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

With love in every box: Parents help the Alumni Office put together care packages to boost graduates' spirits heading into final exams.

 

Pacific Ridge Students Excel at Stanford Model United Nations Conference

On November 15th - 17th, eighteen students represented Pacific Ridge with pride at the Stanford Model United Nations Conference (SMUNC). The Stanford conference is known for its emphasis on creativity and diplomatic skills. SMUNC Committees addressed historical issues such as the Jewish-Roman War and the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon campaign, current situations such as disarming Syria and the North Korean threat, and creative scenarios such as a Facebook board meeting. Students engaged in research, public speaking and negotiating, fully embodying the roles they were playing. Over the weekend, the group also enjoyed visiting Palo Alto and exploring the vibrant and beautiful Stanford community. The following students received special recognition at the conference:

 

Distinguished Delegates, European Union Committee: Matty Bernstein and Megan Chang-Haines

Verbal Commendation, World Health Organization: Caitlin Bowen

Verbal Commendation, Disarmament and International Security Committee: Tony Oliverio

 

 

 

Challenge Day Inspires Middle School Students

On Thursday, November 14th, approximately 100 Middle School students, faculty and parents participated in the school's first Middle School Challenge Day. In a program similar to the Upper School Challenge Day offered at Pacific Ridge this year and last, Students moved through a series of fun and supportive activities encouraging them to connect with one another on a deeply authentic and compassionate level. Those who participated found the experience inspiring. "Challenge Day was awesome!" noted one 7th grader. "I feel like I really know my classmates now, and not just on the outside." Through future workshops and club activities, students will have the opportunity to keep the spirit of Challenge Day alive throughout the school year.

 

 

Settling in for a day of full engagement and fun at Challenge Day

 

On Thursday, November 14th, Middle School students spent the day examining water and its value to our local community. Students viewed several video clips and discussed water usage and scarcity, then hiked the path of water flow several miles along the San Elijo Ecological Reserve. After touring the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center museum, students recorded the beautiful setting in drawings. Their day ended with a visit to the San Elijo Joint Powers Authority, a wastewater treatment and water recycling facility that serves the Solana Beach, Rancho Santa Fe, Olivenhain and Cardiff communities. 

Students in Ms. Llewelyn's Anatomy and Physiology class just wrapped up a series of presentations in which they explained the musculoskeletal system's involvement in physical movements performed in daily life. Students discussed details of bone, joint and muscle interaction, and described injuries commonly associated with their chosen motion when incorrect form is used. Some students explored sports motions, while others examined everyday movements such as climbing stairs or laughing. The unit on muscle and bone physiology also included several dissections, including an examination of stability in a cow's knee when various tendons and ligaments were severed. Other labs covered topics such as osteoporosis and muscle fatigue.

Analyzing the musculoskeletal synergies involved in striking a soccer ball

Students in the Upper School service learning group Tech Team have been actively supporting the technology needs of the school community. Tech Team members work on numerous projects, including creating "FAQ" and helpful tips videos for commonly used technologies, managing the content of the Upper School video news monitors, helping the IT Department fix printers and computers, and providing software support to students by appointment. Pacific Ridge students feel confident that a friendly advisor is always available to help them solve their technological challenges.

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 on December 5th and 19th

Interested in joining the walking club? Contact the Parents Association at parentsassociation@pacificridge.org to be added to the group's contact list. 

 

Date: December 5th

Time: 8:15 a.m.

Place: La Costa Coffee Roasting (adjacent to Cinépolis)

 

Date: December 19th

Time: 8:45 a.m.

Place: Torrey Pines State Reserve (meet by the South Beach entrance booth)

Parking: Free along the beach, for fee inside the parking lot

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.

College Counseling invites all Pacific Ridge juniors and at least one parent from every household to College Night for Juniors & Parents on Wednesday, December 11th. This program will outline the spring timeline and sequence of individual and family meetings to follow, along with key facts and dates families need to know. Admission terms and trends will be reviewed, as juniors begin to understand their personal priorities and how these will direct college research and their ownership of a healthy college process. This family program is mandatory for all juniors and at least one parent.

Date: Wednesday, December 11th

Time: 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Place: East Reading Room

Currently a junior at the University of Puget Sound, Daniel Petershmidt '11 added to his in-class work as a Chinese major and Computer Science minor by serving as the Director of Photography for the student film "Commencement," released in October. The film follows three story lines and time periods, each dealing with issues of discrimination faced by isolated social groups. The ambitious project, put together with a small budget, rented camera and volunteer actors, resulted in what the university's student paper describes as a "beautiful film." 

Faculty Notes

This photograph, taken by Dr. McCabe, shows a view of the Ornamental South Pole, located near the geographic South Pole in Antarctica. Snow samples from the area were used in the research study.

 

Upper School Movie Night

6-9 p.m.

Middle School Movie Night 6:30-8:30 p.m.

PLAN Test for Sophomores

8 a.m.

Parent Book Club Meeting

7 p.m.

NO SCHOOL

Thanksgiving Holiday

Upper School Fall Sports Celebration

6:30 p.m.