School to enhance curriculum with grant

Walnut Canyon Elementary School, an arts and technology school in Moorpark, has received a Magnet Schools of America Awards Program grant.

Forty-one schools in 17 states received a portion of $100 million awarded in magnet school grants. Walnut Canyon will receive more than $1 million throughout the next three years.

The grant will be used to provide funding for teacher training, enhancement of the arts and technology program and facilitating the continuation of integration of the arts and technology theme with the school's regular education program.

Teachers will receive additional training in meeting the academic needs of students by working together as professional learning teams and to celebrate the diverse gifts our students bring to school.

One of the purposes of the grant program is to assist schools in further developing innovative educational methods and practices that promote diversity and increase choices in public elementary and secondary schools.

It also promotes courses of instruction at magnet schools that will substantially strengthen students' knowledge of academic subjects and attainment of marketable vocational, technological, and professional skills and improve the capacity of school districts to continue operating magnet schools after federal funding.

Walnut Canyon, a California Distinguished School, is at 280 Casey Road in Moorpark.