Checking out the new interactive whiteboards (left to right): Lucia Papile, Assistant Principal; Andrew Carvallo, Somerville; Ricky Brathwaite, Chelsea; Jamey Thompson, Everett; Jack Hartnett, Medford.

By Allison Caloggero

St. Clement is making big changes to the way things are going to be taught over on Boston Avenue in Somerville. Thanks to the great generosity of the Grew Family in memory of Paul M. Grew Sr., ’61 and the Ann Reppucci Memorial Trust.

The school announced the installment of $50,000 worth of interactive whiteboards. “The interactive electronic boards are phenomenal tools and are great for demonstrations and can accommodate different learning styles”, said Mr. Robert G. Chevrier, Principal St. Clement School. “It captures the attention of the students and makes the subject come alive.”

These interactive white boards, also called smartboards, will expand the way teachers educate and the way students learn. Smartboards will give the teachers and students the luxury of using educational software, websites, and more that can be presented on a computer’s desktop.

Another feature that comes with these interactive whiteboards is that teachers can now record their instruction and post the material for review by students at a later time. This is a great benefit for those students who need to review material, who struggle with learning, who are absent from class, and who need to review for an exam or test. When the students see the recording, they will see the exact presentation that occurred in the classroom with the teacher’s audio input just briefer and to the main point.