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.

PS4's Honor Society Inducts 22 New Members!

On October 14th, The Duke Ellington School honored 22 of its students by inducting them into P.S. 4's Gamma Chapter of the National Elementary Honor Society. The members were chosen based on the scale scores from their 2010-2011 state exams in both math and English Language Arts (minimum: 693). "I now call this meeting to order", announced Chapter President Yeni P. from class 520. Co-advisers Ms. Lennon and Mr. Cantu continued the ceremony by informing the inductees of the four characteristics that all members must share; scholarship, responsibility, service, and leadership. "You are now role models for the boys and girls of this school", announced Mr. Cantu. Guest speaker, Rebecca Kraus, from an organization called Children for Children, gave students words of wisdom. In 2008, her organization donated funds to purchase new furniture for the school's library. Along with supporting schools, her organization provides volunteer opportunities for children of all ages. "You are the leaders of the future," said, Rebecca, "I'm proud of you." Pride for these 4th and 5th grade students was shared by our principal, Delois White-Jones, as she acknowledged the many parents in the audience.

Members meet every Tuesday morning. They are required to be involved in four service-learning projects throughout the year and will be creating activities where students can show pride in their school. Members have already begun selling Smencils in an effort to raise money for the school's general fund. Their first service-learning project will be a City Harvest canned food collection for homeless women and children.