Kindergarten - Meet & Greet

 

Gingerbread Fun In Kindergarten

This week, Kindergarten students had fun making gingerbread houses! After learning about the various cultures celebrated around the world, students in Ms. Benenson,  Ms. Duverglass and Mr. Diaz's class  learned all about Hanukkah, Christmas and Kwanzaa. Teachers discussed the many traditions that are shared with family and friends during the holiday season. When discussing Christmas, students discussed and debated why people make gingerbread houses. Kindergarteners examined what properties make for a standing house and what happens to the graham crackers with no support compared it to the graham crackers with support. To make each gingerbread house, clean milk cartons were used as a base to support the structures. Frosting was used as the "glue" and yummy treats were used to decorate!

When asked what she enjoyed most when teaching her scholars how to make gingerbread houses, Ms. Benenson said, "allowing scholars to experience building with products that are found in our community - scholars experienced recycling for the purposes of art."

Congratulations to all the kindergarten teachers and scholars on a successful, creative, hands-on project! Click here, if you're interested in making a gingerbread house with your family!

PS4 Kindergarten Virtual Open House (VIDEO)

The kindergarten application is now open, and the deadline to apply is January 19, 2021! Here's what to do:

• Create your MySchools account! (Open external link)You'll use MySchools to explore your child’s elementary school options, save your favorite programs, and submit your application.
• Watch our video series (above) to learn how to find programs for your application and apply, as well as how to use MySchools.
• Register to attend one of these virtual Elementary Admissions Events(Open external link)—when you register, be sure to indicate your language preference; interpretation services will be provided according to demand.

Tuesday, December 15 at 2pm
Thursday, December 17 at 6pm
Wednesday, January 6 at 6pm
Thursday, January 7 at 6pm (Spanish only)
Tuesday, January 12 at 2pm

• Apply to kindergarten ! You can submit your application one of two ways:

1. Online with MySchools(Open external link)
2. By phone at 718-935-2009

You are invited to our PS4's virtual tour and information session via Zoom on Wednesday, December 16th at 12:30pm. During each session you’ll learn about our Early Childhood Programs. Here’s the direct link to each tour. Call the main office for more details. https://nycdoe.zoom.us/j/84198864048?pwd=UGJIWlFMMXFhQ0dzMmttU29jZ0l3Zz09

Join Our Family

Ms. Martin (Assistant Principal) speaks to prospective parents about PS4.

Are you a parent of a preschooler and looking for a school for your child? Please consider joining the Duke Ellington Family!  Recently, PS4 hosted an open house, specifically designed for parents of preschool and kindergarten children! Hosted by Ms. Martin, Assistant Principal of lower grades, neighborhood parents were invited to attend an informational session where they received a tour of Pre-k and Kindergarten classrooms.  They were also given a token of appreciation and valuable resources to support their decision making with regards to which neighborhood school would be a best fit for their child.  In attendance, was a recent graduate whose 3 year old sister may be attending PS4 next year. “I miss this school”, she told Ms. Martin. “I want my little sister to go here”.

We currently have two Pre-K classes and plans are underway to add a 3-K class! 3-K for All, is an expansion of the city’s popular Pre-K for All program, which now serves 70,000 4-year-olds across the city. 3-K gives children stronger math and reading skills in elementary school. Studies show that early childhood education improves performance throughout a child's school experience. If you are new to NYC and need to find a pre-K program, click here or speak directly to our Parent Coordinator, Denise Nuñez.

For more information about our school, click here.  If you would like a guided tour of our school, click here.

Kindergarten Graduation - 2018 (VIDEO)

Principal Stevens and Ms. Martin (Assistant Principal) pose with a graduating kindergarten student from K01.

After a few introductory remarks from Principal Stevens, students in all kindergarten classes entertained family members and special guests by singing 'How Far I'll Go'.  The lyrics of this famous song, from the movie Moana, were written by Lin Manuel-Miranda.  In the movie, Moana was ready to follow her dreams, and live the life that was meant for her.  She just needed to take the first step.  After a round of applause, our young scholars received their diplomas and joined family members, teachers and administrators in the gymnasium for refreshments.

Congratulations to our Kindergarten students who have taken a big step in their education!  Thank you to all of the family members that attended graduation ceremonies.  We look forward to seeing you in September.  Click below, to see the slideshow that was shown at the graduation ceremony, created by Ms. Luisa (Assistant Teacher) and edited by Mr. Means (Music Teacher)

Free photo slideshow created with Smilebox

Kindergarten Students Celebrates Earth Day!

Ms. Baez's class (K02), along with Ms. Patricia, of the NYC Parks department and Ms. Diane, our Community senior volunteer, celebrated Earth Day by beautifying our kindergarten yard!  This project started back in September when students were studying, "Our Community".  They started planting flower bulbs all over the sidewalk beds from Broadway on 160th Street to Amsterdam Avenue and 159th Street. Our scholars learned to dig with shovels up to 4 inches!  They measured with rulers! They learned to face the roots down to help the bulbs grow correctly. It took many planting g sessions, working around the weather to complete this planting project. 

Our young environmentalists couldn't wait to see the school surrounded by beautiful flowers. Amelia D. told Ms. Baez, " It's going to be like walking through a garden every day, on our way to school!"

The Giving Tree, a book by Shel Silvertein helped students learn about the important relationship between people and plants, we depend on each other.  Now that Spring has come, our scholars are seeing their flowers bloom.  They are also reporting the damages of the garbage and animals that are destroying some of the plant beds. Mrs. Diane recently visited Ms. Baez's students to find out what could could be done to improve the growth of our plants. Students Adam B. and Eli S. shared that we could build a metal fence or a metal gate! Ms. Diane and The Parks Restoration agreed to use the idea. But would use recycled wood instead of metal!  to use recycled wood!

To celebrate Earth Day, class K02 painted an " Earth day" banner to let everyone know we care about our Earth and we would Celebrate with our plants and trees in our kindergarten backyard! The scholars enjoyed cleaning up the kindergarten yard together, so they could give the newly planted tree and our future plants a clean shelter. Students sang songs, blew bubbles, used wind pinwheels, and even explored worms and snails!  After some digging and cleaning, Liam said "I love playing with Earth balls!".  

When asked about this successful project, Ms. Baez said, "what my students got out of this planting project and Earth celebration is that we, the scholars of our community, can problem solve together and come up with good ideas. By communicating our ideas and working hard together, we can make the changes that we feel are most important. Our Earth is too important and we can all help make it better".  Congratulations to Ms. Baez and the girls and boys of class K02.

Junior Achievement At PS4

Junior Achievement Volunteers showed 2nd grade students how communities use taxes.

More than thirty volunteers from Junior Achievement of NY engaged students from kindergarten to 2nd grade in hands-on activities that introduce students to how citizens benefit from and contribute to a community's success.  Junior Achievement's purpose is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy by introducing them to the principles of market-based economics and entrepreneurship

By the end of the day, students in eight classes were able to:

• Describe a community.
• Identify the variety of careers people have in a community and how each job requires specific skills.
• Identify how business and government jobs help a community.
• Explain how taxation supports government services.
• Recognize voting as a way responsible citizens act.
• Describe the flow of money in a community's economy.

For more information on the Junior Achievement Organization, click here and take a look at the photos below to see highlights from their visit!

Kindergarten students learn about needs and wants (photo taken by Ms. Nuez)

Kindergarten Memories - 2017

Another free slideshow by Smilebox

Kindergarten Graduation - 2015

Kindergarten graduates pose for photographs after receiving their diplomas from Principal White-Jones.

Kindergarten students celebrated their graduation, recently, with parents and other family members in attendance.  "We saw tears of happiness from Moms and Dads as they saw their children perform", said Kindergarten lead teacher Ms. Nieves.  "Even students who struggled with learning the words were phenomenal".  Audience members enjoyed musical performances from the PS4 Guitar Club, two fourth grade vocalists who performed at our annual Talent Show, as well as the Kindergarteners themselves.  Congratulations to the class of 2015!

Principal White-Jones hands diploma to graduate.

Kindergarten Student Awarded for Having 100% Attendance

Kindergarten student Reydee with her award for having perfect attendance.

Congratulations to Reydee D., a very dedicated kindergartner from Ms. Cole's class!  She is the only student that has never been absent or late!  When asked why it is important for her to come to school every day, Reydee says, "so I can learn and be smart".  Reydee's favorite color is pink.  Her favorite movie is Frozen and she likes science!

School attendance is not just required by law, it is critical to students’ success in school and life. Special thanks to Reydee's Mom who bring her to school each day!  If you have a question or concern about your child's attendance, please see Ms. Gipson (Student Personnel Accounting) or Denise Nunez (Parent Coordinator) in the main office. Click here for information regarding student attendance from the Department of Education.

PS4 Students Visit the Library

Special thanks to Washington Heights Public Library Branch Manager, Vianela Rivas for celebrating Hispanic Heritage with our kindergarten and first grade students!  Everyone listened to stories written by Hispanic authors.  Students that had library cards were able to chose books that they wanted to borrow.  "I had such a good time reading to the students", said Vianela.  "I even sang some songs".

The neighborhood library is very special to our school.  Earlier this year, the PS4 Honor Society and a 5th grade class were invited to join the library  for their grand reopening and centennial celebration!  The renovated branch featured new materials and dedicated spaces for adults, teens, and children, a multipurpose community room, nearly 50 brand-new desktop computers, and more than a dozen laptop computers with Wi-Fi capability!  Click here to see photos and a news report from the event!

Take a look at these photos from a recent visit to the Washington Heights Public Library!

Another greeting card by Smilebox

Vision Screening At PS4

Vision Screening took place in the PS4 library for Kindergarteners and 1st graders.

This week, more than 200 students were given an "eye test"! Symbols or letters were shown to each child, and he or she was asked to identify them or show which way they point. "I can see the letters", said Miguel from Ms. Sanchez's first grade class. Although Miguel will probably not need glasses, young children do not know when they have vision problems. They think that what they see is what everyone else sees. Parents can sometimes see clues of possible vision problems. For example, does your child:

• sit very close to the TV? 
• Does he or she get headaches or tired eyes? 
• Do they tilt their head or squint to see? 
• Do they avoid activities for no explained reason? 
• Do they rub their eyes often? Do they dislike bright light? 

After more fifteen years with the Department of Health & Hygiene, Catherine Fiammetta, Senior Public Health Adviser, says that PS4 students did pretty well! "I've noticed that certain areas generally have worse vision - not sure what the reason is. But, there aren't many abnormalities at PS4". If parents notice any of these signs, the best thing to do is to take their child to an eye doctor. Children who wear eyeglasses should see their doctors at least once a year. Parents must encourage their children to wear their glasses. A child's vision can be improved greatly if the child wears glasses as directed by the eye doctor. For more information about the Vision Program and vision problems in children, call 311.

Congrats To The Class of 2024

Congratulations to our kindergarten students who recently participated in their 'Stepping Up' program!  Proud parents, family members and friends packed the auditorium to witness an exciting moment in the lives of their young scholars. 



Congratulations to the Class of 2024 and to Kindergarten teachers Ms. Fernandez, Mr. Cesani, Ms. Liriano, Ms. Cole and Lead Teacher Mr. Diaz.  We are all very proud of your achievements!

Double The Fun At PS4: Frankely and Saony

When you walk the halls of PS4, you may think you are seeing double. Don't worry...you are not. What you are actually seeing are some of the twins that attend The Duke Ellington School. The school now has nine sets of twins from kindergarten to the fifth grade!  Each month we'll feature a set of twins that go to our school!  This month, we're featuring a set of twins from kindergarten!

Kindergarten twins, Frankely and Saony.

Frankely and Saony C. are both in Mr. Cesani's class. Saony is the older twin and she says that she likes being a twin.  "It's nice", she says.  Frankely says that he runs faster her and likes to play with his toys.   Saony likes watching shows on The Disney Channel.  "Austin and Allie make me laugh." Click here to see episodes of Soany's favorite show!

These fraternal twins are in the same class, but most importantly Frankely and Saony say they like being twins because they like playing together.  On behalf of the teachers of PS4, we look forward to seeing you both continue to learn and grow.

Click here to see Rossy and Jessy's story. Click here to see Aracely and Yaritza's story.

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