5th Grade Girls Celebrate Women's History Month

5th grade girls from PS4 attend a 'Women Who Rock' event at New York Presbyterian hospital.

Recently,  Dr. Montanez and her team from Turn 2 Us brought 5th grade girls from PS4 to Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital at New York Presbyterian to celebrate Women's History Month! They participated in an educational workshop and enjoyed a concert given by an incredible all-female band.  As part of the Musical Magic Outreach program, funded by the Ronald McDonald House, students got the opportunity to pay tribute to the many amazing women who contributed to the music industry from blues, jazz to hip hop.

For more information about members of the band, click here!  To read more about the Turn2Us program, managed by Dr. Montanez, click here!  Take a look at the slide show below for more photos from the event!  Special thanks to Ana S. Furnari from New York Presbyterian Hospital for the amazing photos of our 5th grade girls!

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New Coach - Same Goal

This year The PS4 Wolves have a new coach!  But, the goal is still to win a championship in the Turn2Us League. Coach McArdle, PS4's new Physical Education teacher, is now leading the basketball program at PS4.  Try-outs for both the girls and boys basketball teams were recently held in the gym.  Nearly 250 boys and girls tried out from the 4th and 5th grade. "I'm looking for boys with the desire to compete and who study hard in class", said Coach McArdle who goes by the name "Coach M" to her players.  During both try-outs, students were required to run drills, dribble and run.   It was a hard process because out of all the students that participated in try-outs, only 15 boys and 15 girls could be chosen. "We want to have a season full of wins on the court and off. That process starts here", said Coach M.  Dr. Montanez, the director of the Turn2Us program, found it difficult to make the cuts and choose girls for the PS4 Lady Wolves.  "It's always so difficult to choose...there are so many girls who are really talented".

Derek Jeter's Turn2 Us Foundation sponsors the sports programs at PS4.  Turn 2 Us is a comprehensive wellness program.  The mission of program is to enable youth to internalize different methods which encourage healthy lifestyles through a variety of physical and psycho-educational awareness activities.  PS4 is thankful to Derek Jeter and his foundation for sponsoring our sports programs and helping students lead healthy lifestyles.  Click here for more information.

Congratulations to PS4's 2014-2015 basketball teams! Take a look at the photo collage below for some highlights from the try-out sessions!  You'll find the names of students who made each team on our sports bulletin board located in front of the main office.

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Turn 2 Us Celebrates St. Patrick's Day

Last week the boys and girls involved with the Turn 2 Us Basketball League participated in a special St. Patrick's Day program by Dr. Montanez and the staff at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.  This special St. Patrick's Day program included authentic Irish step-dancing and musicians playing instruments from Ireland. There were even moments when students were asked to participate with the performers! The students had a good time and were given knowledge about Irish culture.

Special thanks to Dr. Montanez, the Turn 2 Us organization and the staff at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.

PS4 Girls Basketball Team Wins Championship

Once again the girls PS4 basketball team are champions of the Turn-2 Us League!  During the February championship game, the Lady Wolves defeated their uptown rivals from PS48 by a score of 14 -13. The game came down to the last seconds and PS4's defense sealed the championship. Coach Sarah was very proud of her team and so was Coach Keys who had mentored the team and taught them some defenses that helped them win. "They played hard from the first game to the last", said Coach Keys. As always, the girls showed a competitive nature that could not be beat. This championship marks the fourth championship for the girls in the Turn 2 Us League.

Congratulations to the PS4 Girls Basketball Team!

Girls Remain Undefeated

Coach Keys and Dr. Montanez with the PS4 Lady Wolves

Once the again, the PS4 Lady Wolves showed their dominance in the Turn-2 Us League. They defeated their opponents from PS115 by a score of 19 - 8. The score could have been even higher but Coach Keys made sure that everyone played and not just the starting five players. " I don't like to run up the score." Said Coach Keys after the game.

High scores were from Gracelyn J. and Genesis R. who led the team to a home victory. Right now, Coach Keys has his eyes set on the next game. It will be a home game against their rivals from PS48 on Friday, January 25th. Coach Keys hopes to keep the team undefeated all the way to the playoffs and to the championship game.

The 2012-2013 Boys Basketball Team

Here are the members of the 2012-2013 Boy's Basketball Team!

Coach Harris with his new team!

Carlos H. (401)
Elijah C. (401)
Francis D. (401)
Derek G. (401)
Dave C. (402)
Wilmar W. (420)
Carlos E. (421)
Janel P. (501)
Julio R. (501)
Kedwin R. (501)
Saul H. (502)
Franly R. (502)
Isaia G. (502)
Jeremy R. (520)
Jose S. (521)


Coach Harris and PS4 Wolves took their annual trip to the Turn 2 Us Basketball clinic to meet their opponents and learn the rules and regulations of this year's basketball season. Hosted and organized by Dr. Montanez, Turn 2 Us Program Director, the clinic took place at PS 192/ 325 with all of the school's in the district present (except for PS173). There was a scrimmage, reciting of the rules and a meet and greet for the coaches and players. The emphasis was on being good sportsmen and good students. Both the boys and girls basketball teams from  PS4 that attended and were very happy to take the trip.  They are even more excited to start the season.

PS4 Boys Basketball Team (in burgundy) during a practice game.

Fathers Take Your Child to School Day at PS4

Fathers Take Your Child to School Day celebrated its 6th year!  Starting with just one school in 2006, this initiative now takes place at over 200 schools and Head Start Programs throughout New York State.  Research indicates that children whose fathers take a more active role in their lives have better outcomes.  Here are some statistics:

• Children of highly-involved resident fathers were 55% more likely to enjoy school
• 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes
• Children living in homes with a father present are two times less likely to repeat a grade

Mr. Vanduyne, a proud father of Pre-K and fifth grade boys attending PS4, agrees with the statistics.  "Fathers are important in the lives of their children", he says.  "Fathers can provide structure and a focus on education".  Dr. Evelyn Montanez, Executive Director of the Turn-2 Us Program, spoke about fathers at a recent professional development workshop for PS4 staff.  "Many PS4 students come from single-parent homes led by fathers", she said.

PS4 father, Mr. Vanduyne, with his sons.

Fathers Take Your Child to School Day recognizes fathers and significant male caregivers who are dedicated parents.  Click here, for more statistics and information about this special day.  To see some photos of PS4 fathers, take a look at the slideshow below!

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Girls Basketball Team Wins First Game!

Coach Keys and the Girl's Basketball team played against PS173 on Thursday, winning their first game 17-0!  Congratulations to the following members:

2011-2012 Girls Basketball Team

Daryleidy G. (501)
Matiah L. (501)
Noelia A. (501)
Kaitlyn C. (501)
Sabrina T. (520)
Xiara R. (520)
Erika M. (520)
Katherine R (520)
Shanice G. (520)
Carolina C. (523)
Nayely U. (523)
Dayanil P. (523)
Daniela G. (521)
Johanna D. (421)
Henessey A. (423)

Coach Harris and the PS4 Boys Baseball Team Salute Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson's legacy was memorialized on April 15, 2010, by fans, players and Major League Baseball, marking the 63rd anniversary of the Hall of Famer breaking baseball's color barrier. For the second consecutive year, every baseball player at the 12 different ballparks where Robinson played, were asked to wear his retired number; 42.

Click here to see video clips by professional baseball players discussing this historic moment.

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.

PS4's Basketball Season Comes To An End

PS4's Turn To Us basketball season came to an end last Friday when they lost to rival school, PS 132. The score was 28 -19 in the semi - final basketball game that determined who was going to play in the championship game. The boys of PS4 tried their best against their arch - rivals of PS 132. "They just outplayed us in some aspects of the game" said Coach Keys. "We really tried hard but they got off to a really good start." Expectations were very high after the previous game when The Mighty Dukes beat their other arch - rivals of PS 128. Team members had the feeling that the victory would propel them to their second Turn To Us Championship. "I really thought that beating 128 would help us in our game against 132", admits Coach Keys. But, Coach Luis G. of PS 128 had other plans. "We knew that if we didn't come to play, then we were going to have a problem on our hands."

Even though the Turn To Us season is over for The Mighty Dukes, the basketball season is not. "We are entering into phase two of the season", says Coach Keys. "We are in a new league and hopefully these boys can show me some more skills."

The Mighty Dukes Lose First Home Game

On Friday, October 22, The Mighty Dukes of P.S. 4 lost their first home game of the year with a score of 26-24 against P.S. 128. Despite the loss, Coach Keys remains optimistic about the team's future. "We will be ready the next time." P.S. 128's coach and Turn 2 Us Foundation Coordinator Tanipa Thomas felt that her team was fortunate to have won the game. "We played this game on another school's basketball court and Coach Keys probably could have beaten us if he had kept the defensive press on."

"I don't know why I called "Blue" off", Coach Keys said later referring to the defensive play that pressures the offense to thrown the ball in, "we had them." Another factor in the loss was the fact that P.S. 4 played a lot better in the first half than in the second half. They only scored 9 points in the second half of the game.

Even after such a heartbreaking loss, Coach Keys still looks toward the future. "We may have lost the game but we didn't have our best team on the floor. Some of our guys are new to the team and are just now starting to learn how to play basketball with each other." Fans of The Mighty Dukes are sure that Coach Keys will make sure his team is ready for the next game . GO DUKES!

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

After winning the first exhibition game, P.S. 4 continued their winning ways by beating their arch - rivals from P.S. 128 in a 4-3 nail biter. Led by starting pitcher Adrian R. and catcher Edwin R., the Mighty Dukes from P.S. 4 came back from an early 2 - 0 deficit with timely hitting and clutch fielding. "They played a good game", said Commissioner and umpire of the game, Frank Mercado. Clutch hitting by Jordyn D. and Freddy R. also helped to contribute to the victory for The Mighty Dukes. This victory has even led to some of the players dreaming about what can happen later on down the road, Martin Garcia is already thinking about the championship. "Only 5 more games and then we are off to the championship", says Garcia. But the boys need to take it one game at a time if they are to going to make their dream of winning the last game of the season come true.

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.