In This Issue - September 17, 2015 
Snapshot from the Ridge

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


Chalk It Up To Experience: Amphitheater benches served as the perfect medium for visual arts students trying their hand at chalk painting.

Bulletin Board

 California Coastal Cleanup Day on September 19th
Service learning group New Ocean Blue is coordinating Pacific Ridge's volunteer cleanup efforts at Carlsbad's Tamarack Beach on Saturday, September 19th, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Interested in helping keep our shoreline pristine? Contact Mia Hope at mhope@pacificridge.org.

Picture Day is on Tuesday, September 22nd.


Don't Miss the Volleyball Fan Event on September 25th!
Please check our Sports on the Ridge section below for more information about the Girls Volleyball home games and fan event on Friday, September 25th. Come show your Firebird colors!

Middle and Upper School Social Events on September 25th
Middle School: The Middle School student council invites 7th and 8th graders to an evening of laser tag, games, food, and fun.
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Location: The campus lawn, between Mullady Hall and the Middle School Building
Cost: $5 

Upper School: Upper School students can look forward to a "Night O' Fun" that will include open gym, laser tag, a video game room, movie room, food, music, and more.
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Athletic Center 
Cost: Free
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!

Be a Parent Ambassador During Admissions Season
We are looking for parents of current students and alumni to help families learn about Pacific Ridge during admissions events. 
Come to a Parent Ambassador meeting on September 29th for an overview of the admissions process and to learn how you can be an important part of admissions events. If you are unable to attend the meeting but are still interested in serving as an ambassador, please contact Jean Nassif at jnassif@pacificridge.org.
Date: Tuesday, September 29th
Time: 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Place: Middle School/Administration Building Conference Room

Sign Up Soon for the After-School Extension Program!
There's still time to sign up for the new 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. The sign up deadline is Monday, September 21st.
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.

Reminder: California Scholarship Federation Deadlines
Attention juniors and seniors: Applications for the California Scholarship Federation for Trimester 3 of the last school year (2014-15) are due by October 15th. Please return your forms to Ms. Serafini at the attendance desk in the Middle School/Administration Building. Parents of sophomores, juniors and seniors, please check your email for more information about CSF requirements and deadlines.

New and Noteworthy

Back-to-School BBQ Serves Up Food and Fun
On Friday, September 11th, faculty, students and staff stayed on campus long after the final bell of the school day to enjoy good food and great company during the annual community BBQ. Faculty and student council members served up hot dogs and hamburgers at two grilling stations, while students tested their strength and endurance during rounds of crowd-pleasing Sumo Suit Wrestling, and fun face-offs at the inflatable obstacle course. The event was a great way for the community to celebrate the first seven days of school and kick-off the exciting year ahead! 


Curricular Adventures 

Mr. Melius Explores The Big Advantages of Tiny Living 
How do we equip current and future generations with the tools they need for sustainable living practices? The Dumpster Project, an educational initiative launched at Huston-Tillotson University, is encouraging exploration of that large question by inviting educators to spend time in a small, converted dumpster. Pacific Ridge physics teacher Brad Melius is one of five educators to log time living in the 36-square foot waste-container shell this summer. During his two-night stay, Mr. Melius says he gained a better sense of what he can live without (excess space, "stuff") and what he'd rather not live without (an "in-residence" restroom - dumpster guests used the facilities in a nearby university building). His firsthand experience with minimalistic living will serve Pacific Ridge students well as he and Mr. Bray launch a Tiny House Design and Construction STEAM elective this year.



Service Learning In The Field

"Senior Connection" Group Prepares for Purposeful Visits 
This week, Pacific Ridge parent Elizabeth Nani spoke to Middle School Service Learning students about how to make the most of their upcoming visits to ActivCare Living at Bressi Ranch. Mrs. Nani, who has a family member in the senior living community, shared helpful advice about breaking the ice, showing patience and compassion, and fostering meaningful interactions. Students in the "senior connection" group begin their weekly ActivCare visits on Monday. Middle School Service Learning visits to Head Start, ARC of San Diego, and the Department of Animal Services are already underway.


Parents Association 

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)
10th Grade: Sunday, December 6th, (TBD)
11th Grade: Friday, October 23rd, (TBD)
12th Grade: We are still in need of a host for the 12th-Grade Parent Party! If you are interested, please contact parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.
 
Join The Pacific Ridge Walking Club 
Exercise and socialize with Pacific Ridge parents! 
When: Thursday, October 1st
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Where: Moonlight Beach in Encinitas - meet at the parking lot (up the hill from the beach)

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
 
Sports on the Ridge

Volleyball Home Opener/Fan Event on September 25th
Calling all Firebird fans: Let's pack the bleachers on Friday, September 25th to cheer our Varsity and JV Girls Volleyball teams to victory! The Red Oven Pizza food truck will be on campus beginning at 3:00 p.m., and Pacific Ridge students will receive vouchers for free pizza while supplies last. Club Firebird, a student group dedicated to promoting Pacific Ridge athletics, will be on hand with face paint for those fans looking for extra Firebird flair. Don't miss out on this "huge division showdown" that Coach Dahl expects to rival a CIF Finals matchup!
3:30 p.m. Girls Varsity Volleyball vs. Mission Vista
5:30 p.m. Girls JV Volleyball vs. Mission Vista

Girls Tennis Cheered to Victory by Fellow Firebirds
Last week, a group of Pacific Ridge Girls Basketball players elected to support their fellow Firebird athletes by attending a Girls Varsity Tennis match. Bolstered by the cheers of their peers, the tennis team defeated Santa Fe Christian 14-4. What a great example of Firebird spirit! 



Varsity Volleyball Starts Strong at Fall Classic Tournament
Firebird Girls Varsity Volleyball secured several key wins at last weekend's 2015 San Diego Fall Classic Tournament. Playing in the Gold Bracket, the team battled warm gyms and hot competition to win three of their five games. The Firebirds defeated O'Farrell Charter School, Murietta Mesa High School, and Rancho Bernardo High School handily, but fell to eventual tournament winner Cathedral Catholic and tournament runner-up Santa Fe Christian. Head Coach Aly Dahl is pleased with how the team performed throughout the tournament: "Our girls showed courage, discipline, skill and heart."



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. 

Home Games, Week of September 21st
Schedules are subject to change. Please check Schedulestar 
regularly for the most accurate information.
 
9/22/15
3:30 p.m. - 8th Grade Coed Blue Flag Football vs. Army & Navy Academy

9/24/15
3:30 p.m. - Girls Middle School "Black" Volleyball vs. San Diego Jewish Academy 
4:30 p.m. - Girls Middle School "Silver" Volleyball vs. San Diego Jewish Academy

9/25/15
3:30 p.m. - Girls Varsity Volleyball vs. Mission Vista
5:30 p.m. - Girls JV Volleyball vs. Mission Vista

9/26/15
Girls JV Volleyball Firebird Classic 


Rain or shine, the game - or in this case, the practice - must go on for our intrepid Middle School Flag Football players. 

Scores:

Girls Varsity Tennis
9/9/15 San Marcos High School 12 6 W
9/10/15 Santa Fe Christian Schools 14 4 W

Girls JV Tennis
9/9/15 San Marcos High School 3 2 W

Boys Varsity Water Polo
9/10/15 El Capitan High School 8 20 L
9/11/15 High Tech High 11 16 L

Boys JV Water Polo
9/10/15 El Capitan High School 5 20 L
9/11/15 High Tech High 5 19 L 

Girls JV Volleyball
9/9/15 San Pasqual High School 2 1 W

Girls JV-B Volleyball
9/9/15 San Pasqual High School 0 2 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 21st
Columbia University; Dartmouth College; Grinnell College; Hamilton College - NY, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Tufts University; University of Pennsylvania, Wesleyan University 

Regional Programs

Experience Penn: A Panel Featuring Recent Graduates of the University of Pennsylvania 
Date: Monday, September 21st
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Torrey Pines High School
More Information 

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 News

Sarah Merrifield '11 Goes "On Air" As KTXS Sports Reporter
Congratulations to Pacific Ridge alumna Sarah Merrifield, who completed her first professional broadcast as Sports Reporter for KTXS in Abilene, Texas on September 9th. In her new position, Sarah will be covering 30 high school football teams, two college teams, the Dallas Cowboys, the Texas Rangers, and more. She is responsible for not only conducting on-air interviews, but also writing, filming, and editing segments. Click here to watch her debut report!


 
New Faculty & Staff Snapshot

  
Richard Masland, History

Favorite or most recent, book? The Old Man and the Sea, by Ernest Hemingway
Favorite movie? Tree of Life
Favorite sport? All basketball, all the time
Greatest indulgence? Can't live without his "unfairly expensive" cold-pressed juice 
If you make him breakfast? Huevos Rancheros with black beans
In his free time? Surfs, camps, takes pictures
Dream vacation? Bali
Home Town? Cape Town, South Africa


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 21st
Parent Book Club
7 p.m.

September 22nd
Picture Day

September 25th
Middle School Social Event
6 - 8:30 p.m.

Upper School Social Event
6 - 9 p.m.

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

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

October 14th
PSAT
8 a.m.

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

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

October 16th
NO SCHOOL

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

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

October 19th
NO SCHOOL

October 23rd
Field Day

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