LAFAYETTE, La., Jan. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Students at Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Lafayette soon will use new, interactive technology to enhance their learning, thanks to a partnership between the Supriya Jindal Foundation for Louisiana's Children and the Verizon Foundation.

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The school will receive three interactive whiteboard systems and twelve tablets for all first, second and third grade classrooms, providing access to interactive technology. The award package includes the following for each classroom: a laptop, four tablets, a Promethean interactive whiteboard with speaker system, an interactive response system that will allow students to actively participate in the lesson, all installation and instructor training for all teachers.

"Interactive whiteboards are something we are beginning to see transform education across the country. A study recently released shows a 17-29 percentile gain in academic achievement in classrooms with such systems versus classrooms without," said Supriya Jindal. "The Foundation is extremely proud to partner with the Verizon Foundation, who helped to make this award to Immaculate Heart of Mary School possible. With hard work, we have the opportunity to make a lasting and positive difference in education."

"Verizon has a longstanding record of support for education, as we believe in sharing our success in the communities where we live and work," said Tyrone Rice, director - Business Sales, Houston/Gulf Coast Region, Verizon Wireless. "These innovative classroom tools will support teachers as they develop technology-based lessons, engage students with hands-on learning experiences and set Immaculate Heart students up for a successful future."

The Verizon Foundation is focused on accelerating social change by using the company's innovative technology to help solve pressing problems in education, healthcare and energy management. Since 2000, the Verizon Foundation has invested more than half a billion dollars to improve the communities where Verizon employees work and live. Verizon's employees are generous with their donations and their time, having logged more than 6.8 million hours of service to make a positive difference in their communities. For more information about Verizon's philanthropic work, visit www.verizonfoundation.org; or for regular updates, visit the Foundation on Facebook (www.facebook.com/verizonfoundation) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/verizongiving).

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with more than 101 million retail connections nationwide. Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers integrated business solutions to customers in more than 150 countries. A Dow 30 company with nearly $116 billion in 2012 revenues, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of 178,300. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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SOURCE Verizon Communications Inc.