In This Issue - February 11, 2016
Snapshot from the Ridge

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


Love to Read: The library staff wishes everyone in the Pacific Ridge community an early Happy Valentines' Day. Enjoy your break!

Bulletin Board

NO SCHOOL February 13th - 21st: Mid-Winter Break 

Middle School Social Event on February 26th
Middle School students are invited to a fun evening of open gym, dodgeball and movies on February 26th in the Pacific Ridge Athletic Center. Snacks will be provided.
Date: Friday, February 26th
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Athletic Center 
Cost: Free

Curriculum Night for Sophomores and Juniors on March 9th
Current sophomores and juniors and their parents are invited to Pacific Ridge's annual 11th and 12th-grade Curriculum Night on Wednesday, March 9th. The theme for the event is "Setting Up for Success." Faculty members will discuss course offerings for the 2016-2017 academic year, and a panel of current juniors and seniors will reflect on their experiences with choosing classes and balancing their schedules. 
Date: Wednesday, March 9th
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: East Reading Room  

Reserve Your Tickets For 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)



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!

Sign Up for Spring After-School Extension Classes! 
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.


Summer Programs and Sports Camps Announced
From June 20th to early August, Pacific Ridge will be offering a number of summer programs available to all students in San Diego's North County. Choices include non-credit academic and other classes for middle and high school students, the Firebird Program for rising 5th through 7th graders, and sports camps for children in elementary school through high school. For more information and to register, please visit the 2016 Summer Programs page on the Pacific Ridge website.



Educational Insights

Voices From The Ridge: History teacher and 11th-Grade Dean John Nagler discusses how the Junior Project leads to Purposeful Engagement Beyond the Ridge. 

New & Noteworthy

Audiences 'Can't Help Falling in Love' with All Shook Up!
On February 5th - 6th, the Pacific Ridge community gathered at Vista's AVO theater to support student performers and crew members during three exceptional performances of All Shook Up. Audiences were left wowed by the show's infectious energy, catchy musical numbers, and sweet story of love, music, and authenticity. Congratulations and thanks go to Director Fredreka Irvine, Choreographer Michelle Clark, Musical Director Aaron Mitchell, and all the students and parents who helped make Pacific Ridge School's 8th annual musical a big success. See the Pacific Ridge Facebook Page for more All Shook Up photos. 





Race Relations Panel Shares Personal Experiences
Last Thursday, Race Relations, a student DIME (Diversity, Inclusivity, Multiculturalism, Equity) group, hosted a Community Life panel discussion on race. The Pacific Ridge students, faculty, and staff who comprised the panel spoke candidly about the role race has played in their interactions with authority figures, experiences on campus, and daily lives. Panelists encouraged the student body to remain open minded and emphatic to the struggles of minorities, and to be willing to engage in uncomfortable, but necessary, conversations about race, equality, and privilege.  
 


Pacific Ridge Hosts, Competes In Robotics Tournament
On Sunday February 7th, Pacific Ridge hosted and competed in the fourth and final FTC Robotics League meet for the San Diego region. Twelve robotics teams from around San Diego gathered in Mullady Hall to compete in this year's challenge, FIRST Res-Q. 
As a result of their cumulative league points, Pacific Ridge team 4262 Ridgebots qualified to attend the San Diego regional FTC championships. Team 9266 Pyrobots ended the season right on the "bubble" and could still earn an invitation to attend the championships to be held February 27th at Canyon Crest Academy. Thank you to the many volunteers who helped the event run smoothly! 


Curricular Adventures 

Nanotechnology Students Create, Test Solar Cells
In Nanotechnology, one of this year's new trimester-long Upper School STEAM electives, students are creating their own solar cells using conductive glass, titanium oxide, graphite (from pencil lead), and a variety of natural dyes including fruit juice, chlorophyll from spinach leaves, tea and coffee. Drawing on their knowledge of voltage, current, resistance, and electromagnetic theory, students will design, test, and adjust their cells to create the maximum amount of energy. The goal is .35 volts - enough to power a small, digital clock. Solar cell creation is the third design project Nanotechnology students have engaged in on the topic of alternative energy. Dr. McCabe hopes to incorporate a final project that will allow students to explore how advancements in drug delivery methods are affecting medical technology. 
 
Students spin their slides to achieve an even coat of 
titanium dioxide on their soon-to-be solar cells. 

Students Attend Literary Society Luncheon 
On February 8th, a group of seniors attended the annual Rancho Santa Fe Literary Society luncheon at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar Hotel. The group had the opportunity to meet Owen Sheers, a Welsh author who has been called a "prodigiously talented" storyteller by the New York Times. The students spent a half-hour in private conversation with Mr. Sheers, discussing his new novel, I Saw A Man. They asked about the origin of the idea for the novel, the meaning behind several recurrent themes, and how Sheers' poetry influenced his prose. This is the sixth year Pacific Ridge has been invited to attend the event.  



Service Learning In The Field

Duo Delivers Crafts, Smiles to Young Hospital Patients
Juniors Kate McInerney and Lily Klinek, founders of Upper School Service Learning group Craft Care Kits, are on a mission to spread joy and curb boredom at Rady's Children's Hospital. Their idea, to "deliver activities" to young patients faced with long hospital stays, began as a 10th-Grade Planting A Seed Project. This year, Kate and Lily used the grant money they received to purchase enough supplies to assemble 300 dreamcatcher kits, and plan on sending 25 kits to Rady's each month for a year. "We decided on dreamcatchers because they are fun to make, and they can be used to decorate a room or door to make it more personal during a patient's stay," said Kate. "We hope the kits will make patients feel more comfortable, and help fill up at least a little of their idle time." 



YMCA Speaker Addresses Homelessness in North County
Last week, Charity Brant, Outreach Coordinator for San Diego County YMCA Youth and Family Services, stopped by campus to speak to 9th-grade Service Learning students about youth homelessness in North County. She shared stories from her own outreach work in the area, emphasizing that it's not always easy to identify which teen in a group may be homeless or struggling, and that their reasons for leaving home could be anything from a fractured family relationship to addiction. Ms. Brant showed students the kits (containing lists of shelters and safety hotlines, and hygiene items) she hands out to teenagers she encounters on the streets, and encouraged the group to contact a trusted adult if they know of anyone who may need help.  


Class Notes

Embry '17 and Maerowitz '17 Selected For Youth Art Month
Congratulations to Pacific Ridge juniors Ava Embry and Hannah Maerowitz for having their photographs selected for Youth Art Month, a juried exhibition of student artwork from throughout San Diego County. Ava and Hannah's work will be on display at the San Diego Art Institute in Balboa Park from February 13th through March 13th. 

"High Wires" by Hannah Maerowitz


"Fashion Submerged" by Ava Embry 

Parents Association 

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 welcome to attend. For those ready to start the next book, the club has selected The Signature of All Things, by Elizabeth Gilbert, which will be discussed at a March 21st meeting.
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

2016-17 Parents Association Board Members Wanted!
Are you interested in getting more involved at Pacific Ridge by joining a dynamic group of parent volunteers? The Parents Association is looking to fill several board positions for the 2016-2017 school year. The Parents Association supports the school through events and programs that connect students, parents, faculty and staff, including Fall Fest, Gingerbread Breakfast, Supper Club, and more. Board members help direct these programs, recognize faculty and staff through the Holiday Gift Drive and spring Staff Lunch, and assist the school through AmazonSmile, eScrip, used uniform sales and the Book Buddies textbook exchange. If you are interested in learning more about available openings, please contact the Parents Association at parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.

Sports on the Ridge

Middle School Girls Win League Championship!
Congratulations to the Pacific Ridge Middle School Girls 'A' Soccer Team on winning the 2016 South Coast Middle School League Championship! The team capped their undefeated season with a 5-0 victory against Horizon Prep during last Wednesday's playoffs and a convincing 2-0 victory against Francis Parker in the championship game on Thursday, February 4th. During the course of the season the Firebirds gave up ZERO goals, while scoring 62 goals! "I am so proud of their hard work, dedication, and the way they played as a team," said Coach Brooke Hartley.



Home Games, February 15th through February 20th
Schedules are subject to change. Please check Schedulestar 
regularly for the most accurate information.

2/16/16
3:30 - Boys Varsity Soccer vs. The Bishop's School

2/18/16
4:00 p.m. - Boys JV Basketball vs. Escondido Charter
5:30 p.m. - Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Escondido Charter






 
Scores:

Boys Varsity Basketball
2/3/16 Escondido Charter 55 24 W
2/5/16 Maranatha Christian 60 57 W

Boys Junior Varsity Basketball
2/1/16 La Jollla Country Day School 58 49 W
2/3/16 Escondido Charter 31 44 L 
2/5/16 Maranatha Christian 34 13 W

Boys Middle School 'A' Basketball
2/3/16 Tri-City Christian Schools (SCMSL Playoffs) 27 46 L

Girls Varsity Basketball
2/3/16 The Rock Academy 9 50 L
2/5/16 Francis Parker School 39 55 L

Girls Junior Varsity Basketball
2/1/16 The Bishop's School 8 52 L

Boys Varsity Soccer
2/2/16 Santa Fe Christian Schools 1 2 L
2/4/16 Francis Parker School 2 3 L

Boys Middle School 'A' Soccer
2/3/16 Rancho Santa Fe School (SCMSL Playoffs) 2 1 W
2/4/16 Coronado Middle School (SCMSL Championship) 0 4 L

Girls Varsity Soccer
2/2/16 Santa Fe Christian Schools 2 9 L
2/4/16 Francis Parker School 0 5 L
2/6/16 The Bishop's School  0 4 L

Girls Middle School 'A' Soccer
2/3/16 Horizon Prep (SCMSL Playoffs) 5 0 W
2/4/16 Francis Parker School (SCMSL Championship) 2 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.

Standardized Testing Primer and Updates on March 8th
Parents and students interested in learning more about recent changes to standardized college admission tests are invited to attend an evening presentation by Adam Ingersoll, founder and principal of Compass Education Group and a nationally-renowned expert on college admissions testing. He will discuss recent changes to the PSAT, the newly redesigned SAT (to be administered for the first time on March 5th), and recent adjustments to the ACT.
Date: Tuesday, March 8th
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Community Hall





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 13th - 21st
NO SCHOOL
Mid-Winter Break

February 22nd
Parents Book Club
7 p.m.

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

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

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

March 8th
Standardized Testing
Primer and Updates
5:30 - 7 p.m.

March 9th
Curriculum Night
6:30 - 8 p.m.

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

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