Saints John & Paul Unveils State-of-the-Art Media Center

by Barbara Gallagher

(October 31, 2007) Saints John and Paul School have turned in their old-fashioned library for a completely updated, integrated media center. On Friday, October 19, the school unveiled its newly-constructed center to more than 150 parents and local community leaders. Sister Marie Pappas, superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of New York, was the guest of honor at the grand opening. Mamaroneck Town Supervisor Valerie O’Keeffe, Pastor Father Brian McWeeney and Principal Anne Menno were also on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony marking the official debut of the new facility.

“We congratulate Saints John and Paul on being the first Catholic school grades K-8 in lower Westchester to offer students a state-of-the art, integrated media resource center,” said Sister Marie. “This is truly a community of faith committed to the education of its children.”

Cutting the ribbon to celebrate the opening of the new facility are (l-r) Parish School Parents' Association (PSPA) Co-President Barbara Gallagher; Sister Marie Pappas, Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of New York; Saints John and Paul Pastor Father Brian McWeeney; and PSPA Co-President Patty Fink.

Constructed during the students’ summer vacation, the new media center is over 2,000 square feet and includes a computer lab, study room and library. The new computer classroom features 30 new Lenovo personal computers as well as a SMART Board for ease of instruction by the school’s computer teacher. Computers are also available in the study center for individual student research. The study room allows students time for additional research, while the new library facility boasts enough room for books for students in both the lower and middle schools.

Additional technological advances made at the school this summer include the placement of SMART Boards and computers in every classroom and the creation of a computer network with backup on a main server. With this new technology in place, teachers can now utilize the school’s new SAFARI Montage Video On-Demand server. From every classroom and with a touch of a button, Saints John and Paul teachers can access and present their students with more than 1,000 segmented and complete educational programs.

Saints John and Paul School computer teacher, Patricia Howard, gives parents a lesson on the new SMART Board in the new computer lab at the school.

“Our children now have access to technology that meets or exceeds any other area school,” said Patty Fink, co-president of the Parish School Parents’ Association. “It’s so exciting to know that computers will be a seamless part of their overall education, integrated into their curriculum, and available for supplemental research in a supervised atmosphere.”

“Our teachers now have the added classroom tools they need to provide the most comprehensive education possible across all subjects,” said Father McWeeney. “We are thankful to our parishioners for supporting this effort through our Bicentennial campaign and to our school families who supported this technological expansion both financially and through their dedication.”

Saints John and Paul School’s new media center was designed by D.C.A.K. Architecture/Sacred Art Studios of Nyack. The Archdiocese Building Commission oversaw the construction of the project, which was handled by M.J. Fitzgerald Contracting of the Bronx. Funds for the project were raised through the parish’s Bicentennial Campaign for the Archdiocese and the Parish School Parents’ Association.

For over 55 years, Saints John and Paul School has been providing students with both academic and spiritual education. A Roman Catholic school with around 270 students in kindergarten through the eighth grade, Saints John and Paul offers full-day Kindergarten, as well as: an on-site reading specialist; on-site special education teacher; math enrichment; computer instruction; art and art enrichment; library; music; and physical education classes. The school also provides an after school activity program, community service opportunities, and cultural activities, including author visits and class trips. For more information, call 914-834-6332.

Barbara Gallagher is co-president of the Parish School Parents' Association.