| Snapshot from the Ridge | |
Each week, Pacific Ridge School invites you to enjoy a spontaneous view of school life.
Students take a break from pre-vacation assignments and tests with pillow fights on the lawn.
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| Bulletin Board |
Next E-Newsletter on Thursday, January 9th
This is the last e-newsletter of the calendar year. Have a safe and happy holiday!
Half-Day Friday, December 20th
Busses depart at noon.
 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.
Heading to High School for Eighth-Grade Parents
Eighth-grade parents are invited to a session on "Heading to High School" on January 14th, where they will learn what to expect as students make the transition to the Upper School. Course offerings and sample academic schedules will be discussed, as well as co-curriculars such as clubs, service learning and global travel. College Counseling will also give a brief presentation. Students will have their own introduction to Upper School programs during the school day. Come learn more about the Pacific Ridge Upper School experience!
Date: Tuesday, January 14th
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: East Reading Room
Save the Date for Kiss Me, Kate!
Show dates for Pacific Ridge's 6th annual musical production 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 with music by Cole Porter. Tickets go on sale in January.
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| New & Noteworthy |
Model U.N. Hosts Conference with High Tech High
On Saturday, December 14th, Pacific Ridge School's Model United Nations club joined together with High Tech High North County to host the 4th annual North County Regional Conference. Approximately 180 students representing 11 schools from all over San Diego and Orange County participated in diplomatic discussions related to border issues such as Serbia/Kosovo, Israel/Palestine, and the U.S./Mexico drug trade. In addition to researching and preparing background guides for the conference committees to address, Pacific Ridge students introduced crisis scenarios, which unfolded throughout the day depending on each delegation's response.
Command Central: Students keep tabs on conference activities.
Pacific Ridge Performance Is Music to the Ears
On Thursday, December 12th, families and friends were treated to a performance by Pacific Ridge Middle School and Upper School musicians. The evening began with the Middle School Orchestra's inaugural performance, followed by the 8th-grade Arts Wheel music class, the Jazz/Rock Ensemble and the Honors Jazz/Rock Ensemble. The program, directed by Mr. Morell, featured music ranging from a theme from a Gustav Mahler symphony to John Coltrane and Led Zeppelin.
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| Educational Insights |
Dr. Ogle's Blog Read Dr. Ogle's latest blog post, in which he reflects on last week's Middle and Upper School Colloquium.
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| Curricular Adventures | |
Anatomy & Physiology Students Display Brain Power
Students in Ms. Llewelyn's Anatomy & Physiology class recently created thinking caps representing the parts, locations and functions of the human brain. The activity accompanied students' exploration of topics on recent brain research not covered in textbooks. Students read current articles and scholarly papers, then reported their findings to the class.
Looking Smart: Students put on their brain caps.
Celebrating Winter in Geometry Class
Students in Ms. Zerlaut's Geometry class put to use their newly acquired knowledge of polygons and congruent triangles to analyze the shape of snowflakes. They then used their creativity and deft scissorwork to turn pentagons, hexagons and octagons into seasonal decorations.
Let it snow!
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| Service Learning in the Field | |
Typhoon Relief Fundraiser on December 22nd
On Sunday, December 22nd, Pacific Ridge student musicians in the bands My Second Mind and Revival Sounds will be performing to raise money for Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts. The event will take place at Queen Bee's Art and Culture Center in North Park. Donations will support Project Concern International, which is working directly with communities in the Philippines affected by the typhoon. Come hear great music and support a great cause! Date: Sunday, December 22nd
Time: 3:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Place: Queen Bee's, 3925 Ohio Street, San Diego
Head Start Thanks You for Your Gift of Love
This week, students in the Middle School Head Start and Upper School Building Blocks service learning groups gathered up armfuls of donated toys and delivered them to shiny-eyed preschoolers at two Head Start locations in Carlsbad. Over 175 presents were generously donated by members of the Pacific Ridge community. The children, families and staff of Head Start would like to thank you for making this a joyful holiday to remember.
Head Start gifts overflow one of three collection bins on campus.
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| Parents Association |
Join the Pacific Ridge Book Club!
The Parents Association Book Club next meets on February 24th. The selected text is Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, by Susan Cain. Join us!
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 |
Two Firebird Cross Country Runners Named All-CIF
Congratulations to senior Delaney Miller and sophomore Mina Fardeen, who earned All-CIF honors for their top ten performances at the Cross Country Division 5 CIF finals. Go Firebirds!
Come Cheer at the Alumni-Student Soccer Match!
Please join us for our inaugural coed Alumni-Student soccer match on Friday, January 10th. Carpooling is encouraged. Come cheer on ALL the Firebirds - current students and alums!
Date: Friday, January 10th
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Place: Athletic Field
Scores:
Boys JV Basketball
12/09/13 Classical Academy 52 21 W
12/10/13 La Jolla Country Day School 34 37 L
Boys JV B Basketball
12/14/13 La Jolla Country Day School 15 56 L
Girls Varsity Basketball
12/09/13 Southwest High School 51 30 W
12/13/13 Preuss School 59 18 W
Boys Varsity Soccer
12/10/13 Calvin Christian 5 0 W
12/13/13 San Marcos High School 0 5 L
Boys JV Soccer
12/12/13 San Marcos High School 0 8 L
Girls Varsity Soccer
12/09/13 Fallbrook High School 3 4 L
12/11/13 Mission Vista 2 1 W
12/12/13 El Capitan High School 2 2 T
Boys Middle School A Basketball
12/12/13 Santa Fe Christian Schools 19 62 L
Boys Middle School B Basketball
12/12/13 Santa Fe Christian Schools 16 17 L
Boys Middle School A Soccer
12/12/13 Santa Fe Christian Schools 3 1 W
Girls Middle School A Soccer
12/12/13 Santa Fe Christian Schools 2 0 W
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| Beyond the Ridge | |
College Counseling Gives Seniors a Lunchtime Treat
Pacific Ridge seniors have been hard at work - perfecting their college applications and supporting one another as they enter the college decision season. To celebrate their efforts, the College Counseling team of Ms. Petrella, Ms. Grossman and Ms. Bergmanis treated the senior class to lunch on Tuesday, December 17th. Students know they can always count on College Counseling for advice, emotional support and excellent snacks!
College Counseling serves up guidance and support.
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 learn how to interpret PSAT and PLAN score reports, which will be distributed at the program. In addition, the college office will offer tips on campus visits, searching summer opportunities, and the advanced college search engine of Naviance. The evening program is mandatory for all sophomores and one parent. Please bring your questions!
Date: Wednesday, January 8th
Time: 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Place: East Reading Room
Gap Year Fair on January 14th
Families interested in learning more about opportunities between high school and college: don't miss the San Diego Gap Year Fair being held at Francis Parker School on Tuesday, January 14th, at 6:00 p.m. The event features reputable Gap Year organizations and gives students tools to learn more about options available to them. For more information, please visit the USA Gap Year Fairs website.
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| Alumni News |
Alumnus Performs with Williams College Octet
Kevin Xu '13 has wasted no time getting involved at Williams College. The former Pacific Ridge A Cappella Ensemble member joined the Octet, Williams' male a cappella group, and has been busy rehearsing and performing all semester. Please click here to watch Kevin and the Octet perform Plain White T's "Rhythm of Love" at Williams' Fall Concert.
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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 20th
Half Day
December 21st - January 5th
NO SCHOOL
Winter Break
January 11th
Admissions Open House
1-4 p.m.
January 14th
Heading to High School for 8th-Grade Parents
6:30 p.m.
January 20th
NO SCHOOL
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
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A View From The Ridge
