MIDDLE SCHOOL MOMENTS November 3rd

7th GRADE TRIP

Recently HANC Middle School took the 7th graders on a trip to Powerhouse Studios, it was so fun! When we first walked in we saw freakily realistic statues and bikes and wheels hanging from the ceiling, it was so cool! We were told to take a seat and the game show began and the host was hilarious. We played some races and then, got to the fun stuff, smashing pie into each others faces and sliming. When you're chosen to get pied, you have to stand behind a wall with a hole cut out for your face. Then, a friend smacks a plate of whipped cream all over you. It was so funny to watch other people get pied, but it was even more fun to get pied! The whipped cream tasted so good, and I got pied so hard I'm pretty sure if I tried I could still taste some of the whipped cream. Even though pieing was funny to watch, seeing someone get slimed was much funnier. To get slimed you have to sit in this clear little room with a nose on top of it. It goes "three, two one.." and then slime starts pouring out of the nose! How nasty? Don't worry nobody's clothes were ruined. They made people wear this little poncho that was supposed to protect them from getting slime invested into their clothing and shoes. After the slime, races, and pie, we went to the lunch room for pizza, fries, and drinks. After we ate, we walked around the studio and took pictures near the statues and props. Some of them were so realistic they looked alive. We were called back into the lunchroom for benching, and then it was back to the games.

We had a bunch more races, ( and of course the girls one them all) and a few more people got pied and slimed. After the second round was over, we waited on line to buy prizes. I got a squirmy worm, which is the best thing ever, When is was time to leave nobody wanted to go. We had so much fun on the trip. We took some final pictures with the statues and then headed back on the coach bus, this trip was definitely the best trip yet!

By: Yakira Colish

SHABBOS PROJECT IN HANC

HANC Middle School had the opportunity to join a very meaningful initiative, called the Shabbat Project. All last week, leading up to the Shabbos of Lech Lecha, we had many special programs each day.

The 7th and 8th grade girls had a wonderful time baking challah, with world renowned kosher chef, Naomi Ross. The students learned the beauty and meaning of baking Challah. The gym was set up beautifully, with all the supplies needed to make our delicious Challah. First, Naomi Ross demonstrated how to make Challah. She explained to us what each ingredient represented relating to the Jewish people. The girls were not only able to make the dough themselves but also have a detailed demo on braiding the challahs they made. The Jewish people first became obligated from the Mitzvah of Hafrashat Challah when they entered the land of Israel. After the Challah rose, one girl from each group said Hafrashat Challah out loud and all the girls answered with a strong "Amen." Afterwards, Naomi Ross demonstrated how to make a 6 braided Challah! The girls each braided 2 challot for their shabbat table. The entire program was truly a special and meaningful experience for everyone and it would not have been possible without the extensive planning from Rabbi Hecht and Morah Hakimian.

We had the privilege to listen to Mrs Gottesman and her inspiring words about the amazing Rebbetzin Fendel. She talked about Rebbetzin Fendel's love for our illustrious yeshiva, HANC. She explained what a true friend is and how lucky she was to have Rebbetzin Fendel as her true friend.

While the girls were baking Challah the boys had a cholent cook off. The 7th grade boys made their cholent with Rabbi Harris while the 8th grade boys made their cholent with Rabbi Olshan. They let the cholent cook and Friday, the next day, the whole middle school came together and got to try our very own 7th and 8th grade boys cholent. As we were eating cholent we got to watch videos created by the students about what shabbos meant to them and their favorite part of shabbos. We also got to hear a wonderful story about Shabbos from our very own and illustrious Rabbi Hecht. Along with the cholent, videos, story, and challah bake we got to have a meaningful kumzitz where everyone sang songs and got to enjoy the spiritual ruach before Shabbos.

By: Yaira Goldress and Abigail Mottahedeh

TISCH

On the Shabbos night of parshat Lech Lecha the 7th grade boys had a tisch at the home of Rabbi Harris. The boys enjoyed a variety of delicious foods like meatballs, potato kugel, cholent, and poppers. At the tisch, Rabbi Harris talked about the parsha with the boys and told them some amazing stories that tied into the week's parsha. The 7th grade boys cannot wait until their next tisch!!

Names, Not Numbers©

On Friday, October 21st, I had the opportunity, along with the whole 8th class to start a project called Names Not Numbers. In the program students interview Holocaust Survivors. This kicked off with Mrs. Rosenberg, the creator of Names, Not Numbers©, giving an inspirational speech about how important this project is and how lucky we are to get the chance to participate in this program. Next, we listened to Mr. Larry Gordon, the publisher and editor of The Five Towns Jewish Times, who gave us tips on how to talk and interview Holocaust Survivors. He even gave us packets, so we can remember all of the information he shared with us. We concluded the program by watching a documentary of a Holocaust Survivor, to get a feel of what our interviews should be conducted.

I am so grateful my classmates and I will get the opportunity to be involved in this important project. I am so happy to participate in this program to ensure that the Holocaust Survivors' legacies live on, and that the Holocaust is never forgotten. I cannot wait to interview a Holocaust survivor, and see the all the interviews put together at the end of the year.

By: Hannah Rubensohn

CODING CLUB

Computer programming is an area in education which promotes critical thinking and relevant real-life skills. (see link) At the HANC Middle School students gather each week to write computer programs during Coding Club. Student ability ranges from beginner to proficient; student learning can be self directed, and teacher instruction is differentiated. Throughout the year, the Coding Club will write code in a variety of languages including basic coding using

Blockly and the more sophisticated Java and Python. During each forty minute session, students answer questions, for example: What is an algorithm and how does it apply to real life? Students are encouraged to present original code to classmates during each session. A long-term goal is for students to code a game or a story depicting a social issue affecting middle school students today. Club membership has doubled as student interest in coding has grown. HANC takes great pride in the achievement of its pioneer programmers.

Pictured below:

Avi Baruch presents code to classmates.

Ava Herman begins writing code.