2013 Talent Show

Congratulations to all the students who performed at the 2013 Talent Show!  Thanks to all the parents, family members and teachers who saw the show!  Principal Bonnie D. White-Jones would like to give special thanks to Mr. Harris (host), Mr. Means (sound/video engineer) and Ms. Lennon (show director) who, along with the following VERY important people, produced a very successful show:

• Ms. Torres - Backstage Director/Decorations
• Ms. Salce - Talent Coach/Decorations
• Mr. Theodore - Talent Coach/Spotlight/Budget
• Mr. Cantu - Talent Coach (Ellington Poets)
• Ms. Cabral - Decorations
• Mr. Conrad - Stage Props/Decorations
• Ms. Martin (Assistant Principal) - Front House Manager/Tickets
• Lucy Perez (Parent Coordinator) - Snacks & Water
• Morena (School Aide) - Snacks & Water
• Officer Rosario - School Safety
• Sergio Larios & Clave Azul - House Band
• Kayla Morales & Elizabeth's Modeling Agency - Fashion Show
• Custodial Staff - Building Maintenance

Check out the slideshow below for backstage photos from the show!

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Artist of the Month: Grant Wood

Grant Wood (see photo below) is a realist painter who is most famous for his painting of the American Midwest, like in American Gothic (see painting below).  During this month and next, students will study him and his artwork.

American Gothic painting by Grant Wood

Photo of Artist Grant Wood (1891-1942)

 
Wood was born in 1891 in Iowa.  His father was a farmer and his mother was a teacher.  After high school, he moved to Minnesota to learn how to work with wood and metal.  The next year, Wood decided to become a teacher.  He studied for his teaching certificate at the University of Iowa.  He also studied architecture and he painted.  In 1916, Wood went to the Art Institute of Chicago to study art.  He taught middle and high school art for six years.  He set up his own studio in Iowa and began painting scenes of the American Midwest.  Grant Wood died in 1942.

For more information about artist Grant Wood, click here.  To watch this funny video about the artist and his most famous painting, click here!

The Wolves Make It Two In A Row!

PS4 Boys Baseball Team

After their first victory of the year, The Duke Ellington Wolves Baseball Team made it two in a row after they defeated PS115 with a score of 8 - 4. With big hits by Zenny R. and Danny W., the Wolves played the type of baseball they have been taught to play during their practices that first began in early April. "Your team played very well", said the coach of PS115.   Janser M. also played a great game as catcher, blocking balls at the plate.  Pitcher Carlos E. also threw his best game, striking out seven players and giving up two earned runs. "I think your team is getting better with every pitch", said the umpire of the game, Mr. Rodriguez. "It's like they have found who they are as a team and capitalized on their strengths."

After their next game on Friday, May 17, The PS4 Wolves will start the playoffs and try and win their very first Turn-2-Us Baseball championship!

5th Grader Wins Writing Contest!

The PS4 family is very proud of our very own Adriana H., from class 501.  Adriana’s story “George” was selected as one of the twelve winners of the Peter J. Murray (one of our favorite authors) Spooky Story Writing Contest!  The story will soon be published in a book, along with the eleven other winning stories and a special story written by Mr. Murray.  Recently, this author visited PS4 and spoke to students from 3rd and 4th grade about his famous Mokee Joe character.  "You were all born with the most powerful tool in the world...your imagination", the author said during the assembly.

Author Peter Murray (center) pictured here with PS4 Librarian Ms. Lennon and students.

On Thursday, May 30th, Adriana is invited to attend a spooky lunch with Peter J. Murray.  Adriana and the chaperone from PS4 will be picked up at the school by limousine and transported to the Jekyll & Hyde Club Restaurant in midtown Manhattan.  Adriana will also receive 20 copies of the book for her family and friends and copies of the book for our school.

Congratulations, Adriana!  Special thanks to Judy Parker (Carmel Hill Director), Tommy Parker (Carmel Hill Implementation Specialist), and Ms. Wilson (Adriana's teacher).

Adriana H. with her teacher (Ms. Wilson).

Midori & Friends 20th Anniversary Gala

On May 2, 2013, the PS4M Choir performed for more than 200 guests at the Midori & Friends 20th Anniversary Gala; Share the Music. Community partners, supporters, students, artists and friends came together to celebrate the achievements of the organization and to toast the collective vision of music education for all young people.

Award winning student Shawn T. (center) and his Guitar Instructor, Nick Russo, pictured with members of the PS4 staff.

Shawn T., from class 501, was given the Byron Gustafson Award to honor his high level of motivation, a true passion for music, and a caring spirit for other classmates.  Shawn began studying the guitar last year, inspired in part by his father, who was also a musician.  He was assigned as one of the Guitar Team Leaders and was appointed Guitar Club Student Coordinator.  When asked about Shawn's commitment to music, Mr. Cantu said, "He has worked tirelessly to promote the message of music appreciation to all the students, young and old, and he is a tremendous asset to the PS4 community".  Congratulations to Shawn on his commitment and his accomplishments!  We wish him all the best in his continued growth as a guitarist.

Click here to see the choir's performance at this gala as they sang "This Little Light of Mine".

The PS4 Choir at the Midori & Friends Gala

PS4 Celebrates The Duke's Birthday

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington, born on April 29, 1899, was a forerunner in the evolution of jazz.  he composed and played swing music, one of the best-loved jazz forms to grace the American music scene.  Each year, on his birthday, PS4M-The Duke Ellington school celebrates this icon.  Special thanks to the Jazz Foundation and the Bertha Hope Trio for teaching our students about Jazz.

Take a look at the slideshow below to see how we celebrated our namesake.  Music by Alvin Atkinson.  Click here to hear Ms. Fernandez's class (K021) sing Happy Birthday to Duke Ellington!

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Happy Birthday, Duke Ellington!

 
Duke Ellington was born Edward Kennedy Ellington on April 29, 1899 in Washington DC. He got the name "Duke" from his childhood friends because of his elegant manners and the way he dressed. He has composed more music than anyone else in the 20th century! Each year, on this day, we celebrate "The Duke". On behalf of the students, teachers, staff and parents of the Duke Ellington School, Happy Birthday, Sir Duke!

For  more information about our namesake, click on any of the links below.

• Video from Bio.com
• List of interesting facts from kidsmusiccorner.co
• Photos of Duke Ellington from GOOGLE
• Biography with music from Incwell.com
• Biography from PBS.org

Math Bowl - 2013

From April 24-26, 2013 students took the NYS Math Exams.  In an effort to encourage students to use the skills they have learned during the course of the year, students in grades 3-5 attended and participated in our annual Math Bowl!  Teams of two students were selected by each teacher to compete.  Each team had less than a minute to choose an answer to a math computation or word problem.  Audience members were also required to answered the same problems in their notebooks!


Congratulations to all the participants!  A special thanks to Mr. Ovalle and Mr. Keys who organized the Math Bowl this year.  Take a look at the collage below to see photos from the event!

This collage made with Smilebox