PACIFIC BEACH MIDDLE SCHOOL • Carren Lindsay-Dial, a Pacific Beach Middle School alum and now an IB teacher, has been named International Baccalaureate Educator of the Year for California by the California Association of IB World Schools. She was recognized for her collaborative work on PB Middle’s outstanding sixth-grade IB unit “Invisible Children.” She will receive her award at an IB conference in February. • Hats off to Hannah Bloom, an eighth-grade student at Pacific Beach Middle, who has been named California’s Outstanding IB Student of the Year. She was selected for her unrivaled dedication to the IB learner profile as evidenced by her commitment to taking principled action in the community. Starting her IB journey at Kate Sessions Elementary School and continuing at PB Middle’s IB Middle Years Programme, Bloom has volunteered hundreds of hours to participate in ASB, Builders Service Club, organizing school garden, Leukemia fundraisers and other service initiatives. Outside of school, Bloom can be found maintaining local softball fields, participating at beach cleanups and spending summers volunteering at a local senior home. • Pacific Beach Middle School will host a school tour beginning in the media center/library on Thursday, Feb. 2 from 8 to 10 a.m. If you want to learn more about the international baccalaureate program at PBMS and all the opportunities for your incoming middle-schooler, join the tour themed “A day in the life” of a PBMS student. You will meet administrators, learn about IB, meet teachers and see students in action in class. Your student is also welcome to attend this informative tour. MISSION BAY HIGH Mission Bay High School’s inaugural talent show/air-band competition will be held on Thursday, March 1 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the MBHS auditorium. There will be cash prizes and celebrity judges: Joe Wilding, president of the Pacific Beach Town Council; Brad Wills, Channel 5 weatherman; and Maruta Gardner, president of the Mission Beach Woman’s Club. The judges will cast their votes for the most original, polished professional act. Come and see the talented students of Mission Bay High School while supporting the class of 2014! Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased in advance in the school office or the night of the event. PACIFIC BEACH ELEMENTARY • The employees of our local UPS, in partnership with the United Way, have chosen to support education and Friends of Pacific Beach Elementary School (FOPBE) with their monetary donations. On Jan. 13, Jack Fitzpatrick (a first-grader at PBE) and his mom, Erin Fitzpatrick, president of FOPBE, went to UPS at 5 a.m. on break time and presented the top seven givers ($100 or more) with PBE T-shirts. Ivy Brown, the San Diego division manager for UPS, provided treats and beverages for all. Jack got to “drive” the big brown truck. Thank you UPS for supporting the students at PBE. • PB Elementary will host the all-school American Heart Association (AHA) “Jump Rope for Heart” event on Thursday, Feb. 16, with all pledges benefiting AHA. The children will jump rope for as long as they can and collect pledges for the number of jumps they complete. This is another great example of Pacific Beach students giving back. KATE SESSIONS ELEMENTARY Kate Sessions Elementary will have a used-book drive and sale. Drop off your used books through Feb. 2, and then come back between Feb. 6-10 to shop. All books will be sold for $1. This is a great way to update your collection. For more information, email [email protected]. All proceeds benefit the students of Kate Sessions Elementary. • Kate Sessions Elementary’s second annual schoolwide Valentine’s Dance will be held on Feb. 10 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.