| Snapshot from the Ridge | |
Each week, Pacific Ridge School invites you to enjoy a spontaneous view of school life.
A 7th grader's best friend: Baylee the border collie and 7 other dogs trained for therapy, leading the blind, and even starring in movies, visited campus with the Rancho Coastal Humane Society on November 20th.
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Bulletin Board
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Young Leaders in Healthcare Session on December 6th
Senior Mitch Kneeshaw has organized a Pacific Ridge School chapter of Young Leaders in Healthcare for students interested in careers in medicine or science. Monthly meetings at Scripps Hospital, Encinitas, offer a forum for students to learn more about the health care system and its breadth of career opportunities. Students also have the opportunity to engage in a year-end service project. The next meeting, featuring a discussion about the exploding area of genetics and technology, will be held on December 6th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Visit the Young Leaders in Healthcare website for more information.
Is the Annual Fund on your Holiday Gift Giving List?
The Annual Fund supports virtually every aspect of a Pacific Ridge education, including our wonderful teachers, service learning programs, global travel, arts, athletics and more. Please help us achieve our 2012-13 goal of raising $520,000 with 100% participation. Want convenience? Visit our Annual Fund webpage to pledge or donate online. Still have questions? Contact Emma Balina at ebalina@pacificridge.org. Thank you for your support!
Showcase DVDs Still Available
No need to worry if you missed November's Arts Showcase or want to see all the wonderful performances again. DVDs are available for $15 each. Interested in purchasing one? Email Mr. Dziekonski at sdziekonski@pacificridge.org.
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| New & Noteworthy | |
Guilty or Not Guilty? Odysseus on Trial
On Monday and Tuesday, November 19th and 20th, ninth-grade legal teams put the legendary hero, Odysseus, on trial for 108 counts of murder, examining evidence gleaned from their English text, Homer's Odyssey. Student prosecutors and defense lawyers compared the facts of the epic poem to the California Penal Code, making opening and closing arguments and questioning witnesses such as Laertes, Eurykleia and Telamachos. Even the imperious immortals, Poseidon and Athena, made appearances in the courtroom. Were the killings conducted with malice aforethought? Did they occur in self-defense? Was post-traumatic stress disorder a factor? Juries consisting of faculty, seniors, alumni and guests pondered these questions and more, returning well-reasoned verdicts based on the effectiveness of the legal arguments presented.
The cross-examination of Telemachos
Even gods and heroes are subject to sharp questioning.
Subscribe to Global Vantage!
Pacific Ridge's Global Vantage will release Issue 5 on November 30th, and readers may subscribe now to receive all three of this year's issues by mail. As a thank you, subscribers will receive a Global Vantage t-shirt along with issue 5. The annual subscription costs $50, and you can purchase it online here. This beautiful 56-page magazine features the theme of Origins, with engaging stories from contributors worldwide. Support the work of the Global Journal Project by purchasing a subscription or picking up a copy on campus.
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| Curricular Adventures | |
Students Attend TEDx Youth San Diego Event
On November 18th, nine Pacific Ridge students attended the TEDx Youth San Diego conference held at Canyon Crest Academy. The day featured the theme "Architects of the Future," and showcased groundbreaking ideas and work by people of all ages. Students were treated to a wide range of presentations covering topics in science, art, technology, health and the environment. One attendee reported being thrown into a "realm of stimulation and epiphanies" by the event's intellectual energy. TED, an acronym for Technology, Entertainment and Design, is a global set of conferences dedicated to spreading "ideas worth sharing." The TEDx organization brings TED-like experiences to the local level.
Tedx attendees experience the power of great ideas.
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| Service Learning in the Field |
Holiday Gift Drive for Head Start Want to make a child smile? Contribute to the holiday gift drive supporting Head Start! The three Pacific Ridge Service Learning groups that partner with Head Start will be collecting gifts this holiday season. Last year, our holiday drive provided almost 100 low-income and special needs preschoolers with some of the only gifts they received all year. Our goal this year is to give presents to over 200 children. Starting on Monday afternoon, December 3rd, any interested donor can pick up a "Santa Star" with a child's name and wish list on it in the A building lobby. Gifts will be collected until December 14th, after which students in the Middle School Head Start and Upper School Building Blocks Service Learning groups will deliver them to Head Start. Thank you for your support!
Phoenix Foundation Rubio's Fundraiser for Cancer Survivors The Phoenix Foundation, a Service Learning group dedicated to raising cancer awareness and helping college students who have had cancer, is sponsoring a fundraiser for the Cancer for College charity at Rubio's on Thursday, December 6th. Want to help? Fundraiser flyers will be available at school on Wednesday and Thursday. Bring your flyer to the Bressi Ranch Rubio's between 3:00 and 9:00 p.m., and enjoy some good food and company! A percentage of the proceeds will go to support this worthy cause.
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| Parents Association News |
Show Your Appreciation for Pacific Ridge Faculty & Staff The Parent Association Holiday Appreciation Drive for faculty and staff will kick off on Monday, December 3rd. As individual teacher gifts are not allowed, this is our once in a year opportunity to show how much we appreciate Pacific Ridge's faculty and staff. Simply make a donation to the Holiday Appreciation Drive and the funds will be used to purchase gift cards for all teachers and staff. Check your emails for donation instructions in early December. Questions can be directed to parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.
Gingerbread Breakfast - Help Wanted! Pacific Ridge's traditional Gingerbread Breakfast is coming up on Friday, December 21st. The Parents Association asks that parents help out if they can by baking or bringing in items needed for this annual event. The Gingerbread Breakfast treats almost 600 students, faculty and staff to a fun, relaxed holiday breakfast on the last half-day of school before winter break. To pick a task or item to provide, please visit Sign-up Genius. Questions? Co-Chairs Cindy Morgan and Lesa Thode can be contacted at GingerbreadMan@pacificridge.org. Thank you!
Parent Walking Group on December 4th Date: Tuesday, December 4th Time: 8:00 a.m. Place: Von's (corner of El Camino Real and Aviara Parkway)
Holiday Shop with eScrip Are you an eScrip user? Please take a few moments to register your credit and debit cards by visiting My eScrip, then do your holiday shopping by visiting eScrip and selecting "At the Online Mall." Click on the merchant you want, and you will be taken to its site. Once there, use your registered cards to shop, and automatically earn important funding for Pacific Ridge School! Have eScrip questions? Please email parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.
Supper 8 Club: Still Space at the Table The new parent's Supper 8 Club is going strong, with over 80 families participating. There's still space available, with an immediate opening in 11th grade. New Supper 8 clubs can be formed by grade. Interested? Please email parentsassociation@pacificridge.org, with the following information: Parent name(s), child name(s), grade, and city of residence.
12th Grade Parent Party on January 25th Save the date for the 12th grade parent party on Friday, January 25th at 7:00 p.m. Details can be found on the school portal calendar.
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| Class Notes |
David Claxton '13 & Dillon Lerach '13 Earn Eagle Scout Rank
On November 17th, seniors David Claxton and Dillon Lerach achieved scouting's highest rank in a ceremony also marking 100 years of the award. For his Eagle project, David built a shrine to the Virgin of Guadalupe at the Church of the Nativity in Rancho Santa Fe to encourage Mexican immigrants to feel welcome to use the church as a source of prayer and refuge. Dillon undertook an environmental and neighborhood beautification project renovating trails at the Point Loma Native Plant Garden, part of the San Diego River Conservancy. The boys share the Eagle Scout honor with current Pacific Ridge students Will Glockner, Tony Ibrahim, Trevor King and Daniel Thompson.
David Claxton and Dillon Lerach are congratulated by Pacific Ridge alumnus and Eagle Scout, David Hines '11 (center).
Khalid Abudawas '16 Published in Poetry Book
The World Poetry Movement has selected the poem, "My Tears," by ninth grader Khalid Abudawas for inclusion in the book Stars in Our Hearts: Images. Khalid has been writing poetry since sixth grade, and has also published poems on several online teen poetry sites. The World Poetry Movement is an organization that encourages the art of poetry among amateur poets. The book is available at Barnes & Noble and on Amazon.com.
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| Sports on the Ridge | |
Subscribe to the Positive Coaching Alliance Newsletter
Pacific Ridge School is the first high school in San Diego County to partner with the Positive Coaching Alliance. Founded at Stanford University, the PCA is a non-profit organization with the mission of promoting positive, character-building experiences in youth sports. Get all the latest news, views, videos, tips, tools, information and inspiration from the PCA movement by receiving the bi-weekly Momentum eNewsletter. Click here for your free subscription.
Cross Country Excels at CIF Championships and State Meet
The Pacific Ridge girls Varsity Cross Country team came in a close second place at its CIF Championship meet on November 17th at Morley Field. The girls' strong showing was led by Delaney Miller's personal best time and first place finish. The boys team also performed well, achieving third place overall. Henry Poole led the boys by placing 13th.
At the CIF State Finals on Saturday, November 24th, in Fresno, the girls team placed 14th, with Delaney Miller receiving a top 10 medal for her 8th place finish. Eva Loeser and Emily Chong set personal records, significantly reducing their times compared to last year's race. Lauren Lipman ran the third fastest time by a Division V freshman.
11/17/12 CIF Cross Country Championships:
Boys Varsity
La Jolla Country Day 22
Francis Parker 46
Pacific Ridge 103
Calvin Christian 147
Santa Fe Christian 183
Horizon 197
Foothills Christian 213
Christian 233
Classical Academy 255
The Rock Academy 259
Mountain Empire 271
Liberty Charter 301
Maranatha Christian 310
Girls Varsity
Francis Parker 49
Pacific Ridge 51
Classical Academy 100
Santa Fe Christian 114
Mountain Empire 121
La Jolla Country Day 128
Julian High 147
Foothills Christian 182
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| Beyond the Ridge | |
College Financial Aid Night on December 3rd
Date: Monday, December 3rd
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Place: East Reading Room
Junior Parent College Night on December 5th
Parents of juniors are invited to attend this meeting to learn more about next steps in the college search process. A Test Prep Mini-Fair will precede the College Counseling presentation, for those parents who are interested in exploring test prep options.
Date: Wednesday, December 5th
Time: Test Prep Mini-Fair, 6:30 p.m.; presentation, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Place: Test Prep Mini-Fair, library; presentation, East Reading Room
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| Faculty & Staff Snapshot |
Favorite Book: Elizabeth I, by Alison Weir
Favorite Movie: The Silence of the Lambs
Favorite Sport to Play or Watch: Football
Greatest Indulgence: Chocolate!
If You Make Him Breakfast: Chocolate!
In His Free Time: Researches art, creates art, and builds things.
Dream Vacation: Camping in Yosemite (without any other tourists)
Home Town: Franklin, Pennsylvania
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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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December 3rd
College Financial Aid Night
7 p.m.
December 4th
Parent Walking Group
8 a.m.
Von's - El Camino Real & Aviara Parkway
December 5th
Junior Parent College Night
7 p.m.
December 21st
Gingerbread Breakfast
Half Day
December 22nd - January 6th
NO SCHOOL
Winter Break
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A View From The Ridge
