Tierra Del Sol Middle School receives Barona Education Grant

By Aaron Maggy

SPECIAL TO THE EAST COUNTY CALIFORNIAN

On Oct. 8, Tierra Del Sol Middle School received the Barona Education Grant sponsored by the Barona Band of Mission Indians. All of the afterschool program students, teachers, staff, Barona Councilmembers and Sen. Joel Anderson who wrote an endorsement letter for Tierra Del Sol celebrated receiving this grant together.

By Aaron Maggy

SPECIAL TO THE EAST COUNTY CALIFORNIAN

On Oct. 8, Tierra Del Sol Middle School received the Barona Education Grant sponsored by the Barona Band of Mission Indians. All of the afterschool program students, teachers, staff, Barona Councilmembers and Sen. Joel Anderson who wrote an endorsement letter for Tierra Del Sol celebrated receiving this grant together.

“How exciting that with Barona’s help, Tierra Del Sol Middle School will get a new sound system and projector to update the Fine Arts Department. This grant will help students put on great shows for the community and build their critical thinking, communication and creativity skills.” said Anderson.

Tierra Del Sol Middle School provides more than 600 students with a high level of education focusing on the modern idea of quality learning through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) and the 4C’s (Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Creativity). All of this is made possible through a dedicated and determined staff that focuses on making Tierra Del Sol Middle School the best possible environment for learning. This tireless support from the community and organizations such as the Barona Band of Mission Indians has helped distinguish Tierra Del Sol as a very desirable place to students and parents alike.

The Barona Educational Grant will go to the department of fine arts and assist in the improvement of production quality for future theatrical performances. The aging theatrical performance space will be revitalized with a new sound mixer and microphone especially suited to their needs.

In the past Tierra Del Sol’s drama department, led by passionate teacher Kellie Riganti and her students, has put on performances such as “Ten Days until Christmas”, an anti-bullying play called “Cool Kids”, and the all-American classic, “Grease.”

Scott Goergens, principal at Tierra Del Sol said, “The Lakeside Union school district board of trustees has long felt that a well-rounded education emphasizes the arts. Our goal is to expose all of our students to the arts, including visual and performing arts.  Students may have hidden passions or talents that we want to help them discover.”