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Pacific Ridge School DotsA View From The Ridge
Weekly E-Newsletter
August 21, 2014
In This Issue
Bulletin Board
New & Noteworthy
Parents Association
Sports on the Ridge
Beyond the Ridge
Faculty & Staff News
New Faculty & Staff Snapshot
Snapshot from the Ridge

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

All signs point to Pacific Ridge School!

 

Bulletin Board



Welcome back! 
Classes resume on Wednesday, August 27th, at 8:00 a.m.

Join Pacific Ridge at The Old Globe on August 23rd! 

For the 5th year in a row, Pacific Ridge families are invited to a summer evening at Balboa Park's beautiful Old Globe Theatre. This year's performance is Shakespeare's Two Gentlemen of Verona, a fast-paced, exuberant tale of friendship, romance and secret identities. A few discounted tickets are still available here. Check your email for more information.

Date: Saturday, August 23rd

Time: 8:00 p.m.; picnicking on the lawn starts at 6:00 p.m.

Place: The Old Globe Theatre

 

 


Imagine...Innovate...Impact! on August 24th

Pacific Ridge parents are warmly invited to campus on Sunday, August 24th for a sneak peek at our new buildings and an evening of activities "Where Art & Tech Intersect." You won't want to miss this event! RSVP at  events@pacificridge.org. Parents only, please.

Date: Sunday, August 24th

Time: 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Place: Pacific Ridge Campus

Parking: 2765 Loker Avenue; shuttles start at 4:30 p.m.


Challenge Day for 10th Graders on August 25th
The Challenge Day leaders return this year with a specialized opportunity for all tenth graders. Challenge Day, a powerful, high-energy program which unites and empowers students so they can contribute to a positive peer environment at school, will coincide with the 10th-Grade orientation schedule. Students do not need to be in uniform, however, closed-toe shoes are required. Contact Mrs. Gorgueiro (vgorgueiro@pacificridge.org) with questions, or to volunteer as an adult participant.
Date: Monday, August 25th
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.; lunch will be provided
Place: Athletic Center

Parents Association Welcome Coffee on August 27th
The Parents Association welcomes new and returning parents to its traditional Welcome Coffee on the first day of school. This is a great time to socialize, meet new people, reconnect with old friends, greet families new to Pacific Ridge and get to know the Parents Association leadership team. It's also a great opportunity to get information about Parents Association events and sign up for committees and activities.
Date: Wednesday, August 27th
Time: 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Place: Alga Norte Community Park Meeting Room & Patio
           6565 Alicante Road, Carlsbad, CA, 92009

No School on Monday, September 1st
Enjoy Labor Day Weekend!


Global Travel Program Launch on September 2nd
11th and 12th graders and their families are invited to learn more details about this year's school-arranged trip offerings.
Date: Tuesday, September 2nd
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: Athletic Center

Student & Faculty BBQ on September 5th
Pacific Ridge students and faculty are invited to enjoy an afternoon BBQ, complete with burgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs and refreshments.
Date: Friday, September 5th
Time: 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Save the Date for Parent Information Nights
Please mark your calendars for these evening programs, which will provide information about important events and expectations for your child's school year. 7th and 9th-grade meetings are taking place during class orientations this week. All other meetings take place at 6:30 p.m.
12th Grade: Monday, August 25th
8th Grade: Thursday, September 11th
10th Grade: Thursday, September 4th
11th Grade: Tuesday, September 9th

Picture Day is on Tuesday, September 16th.

On-Line Directory: Please Confirm Your Information
The on-line family directory is coming soon! Parents, please visit your My Backpack accounts by August 26th to ensure that correct information is put in the directory and that only the information you want to be public is printed. After logging into your My Backpack account, please click on the "My Profile" link located under the "Settings" box on the right. Click the edit button to make any changes and click submit when finished. Questions? Contact Monique Velde at mvelde@pacificridge.org.  

Haiku: Your Go-To Place for Information

Need information? Welcome to Haiku, Pacific Ridge's online learning management system! Haiku is the central hub for details regarding student classes and activities, as well as general school information and calendars. New parents will be introduced to the ins and outs of Haiku in the first few weeks of school. Please check your email for upcoming information about this school-wide communication tool. 



2014-15 Academic Calendar 
Click here to view or download this year's academic calendar.


2014-15 Faculty Directory
Contact information for Pacific Ridge faculty and staff is now available on Haiku. After logging in, please refer to the "At Your Fingertips" page of the School Information Hub.  

Ordering from Land's End
It's easy to order school uniforms from Land's End. Simply go to Landsend.com/school and create or sign in to your account. Include your student and school information in My Account and start shopping with your personalized product checklist. Land's End has frequent sales, so be sure to sign up to receive exclusive on-line offers. Information about the school's uniform policy can be found on Haiku, on the "What to Wear" page of the School Information Hub.

New & Noteworthy

 

Hands of Peace Program Fosters Coexistence

In July, five Pacific Ridge students and one alumna joined teenagers from Israel, Palestine, and the United States for a 17-day program of cross-cultural dialogue and peace building on the Pacific Ridge campus. The program, put on by interfaith coexistence organization Hands of Peace and coordinated by history teacher and Hands of Peace site director Scott Silk, helped build bridges between teens divided by conflict, culture, geography, and history. Through team building, group-bonding experiences and dialogue sessions, participants were able to explore their identity and worldview and come to understand each other in a larger context.

 

Participants in the inaugural San Diego Hands of Peace program

 

Parents Association

Used Uniform Sale on August 22nd

Do you have uniforms that your children have outgrown? Need to replenish your uniform supply? Come to the Parents Association used uniform sale on August 22nd! Funds from this sale will be used to support Gingerbread Breakfast, Staff Appreciation Day and other Parents Association events. Used uniforms may be donated at the sale or dropped off at the reception desk in building A at any time during the year.

Date: Friday, August 22nd

Time: 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Place: Athletic Center Lobby

Cost: $5 per item

 

Parents Association General Meeting on September 23rd

No doubt you have noticed the flurry of activity on the Pacific Ridge campus, but it's not just the construction of new buildings! The 2014-15 school year also brings exciting changes in leadership, programs and processes. Join Dr. Ogle and other members of the academic leadership team to learn more about these advancements at the first Parents Association General Meeting on September 23rd. All parents are welcome to attend.

Date: Tuesday, September 23rd

Time: 8:15 - 10:00 a.m.

Place: To be announced

 

Sports on the Ridge

Upper School Sports are in Play 
The fall sports season is underway! Upper School athletes in Girls Volleyball, Girls Tennis and Coed Cross Country have already been training for several weeks in preparation for fall competition. Girls Tennis serves up a new season beginning with a scrimmage against La Costa Canyon High School on September 4th. Girls Volleyball will dig into its season with a home match against Temecula Preparatory School at 4:00 p.m. on September 5th, and Coed Cross Country will take off from the starting line at the Bronco Roundup Invitational on September 13th. Check A View From the Ridge weekly for scores and highlights. Go Firebirds!
  

 

Boys Varsity Lacrosse Achieves Highest GPA in State
Pacific Ridge's 2014 Varsity Boys Lacrosse Team has been named a California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Academic Team Champion. This is the third time in the five-year history of the program that the team has achieved this honor. The team's collective, unweighted GPA of 3.54 was the highest among all boys lacrosse teams in the state of California. Congratulations, Firebirds!


2014 Boys Varsity Lacrosse: Head, Heart and Hustle

Beyond the Ridge


Seniors participating in Camp College learn about the college application process from university admissions representatives.

College Night for Senior Parents on August 25th

As noted in the Bulletin section above, this meeting will take place on August 25th. Señor Betzala and Mrs. Symington will provide an overview of senior year events, and College Guidance will review important details covered with seniors during August Camp College, including key dates, responsibilities, and the nuts and bolts of the college application process. Attendance is mandatory for at least one parent per family, and we will leave plenty of time for Q&A.

Date: Monday, August 25th

Time: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

Place: East Reading Room

 

College information for Juniors and Seniors on Naviance

Admission officers from colleges across the country and around the world will be visiting Pacific Ridge throughout the fall months. Seniors are welcome to meet with college representatives, and juniors can join these college visits during their free periods. Information about college rep visits is updated regularly in Naviance. If you need assistance with your Naviance login information, please contact the College Guidance Office at collegeguidance@pacificridge.org.

 

Faculty & Staff News

Welcome to a New Firebird!
Congratulations to Athletic Coach Graham Elsdon and his wife, Ashley, who welcomed their second child, Luke Christian Elsdon, on June 16th. Luke weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces at birth. Mom, Dad and big sister Teagan are happily getting to know him.

 

Short Story Published
Congratulations to English teacher Matt Liebowitz, whose short story,"Summer," was published in a recent issue of literary magazine "Crack the Spine."  

 New Faculty & Staff Snapshot 



Hans DeCrop, History

Favorite book: Tristes Tropiques by Claude Lévi-Strauss

Favorite movie: Die Blechtrommel by Volker Schlöndorff

Favorite sport to play or watch: play squash, watch soccer

Greatest indulgence: chocolate

If you make him breakfast: something with chocolate

In his free time: hiking/swimming with kids and family

Dream vacation: Bali

Home town: Oostende, Belgium



Pacific Ridge School Logo 





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
August 20th - 21st

7th-Grade Orientation

 

August 21st- 22nd

9th-Grade Orientation

 

August 22nd 

New 8th, 10th & 11th-Grade Orientations

 

August 23rd
Pacific Ridge Evening at the Old Globe
8 p.m. 

August 24th
Imagine, Innovate, Impact!
Parent Event
5 p.m.

 

August 25th

10th-Grade Orientation & Challenge Day

 

12th-Grade Parent Information Night 

 

August 27th   

First Day of School

 

Parents Association Welcome Coffee

8 a.m. 

 

September 1st

No School, Labor Day 

 

September 2nd

11th & 12th-Grade Global Travel Launch

6:30 p.m.

 

September 4th

10th-Grade Parent 

Information Night

6:30 p.m.

 

September 9th

11th-Grade Parent Information Night

6:30 p.m.

 

September 11th

8th-Grade Parent Information Night

6:30 p.m.

 

September 16th

Picture Day

 

September 18th

Back-to-School Night


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