Director and No Place For Hate Coordinator, Jason Sirois for his continued support of PS4.  We love you too, Mr. Jason!

The Ellington Poets with Mr. Cantu at NYU's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts Center following their performance.

Ellington Poets from PS4M on Vimeo.

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