Mission Bay High – Support MBHS girls basketball at their two home games this week. MBHS vs. Valhalla High School on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 6:30 p.m. (JV 5 p.m.) and Thursday, Dec. 5 vs. Montgomery, 6 p.m. (JV 4:30 p.m.). Pacific Beach Middle – The PBMS annual toy drive is Tuesday, Dec. 3 to Thursday, Dec. 12. Students can bring a new unwrapped toy to their first-period class to benefit children in need through Bridge of Hope. The class that collects the most toys wins a pizza party. Barnard Mandarin Magnet Elementary – Students from Barnard Mandarin Magnet Elementary won six of the top 12 spots, including first place, in the visual arts (grades 3-5) division of a recent art competition judged by the San Diego Unified Council of PTAs. All six of Barnard’s artists were chosen, among a pool of 130 entries, to advance to the district level of the National PTA’s Reflections art competition. Reflections is the largest and oldest arts education program of its kind, and over 300,000 pre-K through grade 12 students nationwide create original works of art each year in response to a student-selected theme. This year’s theme was “Look Within,” and Barnard’s students produced an array of introspective, imaginative, and thoughtful pieces. Barnard fifth-grade student Holly C. won first place with her artwork titled “Inside Everybody.” She explained that the multicolored circles in her piece represent the mix of feelings everyone can have: one color on the outside and another on the inside. “I was surprised and happy when I found out that I received first place,” said Holly. “Art is fun for me. I like that there are no limitations to what you can make.” Holly’s artwork and others from around the district will compete at the San Diego County Ninth District PTA in December. From there, the winning pieces will advance to the state level and finally to the national level. Despite this being the school’s first time participating in Reflections, Barnard students are aiming high and looking forward to making this an annual tradition. Kate Sessions Elementary
Happy birthday, Kate Sessions! A group of third-grade students took a field trip to Kate Sessions Park to celebrate and honor Kate Olivia Sessions on her birthday. During the event, students helped San Diego City Councilmember Dr. Jennifer Campbell plant new trees in the park.   FOPBSS
The Friends of Pacific Beach Secondary Schools School Yard Dash 5K and 1-mile fun run
will take place Feb. 23. Start training now.