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Pacific Ridge School DotsA View From The Ridge
Weekly E-Newsletter
October 3, 2013 
In This Issue
Bulletin Board
New & Noteworthy
Curricular Adventures
Service Learning in the Field
Parents Association
Sports on the Ridge
Beyond the Ridge
Class Notes
New Faculty & Staff Snapshot
Snapshot from the Ridge

Each week, Pacific Ridge School invites you to enjoy a spontaneous view of school life.


Girls Varsity Volleyball players raise funds and awareness by selling Dig Pink athletic shirts. Profits go to support breast cancer research.

Bulletin Board



Admissions Applications Now Available

Families interested in applying for the 2014-2015 school year: applications are now available. We encourage families to complete the online application, but paper applications are available upon request. The first Admissions Open House is on Saturday, November 2nd, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Interested in attending an Open House event? To RSVP, please contact Monique Velde at mvelde@pacificridge.org. Click here for all Open House dates and 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 during admissions events. Come to a Parent Ambassador meeting on October 16th to kick off the season. Mrs. Nassif will give an overview of the admissions process and explain how you can be an important part of admissions events. Email Monique Velde at mvelde@pacificridge.org to RSVP.

Date: Wednesday, October 16th

Time: 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Place: Athletic Center Lobby

 

Parent Teacher Conferences on October 9th - 11th

Parent Teacher conferences are soon approaching! Don't forget to sign up using the unique link emailed to you last week. Questions? Contact Ms. Diaz-Orosco at jdiaz-orosco@pacificridge.org or 760-448-9882. 

 

No School on Friday, October 11th & Monday, October 14th

 

PSAT for Juniors and Sophomores on October 16th

All juniors and sophomores will take the PSAT at Pacific Ridge School on Wednesday, October 16th, starting promptly at 8:00 a.m. Juniors' test scores will potentially qualify them for National Merit consideration; sophomores are taking the test for practice. Questions? Contact Ms. Petrella at rpetrella@pacificridge.org, or 760-579-4905.

 

Come to Fall Fest on October 19th! 
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, raffles, entertainment, and a pumpkin patch and bake sale are also available for the entire Pacific Ridge community to enjoy.
Date: Saturday, October 19th
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Place: Pacific Ridge campus
Parking: 2765 Loker Avenue (see map), shuttles provided
 

Parent Grade-Level Parties Coming Up Soon

Parents, take advantage of these opportunities to socialize with other parents in your child's grade. Locations and times for the parties will be emailed and posted on Haiku. Sponsored by the Parents Association.

9th Grade: Saturday, October 5th

11th Grade: Sunday, October 6th

7th Grade: Sunday, October 27th

12th Grade: Saturday, November 2nd

8th Grade: Sunday, November 3rd

10th Grade: Saturday, November 16th

 

Birds' Nest Merchandise Available at Fall Fest!

The Birds' Nest Fall Fest sale is coming! The student store will be selling Pacific Ridge spirit wear and other items at Fall Fest on October 19th. Cash, check or Paypal payments will be accepted. Also stay tuned for the launching of the Birds' Nest website!

 

Firebird fans cheer in style wearing Birds' Nest spirit wear.

 

Family Directory Now Available Online

Two versions of the Family Directory are now available online. For a searchable directory, please go to My Backpack. For a downloadable print version, please go to Haiku. The directory can be found on the School Information page.

 

New & Noteworthy


Boys Varsity Lacrosse Team Achieves Highest GPA in State
Pacific Ridge's 2013 Varsity Boys Lacrosse Team has been named a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Team Champion. The team's collective, unweighted GPA of 3.54 was the highest among all boys lacrosse teams in the state of California. This is the second time in the four-year history of the program that the team has achieved this honor. The Firebirds finished their season with a 15-4 record, ranked 7th among all teams in San Diego County and 25th among all teams in the state. Go Firebirds!

Curricular Adventures

Local Professional Dance Instructors Visit Classes
On September 26th and 27th, students in Dance 1 and 2 were treated to master classes taught by two instructors from the Carlsbad Dance Centre. Susan Skrable, who has danced in numerous principle roles with the City Ballet of San Diego, helped students in Dance 1 improve their basic ballet form. The following day, Abbie Ginsberg, who has won several national awards for her Jazz, Lyrical and Tap choreography, demonstrated Contemporary Dance technique to students in Dance 2. Dance teacher Wendy Moore is inviting outside instructors periodically to teach class in order to give her students broader exposure to the San Diego dance community. In January, students will also have the opportunity to attend the Nuvo Dance convention in Long Beach.


Susan Skrable reviews ballet movement with students in Dance 1.

Service Learning in the Field

Middle School Students Get to Know Seniors at ActivCare
On Monday, September 30th, Middle School students in the Seniors service learning group hiked up the hill from Pacific Ridge to visit their new friends at ActivCare in Bressi Ranch. Over the course of the trimester, students and residents will share stories, perform skits, create art projects, and learn important lessons from each other. Pacific Ridge students also spend time developing relationships with residents at the Sunrise at La Costa senior living community.
 
Middle School students learn about life from our neighbors at ActivCare.

Parents Association
 
   

Fall Fest Volunteers Needed

Parent volunteers are needed to make Fall Fest a success. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up here.

 
Contribute to Fall Fest Raffle Baskets
Do you have an item you'd like to donate for a Fall Fest raffle basket? Contributions such as sports tickets, golf rounds, hotel stays, spa packages, sports equipment and gift cards make terrific raffle items. Most donations qualify for charitable income tax deductions. Interested? Contact the Parents Association at parentsassociation@pacificridge.org. Thank you!

 

Spaces Still Available in Supper 8 Club

Did you miss your opportunity to sign up for the Supper 8 Club? There are a few spots available in 8th, 11th and 12th grade. Parents in other grades may still join, and new groups will be formed based on those registrations. For more information and to sign up, please click here. Questions? Contact the Parents Association at parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.

 

Join Pacific Ridge Families on the Winter Slopes!

Want to join other Pacific Ridge families in either Mammoth or Park City during Winter Break in February? Click here to complete our online interest form. You will be contacted shortly regarding trip details and other information.

  

The Whole-Brain Child: WeCare Presents Dr. Tina Bryson

Please join WeCare for a presentation from Dr. Tina Bryson, co-author of The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind. Dr. Bryson will discuss cutting-edge research in neuroscience and how you can use it to support your child's or teen's developing brain. Her presentation aims to provide parents with tools to help their children become more emotionally intelligent, develop greater empathy and self-awareness, and become happier and more resilient. Two presentations are offered.

Date: Tuesday, October 29th

Morning Time: 9:00 am

Place: Francis Parker School, Cirvello Hall, 6501 Linda Vista Rd, San Diego 92111

Evening Time: 6:30 p.m.

Place: Soille San Diego Hebrew Day School, 3630 Afton Rd, San Diego, 92123

 

Sports on the Ridge





Scores:

Varsity Coed Cross Country
9/28/13 Dana Hills Invitational, 3 miles (top 50 medal)

Girls:
Delaney Miller: Senior Race - 9th Place
Emily Chong: Junior/Senior Race - 27th Place
Gabrielle Clarke: Junior/Senior Race - 47th Place
Mina Fardeen: Freshman/Sophomore Race - 2nd Place

Boys:
Henry Poole: Senior Race - 44th Place
Matthew Peterschmidt: Senior Race - 47th Place
Will Glockner: Junior Race - 26th Place
Thomas Peterschmidt: Sophomore Race - 21st Place
Wayne Chong: Sophomore Race - 48th Place

Girls Varsity Volleyball
9/24/13 San Diego Jewish Academy 3 0 W

Girls JV Volleyball
9/24/13 San Diego Jewish Academy 2 0 W

Girls Frosh Volleyball
9/26/13 Classical Academy 0 2 L

Girls Varsity Tennis
9/24/13 Escondido Charter 14 4 W

Coed Middle School Cross Country
9/25/13 South Coast Middle School League Meet
Low score wins:

Girls:
Horizon Prep 21
Maranatha Christian 38
Rancho Santa Fe Middle School 44
Santa Fe Christian 59
Pacific Ridge 78

Boys:
Rancho Santa Fe Middle School 26
Maranatha Christian 28
Santa Fe Christian 52
Pacific Ridge 58
Horizon Prep 78

Boys 8th-Grade Flag Football
9/24/13 Rancho Santa Fe Middle School 6 28 L

Boys 7th-Grade Flag Football
9/24/13 Rancho Santa Fe Middle School 0 6 L

Girls Middle School A Volleyball
9/24/13 La Jolla Country Day School 2 0 W
9/26/13 Horizon Prep 2 0 W

Girls Middle School B Volleyball
9/24/13 La Jolla Country Day School 2 0 W

Girls Middle School White Volleyball
9/24/13 La Jolla Country Day School 1 2 L
9/26/13 Horizon Prep 2 0 W

Girls Middle School Blue Volleyball
9/24/13 La Jolla Country Day School 0 2 L

Girls Middle School Black Volleyball
9/27/13 Santa Fe Christian Schools 0 2 L

Girls Middle School Silver Volleyball
9/27/13 Santa Fe Christian Schools 0 2 L

Beyond the Ridge

Bucknell University Reception on October 7th
Date: Monday, October 7th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: East Reading Room

UC/CSU Workshop for Seniors on October 11th
College Counseling will be holding a workshop for seniors interested in applying to schools in the University of California or California State University system on Friday, October 11th, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The College Counseling office will also be open all day for students who have questions about their applications. All seniors are expected to be on campus unless they have filled out a Pre-arranged Absence form. Due to Parent Teacher Conferences, students are asked to park at the Loker lot. Shuttles will be running. Questions? Contact Ms. Bergmanis at rbergmanis@pacificridge.org.
Date: Friday, October 11th
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Place: Library

University of Chicago Information Session on October 17th
Date: Thursday, October 17th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: East Reading Room

College Reps Are On the Way
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, all meetings will take place in the College Counseling office. The full list of college rep visits can be found in student and parent Naviance accounts. Questions? Contact Ms. Bergmanis at rbergmanis@pacificridge.org.

Week of October 7th
Carleton College; Colgate University; Eugene Lang College/The New School for Liberal Arts; Fordham University; Georgetown University; Hofstra University; Hope College; Johns Hopkins University; Rider University; Skidmore College; Stevens Institute of Technology; Syracuse University; University of California, San Diego; University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; University of the Pacific; University of Pennsylvania; University of Redlands; University of Rochester; University of San Francisco; Whitman College; William Woods University; Willamette University

Week of October 14th
Bentley University; Bowdoin College; Bucknell University; College of the Holy Cross; Columbia University; Dartmouth College; Franklin and Marshall College; Franklin College Switzerland; Ithaca College; Loyola Marymount University; Miami University, Oxford; Northwestern University; Occidental College; Polytechnic Institute of NYU; Rutgers University; Saint Mary's College; Simmons College; St. Edward's University; University of Dallas; University of Glasgow; University of Puget Sound; Vanderbilt University; Waynesburg University; Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Week of October 21st
American University; Barnard College; Boston University; Elon University; Indiana University at Bloomington; Lafayette College; Kalamazoo College; Linfield College; Loyola University Chicago; Marist College; Marymount California University; Reed College; Saint Mary's College of California; Santa Clara University; Seton Hall University; Southern Methodist University; Tulane University; University of California at Santa Barbara; University of Southern California; University of St. Andrews; Wake Forest University; Washington University in St. Louis; Wheaton College, MA

Class Notes

Louisa Ballif '14 Explores Ghana with Her Heart & Her Lens
In June, senior Louisa Ballif spent ten days in Accra, Ghana's capital city, documenting the unique stories and lives of Accra's residents through her passion for photography. Her photos, a mix of lifestyle shots and portraits, offer a glimpse into the contrast of a city's absolute poverty and its community's warmth and generosity. Louisa also spent time visiting several service organizations in Accra, including the Street Children Empowerment Foundation (SCEF) and Biofil. SCEF provides advocacy, educational support and skills training for school-aged children living on the streets. Biofill employs local villagers to help create sanitation systems that don't rely on electricity. To view a collection of Louisa's photographs, click here.


 
New Faculty & Staff Snapshot



Jug Venkatesh
Programming & Science Olympiad Coordinator

 
 
Favorite Book: A Study in Scarlet, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Favorite Movie: Jurassic Park
Favorite Sport to Play or Watch: Football
Greatest Indulgence: Chocolate
In His Free Time: Enjoys woodworking, messing with electronics and road biking
Dream Vacation: Backpacking through Europe


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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.


Schedule of Events
Schedule of Event Calendar
October 9th - 11th
Parent Teacher Conferences

October 11th & 14th
No School

October 19th
Fall Fest
11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

October 25th
Middle School Halloween Party
6 - 9 p.m.

October 26th
Upper School Halloween Dance
7 - 10 p.m.

November 2nd
Admissions Open House
1 - 4 p.m.

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