The First has recently bestowed a donation in the amount of $2500 to Lincoln Academy’s Laptops for LA program. Dan Daigneault, President and CEO of The First Bancorp presented the check to Kathe Cheska, Development Director at Lincoln Academy.
“Contributions from local businesses, alumni, parents and friends are critical to maintaining quality programs at LA and absolutely essential to making major improvements such as 1:1 computing,” said Cheska. “We especially appreciate leadership-level gifts like The First’s because they not only help to achieve the goal, but inspire others to support the school’s programs.”
Students at Lincoln Academy are experiencing a major change in their classrooms that began with the opening of the 2010-11 school year. Due to a generous anonymous gift, the school was able to purchase 560 Toshiba netbooks, providing all students continuous access to online communication and research tools.
In order to fully implement this program, The First — as well as several other local businesses, individuals, and foundations — have contributed to the campaign. Together, almost $70,000 has been raised to make Laptops for LA a reality.
Lincoln Academy is a private school that serves as the public high school for students who live in towns with secondary school choice and also accepts private tuition students. Because the State sets the tuition each year based on a formula based on average secondary costs in Maine, major improvements such as new construction and renovations, and major program improvements like new computers are only possible through private contributions.
“We are thrilled that we were able to make this major upgrade to technology at all levels at one time,” Cheska said. “While technology will never replace the role of dedicated and caring teachers working with individual students, thoughtful use of technology can enhance classroom activities in a way that expands the curriculum and prepares the students for the world that awaits them when they leave LA.”
For more information on the Laptops for LA program, please contact Kathe Cheska, Development Director, at 563-3599 or by email at cheska@lincolnacademy.org.
The First has been serving the people of Maine since 1864 with offices in Bar Harbor, Blue Hill, Boothbay Harbor, Calais, Camden, Damariscotta, Eastport, Ellsworth, Northeast Harbor, Rockland, Rockport, Southwest Harbor, Waldoboro, and Wiscasset. For more information about The First, please visit www.thefirst.com or call 1-800-564-3195.
