Canned Food Drive

Did you know that nearly 1.4 million New Yorkers struggle with hunger, including close to one in four New York City Children?!  Since December 12th, Student Government Members have encouraged their classmates in grades 3, 4 and 5 to donate canned food for hungry New Yorkers.  This year, City Harvest will rescue 55 million pounds of food and deliver it to 500 soup kitchens, food pantries and other community food programs throughout New York City.

Student Government Member Jaybrian, from class 520, packs up all donation in the lobby.

In total, our school has collected 172 cans of food, 26 boxes of cereal and macaroni and cheese, and 25 bags or rice to donate to hungry New Yorkers.  Some of our donations will go to City Harvest. The rest of our donations will stock shelves on our new food pantry here at PS4!  Principal Stevens will give us more details about this important initiative will come next month.

Student Government member Maria, from class 520, counts the donations of canned food.

Congratulations to PS4's Student Government Organization for a second successful service-learning project! With their leadership,we collecting more than 225 pounds of food to donate to hungry New Yorkers.  Our next service-learning project will focus on those individuals living in shelters.  (Photos taken by Jaylen C.)

Student Government Organization Raises $500

Our school has completed the challenge of helping The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society find cures for blood cancer! Student Government members from 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes encouraged their classmates to donate money to specifically support children living with cancer. Thanks to all of the contributions from PS4 and schools all over the United States, patients will be able to go beyond surviving and live a long and happy life.

Student Government Organization members count the donations from students in their class.

At a recent meeting, student-leaders completed the campaign by counting the many boxes of change. Although donations are still being collected.  As of January 9, 2016, $521.04 has been collected from upper-grade classes.  A special congratulations to students in Dr. Thomas's class who donated $101.41!  Special thanks to Madeleine Hamingson, Student Series Campaign Assistant, from LLS for attending one of our Student Government meetings and talking to our scholars about her organization.  For more information about LLS, click here!

First Service Learning Project

Members of PS4's Student Government pose with Madeleine Hamingson from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The Student Government Organization, led by Technology Teacher Ms. Lennon, launched their first service-learning project this week!  Madeleine Hamingson, Student Series Campaign Assistant from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society visited our student leaders at their monthly meeting to distribute materials, discuss details of how to run a successful campaign and give them information about the organization.  "We really are thankful that you have chosen to help the many children and adults who suffer from cancer", she said to the members in attendance.

Ms. Madeleine speaks to Student Government members.

Student Government members have decided to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society whose mission it is to help find a cure for Blood Cancer!  PS4M/The Duke Ellington School joins over 29,000 schools across the nation to make a difference and raise as much money as we can.  Until the end of December, our school will be working to reach a goals of $1,200.  Envelopes have been sent home to all students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades with information about the Pennies for Patients campaign.  Each classroom has a collection box for all donations.  For families that would like to make an online donation, click here!

Student Government Members Support Families In Need

generationOn Student Government members from class 502 (center) with their classmates.

The newly named generationOn Student Government has been selected to receive an NYC generationOn Clubs Grant!  As a grant award recipient, the club will receive t-shirts for each member, a visit from a generationOn representative and a $500 gift card to use for a service learning project!  Their first service-learning project will provide six families in the Washington Heights community with bags of food for the holiday season.  Click here for more information about generationON!

Student Government members prepare to give a speech to their classmates about donating to City Harvest.

Through morning announcements, speeches and reminders, Student Government members have been encouraging their classmates to bring in cans of food, boxes of cereal and plastic jars of peanut butter to help feed the 1.7 million New Yorkers that currently live in poverty; 24% of which are New York City children living in food insecure homes.  "It's always wonderful to see students use their leadership skills to make an big impact in their own community", said Ms. Lennon (Student Government Advisor).  With the help of Parent Coordinator Denise Nunez, six families took home bags of food just before Thanksgiving break.  City Harvest will pick up all donations, which are being placed in the school's lobby, on Tuesday, December 1.  Click here to learn more about the City Harvest Organization that feeds millions of hungry New Yorkers every year.

PS4M Donates 600lbs Of Food

Free picture collage generated with Smilebox

Box Tops For Education

We have joined the Box Top community to raise funds for our school!  Did you know that each Box Top collected is worth 10 cents?  By clipping the logo from products that you use every day, parents and students could help us raise thousands of dollars to provide activities for the girls and boys of The Duke Ellington School.  Bring all Box Tops to your child's teacher.  This year, our goal is to raise $200. 

Please contact the school's librarian for more information.

It's Penny Harvest Time

Student Government members discussing causes to support.

The Common Cents Penny Harvest grew from one child’s desire to feed the homeless, and since 1991, children between the ages of four and fourteen have been converting their natural compassion for others into action by collecting pennies and turning those pennies into grants for community organizations.  Since 1991, The Common Cents Organization has collected $8.1 million in pennies donated by children!  Last year, with some additional donations from Harlem Girl Scout Troop #3027,  the boys and girls of PS4 donated more than $450 to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society!  Students decided to fund cancer research after hearing personal experiences of students living with family members who have suffered from the disease.

This year, PS4's Student Government Organization will again decide which cause to support.  After adding cancer to the "Wheel of Caring" (shows causes that students are passionate about supporting) and talking about his experience with seeing his mother deal with cancer, Michael G. (President of class 520) plans to persuade members to support the cause.  "It feels good to persuade others to support cancer research", says Michael.  "My class has already given some pennies". 

Students are asked to bring in pennies until collection day on Monday, January 14.  For more information about the program, speak to Micheal G. or click here!

Students Took A Bite Out Of Cancer

In an effort to continue our service learning, we've teamed up with a local Girl Scout Troop to help us meet our goal of donating $1000 towards cancer research!  Recently Jennifer Avedon, Campaign Coordinator from Pennies for Patients, visited PS4 to express her gratitude to the 5th grade members of the Student Government and Honor Society for encouraging other students to make donations to causes that they are passionate about.  "Thank you, in advance, for supporting those who are effected by blood cancers", Ms. Avedon said during a recent presentation.  "Our organization really appreciates you."

Students and teachers from each 5th grade class learned about blood cancers and how to give their time, talents and treasures to causes that are important to our community.

All donations go directly to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  To make a donation, see any 5th grade student or teacher.  You may also click the link below to help our school take a bite out of cancer!

http://www.active.com/donate/cancerbites/PS4HarlemGirlScouts

*Update:  In an April 3, 2012, letter from Lisa Schwerdt (Sr. Director of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society), she writes "On behalf of the NYC Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) thank you for donating to this year's Pennies for Patients program at PS4 Duke Ellington School in the amount of $420.25."

The PS4 Penny Harvest

This month, the boys and girls of PS4's Student Government reminded students, teachers and staff to bring in pennies to donate to a good cause.  Each year, the Penny Harvest shows young people they have the ability to make the world a better place by introducing them to the power of philanthropy and service.  As children help others, they develop their generosity and moral character, and they learn through practice the skills and responsibilities of democratic participation.

Principals and parents find that the Penny Harvest encourages a caring culture and sense of belonging; teachers see it as an opportunity to enhance curriculum through a blend of service-learning, character education, and child philanthropy; community leaders value the millions of dollars and hours that children donate back to better our communities; and kids like the program because it’s fun! 

Congratulations to kindergartners from Mr. Diaz's class who brought in $41.67 worth of pennies!  Good job K-020!  We appreciate your philanthropy!  Click here for more information about the Penny Harvest and ake a look at the slide show below to see highlights of our penny harvest!

Make your own free photo slideshow

Official Box Top Collection Begins!

This week, the members of our Student Government will begin collecting Box Tops!  Be sure to check for Box Tops at home and bring them to your teacher.  For more information on where to find Box Tops, click here.

One for Japan

The student members of PS4's National Honor Society and members of the Student Government Organization are raising money to help the thousands of victims of the earthquake in Japan. Please donate $1 to support our One for Japan campaign. All donations will be hand delivered to the Japan Society of NYC on April 15, 2011. Help us reach our goal of donating $1000.00.

This past Saturday, some members of The Ellington Poets Society were given a special art class led by Japanese poet and teacher, Emi Kikuchi. "Each class that donates to the One for Japan campaign will be given an origami crane", said Mr. Cantu. Origami cranes are Japanese symbols of friendship and peace. Feleesha J. (from class 402) felt proud to help. "I feel good helping out with what happened in Japan", she says. "I'm learning that any little thing can help". Origami cranes will be placed in our school's lobby and in each classroom.

For details about earthquakes, click here. For details about the earthquake/tsunami in Japan, click here or go to timeforkids.com/japanquake. For more information about our One for Japan campaign, see Ms. Lennon or contact Mr. Cantu at jcantu@schools.nyc.gov.

Update: $652 was delivered to the Japan Society of New York along with haikus written by students from the Ellington Poets Society. Thank you to all who donated.

PS4 Donates 180 Pounds of Pennies!

For nearly two months, students in grades 3, 4 and 5 have been collecting pennies. On Monday, pennies from all classes were collected and the grand total is $325!

With the help of an organization called Penny Harvest, the full amount collected will be donated to a charity chosen by our student leaders. The boys and girls of our school's National Elementary Honor Society and Student Government Organization (President Omar D. pictured with the clip board) have chosen to donate the pennies to the ASPCA to fight animal cruelty.

A special "thank you" goes to Ms. Thompson's class (301) who donated $71.62 in pennies. "This is a lot of pennies", said Ben G. (pictured below wearing a gray shirt) who helped his class raise the nearly 33 pounds of pennies!

Click here, to see 100 million pennies!