Mission Bay High – MBHS distinguished senior and HL biology student Alessandra Garcia (right) has been selected to join the “Girls On Ice: Cascades Expedition team” this summer. She is one of nine girls selected from the United States for this all-expenses-paid expedition in July.  She will be climbing and exploring Mt. Baker, an active volcano in the Cascade Mountain range, where she will be learning mountaineering skills, studying glaciology, exploring the upper mountain and alpine meadows, and studying and designing biological experiments. Garcia will be living at a snowy 6,000 foot basecamp during her 12 days in the wilderness, learning from three instructors with expertise in marine biology, glaciology, and mountain guiding. Biology teacher Tamara Rasmussen, said, “We are so proud of her and wish her the best during her adventure.”
– The Mission Bay Eco Club, in partnership with Climate Kids, is hosting Eco Week, April 16-20, at Mission Bay High. Tuesday, April 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will include presentations from environmental organizations including NOAA, I Love a Clean San Diego, Surfrider Foundation, Cabrillo National Park, UC San Diego, and Friends of Rose Creek. Led by teacher Steve Walters, the Mission Bay Eco Club is a group of high school students from Mission Bay High who are dedicated to helping to preserve the environment. They are currently working to reduce single-use plastic on the MBHS campus along with other campuses across the San Diego Unified School District. PB Middle – The eighth-grade Mandarin Immersion class visited China over spring break to celebrate their dedication to the developing pathway of learning the Mandarin language and culture (right). Chaperones Beau Doom, Laura Covarrubias, and Rodel Agpaoa accompanied the three teams of students as they rode the bullet train, visited schools, and attended classes with a Chinese “buddy,” learned Kung Fu, climbed the Great Wall, toured the Forbidden Palace, and sampled cuisine from a variety of regions. Led by Covarrubias, students even recreated the PB Middle human peace sign with students at their host school. Check out PB Middle’s Facebook page for more photos of their amazing trip at facebook.com/pbmiddl. To learn more about the Mandarin Language Immersion program, take the school tour at 8 a.m. on May 3.
– PBMS is one of three middle schools selected to receive a three-year grant for a fully-funded musical theatre program from the La Jolla Playhouse, partnering with the Educational Theatre Association’s (EdTA) JumpStart Theatre program. The program provides non-theatre middle school teachers training and resources to produce one musical production each year for three years. Teachers Maria Velasco, Don Wood, and Kris Stone have committed to this three-year program and will be taught the techniques and skills to develop and manage a musical theatre program through an ongoing mentoring-coaching relationship with an experienced theatre teaching artist. PB Elementary – PBE Family Math Night is set for April 30 from 5 to 6 p.m. in the auditorium with guest Greg Tang, of Greg Tang Math. The event, which will include math games and puzzles, is free and open to the public. 
– PBE would like to thank its sponsors for the Havana Nights auction on Friday, April 20: Advent Property Management, Scott Booth – Coastal Real Estate Expert, the Bonelli family, the Oliver family, the Strasser family, the Panettiere family, the Miller family, Summer Gee Crabtree and Cristine O. Gee – Willis Allen Real Estate, Backyard Kitchen and Tap, Lighty Financial, Trevor Pike – Realtor, and VFW Post 5985. Barnard Elementary – The students of Barnard Mandarin Magnet Elementary showcased their stage talents in an exuberant performance of “Robin Hood” on March 23. More than 40 kindergarten through fifth-grade students auditioned for the musical production, which was arranged by Missoula Children’s Theater, a touring theater company that brings all the elements of a blockbuster show to schools throughout the country. This includes two directors, sets, costumes, and more. Auditions took place on Monday; rehearsals were held throughout the week; and the show was performed that Friday.
“I was surprised and nervous when they announced the cast,” said third-grader Lucas L., who played the title role. “I have been in two shows at Barnard already. I like acting a lot, so I was excited to have the opportunity to play ‘Robin Hood.’”
“Robin Hood” is the second production staged at Barnard this school year, and the fifth show hosted at Barnard since 2015. The semi-annual events have established themsleves as some of the most beloved and enjoyable traditions at the school.
which is why anticipation is already high for the next big show in the 2018-19 school year. FOPBSS – Let’s dance! The annual Friends of Pacific Beach Secondary Schools Auction and Fundraiser is Friday, May 18, from 5 to 10 p.m., at the Soledad Club. Enjoy dinner, dancing, and drinks while supporting Pacific Beach Middle and Mission Bay High schools. Tickets will be on sale soon.