Roosevelt Middle School to Add Variety to Music Program With Grant From Barona Band of Mission Indians

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - Oct 1, 2012) - While schools statewide are scaling back arts programs because of decreased budgets, San Diego Unified's Roosevelt Middle School has received a financial boost that will allow its music program to expand. 

Today, students and staff were joined by Assemblywoman Toni Atkins and Roosevelt Middle School Principal Arturo Cabello to accept a $5,000 education grant from the Barona Band of Mission Indians. The money will be used to purchase new music equipment, including Latin and African instruments. 

"We are honored to be able to help increase music education in our local classrooms," said Edwin "Thorpe" Romero, Chairman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians. "It means so much to us to help talented teachers and administrators carry out their mission of helping students learn, develop and grow."

The campus, which is the first in the San Diego Unified School District to be authorized as an International Baccalaureate school, offers students a rigorous academic curriculum coupled with the opportunity to develop their talents in language, arts, music and theater.

Since 2006, Barona has awarded more than $1.5 million to over 300 schools statewide through its grant program, which is the first of its kind in California created and administered by a Tribal Government. The goal of the Barona Education Grant program is to create strong educational opportunities for the children of California building upon the success of the Barona Indian Charter School, which operates under a continuous improvement model.

Schools throughout California can apply for educational grants from Barona to purchase much-needed supplies and materials that promote academic improvement. Each grant awarded by the Barona Education Grant Program is $5,000. Applications can be downloaded at http://barona-nsn.gov/education.

About the Barona Band of Mission Indians
The Barona Band of Mission Indians, recognized by the United States government as a sovereign nation, has lived on the Barona Indian Reservation in rural eastern San Diego County since 1932. Prior to that, the Tribe lived on the Capitan Grande Reservation which was established by the federal government in 1875. Long before living on a reservation, the Tribe traveled across Southern California in tune with the seasons and what nature provided. Today, the sovereign nation, governed by an elected Tribal Council, is serving its Tribal members, their families, and sharing with the San Diego region. One of the most successful gaming Tribes in the country, Barona also owns and operates the Barona Resort & Casino, San Diego's leading gaming resort, casino and golf course. For more information, visit www.barona-nsn.gov.