Arts
Nurturing Creativity
The Arts are very important to us here at P.S. 254Q. We have a music program, visual arts program, theatre program, and multiple in-school dance residencies. We feel the arts bring culture to our students’ lives and they help to create well-rounded students.
Visual Arts
Our Visual Arts program follows NYS Learning Standards for the Arts and the New York City Blueprint for the Arts. Students are exploring at least five different art-making disciplines in each grade starting from Kindergarten through 5th grade.
By the end of 2nd grade, they demonstrate knowledge of a variety of art materials and tools and create original work. By the end of 5th grade, our students work on sequential projects and extend knowledge of art media.
Interdisciplinary Learning
We are also integrating art with other academic subjects and collaborate with classroom teachers on special projects. In our Art program we support literacy by writing about art concepts and interpreting and analyzing works of art.
An important component of our Visual Arts program is to give our students real world experiences. We take our students to art museums and exhibits, as well as, give them the opportunity to participate in yearly art competitions. We offer several programs for parental involvement in the arts through numerous art workshops and events.
Theater Program
The arts are an integral part of our mission here at PS 254. Five years ago, we were fortunate enough to receive a grant from Disney Musicals in Schools. By providing performance materials and professional development to teachers, Disney Musicals in Schools has enabled us to build a sustainable and powerful theater program. Musical theater engages our students in dynamic ways. They learn 21st Century skills like creativity and collaboration, to social skills like confidence and empathy, to academic skills like reading, speaking, and listening, As a result of our theater program, our students are able to grow creatively and intellectually, while having positive outlets for self-expression.
Past Performances
Music
The goal of our music program is to foster an understanding of the fundamentals of music and to give students the opportunity to explore their musical talents.
Students can do this through experiences in singing, playing instruments, performing rhythms, moving to music, composing, and listening. They develop the ability to read and notate music. Critical thinking skills are used when playing and creating music. String instruments are available for upper-grade students to learn, such as violin, viola, cello, and double bass. There is also a school chorus. Students perform throughout the school year and are trained to become successful in the language of music!
Ballet Hispánico
Ballet Hispánico, the premier Latino dance organization in the United States, has been bringing individuals and communities together to celebrate and explore Latino cultures through dance for nearly 50 years. Whether dancing on stage, in school, or in the street, Ballet Hispánico creates a space where few institutions are breaking ground.
The organization’s founder, National Medal of Arts recipient Tina Ramirez, sought to give voice to the Hispanic experience and break through stereotypes. Today, Ballet Hispánico is led by Eduardo Vilaro, an acclaimed choreographer and former member of the Company, whose vision of social equity, cultural identity and quality arts education for all drives its programs.
Ballet Hispánico, a role model in and for the Latino community, is inspiring creativity and social awareness in our neighborhoods and across the country by providing access to arts education
Dancing Classrooms
Dancing Classrooms’ mission is to cultivate essential life skills in children through the art of social dance. Their vision is to help create schools and communities where every child is connected, respected, and provided a safe environment in which to thrive.
Through standards-based, in-school residencies, they use the vocabulary of ballroom dance to cultivate the positive feelings that are inherent in every child. The maturity necessary to dance together foster respect, teamwork, confidence and a sense of joy and accomplishment, which they hope to bring to every child. Ballroom dance is the medium we use to nurture these qualities.
Ballroom Dancing
Our 5th grade team won GOLD in the first round of competition! We are so proud of our students!!
Over the years our 5th grade has had the opportunity to learn Ballroom Dancing with the in- school residency Dancing Classrooms. Dancing Classrooms teaches students the art of social dance. Under the instruction of a trained ballroom dance instructor, students learned and perfected many dances. These included Merengue, Fox Trot, Rumba, Tango and Swing, to name a few. From their very first time dancing with their partners, to our recent Culminating Event, we were able to see the growth, confidence and respect that this program cultivated.
Dancing Classrooms continues to foster respect, teamwork, confidence and a sense of joy and accomplishment amongst all of our students.