In This Issue - November 12, 2015 
Snapshot from the Ridge

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

 
Chinese students practice the Tai Chi Kung Fu fan dance, which combines Tai Chi movements and special fan techniques to help relieve tension and develop grace, strength and balance. 

Bulletin Board

 
Dance and Music Concert on November 14th 
On November 14th, students currently enrolled in Pacific Ridge dance and music courses will showcase their talent during a free on-campus performance. 
Date: Saturday, November 14th
Location: Athletic Center
Time: 7:00 p.m.

Winter Session After-School Extension Courses Announced!
This December through February, Pacific Ridge is offering a new set of exciting, after-school extension courses that allow students to make, create and collaborate in an informal learning environment. Courses are open to both Pacific Ridge students and students from the larger community, and several classes are open to 6th graders. Click here for more information and to register. Sign up for a class and bring a friend!

Course offerings include:
  • Broadcasting Team
  • Ceramics Studio
  • Comedy Improv Workshop
  • Guitar Lessons
  • Hands-On DNA Lab
  • Hands-On Engineering Lab
  • Meme Team
  • Sport Psychology
  • tinkering lab @prs
  • Youth Coding: Minecraft Modding
Check Out the Website's New Parent Login Page!
Looking for information and don't know where to find it? Visit the new parent login page on the Pacific Ridge School website. The page includes links to the four major areas for finding and submitting information (Haiku, My Backpack, Schedule Star and CareFlow) as well as a series of quick links that will get you the information you want - fast! The login button can be found in the upper righthand corner of the pacificridge.org homepage.

Taking Exceptional to Extraordinary With the Annual Fund
From small classes and outstanding faculty to global travel, service learning, athletics and the arts, the Pacific Ridge Annual Fund helps make the extraordinary possible. Gifts to the Annual Fund enrich and enhance the Pacific Ridge experience beyond what would be possible with tuition dollars alone. This year, our Annual Fund goal is $585,000 with full participation from our trustee, faculty and staff, and parent communities. Please visit Pacific Ridge Annual Giving for more information. Click here to make an on-line donation or here to submit an on-line pledge agreement payable anytime through May 31, 2016. Please contact Nisa Conway at nconway@pacificridge.org with any questions. Thank you for your support! 


No School November 21st - 29th
Happy Thanksgiving!


New & Noteworthy

Student Talent Takes Center Stage at Annual Showcase
Performers played to a packed house at the Performing Arts Showcase on Saturday, November 7th. Pacific Ridge musicians, actors, vocalists and dancers treated audience members to an array of art forms, genres and styles, ranging from contemporary dance to hip-hop, from instrumental jazz to opera, from martial arts to slam poetry. Thank you to Mr. Dziekonski, to all the performers, and to the Pacific Ridge community for supporting the school's arts programs. More pictures from the event can be found on the Pacific Ridge Facebook page.






Pacific Ridge Hosts Local Independent Schools for Student Diversity Leadership Conference Preparations
On November 5th, Pacific Ridge hosted an evening of connection and conversation for students and faculty from Pacific Ridge, Francis Parker, The Bishop's School, and La Jolla Country Day who will be attending this year's National Association of Independent Schools Student Diversity Leadership Conference (SDLC) in Tampa, Florida. The December conference is a multiracial and multicultural gathering of upper school students from around the country with a goal of building community and promoting social justice. By meeting before the conference and building relationships, the San Diego students hope to increase the impact of the experience on themselves and their schools.



Community Life Panel Helps Raise Ability Awareness 
Last week, seniors Elle Lefebvre and Sasha Uchitel, with help from Upper School service learning group The Buddy Project, organized a series of Ability Awareness activities designed to foster a more supportive and mindful campus community. Advisory groups engaged in Ability Awareness dialogue, the library featured books about characters with disabilities, and students signed a pledge to end discriminatory language. Wednesday's Community Life featured a panel of individuals from Pacific Ridge and the greater San Diego community who work with, or regularly interact with the differently-abled. 



Curricular Adventures 

9th-Grade Students Visit Buddhist and Hindu Temples
Last week, 9th-grade students studying Ancient World History had the opportunity to visit the Escondido Wat Thai Buddhist Temple and Shiva Vishnu Hindu Temple in Mira Mesa. Students spoke with monks at the Buddhist temple about their religion and explored the compound's gardens, taking notes about the shrines on display. At the Hindu temple, students learned about Hindu deities and rituals. The day ended with a visit to Rasraj Indian Restaurant for snacks of dosa and chaat. Spending time at the temples helped students understand how some of the history they are studying links to modern religious practices, and allowed them to learn about vibrant cultures that may be different from their own.



A Vacuum-Packed Demo Day in Conceptual Physics
Last week, 8th-grade students in Conceptual Physics explored air pressure and vacuums with a class period full of fun demos. Students volunteered to get "shrink-wrapped" when Mr. Melius turned a large garbage bag into a vacuum, tried (in vain) to drink juice out of imperfect straws, expanded and contracted soda cans, made marshmallows grow and water "levitate." It's not magic - it's air pressure! Click on the video below to join in the fun. 


Service Learning In The Field

Students Teach Spanish at Jefferson Elementary 
The beginning of the school year marked the beginning of a new community partnership between the Pacific Ridge Middle School Service Learning Program and Carlsbad's Jefferson Elementary School. So far, the collaboration has been fantástico for all involved! The 4th-grade students at Jefferson have been learning Spanish via Rosetta Stone, and Pacific Ridge students were able to supplement the education technology with a more hands-on approach. Students led a multitude of immersion games, performed short skits, and helped the kids practice their speaking skills. Each week, middle school students paired up to plan and implement lessons on content including greetings and farewells, the alphabet, numbers, and days of the week. 


Middle School Service Learning students work on Spanish language 
skills with 4th-grade classes at Jefferson Elementary.

The San Diego Chill Needs Your Votes To Win $10,000!
The San Diego Chill, a special-needs hockey league founded by Pacific Ridge sophomore Isaiah Granet, has the opportunity to win up to $10,000 through a video competition sponsored by United Commercial Travelers, a partner of the American Special Hockey Association. The Chill's video, "Changing the world, one kid at a time," has already made it to the top ten, and the competition now comes down to votes. To support the incredible work of Isaiah's organization, please visit The San Diego Chill website and follow the instructions in the pop-up window, or go directly to the UCT Facebook page. You can vote once per day through December 4th.  


Vote for the San Diego Chill and support its good work.

Help Stock the North County Food Bank for Thanksgiving 
Independent service learning group Students Supporting Charitable Organizations is hosting a food drive through November 20th. The group is collecting non-perishable canned and packaged foods to help stock the North County Food Bank in preparation for the Thanksgiving holiday. Donation bins will be located near the entrances of both Mullady Hall and the Middle School building. 

Support Hands of Peace - Dine at Rubio's on December 4th
On December 4th, Hands of Peace - an interfaith organization working to develop peace-building and leadership skills in Israeli, Palestinian, and American teens - is hosting a fundraiser at Rubio's. From 3:00 p.m. to closing time, diners who present a fundraising flyer upon ordering will have 20% of the cost of their meal donated to Hands of Peace. Students and parents can pick up a Rubio's fundraising flyer at the reception desk in the Middle School building beginning next week. 

Parents Association 

Show Your Appreciation for Pacific Ridge Faculty & Staff 
The Annual Holiday Gift Drive is our way to show appreciation for Pacific Ridge's hard-working teachers and staff. Monies collected through the drive will be used to purchase gift cards for all faculty and staff. Check donations (made payable to PRS Parents Association and sealed in an envelope labeled Appreciation Gift) may be placed in the drop box in the lobby of the Middle School building. Or, you can donate online using Paypal. Instructions can be found on the Parents Association page in Haiku. The drive ends on Wednesday, December 9th.

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

Parent Walking Club on November 20th  
Those looking to exercise before the Thanksgiving holiday break are welcome join the Walking Club on the morning of Friday, November 20th for a walk around the Rancho Santa Fe Golf Course. The group also plans to enjoy coffee and refreshments at Thyme in the Ranch for anyone able to stay. 
Date: Friday, November 20th
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Location: Meet at Thyme in the Ranch located at 16905 Avenida De Acacias, Rancho Santa Fe 92091 
 
10th-Grade Parent Party on December 6th 
Calling all parents of 10th-grade students: please save Sunday, December 6th, for an enjoyable evening with fellow grade-level parents. Evites will be sent out a few weeks before the event, and will include the time and location.   

Support Pacific Ridge When You Shop and Dine
As the gift giving & entertaining season approaches, we want to remind you of three great ways to help support Pacific Ridge at no additional cost to you!
 
Amazon Smile
Amazon Smile, a service provided for Amazon Prime members, will donate 0.5% of all purchases to Pacific Ridge! Just go to smile.amazon.com instead of the regular Amazon homepage and register Pacific Ridge as your nominated charity. Then, shop as you normally would.
 
Target Red Card
Save money while helping raise funds for Pacific Ridge when you use your Red Card. Simply designate Pacific Ridge when you enroll through the Take Charge of Education program. The Pacific Ridge School ID number is 147996.

e-Scrip
Sign up for eScrip, and start earning money for Pacific Ridge by having a percentage of your purchase dollars donated to the school! Over 700 online and storefront merchants partner with eScrip, including Von's, Seaside Market, Amazon, and more. When you register your credit or debit card with eScrip, please designate Pacific Ridge School under "Group Selection," or use our Group ID number: 500017582. If you are a business owner, please also consider registering your company credit card.

Sports on the Ridge


Cheer On Girls Varsity Volleyball in the CIF Quarterfinals!
On Wednesday, our #8 ranked Girls Volleyball team edged out #9 ranked San Pasqual (3 games to 2) in the first round of the San Diego Division II CIF Championship playoffs. In tomorrow's Quarterfinal match, we face #1 ranked Olympian at 5:00 p.m. on their home court in Chula Vista. Please cheer on our girls in any way you can. Directions to the venue are available on Schedule Star. Go Firebirds!

Julia Gonda Named Union Tribune 'Prep Athlete of the Week'
Congratulations to Girls Varsity Tennis Player Julia Gonda '17 on being named a San Diego Union Tribune Prep Athlete of the Week for the week of November 2nd through November 6th. The Pacific Ridge junior was one of six San Diego high school athletes recognized. Julia was selected for her contributions to the Firebird's incredible playoff run and CIF Division II Championship win over Patrick Henry High School.










  

 

Scores:

Middle School Cross Country
11/4/15 South Coast Middle School League Finals
Boys 'A' race: Thomas Hughes - 17th place; Harrison Torino - 19th place
Boys 'B' race: Colin Kirkwood - 14th place; Baylor Pond - 17th place
Girls 'A' race: Riley Bender - 4th place; Zoe Erturk - 13th place
Girls 'B' race: Bailey Malinowski - 7th place; Sloane McGuire - 14th place

Coed 8 'Blue' Flag Football
11/3/15 Santa Fe Christian (SCMSL Playoffs) 19 34 L

Boys Varsity Water Polo
11/3/15 Classical Academy High 6 14 L
11/6/15 Army & Navy Academy 12 8 W

Boys JV Water Polo
11/3/15 Classical Academy High 7 2 W
11/6/15 Army & Navy Academy 4 8 L

Girls Varsity Volleyball
11/3/15 Santa Fe Christian Schools 0 3 L
11/5/15 The Bishop's School 1 3 L

Girls JV Volleyball
11/3/15 Santa Fe Christian Schools 2 0 W
11/5/15 The Bishop's School 1 2 L

Girls Middle School 'A' Volleyball
11/3/15 Tri-City Christian Schools (SCMSL Playoffs) 2 0 W
11/3/15 Santa Fe Christian (SCMSL North Championship) 2 1 W
11/5/15 The Bishop's School (SCMSL Championship) 0 2 L

Beyond The Ridge

Financial Aid Forms and Formulas on December 2nd 
Parents of juniors and seniors, please mark your calendar to attend the 2015 Financial Aid Forms and Formulas event on December 2nd, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. A college admissions officer will be on hand to explain the forms and formulas used to calculate college financial aid packages and answer any questions you may have about the process.

Class Notes

Pacific Ridge Students Selected to Perform at Carnegie Hall
Congratulations to sophomore Rachael Bell, junior Jared Pollard and senior Liam Spooner on being selected to perform in the 2016 High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall. Rachael and Liam will perform with the Honors Concert Choir, while Jared will play french horn with the Honors Symphony Orchestra. The 750 finalists, chosen from 18,000 nominations, represent the most elite high school performers from around the world. During the 5-day program in early February, students will rehearse and perform under master conductors in one of the nation's most storied venues, and representatives from collegiate and professional music programs will be in attendance and on the lookout for prospective talent. 


 
New Faculty & Staff Snapshot
   

Michael McWaters, Spanish

Favorite or most recent, book? Any book by David Sedaris
Favorite movie? "Impossible question!"
Greatest indulgence? Gelato
If you make him breakfast? Tortilla de Patata, coffee, and fruit
In his free time? Does yoga, watches movies, goes to the beach, and travels
Dream vacation? Mediterranean beach hopping
Home Town? Wilmington, North Carolina


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

November 14th
Music and Dance Concert
7 p.m.

November 16th
Parent Book Club
7 p.m.

November 20th
Parent Walking Club
8:30 a.m.

November 21st - 29th
NO SCHOOL
Thanksgiving Break

December 2nd
College Guidance Financial Aid Presentation
6:30 - 8 p.m.

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