Multicultural Day!

Scholars in Class 402 (Teacher; Dr. Thomas) represented the country of Jamaica.

On May 31st, scholars embarked on an annual Multicultural Day to celebrate diversity, respect for all and to have a better understanding of different cultures! This was truly a celebration of the diversity that united our school community.  Scholars, teachers, staff, parents and invited guests shared traditions, foods, hobbies, celebrations, art, economy and languages from 25 different countries or cultures around the world!

Special thanks to Flamenco Vivo for their musical performance from Spain and to Ms. Bonifacio (Assistant Principal) for organizing this special day!

Famous Hispanic Americans

Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico declared its independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18.

The term Hispanic or Latino, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, refers to Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race. On the 2010 Census form, people of Spanish/Hispanic/Latino origin could identify themselves as Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or "another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin." According to the 2010 Census, 50.5 million people or 16% of the population are of Hispanic or Latino origin. This represents a significant increase from the 2000 Census, which registered the Hispanic population at 35.3 million or 13% of the total U.S. population.

For more information, click on the photos of the famous Hispanic Americans below or go to any of the links below to see lists of famous Hispanic Americans!

• Scholastic.com - Latinos in History
• Scholastic.com - Meet Famous Latinos
• Factmonster.com - Notable Hispanic Americans
• PBSKids.com - Maya & Miguel Powerful Hispanics
• Infoplease.com - Notable Hispanic Americans
• Time.com - 25 Most Influential Hispanic in America

Jennifer Lopez, singer and actress (VIDEO)

Alex Rodriguez, baseball player (VIDEO)

Naya Rivera, actress

Oscar De La Hoya (VIDEO)

Ellen Ochoa, astronaut (VIDEO)

Mexican Heritage Celebration

Our Mexican Heritage Celebration was a huge success!  With more than fifty parents attending a dance performance form the Calpulli Mexican Dance Company and a luncheon sponsored by the PTA, our school community was proud to celebrate the beautiful culture of Mexico.  "My students have heard me talk about how important it is to celebrate traditions from all over the world," said 4th grade teacher Ms. Marmolejos.  "This is a perfect connection to what we are all doing in our classrooms."

A very special thank you goes to the dancers of The Calpulli Mexican Dance Company who performed for more than five hundred students, teachers and guests. "I've worked for the Department of Education for more than 25 years and this is, by far, the best performance I've every seen," said Ms. Martin (Assistant Principal).  See the slide show below for photographs from our Mexican Heritage Celebration.  For more information about The Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, click here!

Create a picture slideshow

150 Years of Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo celebrates a victory by the Mexican Army over the French Army in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Today, Mexicans all over the world celebrate this victory!  This year marks the 150th anniversary of this victory.  PS4 will be celebrating this special victory on Thursday, May 10th with a performance and luncheon for parents.  Happy Cinco de Mayo!

For more information and some fun facts about Cinco de Mayo, click here. To learn more about Mexico, click here.

Artist of the Month: Diego Rivera

Diego Rivera is our artist of the month!  

Diego Rivera was a painter and muralist born in Guanajuato, Mexico. He is now thought to be one of the leading artists of the twentieth century! Rivera began drawing as a child. He studied art at the San Carlos Academy of Fine Arts while in his teens and then traveled to Europe to live and work on his art. He had some success as a Cubist painter, but the course of world events would strongly change the style and subject of his work. Inspired by the political ideals of the Mexican Revolution (1914-15) and the Russian Revolution (1917), Rivera wanted to make art that reflected the lives of the working class and native peoples of Mexico.  Rivera painted several murals in the United States. Some of his works created controversy, especially the one he did for the Rockefeller family in the RCA building in New York City.   Rivera died of heart failure on November 24, 1957, in Mexico City, Mexico.

For more information about this famous artist, ask your teacher, visit the library or click here! 

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Cinco de Mayo celebrates a victory by the Mexican Army over the French Army in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Today, Mexicans all over the world celebrate this victory. At PS4, Mexican students shared their culture and pride with their classmates. Omar N. (class 101) showed his pride by carrying a Mexican flag. Michelle H. and Alex G. (521) couldn't wait to go home to begin the celebration. "My family goes to my aunts house", explains Michelle, "and we'll dance and eat tamales and rice and beans".

For more information and some fun facts about Cinco de Mayo, click here. To learn more about Mexico, click here.

Viva, Mexico!

On May 12, 2010 the boys and girls of P.S. 4 celebrated Mexican culture with songs, dances and a video presentation. Hosted by our very own Assistant Principal, Mr. Batiz, the celebration was fun, informative and interactive. Among the many performances there was a hat dance performed by K - 022 and a poem recited by The Duke Elington Poets. Parents, teachers, and students enjoyed the show. The celebration continued in the cafeteria with food and Mariachi music sponsored by the PTA.