SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - Nov 15, 2011) - Students and staff at Pacific Beach Elementary School were recently awarded a $5,000 education grant by the Barona Band of Mission Indians on Monday, November 14. Assemblywoman Toni Atkins joined Principal Sherry Turner to accept the grant presented to the school by Edwin "Thorpe" Romero, chairman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians.

The grant will be used to purchase 10 microscopes, 10 microscope slide kits, teacher handbooks, 8 video and handbook sets, as well as miscellaneous supplies such as extra slides, CDs and microscope parts.

"Science is an important part of education and we are very proud that this Barona Education grant will help expand the science program for the students at Pacific Beach Elementary," said Chairman Romero. "We hope that these new materials help the students get even more excited about learning."

The Barona Band of Mission Indians has been sharing resources through its Barona Education Grant Program since 2006, awarding over $1.5 million to more than 300 schools statewide. The Barona Education Grant Program, created and administered by a Tribal Government, is the first of its kind in California. The goal of the program is to create strong educational opportunities for the children of California by 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.