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

As part of their ongoing preparations for the China trip, 9th graders perform humorous skits about the "dos and don'ts" of being a tourist in a faraway land.

Student-Led Conferences on April 17th
On Friday, April 17th, normal classwork will pause for a day when Pacific Ridge hosts Student-Led Conferences. At the conferences, students will have the opportunity to reflect upon and evaluate their academic work thus far this year. There will be no classes on April 17th. 

Prom on April 18th: Tickets on Sale Now!
Pacific Ridge's Junior-Senior Prom takes place on Saturday, April 18th. Prom attendees should arrive on campus no later than 5:30 p.m. The bus to Bang Bang, a restaurant and event space in the Gaslamp Quarter, leaves at 6:00 p.m. sharp and will return to campus by 10:45 p.m. Tickets are $55 and are on sale during lunch. Checks should be payable to Pacific Ridge School. Cash will also be accepted. Juniors and seniors may bring high school students from other schools or alumni from the Class of 2014 as guests. Formal attire required.
Date: Saturday, April 18th
Time: 5:30 - 10:45 p.m.
Place: Bang Bang, 526 Market Street, San Diego, 92101

Two information sessions on April 21st will give 9th and 10th-grade students and their families an opportunity to learn more about the upcoming China and Northern Sierras wilderness trips. Excited about your trip? Have questions about itineraries, packing and other preparations? Pacific Ridge faculty chaperones and a representative from Adventures Cross Country, the company that arranges and leads the trips, will be on hand to provide answers.
Date: Tuesday, April 21st
Time: 9th-grade session, 5:45 - 7:00 p.m.; 10th-grade session, 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Place: East Reading Room

 

11th & 12th Grade Travel Night on April 27th 

Date: Wednesday, May 6th

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Place: East Reading Room

 

Grad Night 2015: It's Almost Here! 

Seniors and parents, please remember to send in your Grad Night RSVPs. We have a fun night planned for our soon-to-be graduates and don't want anyone to miss out. It is tradition that all students attend if they are able. Invitations were recently mailed to all senior families and April 10th is the deadline for RSVP's. Questions?Email Lora Abbey at parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.

 

 

 

Summer Programs and Sports Camps at Pacific Ridge!

From June 15th to August 13th, Pacific Ridge will be offering a number of summer programs available to all students in San Diego's North County. Choices include non-credit academic classes for middle and high school students, the Firebird Program for rising 5th through 7th graders, and sports camps for children in elementary school through high school. For more information and to register, please visit the 2015 Summer Programs page on the Pacific Ridge website.

 

Musicians, Dancers Bring Flamenco Flair to Pacific Ridge

On Wednesday, March 25th, a group of Flamenco musicians and dancers gave a spirited Community Life performance that had the entire student body toe-tapping and clapping along. Reyes Barrios, Bruno Serrano, John Martin, and Anthony Garcia captivated with their rhythmic song and dance, interspersed with information on the history and origins of the Spanish folk music genre. The audience cheered on performers with jaleo, the vocalizations and rhythmic sounds of palmas (handclaps). Two students, sophomore Sam Canseco and freshman Bryce Snodgrass, took their participation one step further, by joining Ms. Barrios on the floor for a quick lesson on basic Flamenco steps. Click here to watch a video of Sam's impressive moves!   
  

 

Students Taste Their Way Around The World

On Friday, March 27th, the Pacific Ridge Community feasted on treats from every corner of the world during International Food Day. Students in 11th and 12th grade gave everyone a taste of this year's incredibly diverse Global Travel destinations, while World Language students demonstrated their fluency in culinary deliciousness. Nearly 40 different nations were represented through food stations and cultural activities including soccer, dancing and a group siesta. The event was a celebration of the community's commitment to global engagement, an exciting lead-up to this summer's Global Travel period, and an enjoyable way to kick off Spring Break.

 

 

 

 

Pacific Ridge Wins California Green Ribbon Award

Students in Mr. Decrop's Ethics class dedicated a portion of Heritage Food Day to educating their peers about travel and asylum as experienced by numerous refugee groups around the world. The simulation covered the situation of Latin American people escaping gang-related violence subjected to blindfolded nighttime border crossings in the hands of coyotes and detention by the U.S. border patrol, and Sierra Leone natives fleeing Ebola, who cross the Mediterranean to Italy, then undergo incessant preventive medical and political screening. The class also studied the experiences of Ethiopian Jews in Israel and Syrian refugees at the Turkish border in a reflection on how present day geopolitical demands often conflict with ideological/theoretical ambitions regarding human rights.

Last week, several Pacific Ridge students dedicated their spring vacation to practicing Spanish, learning about Tijuana and meeting a multitude of new people. Students spent time with Mexican High School students, worked two mornings in a children's center, visited a migrant shelter, met with a business leader and factory workers, played soccer on the beach and ate wonderful Mexican food. Some students lodged with a local family while others stayed with a large group of students from Instituto Mexico. Feliz primavera!

On Sunday, March 29th, a number of students attended "We Can't Wait: Conversations That Matter", an evening TEDx Youth Conference at Canyon Crest Academy. In addition to a musical performance, students heard from several speakers on current issues such as sexual assault and the culture of college, how sexism negatively affects men and the value of face-to-face communication in a world of technology.

Students "sign on" to the TEDx conversation.

On March 26th, Upper School Service Learning Group FAST (Friends Assisting Special Needs Teens) hosted students from The Country School in Vista for an Easter egg hunt and crafting session. The Country School serves local children and young adults with Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, ADD/ADHD, and other forms of mild to moderate disabilities affecting learning, behavior and social skills. Throughout the year, members of FAST regularly visit The Country School to engage in games, crafts and conversation. 

Senior Parent Coffees on April 16th and May 14th
Senior parents are welcome to join the College Guidance staff and school psychologist Veronica Gorgueiro in an ongoing discussion of topics relating to the college transition.
Dates: Thursday, April 16th and Thursday, May 14th
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Place: Community Hall

The National Association for College Admission Counseling is hosting a College Fair on April 28th at the San Diego Convention Center. More than 250 colleges and universities will be represented. Registration in advance is free and highly recommended.

Date: Tuesday, April 28th

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

Place: San Diego Convention Center, Exhibit Hall C, 111 Harbor Drive, San Diego, 92101

Coastline Case Studies for Juniors & Parents
Juniors and their parents are invited to learn first-hand what goes into the evaluation of college applications. College admission officers from 90 schools across the country and overseas will lead small groups of participants in a comprehensive review of several mock application files. The evening will conclude with a college fair, at which families can speak to representatives from all the schools about their respective institutions. This program is for juniors and their families only. Application files have been sent to families, and a list of attending colleges and universities will be in the Junior Documents folder in Naviance next week.
Date: Wednesday, April 29th
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Place: Santa Fe Christian Schools, 838 Academy Drive, Solana Beach, 92075

Parents of juniors are warmly invited to a coffee to discuss
trends in admissions and various facets of the college research and application process.

Date: Thursday, April 30th

Time: 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Place: Community Hall

Essay Workshops are underway in junior English classes, now through the first week of May.

 

Paige Macdonald '20 Writes Children's Book to Benefit San Diego Coastkeeper

At just 12-years-old, Pacific Ridge seventh-grader Paige Macdonald is already a published author. Paige wrote and illustrated Kaya's Undersea Adventure, a children's story about a girl who goes surfing and is transported to a beautiful but polluted underwater world. The moral of the story, that one person can make a difference in the fight against ocean pollution, is echoed in the mission of non-profit organization San Diego Coastkeeper. On Sunday, April 19th, in recognition of Earth Day, Paige will sign copies of her book, and 100% of profits from the book's sales will go to San Diego Coastkeeper. 

Date: Sunday, April 19th

Time: 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Place: Warwick's Bookstore, 7812 Girard Avenue, La Jolla