New Documentary PS DANCE! to Air on THIRTEEN and More, 5/17

When talking about arts in schools, we usually think of visual arts like painting, photography or drawing. Each of these has had a long history in public education, but it is rare for schools to have a dance program. While it's difficult to make a definitive connection between academic performance and arts studies, parents, educators and researchers have observed that studying dance boosts self-confidence, self-esteem, sense of identity, and helps children to develop an understanding of how to navigate the world as adults.

The hour-long film PS DANCE!, premiering on Friday, May 15 at 10:30 p.m. on THIRTEEN, Sunday, May 17 at 10 p.m. on WLIW21 and Tuesday, May 26 at 10 p.m. on NJTV, will examine the impact dance education programs have on the body, mind and hearts of children and teens in New York City public schools.

Hosted by veteran television journalist Paula Zahn, PS DANCE! features interviews with students and teachers from Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens including Catherine Gallant, P.S. 89 Liberty School, Ana Nery Fragoso, P.S. 315 of Performing Arts, Michael Kerr, New Voices School of Academic & Creative Arts MS443, Patricia Dye, Science Skills Center High School for Science, Technology and Creative Arts and Ani Udovicki, Frank Sinatra School of the Arts. Joan Finkelstein, former Director of Dance for the New York City Department of Education is also among the film's interviewees.

After the initial broadcast, the full film will be available for online streaming at THIRTEEN.org/specials.

PS DANCE! is a production of Nel Shelby Productions in association with the Fund for Public Schools and NYC Department of Education.

Nel Shelby is producer and director. Loren R. Robertson is editor.

Funding for PS DANCE! has been provided by Jody and John Arnhold and The Arnhold Foundation.

To learn more about PS DANCE! visit psdancenyc.com.

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About WNET

As New York's flagship public media provider and the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21and operator of NJTV, WNET brings quality arts, education and public affairs programming to over 5 million viewers each week. WNET produces and presents such acclaimed PBS series as Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, PBS NewsHour Weekend, Charlie Rose and a range of documentaries, children's programs, and local news and cultural offerings available on air and online. Pioneers in educational programming, WNET has created such groundbreaking series as Get the Math, Oh Noah! and Cyberchase and provides tools for educators that bring compelling content to life in the classroom and at home. WNET highlights the tri-state's unique culture and diverse communities through NYC-ARTS, Reel 13, NJTV News with Mary Alice Williams and MetroFocus, the multi-platform news magazine focusing on the New York region. WNET is also a leader in connecting with viewers on emerging platforms, including the THIRTEEN Explore iPad App where users can stream PBS content for free.

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