SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - Oct 15, 2012) - Myrtle Finney Elementary School will expand its educational reach to the Chula Vista community with the help of a $5,000 education grant from the Barona Band of Mission Indians.
Today, students and staff were joined by State Senator Juan Vargas and Principal Olivia Amador-Valerio to accept the grant from Chairman Edwin "Thorpe" of the Barona Band of Mission Indians.
School leaders said they will use the Barona education grant money to purchase 10 iPads and 10 wireless keyboards for its computer lab, which stays open after-hours to allow students, community members and parents of students access to technology. The after-hours computer lab also offers parents an opportunity to work alongside their students to increase motivation and learning.
"We are honored to be able to help our local schools add educational equipment to their classrooms, especially when we know it will have far-reaching effects on the community," Chairman Romero said.
Leaders of the campus, which is part of the Chula Vista Elementary School District, decided to keep their computer lab doors open after hours following a recent study showed that only a few of the school's more than 400 students had access to a computer at home.
As school budgets statewide continue to be cut, the Barona Band of Mission Indians has been sharing resources through its Barona Education Grant Program. Since 2006, Barona has awarded more than $1.5 million to over 300 schools statewide.
The Barona Education Grant Program is the first of its kind in California created and administered by a Tribal Government. The goal of the 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.
Contact Information:
CONTACT:
Sheilla Alvarez
619-402-0182
Kelly Jacobs Speer
619-933-5013
