| Snapshot from The Ridge |
Each week, Pacific Ridge School invites you to enjoy a spontaneous view of school life.  Students in eighth-grade Artwheel discuss a photo collage project inspired by artist David Hockney. |
Bulletin Board
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Next E-Newsletter On February 23rd
There will be no e-newsletter during Mid-Winter Break, February 13th-20th. You can expect the next addition of "A View from The Ridge" on Thursday, February 23rd. Have a safe and happy break!
Used Uniform Sale/Exchange on February 23rd
Bring your used uniforms and exchange them, or purchase used uniform at a HUGE Savings, at the upcoming Used Uniform Sale/Exchange. Alternatively, you can donate items for sale/exchange at this Parents Association sponsored event. Please drop off your used uniforms with Ms. Wiedemeier in the front office prior to February 23rd and we will include them in our inventory. Questions? Contact the Parents Association at parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.
Date: Thursday, February 23rd
Time: 8-8:30 a.m.
Place: Commons
Remaining Textbooks to be Donated to Charity
There are some unsold textbooks remaining from the fall textbook exchange/sale, and a recent website check shows that the remaining books have little or no value if sold online. If you would like your remaining textbooks back, please contact the Parents Association at parentsassociation@pacificridge.org by Monday, February 13th. Otherwise, we will assume that you wish to donate your book(s). If you own one of the few that does have value, the Parents Association will contact you about what action to take. Thank you for your generosity!
Have Your 2011 Tax Receipts Arrived?
Tax receipts for 2011, summarizing each family's donation(s) to Pacific Ridge during the 2011 calendar year, were sent via U.S. mail last week. All Annual Fund and Breaking New Ground gifts made during the calendar year are fully tax deductible and will be reflected on the receipt. If you have any questions about your receipt, or if you have not yet received your 2011 tax receipt, please contact Emma Balina at 760-448-9883 or ebalina@pacificridge.org.
Reminders:
Don't Forget Singin' in the Rain
The cast and crew of Singin' in the Rain are working overtime to bring the upcoming musical to life, and you will not want to miss what promises to be a stellar production! Tickets are $15, and available online by clicking here or by visiting the school portal. Simply log in to "My Pacific Ridge" and click on the "Buy tickets for Singin' in the Rain" link in the "Arts Information" box on the bottom right.
Dates/Times:
Friday, February 24th @ 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 25th @ 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Place: Star Theatre in Oceanside
A member of the set crew builds
a statue for the set of Singin' in the Rain. Shakespeare in the (Pacific Ridge) Park
The Pacific Ridge Theatre Arts Department is proud to announce that New Village Arts Theatre in Carlsbad will be collaborating with Pacific Ridge School to host a six-week summer theatre program beginning on July 9th and concluding on August 12th. Registration will begin in mid-February, and the program will be capped at twenty students. Please contact Alison Trattner at atrattner@pacificridge.org to learn more about this unusual and exciting opportunity to work with a professional, award winning theatre.
Global Vantage Call For Submissions
Global Vantage, the Pacific Ridge chapter of the Global Journal Project, is accepting submissions from the entire Pacific Ridge community (yes, that includes parents!) for its upcoming issue. The theme is "Across Borders," and editors are looking for stories about significant life moments experienced outside of one's own country. Interested writers can email pieces to submissions@vantage.thegjp.org. Questions? Please contact Steve Le at sle@pacificridge.org.
"Love Your Pets" Pet Supply Drive
The Middle School Service Learning group Animal Allies is sponsoring "Love Your Pets," a pet supply drive to benefit the County Animal Shelter in Carlsbad. They are collecting the following items until Friday, February 10th at 8 a.m.: towels, blankets, dog toys, Kongs, canned cat food, large Nylabones, cat toys, small & medium dog beds. Donations can be dropped off at the front desk of the main building, in the collection box labeled "Love Your Pets." Thank you for your support!
Birds' Nest Announces New Spirit Attire And Gear
The Birds' Nest is excited to announce the arrival of some fantastic new items now available for purchase, including a comfortable stadium seat, a warm outdoor PRS blanket, and an appliqué crewneck sweatshirt. Items will be on sale at upcoming athletic events as well as the school musical. Email birdsnest@pacificridge.org with inquiries or to make a purchase. The Birds' Nest accepts cash and personal checks made payable to "Parents Association."
Annual Fund: Going Strong, But We Still Need Your Help!
The Pacific Ridge School Annual Fund is on track to reach 100% participation again this year. Help us reach our goal of 100% participation by making a commitment today. All gifts are tax-deductible, and every gift counts equally toward participation. Click here for more information, as well as links to donate or pledge online. You can also contact Emma Balina at ebalina@pacificridge.org or 760-448-9883 to ask questions or to make a pledge. Thank you for your generous support!
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New & Noteworthy
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Class of 2012 Reaches 100% Participation for Breaking New Ground Campaign
Congratulations to members of the Class of 2012 for reaching 100% participation in the Breaking New Ground Campaign (including Break A Sweat)! Their collective gifts have earned them the opportunity to have the West Reading room of the high school named in honor of the Class of 2012. Since they reached 100% as a class, a plaque with each of the students' names will hang in perpetuity in the room. Many thanks to parent volunteers, Tamara Ogg and Thalia Causey, for their class leadership. Class of 2012 parents: be sure to "Save the Date" for the Reading Room Dedication on Saturday, May 18th.
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| Curricular Adventures |
A Week of Arguments at Pacific Ridge School
Last week, seventh and ninth graders displayed their argumentation skills as they tackled heady topics such as internet piracy, consumer culture, the value of reading, and the inhumane treatment of animals, to name a few. Read on to learn more...
Seventh graders participated in a Championship Debate on Monday, January 30th, where five groups who had won preliminary rounds in their respective classes and one "wild card" group debated juvenile cell phone use and internet privacy. The debate was a key step of the students' year-long study of critical thinking, which includes analyzing types of evidence, inferences, rhetorical strategies, and logical fallacies. The event began with an opening speech by each group, followed by a round of rebuttals, and concluded with four minutes of timed open debate, and two extra minutes of time to let arguments fly. English teacher Mike Wilper was especially impressed by this final part of the competition. "Their best, most passionate arguments came out at this time," he said. "It was interesting to see how they argued when they weren't thinking about the clock." Teachers judged the final rounds and awarded a prize to each member of the winning group.
Ninth graders had the opportunity to orate before an audience ranging from 60 to 130 members. "The idea is that every student has the chance to give an oration, which, being a speech, is dependent on an audience to have an effect," said teacher Kyle Strong, who organized the event. "So much depends on communicating directly with audience members and responding to them." The six finalists presented a second time, before the entire school and a panel of judges. The panel included past winners and finalists in the oration competition, each paired with an adult member of the Pacific Ridge community. Together, they chose the three winners, who will receive scholarships to help fund their ninth-grade trips to China in June. For more on the orations, and the 7th-grade debate, check out this week's blog by Dr. Ogle. Congratulations to our winners and our finalists:
1st place: Nathan Cheng, The Best Things In Life Aren't Packaged
2nd place: Margaret Zhao, Reading is Meaning
3rd place: Roxi Corbeil, Bacon, I Love You
Finalists:
Hanna Schulman, Objects in the Minds of Men
Anna Swette, Only One Is No Fun
William Zheng, Today's Research, Tomorrow's Cure
First-place winner Nathan Cheng at the podium
 Orators waiting to speak On February 1st, students in Digital Photo class welcomed guest speaker and Pacific Ridge parent Mike Foss, who spoke with them about his work at Kodak during the late 1990s. During the Harkness (seminar-style) discussion, Mr. Foss and Digital Photo students focused on the digital revolution of the 1990s, Kodak's eventually unsustainable business model, the current bankruptcy of Kodak, and the coming revolutions that the intersections of technology and art just might make possible. Thank you to Mr. Foss for lending experience and expertise to class!
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Sports on the Ridge
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Varsity Boys Soccer Team Clinches League Title Congratulations to the Boys Varsity Soccer Team, who beat Escondido Charter 7-2 on February 7th to take the Pacific League Championship. The team has two remaining regular season games, both away, against Tri-City Christian (2/9) and Calvin Christian (2/14). Check out highschoolsports.net for more information, and then come out and cheer for our championship team! Go Firebirds!
Upper School Athletes: Get Those Blue Cards In!
All athletes who intend to participate in a spring sport must fill out a new blue card, and obtain the required parent's signature on the card. Don't delay: athletes must have completed blue cards to participate in the first team practice. Boys Lacrosse begins on February 20th, and all other Upper School sports begin on February 21st. Coach Neptune has blue cards available in the in the Athletic Department. Questions? Contact Coach Neptune at lneptune@pacificridge.org.
Scores Boys Varsity Basketball
02/01/12 Calvin Christian School of ESC Home 45 52 L
02/03/12 Escondido Charter Away 47 68 L
Boys Junior Varsity Basketball
02/01/12 Calvin Christian School of ESC Home 34 50 L
02/03/12 Escondido Charter Away 24 46 L
Boys MS− A Basketball
02/01/12 Santa Fe Christian Schools Home 31 53 L
02/02/12 Maranatha Christian Away 30 10 W
Boys MS− B Basketball
02/01/12 Santa Fe Christian Schools Home 19 57 L
02/02/12 Maranatha Christian Away 25 20 W
Girls Varsity Basketball
02/01/12 Calvin Christian School of ESC Home 21 39 L
02/03/12 Escondido Charter Away 34 42 L
Boys Varsity Soccer
01/31/12 San Diego Jewish Academy Away 3 0 W
02/02/12 Army Navy Academy Away 5 0 W
Boys MS− A Soccer
01/30/12 San Diego Jewish Academy Away 2 3 L
02/01/12 Santa Fe Christian Schools Away 3 0 W
Boys MS− B Soccer
02/01/12 San Diego Jewish Academy Home 1 1 T
Girls Varsity Soccer
01/31/12 San Diego Jewish Academy Home 5 0 W
02/03/12 Escondido Charter Home 5 1 W
Girls Junior Varsity Soccer
01/30/12 Escondido Charter Home 0 1 L
Girls MS− A Soccer
02/01/12 Santa Fe Christian Schools Away 4 1 W
02/03/12 Rancho Santa Fe MS Away 6 0 W
Girls MS− B Soccer
02/03/12 Rancho Santa Fe MS Away 1 4 L
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| Parents Association |
Parents Association General Meeting On February 23rd
Please join us for the next Parents Association General Meeting on Thursday, February 23rd, when Dr. Ogle will present a review of the Parent Survey Data, Mr. Bray will give school updates, and Ms. Perry will provide the latest on the much-anticipated opening of the new Athletic Center. The meeting will conclude with brief remarks from our current Parents Association Committee Chairs regarding PA happenings and events on the horizon.Date: Thursday, February 23rd
Time: 8 - 8:30 a.m. refreshments and used uniform sale; 8:30-10 a.m. meeting
Place: CommonsIf you are able to attend, please RSVP to the Parents Association at parentsassociation@pacificridge.org. Please note: Parking is off-site only, at 2765 Loker Avenue West. Shuttle service will be provided and will run continuously from 8 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. We look forward to seeing you there!
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College and Beyond
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Out-Of-State College Night on March 8th
Pacific Ridge College Counseling will sponsor an Out-Of-State College Night on Thursday, March 8th, when approximately 35 representatives from public and private colleges outside of California will share information about their schools. RACC (Regional Admission Counselors of California) college representatives will present information on their respective colleges, after which they will host a college fair where students and parents can ask questions and learn more details about each school. Some of the colleges will include Arizona State, Bentley, Northeastern, Oregon State, Syracuse, and University of Arizona. Check with the College Counseling office in early March for a complete list of colleges that will be in attendance.
Date: Thursday, March 8th
Time: 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Place: East and West Reading Rooms
Reminder:
Gap Year Fair on February 26th
Families interested in learning about opportunities between high school and college: don't miss the Gap Year Fair on Sunday, February 26th. Sponsored by USA Gap Year Fairs, the event features reputable Gap Year organizations and gives students tools to learn more about options available to them. Questions? Contact Ruth Foresman at rforesman@pacificridge.org or 760-579-4905.
Date: Sunday, February 26th
Time: noon-2 p.m.
Place: Pacific Ridge campus
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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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February 9th
Former Poet Laureate
Billy Collins at
Dove Library
7 p.m.
February 13th-20th
No School
Mid-Winter Break
School resumes on February 21st
February 18th
Upper School
Science Olympiad @ Del Norte High School
8 a.m.
February 23rd
Used Uniform Sale/Exchange
in the Commons
8 a.m.
Parents Association General Meeting
in the Commons
8:30-10 a.m.
February 24th
School Musical,
Singin' in the Rain
@ Star Theatre in Oceanside
7:30 p.m.
February 25th
School Musical, Singing' in the Rain
@ Star Theatre in Oceanside
2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
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A View from The Ridge 
