In This Issue - October 1, 2015 
Snapshot from the Ridge

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


Sibling Spirit: A senior helps her freshman sister get ready 
to cheer Firebird Volleyball on to victory! 

Bulletin Board

School Photos Are Ready!
Over the next couple of days, students will be receiving individual emails directly from Studio M with a link and login to view the proofs of their school portraits. This email will also include instructions on how to select a yearbook portrait, how to order pictures, and deadlines for ordering. If you have difficulties accessing your photos or have any questions, please contact receptionist@studiomlajolla.com. Retakes are scheduled for next Wednesday, October 7th.

Science Olympiad Information Meeting on October 3rd
Students and parents are invited to attend an informational meeting about this year's Science Olympiad program. Come learn how you can be a part of the highly successful Pacific Ridge team! Visit the Science Olympiad website for more information about this national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting interest in science. Curious about Pacific Ridge's student teams or interested in volunteering as a coach? Contact coordinator Jug Venkatesh at jvenkatesh@pacificridge.org or Liz O'Brien at lobrien@pacificridge.org.
Date: Saturday, October 3rd
Time: 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. (breakfast provided!)
Place: West Reading Room

Performing Arts Showcase Auditions Underway 
Middle and Upper School students are encouraged to audition for the annual Performing Arts Showcase. This year's showcase takes place on Saturday, November 7th on the Pacific Ridge campus and is sure to sell out! All performers must submit an audition form by October 8th, and schedule an audition with the appropriate teacher (Dance: Mrs. Moore or Ms. Clark; Vocals: Dr. Mitchell; Instruments: Mr. Morell; Theater: Ms. Irvine; Anything Else: Mr. Dziekonski) or submit a video audition no later than October 16th. For more information about showcase auditions, click here.
Get Ready for Fall Fest on October 10th!
Fall Fest, one of Pacific Ridge's favorite family events, is right around the corner! The annual 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!
  • VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: If you wish to help out at Fall Fest and have not already signed up to do so, click here to see the volunteer opportunities.
  • 3-on-3 BASKETBALL: Students interested in participating in the Fall Fest 3-on-3 tournament can sign up electronically on the survey sent to students by the Athletics Department, or by contacting Coach Burman (cburman@paciicridge.org) or Coach VanderHorst (svanderhorst@pacificridge.org).
  • SEEKING PERFORMERS: Students who are interested in performing on the Fall Fest entertainment stage can sign up through the link found on the Haiku School Information Hub under the "At Your Fingertips" tab. If you have questions, contact Mr. Dziekonski sdziekonski@pacificridge.org.
Student//Parent/Teacher Conferences October 14th - 16th
This year, students are once again invited to join parent-teacher conferences. These conferences allow teachers to speak with students and parents together about each student's growth and progress as we near the half-point of the trimester. Conferences will take place Wednesday, October 14th through Friday, October 16th. All families should have received an email from Ms. Molineaux in mid-September detailing how to schedule a conference time. Please contact Ms. Diaz-Orosco (jdiaz-orosco@pacificridge.org) with any questions.

Admissions Applications Now Available 
Applications are now available for families interested in applying to Pacific Ridge for the 2016-2017 school year. The first Admissions Open House is on Saturday, October 24th, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., with presentations followed by campus tours. Interested in attending an Open House event? To RSVP, please contact Admissions Assistant Tiffany Murphy at 760-448-9841 or tmurphy@pacificridge.org. Or, click here to RSVP online, and to learn more about the application process.   



Read the Latest Edition of the Ridge Report
Click here to read the latest edition of the Pacific Ridge student-run newspaper, The Ridge Report. The digital publication requires the password "firebird" for access. In this issue, student-journalists get the scoop on some of the classes in Pacific Ridge's new After- School Extension Program, conduct a video interview with Community Life speaker Jake Ducey, and contemplate the recent discovery of mammoth fossils in Carlsbad. 

Educational Insights

Click here to read Dr. Ogle's latest blog post about catching up with Pacific Ridge alumni in New York and Washington, D.C.

New and Noteworthy

Jake Smith '14 Shares Passion for Music 
Last week, Pacific Ridge alumnus Jake Smith returned to campus to share his talent and his passion for music during Community Life. Jake, who has been playing piano since the age of 6 and singing for as long as he can remember, entertained faculty and students with his soul, blues, and jazz-inspired tunes. With the help of his accompanying keyboardist and drummer, Jake debuted songs from his new EP, which is currently in production, and covered a few Top 40 favorites. He also encouraged students who love music to find a role model in the industry, work hard and continue to pursue their dreams. 



Curricular Adventures 

Photography Students Report For Boot Camp 
On Wednesday morning at zero eight hundred hours, students in AP/Advanced Photography were put through their paces during an on-campus boot camp. However, unlike at Camp Pendleton, these Pacific Ridge recruits spent more time contemplating angle and composition than doing push-ups and pull-ups. Mrs. Behr played the role of a kinder-than-your-average drill instructor, while the group ran through a review of camera controls and shooting modes, and tested out creative approaches to portraits, action shots, and landscapes. A few members of the class even donned camouflage for the occasion!


There's always time to break for a group shot at photography boot camp. 

Students Learn Ingredients for a Culinary Foundation 
During the weekly clubs period, Upper School students prove that learning isn't limited to the classroom by brushing up on their skills and expanding their interests at one of more than 30 student clubs. New to this year's offerings is the Culinary Club. Led by Upper School English teacher and San Diego Culinary Institute graduate Tom Nagler, Culinary Club members are learning the foundation of cuisine by building complex flavor profiles in dishes, exploring how ingredients complement one another, practicing proper sanitation, and mastering the basics of food prep. Students hope to share their newfound knowledge through the creation of a Culinary Club journal that includes food photography, recipes, chef bios, and restaurant reviews. 


On Friday, students contributed to the cooking of two types of 
Jambalaya dishes and a tomato-based Creole sauce.

Service Learning In The Field

New Ocean Blue Spreads the Word About the Perils of Plastic 
On Tuesday, Upper School Service Learning Group New Ocean Blue visited Carrillo Elementary School to teach second-grade students about the havoc plastic pollution is wreaking on the Earth's marine ecosystems. The presentation included information about the life cycle of plastic, the ways plastic endangers fish and mammals, and, most importantly, what students can do to reduce their personal impact. The second graders eagerly passed around a jar of "goop" from the Great Pacific garbage patch, shared stories about pollution they'd seen at local beaches, and vowed to do their part by reducing, reusing, and recycling.  



Upper School Service Learning Groups Prepare for Fall Fest 
This week, Upper School Service Learning Groups continued planning and preparing for Fall Fest. Students have been busy contacting vendors, creating colorful displays, and putting together educational materials. DIY henna kits, acai bowls, a photo contest, and homemade bath products are just a few of the fun treats and activities groups have in store for October 10th.    


Students in the "A Million Knots" Service Learning Group 
weave bracelets to sell at Fall Fest.

Parents Association 

Seeking Baked Goods and Pop-Up Canopies for Fall Fest 
Calling all bakers and cooks! We would appreciate your help in providing baked goods and treats for the Parents Association Fall Fest Bake Sale. We are also looking for families who own pop-up canopies, that the school can borrow for Fall Fest. To volunteer to provide items for the Bake Sale or to lend a pop-up canopy, please click here  
 
Reminder: Dr. Catherine Steiner-Adair on Monday
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. Dr. Steiner-Adair's presentation will include how to balance the benefits of technology while reducing the risks, nourishing healthy relationships in the digital age, and developing a thoughtful approach to technology in school and life. She will also be available to sign her book! More information about Dr. Steiner-Adair and her presentation can be found here. 
Date: Monday, October 5th 
Time: 6:00 p.m. Social Reception, 7:00 p.m. Presentation 
Location: Community Hall

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)
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.

Supper Club Kick-Off Event on November 1st 
Supper Club participants will receive their group assignments soon. In the meantime, please mark your calendar for a social event to celebrate the start of Supper Club.
Date: Sunday, November 1st
Time: 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Location: The Wine Loft at the Forum: 911 Calle Barcelona, Suite 151, Carlsbad

Book Selected, Date Set for Next Parent Book Club Meeting
On November 16th, the Pacific Ridge Parent Book Club will meet to discuss The Children's Crusade, by Ann Packer. The Book Club is open to all parents,and we hope to see you there!
Date: Monday, November 16th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Pacific Ridge School Library

Sports on the Ridge

JV Girls Volleyball Wins Firebird Classic Tournament 
The Pacific Ridge JV Girls Volleyball team proved they were the "hosts with the most" last weekend, by organizing, hosting, and
winning the Firebird Classic Tournament. More than 12 teams participated in the tournament, and the day was full of exciting match-ups. The Firebirds suffered their only loss to San Marcos during pool play, but emerged victorious when the two teams met again in playoffs. Pacific Ridge payers Lauren LeBlanc and Phebe Ly were both named to the All-Tournament Team, an honor given to just six of the 120 players in the tournament.  



Varsity Cross Country Travels to Stanford Invitational 
Last weekend, Pacific Ridge's Coed Varsity Cross Country team, on its first ever team trip, traveled to the Bay Area to compete in the Stanford Invitational. The team faced tough competition from more than 30 Western Region teams, but that didn't stop two runners from giving medal-worthy individual performances. Junior Lynnlee Duck-Reynolds finished 29th in a field of 167, while senior Travis Headapohl came in 35th in a field of 189. 



Stephanie Stone '16 Commits to Marist College 
Congratulations to Girls Varsity Volleyball player Stephanie Stone, who has committed to continuing her athletic and academic career at Marist College next year. Stephanie will receive a full-scholarship as a member of the The Division-I Marist Red Foxes Volleyball team. Stephanie, a middle blocker, has played on the Firebird varsity squad for three years, and is in her second year as team captain. 



Home Games, Week of October 5th
Schedules are subject to change. Please check Schedulestar 
regularly for the most accurate information.

10/6/15
3:30 p.m. - Coed 8th-grade "Blue" Flag Football vs. Santa Fe          
Christian; Girls Middle School 'A' Volleyball vs. Horizon Prep; Girls Middle School "Blue" Volleyball vs. Horizon Prep
4:30 p.m. - Coed 7th-grade "Blue" Flag Football vs. Santa Fe Christian; Girls Middle School 'B' Volleyball vs. Horizon Prep; Girls Middle School "White" Volleyball vs. Horizon Prep

10/8/15
3:30 p.m. - Coed 8th-grade "White" Flag Football vs. Santa Fe Christian
4:00 p.m. - Girls Varsity Volleyball vs. Francis Parker School
4:30 p.m. - Coed 7th-grade "White" Flag Football vs. Santa Fe Christian 
6:00 p.m. - Girls JV Volleyball vs. Francis Parker School 


8th-grade volleyball players grab a photo together at an away game.

Scores:

Coed Varsity Cross Country
9/26/15 Stanford Invitational 
Medalists: Lynnlee Duck-Reynolds - place: 29/167, time: 20:57, distance: 5K
Travis Headapohl - place: 35/189, time: 17:05, distance: 5K

Coed Middle School Cross Country
9/23/15 North Section - 1st Meet
Girls: Riley Bender -1st place; Zoe Erturk - 3rd place 
Boys: Thomas Hughes - 6th place; Jordan Wood - 7th place 

Coed 8 'Blue' Flag Football
9/22/15 Army and Navy Academy 20 0 W

Coed 8 'White' Flag Football
9/24/15 Maranatha Christian 13 15 L

Girls Varsity Tennis
9/22/15 Escondido Charter 18 0 W

Girls JV Volleyball
9/24/15 Mt. Carmel High School 2 0 W
9/25/15 Mission Vista 2 1 W

Girls Varsity Volleyball
9/24/15 Mt. Carmel High School 2 0 W
9/25/15 Mission Vista 2 1 W

Girls Middle School 'A' Volleyball
9/22/15 Rancho Santa Fe Middle School 2 1 W
9/25/15 Horizon Prep 2 0 W

Girls Middle School 'B' Volleyball
9/22/15 Rancho Santa Fe Middle School 2 0 W
9/25/15 Horizon Prep 2 1 W

Girls Middle School 'White' Volleyball
9/22/15 Rancho Santa Fe Middle School 0 2 L
9/25/15 Horizon Prep 2 1 W

Girls Middle School 'Blue' Volleyball
9/22/15 Rancho Santa Fe Middle School 0 2 L
9/25/15 Horizon Prep 2 0 W

Girls Middle School 'Black' Volleyball
9/24/15 San Diego Jewish Academy 0 2 L

Girls Middle School 'Silver' Volleyball
9/234/15 San Diego Jewish Academy 2 0 W

Beyond The Ridge

National College Fair and Regional Programs
 
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

Duke University 
Date: Wednesday, October 7th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: San Diego Marriott Del Mar
Registration

Harvard, Princeton, University of Virginia, and Yale
Date: Thursday, October 8th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Chula Vista School for Creative and Performing Arts
Registration

Christian College Fair
Date: Tuesday, October 13th
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Tri-City Christian School
More information

Engage with Emory University 
Date: Sunday, October 18th
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Location: San Diego Jewish Academy 
Registration

College Representatives Are On The Way 

Week of October 5th 
Barnard College; Bates College; Boston University; Chapman University; Colgate University; Colorado State University; Duke University; Eckerd College; Emmanuel College; Georgia Institute of Technology; Johns Hopkins University; Marist College; McGill University; Pitzer College; Queens University of Charlotte; Salve Regina University; Savannah College of Art and Design; Skidmore College; Texas Christian University; Trinity College; University of Aberdeen; University of Connecticut; University of Denver; University of Kansas; University of New England; University of Utah; Washington College; Whittier College

Week of October 12th
Claremont McKenna College; Dominican University of California; Loyola University; Merrimack College; Randolph-Macon College; Regis University; St. Edward's University; Soka University of America; Syracuse University; Trinity University; University of British Columbia; University of South Carolina; Willamette University    

Alumni News

Delaney Miller '14 Keeps Pace with Princeton Cross Country 
Pacific Ridge alumna Delaney Miller is in her second year as a member of the Princeton Tigers Cross Country team. The season opened on September 11th with the Harvard-Yale-Princeton Meet, a competition that has been held annually, with only three interruptions, since 1922. The Tigers finished just one point out of first place, and Delaney placed 34th overall with an impressive time of 19:07. Delaney also helped the Tigers to a 3rd-place finish in the 21st annual Iona Meet of Champions on September 19th. 



Pacific Ridge Alumnae Sing With The Boston Pops
Pacific Ridge alumnae Kayla Causey '15 and Britta Gullahorn '15 have wasted no time sharing their vocal talents with the Boston College community. The two recently had the opportunity to sing in a chorus alongside the Boston Pops Orchestra. Click below to watch a clip of the orchestra and chorus performing "O Fortuna," as conducted by Keith Lockhart.


New Faculty & Staff Snapshot
  

Liz O'Brien, Science

Favorite or most recent, book? The Road, by Cormac McCarthy
Favorite movie? The Breakfast Club...or anything by John Hughes
Favorite sport? Soccer - especially watching the USA women's team win the World Cup!
Greatest indulgence? Dark chocolate
If you make her breakfast? Eggs Benedict
In her free time? Spends quality time with her husband and two daughters
Dream vacation? The Galapagos Islands
Home Town? Encinitas, 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

October 3rd
Science Olympiad Information Meeting
9 - 10:30 a.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 - 7:25 p.m.

October 15th
Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences
4:50 - 8:15 p.m.

October 16th
NO SCHOOL

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

Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences
8:20 - 11:55 a.m.

October 19th
NO SCHOOL

October 23rd
Field Day

October 24th
Admissions Open House
1 - 4 p.m.

Quick Links


Family Login