In This Issue - August 27, 2015 
Snapshot from the Ridge

Each week, Pacific Ridge School invites you to enjoy a spontaneous view of school life.
 
This is our turf: A worker puts the finishing touches on the athletic field's new turf. The field, complete with Firebird logo, awaits fans, athletes, and opponents this year.

Bulletin Board
 
Welcome back! 
Classes resume on Wednesday, September 2nd, at 8:00 a.m.



Pacific Ridge at The Old Globe on August 29th 
For the 6th 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 The Comedy Of Errors, a hilarious tale of mistaken identity. A few discounted tickets are still available here. Check your email for more information.
Date: Saturday, August 29th
Time: 8:00 p.m.; picnicking on the lawn starts at 6:00 p.m.
Place: The Old Globe Theatre


Challenge Day for 10th Graders on August 31st
The Challenge Day leaders return this year with a specialized opportunity for all tenth graders. Challenge Day, a powerful, high-energy program that 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 at vgorgueiro@pacificridge.org with questions, or to volunteer as an adult participant.
Date: Monday, August 31st
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.; lunch will be provided
Place: Athletic Center

No School on Monday, September 7th
Enjoy Labor Day Weekend!
Global Travel Program Launch on September 8th 
11th and 12th graders and their families are invited to learn more details about this year's school-arranged trip offerings.
Date: Tuesday, September 8th
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Place: Athletic Center
 
Student & Faculty BBQ on September 11th
Pacific Ridge students and faculty are invited to enjoy an afternoon BBQ, complete with burgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs and refreshments.
Date: Friday, September 11th
Time: 3:00 - 5:30 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.

10th Grade: Thursday, September 3rd
8th Grade: Wednesday, September 9th
11th Grade: Thursday, September 10th

On-Line Directory: Please Confirm Your Information
Parents, please visit your My Backpack accounts to confirm your information in this year's online directory. 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 Tiffany Murphy at tmurphy@pacificridge.org.  


Picture Day is on Tuesday, September 22nd.
 

2015-16 Academic Calendar 
Click here to view or download this year's academic calendar.
 
New and Noteworthy

NEW! Pacific Ridge After-School Extension Program
Starting this year, Pacific Ridge is offering a set of exciting, after-school extension courses that allow students to make, create and collaborate in an informal learning environment. The fall session runs from mid-September through mid-November, and courses are open to both Pacific Ridge students and students from the larger community. Sign up for a class and bring a friend! 
Course offerings include:
  • Youth Coding: Minecraft Modding
  • Broadcasting
  • Boys Group Lacrosse Clinic
  • Inventing with Arduino
  • Guitar Lessons
  • Design & Fabrication Lab
  • Sewing for Beginners
  • San Diego Children's Choir 
Click HERE for more information and to register. Questions? Contact Steve Dziekonski at sdziekonski@pacificridge.org.

Hands of Peace Broadens Students' Global Perspective
This July, a group of Pacific Ridge students joined teenagers from Israel, Palestine, and the United States for a 17-day program of cross-cultural dialogue and peace building. The program, put on by interfaith coexistence organization Hands of Peace and coordinated by history teacher and Hands of Peace site director Scott Silk, was hosted on-campus last summer as well. Hands of Peace helps 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.

 

Student Photography Selected for MOPA Youth Exhibition
In June, four Pacific Ridge photography students had their work selected for the 2015 Youth Exhibition at Balboa Park's Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA). Congratulations to Ava Embry, Charlie Clarke, Angela Ding, and Kaitlyn Wardrup, whose photos will be on display at MOPA and a MOPA extension site from October 3rd, 2015 until January 24th, 2016. The annual juried exhibition showcases the photographic talent of San Diego youth, and photos were selected based on originality and interpretation of the theme - Self Reflection.  


Pacific Ridge junior Charlie Clarke's MOPA selected self-portrait. 

Service Learning In The Field



Middle School On-Campus TB Screening September 8th
Students in the Middle School Service Learning program work with several local service providers that require an annual tuberculosis screening for all volunteers. In order to streamline compliance with this requirement, Pacific Ridge will be holding a free TB screening at school on September 8th. Permission forms for the screening were emailed to all Middle School families in August, and must be signed and returned by September 3rd in order for your child to participate. Please contact Service Learning Director Alison Behr at abehr@pacificridge.org with any questions.

Parents Association 

Reminder: Used Uniform Sale on Friday, August 28th!
If you still need uniform items, stop by the uniform sale taking place this Friday, August 28th, from noon until 4:00 p.m. Items range in price from $1 to $15. The funds are used to support Gingerbread Breakfast, Staff Appreciation, and other activities.
 
Parents Association Welcome Coffee on September 2nd
We hope you will join us for the Parents Association's first day of school Welcome Coffee. This annual gathering is a great opportunity to socialize, meet new people, reconnect with old friends, and welcome new families to the school. We will also have information about Parents Association activities and volunteer opportunities. Parents interested in participating in PA clubs or activites can sign up at the Welcome Coffee, or electronically, via this link. 
Date: Wednesday, September 2nd
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Place: Alga Norte Community Park Aquatic Center - Meeting Room & Patio, 6565 Alicante Road, Carlsbad, CA, 92009
 
First Book Club Meeting of the School Year
The Pacific Ridge Parent Book Club will meet to discuss Five Quarters of the Orange, by Joanne Harris. The Book Club is open to all Pacific Ridge parents and we hope to see you there.
Date: Monday, September 21st
Time:  7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Place:  Pacific Ridge School Library

Beyond The Ridge

Save The Date: PSAT on October 14th 
The PSAT will be offered for all Pacific Ridge 10th and 11th graders on Wednesday, October 14th at 8:00 a.m. in the Athletic Center. Tests for 2017 and 2018 have been ordered, and College Guidance will preview the test and test day requirements with each class during September class meetings. 
 
Ongoing college events open to the community are detailed on the College Guidance landing page of the Haiku School Information Hub.

Class Notes

Lee '17 Named 'MVP' of National Volleyball Tournament
Pacific Ridge junior Anderson Lee helped lead San Diego's Wave Volleyball team to a gold medal during the 2015 Boys' Junior National Tournament that took place June 28th - July 1st, in Columbus, Ohio. The Wave's smart play and grit earned the championship trophy in the 16-Boys Club Division, and Anderson's crucial contributions earned him the title of tournament MVP. Way to go, Anderson! 

Anderson and his Wave teammates hoist their championship trophy.

Duck-Reynolds '17 Finishes Second in Half Marathon 
Congratulations to Pacific Ridge junior Lynnlee Duck-Reynolds on her second place finish in the 17 & under age group at the America's Finest City Half Marathon on August 14th. Lynlee finished the 13.1 mile race in just one hour and 46 minutes. This is the fourth half-marathon for Lynnlee, who competes in Firebird cross country and track during the school year.


A post-race, celebratory photo with her finisher's medal!

Sports on the Ridge



Positive Coaching Alliance Program on September 1st 
The Positive Coaching Alliance is a non-profit organization designed to transform the culture of youth sports by teaching all participants to 'Honor the Game'. Pacific Ridge has long been a model school for PCA's ideals and continues to educate athletes, coaches, and parents, on creating a culture of positivity, team-building, and character. On Tuesday, September 1st, the Athletics Department invites new and returning families to learn more about Firebird Athletics and its commitment to PCA during an evening information session.
Date: Tuesday, September 1st
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Place: Athletic Center


It's 'Game On' for Upper School Fall Sports 
The 2015-16 fall sports season is underway! Upper School athletes in Girls Volleyball, Girls Tennis, Boys Water Polo and Coed Cross Country have already been training for several weeks in preparation for fall competition. Girls Tennis serves up a new season with a match against Carlsbad High School on September 1st. Girls Volleyball will dig into its season with games at San Pasqual High School on September 9th. Coed Cross Country will take off from the starting line at the Woodbridge Invitational on September 18th, and Boys Water Polo dives into competition with a match against San Dieguito Academy at 4:00 p.m. Friday afternoon at Alga Norte Pool (spectator admission is $2).
Check this section of the View From the Ridge weekly for scores and highlights. Go Firebirds!

Faculty & Staff News

Welcome to a New Firebird!
Congratulations to Mathematics teacher Noureddine El Alam and his wife, Laura, who welcomed their fifth child, Sofia, on July 3rd. Sofia weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces at birth. Mom, Dad and siblings are happily getting to know her.



New Faculty & Staff Snapshot


Katy Capozzoli, English

Favorite or most recent, book? Most recent book: The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace, by Jeff Hobbs. Favorites: To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee,  A Prayer for Owen Meany, by John Irving
Favorite movie? 500 Days of Summer
Favorite sport? Rock Climbing
Greatest indulgence? loves seafood - was recently in Maine and could not stop eating lobster rolls!
If you make her breakfast? Huevos Rancheros with cafe con leche
In her free time? Reading, yoga, running
Dream vacation? Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail in its entirety
Home Town? Okemos, Michigan


In a community that fosters academic excellence, ethical responsibility, and global engagement, Pacific Ridge School prepares students for college and a purposeful life.

Pacific Ridge School | www.pacificridge.org
August 26th - 28th
Camp College

August 27th - 28th
7th-Grade Orientation
9th-Grade Orientation

August 28th
New 8th, 10th,11th & 12th-Grade Orientations

August 29th
PRS Night at 
The Old Globe
8 p.m.

August 31st
10th-Grade Orientation & Challenge Day

September 1st
Positive Coaching Alliance Event
6 - 7:30 p.m.

September 2nd
First Day of School!

September 3rd
10th-Grade Parent Information Night
6:30 p.m.

September 7th
No School, Labor Day 

September 8th
11th & 12th-Grade Global Programs 
Roll Out
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

September 9th
8th-Grade Parent Information Night
6:30 - 8 p.m.

September 10th
11th-Grade Parent Information Night
6:30 - 8 p.m.

September 11th 
Opening BBQ
3 - 5:30 p.m.

September 17th
Back to School Night
6:30 p.m.

September 22nd
Picture Day

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