Schools

On Wednesday, August 31, just a few days before the kickoff of the official school year, the incoming seventh grade students were invited to a special meet-and-greet orientation. There were two parts to the program. In one part, the students participated in an “icebreaker” activity with Rabbi Dworetsky, Mrs. Morey, and Mrs. Steiner. The activity focused on some “get to know you” silly questions to help the students feel more comfortable in the building and become acquainted with the social work support staff who will help each student adjust to middle school life. The other part consisted of Rabbi Hecht going over a typical day in HANC Middle School. He included the procedures that the students would need to follow in order to make the school run efficiently and to allow for the best possible experience. The orientation concluded with the students having pizza and socializing with their friends. There was a sense of excitement in the air about beginning a new chapter in their education.

Ninth graders in Mrs. Ruth Fried’s Biology class were introduced to whiteboarding in Biology and to the technique of analyzing and communicating their science called: CERR – Claim, Evidence, Reasoning, Rebuttal.

After enjoying entertaining picnic orientations, reuniting with fellow classmates and teachers, and for many, entering high school for the first time, students of the Stella K. Abraham High School had a fulfilling first day of school on Wednesday, September 7. The hallways were filled once again with the hustle and bustle of the school day, but there was something different about SKA’s interior. In addition to newly painted classrooms and hallways, attractive tables, umbrellas and chairs were now available for SKA students to enjoy their lunch in the newly renovated outdoor spaces. SKA’s Student Council also sponsored a refreshing break with Rita’s Ices, as the girls relished the good weather in the lovely grounds of the school. Erev Shabbos, Friday, September 8, was celebrated with hot delicious kugel and spirited dancing lichvod Shabbos.

Bnos Malka Academy welcomes Mrs. Ronit Weitzman as their new preschool director. Mrs. Weitzman comes with an impressive resume. She graduated from Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women with a BA in Early Childhood Education. She received a master’s degree from Hunter College’s School of Education in Literacy Education. Before coming to Bnos Malka, the new director taught in a preschool classroom in Manhattan for ten years.

Alongside Hadar Bet Yaakov’s multi-faceted approach, focused on student personalization of Judaism and academic rigor, is another equally all-important focus: student relationships and school achdut. “Although academics is important, we also stress that social-emotional piece that turns a school into a warm place everyone’s excited to come to each day,” noted Mrs. Rambod, Kodesh Principal.

This year, for the 21^st consecutive year, students assembled in a somber mood to learn about the history and implications of 9/11. Rabbi Zev Meir Friedman, Rosh Mesivta of the Rambam Mesivta, who spoke the day before at the commemorative program arranged by Mayor Benjamin Weinstock of the Village of Cedarhurst commemoration, tailored his remarks to the younger crowd, Rambam’s high school students.