Welcome to
Reflections of
PUBLIC SCHOOL 170
The Lexington School
Project Arts 2002-2003
Provided by Dianne Gounardes, Project Arts Liaison
Public
School 170
7109
6th Avenue
Brooklyn,
New York 11209
(718)
748 - 0333
Christina Tettonis
Irene Pierides
Principal Assistant Principal
Project ARTS is alive and well at P. S. 170, The Lexington School. We had a very busy year filled with many opportunities for our students to experience the arts. This included all disciplines, visual arts, music, dance, and theater. We have been fortunate to have the support of our Community School District 20 Cultural Arts Department, under the direction of Mrs. Francis Ferrier and her staff. Additionally, we could not have accomplished what we did had it not been for the support of our Community Senior Superintendent, Mr. Vincent Grippo. Finally, it is important to thank our principal, Mrs. Christina Tettonis, and our assistant principal, Mrs. Irene Pierides, for their encouragement in our efforts.
What follows is a chronological glimpse of the programs which were conducted in our school. It includes both in-house programs and those that the students participated out of our building. We are very proud of the Project ARTS program at P.S. 170 and we look forward to improving it even more.
October brought the start of many exciting programs to our school. We welcomed
Justine Stokes from Studio in a School who worked with some of our classes
in Kindergarten and Grade 1, helping those teachers learn more about bringing
art into the classroom as it ties into their curriculum.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT
STUDIO IN A SCHOOL
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT STUDIO IN A SCHOOL'S EDUCATION PROGRAMS
We also welcomed Ramona King from Inside Broadway who conducted a residency with our Fourth Graders about Smokey Joe's Cafe and the Civil Rights Movement. Our students were treated to a Spooly Stories Assembly in honor of Halloween. Two of our Kindergarten teachers participated in a special workshop called "Finland Music" which they found quite beneficial. Finally, our Fourth and Fifth Graders participated in the Annual Halloween Art Window Painting Contest sponsored by the Bay Ridge Community Council. We had many medal winners. More importantly, we had a great time.
Finally, our Grade 4 and Grade 5 Chorus, under the direction of Mrs.
Dianne Gounardes, performed their Thanksgiving Concert for the school and
their parents. It was a very enjoyable show.
Principal Assistant Principal
Project ARTS is alive and well at P. S. 170, The Lexington School. We had a very busy year filled with many opportunities for our students to experience the arts. This included all disciplines, visual arts, music, dance, and theater. We have been fortunate to have the support of our Community School District 20 Cultural Arts Department, under the direction of Mrs. Francis Ferrier and her staff. Additionally, we could not have accomplished what we did had it not been for the support of our Community Senior Superintendent, Mr. Vincent Grippo. Finally, it is important to thank our principal, Mrs. Christina Tettonis, and our assistant principal, Mrs. Irene Pierides, for their encouragement in our efforts.
What follows is a chronological glimpse of the programs which were conducted in our school. It includes both in-house programs and those that the students participated out of our building. We are very proud of the Project ARTS program at P.S. 170 and we look forward to improving it even more.
SEPTEMBER, 2002
Our year began with a memorial tribute to the
victims of September 11, 2001. Each child in our school wrote about their
feelings and their thoughts for the future on a special leaf which
was put on to our P.S. 170 Peace Tree. A tree was planted in the front yard
of our school in memory of those who gave their lives on that fateful
day. The tree has blossomed, which gives us all hope for the future.
OCTOBER, 2002
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT STUDIO IN A SCHOOL'S EDUCATION PROGRAMS
We also welcomed Ramona King from Inside Broadway who conducted a residency with our Fourth Graders about Smokey Joe's Cafe and the Civil Rights Movement. Our students were treated to a Spooly Stories Assembly in honor of Halloween. Two of our Kindergarten teachers participated in a special workshop called "Finland Music" which they found quite beneficial. Finally, our Fourth and Fifth Graders participated in the Annual Halloween Art Window Painting Contest sponsored by the Bay Ridge Community Council. We had many medal winners. More importantly, we had a great time.
NOVEMBER, 2002
By November, 2002 we had all settled in to our work. November proved to be just as busy a month as October was. The entire Fifth Grade went to the Brooklyn Museum to view primary documents in preparation for the upcoming New York State Social Studies Test. Grade 3 went to Enrichment for the Arts at the College of Staten Island to see a show called "Ballet Folklorico de Mexico". These children had been studing about Mexico in their Social Studies curriculum,. Grade Five also went to Enrichment for the Arts to see a show entitled "America, Words That Inspire". Our Third Graders took yet another trip to the Japan Society to see Kazari Decorations and Displays in Japan from the 15th to the 19th Century. Each class went to the museum alone because of its size.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PROGRAMS AT THE JAPAN SOCIETY
By November, 2002 we had all settled in to our work. November proved to be just as busy a month as October was. The entire Fifth Grade went to the Brooklyn Museum to view primary documents in preparation for the upcoming New York State Social Studies Test. Grade 3 went to Enrichment for the Arts at the College of Staten Island to see a show called "Ballet Folklorico de Mexico". These children had been studing about Mexico in their Social Studies curriculum,. Grade Five also went to Enrichment for the Arts to see a show entitled "America, Words That Inspire". Our Third Graders took yet another trip to the Japan Society to see Kazari Decorations and Displays in Japan from the 15th to the 19th Century. Each class went to the museum alone because of its size.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PROGRAMS AT THE JAPAN SOCIETY
DECEMBER, 2002
CLICK HERE TO HEAR STUDENTS' REACTION TO BEING IN CHORUS AND THE BAND
It seems that once we celebrated Thanksgiving, the December
holidays were upon us right away. Select Grade 4 classes were treated to a
residency with the New York City Ballet on the Nutcracker. The culminating
activity was to go to Lincoln Center and see the actual ballet. I know that
everyone was in awe.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT THE NEW YORK CITY BALLET
Studio in a School continued their residency and Grade 3 continued to go to the Japan Society. In a matter of days, the chorus prepared their Holiday Concert and made their annual trips to places in the community to share their Holiday joy.
They visited Lutheran Medical Center, Augustana Home for the Aged, Apple Bank as well as perform for the school community and their parents, relatives and friends for three school concerts. They were joined at the school concerts by our newly created Grade 4 and Grade 5 Band, under the direction of Mr. Michael Carlotta. They were great.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT THE NEW YORK CITY BALLET
Studio in a School continued their residency and Grade 3 continued to go to the Japan Society. In a matter of days, the chorus prepared their Holiday Concert and made their annual trips to places in the community to share their Holiday joy.
They visited Lutheran Medical Center, Augustana Home for the Aged, Apple Bank as well as perform for the school community and their parents, relatives and friends for three school concerts. They were joined at the school concerts by our newly created Grade 4 and Grade 5 Band, under the direction of Mr. Michael Carlotta. They were great.
CLICK HERE TO HEAR STUDENTS' REACTION TO BEING IN CHORUS AND THE BAND
JANUARY, 2003
Happy New Year
Happy New Year
The start of a new year brought the start of new Project
ARTS programs to our school. Each class participated in a mini-workshop teaching
children to deal with others who may be handicapped. This was a very informative
program. It was called Making Friends in Kindergarten and Grade One and Kids'
Project in the upper grades. The Nutcracker Ballet workshops continued for
Grade Four and Studio in a School continued working with Grades Kindergarten
and One.
An exciting addition to our schedule included the American Ballroom Dance Theater Program which began in January and taught our entire Fifth Grade ballroom dancing.
These students learned a variety of ballroom dance routines including
the rumba, the fox trot, the swing, and the marange. The residency lasted
10 weeks, after which time, our Fifth Graders participated in a school level
competition. The winners of this went on to represent our school in a district
wide competition where they won Gold Place medals. This team then went on
to a borough level competition where they won the Bronze Place medal. It was
a wonderful experience, something these students will remember all their lives.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE AMERICAN BALLROOM DANCE THEATER
We concluded our January activities with an assembly featuring African Dances as an introduction to Black History Month.
An exciting addition to our schedule included the American Ballroom Dance Theater Program which began in January and taught our entire Fifth Grade ballroom dancing.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE AMERICAN BALLROOM DANCE THEATER
We concluded our January activities with an assembly featuring African Dances as an introduction to Black History Month.
FEBRUARY, 2003
Inside Broadway and Ramona King returned to P.S. 170 to work with our Second Graders on the theme of "Free To Be".
Another great program began during the latter part of March. Forth Fourth Graders were invited to participate in the "Young Ambassador's Program" of the Better World JL Builders. These students were chosen for their acts of kindness and the level of citizenship they practice. They are a group to be emmulated by all.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON
PROGRAMS OFFERED BY CAMP BROADWAY
The Lighthouse Museum, located on Staten Island, provided us with a spectacular program for each grade in the school. The children, and teachers for that matter, learned so much about lighthouses. We look forward to visiting the Lighthouse Museum when it open up next year.
JUNE, 2003
Although February is a short month, it was no less busy
for us. Our Fifth Graders produced and performed an original opera entitled
"Friends Are Special". This is the fifth annual production in our school.
The students do everything that's involved with a production from writing
the script, writing the lyrics and the music, doing costumes, make-up, lighting,
scenery, advertising, to stage managing and directing. It was a huge success.
Many thanks to Ms. Lizzy LeBlanc, our Art Teacher for her assistance
with the scenery.
Also during this month, our Fifth Graders took a trip to Towne Hall to see the production of "Welcome Home Marian Anderson", a show dedicated to Black History Month. Grade Three returned to Enrichment Thru The Arts to see a show on Chinese Dragon Dancing, while Grade Four took a trip to Enrichment Thru The Arts to see a program on Harriet Tubman. Also during the month of February, we began yet another residency with L.E.A.P. (Learning Enriched thru Arts Performances). L.E.A.P., through their teaching artist Kaysie Seitz, taught our Grade One and Grade Three students multicultural folk dancing. They performed for us at the end of the residency.
One more special project commenced in February. Mrs. Gounardes wrote a Parents As Arts Partners Grant through the Center for ARTS Education to fund a program which taught parents and their school aged children the art of American Folkdancing. This program was a tremendous success as it brought in parents and their children to participate in an after school activity together. It gave us a chance to get to know a new circle of parents and it taught them a little about our American history.
Also during this month, our Fifth Graders took a trip to Towne Hall to see the production of "Welcome Home Marian Anderson", a show dedicated to Black History Month. Grade Three returned to Enrichment Thru The Arts to see a show on Chinese Dragon Dancing, while Grade Four took a trip to Enrichment Thru The Arts to see a program on Harriet Tubman. Also during the month of February, we began yet another residency with L.E.A.P. (Learning Enriched thru Arts Performances). L.E.A.P., through their teaching artist Kaysie Seitz, taught our Grade One and Grade Three students multicultural folk dancing. They performed for us at the end of the residency.
One more special project commenced in February. Mrs. Gounardes wrote a Parents As Arts Partners Grant through the Center for ARTS Education to fund a program which taught parents and their school aged children the art of American Folkdancing. This program was a tremendous success as it brought in parents and their children to participate in an after school activity together. It gave us a chance to get to know a new circle of parents and it taught them a little about our American history.
MARCH, 2003
In the month of March, the Kindergarten classes visited
the Staten Island Children's Museum to learn about Bugs and My Body L.E.A.P.
cintinued their dance residency and together with the Parents As Arts Partners
program, produced and performed their dances for a school assembly at the
end of the month. L.E.A.P. also conducted a school-wide assembly program entitled
"Voices of the Band" which acquainted students with the not so familiar instruments
of a band. .
The P.T.A. hosted a Senior trip to Madame Tussaud's Wax
Museum in New York City.
Our Fifth Graders had a blast!
CLICK HERE TO HEAR SENIORS' REACTION TO THE WAX MUSEUM TRIP
Our Fifth Graders had a blast!
CLICK HERE TO HEAR SENIORS' REACTION TO THE WAX MUSEUM TRIP
Inside Broadway and Ramona King returned to P.S. 170 to work with our Second Graders on the theme of "Free To Be".
Another great program began during the latter part of March. Forth Fourth Graders were invited to participate in the "Young Ambassador's Program" of the Better World JL Builders. These students were chosen for their acts of kindness and the level of citizenship they practice. They are a group to be emmulated by all.
APRIL, 2003
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PROGRAMS HOSTED BY THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
The month of April is the beginning of a very busy time
for testing at P.S. 170. None-the-less, we did have some beneficial programs
offered for our students. Grades Kindergarten, One and Two were teated to
a puppet show about "Mary Poppins", while select Grade One and Grade Four
classes took a long trip to Queens to see the "Peter Rabbit Holiday Review.
The American Museum of Natural History brought a piece of the museum to our school. The Moveable Museum came to PS 170 and treated our Third Graders to an awesome experience.
The American Museum of Natural History brought a piece of the museum to our school. The Moveable Museum came to PS 170 and treated our Third Graders to an awesome experience.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PROGRAMS HOSTED BY THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
MAY, 2003
As we look towards the end of the school year, many
schools wind down their level of activity. Not so for P.S. 170. The month
of May was jammed packed with Project ARTS programs. Our Kindergarten classes
participated in a program called "Jazz Ma Tazz" from an organization
called CREATE which allowed them to explore movement and music.
We were the lucky recipients of a gift from our District Office. The was the gift of a special residency program hosted by the Brooklyn, Philharmonic teaching about the Mozart opera called "Cossi Fan Tutti". The students, as a final activity, saw Act I of this opera at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. In addition, these students wrote their own Act II to this opera and performed it for the school.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PROGRAMS HOSTED BY THE BROOKLYN PHILHARMONIC
We hosted Pedestrian Safety Day and were dazzled by the performances of four young dancers who taught our children the rules of the road through song and dance. Select Fifth Grade classes participated in a special program on the famous song writer, Johnny Mercer, hosted by Camp Broadway. Mrs. Gounardes also entered a contest hosted by Camp Broadway and won 165 tickets to take the entire Fourth Grade to see a Broadway play called "A Year With Frog and Toad". As a result of winning this contest, Mrs. Gounardes was asked to provide 5 students who would appear on the Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 8, 2003 as part of a segment with Frog and Toad actors. This was the experience of a lifetime.
We were the lucky recipients of a gift from our District Office. The was the gift of a special residency program hosted by the Brooklyn, Philharmonic teaching about the Mozart opera called "Cossi Fan Tutti". The students, as a final activity, saw Act I of this opera at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. In addition, these students wrote their own Act II to this opera and performed it for the school.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PROGRAMS HOSTED BY THE BROOKLYN PHILHARMONIC
We hosted Pedestrian Safety Day and were dazzled by the performances of four young dancers who taught our children the rules of the road through song and dance. Select Fifth Grade classes participated in a special program on the famous song writer, Johnny Mercer, hosted by Camp Broadway. Mrs. Gounardes also entered a contest hosted by Camp Broadway and won 165 tickets to take the entire Fourth Grade to see a Broadway play called "A Year With Frog and Toad". As a result of winning this contest, Mrs. Gounardes was asked to provide 5 students who would appear on the Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall on June 8, 2003 as part of a segment with Frog and Toad actors. This was the experience of a lifetime.
The Lighthouse Museum, located on Staten Island, provided us with a spectacular program for each grade in the school. The children, and teachers for that matter, learned so much about lighthouses. We look forward to visiting the Lighthouse Museum when it open up next year.
We also welcomed the program called "Music Outreach"
which taught literacy thru music to our Grade 1 and Grade 2 students. And
as a final activity for the month of May, we were charmed by the virtuitous
piano playing of Dr. Cathy Callis from the Brooklyn Arts Council in a school
based concert. We were hoping to have Dr. Callis christen our new piano
however we did not receive it in time.
JUNE, 2003
And now, for the month of June. We had some loose
ends to try up in terms of performances during this final month of the school
year. We began the month with the Recorder Concert for Grades Three, Four
and Five. Select Fifth Grade classes visited the Frick Museum. We hosted our
annual Spring Concert, the 10th such concert for our chorus and the first
for the band. L.E.A.P. treated our Kindergarten, First, Second and Third Grades
to an assembly on Aesop's Fables.
And guess what?
CLICK HERE FOR STUDENT AND TEACHER REACTION TO ALL OF OUR PROJECT ARTS ACTIVITIES
And guess what?
We got our piano!!!!!
CLICK HERE FOR STUDENT AND TEACHER REACTION TO ALL OF OUR PROJECT ARTS ACTIVITIES