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Pacific Ridge School DotsA View From The Ridge
Weekly E-Newsletter
April 23, 2015
In This Issue
Bulletin Board
New & Noteworthy
Curricular Adventures
Service Learning in the Field
Parents Association
Sports on the Ridge
Beyond the Ridge
Faculty & Staff News
Snapshot from the Ridge

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


No '80s themed spirit day is complete without a lunchtime Jazzercise session!

Bulletin Board



Spring Arts Festival on April 24th!
Pacific Ridge families are warmly invited to campus on Friday, April 24th for the annual Spring Arts Festival. Students and faculty will be participating in visual arts, music, theater and dance events at various venues across campus. Don't miss this opportunity to live and breathe the arts at Pacific Ridge School! Click here to see this year's performance and activities schedule.
Date: Friday, April 24th
Time: 12:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Place: Pacific Ridge School campus
Parking: On campus or at Faith Community Church, 2700 Rancho Pancho, Carlsbad - shuttles provided

Enroll in The School For Lies on April 24th and 25th
You won't want to miss this year's spring play, the delightful School For Lies. Click here for a sneak peek of all the fun! Inspired by Molière's The Misanthrope, David Ives' renowned comedy, written entirely in verse, follows sharp-tongued widow Celimene, whose life is turned upside down by a man who challenges her wit and steals her heart. Performances are Friday, April 24th and Saturday, April 25th at 7:30 p.m. in the Athletic Center. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door or online via this link.

 
The School For Lies cast wouldn't want you to delay - 
purchase your spring play tickets today!

 

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

This is a key travel information session for juniors, seniors and their parents. Mr. Bosc will present information about this year's travel program, then each travel group will meet with its trip leaders. Bring all your questions and get to know more about this year's exciting itineraries!

Date: Monday, April 27th

Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Place: East Reading Room

 

Middle School Social Event at Boomers on May 1st

Middle School students are invited to a night of fun and games at Boomers with Go Karts, Miniature Golf, Bumper Boats, batting cages, a game room and more. Tickets are $5, and include all activities as well as some tokens. Ms. DeHaven will be collecting cash for tickets beginning Monday. Please note that the school will not be providing transportation to this event. Drop off and pick up is at Boomers in Vista. Questions? Email Ms. DeHaven at cdehaven@pacificridge.org.

Date: Friday, May 1st

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

Place: Boomers; 1525 W. Vista Way, Vista, CA 92083

Cost: $5

   
Host an International Exchange Student! Information Meeting on May 1st
Interested in a truly global experience? Every year Pacific Ridge enrolls an international exchange student and seeks a host family for the school year. Come to an information meeting on May 1st to learn more about AFS, a leading international exchange organization that operates in more than 50 countries, and hear from Pacific Ridge families who have hosted previous exchange students. Questions? Contact Jean Nassif at jnassif@pacificridge.org.
Date: Friday, May 1st
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Place: Middle School building conference room

Middle School Travel Information Night on May 5th

Parents of 7th and 8th graders are invited to campus the evening of May 5th for information about this year's Middle School trips to the Santa Monica mountains and Williamsburg. Faculty and staff will be on hand to discuss travel goals, share trip itineraries and answer all your questions. Please mark your calendar for this important meeting.

Date: Tuesday, May 5th

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Place: Community Hall


Class of 2015 Parent Celebration on May 6th!

Parents of seniors are warmly invited to a special dinner event on May 6th. Your commitment to the growth of your children and the Pacific Ridge community will be celebrated at this graduation-style dinner. The evening will also include the dedication of the College Guidance Office in honor of the Class of 2015. Please check your mailbox for invitations, and RSVP to Nisa Conway at nconway@pacificridge.org.

Date: Wednesday, May 6th

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Place: East Reading Room

 

 

Middle School Musical Tickets On Sale Now!

Harvard's beloved blonde takes the stage by glittery, pink storm in this fun and upbeat musical. Middle school students will present a 75-minute, one-act version of the acclaimed Broadway musical, Legally Blonde, on May 21st- 23rd at Vista's Avo Playhouse. Click here to purchase tickets online.

Dates: Thursday, May 21st - Saturday, May 23rd

Times: 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday; 2:00 p.m. on Saturday

Place: Avo Playhouse, 303 Main Street, Vista CA

 

 

 

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.

 

Check In With The Ridge Report

The latest edition of the Pacific Ridge student newspaper is out! Features include The In-N-Out Reading Challenge, information on the new Digital Lost and Found, and a recipe for lemon poppyseed pancakes. To read the Ridge Report visit

ridgereport.squarespace.com. Password: firebird 

 

Help Our Community Stay Healthy

Spring is a busy time and we want our students to remain healthy! Parents, please encourage your children to practice preventive measures such as hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and avoiding close contact with sick people. If your children get sick, please keep them at home from school until they are fever-free for 24 hours. Thank you for your cooperation.
 

New & Noteworthy

 

New Parking Lot and Front Entrance Complete Campus

On the morning of Friday, April 17th, faculty and staff gathered for the final ribbon-cutting ceremony of our campus transformation: the completion of the new parking lot and opening of the school's new front entrance. This final phase of construction yielded 100 additional parking spots and provides visitors with a central welcoming spot on campus. Please reference recent emails from Mr. Bray for information on changes to attendance reporting, pick-up, drop-off, and parking procedure. Thank you for your patience throughout the construction process!



  

Juniors Present Leadership Biography Projects 
For the past four months, members of the Class of 2016 have worked on integrated research projects about the sources and characteristics of leadership. As part of the project, students interviewed leaders in the local community with whom they share an interest or passion. The interviews covered a range of topics, including the interviewee's path to their current position, the skills and experiences they incorporate into their work, and leadership lessons they have learned. On April 15th, juniors whose projects were selected by their advisors for outstanding quality presented excerpts from interviews with leaders in business, medicine, politics, science, the arts, and more.



8th Graders Present Captivating Contraptions     
In March, teams of 8th-grade students spent several weeks creating Rube Goldberg machines to present to their Conceptual Physics classes. The complex machines, named after the famous cartoonist, take several convoluted steps to perform a simple task. Before putting their machine into action, students explained the physics of each energy transfer needed for the apparatus to achieve its desired result. On Wednesday, April 15th, six teams of finalists presented their inventions to the Middle School and a panel of judges from the community. Congratulations to winners Amelia Whitworth and Sarah Freeman, and to all the 8th-grade inventors for their hard work and ingenuity! 

Explaining the physics behind the fun

The winning team presents its "A Day at School"-themed machine.

 

Curricular Adventures

 

9th-Grade Students Get a Taste of China  

On Monday, April 20th, the ninth grade class took a field trip to the Tawa Shopping Center and Jasmine Restaurant in preparation for next month's China trip. The day provided an opportunity for students to bond and have fun while learning basic language skills, exploring a new area and enjoying Chinese cuisine. During a scavenger hunt, small groups of students visited bookstores, grocery stores and tea shops while completing assigned tasks. The experience encouraged students to work together to meet challenges in an unfamiliar setting - skills that will certainly come in handy while exploring all China has to offer. 

 

 

 Ninth graders practice dining etiquette and chopstick skills 

in preparation for China. 

 

Spanish Visitor Shares Tales From Argentinian Childhood

Elba Roberts, mother of Pacific Ridge Spanish teacher Cecilia Shrivistava, visited several Spanish classes this month to discuss her experiences growing up in Argentina. Mrs. Roberts recounted personal stories from Argentina's Dirty War, including having several neighbors and her pediatrician counted among 30,000 "los desaparecidos" - both opponents of the government as well as innocent people who were kidnapped in the night and taken to secret government detention centers. Spanish students practiced comprehension and vocabulary skills with a native speaker, while those students traveling to Argentina during this year's Global Travel period also benefited from hearing a firsthand account of the country's rich history. 

 

Sr. Betzala's Spanish 4 class with Elba Roberts

 

Service Learning in the Field

 

Middle Schoolers, ARC Create Tree of Hope for Earth Day 

On Tuesday, April 21st, Middle School Service Learning students and ARC consumers kicked off Earth Day celebrations a day early by creating a "tree of hope." Each leaf was decorated to represent a dream for the future of our planet. The leaves encourage the Pacific Ridge community to be aware of global warming, stop ocean pollution, protect natural animal habitats and - the tree's most popular message - conserve water!  

 

 

Parents Association

 

Parent Book Club Meeting on April 27th

The Pacific Ridge Parent Book Club will meet to discuss 

Deep, Dark, Down: The Untold Stories of 33 Men Buried in a Chilean Mine and the Miracle That Set Them Free, by Hector Tobar. The Book Club is open to all Pacific Ridge parents and we hope to see you there!

Date: Monday, April 27th

Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Options

Place: Library Learning Commons


Parent Walking Club on April 28th 

Come join the Parents Association for our next outing around the Rancho Carrillo Trails where the peacocks reside! After the walk, we will enjoy some refreshing drinks and snacks at our host's home. For details on location or to volunteer a snack to share, please email parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.

Date: Tuesday, April 28th

Time: 8:15 a.m.

Place: LaCosta Greens (email the PA for details)

 

WeCare Speaker - Dr. Wendy Mogel on April 28th 

WeCare, a non-profit San Diego independent schools consortium, is proud to present Dr. Wendy Mogel as its spring speaker. Dr. Mogel is a clinical psychologist, internationally recognized public speaker and New York Times best-selling author of the The Blessing of a Skinned Knee and The Blessing of a B Minus. In her talk, Dr. Mogel will provide parents with a roadmap for raising optimistic, successful and resilient children. For more information, click here.  

Date: Tuesday, April 28th

Time: 6:30 p.m. social; 7:00 p.m. speaker

Place: Francis Parker School, Crivello Hall, 6501 Linda Vista Road, San Diego, 92111


Used Uniform Sale on April 30th and May 1st

Are your uniforms too small? Need to pick up a few extra pieces for next month's global trips? Come to the used uniform sale and replenish your supply for the spring. Items range in price from $2 to $10.

Date: Thursday, April 30th and Friday, May 1st

Time: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Location: Athletic Center Lobby 


End of Year Supper Club Event - Save the Date

The Supper Club's end-of-year gathering will take place on Sunday, May 3rd, at 5:00 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to gather one last time and enjoy a tasty taco bar.

Desserts and beverages will be potluck. If you haven't received your evite, please contact the Parents Association.


 

General Meeting & Coffee: College Process Panel & Middle School News

Join the Parents Association for its Spring General Meeting featuring a panel of Pacific Ridge seniors discussing the college process. Rachel Petrella, Director of College Guidance, will be discussing the support, resources and programs offered through the College Guidance department. There will also be an update from Middle School Head Andy Wright on "What's New" in the Middle School, specifically in the area of after school programs in music, technology and the arts.

Date: Tuesday, May 5th

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

Place: Community Hall

 

Have questions about any Parents Association events? Email parentsassociation@pacificridge.org

 

Sports on the Ridge
 
Firebird "Fight Night" on April 30th
Calling all Firebird fans! Help us pack the bleachers as five Pacific Ridge teams compete on their home turf/court in one evening! The Curiocity Catering food truck will be on hand to fuel the fandom with "health, community and earth-conscious foods." During next week and at the event, Club Firebird will be selling $10 reusable Firebird bags - great for shopping, storing sports gear, etc! Bring the family and some friends to campus for good food and great competition. Go Firebirds!   

 

3:30 Girls Varsity Lacrosse

3:30 Middle School Girls Basketball 'A' Team

4:30 Middle School Girls Basketball 'B' Team 

5:15 Boys Varsity Lacrosse

6:00 Boys Varsity Volleyball

*See "Upper School Home Games" section below for opponents*


Boys Varsity Lacrosse Continues Climb in Rankings
Boys Varsity Lacrosse's impressive 8-2 start to the season has attracted national attention. In USA Today's latest "Super 25 State Boys Lacrosse Rankings," the Firebird's are ranked 10th among all Southern California High School teams based on results, quality of players, and strength of schedule. Following an April 15th victory over (then first place) Scripps Ranch and an April 17th win against Rancho Bernardo, the team has moved into second place in San Diego. Assistant Coach VanSant credits the boys' success to "heart, hustle, and terrific team effort." 

Firebirds take the field to conquer Scripps Ranch.

Ethan Kuo '15 Participates in 3 Pt. Shooting Challenge
Congratulations to senior Ethan Kuo, who was one of just ten players selected to participate in the San Diego Senior All-Star 3 Pt. Shooting Contest on April 17th. During the competition, held during halftime of the San Diego Senior All-Star Game, Ethan knocked down 12 shots from beyond the arc in one minute. His efforts weren't enough to earn him a spot in the finals, but he performed well against some of the county's best shooters, several of whom will play Division 1 college basketball next year. 


Ethan Kuo '15 representing Pacific Ridge in the 
San Diego Senior All-Star 3 pt. Shooting Contest

Upper School Home Games, Week of April 27th:

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.

4/28/15
4:00 p.m. - Boys Varsity Volleyball vs. Foothills Christian
4:30 p.m. - Boys Varsity Lacrosse vs. Bishop's

4/30/15
3:30 p.m. - Girls Middle School 'A' Basketball vs. Maranatha Christian 
3:30 p.m. - Girls Varsity Lacrosse vs. Santa Fe Christian
4:30 p.m. - Girls Middle School 'B' Basketball vs. Maranatha Christian
5:15 p.m. - Boys Varsity Lacrosse vs. Santa Fe Christian
6:00 p.m. - Boys Varisty Volleyball vs. Del Lago Academy 





Scores:

Girls Middle School 'A' Basketball
4/14/15 Horizon Prep 24 8 W
4/16/15 Rancho Santa Fe Middle School 13 9 W

Girls Middle School 'B' Basketball
4/14/15 Horizon Prep 21 11 W
4/16/15 Rancho Santa Fe Middle School 19 23 W

Coed Varsity Golf
4/15/15 Santa Fe Christian Schools 238 205 L
4/16/15 The Bishop's School 8 10 L

Boys Varsity Tennis
4/14/15 La Jolla Country Day School 5 13 L
4/16/15 The Bishop's School 8 10 L

Coed Varsity Track
4/18/15 Jaguar Invitational 
Alexandra Carter, 6th place - Long Jump 

Boys Varsity Lacrosse
4/14/15 Scripps Ranch 10 9 W
4/17/15 Rancho Bernardo 14 4 W

Boys Middle School 'A' Lacrosse 
4/18/15 Mustang 'B' 2 6 L

Boys Middle School 'B' Lacrosse
4/18/15 Mustang 'C' 0 12 L

Girls Varsity Lacrosse
4/15/15 Santa Fe Christians Schools 8 10 L
4/16/15 Del Lago Academy 11 2 W

Girls Middle School Lacrosse
4/18/15 Poway 14 8 W

Boys Varsity Volleyball
4/16/15 Escondido Adventist Academy 3 0 W

Beyond the Ridge

NACAC College Fair on April 28th
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 can be found in the Junior Documents folder in Naviance.
Date: Wednesday, April 29th
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Place: Santa Fe Christian Schools, 838 Academy Drive, Solana Beach, 92075

 

College Topics Coffee for Parents of 9th - 11th Graders ­ 

College admission officers will be our panelists in an informative discussion of admission terms and trends. This session is open to parents of Pacific Ridge students grades nine and up, and is particularly encouraged for Class of 2016 parents.

Date: Thursday, April 30th

Time: 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.

Place: Community Hall

 

Senior Parent Coffee on May 14th

The third in our transition to college series will cover the logistics and details parents can anticipate, once National Deposit Day is behind us.

Date: Thursday, May 14th

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.

Alumni News

Lacrosse Players Visit Former Teammate O'Donnell '14 
Earlier this month, Coach Collins, Coach Elsdon, and a group of Firebird Lacrosse players traveled to Whittier College to visit Kevin O' Donnell '14. Kevin is in his freshman season as a member of the Whittier Poets Lacrosse Team. Kevin has seen action in all but one game so far this season and has started four times. Good luck to Kevin and the Poets as they finish regular season play this week! 


Kevin O'Donnell '14 poses for a post-game photo with 
Reed Levesque '15, Coach Elsdon and Coach Collins.


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

 

April 24th

Spring Arts Festival

12:30 - 3 p.m.

 

The School For Lies

7:30 p.m.

 

April 25th

The School For Lies

7:30 p.m.

 

April 27th

11th & 12th-Grade Travel Night

6:30 p.m.

 

Parent Book Club

7 - 9 p.m.

 

April 28th

WeCare Presents

Dr. Wendy Mogel

7 p.m.

 

April 30th

Used Uniform sale

2 - 4 p.m.

 

Firebird Fight Night:

Athletics Spirit Event

3:30 p.m.

 

May 1st

Used Uniform sale

2 - 4 p.m.

 

May 3rd

Supper Club Year-End Party

5 p.m.

 

May 5th

Parents Association

General Meeting

8 a.m.

 

Middle School Travel Information Night

6:30 p.m.

 

May 6th

Senior Parent Dinner

6 p.m.

 

May 21st

Legally Blonde

7:30 p.m.

 

May 22nd

Legally Blonde

7:30 p.m.

 

May 23rd

Legally Blonde

2 p.m.

 

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