SAN DIEGO: The Barona Band of Mission Indians has awarded students and teachers at Clarence Lobo Elementary School a USD 5,000 Barona Education Grant to enhance their hands-on Native American Education program.
Located in San Clemente, Calif., the elementary school has a one-of-a-kind Native American museum on campus called Lobo Lodge and this Barona Education Grant will be used to add additional artifacts and educational materials to the museum to enhance the opportunities for the children to learn the history of native and indigenous people throughout California.
"It's a pleasure to congratulate Clarence Lobo Elementary School on being awarded a Barona Education Grant," said Senator Patricia Bates (R-Laguna Niguel). "This grant will help ensure that local students learn the history and culture of California's Native Americans. I thank the Barona Band of Mission Indians for their generosity and their continued efforts to improve academic opportunities for all students."
Barona Tribal Vice Chairman Ray Welch presented the $5,000 check to Principal Cheryl A. Sampson and students.
"Our Tribe is proud to provide the funds to help share Native American culture with the students," said Chairman Romero. "It is unique to have a museum such as this on an elementary school campus. We are passionate about the preservation of the history, culture and traditions of the Barona Tribe and other California Tribes for future generations and are honored to enhance the museum's program."
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.
