PS4 Students Meet Derek Jeter

Former New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter surprised more than 400 children from across the five boroughs, including students from PS4M, when he stopped into two events as part of his Turn 2 Foundation’s annual Holiday Express at Chelsea Piers.

“From their personal growth to their academic achievements, these children continue to amaze me. They each deserve a happy holiday season, and I am excited to be able to celebrate with them at our annual Holiday Express,” Derek Jeter said. “This has been an unforgettable year, especially as we celebrated 20 years of Turn 2, and I look forward to what 2017 will bring.”

Class 483 poses with Derek Jeter as they present their winning anti-bullying poster.

The children who attended the events at Chelsea Piers and Queens included members of Turn 2’s after-school programs – a partnership with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation – and the Turn 2 Us program – a program created as a collaborative effort between Public School 128M of Washington Heights, NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital and Turn 2 that is now administered under NewYork-Presbyterian’s Ambulatory Care Network.

“All their efforts in school definitely paid off with a fun-filled day at the recreation center and the icing on the cake was Mr. Jeter’s and Santa Claus’ surprise visit,” said Evelyn Montanez, program manager of the Turn 2 Us program at NewYork-Presbyterian’s Ambulatory Care Network. “The smiles and excitement of each and every child was priceless!

Special thanks to Dr. Montanez!  We appreciate her efforts to support our students.   For the full article, click here! To see the video from NBC-Channel 4, click here!

PS4 Soccer Teams Go To The Fall Frenzy

Our soccer teams, sponsored by America SCORES NY, recently participated in the annual SCORES NY Fall Frenzy at Jacob H. Schiff Park in Harlem! They played three 15-minute games and shared a poem about teamwork! Take a look at the video below to hear their poem! 

More than 200 America SCORES NY students, 100 parents and friends celebrated the accomplishments of our athletes and poets at this annual event.  For more information about our soccer program, contact Coach Keys or Coach Ovalle.  Special thanks to PS4 parents, Ms. Acosta for another great photo!   Click here to check out more photos on the America Scores NY Facebook Page!

America SCORES NY Brings Soccer Back to PS4

Coach Ovalle poses with his athletes from PS4's America SCORES NY girls soccer team.

Recently, America SCORES NY prepared to host more than 200 poet-athletes on the Jacob Schiff Field (138th Street and Amsterdam) in Harlem for the first game day of the 2016-2017 season! America SCORES NY is the only after-school provider to combine soccer, poetry, and service learning into one comprehensive program that emphasizes physical activity and health, creative expression and literacy, and civic engagement.  America SCORES NY currently partners with 14 public schools in West Harlem and Washington Heights.  Click here for more information.

Congratulations to both the girls and boys soccer teams from PS4 for their win at America SCORES first game day! Led by Coach Keys and Coach Ovalle, both teams even received a visit from Conner Lade of the NY Red Bulls! Special thanks to Ms. Acosta for the photos! 

Coach Keys and Coach Ovalle pose with both the America SCORES NY boys and girls teams from PS4.

Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals for Class 482

Each year, District 75 holds an Adaptive Physical Education Parade and Sports Day!  This event is specifically for students with disabilities and is very similar to the Special Olympics.  Teams presented banners, a torch was lit to symbolize the beginning of the games and all students received ribbons and medals!  Students in Ms. Torres class (482) were able to compete in games against students from other schools.  Some of the events were the standing long jump, softball throw, and the 50 meter run.  "I'm very proud of my students", said Ms. Torres.  "They showed their ability to physically compete".  Most of the students in her class, received gold, silver and bronze medals!  Congratulations, class 482!

For more information about the Department of Education's Adaptive Physical Education Program, click here!  Take a look at some photos and videos (taken by Ms. Torres) in the collage below!

Picture collage made with Smilebox

The Boys Take a Loss

Photo of recent boys basketball game against PS28.

After starting the game with turnovers, The Wolves fell behind during the most recent game against their rivals down the street; PS28. When the game was over, The Wolves would be on the losing end of a 29 -19 game. "The turnovers killed us", said Coach Keys.  "We gave the ball away in too may key situations and we can't win games like that."

The loss came two days after a victory against PS173.   This year, looks like a strong contender on the road to the Turn2 Us championships, with a record of 3 wins and 2 losses. Coach Keys is looking forward to winning some games before the Holiday Break.

The 2012-2013 Basketball Team Is Here!

After a hard day of tryouts, the PS4 Boy's Basketball Team has been named!  Fifteen boys were chosen.  Nearly sixty-five boys from 4th and 5th grade spent an hour and a half running, dribbling and scrimmaging. "The goal is the same as it was last year", said Coach Harris, "to win the last game of the season and use discipline, practice and precision involved in basketball, to help motivate the young men with their work in the classroom".

Special Thanks to Dr. Montanez, the director of the Turn 2 Us program, and Coach Keys for helping Coach Harris pick the players for the 2012-2013 season. The Basketball League Student/Parent Orientation will take place at PS192 (500 W138th St.) on October 12th from 12-2pm.  Practices will take place in the gym weekday mornings from 7-8am.  Tournaments begin on January 18th and will take place every Friday from 1-2:15pm.  For more information about the Boy's Basketball Team, contact Dr. Montanez or Coach Harris.

Baseball Season Begins At Highbridge Park

2012 Co-Ed Baseball Team (green uniforms)

Baseball season has officially started!  That's right, The Wolves of PS4 began their season with a game against PS192. Returning this season, are two of the players from last year!  With fourteen boys and one girl on this team, PS4 hopes to finally bring a baseball championship to the school from The Turn-2-Us League. "This will be an exciting year", says Executive Director Dr. Evelyn Montanez. "Everyone seems to have a shot at winning games."

The first game of the season began successfully, as the co-ed baseball team won their first game at Highbridge Field in the Bronx, with a score of 3-2.

Parents Attend Capoeira Graduation

Congratulations to the graduates of the Capoeira After-School Program!  When asked what she likes about Capoeira, third grader Aliyah said, "I saw the video of people kicking and I like to kick".  Judany, from class 520 said, "I enjoy everything!  I like cartwheels and excercise...I go to the park and run.  The instructor teaches me cartwheels."

On Friday, February 3rd, nearly forty students from 3rd, 4th and 5th grade received certificates, presented the moves that they learned and celebrated their achievements in front of students, parents and special guests.  A very special thank you goes to Dance Brazil instructors Paulo "Chuvisco" Silva and Angelo "Gafa" Ribeiro for teaching our students this beautiful Brazilian style of martial arts and dance.  See the musical postcard below for some photos taken by Mr. Ovalle, who hosted the event.

Free picture collage created with Smilebox

The Giants Are In The Super Bowl

For those of you who love football, The New York Giants have made it into The Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is the championship game of professional football! After beating The San Francisco 49ers, The "G- Men" are going to Indianapolis to play against The New England Patriots. This will be a rematch of the 2007 Super Bowl in which The Giants defeated The New England Patriots and ruined their perfect season.

Who are you rooting for to win The Super Bowl? The Giants or The Patriots? Leave your comments below!

The Coach Harris Report - Getting Ready For The Next Game

The PS4 Boys Basketball team at a recent game.

Since there was no game last Friday, due to the Veteran's Day holiday, The Wolves of  PS4 are even hungrier to win their next game Friday, versus PS192. The next game is "on the road" so that means the boys have to be very focused on their task as they play in another court. Just like in the classroom, The PS4 Wolves must study their offensive and defensive plays.

Although our record is 1-2 (one win and two losses) their is no feeling that we are a losing team. A win will make our win-loss record even and strengthen the confidence that we are building. Hopefully, the team will be at full strength for the first time since game 1. Now that the team knows their responsibilities and has a better idea of their own capabilities, a win should be the next step.

The Lady Dukes Win!

In their first basketball game at PS4, The Lady Dukes won Thursday's game against PS28, with a score of 10 - 6! Led by Coach Keys, The Lady Dukes played a game that was both a fun and tough battle. Thanks to the two baskets scored by their power forward Ayleen R. of class 501, PS4 was able to win the game. "They have been practicing hard so I am glad they came out on top", said Coach Keys after the game. Center Sabrina T. also played well and often took the ball from the other players right out of their hands! Starting point guard, Victoria R., whose Mom watched from the side lines, moved quickly on the basketball court and managed to dribble past other girls.

Congratulations to the Lady Dukes of PS4! Keep up the good work!

Baseball Season Officially Starts!

Baseball Season is here! Now that the weather is getting warmer, it is time for the boys to get their bats and gloves and play the sport known as America's Pastime. Sponsored by Derek Jeter's Turn 2 Us Foundation, there are seven teams that will compete against each other for the baseball championship. According to Dr. Montanez, director of the program, sports are a great way to bring out the best in the students. "These programs are intended to make our students know that school work and sportsmanship go hand in hand", she said. "That is why we check with their teachers throughout the season to make sure they are taking care of business in the class room before anything else." She reminds each student that participation in this program is a privilege, not a right. The students our looking forward to this season of hitting, catching and throwing. "They are enthusiastic, energetic and willing to do what it takes", says Coach Harris. "We want to bring home a championship to PS4".

Click here to see a story about last season's boy's baseball team.

The NFL Brings a New Yard to PS4!

"Wow", gasped Jeffrey P. (class 482) as he recently got a sneak peek of the newly designed yard. On October 19th, nearly 250 boys and girls of PS4 got a visit from N.Y. Giants player Chris Canty from the National Football League (NFL). Mr. Canty and nearly 50 NFL volunteers provided students with opportunities to participate in mini-clinics where they learned how to throw, jump, catch and run with a football. The league has been encouraging kids all over the country to be active for at least 60 minutes each day, through their 'Play 60' campaign. "The kids were so happy", said Principal Delois White-Jones, after facilitating this profound event and shaking the hand of NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell.

The PS4 yard has been painted with a mural designed especially for the students of our school. Detailed with images of the neighborhood, a subway train, musical notes, and Duke Ellington, the blue mural of the yard surrounds a newly painted track with AstroTurf in the center. Each student received a new football and an NFL 'Play 60' t-shirt. Special thanks goes to the United Way and our partner in education, Jon-Paul Dyson of Community League of the Heights, for bringing members of the NFL to our school.

P.S. 4 Boys Baseball Team Wins First Exhibition Game!

Playing for the first time as a team, The Mighty Dukes Baseball Team won an exhibition game, 4-2 against P.S. 173. Coach Dan Goodman of P.S. 173 was disappointed with the loss, but thought that P.S. 4 had a strategy that helped it win. "You guys came late, so by the time we started playing, our team was tired out." Led by pitcher and shortstop Adrian R. and catcher Edwin R., the Mighty Dukes were very impressive battling back from behind a 2-1 deficit. The game served as a warm - up for the season that starts Friday April 16. The Mighty Dukes promise to play good games all season.

Girls Win 10 - 8.

The Lady Dukes win again! In the first game of the year for The P.S. 4 Girls Basketball team, The Lady Dukes continued their winning streak defeating the visiting team from P.S. 152, 10 -8. Led by fifth graders, Nikita D., Brianni D.O. and Tenea B. The Lady Dukes extended their winning streak to 11 games in a row. The game was hard fought, fun and was watched by visiting classes from the 5th grade. "Those girls were rough." Said Brianni. "They were scratching and saying bad things."

Even though the game was friendly, Coach Mendes of P.S. 152 promised a better effort from his team in a potential rematch. In their gym. "We didn't have all our girls with us here, it will be different next time." The Lady Dukes will certainly be ready.