| Snapshot from the Ridge | |
Each week, Pacific Ridge School invites you to enjoy a spontaneous view of school life.
Fast Food Relay: Middle School students celebrate the end of the trimester with a fun and games-filled Community Life.
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| Bulletin Board |
Blood Drive on November 21st
The San Diego Blood Bank will be conducting a blood drive at Pacific Ridge on November 21st. Sign-ups at Fall Fest were plentiful, but we can still register up to 13 more donors. Want to help someone in need by donating blood? Appointments can be scheduled online by visiting the San Diego Blood Bank. Click on Donate Blood, select Appointments, and enter our sponsor code: PARS. Date: Thursday, November 21st
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Place: Athletic Center
Middle School & Upper School Movie Nights!
Middle School students are invited to attend a movie night at Pacific Ridge on November 22nd. Be sure to bring a hearty appetite for tacos and other treats!
Date: Friday, November 22nd
Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Place: East Reading Room
Upper School students are invited to a movie night under the stars on November 22nd. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and bundle up! Hot cocoa and tacos will help keep you toasty. Come check out the constellations with our huge telescope! Sponsored by Student Council, Be The Change and the Astronomy Club.
Date: Friday, November 22nd
Time: 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Place: Pacific Ridge Lawn
Interested in Hosting an International Exchange Student?
Pacific Ridge families are invited to host an international exchange student who will be enrolled at Pacific Ridge School during the 2014-2015 school year. Host families are asked to commit for the whole year, during which time they will provide the visiting student with food, board, and transportation to campus. To learn more, please contact Jean Nassif at jnassif@pacificridge.org.
The Bird's Nest Website Has Arrived!
It's here! Shop for Pacific Ridge spirit wear and gear from the comfort of your home. Simply visit the Bird's Nest website, peruse its pages and place your secure order. Items will be delivered to school, where they will be available for pickup. Check out our new products, including hoodies, stadium seats, blankets and more! Order from the Bird's Nest today!
Happy Thanksgiving! No School November 27th to 29th
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| New & Noteworthy |
Carlsbad Planning Commission Approves Campus Plans
On Wednesday, November 6th, the Carlsbad City Planning Commission gave a unanimous thumbs-up to Pacific Ridge's plan for full campus development. Response to the proposal was enthusiastic, and commissioners expressed appreciation for the value Pacific Ridge adds to the North County community. For more information about the campus plan and a glimpse at what's coming up, please visit Dr. Ogle's blog on the Pacific Ridge School website.
Talent Abounds at Performing Arts Showcase
Performers played to a packed house for each of the two Arts Showcases held at Vista's AVO Playhouse on Saturday, November 9th. Over 100 Pacific Ridge musicians, actors, vocalists and dancers treated audience members to an array of art forms, genres and styles, ranging from broadway dance to contemporary and tap, from classical piano to instrumental jazz and rock, and vocal music from country and folk to pop and opera. Several of Pacific Ridge's talented teachers also demonstrated their instrumental, dance and vocal skills. Thank you to Mr. Dziekonski, to all our terrific performers and to the Pacific Ridge community for supporting the school's arts programs. DVD's for each performance are $15, and can be ordered by visiting the Arts Information page on Haiku.
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| Curricular Adventures | |
AP Physics Shakes Things Up
On Monday, November 4th, students in Mr. Parks' AP Physics class visited the Englekirk Structural Engineering Research Center at UC San Diego. The site includes the largest outdoor earthquake shake table in the world, as well as a large-scale blast simulator. At the facility, researchers from organizations such as CALTRANS and FEMA can accurately simulate severe near-source earthquake ground motions and blast impacts in order to test the integrity of large structural and geotechnical systems. According to Mr. Park, the trip was relevant and inspiring to his students. "The trip gave students the chance to see firsthand how physics is applied to the engineering of structures to make them safer and stronger," he noted. "Students were able to witness research being conducted that will ultimately save lives." See these links for more information about the facility and to view video of full-scale building tests.
La Maison Parfaite pour Vous!
Mr. Stella reports that students in his French 2 class recently produced fun videos in which they acted as real estate agents showing clients homes for sale. The videos featured several classic characters, such as the overly enthusiastic agent, the extremely picky buyer, and even a perplexed homeowner who didn't even realize her house was for sale! The project is part of a unit dealing with vocabulary related to the home.
Negotiating a house sale - Parisian-style!
Middle School Robotics Teams in Action
Pacific Ridge's Middle School Robotics teams participated in two recent First LEGO League Qualifying Tournaments. On November 3rd at San Dieguito Academy, Adam Bell, Howie Li, Derek McInerney, Ethan Printz, Powell Sheagren and Jake Smith battled to a top 10 finish, scoring over 100 points in three rounds of competition. At the Preuss School on November 9th, Ethan Printz and Matticus Brown came in 5th Place out of 23 teams in the "Robot Challenge," and finished 9th place overall. The two earned an alternate position in the Legoland Championships to be held in early December. Congratulations, engineers!
Competing in the First LEGO League tournament
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| Service Learning in the Field | |
Veteran's Day Marked by Community Life Panel
On Wednesday, November 13th, Upper School students heard from several Pacific Ridge community members who have served in the United States military. Parents Rick Bowen, Per Corbeil, Colleen Hensley, Hugh O'Donnell, Duff Sanderson and Coach David Boyett were joined by several students on the panels, who asked them to describe their experiences and to reflect upon the challenges and benefits of military service. Topics covered included increasing opportunities for women in the military, the intense conditions of military training, the positive experience of working alongside Americans from diverse backgrounds, and the gratification troops feel when serving and building relationships with citizens worldwide. The Community Life presentation was sponsored by the Second to None service learning group and the Student Inclusivity Team. Thank you to all our panelists for your service to our country and for sharing your perspectives with our students.
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| Parents Association |
Reminder: 10th Grade Parent Party on November 16th
Questions? Contact the Parents Association at parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.
Join the Pacific Ridge Book Club!
Parents are welcome to join the Parents Association Book Club for its next meeting on November 25th. The selected text is Ancient Light, by John Banville. In February, the group will be reading and discussing Quiet, by Susan Cain.
Date: Monday, November 25th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Library Learning Commons
Pacific Ridge Walking Club
The Walking Club's December outings will take place on December 5th and 19th. Interested in joining? Contact the Parents Association at parentsassociation@pacificridge.org to be added to the group's contact list. Information on times and locations coming soon.
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| Sports on the Ridge |
Senior Qualifies for Regional Golf Championships
Senior Isabella Salant has qualified to represent Pacific Ridge in the Southern California Regional Girls High School Golf Championships on November 14th. Isabella's combined scores from the CIF Girls High School Golf Championships placed her in the top 12 out of 120 San Diego competitors. Way to go, Isabella!
Isabella with Coach Michael Chirgwin
Girls Middle School Volleyball Wins Coastal North League
Congratulations to the Girls Middle School A Volleyball team who capped a terrific season by defeating Santa Fe Christian and Rancho Santa Fe Middle School on November 5th to win the South Coast Middle School League North Division. Great job, Firebirds!
Fall Sports Celebration on December 10th
Families of Upper School fall sports athletes are invited to the end-of-season Sports Celebration on Tuesday, December 10th. The event will feature a slide show, awards ceremony and breakout sessions for individual team awards and dessert. Dinner will not be served.
Date: Tuesday, December 10th
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Place: Mullady Hall
Scores:
Girls Varsity Volleyball
11/05/13 San Diego Jewish Academy 3 0 W
11/07/13 Horizon Christian School 3 0 W
Girls JV Volleyball
11/05/13 San Diego Jewish Academy 2 0 W
11/07/13 Horizon Christian School 2 0 W
Coed Middle School Cross Country
11/06/13 South Coast Middle School League Finals
Boys Team: 8th Place
Girls Team: 7th Place
Girls Middle School A Volleyball
11/05/13 Santa Fe Christian 2 0 W
11/05/13 Rancho Santa Fe Middle 2 1 W
11/07/13 Francis Parker 0 2 L (SCMSL Championship)
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| Beyond the Ridge | |
Senior Parent Coffee on November 19th
Senior parents are invited to an optional Q & A session with the College Counseling team on November 19th. Bring any questions you may have!
Date: Tuesday, November 19th
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Place: Middle School Commons
Reminder: PLAN Test for Sophomores on November 25th
Sophomores will sit for the PLAN (practice ACT) at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, November 25th. The test will be administered in the Athletic Center.
Financing College Program on December 2nd
Open to all Pacific Ridge families, this evening program will give an overview of college financial aid and tax planning.
Date: Monday, December 2nd
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: East Reading Room
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| Class Notes |
Pacific Ridge Equestrians Riding High
There is a strong community of student equestrians at Pacific Ridge, and a number of riders have recent accomplishments to report. Here is a summary of some of their achievements:
Eleven Pacific Ridge students recently competed in the Championship Show of the Greater San Diego Hunter Jumper Association, together garnering more than 50 ribbons. Camille Burdick, Margaux Burdick, Miela Gross, Isabella Sevigny, Meghan Sullivan and Alex Trubey earned Championships in at least one event, and Nathan Newman and Juliana Sapp won Reserve Championships. Other Pacific Ridge students participating in the show were Jake Newman, Noelle Reich and Julia Ventura.
Colton Bancroft and his polo team recently won the Rancho Santa Fe Polo Club's Spreckles Cup. Colton, along with three other players his age from around the country, has been asked to represent the United States in a junior polo tournament taking place in New Zealand at the end of November.
Kelsey Maloney qualified for the Junior Team of the North America Junior/Young Rider Championship in Lexington, KY, and has had a successful season as a show jumper.
Genevieve Meyer qualified for the USEF Hunter-seat Equitation Medal Finals in Harrisburg, PA, the ASPCA Maclay Finals in Lexington, KY, and the USEF Platinum Performance Talent Search in Los Angeles. She won several recent jumping competitions, including the 1.30 and 1.40 meters at the Del Mar International World Cup. Samantha Robinson recently received the Richard K. Walker II Perpetual Memorial trophy, given at the California Saddle Horse Futurity Show to the most outstanding junior exhibitor showing an American Saddlebred horse.
Ben Stout placed 5th in the world in Western Pleasure Equitation at the Morgan Grand Nationals World Championship in Oklahoma City.
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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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November 15th
End of First Trimester
November 22nd
Upper School Movie Night
6-9 p.m.
Middle School Movie Night 6:30-8:30 p.m.
November 25th
PLAN Test for Sophomores
8 a.m.
Parent Book Club Meeting
7 p.m.
November 27th-29th
NO SCHOOL
Thanksgiving Holiday
December 10th
Upper School Fall Sports Celebration
6:30 p.m.
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A View From The Ridge
