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Pacific Ridge School DotsA View From The Ridge
Weekly E-Newsletter
October 10, 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 add flair to the job of line judging at a recent tournament game.

Bulletin Board

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

Happy Columbus Day!

 

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.

  

Fall Fest is Coming 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. Please see the Parents Association notice below about how you can help make Fall Fest a success.
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

Admissions Open House on November 2nd

Families interested in Pacific Ridge School are encouraged to attend our first Open House event of the year, on Saturday, November 2nd 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 small group conversations will take place from 2:15 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 more information about the application process.

 

It's Not Too Late to Be a Parent Ambassador!

Parents of current students and alumni can 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 Grade-Level Parties 

Parents are enjoying these opportunities to socialize with other parents in their child's grade. Don't miss your opportunity! Check your email for locations and times. Questions? Contact the Parents Association at parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.

7th Grade: Sunday, October 27th

12th Grade: Saturday, November 2nd

8th Grade: Sunday, November 3rd

10th Grade: Saturday, November 16th

 

Purchase Spirit Wear at the Birds' Nest!

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 will be accepted. Also stay tuned for the launching of the Birds' Nest website!

 

Turn Your Old Electronics Into a Trip to Scotland... 

Ever wonder what to do with your old electronics? Wonder no more! Simply bring your old computers, monitors, televisions, cell phones, ink cartridges, microwaves and other electronics to Pacific Ridge on Saturday, November 2nd, from 8:00 a.m. to noon. All Green Electronics Recycling will take them off your hands and make sure they are recycled or disposed of responsibly. What's more, proceeds from this recycling event will help students in Pacific Ridge's Advanced Theater Arts class travel to Scotland next summer. The group has been invited to perform at the American High School Theater Festival in Edinburgh. Stay tuned for more news about their exciting opportunity!

Date: Saturday, November 2nd

Time: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Place: Pacific Ridge campus, behind Middle School buildings

Pacific Ridge families may also drop off items on Friday, November 1st from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (not during drop-off or pick-up)

 

New & Noteworthy

Daryl Davis Presents at Community Life

On Wednesday, October 2nd, Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist Daryl Davis presented to a rapt audience of Pacific Ridge students, faculty and staff about his personal mission to understand the roots of racism. Davis, who spent much of his youth in multi-racial societies outside the U.S., was surprised by the intensity of racism he found when his family moved to Maryland in the 1960's.  Over a number of years, Davis set out to answer the question "Why do you hate me when you don't even know me?" Uniquely, his approach involved putting himself at risk to build relationships and understanding with extreme racists, among them prominent members of the Ku Klux Klan. After his talk, Mr. Davis shared his musical talents with the school by performing keyboard-shredding boogie-woogie, and by joining the Jazz Rock ensemble class for a jam session. For more information about Mr. Davis, his music and his powerful personal story, click here.

 

Daryl Davis displays the robe given to him by a former KKK member - one of many who left the klan after coming to know him.

 

Columbia Scholastic Press Association Honors Students

Three Pacific Ridge students received recognition from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association for written work included in Issue 6 of the Global Journal Project's Global Vantage magazine. Gabriela Ramirez '14 won second-place honors for her non-fiction article "The Nicaraguan Family that Changed Me," while Max Jorgenson '14 received third place for co-authoring "Memories of a Tibetan Monk" with Palden Gyatso. Dillon Lerach '13, was awarded second place for his "Editor's Note" that introduced the issue. Subscriptions for Issue 7 of Global Vantage will be available soon.

 

Global Vantage, Issue 6 

 

Teaching in the Age of Technology
Check out this recent faculty blog post from Allegra Molineaux, Upper School Co-Head and History instructor. Ms. Molineaux muses about generational differences in teaching and learning, and how technology plays a productive role in the classroom.
   
Curricular Adventures

Middle School Health Class Gets a Sugar Knowledge Buzz
During their study of nutrition, students in Middle School Health class are learning about the components of a balanced diet. For a micro-field trip, students visited Pacific Ridge's faculty/staff refrigerator to find out how much sugar is in common food products. Students learned that some beverages they consume on a regular basis have more sugar in one serving than is recommended for a child their age in an entire day. Their discovery is an "aha!" moment parents can truly appreciate!


Sweet surprise: Boy oh boy, that's a LOT of sugar!

Service Learning in the Field

Middle Schoolers Make Friends at Head Start
Students in the Middle School Head Start service learning group have made instant buddies out of pre-schoolers at two Carlsbad Head Start facilities. Each week, students travel to the sites to read to and play with the Head Start children. Pacific Ridge students assist the Head Start staff and add variety to the day. A favorite activity is practicing Spanish and English together. Thank you to Head Start for partnering with Pacific Ridge!
 

 
 
Parents Association
 
  

Items Sought for Fall Fest: Parents, You Can Help

Parent involvement each year helps make Fall Fest a success. Love to bake? If you can donate baked goods or lend a pop-up shade tent, please click here. Want to donate items for raffle baskets? If you have items such as sports tickets, golf rounds, hotel stays, spa packages or gift cards to contribute, please contact the Parents Association at parentsassociation@pacificridge.org. Most raffle donations qualify for charitable income tax deductions. Thank you for your support. Don't forget to mark your calendars for Fall Fest: Saturday, October 19th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.!

 

Get Your VIP Parking at the Fall Fest Raffle!

It's here! Your once-a-year opportunity to win a parking spot on campus every day for an entire trimester! No Loker lot, no shuttle, just pull in and park! Raffle tickets will be available for sale at Fall Fest. For those of you who would like to purchase your tickets in advance or cannot make it to Fall Fest, you may purchase raffle tickets online via PayPal or pay by check. Please visit the Parents Association Haiku page for instructions. Good luck! 

 

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 currently available for 11th grade parents. 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.

 

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

Volleyball Coach Aly Dahl Inducted Into Hall of Fame
On Friday, October 4th, Pacific Ridge's Varsity Volleyball coach, Al Dahl, was inducted into La Jolla Country Day School's athletic Hall of Fame. Coach Dahl and three teammates from the 1995 Varsity Volleyball team were honored during a Homecoming pep rally at the school. After playing in high school and before starting her coaching career, Coach Dahl was an impact player at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. Congratulations, Coach Dahl!
 

Varsity Volleyball Coach Aly Dahl





Scores:

Varsity Coed Cross Country
10/04/13 Saints Small School Invitational
Varsity 3 mile, Junior Varsity 2.75 mile, top 50 medal

Varsity:
Delaney Miller - 3rd Place
Travis Headapohl - 21st Place
Will Glockner - 24th Place
Emily Chong - 37th Place

Junior Varsity:
Tai Eubank - 22nd Place
Jonah Gerke - 27th Place
Hannah Lange - 31st Place
Christian Yun - 31st Place

Girls Varsity Volleyball
10/01/13 Tri-City Christian Schools 1 3 L

Girls JV Volleyball
10/01/13 Tri-City Christian Schools 1 2 L

Girls Frosh Volleyball
10/04/13 Chula Vista Charter School 0 2 L

Girls Varsity Tennis
10/01/13 Tri-City Christian Schools 8 10 L
10/03/13 Francis Parker 2 16 L

Coed Middle School Cross Country
10/02/13 South Coast Middle School League Meet

Boys:
Rancho Santa Fe Middle School 19
Maranatha Christian 34
Santa Fe Christian Schools 57
Pacific Ridge 62
Horizon Prep 76

Girls:
Horizon Prep 17
Maranatha Christian 44
Santa Fe Christian 47
Rancho Santa Fe Middle School 54
Pacific Ridge 70

Boys 8th-Grade Flag Football
10/01/13 Horizon Prep 6 14 L

Boys 7th-Grade Flag Football
10/01/13 Tri-City Christian Schools 21 0 W

Girls Middle School A Volleyball
10/01/13 Tri-City Christian Schools 2 0 W
10/03/13 Rancho Santa Fe Middle School 2 1 W

Girls Middle School B Volleyball
10/01/13 Tri-City Christian Schools 2 0 W
10/03/13 Rancho Santa Fe Middle School 0 2 L

Girls Middle School White Volleyball
10/03/13 Rancho Santa Fe Middle School 2 1 W

Girls Middle School Blue Volleyball
10/01/13 Tri-City Christian Schools 2 0 W
10/03/13 Rancho Santa Fe Middle School 1 2 L

Girls Middle School Black Volleyball
10/01/13 Francis Parker 2 0 W

Girls Middle School Silver Volleyball
10/01/13 Francis Parker 1 2 L

Beyond the Ridge

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 14th
Bentley University; Bowdoin College; Bucknell University; Columbia University; Dartmouth College; Franklin and Marshall College; Franklin College Switzerland; Ithaca College; Loyola Marymount University; Miami University, Oxford; Northeastern University; Northwestern University; Occidental College; Pitzer 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; Whittier College; Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Week of October 21st
American University; Barnard College; Bennington College; Boston University; California Insitute of the Arts; Colorado College; Elon University; Gonzaga University; Indiana University at Bloomington; 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; Trinity College Dublin; 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

Week of October 28th
Drexel University; University of Notre Dame; University of Alabama at Birmingham; University of Denver; University of Connecticut

Class Notes

Rachel Brooks '14 Explores Farming & Family Ties in Cuba
Senior Rachel Brooks spent her global travel period last spring in Cuba. After visiting sites in Havana and learning about the country's government and political climate, Rachel spent a week at her relatives' family farm in Las Villas province. She harvested fruit and helped prepare the coffee beans her uncle sells in regional markets. An especially gratifying part of her experience was distributing the 40 pounds of clothing and 40 pounds of medicine she brought with her. Rachel also enjoyed practicing Spanish with her family members and discussing the contrasting ways history is taught in Cuba and the U.S.


Grinding coffee at the family farm in Las Villas
 
New Faculty & Staff Snapshot



Rachel Petrella
Director of College Counseling

 
 
Favorite Book: Empire Falls, by Richard Russo, or What Got You Here Won't Get You There, by Marshall Goldsmith
Favorite Movie: Moonstruck or White Christmas
Favorite Sport to Play or Watch: plays bocce at low tide; watches tennis, the Red Sox at Fenway and college football
Greatest Indulgence: theater-going and travel
If You Make Her Breakfast: Coast Toast á la Brockton Villa, with a side of bacon and one perfect cup of coffee, followed by time to nap away the inevitable blood sugar crash...
In Her Free Time: reads (as often as possible on a beach), cooks, gardens, writes and bikes at a leisurely pace
Dream Vacation: Santorini
Home Town: Andover, MA


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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 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.

November 8th
Pacific Ridge Showcase
7:30 p.m.

November 9th
Pacific Ridge Showcase
2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

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