With local children currently coping with life outside the classroom, area schools are getting creative in encouraging students to learn online while having fun and being accountable. Marc Vandenhouten, principal at St. Mary’s and Holy Trinity elementary schools in Luxemburg and Casco, respectively, says a standards-based online math program called Dream Box is a big hit with students.  He explains how the new learning tool is being implemented at home.

Students are spending up to five to six hours a day, including weekends, on Dream Box honing their math skills, according to Vandenhouten.  He adds that the school is posting daily results on their Facebook account and offering incentives, like a drawing for a pizza party, and a prize for spending the most time online with Dream Box this month.