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Student musicians
earn trophies, awards

Student musicians in the Marshall Middle School Instrumental Music Program, under the direction of Cameron Brown, brought home the hardware from the Forum Music Festivals Judges’ Invitational competition in Orange County on Friday, April 13.

The Marshall Middle School Advanced Band and Advanced Orchestra won the following awards:

Marshall Middle School won the middle school sweepstakes for the highest average score for a school competing in multiple divisions of the competition. "Sweepstakes" is the highest award given at musical competitions in which placements like first, second and third are given.
Outstanding Middle School Band Instrumentalist Award was given to Gabrielle Sanchez for her performance on piano in "The Seal Lullaby."
Advanced Band was awarded second place in the middle school concert band division.
Advanced Orchestra was awarded second place in the middle school string orchestra division.
A plaque commemorating the invitation to the event and thanking the groups for their performances

The annual Forum Music Festivals Judges' Invitational is an invitation-only competitive music festival that not only gives ratings, but also placement awards to the top three groups in each division, as well as individual awards to featured performers and a sweepstakes award for both middle school competitors and high school competitors. It's an honor to be invited, and not everyone walks away with a trophy, so even a third-place finish is a huge accomplishment.

To earn an invitation, each school must have received at least one "Gold" rating (their version of "Superior") at a Forum Music Festival in the past three years, as well as a judges' recommendation to be invited.

The 2018 Judges' Invitational featured 43 performing groups. There were 21 middle school groups and 22 high school groups. The judged divisions included concert bands, string orchestras, mixed choirs and chamber choirs. Each of these ensemble categories had a high school and a middle school division. There were six middle school concert bands and eight middle school string orchestras, including Marshall Middle School.

Later, the students attended an awards ceremony at Disneyland, and spent the rest of the day at the famous amusement park.

Students in the Marshall Middle School Instrumental Music Program perform at the Forum Music Festivals Judges' Invitational. (photo courtesy of Kellie Wong)

Students in the Marshall Middle School Orchestra take a bow at the Forum Music Festivals Judges' Invitational. (photo courtesy of Mare Mazuryk)

Student musicians in the Marshall Middle School Instrumental Music Program receive their awards during a ceremony at Disneyland. (photo courtesy of Ryo Vavrunek)

The Disney Marching Band entertains Marshall students during the festival awards ceremony. (photo courtesy of Mare Mazuryk)

Marshall Middle School student musicians enjoy an afternoon at Disneyland. (photo courtesy of Stephanie McDade)

SCHOOL NEWS
April 10-14, 2018

Scripps Ranch High School
sandiegounified.org/schools/scrippsranch
(858) 935-6969
10410 Falcon Way

SDSU visit: Seniors who have been accepted to San Diego State University are invited to a meeting with a SDSU representatives on Thursday, April 12, at 9:15 a.m. in the library. Sign up in the counseling office if interested.

JV girls softball scrimmage and Movie Night: The Scripps Ranch Softball Association (SRSA) invites the public to attend a scrimmage by the Scripps Ranch High School girls JV softball team, followed by a Home Run Derby and a family Movie Night. Glow in the dark wristbands will be on sale for $5 each.

This event, hosted by the SRSA, will begin at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 13 in Cypress Canyon Park, 11400 Cypress Canyon Park Drive.

School Supplies Needed: Scripps Ranch High School is in need of school supplies. School volunteers will hold a supply drive this Saturday, April 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Scripps Ranch Farmer’s Market. Anyone can pull up to drop off any kind of school supplies or bring them to the SRHS Foundation table which will be near the food court. The Scripps Ranch Farmer’s Market is at 10380 Spring Canyon Road, in the Innovations Academy parking lot.

College Fair: San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) will hold a College Fair on Friday, April 20 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the Scripps Ranch High School gym, 10410 Falcon Way. All SDUSD students and families are welcome.

Marshall Middle School
marshallmiddle.org
(858) 549-5400
9700 Avenue of Nations

Advanced Band and Advanced Orchestra trip: The Marshall Middle School Instrumental Music Program Advanced Band and Advanced Orchestra will compete in the Forum Festivals Judges Invitational in Orange County on Friday, April 13, then spend the rest of the day at Disneyland where they will attend an awards ceremony.

‘Empowered’ tickets on sale: Marshall Mustang Theatre presents “Empowered: How One Girl Scout Nearly Destroyed the World's Economy.”

Amaryllis is determined to win her Girl Scout troop's cookie-selling contest, but she'll need more than charm to win first prize (a unicorn) and avoid last place (which means getting kicked out of the troop). So, when sales droop, she naturally turns to the financial sector for advice. Soon, she's faking a terminal illness, franchising her methods and contracting with a payday lender to offer 30-year loans for cookies. This is a hysterical homage to Glengarry Glen Ross and a send-up of the wild excesses of the financial crisis.

Shows run April 24-27 at 6 p.m. each night in the school’s theater. Tickets are available online at bit.ly/2GONt0Q.

Dingeman Elementary School
sandiegounified.org/schools/dingeman
dingeman.net/Home
(858) 549-4437
11840 Scripps Creek Drive

Community Tour: Dingeman Elementary is holding a community Tour on Tuesday, April 10, from 9 to 10 a.m. Come and learn about Dingeman Elementary and tour the campus.

STEAM Spring Carnival: The Dingeman Elementary STEAM Spring Carnival will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. at the school on Friday, April 13. The public is invited to this family-friendly event featuring food, fun activities, school performances, a silent auction and vendors.

To celebrate the school’s continued support for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math education (STEAM), this year’s event will feature hands-on STEAM activities and demonstrations provided by Dingeman students, Dingeman alumni and local STEAM clubs and organizations.

Advanced ticket sales will begin on Tuesday morning, April 10, and take place before and after school until Friday morning, April 13. Stop by any of the ticket tables nearby the office and white top to secure your tickets for a discounted, early bird price. Tickets will also be on sale during the event for $1 each.

Art Corps Volunteers needed: Help bring art education and big smiles to your child’s class by volunteering for Art Corps. Many classes are still in need of parent volunteers to teach and/or assist with classroom art lessons. Training is provided. No experience necessary. To volunteer, contact the Art Corps liaison for your class. More details are available at bit.ly/2qiOdA4.

Ellen Browning Scripps Elementary School
sandiegounified.org/schools/eb-scripps
(858) 693-8593
11778 Cypress Canyon Road

Family Night Out: Ellen Browning Scripps Elementary will celebrate Yogurt Day with a fundraiser at Yogurt Heaven,12010 Scripps Summit Drive, between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Thursday, April 12. Enjoy a delicious treat and help support EBS: 25 percent of all proceeds will be donated back to the school. Remember to present this flyer, show it on your phone, or mention “EBS” at the Register: bit.ly/2ICMddC. No coupons will be accepted for this event.

TK/K Family Science Night: The Ellen Browning Scripps Elementary Family Science Night for TK and kindergarteners and their families will be held Thursday, April 12, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the school’s Multi-Purpose Room.

Third Grade Recorder Concert: The third graders will perform in a recorder concert at the Scripps Ranch Farmers Market on Saturday, April 14 from 10:30 to 11 a.m. The Scripps Ranch Farmer’s Market is at 10380 Spring Canyon Road, in the Innovations Academy parking lot.

EBS Idol: Ellen Browning Scripps Elementary School presents EBS Idol, the school talent show, from 6 to 9 p.m. on April 20. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The theme is “Pop Rocks.” Tickets for unreserved seating and admission are $5 each. VIP tickets are: first row VIP seats, $25 each; second row VIP seats, $15 each. Purchase tickets at bit.ly/2uJ04gd.

Innovations Academy
innovationsacademy.org
info@innovationsacademy.org
(858) 271-1414
10380 Spring Canyon Road

Wizard of Oz: Follow the yellow brick road to the Innovations Academy performances of the “Wizard of Oz!” Shows are scheduled at 6 p.m. on May 3, 4, 5 and a matinee at 2 p.m. on May 5. Visit http://IAPerformingArts.eventbrite.com for more information and to reserve tickets.

If you are interested in donating an item or service to the play raffle, email Heather at hjerrico@hotmail.com by April 15.

If you’d like to support performing arts by donating baked goods, sign up at bit.ly/2IEef8o.

Travel Tray fundraiser: The Travel Tray generates some funds for the school and provides families with a useful item. Have your children ever wanted to snack in the car? Do their snacks get everywhere or are you managing them while driving? Get a travel tray! Follow this link and select Innovations Academy: https://traveltray.community/.

Jerabek Elementary School
sandiegounified.org/schools/Jerabek
jerabekffo.org
(858) 578-5330
10050 Avenida Magnifica

First Grade Math Night: Jerabek Elementary School is holding its First Grade Math Night for students and their families at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 12.

Restaurant Night: Order a meal at Board & Brew, 9880 Hibert St, Suite E, on Thursday, April 12, and 20 percent of the total price will go toward the Jerabek FFO. Show this flyer when ordering: bit.ly/2GMBYXE.

Spring Pictures: Sibling pictures will be offered before school from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on Friday, April 13.

Boys Night: Mothers, grandmothers aunts and other caring adults are invited to bring chairs and blankets for a fun Boys Will Be Boys Night at Jerabek Field on Friday April 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. Dinner and treats will be served and there will be laser tag, pedal carts and dodgeball. Wear red, white and blue. Registration forms are due this Friday, April 13.

Miramar Ranch Elementary School
miramarranch.org
858-271-0470, ext. 0
10770 Red Cedar Drive

Loose Change for Super Science: A Loose Change Drive to raise funds for the school’s Super Science program is underway. Check your couch cushions, junk drawers, jacket pockets and cup-holders for loose change. One hundred percent of the money raised will go toward the program and the classroom that raises the most money will win a special prize. Bring in pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters to your classroom through Friday, April 13.

Restaurant Week: Miramar Ranch Elementary announces its eggs-citing family restaurant fundraiser this month with Broken Yolk in Mira Mesa, located on Mira Mesa Boulevard in the Target shopping center. From Monday, April 16 to Sunday, April 22 all families that eat breakfast or lunch at Broken Yolk will earn the FFA 25 percent of the proceeds.

Broken Yolk Mira Mesa is open from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. weekdays, and from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.

We can't get credit if you don't show the flier on your phone: bit.ly/2GNIH3C. Prefer paper? Grab a flier from the media center in the hallway next to the office.

Third Annual Hawk Variety Show: Does your child love to perform? If so, they still have about two weeks to perfect their audition for the Miramar Ranch Elementary Annual HawkStar Variety Show. Auditions will be held after school on April 18 and 19 (minimum days). Audition pieces should be 90 seconds. Acts for the show should not exceed 2.5 to 3 minutes. Sign up here: bit.ly/2JwnCs0.

The show will be held May 9, at 5:30 p.m. in the Scripps Miramar Ranch Library, just down the street from the school. Tickets for the Variety Show will be available on April 27.

FFA volunteers needed: There are still positions that need to be filled for next year’s FFA board, including president, vice president, fundraising coordinator, auditor, volunteer coordinator and parent liaison. If you are interested, contact mreffasecretary@gmail.com.

Earlier drop off/child care: Do you need earlier drop off or childcare? If so, SAY is considering opening up at 6 a.m. if there is enough interest from parents. Parents can email the following address if interested: miramarlic@saysandiego.org.

Let Scripps Ranch News know about your school's news and events, or request coverage, by contacting us at john@scrippsranchnews.com.

SCHOOL NEWS
April 4-6, 2018

Scripps Ranch High School
sandiegounified.org/schools/scrippsranch
(858) 935-6969
10410 Falcon Way

SDSU visit: Seniors who have been accepted to San Diego State University are invited to a meeting with a SDSU representative on Thursday, April 12, at 9:15 a.m. in the library. Sign up in the counseling office if interested.

Marshall Middle School
marshallmiddle.org
(858) 549-5400
9700 Avenue of Nations

Spring Vocal Solos Concert: The Marshall Middle School Spring Vocal Solos Concert will be held in the school theater from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 4.

Parent Tour: A tour for parents of incoming students will be conducted from 3 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 5, beginning in the Multi-Purpose Room.

Dingeman Elementary School
sandiegounified.org/schools/dingeman
dingeman.net/Home
(858) 549-4437
11840 Scripps Creek Drive

Jog-A-Thon: This year marks the fourth annual Jog-A-Thon at Dingeman Elementary. This year's event, set for Thursday, April 5, features a bubble run. Family and friends are encouraged to join in to cheer on the Dingeman Tigers.

Box Tops: Students can keep collecting those Box Tops and turn them in to their class on Friday, April 6.

Ellen Browning Scripps Elementary School
sandiegounified.org/schools/eb-scripps
(858) 693-8593
11778 Cypress Canyon Road

Innovations Academy
innovationsacademy.org
info@innovationsacademy.org
(858) 271-1414
10380 Spring Canyon Road

Fundraiser at Luna Grill: Thursday, April 5, is the monthly Luna Grill Fundraiser. Get take out or eat in between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. at Luna Grill, 10585 Scripps Poway Parkway, and 20 percent of your order will be donated to Innovations Academy. You must present the flier found at bit.ly/2q5zTeM.

Jerabek Elementary School
sandiegounified.org/schools/Jerabek
jerabekffo.org
(858) 578-5330
10050 Avenida Magnifica

California Distinguished School: Jerabek Elementary School is among 287 elementary schools honored under the 2018 California Distinguished Schools Program. The program recognizes California elementary schools that have made exceptional gains in implementing academic content and performance standards adopted by the State Board of Education.

TK & Kinder Science Night: Science Night will be held for TK and kindergarteners and family members on Thursday, April 5 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Daughter Dance: Jerabek Elementary School’s Daughter Dance will be held at the school on Friday, April 6, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Miramar Ranch Elementary School
miramarranch.org
858-271-0470, ext. 0
10770 Red Cedar Drive

California Distinguished School: It was announced this week that Miramar Ranch Elementary School has been honored under the 2018 California Distinguished Schools Program. The program recognizes California elementary schools that have made exceptional gains in implementing academic content and performance standards adopted by the State Board of Education.

Lost & Found Clean Out: Check Lost & Found this week for any missing belongings. All unclaimed clothing, water bottles and lunch boxes will be cleaned out and donated at the end of this week, April 6.

Flag Assembly: Miramar Ranch Elementary will hold a Flag Assembly the morning of Friday, April 6.

Friday will also be Spirit Day as well as Crazy Hair Day.

Boy Scouts in Pack 1216 have been invited to lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the school assembly on Friday morning. Those participating should wear their red Pack 1216 T-shirt. Principal Peggy Crane will call the pack up to the front to lead the pledge.

Loose Change for Super Science: A Loose Change Drive to raise funds for the school’s Super Science program will be underway soon. Check your couch cushions, junk drawers, jacket pockets and cup-holders for loose change. One hundred percent of the money raised will go toward the program and the classroom that raises the most money will win a special prize. Bring in pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters to your classroom from April 9 to 14.

Let Scripps Ranch News know about your school's news and events, or request coverage, by contacting us at john@scrippsranchnews.com.

Two local schools
earn CDS awards

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced that Jerabek Elementary School and Miramar Ranch Elementary School were among 287 elementary schools being honored under the 2018 California Distinguished Schools Program.

The program recognizes California elementary schools that have made exceptional gains in implementing academic content and performance standards adopted by the State Board of Education.

This program has returned after a three-year break and replaces the California Gold Ribbon Schools Program.

“These schools implement outstanding educational programs and practices that help California students realize their potential and put them on the path to achieve their dreams,” Torlakson said. “Every day at these schools, teachers, administrators and classified employees, working with parents, apply their dedication, creativity and talents toward providing a great education for all their students.”

Schools that applied were eligible based on their performance and progress on the state indicators as described on the California School Dashboard. Indicators include test scores, suspension rates and English learner progress. These award winners represent examples of not just excellent teaching, learning and collaborating, but also highly successful school climate efforts, ranging from real time conflict resolution to positive behavior intervention.

The California Exemplary Districts, the Distinguished Schools, National Title I Distinguished Schools, Green Ribbon Schools, Civic Learning Award Schools and National Blue Ribbon Schools from 2017 will be honored in May during a ceremony at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. The following day, educators from these schools will share their expertise and resources during a professional development day.

Program urges
artistic freedom

The art program at Scripps Ranch High School emphasizes creativity and turns out some very talented artists who create impressive works. In addition, the program is extremely popular among students. It’s as if there were a subterranean art colony thriving on the campus.

At lunchtime, for example, art teacher Daniel Ericson opens the door to his classroom and welcomes any student to use the microwave for their lunch, listen to music, hang out and, yes, work on an art project, even if they are not enrolled in art classes. Ericson estimates that between 30 and 50 students congregate during lunch hour in his classroom on any given day.

“It’s an eclectic group of people,” he said. “It’s from all different groups. It’s amazing.”

Make no mistake, the art teachers take their art very seriously, and they have placed an emphasis on encouraging creativity and creative freedom in a relaxed setting.

“Anybody can learn how to draw. … Creativity is something that needs to be fostered and kind of pushed. That’s how Miss Sheldon, the other art teacher, and I basically teach,” Ericson explained.

Shawny Sheldon teaches the introductory classes for students new to art.

“I promise to get their skills up, whatever level they’re at, to grow their skills and, more importantly, to get confidence in the kids and to find just the pure joy in artmaking,” she said. “I just tell people, ‘We make stuff in here.’”

Although Sheldon has 25 years of teaching experience, her unbridled enthusiasm gives the impression she is excitedly teaching her first class.

“I try to introduce creativity in such a way that, hopefully, it flows over into other parts of their life because that is something we need …,” she said. “Those skills are needed in whatever occupation or field you are going to go into … innovation and learning how to think outside the box and not be inhibited by any crazy, wild ideas you have.”

Sheldon said she emphasizes persistence, explaining that people such as Thomas Edison or Einstein worked very hard coming up with new ways of doing things and they weren’t always accepted, but eventually became mainstream.

The program doesn’t normally have set art shows, opting instead to constantly install student artwork throughout the campus. The students are currently working on large format pieces, and some of the new canvasses they are painting on are old projection screens, which no one is using anymore, Ericson said.

“We paint on anything we can get our hands on,” he said, including wood, skateboard decks and surfboards.

Students seem to appreciate the fact that Ericson does what he can to provide them with the materials to create whatever they want.

“Mr. Ericson is really awesome,” said Kayla Dees, a junior. “He tries his best to supply us with everything we need in order to express our art. There aren’t really any restrictions.”

Senior art student Kacey Roche, who paints mostly with acrylics, agreed.

“I said I wanted to a big piece of wood and he got it for me,” she explained. “He helps us with whatever we want. If we want a certain type of paint that we don’t have, he goes and gets it for us.”

Junior Emma Henning credited the artistic leeway in the classroom for allowing her to pursue her creative concepts.

“It allows for so much freedom that your ideas are allowed to properly go onto the paper without feeling restricted to certain guidelines,” she said.

Students display
art at local show

They are student artists at Scripps Ranch High School. Their work and their character can be described using the same definitions: Deep. Sometimes dark. Absolutely-creative and refreshing because of their unspoiled, sincere thoughts. It’s inspiring to view their creations and hear them describe their work in such a personal and honest manner.

Their work was displayed at Savagewood Brewing Company in an art exhibition, and the March 5 opening night served as a fundraiser for the Scripps Ranch High School Art Department. The students adorned the walls with colorful creations painted on skateboard decks and surfboards. Some of the paintings were bright and happy, while some were eerie, introspective, complex. There was an interesting throwback trend toward psychedelic styling.

Emma Henning displayed a skateboard deck painted with a collage of bright designs inspired by a video game she plays. While the piece took a lot of time, it’s gotten a good amount of praise online, “So I’m proud of it,” she said.

“I like doing art that’s about games or universes that already exist, but I like to edit and make my own creation out of it,” she explained.

Henning intends to pursue studies at college in industrial design. She plans to design products and would enjoy designing toys the most.

“I really like bright and colorful games the most, or games that have realistic but also fantasy aspects at the same time,” she said. “Anything that involves the use of imagination.”

Mia Radici displayed her work portraying a female skeleton-like figure.

“I really like drawing skeletons,” she said. “I like to take regular people and regular poses and I like to either do half regular face-half skeleton, or I just like to morph it into a full skeleton. I just like to do my little spin on it and make it kind of creepy.”

But creepy is not a word one would use to describe Radici. Instead, she might be described as a happy teenage girl with a bright future. Radici plans to major in business, possibly finance or marketing at Pace University in New York, where she is headed on a field hockey scholarship.

“Dia de los Muertos has really influenced me. I think that art is beautiful,” she explained. “Ever since I’ve seen Day of the Dead artwork and just the whole festivity and day, I’ve just become in love with skeletons and I just think it’s a cool aspect because in the end we all look the same underneath.”

Junior Kayla Dees is taking art for the first time and had been working on sketches for the most part, although she said she has been painting on skateboard decks since the beginning of this semester.

Kacey Roche displays her artwork on a surfboard.

“I mostly draw people and faces … I was inspired by Japanese culture and anime when I first started drawing,” she said. “But now my style has evolved into more a cross between anime and Disney … I mostly draw females.”

Dees said she is undecided about where she will attend college but might stay in-state to take her general education courses before deciding on a major.

Kacey Roche began taking art classes at the school last year and likes to paint on all kinds of different surfaces. She does mostly painting and some photography.

“I’m very passionate about it. … It’s something I like to do,” she explained. “It doesn’t really feel like work when I do it. It feels like something fun and I can show my creative side and just have a stress-free class.”

Roche has not selected a college yet, but she plans to major in psychology and hopes to have a career as a forensic psychologist.

SCHOOL NEWS
March 7-11, 2018

Marshall Middle School
marshallmiddle.org
(858) 549-5400
9700 Avenue of Nations

Hula Palooza: Hula Palooza is the annual gala to raise funds for the students' education. Buy tickets now to this spring gala fundraiser which will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 10 at Bernardo Winery.

The evening will be filled with a buffet dinner, silent auctions, live auctions, opportunity raffles including a wine wall; all while you enjoy a night of dancing, fun with friends and the hosted bar. Included in the ticket price: appetizers, buffet dinner and dessert, coffee and tea, hosted bar (a selection of sparkling wine, white wine, red wine, craft beers, sparkling grape juice, Italian sodas and sparkling water).

There is open seating for all on a first come, first serve basis. The bar will be open and there will be no charge for drinks. For more information, visit: bit.ly/2E3PDHz. Buy tickets at bit.ly/2nqtU2Y. Visit MarshallMiddle.org

Wizard of Oz: Marshall Middle School Theatre presents “The Wizard of Oz” from March 20 to 23 at 6 p.m. each evening. “The Wizard of Oz,” based on the MGM motion picture, is a classic tale in which a Kansas farm girl travels over the rainbow to discover the magical power of home. Buy tickets at bit.ly/2FkLvo9.

Dingeman Elementary School
sandiegounified.org/schools/dingeman
dingeman.net/Home
(858) 549-4437
11840 Scripps Creek Drive

Scholastic Book Fair: The Scholastic Book Fair is underway at Dingeman through Friday, March 9. Students have an opportunity to shop or create a wish list during their library time. Book Fair Hours: Thursday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and Family Night at 5:30-7:30 p.m.; and Friday 8-9:30 a.m.

Book Fair Family Night is fun family night on Thursday, March 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. There will be fun activities and a chance to hear the Dingeman Honors Choir perform. For every dollar spent, Scholastic will donate books directly back to Dingeman classrooms and the school library.

Family Art Night: Art Corps Family Art Night will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on March 13 in the Multi-Purpose Room. Spend a fun evening with your child creating masterpieces together! Sign up at bit.ly/2BItk9w.

Community Tour: Visit the school for a tour of the campus and informational session on Monday, March 12, from 9 to 10 a.m. No RSVP is required, just sign in at the office.

Father-Daughter Hip-Hop Dance: Dingeman Elementary School will hold a Father-Daughter Hip Hop Dance from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on March 16. The event will include music, food and raffle prizes. Father substitutes are welcome. Tickets are available at dingeman.net.

Ellen Browning Scripps Elementary School
sandiegounified.org/schools/eb-scripps
(858) 693-8593
11778 Cypress Canyon Road

Jog-a-Thon: The Ellen Browning Scripps Elementary Jog-a-Thon is scheduled for Friday, March 16. There will be a tapered start by grade and students will run for one hour from the last start time. EBS understands the need to promote a healthy and educational fundraiser to our students while respecting parents’ requests for an easy, no-nonsense approach to helping the school reach its budget goals. This is the biggest fundraiser of the year. Visit bit.ly/2HfFAgu.

EBS Idol: Get ready for EBS Idol, the school talent show! The event will be held on April 20 from 6 to 9 p.m.

Do you sing, dance or play an instrument? Here is your chance to show off your talent. Audition sign-ups will be available on the Library door. Auditions will be March 20 from 3:30 to 5 p.m.; March 21 from 3:30 to 5 p.m.; and March 22 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. A mandatory dress rehearsal will be held on Thursday, April 19 from 3 to 6 p.m.

Family Fun Magic Show: Arthur Atsma (Common Core magician) will thrill the audience at the EBS Family Fun Magic Show will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 22 in the Multi-Purpose Room. Doors will open at 5:30. Snacks and pizza will be available. Cost is $5 per person. For tickets, visit bit.ly/2FxqF3X.

Innovations Academy
innovationsacademy.org
info@innovationsacademy.org
(858) 271-1414
10380 Spring Canyon Road

Parents Night Out: Drop the kids off at the Innovations Academy Multi-Purpose Room and have a night out from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, March 16. Price: $20 for first child-$10 each additional child. The eighth grade will host this event, and children 6-months and older are welcome. Your child will be provided with pizza, snacks, drinks and fun activities. Registration forms can be found in the front office. This is a fundraiser for the school. If you have any questions, please contact the eighth-grade event committee: nora@innovationsacademy.org

School photos: School make-up and retake photos will be taken on Thursday, March 15. If you want your child’s photo to be retaken, email: donna@innovationsacademy.org.

Next Exhibition: Students are three weeks out from the next Exhibition presentation of projects. Exhibition of project work is an assessment of the academic work and the school looks forward to 100 percent of the parents to attend to view work being done by their children. Exhibition night will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on March 22. Invite friends, neighbors and family to learn about the school.

Jerabek Elementary School
sandiegounified.org/schools/Jerabek
jerabekffo.org
(858) 578-5330
10050 Avenida Magnifica

Science Night: First Grade Science Night will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, at Jerabek Elementary School.

TK & Kinder Math Night: A Math Night will be held for TK and kindergarteners from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 15.

Family Art Night: Jerabek Elementary School will hold its Family Art Night 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20.

Miramar Ranch Elementary School
miramarranch.org
858-271-0470, ext. 0
10770 Red Cedar Drive

Flag assembly: Friday, March 9, is Spirit Day which will be "Mustache Day," so dig out those Fu Manchus, Magnum PIs and Handlebars and let them shine.

Hawks Jog-A-Thon: Miramar Ranch Elementary School’s upcoming “Wild about Running” Jog-A-Thon is scheduled for March 20-21. There are plenty of volunteer opportunities and fundraising is still underway. Sig up to volunteer at http://signup.com/go/urjAfpi. For more information, see jogathon.miramarranch.org or contact JC Soman at jurate1114@gmail.com.

Let Scripps Ranch News know about your school's news and events, or request coverage, by contacting us at john@scrippsranchnews.com.

Guardians finish 4th
at Academic Decathlon

St. Gregory the Great Catholic School Guardians participated in the 22nd Annual Diocese of San Diego Academic Junior High Decathlon on Saturday, March 3, held at Mater Dei Catholic High School. The team of 10 decathletes and three alternates finished in fourth place overall out of 24 schools.

They had been studying and practicing for the event since school began in the fall and met each week to fine tune their logic and teamwork for this rigorous competition. Eight students represented in the individual categories of Religion, Literature, English/Spelling, Mathematics, Science, Fine Arts, Current Events, and Social Studies, as well as team events in Logic and Super Quiz. The Writing competition had been held two weeks prior to the main event.

While every member of the team was integral to its success, several students were among the top placements in the San Diego Diocese: Lael (first in English/Spelling and fourth in Writing), Patrick (first in Mathematics), Isabella (second in Literature), and Nicole (sixth in Religion). In addition, the St. Gregory the Great Guardians placed fourth in the Super Quiz team event. Additional team members included, Aisling, Liam, Olivia, Josie, Harrison, Dylan, and alternates Emily, Jacob and Matthew.

Coaching the team were three faculty members: Darlene Howard, Jessica Collins, and Raquel Oriondo.

St. Gregory's
preschool opens

The wait is over for families who had been anticipating the opening of a new preschool in Scripps Ranch. Saint Gregory the Great Catholic Preschool, which officially opened on Feb. 26 at 15315 Stonebridge Parkway, offers a class for three-year-olds, a class for four-year-olds and a junior kindergarten class.

Jennifer Parker is a Scripps Ranch resident and mother of a student enrolled at the new preschool.

“We have been anxiously awaiting the preschool opening for a couple years,” she said. “We were excited for it to open in September but, unfortunately, there were delays with construction and then licensing. It finally opened this Monday and my daughter was so excited to start her new venture there.”

According to Preschool Director Amy Igou, St. Gregory the Great Catholic School first opened as a kindergarten through fourth grade in 2009, with a vision for multi-phase expansion to include additional grades and facilities. Grades five through eight were added each year between 2010 and 2013 as part of phase two, while phase three involved construction of the preschool, as well as a learning center and science lab. The school overall is “slowly growing,” Igou said. Future expansion plans include a chapel, a multipurpose facility and large fields.

Affiliated with St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, the new preschool promises to provide students with an “opportunity to expand religion, language arts, math, science, problem solving and communication skills,” according to the school’s website.

The outside play area is seen near the new Saint Gregory the Great Catholic Preschool. (photo courtesy of Saint Gregory The Great Catholic School)

During a tour of the classroom for three-year-olds, Igou explained, “We have the room broken down in the different developmental areas … with building, dramatic play, science, art, math … and we have our religious table,” with the intent of creating an environment that inspires the students’ learning.

Enrollment options include a two-, three-, or five-day program, with either half- or full-day attendance. Licensed for a total of 64 students, the preschool currently has 18 enrolled, so new student applications are actively being accepted, according to Igou. Additional information can be found at stggcs.org.

Music program
thrives at Marshall

Listening to a performance by any band or orchestra from the Marshall Middle School Instrumental Music Program leaves the impression that these student musicians are incredibly polished and focused for children of such a young age. Their precision is inspiring.

Such cohesion is achieved through practice, determination and discipline. It also takes a respected leader. That man is Cameron Brown, Instrumental Music Program director.

“I don’t allow any unnecessary noises or nonsense to happen in the classes,” he said. “The students just have a really good sense of teamwork. They want to do well for each other. … They understand that if they don’t sound good and they’re not pulling their weight in the ensemble, they’re also hurting other members of the ensemble because the overall product suffers.”

Brown explained that when students enter his program, they usually have two years of band or orchestra instruction, so they have a decent foundation.

“Overall, they’re ready to go. They’re knowledgeable and it’s just refining that product over a period of time,” he said. “We talk less about the basics of performance and more about the nuance of playing an instrument. How to produce the proper tones on strings or with a wind instrument. How to make music sound professional. … We’re done with the honks and squeaks from elementary school and we start focusing on the finer details of playing in an ensemble and playing your individual instrument.”

The Instrumental Music Program classes include Intermediate Band, Advanced Band, Intermediate Orchestra, Advanced Orchestra and Beginning Guitar as a wheel elective. The program includes nearly 250 students, and Brown teaches all the classes himself.

The bands and orchestras play live concerts throughout the year, including a series of evening performances attended mostly by family members. Each generally plays two festivals per year. One of these is the Scripps Ranch Band & Orchestra Festival, which will be hosted by the Marshall Instrumental Music Program on March 15 and 16.

Each will also perform during spring trips in April. The Intermediate Band and Intermediate Orchestra will perform at a school in Orange County on April 6, then spend the rest of the day at Knott’s Berry Farm. The Advanced Band and Advanced Orchestra will compete in the Forum Festivals Judges Invitational in Orange County on April 13, then spend the rest of the day at Disneyland where they will attend an awards ceremony.

Funds for these trips come partially form a donation drive held at the beginning of each school year. Other fundraising includes concession sales at the evening concerts and at the Scripps Ranch Band & Orchestra Festival.

Brown, who began his teaching career in 2006, has a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from San Diego State University and a master’s degree from American Band College in Ashland, Oregon. He began learning to play the trumpet at age 10, started playing drums at age 12 and taught himself guitar at age 13. He became his high school’s drum major. With that title came the responsibility of teaching the freshmen how to march, which turned out to be a good experience.

“I saw that I could motivate them to do well and get them working hard for one another,” Brown said. “I thought … I could turn my love of music into a career in the classroom and continue the positive experiences that I’ve had in music classrooms and pass that on to the next several generations.”

Ambitious student
is future journalist

Arjun Suri is no ordinary kid. Sure, he’s smart, but he also possesses an amazing amount of initiative.

When he was a fifth grader at Ellen Browning Scripps (EBS) Elementary School, he started a newspaper that he and other students passed out to parents and students each Friday.

He not only got it started, but he also served as editor and oversaw its production through 28 issues, all the way from October through the end of the school year without missing an edition.

“I decided I wanted to do something fun, something different with writing,” he said.

Arjun and his father, Atul Suri, began brainstorming and came up with an idea based on answering the seemingly age-old question kids ask their parents each Friday after school: What are we going to do this weekend?

“We decided to make that into a newsletter that we could give to parents and kids so that they would know what they could do and what’s going on each weekend in the area,” Arjun said.

He presented his idea to EBS Principal Liz Sloan. It must have been a pretty incredible presentation, considering the project was so ambitious and the idea was coming from a fifth grader, and it was approved.

Arjun then presented the idea to students and asked if any wanted to get involved. It turns out that about 12 students helped in one way or another during the year.

In reference to the school’s mascot, the paper was named The Penguin Weekend Post. It was a two-sided sheet that contained weekend events, a video game section, a do-it-yourself section, a crossword puzzle or word search, a weather report and a section featuring new movies. A recipe section was also added.

Arjun said Thursday night deadlines were always the most intense at his home as he prepared each edition for school the next day. Arjun would take it to the school office for printing, then pick up copies at the end of the day. Four students were allowed to leave class early to distribute copies after school.

“Most parents loved it. They got accustomed to it,” he said.

“A lot of kids wanted to be part of it,” he explained, adding that they wanted to get their names in the paper, noting that giving credit to each contributor was an important aspect.

Today, this 12-year-old attends Marshall Middle School where he is involved in preparing for the Science Fair.

Math and writing are his favorite subjects. Some of his writing was published in Time For Kids magazine when he was in the third grade, and he once interviewed the oldest resident in Scripps Ranch for a story he wrote for the Scripps Ranch Civic Association newsletter.

Arjun obviously has a special interest in journalism and said he hopes to pursue this path in college, although he is not yet certain which specific area of journalism he will explore.

SCHOOL NEWS
Feb. 6-11, 2018

Marshall Middle School
marshallmiddle.org
(858) 549-5400
9700 Avenue of Nations

Song Request Box: There is now a Wednesday song request box in the office on the drop off table. Students may submit their requests by Fridays for the next Wednesday’s music at lunch.

Hula Palooza tickets available: Hula Palooza is the annual gala to raise funds for the students' education. Buy tickets now to this spring gala fundraiser which will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 10 at Bernardo Winery.

The evening will be filled with a buffet dinner, silent auctions, live auctions, opportunity raffles including a wine wall; all while you enjoy a night of dancing and fun with friends and the hosted bar. Included in the ticket price: appetizers, buffet dinner and dessert, coffee and tea, hosted bar (a selection of sparkling wine, white wine, red wine, craft beers, sparkling grape juice, Italian sodas and sparkling water).

Last year's event sold out so don't wait to get your tickets. Buy your tickets by Feb. 10 and get the early bird pricing of only $85 per person. Ticket prices will increase to $95 on Feb. 11. There is open seating for all on a first come, first serve basis. The bar will be open and there will be no charge for drinks. For more information, visit: bit.ly/2E3PDHz. But tickets at bit.ly/2nqtU2Y.

Dingeman Elementary School
sandiegounified.org/schools/dingeman
dingeman.net/Home
(858) 549-4437
11840 Scripps Creek Drive

Family Art Night: Dingeman Elementary and Art Corps will present Family Art Night from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 8; Wednesday, Feb. 28; and Tuesday, March 13. Choose from one of three art projects and spend an evening with your child creating masterpieces together. Suggested donation is $10-$15 per family. Sign up online: bit.ly/2BItk9w.

Mother Son Bowling: Dingeman Elementary will hold a Mother Son Bowling Night on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Mira Mesa Bowl, 8210 Mira Mesa Blvd. Price is $35 per mom/son pair and $12 for each additional son. The price includes bowling, shoe rental, pizza, drinks and sweets. No ticket sales at the door. Buy tickets online: bit.ly/2C0Kuei.

Ellen Browning Scripps Elementary School
sandiegounified.org/schools/eb-scripps
(858) 693-8593
11778 Cypress Canyon Road

Father Daughter Dance: The EBS AFP will present the 11th Annual Father Daughter Dance from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9 with a Dr. Seuss theme in the EBS Multi-Purpose Room. The event will be filled with fun activities and delicious treats.

Box top collection: Ellen Browning Scripps Elementary will be collecting box tops from Thursday, Feb. 8 to Monday, Feb. 19. Students may bring their box tops to their classroom teacher.

Innovations Academy
innovationsacademy.org
info@innovationsacademy.org
(858) 271-1414
10380 Spring Canyon

Portfolio Review Meetings: This week is Portfolio Review Week for parents. The final portfolio review day is Wednesday, Feb. 7. There will be early dismissal Wednesday at 12:30 p.m.

Food Sharing Basket: In an effort to reduce waste, Innovations Academy has implemented a Food Share Basket. Students can put their unwanted, pre-packaged, non-potentially hazardous food products (pre-packaged chips or crackers) and fruits (whole bananas or oranges) that do not require being washed into the basket. Students who forgot lunches or are still hungry can share. Natural foods that are intended to be consumed (whole apples, pears, etc.) and have been handled by students are rewashed before being offered to others for consumption. The basket is monitored by staff. Sugary foods are not re-circulated. This offers a great opportunity to have a discussion with your children about what nutritious foods they prefer in their lunches as children’s taste buds tend to change often. Let the school know if you do not want your children to participate.

Valentine’s Day Dance: The eighth grade will host two dances on Wednesday, Feb 14. The K-5 dance will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and tickets will be $10. The dance for grades 6-8 will be held from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and tickets will be $15. For more information contact Nora@innovatonsacademy.org.

Jerabek Elementary School
sandiegounified.org/schools/Jerabek
jerabekffo.org
(858) 578-5330
10050 Avenida Magnifica

Fundraiser at Rubios: Jerabek Elementary will hold a fundraiser on Thursday, Feb. 8 at Rubios, 10785 Scripps Poway Parkway. Support the FFO by ordering a lunch or dinner at Rubios between 2 and 9 p.m. and Rubios will donate 20 percent of the bill to the school. Present this flyer at time of purchase: bit.ly/2EatAvH.

Rock ’n’ Glow: The Fifth Grade Promotion Committee invites all fourth and fifth graders to attend a Rock 'n' Glow Dance Party on Friday, Feb. 9 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the Jerabek Auditorium. Cost is $25 for an entrance ticket, pizza and drinks; and $32 with preordered T-shirt. Jerabek Glow Party 2018 T-Shirts are available in very limited quantities. First come, first served.

Supervision provided. Wear white or neon to glow. Neon trinkets and candy will be on sale at the event. See the flyer to RSVP at bit.ly/2GVkIfk.

Parenting course: Parent Effectiveness Training classes will be offered at Jerabek Elementary starting Feb. 14.

Learn how to raise thoughtful, independent people who can solve their own problems. Learning how to communicate better will help you feel more confident as a parent, instill responsibility and create a nurturing family environment in which your children can thrive.

Courses run eight full weeks at three hours per class at Jerabek Elementary, Room B-11; and include eight Wednesday mornings Feb. 14-April 18, noon-3 p.m.

Tuition: $249 per person, $375 per couple (includes textbook, workbook). To Register, contact Kelly Meier, (619) 876-8402; email Kelly@RespectfulParent.com; or register online: www.respectfulparent.com/sandiegoparentingclasses.

Miramar Ranch Elementary School
miramarranch.org
858-271-0470, ext. 0
10770 Red Cedar Drive

Chocolate Rose sales: This year's Valentine's Day Chocolate Rose sales are taking place before school in front of the main building, and during recess times on the playground through Tuesday, Feb. 13. Deliveries will be made on Valentine’s Day, Wednesday, Feb. 14.

Family Art Night: The second of two Family Art Nights will be held Wednesday, Feb. 6 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room for those families who have already RSVPd for the event. (Registration is now closed.) Art supplies are provided.

Miramar Ranch School Choir: Miramar Ranch Elementary is offering choir again this spring. This year’s theme is Sensational Summer, and it promises to be another fun program with a variety of songs. The choir program is accepting students from grades 3-5. Choir practice will begin on Thursday, Feb. 15, after school and will be held in the Multi-Purpose Room from 12:10 to 1 p.m.

The cost per child is $80 which pays for music, CDs, a T-shirt, performance decorations and a choir concert food reception, among other things.

Deliver your registration form directly to the school office in the red FFA box to ensure that your registration is received in a timely manner. See the registration flyer at bit.ly/2BIFO14.

Let Scripps Ranch News know about your school's news and events, or request coverage, by contacting us at john@scrippsranchnews.com.

SCHOOL NEWS
Jan. 23-28, 2018

Marshall Middle School
marshallmiddle.org
(858) 549-5400
9700 Avenue of Nations

Minimum Day: Thursday, Jan. 25, is a minimum day with dismissal at 12:16 p.m.

Upcoming Marshall Mustang Theatre production: “Mutually Assured Destruction: 10 Plays About Brothers & Sisters” will run Jan. 23 to 26, starting at 6 p.m. each evening. These 10 mini-plays, spanning the decades beginning in 2015 and traveling all the way back to 1922, demonstrate how the delicate relationships between brothers and sisters are timeless. Order tickets online: bit.ly/2mbqgIU.

Fundraiser at the Kebab Shop: Enjoy a meal between 10:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, at The Kebab Shop (Mira Mesa only), 9450 Mira Mesa Blvd., and 50 percent of the proceeds from your meal will be donated to support the MMS Instrumental Music Program. Present this flyer at time of purchase.

Dingeman Elementary School
sandiegounified.org/schools/dingeman
dingeman.net/Home
(858) 549-4437
11840 Scripps Creek Drive

Family Science Night Grade K: All kindergarteners are welcome to Family Science Night starting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25 in the school auditorium. There will be six fun, hands-on science experiments. No siblings please. One spot per child (accompanying adults do not count): http://www.slyreply.com/app/sheets/mitob8te175o/

Innovations Academy
innovationsacademy.org
info@innovationsacademy.org
(858) 271-1414
10380 Spring Canyon

K Class art on exhibit: Clara’s K class has paintings and collages on display at Wholly Crepes in Poway, 14045 Midland Road. If you get the chance, head over there to support a business that supports the school.

Report cards: Report cards will go home this Friday. They must be picked up by an adult. Please schedule the time to stop in to pick up the report card. For those in Outpost, report cards can be picked up from the Outpost staff.

Middle School basketball team: Innovations Academy has a middle school basketball team that competes against other middle schools. To support the team, come and cheer them on. The next game is at 4 p.m., Friday, Jan. 26 against Foothills at Hourglass Fieldhouse, 10440 Black Mountain Road.

Jerabek Elementary School
sandiegounified.org/schools/Jerabek
jerabekffo.org
(858) 578-5330
10050 Avenida Magnifica

Strings Concert: Jerabek Elementary will hold its Strings Concert from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25.

Band Concert: Jerabek Elementary will hold its Band Concert from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 26.

Crazy Hair Day: Friday, Jan. 26, is Crazy Hair Day and Crazy Hat Day for students.

Miramar Ranch Elementary School
miramarranch.org
858-271-0470, ext. 0
10770 Red Cedar Drive

Minimum Day Wednesday: Wednesday, Jan. 24, is a Minimum Day with a 12:10 p.m. dismissal.

Restaurant Night: Thursday, Jan. 25 is the next Restaurant Night and it will be held at the Scripps Poway Parkway Panda Express, 12030 Scripps Summit Drive. Place an order between noon and 8 p.m. and 20 percent of all pre-tax profits will be returned to the Miramar Ranch Elementary FFA. Just be sure to print out the flyer to show on paper or show it on your phone when you make your payment: bit.ly/2DGG01v. You can even order online; just be sure to enter the special code shown in the flyer!

Book Fair: The “Paws for Books” Book Fair runs Friday, Jan. 26, through Thursday, Feb. 1, with open shopping every morning from 7 to 8 a.m. and every afternoon (except Feb. 1) from 2 to 3 p.m. There will be morning shopping for parents, grandparents or a special someone to shop with their student and have coffee (thanks to Starbucks on Aviary) or juice and a yummy treat. Students will also visit the Book Fair with their classes during their regular library time. This is a great way to stock up on new books and help the school. Volunteers are needed for set up, clean up, for every class visit, and especially for the mornings and afternoons. One hour makes a huge difference. Please sign up here: http://signup.com/go/jdNykBQ or contact Mary at: mreffabookfair@gmail.com.

After School Band program: Miramar Ranch is launching a new after school band program began Jan. 23. Students who have at least one year of experience with their instrument are eligible. If your child was in band last year, or has studied on their own with private lessons, they qualify. RSVP to miramarranchband@gmail.com with your child's name and instrument.
Students must supply their own instrument (rentals are fine), and must get the "Standards of Excellence" music book. Email miramarranchband@gmail.com.

Father-Daughter Dance tickets: The 2018 Father-Daughter Dance on Friday, Feb. 2 at the Double Tree Resort will have a luau theme. Grab your dad, uncle, grandpa, papa, brother or friend for the night, and dress up in your most festive Hawaiian attire for a fabulous night of hula, limbo, dance, costume contests, games and food. Purchase tickets online by Jan. 20: bit.ly/2CVWiTC.

Let Scripps Ranch News know about your school's news and events, or request coverage, by contacting us at john@scrippsranchnews.com.