| Snapshot from the Ridge | |
Each week, Pacific Ridge School invites you to enjoy a spontaneous view of school life.
7th and 8th graders explore collaborative creativity, decorating the Middle School sidewalks with Firebird-themed artwork.
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Bulletin Board
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Parents - Let Us Know What You Think!
Parents, please be on the lookout for two important email surveys that are headed your way. These surveys will provide valuable input as Pacific Ridge makes plans for the future of our athletics program and instructional technology. Your participation in both surveys is encouraged and appreciated.
11th Grade Parent Information Night
September 27th, 6:30 p.m., East Reading Room
Middle and Upper School Social Events on September 28th
Middle School students: Come to a night of fun and games at Middle School Game Night in the East Reading Room, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Snacks and a variety of indoor and outdoor games will be provided, but students are more than welcome to bring games from home.
Date: Friday, September 28th
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Place: East Reading Room and Lawn
Upper School students: Get ready for Gym-mania, with games, friendly competition and a chance to go crazy with Dance Dance Revolution on the jumbotron! Free pizza, snacks and beverages will be provided.
Date: Friday, September 28th
Time: 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Place: Athletic Center
Science Olympiad Information Meeting on September 29th
Students and parents are invited to attend an informational meeting about this year's Science Olympiad. New students and parents are especially welcome! Come learn how you can be a part of the highly successful Pacific Ridge team. Visit the Science Olympiad website for more information about this national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting interest in science. Curious about Pacific Ridge's student teams or interested in volunteering as a coach? Contact Ms. Mudaliar at rmudaliar@pacificridge.org.
Date: Saturday, September 29th
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (breakfast provided!)
Place: East Reading Room
Admissions Applications Available on October 1st
Families interested in applying for the 2013-2014 school year: applications will be available beginning October 1st. We encourage families to complete the online application, but paper applications are also available upon request. The first Admissions Open House is on Saturday, October 27th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Interested in attending an Open House event? Please contact Monique Velde at mvelde@pacificridge.org to RSVP. Click here for all Open House dates and for more information about the application process.
Be a Parent Ambassador During Admissions Season
We are looking for parents of current students and alumni to help families learn about Pacific Ridge School during admissions events. Come to one of two Parent Ambassador meetings scheduled on October 4th to kick off the season. Ms. Nassif will give a brief overview of the admissions process and explain how you can be an important part of admissions events. Please RSVP to Monique Velde at mvelde@pacificridge.org.
Date: Thursday, October 4th
Times: 8:00 - 9:00 a.m., or 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Place: Athletic Center Conference Room
Michael Gelb on Leonardo Da Vinci - Save the Date!
Curiosita, dimostrazione, sensazione... no, they are not opera lyrics or Italian desserts. These terms are three of the seven universal principles Leonardo Da Vinci used to unleash his creative potential and become one of history's most innovative thinkers. Internationally renowned author Michael J. Gelb will explore the key to Leonardo's genius with the Pacific Ridge community when he presents How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci on October 18th, from 7:00 pm. - 8:30 pm. Come be inspired by this engaging speaker as he coaches you to kickstart your creativity and think like a genius every day. RSVP to prsfirebirds@gmail.com.
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| New & Noteworthy | |
Global Journal Project Honored by U.S. Department of Education, Columbia Scholastic Press Association
Service Learning group Global Journal Project was named a top four overall winner of this year's U.S. Department of Education Startup Challenge. The competition honors student programs that provide an innovative solution to an education problem and design a blueprint for a startup organization that delivers that solution. The group's magazine, Global Vantage, was also awarded a Gold Medal by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association. Its score of 932 out of a possible 1,000 points places the publication in the top one percent of all submissions nationwide and qualifies Global Vantage to compete for the Gold Crown award, the highest level of recognition for overall excellence.
Service Learning Fair Showcases Programs, Choices
On September 14th, Upper School students and faculty were invited to peruse this year's many options for Service Learning participation. Sixteen existing groups and nearly a dozen proposed new groups presented information, answered questions, and generated enthusiasm for what is shaping up to be another robust year for the Upper School Service Learning program at Pacific Ridge.
Volunteers Keep the Coast Clear
Led by Service Learning group New Ocean Blue, a number of Pacific Ridge students and families helped keep local beaches pristine when they participated in California Coastal Cleanup Day on September 15th. PRS volunteers, together with over 60,000 other Californians, removed approximately 320 tons of garbage from 850 sites statewide. Thank you, volunteers, for protecting our marine wildlife and keeping our beaches and waterways beautiful!
Audio Books Now Available in the Library Pacific Ridge students can now enjoy audio versions of any books assigned in class, other than textbooks. When combined with a traditional reading of the text, listening to an audio book can increase comprehension, add nuances of meaning, and greatly enhance enjoyment. For more details, click here. Interested? Stop by the library, or send an email to Assistant Librarian, Ms. LeMasters at plemasters@pacificridge.org.
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| Sports on the Ridge | |
Girls Volleyball Takes 4-Time Champion Team to Bitter End
The Athletic Center was rocking on September 12th when Tri-City Christian Girls Volleyball made their first visit to Pacific Ridge's "home turf." The Varsity Firebirds took the 4-time consecutive CIF champion to a fifth game tie-breaker, showcasing some of the highest level of play seen in school history. Please congratulate the girls when you see them, for showing our opponents what they can expect when they play our teams in Our House!
Join the Fun - Support Our Firebirds!
Come out and cheer for our Pacific Ridge athletes during all their season matches. For team schedule information, game locations, and driving directions, visit Pacific Ridge's page on Schedulestar.com. Click on the event you are interested in for detailed information.
Scores:
Girls Varsity Tennis
9/11/12 Tri-City Christian Schools 3 15 L
9/13/12 High Tech High North County 8 10 L
Girls Varsity Volleyball
9/11/12 Oceanside High School 3 1 W
9/12/12 Tri-City Christian Schools 2 3 L
Girls JV Volleyball
9/11/12 Oceanside High School 0 2 L
9/12/12 Tri-City Christian Schools 0 2 L
Girls Frosh Volleyball
9/11/12 Oceanside High School 0 2 L
9/14/12 San Marcos High School 0 2 L
Boys Middle School A Flag Football
9/13/12 La Jolla Country Day School 0 28 L
Boys Middle School B Flag Football
9/13/12 La Jolla Country Day School 0 28 L
Girls Middle School A Volleyball
9/12/12 La Jolla Country Day School 0 2 L
Girls Middle School B Volleyball
9/12/12 La Jolla Country Day School 2 0 W
Girls Middle School White Volleyball
9/12/12 La Jolla Country Day School 0 2 L
Girls Middle School Blue Volleyball
9/12/12 La Jolla Country Day School 2 1 W
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| Parents Association News |
FALL FEST 2012 - Save the Date
Fall Fest is a once-a-year opportunity for Pacific Ridge students to raise funding and awareness for their Service Learning groups and clubs. Students generate enthusiasm for their programs by sharing information, selling goods and services, and showing their entrepreneurial spirit throughout the day. Food and entertainment are also available for the whole Pacific Ridge community to enjoy. Parent volunteers are still needed to help with various activities. If you are interested in supporting this important event, please sign up on-line at the Fall Fest Volunteer Spot, or email the Parents Association at parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.
Date: Saturday, October 20th
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Place: Pacific Ridge campus
Parent Book Club Meeting on September 24th
The Pacific Ridge Parent Book Club will hold its first meeting to discuss Mr. G, by Alan Lightman. Please email the Parents Association at parentsassociation@pacificridge.org for more information or to be added to the Book Club mailing list.
Date: September 24th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Pacific Ridge Library
Parents Association General Meeting on September 27th
The Parents Association warmly welcomes all parents to the first Parents Association General Meeting of the year. It's a great opportunity to get acquainted with the Parents Association leadership team, connect with other parents, and sign up for events and volunteer opportunities. This meeting will feature faculty and staff members addressing how Pacific Ridge School lives its mission statement. Used uniforms will also be available for sale and exchange.
Date: Thursday, September 27th
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Place: MS Commons
Parking: Due to the shortage of available on-campus parking, please park in the student parking lot, located at 2765 Loker Avenue. Shuttle service will be provided throughout the meeting.
Parent Level Grade Parties
7th Grade: Sunday, September 30th, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
9th Grade: Sunday, October 7th, 4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Locations for these parties and other grade level dates will be announced shortly. The 12th grade is still looking for a party host. Please email parentsassociation@pacificridge.org if you are interested.
Parent Walking Group on October 2nd
The Pacific Ridge Parent Walking Group will meet at Peet's Coffee in Bressi Ranch on Tuesday, October 2nd, at 8:00 a.m. Join us for a loop past the Pacific Ridge campus and back to Bressi Ranch for coffee afterwards. Bring suggestions for future meeting dates and times that work for you. Questions? Contact the Parents Association at parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.
New Pacific Ridge Supper 8 Club
Interested in meeting more Pacific Ridge parents in your child's grade? The Supper 8 Club is a voluntary parent enrichment program that helps foster parent-to-parent relationships through intimate dinner gatherings. All Pacific Ridge families are welcome to participate. Each Supper 8 Club consists of four couples, or eight parents, who rotate hosting and attending four casual dinners throughout the year. For more information or to sign up, please contact the Parents Association at parentsassociation@pacificridge.org before September 21st.
Donate Your Used Uniforms to the Parents Association
Used Uniform sales will be held at the Parents Association General Meeting on September 27th and during Fall Fest on October 20th. Outgrown uniforms cluttering your closets? Donate them! All proceeds support Parents Association events and programs. You can exchange your clothing with items available the day of the sale, or drop donations off at school. A collection box is available by the front desk in Building A. Questions? Email parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.
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| Beyond the Ridge | |
College Representatives Are On the Way
Juniors and Seniors: Don't miss your opportunity to meet with college representatives who will be visiting the Pacific Ridge campus throughout the fall. Unless otherwise noted, meetings will take place in the College Counseling office. For more information, contact Bonnie Laughlin at blaughlin@pacificridge.org or Ruth Foresman at rforesman@pacificridge.org.
On-campus:
September 21st
Elon University, 11:30 a.m.
September 25th
Wheaton College, MA, 8:00 a.m.
Grinnell College, 8:30 a.m.
Loyola University, New Orleans, 11:30 a.m.
September 26th
William Woods University, 9:00 a.m.
California Institute of Technology, 10:30 a.m.
Colorado College, 1:15 p.m.
Northwestern University, 2:00 p.m.
September 28th
Drexel University, 10:00 a.m.
University of British Columbia, 12:00 p.m.
October 1st
Carleton College, 8:30 a.m.
New York University, 11:00 a.m.
October 2nd
Santa Clara University, 8:30 a.m.
Pitzer College, 11:00 a.m.
October 3rd
Western New England University, 12:15 p.m.
Dartmouth College, 2:00 p.m.
October 8th
University of Southern California, 9:30 a.m.
October 9th
Hofstra University, 12:30 p.m.
October 10th
Champlain College, 8:30 a.m.
University of Chicago, 12:00 p.m.
UC Santa Barbara, 1:00 p.m.
October 11th
Cardiff University, 8:00 a.m.
Loyola University, Chicago, 10:00 a.m.
Amherst College, 10:30 a.m.
Syracuse University, 11:30 a.m.
University of Rochester, 12:00 p.m.
University of the Pacific, 1:00 p.m.
October 16th
Vanderbilt University, 8:00 a.m.
Whittier College, 9:00 a.m.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 10:00 a.m.
Stanford University, 11:00 a.m.
University of Pennsylvania, 12:00 p.m.
University of San Francisco, 12:30 p.m.
Off-campus:
October 10th
Discover Duke University, Francis Parker School, 7:30 p.m
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North County Happenings
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The Ninth Annual Carlsbad Music Festival will be held Friday-Sunday, September 21st-23rd. This year's festival will feature world-class and emerging musicians including Sara Watkins, Wu Man, composer Michael Gordon, and many more. Both paid and free concerts will take place throughout the weekend in the village of Carlsbad. Information about the artists, schedule and tickets can be found at www.carlsbadmusicfestival.org.
Free Cardiac Screening for San Diego Students
The Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation is offering free cardiac screenings to San Diego high school students on September 30th at Cathedral Catholic High School. The screenings are part of an education and outreach program to help prevent Sudden Cardiac Arrest in young people. To learn more or register, please click here.
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| Faculty Notes |
Faculty Focus on Professional Development
Several Pacific Ridge faculty members continued their professional development this summer by finishing graduate work and attending AP institutes:
Jessica Mills received her Master of Philosophy in Irish Writing from Trinity College, Dublin, with a focus on Irish Women's Writing. John Nagler finished the requirements for his MSc in Economic History from the London School of Economics, concentrating on a study of modern economic growth. Sarah Peeden completed her Master of Arts program at the University of Virginia, where she studied 19th Century American fiction. Melissa Symington received her Masters degree in Science Education from Montana State University with a concentration in Environmental Science. Finally, both Chris Webber and Namir Yedid received Masters in Education in Teacher Leadership degrees from the High Tech High Graduate School of Education. Mr. Webber focused on Harkness teaching, while Mr. Yedid studied the relationship between classroom structure and student motivation.
Martha Belo, Sybil Obiri, and Eric Peterson attended the AP by the Sea Summer Institute at the University of San Diego, where they studied curriculum design, AP preparation techniques, and teaching practices for their respective AP classes.
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| Faculty & Staff Snapshot | |
Matthew Liebowitz, English
Favorite Book: Tumble Home, by Amy Hempel
Favorite Movie: Fletch
Favorite Sport: Ultimate Frisbee
Greatest Indulgence: Peanut Butter Cups
If You Make Him Breakfast: Blueberry pancakes with a strawberry banana smoothie
In His Free Time: Plays the drums, runs, plays with his dog at the beach
Dream Vacation: Bali
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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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Schedule of Events
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September 24th
Parent Book Club
Library
7 p.m.
September 27th
Parents Association General Meeting
MS Commons
8:30 a.m.
11th Grade Parent Information Night
East Reading Room
6:30 p.m.
September 28th
Upper School
Gym-mania
6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Athletic Center
Middle School
Game Night
East Reading Room
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
September 29th
Science Olympiad Information Meeting
9 - 11 a.m.
East Reading Room
September 30th
7th Grade Parent Party
4 - 7 p.m.
October 2nd
Parent Walking Group
8 a.m.
Meet at Peet's Coffee
October 3rd
Picture Day Re-Takes
October 7th
9th Grade Parent Party
4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
October 10th
Parent/Teacher Conferences
4 - 7 p.m.
October 11th
Parent/Teacher Conferences
5 - 8 p.m.
October 12th
No School
Parent/Teacher Conferences
8:30 - 11:30 a.m.
October 15th
No School
October 17th
PSAT for Juniors and Sophomores
8 a.m.
October 20th
Fall Fest
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
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A View From The Ridge
