In This Issue - October 8, 2015 
Snapshot from the Ridge

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


Blast From The Past: Can you match the Pacific Ridge 
7th-grade faculty team members to their own 7th-grade portraits? Students are loving this glimpse into their teachers' middle-school style!  

Bulletin Board
We Hope To See You At Fall Fest This Saturday!
Fall Fest, one of Pacific Ridge's favorite family events, takes place this 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.Tickets, used at booths, vendors and activities, are $1 each, and will be on sale at the event. Raffle tickets are available for purchase at the Raffle Booth for $3 per ticket, 8 tickets for $20, or 20 tickets for $40. Event parking is available on campus or at Faith Community Church. Carpooling is encouraged.

At this weekend's Fall Fest celebration, families will have an opportunity to:
  • Tour the Booths: Students will share information about their service learning groups and clubs, sell items to raise money, and host fun activities including inflatable jousting, robotics games, and a green screen photo booth.
  • Enjoy Live Entertainment: a magic show, student musicians and student dancers, and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament
  • Purchase Goodies and Goods: food trucks, the PA bake sale, pumpkin-succulent centerpieces, PRS spirit wear, DIY henna kits, and handmade jewelry
  • Win Raffle Prizes & Silent Auction Items: reserved on-campus parking spots, Knott's Berry Farm passes, Ki's school lunch gift cards, a La Valencia getaway, and Sonos speakers


Upper School Musical Auditions Underway 
Auditions for this year's Upper School Musical, All Shook Up, are underway. The musical comedy, featuring Elvis Presley music and a story based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, follows a "guitar-playing, hip-swiveling roustabout who rides into a sleepy town in 1955 determined to help everyone discover the magic and romance of rock and roll." Parents, mark your calendar now for performance dates of February 5th and 6th.

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. Assigned conference times were emailed to families today. Please contact Ms. Diaz-Orosco (jdiaz-orosco@pacificridge.org) with any questions.

Upper and Middle School Social Events on October 30th
Middle School: Middle School students are invited to a Halloween-themed dance, movie, and activity night featuring pumpkin bowling, mystery boxes, and a photo booth! Pizza, snacks and drinks will be provided. This event is free.
Date: Friday, October 30th 
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Middle School Reading Room/Courtyard

Upper School: Upper School students are invited to a Halloween dance! School-appropriate costumes are encouraged. Food and candy will be provided.
Date: Friday, October 30th
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Mullady Hall
Cost: $7 pre-sale, $10 at the door


Admissions Applications Available - Open House on Oct. 24th
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.   

Educational Insights


Click here to read Dr. Ogle's latest blog post about a purposeful approach to technology use.

New and Noteworthy

Students Prepare For Fall Fest's Scarecrow Row    
Last week, middle school students had a blast making scarecrows from scratch. Working in their Advisory groups, students used burlap, straw, old clothing, and silly accessories to customize their creations. The scarecrows will be on display during this Saturday's Fall Fest celebration. As part of the second annual Scarecrow Row competition, Fall Fest attendees will have the opportunity to vote for their favorites. Winning advisories will receive Jamba Juice, cupcakes, and frozen treats! 



Three Cheers For The Positive Coaching Alliance 
During last week's Community Life, Upper School students heard from Pacific Ridge coaches and student-athletes on the importance of Firebird Athletics' commitment to the Positive Coaching Alliance. Students learned how they can contribute to a supportive, character-building athletic community as participants and as fans, then they put their positivity and encouragement to good use, by cheering on classmates and faculty members competing in spirited, small-sided basketball games. 



Matthew Cheung '18 China Documentary Debuts on Oct. 9 
On Friday, October 9th, sophomore Matthew Cheung will be debuting his documentary, China, which chronicles last year's 9th-grade class trip to China. The screening will take place in Community Hall at 5:45 p.m., and all Pacific Ridge families are invited to attend. Click here to watch the film's trailer. 



Curricular Adventures 

Better Together: Sophomores Take Time For Team Building 
On Monday, sophomores took part in team-building activities designed to prompt reflection on this year's 10th-grade theme: "Who am I with others?" Students discovered a lot about themselves and their peers while rotating through eight different stations and completing tasks that included instructing a blindfolded partner through a cone maze, building cup towers using strings in place of hands, and working as a group to balance meter sticks and keep balls in the air. Successful completion of the activities required perseverance, grit, and communication - skills that will prove helpful as students embark on Planting a Seed, the signature project of sophomore year.  


Look, Ma, No hands: Students used string, careful coordination, 
and teamwork to build cup towers. 

Budding Inventors Learn To Build With Arduino 
In Inventing With Arduino, a course offered through the Pacific Ridge After-School Extension Program, students are laying the groundwork to develop their own gadgets, products, and inventions. Arduino, an open-source electronic prototyping platform, allows for the creation of interactive electronic objects. Under the guidance of Carl Demolder, a UCSD engineering student, the class is exploring the basics of creating circuits with the Arduino prototyping board, and developing an understanding of concepts including voltage, current and resistance, programming, sensors, and more.



Service Learning In The Field

Alternative Energy Sources Finds the Good in Grease
Students in Upper School Service Learning Group Alternative Energy Sources (AES) are giving new life to kitchen waste. Using a process known as saponification, simple oils (in this case, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and used rice bran oil donated by Veggie Grill restaurant) are melted and combined with a sodium hydroxide solution. The students also added a bit of fresh lavender and lavender oil to the mixture. The result is a chocolate lavender scented soap made from 70 percent used oil. AES will be selling the handmade soap at Fall Fest.


Alternative Energy Sources creates soap from used cooking oil.


Book Drive for Women and Children's Emergency Shelter
Upper School Service Learning Group NKT Connections is holding a book drive to benefit Nueva Vida Haven, a San Diego Rescue Mission emergency shelter for abused women and children. All books in readable condition will be accepted, and donations can be dropped off at Mullady Hall during the week or at the NKT booth during Fall Fest on Saturday. 

Parents Association 

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. Detailed invitations will be 
e-mailed a few weeks prior to each event. A 12th-grade parent party is currently being planned, and the date will be announced soon.
7th Grade: Saturday, October 24th, early evening (TBD)
10th Grade: Sunday, December 6th (TBD)
11th Grade: Friday, October 23rd (TBD)

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

Parent Book Club Meeting on November 16th
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

Volleyball Competes at Nike Tournament of Champions
Last weekend, the Girls Varsity Volleyball team travelled to Phoenix to compete in the Nike Tournament of Champions. The Firebirds finished 8th in the Diamond bracket, defeating Tempe Prep, Foothill Christian, and Marantha Christian, and falling to several tough opponents, including the top-ranked high school teams from Colorado and Utah. The girls had a great time and relished the opportunity to face such high-level competition before the beginning of league play this week.

Coach Dahl, Varsity Volleyball Filmed for Art of Coaching
On October 2nd, The Art of Coaching Volleyball, an international volleyball coaching clinic and website, stopped by the Pacific Ridge Athletic Center to film an afternoon varsity volleyball practice. The players demonstrated key training exercises while Coach Dahl was interviewed about each drills' methodology and efficacy. The finished segment will serve as a reference and learning tool for coaches around the country. 


Camera-Ready: Coach Dahl talks Volleyball with The Art of Coaching Volleyball crew.

Home Games, Week of October 12th
Schedules are subject to change. Please check Schedulestar 
regularly for the most accurate information.

10/13/15
4:00 p.m. - Girls Varsity Volleyball vs. Tri-City Christian
6:00 p.m. - Girls JV Volleyball vs Tri-City Christian 




Scores:

Coed Middle School Cross Country
9/30/15 North Section Meet
Girls : Riley Bender - 1st place; Zoe Erturk - 3rd place; Emma Kate Wood - 14th place
Boys: Thomas Hughes - 9th place; Jake Arft-Guatelli - 10th place; Spencer O'Brien - 11th place

Coed 7 'Blue' Flag Football
10/2/15 Horizon Prep 12 0 W

Coed 8 'Blue' Flag Football
10/2/15 Horizon Prep 6 18 L

Girls Varsity Tennis
9/29/15 Santa Fe Christian Schools 10 8 W
10/1/15 Francis Parker School 8 10 L

Girls JV Tennis
9/30/15 San Diego Jewish Academy 0 9 L
10/1/15 Santa Fe Christian Schools 9 0 W

Boys Varsity Water Polo
10/1/15 Classical Academy High 5 17 L

Boys Junior Varsity Water Polo
10/1/15 Classical Academy High 1 7 L

Girls JV Volleyball
10/1/15 San Diego Jewish Academy 2 0 W

Girls Middle School 'A' Volleyball
9/29/15 Santa Fe Christian Schools 2 1 W

Girls Middle School 'B' Volleyball
9/29/15 Santa Fe Christian Schools 2 0 W

Girls Middle School 'White' Volleyball
9/29/15 Santa Fe Christian Schools 2 0 W

Girls Middle School 'Blue' Volleyball
9/29/15 Santa Fe Christian Schools 2 0 W

Girls Middle School 'Black' Volleyball
10/02/15 Girls Middle School 'Silver ' 2 0 W

Beyond The Ridge

PSAT for All Juniors and Seniors on October 14th
This year's PSAT will mirror the new SAT format. Pacific Ridge has ordered tests for all juniors and seniors, and students have been provided information on test day and received the PSAT bulletin. Kahn Academy has partnered with the College Board to create a free practice tool that students may access here. 
Date: Wednesday, October 14th
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Athletic Center

UC/CSU Workshop for Seniors on October 16th
College Guidance will conduct a page-by-page review for seniors interested in completing University of California and California State University applications. Seniors not needing UC/CSU assistance are still encouraged to come to school for application work, as all three counselors will be available to answer questions.
Date: Friday, October 16th 
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Community Hall

National College Fair and Regional Programs
 
Pace University
Date: Saturday, October 10th
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Location: Residence Inn Dana Point; Orange County
Registration

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

Coast to Coast Regional Reception: Dartmouth, Northwestern, Princeton, UC Berkeley, and Vanderbilt
Date: Thursday, October 15th
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Mission Valley 
Registration

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 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  

Week of October 19th  
Babson College; Bentley University; Clark University; College of Charleston; Emory University; Indiana University at Bloomington; Kalamazoo College; Lasell College; Lewis & Clark College; Muhlenberg College; Oregon State University; Providence College; Saint Mary's College; Seattle University; Simmons College; Stonehill College; Union College; University of Colorado, Boulder; University of Miami; University of Oklahoma; University of Oregon; University of Puget Sound; University of St. Andrews; University of Utah; University of Vermont; Vanderbilt University; Wagner College; Washington University in St. Louis 

Alumni News

Katie O'Laughlin '14 Named CCAA Player of the Week 
Congratulations to Pacific Ridge alumna Katie O'Laughlin on being named the California Collegiate Athletics Association Women's Soccer Player of the Week for September 21-27. Katie, a sophomore forward at the University of California, San Diego, scored the game-winning goals in two, key home matches against Cal State East Bay and Stanislaus State. 



Andrew Sinow '15 Named to Villanova Men's Soccer Roster
Congratulations to alumnus Andrew Sinow, who earned a spot on Villanova's Division I men's soccer team during preseason training in August. Andrew and the Wildcats are off to a 6-4 start to the season, posting big wins over Big East opponents Marquette and La Salle.

New Faculty & Staff Snapshot
  

Danny Irving, Associate Director of College Guidance

Favorite or most recent, book? The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, by Douglas Adams
Favorite movie? My Cousin Vinny 
Favorite sport? Football - Go Chargers!
Greatest indulgence? Sushi
If you make him breakfast? Breakfast burrito
In his free time? Cooks, travels, visits the beach, plays volleyball and board games
Dream vacation? Costa Rica 
Home Town? San Diego 


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 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.

October 30th
Middle & Upper School
Social Events
6 p.m.

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