| Snapshot from The Ridge |
Each week, Pacific Ridge School invites you to enjoy a spontaneous view of school life.  A sculpture completed by a graduate from the class of 2011 looks over outdoor study hall. . |
Bulletin Board
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Applications for both Middle and Upper School are due on February 1st. Please contact Monique Velde, Admissions Assistant, with any last-minute questions: mvelde@pacificridge.org.
Middle School Funbird Friday is on January 27th. Students will enjoy music and games, including card games, board games, and age-appropriate, multi-player video games. The festivities will include friendly game tournaments with both yummy and spirit point prizes. Light snacks and beverages will be served.
Date: Friday, February 27th
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Place: East Reading Room
Upper School Mid-Winter Dance is on January 28th. The theme is Cities Around the World. Tickets are $10/person and can be purchased during lunch in Upper Town Square. Buy those tickets early - they will go up to $15/person at the door!
Date: Saturday, February 28th
Time: 7-10 p.m.
Place: Commons
Reminders:
Opportunity to See Billy Collins at Dove Library
Billy Collins, former Poet Laureate of the United States, will speak at Dove Library in Carlsbad on February 9th. Parents are encouraged to attend the poetry reading, and to get a taste of what Pacific Ridge students experience earlier in the day when Mr. Collins performs a poetry reading on campus. A number of English classes are also currently engaged in Mr. Collins' Poetry 180 program, which includes starting each class with a student reading of a poem. Enjoy the chance to share in some great poetry!
Date: Thursday, February 9th
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Carlsbad City Library, 1775 Dove Lane
Admission is free, but seating is limited and on a first come, first served basis. For more information, call 760-602-2012.
Call For Props!
The Theater Department is in need for the following items for the upcoming musical, Singin' in the Rain, and would deeply appreciate the opportunity to borrow them from parents. If you can help, please contact Music & Arts Coordinator Steve Dziekonski at sdziekonski@pacificridge.org.
Buffet table
Bus stop style bench
Crowd control rope (3)
Diction books
Draperies
Dressing table with mirror
Executive desk
Fake swords
Fiddles (2)
Gold tassles
Microphones with stands
Movie memorabilia
Patio tables and chairs (3 sets, six chairs)
Red carpet
Screen/room divider
Side chair
Sofa
Stone garden bench
Toy cowboy guns
Watch
Parent Volunteers Needed To Host Guest Judges
The new year kicks off a season of academic contests - Orations, Travel Grants, Shakespearean monologues, SEED Grants, Rube Goldberg Devices, to name a few- where outside judges are invited to campus to evaluate and critique student projects and performances. We seek parent volunteers for each event to help host the judges while they are on campus (and as an added bonus, you will get a great peek at what is happening in the classroom!). Sound interesting? Please contact Monique Benjamin at mbenjamin@pacificridge.org. |
New & Noteworthy
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Model U.N. Succeeds in MichiganMembers of the Pacific Ridge Model U.N. took part in the University of Michigan Model U.N. High School Conference last weekend, where they represented Algeria, Bulgaria, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as participated in a number of role-playing committees. They were among 500 delegates, mainly from the Midwest, and "as usual represented themselves with poise and confidence in all situations," wrote faculty mentor Liz Grossman in an email. Students were active in a variety of committees, among them Human Rights Council, World Health Organization, and Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, and several students won accolades for their performances: Trevor Nesbitt and Hena Mustafa both received Best Delegate Awards, and Elle Lichter was recognized with an Honorable Mention for her work. The students, who were "truly enjoyable to travel with," according to Ms. Grossman, also found time to try Ethiopian food, eat frozen yogurt in the snow, and play billiards and Foosball. Congratulations on a job well done to Model U.N. members who participated in the University of Michigan conference: Chris Chen
Gigi Chow
Emma Christenfeld
Katie Glockner
Cara Hoffman
Izzy Hogenkamp
Rachel Latterich
Dillon Lerach
Elle Lichter
Hena Mustafa
Trevor Nesbitt
Abby Perelman
Stephanie Sapp
Maddie Sparber
Sean Straw
Firebirds Fired Up at Robotics CompetitionPacific Ridge students made a great showing at Saturday's San Diego FIRST Tech Challenge, aka Bowled Over. 24 teams competed in the competition, held at Madison High School in San Diego. At the finish of the qualification matches, the Firebots finished 16th and the Ridgebots finished 7th. The Ridgebots were then chosen as part of a three-team alliance for the elimination rounds, and made it all the way to the final championship match of the tournament. Though they lost the championship, they were happy with their fine performance. Each member of the Ridgebots earned a medal, and Pacific Ridge School received a trophy, to honor the team's advancement to the finals. Writes faculty mentor Dr. Wayne Winters in an email, "I am very pleased with the hard work and efforts of both teams." Congratulations to the following students for their performance at the San Diego FIRST Tech Challenge: Firebots - Team 4262Isaac Ahn Abdullah Bundogji Brian Haist John Heenan Colin McDuffie Alex Ryan Daniel Thompson Radmer Van der Hyde Carson Wilder Ridgebots - Team 4373Bailey Bjornstad Tyler Chen Nathan Cheng Carter Embry Nathan Relyea Dashiell Tan  The Ridgebots at FIRST Tech Challenge
Pacific Ridge Students Take On The Green Cup ChallengeOn Wednesday, January 18th, Pacific Ridge students began a month-long mission to reduce their energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Led by members of the AP Environmental Studies class, students are taking part in the month-long Green Cup Energy Challenge. AP Environmental Studies students will read school meters and report data as the Middle and Upper Schools compete to see who can reduce their energy consumption the most over the next month. The winning grades will receive not only bragging rights, but also a sweet prize!
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| Curricular Adventures |
During Community Life on Wednesday, January 11th, students talked about faith, or more specifically, addressed the question: "Why can it be difficult to talk about faith?" The discussion grew from an assignment in ninth-grade history, where students were asked to write an opinion piece answering the question, "Why is it difficult to talk about religion?" A number of ninth graders read their opinion pieces before the group, after which a panel of ninth graders asked Upper School students about their own experiences in relation to faith. Some of the questions included: "Do you have the same beliefs as your parents? How does your faith affect your day-to-day life? How have your beliefs changed over time?" Ninth graders will continue this conversation by taking part in "Face to Faith", an educational program started by Tony Blair that brings young people around the world into respectful, thoughtful communication about faith and promotes religious literacy. They have plans to link up via video conference with St. Patrick's High School in Asansol, India. |
Service Learning in the Field
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On Thursday, January 12th, the Upper School Service Learning group Food For Thought used the kitchen at Station Pizza in San Marcos to make bagged lunches they will donate to a local shelter. The lunches include not just a sandwich, fruit, water and a treat, but also personal items such as toothbrushes and hand sanitizer. Thank you to Station Pizza whose generous donation of their kitchen and facilities made this project possible. |
Sports on the Ridge
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Boys Varsity Basketball Nabs First Ever League Win
On Friday, January 13th, the Pacific Ridge Division 5 Boys Basketball team defeated Division 4 league opponent Escondido Charter for the Boys Basketball program's first ever Pacific League win! The 41 to 35 victory came after a huge defensive front from the entire team, and the enthusiastic and loud chants of "DEFENSE...DEFENSE...DEFENSE" kept the team going strong. Says Coach Wood, "We look forward to our continued improvement and competition in the last 7 games of the season." The team is now 8-7 overall and 1-0 in League play. Go Firebirds!
Athletes on the Girls Varsity Basketball team spent part of Martin Luther King Day at Third Avenue Charitable Organization (TACO) in downtown San Diego, where they served dinner to clients. The girls prepared and served 277 meals at quite a pace, finishing a half hour earlier than the usual end of meal time. Staff members were pleased with the team's help, according to Coach Ramel: "The regular staff was highly impressed by the team's friendly and caring attitude and how well they worked together." Go Firebirds!
Scores Boys Varsity Basketball01/10/12 Maranatha Christian Away 30 47 L
01/13/12 Escondido Charter Home 41 35 W
Boys Junior Varsity Basketball
01/13/12 Escondido Charter Home 30 44 L
Boys MS− A Basketball
01/10/12 Maranatha Christian Home 27 33 L
01/12/12 Rancho Santa Fe MS Away 18 47 L
Boys MS− B Basketball
01/10/12 Maranatha Christian Home 25 22 W
01/12/12 Rancho Santa Fe MS Away 8 70 L
Girls Varsity Basketball
01/10/12 Maranatha Christian Away 19 21 L
01/13/12 Escondido Charter Home 22 46 L
Boys Varsity Soccer
01/10/12 San Diego Jewish Academy Home 5 0 W
01/12/12 Escondido Charter Away 3 0 W
Boys MS− A Soccer
01/09/12 La Jolla Country Day School Away 2 2 T
01/13/12 Maranatha Christian Home 2 0 W
Boys MS− B Soccer
01/11/12 Santa Fe Christian Schools Home 0 5 L
Girls Varsity Soccer
01/10/12 San Diego Jewish Academy Away 3 2 W
Girls Junior Varsity Soccer
01/09/12 Escondido Charter Away 1 0 W
Girls MS− A Soccer
01/09/12 La Jolla Country Day School Away 2 2 T
01/13/12 Maranatha Christian Home 6 0 W
Girls MS− B Soccer
01/11/12 Santa Fe Christian Schools Home 0 2 L
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Parents Association News
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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
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College and Beyond
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Reminders:
Freshman College Counseling Night on February 2nd
Ninth graders and their parents should plan to attend Freshman College Counseling Night, where they will be introduced to college counseling at Pacific Ridge School. Families will receive their College Coaster handbooks, as well as learn about Naviance-Family Connections, the college counseling online communication, research, and college application resource. Please contact Ruth Foresman with any questions: rforesman@pacificridge.org.
Date: Thursday, February 2nd
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: East Reading Room
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. One session remains:
Friday, 1/27: Application Options
Questions? Contact Cara Matzen at 760-448-9884 or cmatzen@pacificridge.org.
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In a community that fosters academic excellence, ethical responsibility, and global engagement, Pacific Ridge School prepares students for college and a purposeful life.
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January 27th
Middle School
Funbird Friday
6-8 p.m.
January 28th
Upper School Mid-Winter Dance
7-10 p.m.
February 1st
Middle and Upper School Applications Due
February 2nd
Freshman College Counseling Night
East Reading Room
7 p.m.
February 9th
Former Poet Laureate
Billy Collins at
Dove Library
7 p.m.
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A View from The Ridge 
