MANCHESTER – A $3,000 Community Outreach grant from St. Mary’s Bank will be used to buy an innovative classroom StarBoard for Presentation of Mary Academy in Hudson.

The mobile board, which works like an interactive blackboard, will allow PMA instructors to incorporate the Internet, video and other media into lesson plans.

“As we move into the 21st century, we, as educators, must stay in the forefront,” said Sister Maria Rosa, PMA principal. “Technology is changing so rapidly, our teachers find the use of advanced tools like StarBoards 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.”

Presentation of Mary Academy is a private, coeducational Catholic school founded and owned by the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary. It serves children in preschool through eighth grade, and with 485 students, PMA is the largest private Catholic school in the Diocese of New Hampshire.

“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.”