BALDWIN PARK – Pleasant View Elementary School held a special assembly on Wednesday to celebrate its acceptance of a $5,000 grant from the Barona Band of Mission Indians that will support digital lessons and projects for fifth- and sixth-grade classrooms.

Pleasant View was endorsed for the award by Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio, who attended the school assembly to personally deliver the award to Principal Linda Heredia, Superintendent Dr. Froilan N. Mendoza and Baldwin Park Unified board members.

The Barona Education Grant is given to promote academic improvement in schools across California. To be considered for the grant, a school must be endorsed by a state executive office holder, senator or assembly member.

Rubio said giving the award to Pleasant View was a momentous occasion because she taught at the school about 13 years ago.

“Anything that can be done to offer additional financial support to Pleasant View and all of our Baldwin Park schools is my highest priority,” said Rubio, a former Baldwin Park Unified board member. “I know the projects that will be funded through this grant will enhance students’ learning environments and experiences.”

Rubio also implored Pleasant View students to keep the Barona Band of Mission Indians in mind when they apply for college because the organization offers scholarships of up to $50,000.

The grant will allow Pleasant View to purchase four iPad Pro tablets, two tripods and two green screens to enhance classroom instruction. The school plans to create an after-school broadcast journalism club, enabling students to report on events in a setting similar to a television newsroom.

Heredia thanked Rubio.

“I am deeply honored to have Assemblywoman Rubio back at her former school to present this award; it’s clear that she loves Pleasant View Elementary and wants to provide our students with the best possible education and opportunities,” Heredia said.

Heredia said the new equipment will be a major benefit to students interested in broadcast journalism.

“This grant will go a long way in ensuring that our students have amazing classroom experiences and provide them with useful skills for possible careers,” Mendoza said. “This support, both from the Barona Band of Mission Indians and Assemblywoman Rubio, is an investment in our community that will propel our students closer to their goals and dreams.”

PHOTOS

BPUSD_BARONA_1: (Left to right) Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio presents a $5,000 grant from the Barona Band of Mission Indians to Pleasant View Elementary teacher Karisa Cuenca, Principal Linda Heredia, Baldwin Park Unified Board Member Santos Hernandez, Jr., Board Vice President Teresa Vargas, Superintendent Dr. Froilan N. Mendoza and Board President Christina Lucero.

BPUSD_BARONA_2: Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio speaks to Pleasant View Elementary students and District administrators about the importance of education before presenting the school with a $5,000 grant from the Barona Band of Mission Indians to enhance digital lessons and projects for fifth- and sixth-grade classrooms.