In This Issue - February 4, 2016
Snapshot from the Ridge

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


Monkeying Around: Middle School Service Learning students test a few of the crafts they'll teach during upcoming visits to Arc of San Diego, a service provider for local adults children with disabilities.

Bulletin Board
Don't Miss All Shook Up - Performances This Weekend Only!  
Show dates for All Shook Up are Friday, February 5th and Saturday, February 6th at 7:00 p.m., with an additional matinee at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday. All performances will be held at Vista's AVO Playhouse. It's 1955, and into a square little town in a square little state rides a guitar-playing roustabout who changes everything and everyone he meets in this hip-swivelling, lip-curling musical fantasy that'll have you jumpin' out of your blue suede shoes with such classics as "Heartbreak Hotel," "Jailhouse Rock,"
and "Don't Be Cruel." Click here to reserve seats now!



Pacific Ridge School Presents Designing New Perspectives
On Thursday, March 17th, Pacific Ridge families and friends are invited to "view the world through different lenses" during an evening presentation featuring celebrated engineering advocate Deanne Bell and world-renowned photojournalist Dewitt Jones. 
Bell is an engineer, television host, and the founder of FutureEngineers.org, a platform that hosts national invention challenges for students. Jones spent twenty years photographing stories around the globe with National Geographic, and is an accomplished director with two Academy Award-nominated documentaries to his name. Both speakers are sure to inspire with their unique perspectives on innovation, creativity, and vision. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, or to reserve your tickets, click HERE.
Date: Thursday, March 17th
Time: 6:30 p.m., coffee and dessert reception to follow
Location: Pacific Ridge School Athletic Center
Tickets: Free; reservations required (note: students will hear from the speakers during the school day)



Tax Receipts on Their Way: Thank You for Your Support!
Tax receipts, which summarize each family's donation(s) to Pacific Ridge School during the 2015 calendar year, have been sent via U.S. mail. All gifts and pledge payments to the Annual Fund and our comprehensive campaigns are tax-deductible and will be reflected on the receipt. Questions? Please contact Nisa Conway at nconway@pacificridge.org or 760-448-9883.

Board and Card Game Donations Wanted!
The 7th and 8th-grade teams are currently seeking donations of used board games and card games. The games will be available for middle school students to play at lunch as an alternative to playing on laptops or cell phones. Games can be dropped off at the reception desk in the Middle School building. Thank you!


Reminder: Tinkering Camp Offered Over February Break
Tinkering camp is a 4-day project-based camp where students collaborate, design and build, using real tools and materials (power tools, 2X4s, plywood, etc.). This class is open to Pacific Ridge students and students from the larger community. For more information, visit the After-School Extension page of our website.
Dates: February 16th - 19th
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Place: Arts & Technology Center

Spring After-School Extension Classes Announced
Check out this set of exciting, after-school extension courses that allow students to make, create and collaborate in an informal learning environment. The spring session runs from mid-March through mid-May and courses are open to both Pacific Ridge students and students from the larger community. Courses include Video Game Design, Broadcasting Team, Tinkering Lab, Ceramics Studio, guitar lessons and piano lessons. Sign up and bring a friend! Click HERE for more information and to register. Contact Mr. Dziekonski at sdziekonski@pacificridge.org with questions.


Educational Insights

Voices From the Ridge: History teacher Hans Decrop and two students reflect on "Conquering Columbia & The Big Apple: Model United Nations Goes to New York."

Read Dr. Ogle's latest blog post: "Doing the Right Thing(s)."


Worth Reading: Service Learning Director Alison Behr shares this insightful Education Week article about how college admissions offices are increasingly emphasizing the importance of ethical engagement.

New & Noteworthy

Pacific Ridge Alumna's Play Makes Old Globe Debut
Congratulations to Jennifer Curiel '15, whose original play, "Fronteras Hechas del Dinero," debuted at the Old Globe theatre last week as part of the 31st annual festival of Plays by Young Writers. Jennifer, currently a freshman at Whittier College, wrote the play as part of a Playwrights Project program in Pacific Ridge's Advanced Theater class. "Fronteras Hechas del Dinero" tells the story of a 16-year-old Mexican-American girl struggling to reconcile her desire to pursue an education with her responsibilities to family. It was one of just four plays, out of 269 submissions, selected to receive a full, professional production. Pacific Ridge theater teacher Fredreka Irvine and a group of theater students attended the Monday matinee performance and were left impressed by Jennifer's work ."The writing was unique, the acting was authentic, and the story was captivating," Ms. Irvine said. "It was an honor to be able to see such a great production from a Pacific Ridge graduate."



Pep Rally Gets Fans Fired Up For Home Games 
During last Thursday's pep rally, athletes got goofy, coaches got messy, and the Pacific Ridge community got into the Firebird spirit ahead of Friday's three basketball home games. The Firebird Club led basketball players and coaches in a series of contests that included forehead donut stacking, pudding eating (with a twist!), and a valiant breakdancing attempt by Coach Simmons, all to the delight of the student body. Best of all? The big laughs at the pep rally translated into a big crowd for the Friday evening games. Fight on, Firebirds!




Record-Breaking Fun at Winter Formal 
Last Saturday's Upper School Winter Formal drew a record-breaking crowd for an evening of socializing. With help from the industrious Mr. Bray, Student Council transformed the West Reading Room into an enchanted forest, complete with glowing trees and fairy lights. Ms. Fremgen reports that at 9:45 p.m., when the DJ encountered a technical glitch, the students collectively groaned in despair at the temporary interruption of the festivities. Thankfully, the music was restored a few minutes later, and the gracious chaperones agreed to let the dance extend a bit beyond its scheduled ending. Thank you to the Student Council for organizing an incredible evening, and thank you to all the attendees for being responsible and fun guests. 
  
 

Curricular Adventures 

Economics Students Study The Price of Declining Pollinators
Recently, Ms. Nattrass' economics class has been abuzz with discussion about the impacts of Colony Collapse Disorder, and on January 29th, students had a chance to get up close and personal with the small, winged subjects at the heart of their studies. During a field trip to Susie's Farm in Imperial Beach, a representative from Girl Next Door Honey took the group on an interactive beehive tour. Students learned about the fascinating inner workings of the hive, the role of bees in our local and global ecosystem, and the properties of honey. The tour was a sweet complement to students' coursework on the positive externalities of pollination and the negative externalities of widespread pesticide use and monocultures.



Photography Students Roam The Ranch 
Last week, Ms. Pietrowski's Digital Photography classes headed out to Carlsbad's Leo Carillo Ranch to practice portraiture. The historic ranch, located at the heart of a 27-acre canyon, provided plenty of picturesque scenery and opportunities for creativity. Students spent around four hours at the ranch, taking turns in front of and behind the camera, and learning how to best utilize the abundant natural light.  



Service Learning In The Field

Students Encouraged To Help Keep Oceans Clean 
Upper School service learning group New Ocean Blue's mission is to educate the community about the ocean's plastic gyres problem, promote the use of sustainable materials, and initiate preventative cleanups. Last week, instead of traveling to present at a local elementary school, students had the opportunity to share their message on campus. During Middle School Community Life, the group shared the impacts of plastic pollution and urged 7th and 8th graders to be part of the solution by reducing plastic use, recycling, and volunteering for beach cleanups.        



Parents Association 

Join the Walking Club on February 10th 
 
Join the Walking Club for exercise and conversation at the Batiquitos Lagoon Trail.
Date: Wednesday, February 10th
Time: 8:15 a.m.
Locati
on: Meet at La Costa Roasting, 6965 El Camino Real, Suite 208, Carlsbad, 92009 (shopping plaza with La Costa Cinepolis Movie Theater)

Book Club Meeting on February 22nd
The Pacific Ridge Parents' Book Club will meet on Monday, February 22nd to discuss Between the World & Me, by Ta-Nehisi Coates. All Pacific Ridge parents are welcometo attend. We hope to see you there!
Date: Monday, February 22nd
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Pacific Ridge School Library

Used Uniform Sale on February 26th
Back by popular demand! If you missed last week's used uniform sale, there is no need to worry. The Parents Association will hold another Used Uniform Sale in late February. Please remember that payments must be made by cash or check only. Uniform items generally range in price from $2 to $15.   
Date: Friday, February 26th
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Athletic Center Lobby

Sports on the Ridge

Kyle Levesque '16 Commits to High Point University
Congratulations to senior Kyle Levesque, who signed her National Letter of Intent on Wednesday to play soccer at High Point University in North Carolina. Kyle will join a Division I Panthers team that finished fourth in a tough Big South Conference last year. The team welcomed Kyle through its social media channels yesterday, posting, "Kyle will primarily play as an outside back so she can use her pace and excellent service to generate dangerous attacks. Welcome to the family!"  



Winter Sports 'Senior Nights' Scheduled
Help celebrate Pacific Ridge's senior soccer and basketball players next week during the following home games (Boys Soccer celebrated its senior night this afternoon):  
  • Girls Soccer vs. La Jolla Country Day; 2/9; 3:30 p.m.
  • Girls Basketball vs. Calvin Christian; 2/0; 5:30 p.m.
  • Boys Basketball vs. Calvin Christian; 2/10; 7:00 p.m.
Home Games, February 8th through February 13th
Schedules are subject to change. Please check Schedulestar 
regularly for the most accurate information.

2/9/16
3:30 p.m. - Girls Varsity Soccer vs. La Jolla Country Day

2/10/16
3:30 p.m. - Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Escondido Charter
4:00 p.m. - Boys JV Basketball vs. Calvin Christian 
5:30 p.m. - Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Calvin Christian
7:00 p.m. - Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Calvin Christian 





Scores:

Boys Varsity Basketball
1/27/16 Tri-City Christian Schools 54 60 L
1/29/16 Vincent Memorial Catholic High School 43 57 L

Boys Junior Varsity Basketball
1/27/16 Tri-City Christian Schools 59 52 W
1/29/16 Vincent Memorial Catholic High School 33 77 L

Boys Middle School 'A' Basketball
1/25/16 San Diego Jewish Academy 45 16 W
1/26/16 Santa Fe Christian Schools 30 39 L

Boys Middle School 'B' Basketball
1/26/16 Santa Fe Christian Schools 28 40 L

Girls Varsity Basketball
1/27/16 Tri-City Christian Schools 33 53 L
1/29/16 Vincent Memorial Catholic High School 40 28 W

Boys Varsity Soccer
1/26/16 San Diego Jewish Academy 1 1 T
1/28/16 The Bishop's School 3 5 L

Boys Middle School 'A' Soccer
1/26/16 San Diego Jewish Academy 4 0 W
1/28/16 Horizon Prep 7 1 W

Girls Varsity Soccer
1/26/16 Escondido Charter 1 1 T
1/28/16 The Bishop's School 0 4 L

Girls Middle School 'A' Soccer
1/26/16 San Diego Jewish Academy 7 0 W
1/28/16 Horizon Prep 3 0 W

Beyond The Ridge

Registration Now for New Format SAT in March
The registration deadline for the March 5th SAT, the first administration of the new format, is Friday, February 5th. Late registration closes February 23rd. Students can register through CollegeBoard. Please note that scores from the March test will not be available until late May.

Practice ACT With Writing on February 27th
On Saturday, February 27th, a full-length practice ACT with Writing will be offered for sophomores and juniors. The registration link has been emailed to all students and their parents and also appears on the Naviance login home page. Please contact College Guidance at collegeguidance@pacificridge.org with questions.





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

February 5th
All Shook Up
7 p.m.

February 6th
All Shook Up
2 p.m. & 7 p.m.

February 10th
Walking Club
8:15 a.m.

February 22nd
Parents Book Club
7 p.m.

February 26th
Used Uniform Sale
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

February 27th
Practice ACT with Writing
8:30 a.m.

March 17th
Designing New Perspectives 
6:30 p.m.

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