The Power Within

Dr. Montanez encourages students in grades 3-5 to believe in their "heroic" qualities.

The Power Within - PBIS assemblies foster the definition of Ellington PRIDE.  Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based framework for improving and integrating all of the data, systems, and practices affecting student outcomes every day. It is a way to support our school community to create the kind of school where all students are successful. The Power Within series is an educational and enriching set of assemblies where teachers and students alike can experience using positivity to attain goals and express their Ellington PRIDE.

Dr. Montanez teaches scholars about the effects of stress on the human body.

The Power Within Series, created by Mr. Cantu (PBIS Chairperson) is a series of workshops, geared toward scholars in grades 3-5. Scholars are motivated to believe in their super hero or “heroic” qualities. Qualities like positivity, respect and determination should be shared with the school community; classmates, teachers and family members. During this particular assembly, Dr. Evelyn Montanez, leader of Derek Jeter's Turn 2 Foundation in New York City, encouraged students to focus on the five virtues that our school upholds:

1. Positivity
2. Respect
3. Integrity
4. Determination
5. Excellence

With help from members of her team from Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital, Dr. Montanez shows scholars how to incorporate these positive traits in their everyday actions. She also reminded scholars to remain positive when they take tests. "Stress hormones in the body can affect your mood, body and test-taking skills", she says. "Negative thinking before a test, can release those stress hormones".  Students in grade 3-5 will be taking New York State Standardized Tests in March, April, May and June. The test dates are as follows:

March 25-26, 2020 - Grade 3-5 NYS English Language Arts Test
April 21-22, 2020 - Grades 3-5 NYS Mathematics Test
May 28, 2020 - Grade 4 NYS Science Test (Performance)
June 1, 2020 - Grade 4 NYS Science Test (Written)

Special thanks to Dr. Montanez for her continuous support of PS4 scholars and staff. For more information about her and the Turn 2 Foundation, click here. For more information about the Power Within Series, contact Mr. Cantu. For details about New York State and local tests that PS4 scholars will be taking this year, click here.

Pictured (left to right): Dr. Montanez, Mr. Cantu, PS4 scholars and members of the Turn 2/Columbia-Presbyterian team.

Middle School and Beyond (VIDEO)

PS4 parents, teachers and scholars in 4th & 5th grade attend an assembly about the middle school application process.

Scholars in 5th grade will apply to middle school this fall! Online applications will open in October. The scholars will have the opportunity to apply for up to twelve schools. The deadline to apply for middle school is December 2, 2019. Therefore, it is important that scholars are aware of their expectations. At a recent assembly entitled, "Middle School and Beyond", scholars in 4th and 5th grade, as well as many parents, discussed the importance of planning and thinking ahead.

Mr. Cantu, Ms. Javier and Ms. Rojas speak to 4th and 5th grade scholars about the importance of showing determination.

This month, we focus on the virtue of determination. Presenters Ms. Javier (Social Worker), Ms. Rojas (Social Worker) and Mr. Cantu (ENL Instructor and Dean), gave scholars four ways to show determination, as it relates to planning for middle school:

• Making a decision requires planning - planning well, requires determination
• Determination is an important part of success
• One way of showing determination about something is by setting realistic goals
• There are two types of goals: short term (ex: completing a math assignment) and long term goals (ex: getting into middle school)

As 5th graders prepare to apply for middle school, there a few things that families can do. Parents can sign up for our middle school admissions email list (Open external link) to get the latest updates on middle school admissions, including event information. Families of 5th graders can also go to a middle school fair to earn about the application process and explore school options in the district. The first Middle School Fair for District 6 will take place on Wednesday, October 30, from 5:30 -7:30pm at The Paula Hedbavny School (421 W219th Street). Check out the video below, from the Department of Education, about the middle school application process!

From The Desk of Dr. Thomas - 4th Grade Teacher

Hello All,

Just sharing this GREAT information in response to the persuasive letters my 4th grade students wrote to Congressman Espaillat, as a part of their Performance Based Assessment. This was an integrated project combining ELA and Social Studies [Government & Human Rights]. Please click the video below to see him thank our students!


Best,
Dr. Thomas 

Congressman Espaillat Thanks Our Students from PS4M on Vimeo.

Jazz & Civil Rights Show

Band leader and pianist Samora, plays for students during a Jazz and Civil Rights Show in the auditorium.

What does jazz music have to do with civil rights?  Students, teachers and parents assembled in the auditorium for the third and final assembly from the Jazz and Democracy Project.  The project helps the scholars make connections between democracy and jazz in a historical perspective. It is a music integrated curriculum that utilizes jazz as a metaphor to bring American democracy to life, enrich the study and teaching of U.S. history, government, civics and culture, and inspire youth to become active, positive contributors to their communities.

At this Jazz and Civil Rights Show, more than two hundred audience members learned about the origin of "Spirituals" and how they helped people in coping with the obstacles and struggles that came with the slavery experience. Slavery in America began when the first African slaves were brought to the North American colony of Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619.

As part of the Ellington P.R.I.D.E. Arts Series, organized by PS4's Arts Coordinator Mr. Cantu, students have been learning about the history of jazz music. When asked about how the arts help our students, Mr. Cantu said, "our students are able to make connections with everyday personal conflicts that they may have in their own lives..they find ways to cope with problems by using music or art".  To see photos from a Jazz & Democracy Show done in Novembers, click here!

NY State Mathematics Exams

The NY State Mathematics Exams for Grades 3, 4, and 5 takes place April 30-May 2, 2014.  Students should have two sharpened #2 pencils, a good breakfast and arrive to school on time.  

Students in grades 3–8 take the State Mathematics Test each spring. These assessments measure the Common Core Learning Standards (CCLS).  Teachers and principals use the results from the State math test to help make decisions about whether or not a student will be promoted to the next grade level, and to place students in summer school.  Educators also use individual student test results to assign students to the appropriate classes and to identify areas where the student needs extra help, or where he or she may be ready for more challenging material. Teachers and principals also use the results from the whole class, grade, or school, to identify areas where they can improve instruction.
 
Click here, for more information about the Common Core Learning Standards.

Jazz at PS4 - Black History

The Agness Varis Jazz and Blues in the Schools Program preserves the legacy of jazz and blues y introducing this music to thousands of public school children, many of whom have never been exposed to it.  At the same time, it is actually preserving hundreds of the very pioneers who created it!  We are very thankful to the Jazz Foundation of America for sending legendary jazz musicians to our auditorium each month.

Recently, we were honored to hear from the Annette St. John Trio!  The band featured Vinnie Ruggieri on piano, Earl Sauls on bass and John Cooksey on drums.  Band members even took the time to answer questions from an audience of more than two hundred 3rd and 4th graders!  Brianna S. (401) really enjoyed seeing John Cooksey and wanted to know if he grew up playing the drums.  John replied, "When I was 8, I watched a show called the Little Rascals!  One of the characters played the drums and I wanted to do that".  Mr. Cooksey has been playing the drums for more than 50 years!

Special thanks to Will Glass from the Jazz Foundation for organizing all of the visits by these great artists!  Take a look at some photos from our two most recent jazz assemblies.

Customize a picture collage

The Biobus Braves the Storm

Dr. Ben discusses how solar panels, located on top of the Biobus, give power to the microscopes on board.

The Biobus is serious about developing a love of science to students all over the country!  Recently, during a winter storm, Dr. Ben and Scientist Matt found a parking space for the Biobus and made sure 4th grade students were given a chance to learn about this microorganism that lives in freshwater environments all over the world.  Students, for the fourth year in a row, boarded the bus and used microscopes to see this tiny animal named "Daphnia".

"I had one student", says 4th grade bilingual teacher Ms. Cruz, "that said she hated science".  "But, now that she sees how fun science is, she now wants to become a scientist".  Statements like these are common for Dr. Ben and his staff who, because of donations from groups that support his goal, visited PS4 free of charge!

Thank you, Dr. Ben, for the work that you do.  For making science fun and for braving a winter storm to bring science to our school...thank you.  For more information about the Biobus, click here!

Hip-Hop Teaches Healthy Living

Easy A.D. with students after the Hip Hop H.E.A.L.S workshop at PS4.

Through fun, interactive hip-hop songs, videos and games, Hip Hop H.E.A.L.S (Healthy Eating and Living in Schools) promotes a healthy understanding of calorie as food energy and encourages a balance between food consumption and physical activity.  Using a "traffic light" model, grouping foods as "Go", "Slow" and "Whoa", this program helped students in grades 3 and 4 understand calories and healthy living.

Easy A.D., Dave C. (4th grader) and Artie Green

Easy A.D and Artie Green used an exciting combination of videos, wireless remote clickers or "beat boxes", and call-and-response opportunities to provide students with information about living a healthy lifestyle.  "PS4 kids were excited", said Easy A.D. after the two-day workshop.  "They didn't realize they were learning".

Special thanks to A.D. Harris, Director of Hip Hop Education Programming,  and Artie Green, Director of Music Production.  Click here and have an adult register to play games, listen to music, and share what you've learned about being healthy and making good choices. 

PS4 Celebrates Art

As you walk through the hallways of PS4, you may notice that our students are very talented artists!   We are the Duke Ellington School, named after a talented composer and musician!  So, it makes sense that we have students that celebrate the arts through music and drawing.  From the clay characters created by members of the Turn-2 Us Art Club to the self-portraits created by Ms. Smith's 4th graders as they partnered with the Museum of Modern Art, art can be found all around PS4! 

Take a look at the digital scrapbook below for masterpieces created by our students that can be found on the third floor!

Make your own scrapbook

Art Education At PS4

Art Educator with Brayan (Class 402).

In December, 4th grade students went on a field trip to the Museum of Modern Art.  Art educator Rebecca Goyette (pictured above) was their guide through the museum’s collection of art masterpieces.  The students studied character in art predominately through the work of Willem De Koning and Marc Chagall.  A week after the museum visit, Rebecca came to the school to work with the children on creating their own masterpieces.  The results are fantastic! Students created wonderfully, colorful and interesting works of art.   

Ms. Smith, 4th grade teacher who coordinated the event, knows the importance of art education and often makes it a part of her teaching.  When asked about art education, she said, “I believe that children actually learn a lot through exploring the arts and doing art activities!  Art goes beyond verbal language to communicate feelings that might not otherwise be expressed.  Instead of following specific rules or directions, children become engaged in the discovery of the  ‘how’ and ‘why’.  Through experimenting and learning how to handle art materials, children are solving challenges and coming up with new ways to handle unexpected outcomes.  Art also allows children to show individual uniqueness.  It is an experience that requires freethinking, experimentation, and analysis – all part of creativity!   Through creativity, they experience success and accomplishment, which are part of a positive self-image.”

Photos taken by

                

To see artwork done by Ms. Smith's students, visit class 420 or class 402!  To find out more information about the Museum of Modern Art, click here!

PS4 Kids Smile

Students from the 4th grade were once again asked to participate in the "Greater New York Smiles" program for the 2012 Greater New York Dental Meeting at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.  According to Jayme McNiff, Program Manager, over 1,400 students from all five NYC boroughs attended this educational fieldtrip!  "We learned how important it is to brush, floss, eat healthy and see the dentist on a regular basis", said Lamaya (pictured bottom-left).   Brayan (top-center) was very excited about seeing the Greater New York Dental's mascot, Dr. Rabbit.  "We got to see the big purple rabbit...he showed everybody how to take care of our teeth".

The program was an enormous success and plans are already well under way to repeat the program next year!  Each student received a bag filled with gifts from Colgate oral care products and each class received a photo from the event.  Special thanks to Jayme McNiff who makes sure PS4 kids attend each year.  Click here for more information about the event.





Fourth graders attended 

Social Studies Bowl - 2012

Recently, each 4th and 5th grade class celebrated their knowledge of Social Studies in front of family members and friends as they competed for class prizes in a Social Studies Bowl!  Hosted by Ms. Thomas and Mr. Harris (Social Studies teachers), students answered questions related to American government, geography, history and facts about the recent presidential election.  Each student was given an opportunity to answer a question with support from classmates in teams of three or four.  "Our students really had to study", said Ms. Martin (Assistant Principal), "and they were prepared for this challenge - I'm  proud of them".

The final round consisted of one member of each class reciting the preamble of the United States Constitution:

In the end, classes 401 and 501 received gifts for their class.  However, each student should be proud the the amount of effort they put into studying.  Congratulations! See the photos below for some of the highlights below!

Members of class 501 - the winning team.

4th grade students who recited the Preamble!

4th grade students from class 421.

5th grade winners who recited the Preamble.

Meet Our New Teacher: Ms. Marino

Ms. Marino is new to PS4, this year.

Meet our newest teacher, Ms. Marino!  She is a fourth grade teacher from Seattle, Washington!  This is her first year as a teacher in New York City, but not her first year as a teacher. Actually, Ms. Marino taught for five years in South Korea! "I taught English there", she says about her time overseas.  She received two Master's degrees. One from New York University in Elementary Education and the other from Sookmyung Women's University in South Korea. 

Ms. Marino with her 4th graders.

She currently lives in the NYC neighborhood of Washington Heights and says that she would like her students to understand the importance of learning.  "I want them to understand that learning takes place not only in the confines of the classroom, but throughout their everyday lives", she says.  She also wants her fourth graders to love learning and the pursuit of knowledge. 

For more information about Ms. Marino's home state of Washington, click here!  Welcome to PS4, Ms. Marino!  We wish you all the best!

Gardening Education At PS4

This fall we have an exciting collaboration between the Morris-Jumel Garden Education Program and the Morris-Jumel Mansion!  This year’s exciting program will allow PS4 students to have an 8-week engagement with the museum. The garden program introduces children to scientific based exploration outdoors along with historical connections within the Mansion.  Garden Educator Christina Ruiz, instructs the students each week.  "Students have been learning about plant uses and how they relate to the mansion and the people that lived in it", she says.  "PS4 students are definitely excited about visiting the garden and making observations using their senses".  Miss Christina, hopes to give students a better appreciation for green spaces that they may not have a lot of access to.  Students will participate in weekly activities handling plants and light gardening.   

Miss Christina with 4th grade students.

Students sorting seeds.

Sorting categories generated by students during a lesson.

Science teacher, Ms. Baez, will bring her 4th grade science classes to the gardens at the Morris-Jumel Mansion once each week until November 21st!  The program will enrich her science curriculum.  Special thanks to Garden Educator, Christina Ruiz and Education Coordinator, Carol Ward from the Morris-Jumel Mansion.  For more information about MJM, click here!  For more information about the gardening program, send an e-mail to cruiz@gs.bankstreet.edu.

Great American Smoke-Out with Micky Magic

On November 17th, the American Cancer Society marked the 36th annual Great American Smoke-Out!  It is a day that many smokers stop smoking.  Did you know that 4-7% of smokers are able to quit without any help?  Students and staff of PS4 learned ways they can help a smoker in their stop smoking.  They also celebrated this day by learning about the harmful effects of smoking from Master Magician and Smoking Cessation Counselor, Micky Magic.  "Students now really know how bad smoking really is", said 5th grade teacher Ms. Cabral, "it was a good show".


After the show, the students promised to remain healthy and teach others about this cancer causing habit.  Students and staff took their promise outside as they marched and rallied for the entire community to see and hear.  Special thanks to Micky Magic for a magical show!  His enthusiasm about putting an end to smoking in our community inspired all of us to talk to our friends and family about ways to stop the habit.

Micky Magic talks to 4th graders.

4th grade students march against smoking.

For more information about Micky Magic, click here.  Go to www.cancer.org for more information about the harmful effects of smoking.

Violence In Our Neighborhood

Since early October, a police officer has been stationed at the corner of 160th Street and Broadway.  This has been done by the New York City Police Department to address the increase of gang and gun violence taking place in our school's community.  To address the concerns for our students and parents that live near PS4, Dean Cantu and the administration wanted to make sure that we are all safe by inviting experts to talk to the Duke Ellington School community.

On October 27th, parents and students from 4th and 5th grade were invited to hear important information from members of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence.  This organization advocates for change by talking to teens and youth groups about gun violence problems and teach them solutions.  Did you know that 30,000 people are killed by guns every year in America?  We can solve the problem by saying something if we see a gun or gun violence in our community.  A special thanks goes to Jackie and Shawna from NYAGV for speaking to our parents and students about gun violence.  For more information about their organization, click here.

Assistant DA Rey Cabrera & Student Government

On November 9th, Assistant District Attorney Reynaldo Cabrera discussed ways that gangs try to get children to join gangs.  "If you are ever given a choice to join a gang or NOT to join a gang...choose NOT to join a gang", said Mr. Cabrera.  "Gang membership always ends in death or jail".   Mr. Cabrera reminded students that gang membership is not always obvious.  Hand signals, backpack designs, graffiti, and social networks make it easy for gangs to elicit young members.  He also spoke to members of our Student Government after the assembly and was impressed with the student leadership at PS4.  Special thanks to "Mr. Ray" and Community Affairs Coordinator, Joeselinne Minaya for speaking to the boys and girls of our school.  For more information on what the Crime Strategies Unit at the New York County District Attorney's Office does, click here.

If you or someone you know is being influenced by gangs, contact Mr. Cantu or any teacher.