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Pacific Ridge School DotsA View From The Ridge
Weekly E-Newsletter
January 8, 2105
In This Issue
Bulletin Board
New & Noteworthy
Construction Strides
Service Learning In The Field
Parents Association
Sports on the Ridge
Beyond the Ridge
New Faculty & Staff Snapshot
Snapshot from the Ridge

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


It All Adds Up: Student council members present a check to Jennifer Gilmore, Executive Director of Feeding America San Diego. This year's Penny Wars competition raised over $1,000 for the hunger relief organization.

Bulletin Board

 


Admissions Open House on January 10th

Families interested in Pacific Ridge School are encouraged to visit the Open House scheduled for Saturday, January 10th. Presentations start at 1:00 p.m., followed by campus tours. To RSVP, please contact Admissions Assistant Tiffany Murphy at 760-448-9841, or tmurphy@pacificridge.org. Click here for more information about the application process. 

 

Heading to High School Event for 8th-Grade Parents on January 13th

Eighth-grade parents are invited to a session on "Heading to High School" on January 13th, 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 13th

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Place: Mullady Hall

 

No School on Monday, January 19th

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

 

Blood Drive on January 22nd
The San Diego Blood Bank will be conducting a blood drive at Pacific Ridge on January 22nd. Want to help someone in need by donating blood? Appointments can be scheduled by visiting the San Diego Blood Bank. Click on Donate Blood, select Make an Appointment, and enter our sponsor code: PARS.
Date: Thursday, January 22nd
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 
Place: Athletic Center

Winter Formal: It's Alice in Wonderland!

Upper School students are invited to fall down the rabbit hole for this year's 'Alice in Wonderland'- themed winter formal. Great music, snacks and refreshments will be offered. Tickets go on sale next week.

Date: Saturday, January 24th

Time: 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Place: Mullady Hall

Cost: $12 in advance; $15 at the door

 

Middle School Social Event on January 23rd

Middle School students are invited to join classmates for an evening of Capture The Flag in the new Middle School Building. Snacks will be provided. There is no fee for this event. 

Date: Friday, January 23rd 

Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Place: Middle School Building 

 

Community Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony on February 2nd!

Mark your calendars for Monday, February 2nd! Join Dr. Ogle and the Pacific Ridge community for the official ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration of our new Middle School/Administration Building and Arts & Technology Center. Look for an invitation in your mailbox next week!

Date: Monday, February 2nd

Time: 2:15 p.m.

Place: Pacific Ridge campus

 

The Pippin cast keeps complex choreography 'in line' with plenty of practice!   

 

Pippin Tickets Now on Sale! 

Tickets are going fast for this year's Upper School musical, Pippin! Click here to purchase yours. Show dates are Thursday through Saturday, February 5th - 7th. Performance times are 7:30 p.m., with an additional matinee at 2:00 p.m. on the 7th. Reserve your seats today!

 

Pacific Ridge Now Hosting San Diego Children's Choir

Pacific Ridge School has been selected as a 2015 rehearsal site for the San Diego Children's Choir. The partnership will enable more families in San Diego's North County to participate in the San Diego Children's Choir's exceptional choral education and performance programs. SDCC has choirs for grades 1-2, 3-5, 6-9, and 10-12. Choral participants perform with the San Diego Symphony, California Ballet, and more. For more information, visit the SDCC website.

 

Hands of Peace Seeks 2015 Participants & Host Families


"HOP has completely changed my views. I now see conflicts as human struggles, not faceless battles far from me. Peace isn't an idea, or a dream. It's a necessity." - 2014 Hands of Peace participant

Hands of Peace (HOP), a unique interfaith program developing peace-building and leadership skills in Israeli, Palestinian, and American teens through the power of dialogue and personal relationships, is now accepting applications for new summer program participants and enthusiastic host families. The program will take place from July 9 - 27, 2015, on the Pacific Ridge campus. For more information about Hands of Peace, including applications and information about serving as a homestay family, please visit www.handsofpeace.org.  

A Big Thank You from Faculty & Staff 
The faculty and staff of Pacific Ridge extend their heartfelt appreciation to the community for the Parent Association holiday gift drive. Because of the generosity of Pacific Ridge parents, each and every school employee headed off for the holiday break with a valuable gift card in tow. Thank you!

New & Noteworthy

 

New Middle School Building Open!

On Tuesday, January 6th, Pacific Ridge students returned from an extended holiday break to celebrate the opening of the new Middle School/Administration building. After a brief and joyful ribbon-cutting ceremony, students toured the beautiful new facility before heading to class. Middle School students especially enjoyed spending the day in the state-of-the-art classrooms they will now call home. Happy New Year!

 

Mr. Wright and Dr. Ogle hold the ribbon while students make the cut.

It's a race to explore the whole building!

 

Both Middle and Upper School students celebrate the new facility.

 

Gingerbread Breakfast a Delicious Holiday Sendoff

Nearly 700 students, faculty, staff and alumni celebrated the beginning of holiday break on December 19th at the annual Gingerbread Breakfast. Perfect weather accompanied by holiday decorations galore made an ideal backdrop for a sumptuous breakfast spread, served by an army of organized and gracious parent volunteers. Thanks go to the Parents Association and the many volunteers who contributed food and baked items, as well as those who set-up, served and tidied up after the breakfast. Their efforts made the 2014 Gingerbread Breakfast a continued favorite in the hearts and stomachs of all!


Even the decorations are edible!


Faculty and their families partake in the feast.


Alumni and Mrs. Bjornstad join the fun.

Community Enjoys Winter Performing Arts Concert
Immediately following the Gingerbread Breakfast, the Pacific Ridge community enjoyed a series of performances by members of the Middle School Rock Bands, Jazz Rock Ensembles, Vocal Ensemble, Improv Club and multiple dance groups. The entertainment sent students and faculty off to their holiday vacations filled with music, laughter and good cheer. Thanks to Mr. Dziekonski for coordinating the outstanding performances.

Keeping the beat for the Middle School Rock Band
  
Dance 2 captures the crowd's attention with a dreamy, lyrical number. 


Student Council members announce the Winter Formal theme.

More Gingerbread Breakfast Photos on Facebook!
Please visit Pacific Ridge's Facebook page to see more images from the Gingerbread Breakfast.

Local Merchants Support Gingerbread Breakfast
A big thank you goes to Beach Plum Kitchen and Peet's Coffee for donating food items and supplies for this year's Gingerbread Breakfast. Pacific Ridge School appreciates your generosity, and wishes you a Happy New Year!

Construction Strides 


It's Coming Together! Workers install turf and sod outside the Arts & Technology Center. Mullady Hall is in the distance.

A Special Thank You

In this week's Construction Strides, we'd like to say thank you to a number of Pacific Ridge staff who sacrificed the majority of their holiday vacation to make sure the new Middle School building would be ready on time: Peyton Bray, Bob Buscher, Rudy Campos, E'Lan Holman, Bill Maynard, Gama Ramirez, Robert Rios and Christian Vonalt. Thank you, and job well done!

 

Service Learning In The Field

 

Students Bring Cheer to Local Homeless Shelter

Under the direction of junior Arthi Haripriyan, a group of students from three different Upper School service learning groups visited the La Posada homeless shelter in Carlsbad on December 17th to facilitate an afternoon social hour. Students shared snacks and swapped stories with residents in a festive holiday atmosphere. The students plan to return to La Posada on a monthly basis, and welcome volunteers join them and donate snacks and supplies, perform music and improv, and connect with new friends from an often-ignored segment of our Carlsbad community.

 

Sharing stories and snacks with residents at La Posada homeless shelter

 

Parents Association

   

Walking Club on January 23rd 

Join the PRS Parents Association for socializing and exercising along the Encinitas Ranch Trails. If you would like to be added to the walking club contact list, email the Parents Association at parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.

Date:  Friday, January 23rd

Time:  8:30 a.m.

Place: Meet at Starbucks, 1560 Leucadia Blvd., Encinitas (Walmart/REI Shopping Center)

 

Supper Club Mid-Year Social on January 25th

For all Supper Club participants, the Mid-Year Social is another opportunity to socialize with some fabulous Pacific Ridge parents and enjoy delicious appetizers (provided) and beverages (for purchase). Come join the fun!

Date: Sunday, January 25th 

Time: 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Place: The Wine Loft, 1911 Calle Barcelona, Carlsbad (located in The Forum)

 

Sports on the Ridge

 

Alumni-Student Soccer Match

Current students, faculty members and former Firebirds all laced up their cleats on Monday, January 5th for the annual coed Alumni-Student soccer match. Nearly 40 athletes joined together in a spirited and fun game. Age topped youth when the alumni scored a resounding win, but current students are eager for next year's rematch. Go Firebirds!

 

NCAA Primer Night on January 26th 

Upper School athletes and their families are invited to a conversation about the college recruiting process on January 26th, hosted by Pacific Ridge Athletics and College Guidance. The session will cover Pacific Ridge's approach to helping student-athletes prepare academically and personally for NCAA opportunities. This evening is a precursor to NCAA Night this spring. 

Date: Tuesday, January 26th

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Place: East Reading Room 

 

Upper School Home Games, Week of 1/12/14:

Be a Firebird Fan! Home game times for the upcoming week are listed below. Schedules are subject to change, so please check Schedulestar regularly for accurate information.

1/12/15
3:30 p.m. Boys JV Basketball vs. La Jolla Country Day

1/13/15
4:30 p.m. Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Guajome Park Academy
6:00 p.m. Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Calvary Christian School

1/14/15
3:30 p.m. Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Santa Fe Christian School
4:30 p.m.  Girls JV Basketball vs. Lincoln High School
6:00 p.m. Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Lincoln High School

1/15/15
4:30 p.m. Boys Middle School 'B' Basketball vs. Tri-City Christian 

1/17/15
3:00 p.m. Girls JV Basketball vs. Rancho Buena Vista High
4:30 p.m. Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Rancho Buena Vista High 

 




Scores:

Boys Varsity Basketball
12/16/14 West Hills High School 52 58 L
12/29/14 Pilibos High School 46 53 L  
12/30/14 Guajome Park Academy 51 37 W
12/30/14 Escondido Charter High 63 58 W
12/31/14 Guajome Park Academy 40 47 L  

Boys Junior Varsity Basketball
12/15/14 Orange Glen High School 27 38 L
12/16/14 West Hills High School 33 59 L 

Boys Middle School 'A' Basketball
12/17/14 San Diego Jewish Academy 49 21 W  

Boys Middle School 'B' Basketball 
12/17/14 San Diego Jewish Academy 21 6 W  

Girls Varsity Basketball
12/15/14 El Cajon Valley High 24 38 L 

Boys Varsity Soccer
12/16/14 Rancho Buena Vista High School 1 3 L 
12/18/14 Patrick Henry High School 1 4 L

Boys Junior Varsity Soccer
12/15/14 Rancho Buena Vista High School 0 4 L 

Boys Middle School 'A' Soccer
12/16/14 Rancho Santa Fe Middle School 3 1 W  
12/18/14 Maranatha Christian Middle School 6 0 W 

Boys Middle School 'B' Soccer
12/17/14 Rancho Santa Fe Middle School 3 1 W 

Girls Varsity Soccer
12/17/14 Mission Vista High School 1 1 T

Girls Middle School 'A' Soccer
12/18/14 Maranatha Christian Middle School 8 0 W 

Girls Middle School 'B' Soccer 
12/17/14 San Diego Jewish Academy 2 2 T 

Girls Middle School 'C' Soccer 
12/16/14 Rancho Santa Fe Middle School 2 1 W 

Beyond the Ridge

Practice ACT with Writing on January 11th 

Students opting to take this practice test will have an online score report to review within a week of testing. Please email collegeguidance@pacificridge.org or stop by the College Guidance office if you have questions.

Date: Sunday, January 11th 

Time: 8:00 a.m.

Place: West Reading Room 

  
 New Faculty & Staff Snapshot 

 

 

Briana Barry, Business Office Assistant

 

Favorite or most recent book? Favorites include The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak and The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins 

Favorite movie? Oceans 11 and any Disney Pixar movie

Favorite sport to play or watch? Kickball and softball 

Greatest Indulgence? Any type of dessert!

If you make her breakfast? French toast

In her free time? Rock climbing, reading, watching movies, being outdoors

Dream vacation? Dublin, Ireland

Home town? Oceanside, CA

 


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
January 10th

Admissions Open House

1 - 4 p.m.

 

January 11th

Practice ACT 

8 a.m.
 

January 13th

Heading to High School

   6:30 p.m. 

 

January 19th

NO SCHOOL

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

 

January 22nd

Blood Drive

8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

 

January 23rd

Middle School Social Event

6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

 

January 24th

Upper School Winter Formal

7 - 10 p.m.

 

January 26th

NCAA Primer Night

6 p.m.

 

February 2nd

Ribbon-Cutting for New Buildings

2:15 p.m.

 

February 5th & 6th

Pippin

7:30 p.m.

 

February 7th

Pippin

2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

 

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