A $3,000 Community Outreach grant from St. Mary’s Bank, the nation’s first credit union, will be used to purchase an innovative classroom “star board” for the Presentation of Mary Academy (PMA) in Hudson.
 
The mobile star board --- which works like an interactive blackboard -- will allow PMA instructors to incorporate the Internet, video and other media into lesson plans.
 
Presentation of Mary Academy is a private co-educational Catholic school founded and owned by the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary. It serves children in pre-school through 8th grade, and with 485 students, PMA is the largest private Catholic school in the Diocese of New Hampshire.
 
Sr. Maria Rosa, PMA Principal, explains “As we move into the 21st century we, as educators, must stay in the forefront.  Technology is changing so rapidly our teachers find the use of advanced tools like star boards necessary to fully engage our students. Studies have shown that when such technology is integrated into school lessons, students are more focused and excited about the study material.”
 
“Today’s educators need more sophisticated tools to keep up with an ever-changing world,” said Tom Champagne, St. Mary’s Bank Director of Community Outreach. “We are pleased to be able to help funding for state-of-the-art technology that will help make classrooms vibrant, interactive places of learning.”