| Snapshot from the Ridge | |
Each week, Pacific Ridge School invites you to enjoy a spontaneous view of school life.
Officers from the Carlsbad Police Department Canine Program meet with Middle Schoolers to explain the training and handling of police dogs and describe their contributions to police work and public safety.
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| Bulletin Board |
Admissions Open House on January 11th
Families interested in Pacific Ridge School are encouraged to attend the Open House scheduled for Saturday, January 11th, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Come hear about the school and its programs from faculty and students. Presentations and activities will be followed by campus tours and informal discussions. Interested in attending? Please contact Monique Velde at mvelde@pacificridge.org to RSVP. Click here for more information about the application process.
Save the Date for Cole Porter's Kiss Me Kate!
Before you make plans for your February vacation, make note of Pacific Ridge's 6th annual musical production! Show dates for Kiss Me Kate are Thursday through Saturday, February 6th - 8th. Performance times are 7:30 p.m., with an additional matinee at 2:00 p.m. on the 8th. You won't want to miss this delightful, Shakespeare-inspired romantic comedy. Tickets go on sale in January.
 Holiday Gift Drive for Head Start
Want to make a child's holiday wish come true? Contribute to the Service Learning holiday gift drive supporting Head Start! Interested donors can participate by signing a gift register and picking up a gift tag with a child's name and wish list on it in the A Building lobby, high school lobby or library. One wrapped gift per child with its accompanying tag should be dropped off in the A Building or D Building no later than December 16th. Gifts will be delivered to the children at Head Start by the Building Blocks and Middle School Head Start service learning groups. Thank you for your support!
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| New & Noteworthy |
Model UN Team Dives Right In at Tustin Conference
Pacific Ridge's newest Model United Nations team members showcased their developing skills at the Tustin Conference on November 23rd. All eleven Pacific Ridge delegates were quick to learn the ropes and didn't hesitate to join negotiations, make resolutions and participate in all aspects of the conference. Senior Hunter Headapohl, who accompanied the group for moral support, was impressed by the poise of our novice representatives. "Every time I entered a room during unmoderated caucus, I saw a group of delegates from other schools circled around a delegate from Pacific Ridge," he said. Congratulations to all who participated. The following students received special recognition:
Jonah Gerke: Outstanding Delegate - Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee
Lili Muskal: Outstanding Delegate - Commission on the Status of Women
Elena Scott: Best Research - 6th Legal
Borhan Rafiq: Best Research and Commendation - International Labor Organization
Anderson Lee: Commendation - Disarmament and International Security Committee
Charlie Olafsson: Commendation - Special Political and Decolonization Committee
Correction: At the Stanford MUN Conference earlier in November, sophomore Lauren Lipman was honored as a distinguished delegate for the European Union Committee.
National Geographic Photographer Speaks About Living Life with Purpose
On Wednesday, December 4th, award-winning National Geographic photographer Alison Wright engaged students and faculty with stories and images from her life as a photojournalist. Wright has worked as a photographer for more than two decades, focusing her efforts on human rights issues and documenting the traditions of changing cultures around the world. Her work has been published in numerous periodicals and books. Wright's personal journey included a near-fatal bus accident in 2000, which threatened both her life and her ability to continue the work she loves. Her inspiring recovery and ongoing determination support her message to students to seek out and lead purposeful lives.
Alison Wright with one of her portraits
Students Attend TEDx Youth San Diego Event
On November 24th, eight Pacific Ridge students attended the TEDx Youth San Diego conference held at Canyon Crest Academy. The day featured the theme "Unlimited," and showcased groundbreaking ideas and work by people of all ages. Students were treated to a wide range of presentations covering topics in science, art, technology, health and the environment. TED, an acronym for Technology, Entertainment and Design, is a global set of conferences dedicated to spreading "ideas worth sharing." The TEDx organization brings TED-like experiences to the local level.
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| Curricular Adventures | |
Guilty or Innocent? 9th Graders Put Odysseus on Trial
On November 25th and 26th, ninth-grade legal teams put the legendary hero, Odysseus, on trial for 108 counts of murder, using evidence gleaned from their English text, Homer's Odyssey. Student prosecutors and defense lawyers compared the facts of the epic poem to the California Penal Code, making opening and closing arguments and questioning witnesses such as Laertes, Eurykleia and Telamachos. Even the imperious immortals, Poseidon and Athena, made appearances in the courtroom. Were the killings conducted with malice aforethought? Did they occur in self-defense? Was Odysseus under the control of the gods? Juries consisting of faculty, seniors, alumni and guests pondered these questions and more, returning well-reasoned verdicts based on the effectiveness of the legal arguments presented.
Do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you Zeuss? Judge Liebowitz swears in Telemachos.
Eumaios the swineherd faces cross-examination as Judge Michel looks on.
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| Service Learning in the Field | |
A Million Knots: Supporting Girls' Education in India
The Upper School service learning group A Million Knots is working to expand the limited educational opportunities for girls in India. The group is raising money for a girls' school in the rural village of Gurgaon. The school, The Lotus Girls, was established by funds raised last year and teaches 30 girls ages 6 to 10. Students in A Million Knots hope to raise $2,000, enough money to continue educating the school's pupils for a year. Group members raised funds by creating intricate, beautiful henna tattoos for visitors to Fall Fest, and will sell hand-knotted friendship bracelets online and at school. Students also hope to launch a school supplies drive later in the year.
The Lotus Girls expand their horizons, thanks to A Million Knots.
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| Parents Association |
Show Your Appreciation for Pacific Ridge Faculty & Staff
The Parents Association is hosting its annual Holiday Appreciation Drive for faculty and staff. As school policy does not allow individual teacher gifts, this is our opportunity to show how much we appreciate Pacific Ridge's employees. Simply make a donation to the Holiday Appreciation Drive and the funds will be used to purchase gift cards for all teachers and staff. Check contributions (made payable to PRS Parents Association) may be placed in the secure box in the lobby of the A building, or you can pay from home using PayPal. Instructions can be found on the Parents Association page in Haiku. The drive ends on Friday, December 13th. Thank you!
Gingerbread Breakfast - Help Wanted! 
The 7th annual Pacific Ridge Gingerbread Breakfast is coming up on Friday, December 20th. The event treats almost 700 students, faculty, staff and alumni to a fun, relaxed holiday breakfast on the last half-day of school before winter break. Parents, we need your assistance! Volunteers are needed to bake or bring items for the breakfast. A few volunteers are also needed to help receive these donations on Thursday December 19th during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up. To see a list of requested items and to sign up, please click here. Questions? Please email the Parents Association at parentsassociation@pacificridge.org. Thank you for supporting this Pacific Ridge tradition!
Pacific Ridge Walking Club on December 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 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
Join the Pacific Ridge Book Club! 
Parents are welcome to join the Parents Association Book Club for its next meeting in February. The selected text is Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, by Susan Cain.
Date: Monday, February 24th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Library Learning Commons
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! To make the process easier, download the 'Auto Earn Icon' onto your computer, and you will be prompted every time you enter an online site that supports eScrip. Have eScrip questions? Please email parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.
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| Sports on the Ridge |
Girls & Boys Cross Country Finish 1st & 2nd at CIF Finals
On Saturday, November 23rd, Pacific Ridge's Cross Country program capped off a successful season with a winning performance at the CIF Division 5 Cross Country Finals. Competing against a strong field, the girls team earned 1st place honors out of 7 teams while the boys placed 2nd out of 15 teams. Four girls and three boys set personal records on a challenging Morley Field course. Contributions from all team members delivered the girls' championship banner and sent both squads to the state finals. Congratulations, Firebirds!
Medalists:
Delaney Miller - 3rd Place
Mina Fardeen - 8th Place
CIF Champions
CIF Runners-up
CIF State Cross Country Results
Saturday, November 30th, Fresno, CA
Girls Varsity Team
16th Place
Boys Varsity Team
18th Place
Reminder: 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
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| Beyond the Ridge | |
College Night for Juniors and Parents on December 11th
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. Admissions 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
College Night for Sophomores and Parents on January 8th
Pacific Ridge 10th graders and their parents are invited to College Night for Sophomores on Wednesday, January 8th. Families will receive information about the spring College Counseling timeline and how to interpret PSAT and PLAN score reports. In addition, the college office will offer tips on campus visits, searching summer opportunities, and the advanced college search engine of Naviance. Please bring your questions!
Date: Wednesday, January 8th
Time: 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Place: East Reading Room
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| Alumni News | |
Alumna Honored for Athleticism and Character
Congratulations to Richelle Prijic '13, who received All-Conference 2nd team and All-Freshman honors for her contributions to the Columbia College womens volleyball team. Richelle and her teammates were also recognized as Champions of Character by the NAIA Appalachian Conference for their commitment to respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship. Once a Firebird, always a Firebird!
Alumni Family Reception on December 18th
All Pacific Ridge alumni and their families are invited to a winter reception on Wednesday, December 18th, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. This is a wonderful time for alumni to reconnect with one another and celebrate the holiday. Heavy appetizers will be provided. An email with more information will be sent to alumni families later this week.
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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 10th
Upper School Fall Sports Celebration
6:30 p.m.
December 18th
Alumni Family Reception
6-8 p.m.
December 20th
Half Day
December 21st - January 5th
NO SCHOOL
Winter Break
January 11th
Admissions Open House
1-4 p.m.
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A View From The Ridge
