Schools

Central celebrates Chanukah in a big way – and with this year’s emphasis on positivity, faculty and staff alike felt a particularly strong desire to make this year’s holiday a source of joy and strength. A full schedule of programming and events marked these special eight days.

Dovid Shechter, a YTM alumnus and currently a soldier in the IDF, recently came to speak to several of the Junior High School classes at Yeshiva Tiferes Moshe. Dovid is on a short leave here in Queens and will be returning to Eretz Yisrael in the coming days.

MTA’s Lionotics robotics team showcased exceptional talent in the recent FIRST Tech Challenge competition held last Sunday. The competition featured many top public and private schools from across the city, but Lionotics stood out with two well-designed robots. Lionotics 1 emerged as the dominant force during the qualifying matches, going undefeated and earning the top ranking. Lionotics 2 was equally impressive in its first match, but sadly its electronics malfunctioned after that one success.

The PreSchool in Bnos Malka Academy was filled with Chanukah spirit throughout the weeks leading up to the holiday, and the week of Chanukah itself. The excitement was palpable as each class prepared for the chag. Children in both Pre-K and Pre-1A worked diligently to create their own unique menorahs, as well as drip mats and other holiday-related projects. Students (and teachers!) practiced a ton, thanks to the help of the one and only Morah Rena Greenberg, for each class’ Chanukah celebration. For the Pre-K classes, families were invited to watch the children perform on the Sunday before Chanukah. After an adorable singing presentation, the children and their families engaged in a variety of Chanukah-themed arts and crafts projects such as scratch art and decorating picture frames.

Mrs. Seeno’s eighth graders learned what it takes to be an entrepreneur while working on their Shark Tank Projects. Students chose their groups and had to create a pitch on Flip Grid, a prototype, and pertinent information.

It was a record-breaking year for the Ezra graduates of 2023 who were able to go spend a gap year in Eretz Yisrael this year. As the staff and faculty celebrated the departures of 18 students to Israel to learn Torah this September, it was clear that Ezra Academy was growing significantly in their mission to help students develop and grow their foundation for a Jewish future.