Chaparral High School to Use $5,000 Barona Education Grant to Bring Technology to Disadvantaged Students

EL CAJON, CA--(Marketwire - Sep 21, 2012) - Chaparral High School will soon be able to give students better access to technology thanks to a grant from the Barona Band of Mission Indians.

Today, the Tribe presented a $5,000 education grant to the staff and students of Chaparral High School that will allow the campus to add to its technology curriculum. State Senator Joel Anderson and Principal Randy Reid were in attendance to receive the grant on behalf of the school from Edwin "Thorpe" Romero, Chairman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians.

The Title I school is the main alternative campus for the Grossmont Union High School district and primarily serves underprivileged students. As the district's budget dwindles because of statewide cuts, the school has struggled to keep up with technology curriculum and currently has only 16 computers in its lab. With the help of the Barona Education Grant, Chaparral High School will be able to supplement its current technology with 10 iPads, apps and curriculum-appropriate software.

"It's a great honor to be able to help future generations learn and grow through technology," Chairman Romero said. "We are thrilled to help the talented teachers and administrators who make such a big different in the lives of our children."

Chaparral High School officials expect that the new technology will help them reach at least 30 students per week at first. They hope to grow the technology program in years to come to help students keep up with skills and competencies the market now demands.

The Barona Education Grant Program is the first of its kind in California created and administered by a Tribal Government. Since 2006, Barona has awarded more than $1.5 million to over 300 schools statewide. 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.