Grant money went to a variety of programs

The nonprofit Pleasant Valley Education Foundation, which supports arts and technology education in Camarillo's public schools, recently gave away 13 grants totaling $17,711 to a variety of school programs.

The foundation gave $2,500 to fund a history research and mural project for eighth-graders at University Charter Middle School. The students will paint a mural entitled "History, Great and Small" to show how their charter school was formed.

"I think it really solidifies our community and the history that's gone into developing our organization and school program," said Linda Ngarupe, University Preparation School District superintendent.

Inspiration for the mural came from a similar mural project in Ventura entitled "Tortilla Flats."

Ngarupe said educators at California State University Channel Islands and teachers around the county started developing the charter school four years before it opened.

"The kids are going to be able to bring that history to life, it's just thrilling," Ngarupe said.

The middle school students will research the school district's history by interviewing administrators and other historians and then sketch out their interpretation of that history in a drawing.

The students will give their sketches to one of the "Tortilla Flats" artists, M. B. Hanrahan. Hanrahan will sketch out a composite of the students' work on a campus building and then join all of the eighth-graders in painting the mural.

Teacher Bethe Sullivan said the painting is likely to begin in April and an official unveiling of the mural may happen in May.

Music will help the 3- and 4-year-old special education students in the Pre-school Early Education Program at Valle Lindo School develop language skills.

Laurie Matson, program specialist, said because of autism or other disabilities, the children have been delayed in developing language. Children learn to speak by imitating sounds and the grant money will be used to buy child-friendly CDs, songbooks and small musical instruments, such as triangles, that will help the children with speech and ready them for kindergarten.

The Pleasant Valley Education Foundation also awarded grants to:

·Valle Lindo School, Preschool Early Education Program, "Name That Tune," $750

·Santa Rosa Technology Magnet School, "Can you Crochet?," $220; "Elmo Camera," $750; "Geometry Plane," $400

·Las Posas Elementary School, "Kindergarten Art," $751

·Rancho Rosal Elementary School, "California Crop," $2,385

·La Mariposa Elementary School, "Digital Cameras," $2,380

·Las Colinas Middle School, "Claymation," $800

·University Charter Middle School, "History, Great and Small," $2,500

·Camarillo Academy of Progressive Education, "Beginning Band," $2,500; "Multimedia Gallery, $2,495; "An Archival Quest," $1,000; "Watt is Electricity?," $780

- Michelle Knight