SAN MARCOS, Calif: The Barona Band of Mission Indians recently awarded students and teachers at Discovery Elementary School in San Marcos a USD 5,000 Barona Education Grant. The school will use the donation to purchase 12 Chromebooks and 12 headphone sets to update technology for 2nd grade students.
"We are so thankful for the generosity of the Barona Band of Mission Indians and their commitment to enhancing the education of our region's students through the use of new technologies," said Assemblymember Marie Waldron, whose district includes the San Marcos Unified School District. "Barona has been a great supporter of education and Discovery Elementary School students will benefit from the new learning tools."Barona Tribal Councilwoman Bonnie LaChappa presented the $5,000 check to Assemblywoman Waldron, the school's principal Carrie Geldard and students.
"Discovery Elementary School does an exemplary job of ensuring its students have the resources needed to be successful in school and life," said Edwin "Thorpe" Romero, Chairman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians. "We are proud to share this Barona Education Grant to acquire the most current technology to help the second graders prepare for their future."
Since the Barona Education Grant program was launched in 2006, Barona has awarded over $3.2 million to California schools statewide. The program has equipped 641 schools with hundreds of computers, thousands of books, iPads, computer software programs and various other technologies and school supplies.
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.
