MIDDLE SCHOOL MOMENTS 11/23/16

School Wide Spelling Bee

We held our school wide bee on January 4. Each class could have two class finalists. They were Avi Brandler, Jaden Etienne, Jessica Haynes, Grace Herschberg, Jesse Kramer, Rena Max, Liana Schwartz, Mor Sharoni, and Moshe Wieder. They all spelled so many words correctly. We continued on, round after round, until we were finally down to two.

Congratulations to our HANC MS champion, Rena Max, and our runner up, Avi Brandler. Rena will represent us at the Long Island Spelling Bee Companionship at Hofstra in February. We're so proud of all our spellers. What a great job they did!

Middle School Shabbat

in West Hempstead

Shabbat Parshat Vayigash was Middle School Shabbat in West Hempstead. Rabbi Harris, Rabbi Olshan, Morah Klein, Morah Hakimian and Rabbi Hecht came with their families for Shabbat. Each of the Rabbis spoke at Anshei Shalom, Eitz Chayim of Dogwood Park, and the Young Israel of West Hempstead over the course of Shabbat. Friday night there was an amazing father son oneg at the HANC 609 elementary school with Rabbi Harris, Rabbi Olshan and Rabbi Hecht. There was delicious food, catered by I and D, and beautiful zemirot. Rabbi Harris led an interactive shiur which discussed mitzvot and whether there were bigger or smaller mitzvot. Students and parents alike were enthralled. The evening ended with the entire room forming one big circle and singing "acheinu."

Shabbat afternoon, there was a mother daughter shalosh seudot. There was a lavish buffet, catered by Bagel Town. The mothers and daughters sang zemirot together with Morah Hakimian, Morah Klein and Mrs. Fryman. The morot then led them in a very interesting game which tested the mother's and daughter's knowledge of each other's likes and dislikes. Everyone also learned about the parsha together with a beautiful source booklet put together by Morah Hakimian and Morah Klein. This Shabbat was a wonderful opportunity for the Rebbeim and Morot to spend time with the West Hempstead community. HANC Middle School would like to thank all of the hosts and sponsors of the Shabbat. We would also like to thank Rabbi Goller, Rabbi Greer, Rabbi Soniker and the shuls for welcoming us so warmly.

Hashket Vavetach Tefilah Intiative

As many of you know, Rabbi Yehuda Kelemer, Rav of the Young Israel of West Hempstead, was hit by a car about a month ago. As a zechut (merit) for a refuah shelaima, the HANC Middle School has undertaken a new tefila intitiative called the hashket vavetach tefila initiative. Rabbi Kelemer has often mentioned his desire for quiet during tefila. The students have been working diligently on their avodat Hashem. This initiative has helped the entire minyan concentrate better on their tefilot. Additionally, each Tuesday and Wednesday we spend a few minutes at the end of davening focusing on a piece of tefila so that the students can also understand what they are saying even better. May this intiative be a zechut for a refuah shelaima for Yehuda ben Rivka Leah b'toch shaar cholei yisroel.

Debate Success!

Debate Takes First Slate!

The HANC middle school debate team took home 5 out of the 7 trophies in a debate against NSHA, HAFTR, and SAR and was the first place school! Debaters argued on the resolution that stated that the U.S. should change the federal driving age to 21. Some that disagreed with the resolution said that changing the driving would be ineffective and rash because age isn't the problem, experience is. Changing the driving age would only shift the problem to a higher age bracket. In addition, changing the driving age would be a major blow to the economy because teens take up millions of jobs and they wouldn't be able to get to their jobs.

Some that agreed with the resolution stated that changing the driving would benefit the U.S. because it would eliminate the most dangerous drivers, and it would help save our planet because there would be less pollution. Ori Bear was awarded with first overall speaker. Nili Kushner was awarded with second overall speaker. Ori Bear and Gabriel Lovy were awarded with third place overall team. Nili Kushner and Amiad Schick were awarded with second place overall team. And most importantly, HANC was awarded with the top overall school and won our second debate in a row! Congratulations to all debaters and good luck in next debate!

By: Nili Kushner

On Tuesday, January 17, 2017, Dr. Levey and Mrs. Steiner presented their

weekly Tech Talk Tuesday program.

This weeks TTT program addressed the expectations students have for their

parents with regard to technology.

For example,

* Be present

There should be no technology at all in certain situations, such as when I

am trying to talk to you as my parent.

* Give Autonomy

Let me make (some of) my own decisions about technology use, without your

interference.

* Moderate Usage

You should use technology in moderation and in balance with other

activities.

* Supervise

You should establish and enforce technology related rules for my own

protection.

* Don't use while driving

You should not text while driving or sitting at a light.

* No hypocrisy

You should practice what you preach, such as staying off the internet at

mealtimes.

* Stop oversharing

You shouldn't share information online about me without my permission.

We ended the program by encouraging the students to have a conversation with

their parent/s about what expectations they have for them.

Stay tuned for more exciting Tech Talk programs after the January break!

BOYS' HOCKEY

The Hanc Hurricanes hockey team has been a lot of fun to watch this year. The team just played a very spirited game against the HALB Lions. Noah Wengrofsky scored for the team, and Yoni Schneider and Ariel Schwartzman continue to be an excellent duo on offense. Moshe Wieder, Gaby Lovy, Noah Wengrofsky, and Sam Berkowitz continue to anchor the team on defense, as they lead by example with their spirited play.

BOYS' BASKETBALL

In a week many feared would be filled with mercy rules and blowouts, the HANC boys middle school basketball team rose up and left the skeptics speechless. On Monday night HANC played Har Torah and despite being down in the third quarter the team played some timely defense and hit a flurry of threes resulting in a nail biting five point victory. The team followed up the Har Torah victory with a game against HAFTR. The team was ready for the challenge and played well balanced basketball on both ends of the court. Despite holding a small lead midway through the third quarter, HAFTR won the game by nine points. The HAFTR team and its fans were visibly concerned throughout the game. The HANC boys played their hearts out and should only be motivated by their most recent performance. In the end HANC played a hard fought game and set the table for the rematch on February 15th.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL

Before we go into the winter break, the middle school girls basketball team is now 2-4. We are now in the second half of our season where we will be playing each team for the second time. The young ladies have been working hard at practice preparing for our game on Tuesday, January 17th against Har Torah. Our next game after the break will be at home on February 2nd at 5:30pm against Silverstein Hebrew Academy .

UPCOMING EVENTS

FEBRUARY

1 - Hockey @ Flatbush- 7:15 PM

2 - Girls Basketball vs Silverstein- 5:30 PM

4 - Hockey vs NSHA- 8:00 PM

9 - 8th Grade girls visit HANC High School- 9:30-2:30 PM

Girls Basketball vs Flatbush- 7:45 PM

12 - Rena Max represents HANC @ the Long Island Spelling Bee

13 - Scrabble club @ Rockville Centre

15 - Girls Basketball @ HAFTR- 7:00 PM

15 - Boys Basketball @ HAFTR- 8:15 PM

16 - 8th Grade boys visit HANC High School- 9:30-2:30 PM

21 - Gurwin Trip- selected students

23 - 8th grade trip to the Museum of Jewish Heritage