In This Issue - September 10, 2015 
Snapshot from the Ridge

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


Paper "Planes": Origami adds an extra dimension to Geometry class.

Bulletin Board

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.

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 in, 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.

Register Soon for the 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.

New and Noteworthy

Stanford Group Helps Pacific Ridge Girls Find Their Drive
On Wednesday, September 9th, the Girls Driving for a Difference (GDD) team - a group of four, female Stanford alumni and students  - came to campus for an afternoon of design thinking and leadership activities. More than 40 Pacific Ridge girls in grades 7-9 participated in a series of activities, games, and exercises designed to help them identify their strengths and discover their leadership style and abilities. Pacific Ridge was lucky to be one of the final stops in GDD's 14-month, cross-country journey of youth and women's empowerment.


11th & 12th-Grade Year-End Trips Announced 
At the Global Programs Expo on September 8th, enthusiastic juniors, seniors and their parents learned about the this year's school-led trip offerings to 14 destinations on five different continents. Please note that three of the options -the Student Exchange in Mexico, Marine Conservation in The Bahamas, and Wilderness Medicine on the Channel Islands - happen over February or April break. The rest will occur during the two-week travel window at the end of the school year. Detailed information about the trips can be found on the  Haiku Global Travel Program page, under the "11th/12th Grade Trips" tab. This year's proposed trips include:
  • Under the Southern Constellations: Astronomy & Ecology in Chile
  • Battling Food Insecurity on Ometepe Island, Nicaragua
  • French Language & Cultural Immersion in Paris
  • Marine Conservation on Eleuthera, The Bahamas (April break)
  • Social Justice, Peace, & Development Studies in Cambodia
  • Post-Colonial Studies: A Rural & Urban Adventure Exposing Travelers to the Sights & Sounds of South Africa
  • Rainforest Conservation in the Osa, Costa Rica
  • Language & Cultural Immersion in Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Student Exchange with The Harkness Institute, Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico (February break)
  • Bringing the Light of Education to Remote Himalayan Communities: Ladakh, India
  • Wilderness Medicine in the Channel Islands (April break)
  • Urban Design & Architecture: Inspiration of Northern Europe: Copenhagen, Hamburg & Berlin

  • All Things Athletic: San Diego, Los Angeles, & Boston

  •  Wilderness Medicine: Into the Wilds of... [Student-determined destination]
Introducing the Pacific Ridge Dance Company
Pacific Ridge is excited to announce the establishment of a school dance company! The after-school program, aimed at increasing performance and training opportunities for passionate and committed dancers, will rehearse and perform at on-campus, community, and athletics events throughout the year. Practices will take place after school on Monday and Tuesdays. Upper and Middle School students enrolled in dance and performing at an intermediate to advanced level are encouraged to audition. Auditions will be held on September 14th and 15th from 3:15 - 5:15 p.m. in the dance studio. Questions about company auditions and expectations? Contact Wendy Moore at wmoore@pacificridge.org, or Michelle Clark at mclarke@pacificridge.org.

Service Learning In The Field

Middle School Service Learning Tackles Teamwork
On Wednesday, 8th-grade students prepared for a purposeful year of Service Learning by participating in activities including The Helium Knot Challenge and The Helium Stick Challenge, which encourage collaboration, communication, leadership, and listening skills. Students also had an opportunity to hear from Wanda Costello and Laura Orcutt, the directors of The Arc of San Diego, a comprehensive service provider for adults and children with disabilities. Arc is one of five community partners that Middle School students assist throughout the year.   



Parents Association 

Volunteer Opportunities and Supper Club Sign Up Deadline 
Want to learn more about the volunteer opportunities available through the Parents Association? Click here to lend your time and talents to the Gingerbread Breakfast, Teacher/Staff Appreciation Lunch, Senior Events, Athletic Events, and more! The link also includes a sign up for Supper Club. Supper Club offers parents the opportunity to enjoy a meal with a group of Pacific Ridge parents who have children in the same grade and live in the same area. The deadline for signing up for Supper Club is Tuesday, September 15th. 

Join the Parents Association Walking Club
Join fellow Pacific Ridge parents for good conversation and exercise!
Date: Tuesday, September 15th
Time: Meet at 8:15 a.m., walk starts at 8:30 a.m.
                         Location: Peet's Coffee - Bressi Ranch

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
 
Save The Date for Grade-Level Parent Parties
Grade-level parties are a great opportunity to meet and get to know other parents in your child's grade. A detailed email invitation will be sent soon. Until then, please mark your calendar for the following parties that have already been scheduled. 
7th Grade: Saturday, October 24th, early evening (TBD)
8th Grade: Sunday, September 27th, afternoon (TBD)
9th Grade: Saturday, September 26th, early evening (TBD)

WeCare Presents Author Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair
Pacific Ridge School will host the first WeCare speaker of the school year on October 5th. All families are invited to hear from Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair, a clinical psychologist, internationally recognized public speaker and acclaimed author of The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age. 
Date: Monday, October 5th 
Time: 6:00 p.m. Social Reception, 7:00 p.m. Presentation 
Location: Community Hall

Fall Fest Promises Family Fun on October 10th 
Mark your calendar for one of Pacific Ridge's favorite family events! The annual Fall Fest celebration will take place on Saturday, October 10th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Fall Fest is a once-a-year opportunity for students to raise money for their service learning groups and clubs by offering a day filled with activities, education, and treats. This year's event will include the renowned Parents Association bake sale, music and entertainment, food trucks, basket raffles, the ever-popular living succulent pumpkin centerpiece sale, and more!
 
Class Notes

Students Honored as National Merit Semifinalists
Seniors Juliana Fan, Tyler Lochan, Anthony Oliverio and Vincent Wang have been named Semifinalists in the 2016 National Merit Scholarship Program. The distinction of Semifinalist is based on the students' scores in the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Qualifying Test, and allows them to compete for Finalist status and scholarship awards totaling over $37 million. Congratulations, seniors!

 

Paige Macdonald '20 Joins MOPA Youth Exhibition  
A photograph taken by 8th grader Paige Macdonald will be on display at San Diego's Museum of Photographic Arts from October 3rd, 2015 until January 24th, 2016, as part of the museum's 2015 Youth Exhibition. Paige joins fellow students Ava Embry, Charlie Clarke, Angela Ding, and Kaitlyn Wardrup as a featured artist in the annual juried exhibition, which showcases the photographic talent of San Diego youth. 


Paige Macdonald's "Self Reflection" photo 
will be on display at MOPA beginning next month.

Sports on the Ridge

Support Firebird Volleyball by Dining Out on September 19th
On Saturday, September 19th, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., a portion of all purchases made at Craft Your Own - a Carlsbad eatery featuring made-to-order pizza and salad - goes toward the Pacific Ridge Volleyball team's upcoming trip to Phoenix for the Nike Tournament of Champions. The team will also be selling Craft Your Own fare on-campus during the Firebird Classic Tournament on Friday, September 18th, beginning at 3:00 p.m. 

Carlsbad United Hockey League Impressive In Opener
This summer, Pacific Ridge partnered with three local high schools and the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League to create the Carlsbad United High School Hockey Team. The team, which boasts three Pacific Ridge students on its roster, made a strong impression during the season's first tournament - winning three of four games. 


Sophomore Aden Dinning takes the ice for Carlsbad United.  

Home Games, Week of September 14th
Schedules are subject to change. Please check Schedulestar 
regularly for the most accurate information.

9/16/15
4:00 p.m. - Girls Varsity Volleyball vs. Academy of Our Lady of Peace
6:00 p.m. - Girls JV Volleyball vs. Academy of Our Lady of Peace

9/18/15 - 9/19/15
Girls Varsity Volleyball in Firebird Classic Tournament 



Scores:

Girls Varsity Tennis
9/1/15 Carlsbad High School 12 6 W
9/3/15 San Pasqual High School 12 4 W

Girls JV Tennis
9/1/15 Carlsbad High School 7 2 W
9/3/15 San Pasqual High School 5 2 W

Boys Varsity Water Polo
9/3/15 Army & Navy Academy 15 9 W

Boys JV Water Polo 
9/3/15 Army & Navy Academy 4 7 L

Beyond The Ridge
College Representatives Are On Their Way
Admission officers from colleges and universities around the country will be visiting Pacific Ridge throughout the fall. Seniors know the process to register for visits, and juniors are invited to attend sessions that happen during their free periods. Visits are being added and updated daily in Naviance. Juniors can stop by the College Guidance Office for more information or assistance with their Naviance login. All sessions are hosted in the College Guidance Office unless otherwise indicated. 

Week of September 14th
California Institute of Technology; Colby College; Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering; Gonzaga University; Johnson & Wales University; Northeastern University; Occidental College; Saint Mary's College of California; Sarah Lawrence College; St. Olaf College; Tufts College; University of Arizona; University of Chicago; University of Michigan; University of Redlands; University of Richmond; Villanova University; Wellesley College

Regional Programs

Colby College, Tufts University, The University of Richmond, and Wellesley College
Date: Thursday, September 17th
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Doubletree by Hilton San Diego Mission Valley

Boston College
Date: Sunday, September 27th
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Pacific Ridge East Reading Room 

Fordham University
Date: Monday, September 28th
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Pacific Ridge Community Hall

San Diego Performing and Visual Arts College Fair
Date: September 30th
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Location: San Diego Convention Center
Registration and more information 

NACAC College Fair
Date: Sunday, October 4th
Time: 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Location: San Diego Convention Center
Registration and more information 

Boston University
Date: Monday, October 5th
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: San Diego Marriott La Jolla
Registration

Alumni Notes

Lili Muskal '15 Featured on Claremont McKenna Website
Pacific Ridge alumna Lili Muskal was featured as one of Claremont McKenna College's "Fresh Faces on Campus" for the 2015-16 school year. This summer, Lili was filmed on the Pacific Ridge campus talking about her high school experience, what she hopes to achieve during her undergraduate career, and why being accepted to Claremont McKenna was a "dream come true." Click here to watch the quick video. Enjoy your first year of college, Lili! 




Richelle Prijic '13 Named Conference Player of the Week 
Congratulations to alumna Richelle Prijic on earning Appalachian Athletic Conference Volleyball Player of the Week honors for the week of September 7th. Richelle, an Outside Hitter for the Columbia College Volleyball Team, was recognized for: starting and recording double kills in the team's three weekly matches, hitting .247 on the week, recording two assisted blocks and 21 digs, posting 13 kills, nine digs and two assisted blocks in a 3-2 win over Point University, and sitting at 47 kills and a .192 hitting percentage on the season. Way to go, Richelle!
 
New Faculty & Staff Snapshot

  
Anna Pietrowski, Photography

Favorite or most recent, book? Shantaram, by Gregory David Roberts
Favorite movie? Waterworld
Favorite sport? To play: softball, to watch: hockey
Greatest indulgence? 35mm film 
If you make her breakfast? A poached egg with spinach and sun dried tomatoes on sourdough toast
In her free time? Travels and takes photos
Dream vacation? India
Home Town? Madera, CA


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

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

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

September 21st
Parent Book Club
7 p.m.

September 22nd
Picture Day

October 5th
WeCare Speaker
6 p.m. social reception/
7 p.m. presentation

October 10th
Fall Fest
11 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

October 14th
PSAT
8 a.m.

Student/Teacher/Parent Conferences
4 - 7 p.m.

October 15th
Student/Teacher/Parent Conferences
5 - 8 p.m.

October 16th
NO SCHOOL

Camp College for Seniors
8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Student/Teacher/Parent Conferences
8:30 - 11:30 a.m.

October 19th
NO SCHOOL

October 23rd
Field Day

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