Mission Bay High – The Mission Bay High School cross country team was invited to run with San Diego’s two-time marathon Olympian Meb Keflezighi. Keflezighi made his official retirement announcement on Tuesday, Sept. 12 in Balboa Park at the Organ Pavillon. Keflezighi will run his 26th and final marathon in New York this November. Keflezighi’s talent, tenacity and gracious spirit are an inspiration to the Bucs’ cross country team. Pacific Beach Middle – Parent tours at PBMS will take place 8 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 5. Curious about the International Baccalaureate Program at PBMS? Sign in at the front office and meet principal Kimberly Meng and IB coordinator Jennifer Sims in the media center to hear about the award-winning programs at PBMS. Take a tour of the campus and classrooms after the short presentation. PB Elementary – Pacific Beach Elementary welcomes the community to the annual Penguin Pride event 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29. This event is for current PBE families and a great way for prospective families to explore the school. Enjoy food trucks, a cake walk, a crazy hair booth, and a glitter tattoo artist ($2/tattoo). The event is free and open to the public.  CPJMA – The school welcomes new principal Armando Lopez to the Crown Point Junior Music Academy family. 
– The Board of Education and Superintendent Cindy Marten honored CPJMA for its selection as a Quality Schools in Every Neighborhood (QSIEN).
– The CHOICE application period for SDUSD is Oct. 2 to Nov. 13. CPJMA will offer tours to families interested in enrolling at the school. Call for tour information.
– Dine out 4 to 9 p.m. Oct. 2 at Pueblo, 877 Hornblend St. to raise funds for Friends of CPJMA.
– Direct Donation Drive has started. To make a tax-deductible contribution towards music programs and more at CPJMA, visit friendsofcpjma.com and click on the “fundraising” tab. Donations of any size are welcome. Barnard Elementary – Back to school is a time for celebration, and that’s what the families from Barnard Elementary School did on Saturday, Sept. 9. Friends kicked off the year with Barnard’s second annual Day at the Bay on Sail Bay. Students and parents enjoyed water toys from Mission Bay Water Sports Center while also sharing food and friendship. 
– Barnard students and Confucius Institute guest teachers will be participating in the Moon Festival celebration at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park 6 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23.
– When word got out that Hurricane Harvey damaged more than 200 schools and destroyed thousands of homes in the City of Houston, the families of Barnard Elementary School immediately went into action. “Our school has a connection with the Mandarin Immersion Magnet Elementary School in Houston,” said Barnard principal Aida Hernandez. “As a Mandarin immersion magnet school here in Pacific Beach, we share a love for the same language and the same culture. Our parents were eager to help those kids get back to school.” Barnard’s PTA has been collecting new school supplies and new or gently used clothing for the families of MIMES. Three boxes have been sent so far and four more will be on the way next week. In addition, an Amazon registry was created (and remains open) so anyone can send the most needed supplies directly to the school.
“Damage to the school itself is thankfully minimal and it was set to reopen on Sept. 11. Besides the clothes and school supplies, the students of Barnard send their Texas friends lots of love and a big y?ng bào (hug).” Kate Sessions – Kate Sessions Elementary’s first grade students in rooms 3 and 9 organized the first of many International Baccalaureate student actions. Their current IB unit “Communities” inspired them to collect money to donate to the Red Cross to assist those affected by the hurricanes. So far the kids have donated a total of $75, which primarily consists of money they have received from the tooth fairy and/or allowances. 
– Kate Sessions is looking for guest speakers. Since we are an International Baccalaureate school, if you or someone you know has “worldly knowledge” to share with students, please contact IB coordinator, Jeff Corley at [email protected]. Mission Bay High School Alumni Association
– Attention Mission Bay High Bucs. Here is the scoop for the All Alumni Homecoming Celebration Friday, Sept. 22:
4:30 p.m.: Take a trip down memory lane: MBHS staff will conduct a school tour for all alumni and guests. Tour will start on the weed patch. All are welcome.
5 p.m.: Mingle time. Pregame no host reception opens in football stadium patio (between concession stand and the bleachers).
MBHS Alumni Association Life and Sustaining members check in with the alumni table outside stadium entrance gate for complimentary admission tickets. All other alumni must purchase a $7 general admission ticket to get into the game. Those older than 62 get into the game free. Children 12 and under are $2.
Back by popular demand, grilled beef and chicken tacos donated by the PB Shore Club available for purchase. All proceeds benefit the MBHS Alumni Association. The concession stand will be open as well.
6 p.m.: Game starts vs. Patrick Henry. There will be reserved seating for alumni in the bleachers adjacent to where the pregame reception will be located.
Dust off your MBHS “vintage” spirit wear and join in the fun of homecoming under the lights in the new stadium. Please help pass the word on with your classmates. Go Bucs! FOPBSS
– Join in on the conversation and learn of volunteer opportunities at the next Friends of Pacific Beach Secondary Schools meeting 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27 at the PBMS media center. Mission Bay Cluster 
– The next Mission Bay Cluster meeting will take place 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5 at the PBMS media center.