SAN DIEGO, CA--(Marketwire - November 17, 2010) - Today, staff and students of Myrtle S. Finney Elementary School in Chula Vista accepted a $5,000 education grant from the Barona Band of Mission Indians as part of the Barona Education Grant program. The check was presented by Barona Tribal Chairman Edwin "Thorpe" Romero.
As schools across the state continue to wrestle with the reality of budget cuts, the Barona Band of Mission Indians has been sharing resources through its Barona Education Grant Program. Since 2006, Barona has awarded more than $1 million to over 200 schools and an estimated 500,000 students statewide.
Myrtle S. Finney Elementary School will use the grant money to purchase new flat screen computer monitors, headsets and an interactive Promethean whiteboard. The grant was nominated by Assemblymember Mary Salas (D-79).
"Education is very important to our Tribe," said Chairman Romero. "It is a great privilege to help deserving schools in our community such as Finney Elementary. We hope these new tools will help engage students and advance their learning in the classroom."
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://www.barona-nsn.gov/forms/BEGP-GrantFORM.pdf.
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