Sacred Heart School's Information and Digital Literacy Class prepares students to become role models

PLYMOUTH, Mass. - Feb. 17, 2016 - PRLog -- Sacred Heart School (www.sacredheartkingston.com), a private, Catholic, co-educational school for students in preschool through grade 12, is preparing kindergarten and elementary students for today’s digital world through its Information and Digital Literacy Class.

Taught by Library and Technology teacher Carrie Mathias, the popular course allows students to combine the use of traditional print media with the latest software to create new and exciting projects based on their research.  Skills honed during the once weekly 50-minute class include research, creativity and innovation, communication and collaboration, critical thinking, problem solving, decision making and digital citizenship.  Students have their eyes opened to new authors and genres and given the tools necessary to organize and manage research, as well as mechanisms to create and expand their own personal horizons.

“What we do is find, filter and apply information,” said Mathias, who has taught at Sacred Heart for nine years.  “We talk about being role models as digital citizens with an emphasis on understanding that what we do ultimately affects others; the Golden Rule certainly comes into play.”

Mathias received Master’s degrees in both American History and Library Science from Simmons College and is certified as a Common Sense educator for digital citizenship.  Common Sense Media is the leading independent non-profit advocate for children’s education on media and technology.

It’s important for students to realize the implications of living in a digital world,” said Mathias, a resident of Plympton.   “This course equips students with the skills they need to be responsible online, skills that can be applied to all aspects of life.”

“The response to our Information and Digital Literacy class from students and parents has been remarkable,” said Pamela Desmarais, President of Sacred Heart School. “In an age when technology is a major component of everyday life, it’s uplifting to see how new tools and skills can co-exist with long-standing etiquette to impart the importance of social responsibility to our students.”

About Sacred Heart School

Sacred Heart is a private, co-educational Catholic school system, which provides educational opportunities for students throughout southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod, from preschool through grade 12.  As a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Divine Providence, Sacred Heart School strives to inspire minds, define character and encourage responsible leadership through a curriculum that prepares students to pursue knowledge throughout their lives. The school provides students with a strong liberal arts curriculum, and integrates technology into the hands of students with its One to One iPad Program. Sacred Heart also offers extensive athletic, arts and extra-curricular activities for students.  Founded in 1947, the school underwent a governance change in July 2011, incorporating the Sacred Heart Schools in Kingston, MA as Sacred Heart School System, Inc. This new structure was implemented to assure the continuation of academic excellence of the Sacred Heart Schools for the future, as well as the Catholic mission and the religious community traditions. The school system serves students on a beautiful, expansive campus on Route 80 that includes three school buildings, a central administrative office, and athletic fields and facilities. Sacred Heart School welcomes students of all faiths and diverse backgrounds. The school prides itself in a commitment to developing the whole student, offering an independent school atmosphere and top-tier academics. Pamela Desmarais serves as the school’s President. The Sacred Heart campus is located at 251-399 Bishops Highway, Kingston, MA 02364. For additional information about the school, please visit www.sacredheartkingston.com or call 781-585-7511.