| Snapshot from The Ridge |
Each week, Pacific Ridge School invites you to enjoy a spontaneous view of school life. 
Pacific Ridge alumni received care packages just in time for their first college final exams. |
Bulletin Board
|
Next E-Newsletter on Thursday, January 5th
This is the last e-newsletter of the year. You can expect the latest that is "fit to transmit" from Pacific Ridge School on January 5th, 2012. Have a safe and happy holiday!
Heading to High School for 8th Graders and Parents
Eighth graders and their parents are invited to a session on "Heading to High School," where they will learn what to expect as they make the transition to Upper School. Come with your questions and learn what Upper School at Pacific Ridge will offer.
Date: Wednesday, January 11th
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Reminder:
Showcase DVDs (from the December 3rd Arts Showcase) are available online. Simply sign on to the school portal, and go the the Arts Information box on the bottom right-hand side of the page. Click on the "Buy Showcase DVD here" link.
|
New & Noteworthy
|
Model U.N. Co-Sponsors Conference Last weekend, Pacific Ridge School Model U.N. and High Tech High North County hosted a joint Model U.N. conference, the North County Regional Conference. Over 175 students attended the conference, which was student-led. Students wrote and edited background guides, led committees of delegates, and scripted crises that challenged delegates to think on their feet, negotiate, and propose solutions to dire situations. Pacific Ridge coordinators learned what it takes to plan a large conference and how to use organization and compromise to work in partnership with another school. The conference will continue as an annual event, and next year's date is already set: December 8, 2012.
Reading Club Launches "Eating In-N-Out" Challenge
The Upper School Reading Club has issued an "In-N-Out" challenge to students and faculty at Pacific Ridge School. Participants must earn 10 "tickets" by March 6th, 2012 to gain entrance to an In-N-Out lunch celebration on March 7th. To earn one ticket, readers can do one of the following:
1. Read 250 pages
2. Write a review of a book read for the challenge (up to three tickets total for reviews)
3. Read two graphic novels (only one ticket for this challenge)
Reading material can be chosen by participants, but must be new to the reader. Enjoy some books, enjoy some In-N-Out! Questions? Contact Ellen Cothran at ecothran@pacificridge.org. Happy reading!
Reminder:
High Five Challenge Doubles, Triples, or Quadruples the Value of Your Gift/Pledge to the Athletic Center!
Time is fast approaching for our move into the Firebirds Athletic Center. Construction remains on schedule, with "move in" planned for Spring 2012. Funds are now needed to equip the Athletic Center with bleachers, equipment, score boards, baskets and nets, lockers, lights, fixtures, etc. Gifts and pledges to the Athletic Center (which can be paid over a three-year time frame) can be matched by the High Five Challenge. Gifts/pledges of $5k or more are matched 1:1, gifts/pledges of $10k or more are matched 2:1, and gifts/pledges of $25k or more are matched 3:1. For more information, contact Kari Perry at |
| Curricular Adventures |
Pacific Ridge School held its first Colloquium, dedicated to highlighting exceptional student work, on December 7th. Ten students presented their faculty-nominated pieces to the school during Community Life, after being introduced by the teachers who chose their work. A brief question and answer session followed, during which teachers and students were invited to ask questions. Congratulations to participants on being recognized for their outstanding work:
Eric Cherwin, RAFT: Occupy protester
Gigi Chow, Literary essay on Fahrenheit 451
Katie Glockner, Literary essay on The Great Gatsby
Britta Gullahorn and Dante Nardo, Cocaine and its effect on the brain
Sebastian Green, Opening statement for the trial of Poseidon
Cara Hoffman, Editorial on diversity
Dillon Lerach, French interview with earthquake survivor
Kelsey Maloney, Photography: Invisible Portraits
Sarah Rose, Poem: Humor
Shannon Smith, Ethics essay on euthanasia
Students in Advanced Photography visited the studio of professional photographer Tim Tadder on December 7th, where they got a valuable glimpse at the challenges and benefits of working as a professional freelance photographer. Before the meeting, students spent time looking over his website, and came prepared with questions that ranged in topic from the evolution of his shooting style to his work with celebrities. Students finished the visit by taking portraits of one another, using Mr. Tadder's sophisticated equipment. Thank you to Mr. Tadder for welcoming Pacific Ridge photography students!
|
| Service Learning in the Field |
On Monday, December 12th, members of the A Cappella Ensemble continued their tradition of bringing music to seniors in the community when they visited Sunrise Assisted Living in La Costa. They sang the A Cappella Ensemble theme song, "Good Ol' A Cappella," "Hallelujah" from Shrek, and a number of holiday songs. Ensemble members serenaded the residents as they ate breakfast and invited them to sing along.
Middle Schoolers spread holiday cheer on December 14th, when half of them wrote 537 note cards to military service members as part of a community project organized through the USO. The note cards will adorn packages for service members who are traveling home for the holidays.
Members of the Middle School Service Learning group Head Start traveled to two partner locations on December 15th, where they delivered toys and books donated to their recent toy drive, sang holiday songs, and celebrated with the children.
|
Sports on the Ridge
|
Five Girls Varsity Volleyball Players Make All-CIF
Congratulations to the following Varsity Volleyball players, who were named to one of two Divison 5 All-CIF Volleyball teams. Each of the two All-CIF teams has ten players, chosen from athletes at 15 schools. "It's a tremendous accomplishment to be selected for this honor," notes Coach Aly Dahl. "I am proud of these players, and of the team, for a great season."
1st Team All-CIF: Ciara Corbeil, Natalie Ogg, Richelle Prijic
2nd Team All-CIF: Roxi Corbeil, Katie O'Laughlin
Scores Boys Varsity Basketball
12/06/11 Guajome Park Academy Away 47 65 L
12/08/11 (Varsity Eagle Classic) Home 54 33 L
12/09/11 (Varsity Eagle Classic) Away 30 54 L
12/10/11 (Varsity Eagle Classic ) Away 53 32 W
Boys MS− A Basketball
12/06/11 Army Navy Academy Home 24 18 W
Boys MS− B Basketball
12/06/11 Army Navy Academy Home 34 13 W
Girls Varsity Basketball
12/06/11 Guajome Park Academy Away 23 35 L
12/09/11 San Pasqual Academy Away 35 42 L
Boys Varsity Soccer
12/06/11 Francis W. Parker School Home 2 2 T
Boys MS− A Soccer
12/07/11 Army Navy Academy Home 12 0 W
Boys MS− B Soccer
12/07/11 Rancho Santa Fe MS Home 0 7 L
Girls Varsity Soccer
12/06/11 Santa Fe Christian Schools Home 2 2 T
12/09/11 Mission Vista Home 3 2 W
|
Parents Association News
|
Reminders:
The WeCare consortium of San Diego schools, which includes Pacific Ridge School, presents clinical psychologist Dr. Lisa Boesky. An expert on child, teen, and adult behavior, Dr. Boesky has written When to Worry and has been interviewed by Anderson Cooper, Bill O'Reilly, correspondents from CNN and Fox News, and more. Dr. Boesky has two speaking engagements:Date: Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Time: 6:30 p.m.; 7 p.m. program
Place: Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School, 3630 Afton Road, San Diego, 92123
Date: Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Time: 8:30 a.m. social; 9 a.m. program
Place: La Jolla Country Day School, 9490 Genessee Avenue, La Jolla, 92037 DVDs of WeCare Events Available at School Library
Parents who missed Dr. Ken Ginsburg's talk in October, or would like to hear speakers from past years, can find DVDs of these events at the school library. All DVDs are available for check out.
|
College and Beyond
|
Reminders:
Upper School students and their parents are invited to the first Student Alumni College Fair, when Pacific Ridge graduates will return to campus to represent their respective colleges. Members of the class of '11 will discuss academic preparation, courses, roommates, homesickness, budget, and other topics. Attendees are strongly encouraged to come with questions - about weather, college life, class size, air travel, you name it. Don't miss this chance to hear about the college experiences of Pacific Ridge grads!
Date: Wednesday, January 4th
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Place: East Reading Room
College Counselors Bonnie Laughlin and Cara Matzen will be meeting with all juniors and their parents in January to discuss PSAT results, testing timelines, senior courses, college planning, and summer opportunities. Meetings will last about 45 minutes and can be scheduled in the morning, daytime, and after school. Please contact Ruth Foresman to make an appointment: rforesman@pacificridge.org or 760-579-4905.
Just for Juniors seminars take place during 5th period in the library. Juniors who have Service Learning during 5th period will meet during lunch period. Three sessions remain:
Thursday, 1/12: California Colleges
Thursday, 1/19: Resumes and the Jr. Questionnaire
Friday, 1/27: Application Options
Questions? Contact Cara Matzen at 760-448-9884 or cmatzen@pacificridge.org.
|
Class Notes
|
Junior Rochelle Dong competed in the 2011 Speedo Short Course Junior Nationals in Austin, TX on December 8th-11th, swimming the 50 freestyle, the 100 freestyle, the 100 butterfly, and the 100 backstroke. She swam a best time in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, and 100 butterfly, making a Winter Nationals cut for all three events. Congratulations, Rochelle! |
|
In a community that fosters academic excellence, ethical responsibility, and global engagement, Pacific Ridge School prepares students for college and a purposeful life.
|
|
|
Schedule of Events
|  | |
December 16th
Half-Day of School
8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
December 17th-
January 2nd
No School
Winter Break
January 3rd
School resumes
January 4th
Student Alumni College Fair
6:30-8:30 p.m.
East Reading Room
January 7th
Middle School
Open House
2-4 p.m.
January 10th
Upper School
Open House
3:30-5:00 p.m.
|
|
|
A View from The Ridge 
