The Smoke Signal

By Frank Chen and Alekya Rajanala English Teachers Katherine Geers and Jennifer Moore’s sophomore students are currently participating in a pilot program that is co-directed by the non-profit organizations Facing History and Ourselves and Voice of Witness. This project may be featured in the Smithsonian Museum of Washington, D.C. later this year. The purpose of Facing History and Ourselves is to help give educators the resources to teach students about concepts such as human rights crises, human behavior, and narrative history. Voice of Witness is an organization that serves as a platform for oppressed or unheard voices to be recognized.…

By: Andrew Han On Tuesday, December 21, a divided Federal Communications Commission (FCC) passed a set of rules that forbids broadband companies from interfering with Internet traffic. According to the FCC website, “the Federal Communications Commission is an independent United States government agency… [responsible for] regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable.” The controversial rules attempt to support “net neutrality,” the effort to provide equal access to all websites and online services. “These rules fulfill a promise to the future — to companies that don’t yet exist, and the entrepreneurs that haven’t yet started work in their…

In June, the Smoke Signal reported new Homecoming decoration rules and limitations that will be implemented this school year to encourage a more environmentally friendly approach and to minimize damage to school property. As Homecoming Week approaches—this year it is the week of October 25-29, with the game against Newark Memorial on Friday, October 29 and the dance on Saturday, October 30—rules and guidelines are being finalized to ensure that the week is safe, fun, and doesn’t interrupt class time. Here is a list of rules, both new and returning, that will be enforced this year: 1. Decoration areas will…

The Dispute.      The Cordoba Initiative, headed by Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, is a plan to build an Islamic community center in New York City, three blocks away from Ground Zero. Media attention has magnified the dispute, and misinformation is common. Its proposed location polarized the nation, and the debate over the mosque grows more convoluted every day. Supporters of Mosque.      The most prominent supporter of the planned building is New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. In a speech defending the mosque, he cited New York’s history of religious freedom and tolerance. The Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer supports it,…

     On September 15, students in math teacher Mehebub Karmali’s fifth and sixth periods were given the opportunity to assemble their own light-responsive robots in a hands-on electrical-engineering activity, thanks to the help of two Santa Clara University (SCU) students.      Laura Bica, a rising senior majoring in computer engineering, and Jocelyn Wong, a graduate student working towards her Master’s Degree in mechanical engineering, presented and discussed engineering and its various sub-fields in efforts of getting students, especially girls, interested in engineering as a career path.      “Historically, only four of my female students have gone into engineering,” Karmali says. Similarly, Bica,…

     There is no stronger proof of the resiliency of the people of New Orleans than the ways in which they coped through the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina—the months after the storm hit and even now, five years and a massive oil spill later.      Aug. 29, 2010 marked the fifth anniversary of the catastrophe, one that sent shockwaves through the country, making us painfully aware of the fallibilities of our government. After 9/11, our country’s leaders began preparing for a war, for another attack from the outside, unaware that just short of four years later, the next national disaster would…

As San Bruno residents were returning home from work on September 9, a gas explosion ripped through the neighborhoods of Clairmont and Glenview. The massive explosion resulted in a fire that destroyed 37 homes as it raged uncontrolled for over an hour until Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) was able to shut off the gas line feeding the blaze. Current death tolls are disputed although the official toll is four fatalities. However the San Bruno Fire Chief and other sources have reported up to seven fatalities and six missing persons. Temporary shelters have been set up across the city…

     On August 24, 2010, California’s application for education grants from Phase 2 of President Barack Obama’s Race to the Top (RTTT) Fund was denied by the U.S. Department of Education. Had the state qualified, school systems that were involved could have received as much as $700 million in education bonuses.      The RTTT is a competitive grant program created through the ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009). The ARRA, aimed at rebuilding the economy, increasing jobs, and putting the spotlight on items of critical importance, including education, provides $4.35 billion to the RTTT. The idea behind the RTTT…

     Over the last several weeks of the 2009-10 school year, Save Fremont Students (SFS) saved four elementary school teachers from unemployment.      The campaign took root when Virginia Hom, a mother of two Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) elementary school students, and three MSJHS seniors who graduated last June. David Cao, Eric Chin, and Rebecca Xing met last May to discuss their concern for FUSD’s financial rut. And set a goal to raise $4.5 million by the end of July of 2010.      High school students involved organized a summer Celebration Gala, “Stairway to the Future” in August, which included dinner,…