Inside This Issue International Club Born.....pg 2 Mr. Mac’s Corner.............page 3 Rampart Movie Reviews................page 5,6 Fordham Preparatory School Smart Classroom Catapults the Prep into the 21st Century by Andres Jimenez-Stuard, ’02 The new Smart Classroom is the newest edition to the Prep’s Technology Department. Thanks to four years of planning by the Technology Committee, and especially by Mr. Curtin, teachers can now enjoy the pleasure of teaching in a fully equipped, state-of-the-art, intimate, educating environment. According to Mr. Curtin, the Smart Classroom was meant to be “the Computer Center but better.” He said that since the Computer Center is open to everyone during the day, it was inadequate to a teacher’s needs. During the day the Computer Center is a very noisy and chaotic place where anyone can come up and work. Many teachers had been frustrated trying to teach in our Computer Center because of its large size, layout, and use by “walk-in” students. What the Smart Classroom was designed to do was to create an isolated area of the Computer Center. It was meant to be a place where a teacher and his or her students could go to conduct classroom sessions in a technology-rich environment. Unlike the Computer Center, the room is specifically dedicated to class use; students cannot just walk in during a free period to do work. Mr. Curtain added, “It is a place for education to be integrated with our highest technology – and intimate setting!” The Smart Classroom is now adjacent to the original Computer Center on the third floor. It is made up of thirty of the newest Dell PC’s, all networked and with Internet access. In addition to all these top-of-theline computers, the new Smart Classroom contains a “SmartPodium.” This podium houses a PC, a DVD-LaserDisc player, and VHS VCR. This equipment is all connected to a high-quality LCD projector. This projector was mounted onto the ceiling during the renovations. It projects to the SmartBoard, a digital whiteboard at the front of the room. The SmartBoard, therefore, lets the class see either what is on the desktop of the PC in the SmartPodium, or an alternative presentation. Other presentations vary from web site presentations, Power Point presentation, etc. to a DVD or video cassette of the teacher’s choice. A teacher can also explore the SmartPodium’s PC from the SmartBoard. The SmartBoard is also a pressure sensitive board, so a teacher can click on the SmartBoard and use his or her finger as an amateur mouse. The SmartBoard serves as a Continued on page 2 Annual Holiday Toy Drive is a Success January 2001 Number 4 Volume 61 Not even the frantic pace of this past holiday season could overshadow this year’s Holiday Toy Drive. Once again Fordham Prep’s call to remember the neediest was put to the test, and the school responded in the healthy spirit of giving. This year’s toy drive required the effort of many more individuals and groups than in recent years. The school provided toys (every item from a dirt bike to Britney Spears’ latest CD) for over 75 needy children at St. Luke’s parish in the Bronx. Since mentor groups alone were not able to provide all the toys by themselves, the toy drive turned to many of FP’s various clubs to support the effort. Everyone involved with the drive would especially like to thank By Blaise Goswami, ’01 all the moderators and members of the clubs who helped out, especially on such Santa Claus (although he refused to grow a beard or wear red). The toys were delivered to St. Luke’s during the day on December 19. Mr. Langellotti, Mr. Fischer, and senior student government volunteers Max Ferguson, Mike Viele and Jimi Akindele helped to deliver the busload of toys. The enthusiasm of the students and faculty brightened many holidays with the drive this year, and Mike, Max and Jimi were particularly moved by their reception at St. Luke’s. From stockings to lighted trees, many decorations emerge during the holidays. Events like the toy drive are a constant reminder that the famous sign in the Hall of Honor reading, “Men for Others,” is not merely for decoration. Page 6 short notice! Mr. Langellotti once again led the effort as Fordham Prep’s very own