| Snapshot from the Ridge | |
Each week, Pacific Ridge School invites you to enjoy a spontaneous view of school life.
Mind Games: Ms. Wasserman introduces members of this year's Junior Varsity Academic League team during a lunchtime demo.
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| Bulletin Board | |
2013 Parent Education Series: Education and Technology
Parents are invited to join the Harkness table with faculty and staff for discussions about education, adolescents and technology. The goal of the sessions is to learn, share ideas, and talk about ways the school and parents can help students get the most from technology while avoiding its pitfalls. Articles or videos will be pre-assigned for each Harkness group. Check your email for more details from the Academic Office. You can register by clicking here. Space is limited, so sign up soon.
Discussion I: The Technology Itch: Tips for Helping Students Manage Limitless Access to Information
Date: Tuesday, January 29th, 8:15-9:45 a.m., and 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Discussion II: From the Information Age to the Hybrid Age: How Students are Co-evolving with Technology
Date: Wednesday, February 27th, 8:15-9:45 a.m., and 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Admissions Open House on January 12th
Families interested in Pacific Ridge School are encouraged to visit the Open House scheduled for Saturday, January 12th, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Faculty and current students will present information about the school and its programs from 1:00 to 2:15 p.m. Campus tours and exhibits will take place between 2:15 and 4:00 p.m. Interested in attending the Open House? Please contact Monique Velde at mvelde@pacificridge.org to RSVP. Click here for more information about the application process.
Heading to High School on January 15th
Eighth-grade families are invited to a session on "Heading to High School," where they will learn what to expect as students make the transition to the Upper School. Students and parents - please come with questions and learn more about the Pacific Ridge Upper School experience.
Date: Tuesday, January 15th
Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Place: East Reading Room
WeCare Parent Education Consortium Presents David Code on January 22nd
Pacific Ridge School is pleased to host award-winning author David Code at one of two WeCare Parent Education Consortium presentations on January 22nd. Mr. Code will be discussing his new book, Kids Pick Up on Everything: How Parental Stress is Toxic to Kids. The events are free and open to the public.
Morning Presentation: Tuesday, January 22nd, 9:30 a.m. social, 10:00 a.m. talk at La Jolla Country Day School, 9490 Genessee Avenue, La Jolla
Evening Presentation: Tuesday, January 22nd, 6:30 p.m. social, 7:00 p.m. talk at Pacific Ridge School
Technology Shopping Tips
Parents: Thinking about purchasing a tech device for your child this holiday season? If so, please keep in mind that laptops or robust tablets may be required in some Upper School classes in the 2013-2014 academic year. Please feel free to contact Pati Ruiz at pruiz@pacificridge.org for suggestions about the variety of products available.
Include the Annual Fund in Your Holiday Plans!
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 to take advantage of the end of the tax year and contribute right this very minute? Visit our Annual Fund webpage to pledge or donate online. Need to ask questions or get more information? Annual Fund Manager Emma Balina would be happy to assist you. You can contact her at ebalina@pacificridge.org or 760-448-9883. Thank you!
Reminder: Save the Date for Into the Woods!
Before you plan your mid-winter vacation, make sure you mark your calendar for Into the Woods! Pacific Ridge's 5th annual musical will be performed right before the February break. Performance dates are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, February 7th - 9th. The Thursday performance has graciously been added for the convenience of those vacationing out of town. More details about the award-winning Sondheim musical and instructions for purchasing tickets are coming in the next few weeks.
Reminder: Head Start Holiday Gifts Due Friday
If you are participating in the Head Start Holiday Gift Drive and picked up a wish list star or tree, please return it with your unwrapped gift to the A Building lobby by tomorrow, Friday, December 14th. Donors who would like to contribute general or gently used gifts can drop off their items on or before Tuesday, December 18th. Our Service Learning groups will compile and organize the gifts and deliver them to Head Start.
Thank you for your generosity and support!
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| New & Noteworthy | |
Model U.N. Club Hosts Conference With High Tech High
On Saturday, December 8th, Pacific Ridge School's Model United Nations club joined together with High Tech High North County to host the third annual North County Regional Conference for students from all over San Diego and Orange Counties. Approximately 175 students from nine schools participated in diplomatic discussions which ranged from the Syrian uprising, to pre-WWII Germany, to how to handle genetically modified foods. The Model U.N. program is an academic simulation of the United Nations that educates participants about current affairs, history, international relations and diplomacy. Pacific Ridge School's Model U.N. team has participated in conferences across the United States, and heads to Columbia University for its next convention in January.
M.U.N. delegate proposes a resolution to the assembled body.
Face to Faith Connects Students Across the Globe
During the week of December 3rd, Pacific Ridge ninth graders participated in Harkness-style video conferences with students from Israel, the West Bank, Canada and the Philippines. Students prepared for the dialogues in their Ancient World History classes, and conversed with their counterparts in sessions moderated by trained facilitators from the Face to Faith foundation. The foundation fosters dialogue and open exchange between young people from around the world with widely differing religious backgrounds. The conversations covered several topics relating to faith and society, and sparkled with both humorous and meaningful moments as students learned how to reach out to make friends across distances and cultures.
Ninth graders video-conference with a student in the Philippines.
Improv Club Displays Agility and Wit
On December 6th, Pacific Ridge's Improv Club staged its first competition of the year, with a spirited contest against Carlsbad High School. It was an exceptionally close match, but rated by the applause received for each game segment and skit, the Pacific Ridge team won, 32-30. The Improv Club partners with the National Comedy Theater, a professional Improv theater in downtown San Diego, and competes in its high school league. Additional membership in the newly formed North County league led to the competition with Carlsbad High. More matches are in the works for early 2012.
Improv Club members turn audience suggestions into a winning mix of spontaneity and humor.
Alumni Visits Filled with Appreciation of Old and New
Dr. Ogle, Ms. Grossman and Mrs. Balina recently dined with Pacific Ridge alumni attending schools in the Los Angeles area, and Mrs. Balina traveled to San Francisco to visit graduates studying in northern California. Their report? Pacific Ridge alumni are thriving at their respective universities, while expressing gratitude for the preparation and inspiration their Pacific Ridge experience provided them. Several alumni have enthusiastically maintained their service learning commitments in college, and a large number plan to continue their global engagement by studying abroad in the next year or two. Current students and faculty will have the chance to visit with graduates when they return to campus for alumni events on December 19th and January 9th.
Los Angeles-area alumni share stories over dinner at Roscoe's House of Chicken & Waffles.
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| Service Learning in the Field |
Upper School Service Learning Groups Present Plans, Receive Feedback and Advice On Friday, December 7th, all 23 of this year's Upper School Service Learning groups took turns sharing their organizational plans with panels of faculty and staff. Students prepared thorough presentations covering the history of their groups, current activities, organizational structure and leadership, budgets, and short and long-term goals. Panelists asked questions, filled out evaluations and provided constructive criticism to help the groups address current challenges and achieve their objectives. The panelists were uniformly impressed by both the professionalism of the student presenters and the breadth of activities and interests reflected in this year's program.
Over 250 Upper School students participate in the following Service Learning groups: Alternative Energy Sources, The Buddy Project, Building Blocks, Food for Thought, FAST (Friends Assisting Special Needs Teens), Global Journal Project, G-Force (Guatemala Group), Haven Night Shelter, Inclusivity, Lingo Online, New Ocean Blue, NKT Connection (Nepal-Kenya-Tibet), Notes of Hope, N'SESA, Phoenix Foundation, Playing for a Difference, Positive Planning, Project Dance, Second to None, Storyships, TASC (Tibetan-American School Connection), The Bird's Nest (Student Store) and Tech Team.
Reminder: Global Vantage Subscriptions Now Available
Readers may subscribe to receive all three of this year's Global Vantage 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 Service Learning work of the Global Journal Project by purchasing a subscription or picking up a copy on campus.
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| Parents Association News |
Show Your Appreciation for Pacific Ridge Faculty & Staff: Deadline for Gifts is Monday, December 17th The Parent Association Holiday Appreciation Drive for faculty and staff has launched! 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. Checks can be dropped off in the A Building lobby at the front desk, or gifts can be made by using PayPal. Please note "Faculty and Staff Holiday Gift" on the check or PayPal memo field. The deadline for gifts is Monday, December 17th. Check your email for instructions from the Parents Association. Questions? Please contact parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.
Gingerbread Breakfast - Help Wanted! Pacific Ridge's traditional Gingerbread Breakfast is coming up on Friday, December 21st. 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. The Parents Association asks that parents help out in one of two ways: 1) Parents can help by baking or bringing in items needed for the event. To see a list of requested items, click here. 2) Parents can help decorate or work at the event. Signups for decorating or serving can be found here. Questions? Co-Chairs Cindy Morgan and Lesa Thode can be contacted at GingerbreadMan@pacificridge.org. Thank you!
Reminder: 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.
Reminder: Still Space at the Supper 8 Club Table Over 80 families are participating in the new Supper 8 Club, but there's still space available, with an immediate opening in 10th grade. New Supper 8 clubs can be formed by grade. For more information, please contact the Parents Association at parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.
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| Sports on the Ridge | |
Isabella Salant '14 Receives All-CIF First Team Golf Honors
Congratulations to Junior Isabella Salant, who was selected to the 2012 First Team All-CIF for girls golf. Isabella and her family celebrated her award at the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park on Monday, December 10th, when San Diego's fall All-CIF athletes were honored by KUSI television.
Scores:
Boys JV Basketball
12/05/12 Classical Academy High 46 36 W
12/06/12 La Jolla Country Day School 16 60 L
12/08/12 Orange Glen High School 39 53 L
Girls Varsity Basketball
12/04/12 Calvary Christian School 39 15 W
Boys Varsity Soccer
12/04/12 Horizon Christian School 8 0 W
12/07/12 Ramona High School 1 3 L
Boys Junior Varsity Soccer
12/03/12 San Marcos High School 0 4 L
Girls Varsity Soccer
12/03/12 Santana High School 0 1 L
12/05/12 Olympian High School 5 2 W
Girls Junior Varsity Soccer
12/06/12 San Dieguito Academy 0 4 L
Boys Middle School B Soccer
12/07/12 La Jolla Country Day School 0 3 L
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| Beyond the Ridge | |
Juniors Full Steam Ahead in College Counseling
Beginning in January, Mrs. Laughlin and Ms. Grossman will be meeting with all juniors and their parents to discuss next steps in the college search process. PSAT results, future testing timelines, senior courses, college planning and summer opportunities will be covered. Meetings will last at least one hour and can be scheduled throughout the day, or before or after school. Juniors and parents must complete and submit both Junior Questionnaires before scheduling their conferences. Questionnaires can be found in the document library of your online Naviance/Family Connection account. To schedule your conference, please contact Ms. Foresman at rforesman@pacificridge.org or 760-579-4905.
Student Alumni College Fair on January 9th
Upper School students and their parents are invited to the Student Alumni College Fair, when Pacific Ridge graduates return to campus to represent their respective colleges. Alumni will discuss academic preparation, courses, choosing majors, roommates, homesickness, budgeting and other topics. Attendees are encouraged to come armed with questions: about weather, college life, class sizes, travel costs - you name it. Don't miss this opportunity to hear about the college experiences of our Pacific Ridge grads!
Date: Wednesday, January 9th
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Place: East Reading Room
Sophomore College Counseling Night on January 17th
Tenth graders and their parents should mark their calendars for this informative meeting with the College Counseling team. A Test Prep Mini-Fair will precede the presentation, for those families who would like to explore test prep options.
Date: Thursday, January 17th
Time: Test-Prep Mini-Fair at 6:30 p.m., presentation at 7:00 p.m.
Location: Test Prep Mini-Fair, Library; presentation, East Reading Room
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| Faculty & Staff Snapshot |
Justin Symington, History
Favorite Book: The Immense Journey, by Loren Eisley
Favorite Movie: City of Lost Children
Favorite Sport to Play: Skiing
Favorite Sport to Watch: Basketball
Greatest Indulgence: GUMMI BEARS!
If You Make Him Breakfast: Eggs, chorizo and home fries
In His Free Time: Spearfishes, plays the guitar, mountain bikes and surfs
Dream Vacation: Visiting the ancient Buddhist temples of southeast Asia
Home Town: Central Village, Connecticut
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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 21st
Gingerbread Breakfast
Half Day
December 22nd - January 6th
NO SCHOOL
Winter Break
January 9th
Student Alumni College Fair
7-9 p.m.
January 12th
Admissions Open House
1-4 p.m.
January 15th
Heading to High School
6:30-7:30 p.m.
January 17th
10th Grade Parent College Night
7-9 p.m.
January 18th
Parent Walking Group
8 a.m.
Bressi Peet's Coffee
January 21st
NO SCHOOL
Martin Luther King Day
January 22nd
WeCare Consortium Presents David Code
7-9 p.m.
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A View From The Ridge
