Elementary students lead cheers at Yonkers charter school football games

The Charter School of Educational Excellence in Yonkers is shifting its athletic events. The school has introduced a pep band made up entirely of elementary school students. These young musicians now lead the crowd at varsity flag football competitions.

The group first performed on October 15 at the homecoming game. More than 300 spectators filled the stands for the event. The school’s chief executive, Danielle Rendina, described the performance as phenomenal. She noted that the presence of the band improved the game day atmosphere for the community.

Rendina emphasized that integrating arts into athletics benefits the entire school culture. She stated that every department matters to the student experience. The next public appearance for the elementary band is scheduled for November 5. They will play at 4:30 p.m. during the middle school flag football Turkey Bowl.

This initiative follows a larger investment in the arts at the K-12 institution. In 2023, the school opened a new stage at its high school campus. The facility is designed to teach students theatrical rigging skills. The goal is to prepare them for jobs at media stages opening in Yonkers, including Lionsgate Studios.

Since the stage opened, the school has staged musicals such as The Addams Family, Godspell, and the Seussical. The school already maintains a high school marching band, backing bands for musicals, and choirs. The new elementary group is the latest addition to these programs.

Research supports the inclusion of music in education. A 2019 report from the Journal of Educational Psychology found a link between instrument playing and academic results. Students in British Columbia who took music courses in elementary and high school scored higher on exams in math and science than peers who did not take those courses.