Barona Tribe Awards $5,000 Education Grant to Oldest Catholic Elementary School in San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwired - Dec 4, 2014) - Students and educators at Our Lady's School received a $5,000 education grant today from the Barona Band of Mission Indians. The nearly 100 year old Sherman Heights elementary school will use the grant money to purchase 14 computers, four monitors, three textbooks and 100 accelerated math products to assist with their mathematics program.

Senator Ben Heso sponsored the grant for Our Lady's School which stands as the oldest Catholic elementary school in San Diego County serving students in preschool through eighth grade.

"It was our pleasure to present our latest education grant today and recognize Principal Bishop on his commitment to academic development at Our Lady's School," said Clifford LaChappa, Chairman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians. "Mathematics is a cornerstone for early education and the Barona Band of Mission Indians is proud to support the program."

Since 2006, the Barona Band of Mission Indians has awarded over $2.3 million to 474 schools statewide to help bridge school budget gaps and share resources through its Barona Education Grant Program.

The 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.