Department of Commucations and Fine Arts

Our overarching goal may be dissected into the following collection of associated sub-goals:

• To align our educational initiatives in the arts with the New York State Learning Standards in the Arts

• To implement programs that integrate the arts into other curricular areas (in collaboration with classroom teachers

• To offer staff development that heightens the knowledge/skills of our specialists in the arts and/or peaks the awareness of arts integration techniques for classroom teachers

• To offer programs which raise and/or maintain the level of parent interest/involvement in their child’s experience with the Arts

• To fully incorporate the new “Blueprint for the Arts” methodology within the Visual Arts, Dance, Drama and Music programs.

A full spectrum of arts education opportunities is available to students. The school’s Department of Communications and Fine Arts (DCFA) is staffed by an impressive collection of professional educators comprised of individual specialists within each of their respective fields. Students at P.S. 115 are encouraged to pursue studies in the following areas: instrumental and vocal music, visual art (both traditional and computer based graphic design), drama and dance. The DCFA provides three essentials arts education initiatives to students: in-house staffing supplies and needs, residencies of visiting artists and facilitators, and arts-oriented school excursions. The DCFA has taken full advantage of the New York Metropolitan area’s art community and has invited a variety of artists to share their expertise with our students. One example of the DCFA integrating outside artists into the P.S. 115 population and curriculum is the Ballroom Dance program. 

 Outside school excursions afford our students the opportunity to visit places outside of their community and to begin to see their place in the larger communities of neighborhood, city, state, country, and the world. Project Arts funds the DCFA in sponsoring trips to world renown Museums and Concert Halls such as MOMA and Carnegie Hall’s Link up Program.

Visual Arts Program

 At PS 115, we have one teacher providing visual arts instruction to our students. Students gain comprehension about art through the interaction of other disciplines. Lessons include read alouds and are followed by art activities which respond to literature. Art activities also serve to promote students’ self-expression.

As you walk through the halls of PS 115, you can observe how art instruction has been aligned with classroom instruction and units of study. Classroom teachers, literacy coaches and the art teacher are constantly communicating with each other to make student learning experiences enduring and connected.

Dance Program

At PS 115, students take classes with our in-house dance instructor Ms.Reynoso.The program includes ten weeks of intense, required classes, where the program’s skilled and passionately inventive teachers take our students through a dance repertory of merengue, rumba, tango, foxtrot, and swing dancing. In the process, students learn much more that just how to make the right steps.

The Dance Program instills a passion for dance and competition in the students, and it celebrates the small steps of everyday life. The program has become a way for students to express their individuality and explore the richness of community all at the same moment, all with the same movements. Select students from the Dance Program make up the Dance Team which participates in a competition known as the Rainbow Team Matches. In 2004, our Dance Program was spotlighted in the feature film documentary Mad Hot Ballroom and was honored with a Proclamation from the City of New York.

Drama Program

Through the auspices of the Library Media Specialist, a select group of fifth grade students will meet twice per week to learn about the intricacies of Drama. Said group will then combine their innate talents with newfound knowledge in order to perform throughout the school year for the entire school community.

Music Program

The Music Department within PS 115 DCFA strives to give all students a broad based music platform that they may progress in depth their musical studies as they advance through the grades. The curriculum and lessons encompass the New York State Learning Standards for Music. The new “Music Blueprint” is integrated into the curriculum’s content for all general and specialized music classes. All students acquire an understanding of the basic theoretical concepts of: pitch, rhythm, form, dynamics, tempo, syncopation, and styles.

The proposed instructional strategies for music include:

• Teaching students to sing various songs from different styles and backgrounds

• Teaching students how to read notes on the treble clef through the use of the recorder

• Teaching students time signature and rhythmic aspects through the use of percussion instruments

• Integrating the development of listening skills into all classes.

Several times throughout the year, the DCFA puts on student performances for various cultural celebrations. Additionally, the creative talents of Drama, Dance, Music, and Art come together and are showcased as the DCFA puts on a full length production for the entire school community. In an effort to continue expanding the children’s theater experience and appreciation, the DCFA with the help of a private funder, will continue to take a set number of classes to view three live Broadway shows each year.

    Art Teacher
    Ms. A. De La Cruz
    ADeLaCr3@schools.nyc.gov
    Room 201
    x201

    Dance Teacher
    Ms. Y. Reyenoso
    YReynos2@schools.nyc.gov
    Room 502
    x502

    Drama Teacher 
    Mr. J. Paredes
    JParede@schools.nyc.gov
    Room 503
    x503

    Music Teacher
    Ms. Yates
    cyates@schools.nyc.gov
    x204