Schools

Supervisor Stone Awards Grant for 'Small Fry' Project at Temecula Prep

An upcoming Temecula Preparatory School project that involves observing thousands of Rainbow trout grow from tiny eggs is being made possible thanks in part to a grant from Riverside County Supervisor Jeff Stone.

The supervisor, whose Third District includes Winchester, where the school is located, has contributed $500 to the project through the Community Improvement Designation Fund, school officials stated in a news release.

The project, “Small Fry to Go,” is a nationally-acclaimed, hands-on, place-based science project that brings the classroom experience outdoors via a 146-gallon “labitat,” explained Denee Burns, director of development and public relations for Temecula Prep and Heritage Classical Charter Schools.

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Once the approximately 3,000 Rainbow trout eggs arrive Jan. 20, 2014 at the Winchester campus, the students will observe as they transform into the small-fry stage—a process that takes about six weeks.

“It is primarily a kindergarten through eighth-grade project, but since TPS has an integrated campus, high school students who want to be involved are encouraged to participate as aides or mentors,” Burns said.

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Plans are to release the small fry March 2014 into a local natural habitat, Lake Perris.

“Small Fry to Go” is a Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) project that also encompasses and integrates art, English composition and environmental conservation. It has been rated the top science program by the U.S. Department of Education.

According to Burns, this marks the first time the project is being implemented on the West Coast.

Heritage Classical Charter Schools’ Headmaster Scott Phillips expressed gratitude for the supervisor’s contribution.

“We appreciate his support for TPS as a public school which provides a solid, well-rounded, virtue-based, rigorous, tuition-free education to the local community,” Phillips said.


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