In This Issue - March 3, 2016
Snapshot from the Ridge

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


How's The Weather Up There? Last week, 8th-grade Physics teacher 
Brad Melius braved the heights to perform a parachute test in preparation for the class weather balloon launch later this month. 
Follow their progress on Instagram: @prsquesttospace

Bulletin Board

Reporting Absences, Late Arrivals, and Early Dismissals 
Pacific Ridge constantly works to achieve real-time accounting of attendance to ensure the safety and well-being of our students. If your child will be absent, arriving late, or leaving early, it is imperative that you contact the 24-hour attendance line at 760-579-4902 by 8:00 a.m. the day of the absence. Please leave a voicemail message with the following details: student's name; student's grade; the reason for absence, late arrival, or early dismissal; and name and relationship to the student of person calling. Please visit the "Policies, Procedures & Forms tab on the Haiku School Information Page for more details on attendance protocol. 


9th-Grade Parent Coffee on March 4th 
Freshman parents are invited to an evening coffee on March 4th. This month's conversation will focus on the upcoming Student-Led Conferences and will include a student panel. The event is designed for families who joined the Pacific Ridge community this year, though anyone interested in knowing more about Student-Led Conferences is invited. Treats and coffee will be served.
Date: Friday, March 4th 
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Place: Community Hall

Music and Dance Concert on March 5th
On Saturday, March 5th, Pacific Ridge Performing Arts will present a music and dance concert featuring all of the school's instrumental music and dance ensembles. The performance is free of charge and open to all.
Date: Saturday, March 5th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Athletic Center

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  

NO SCHOOL MARCH 14th - Staff Day/Offices Open 

Designing New Perspectives on 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. 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.
Location: Pacific Ridge School Athletic Center
Tickets: Free; reservations required (note: students will hear from the speakers during the school day)



Pre-Event Parent Reception on March 17th
Please join us for a Pacific Ridge parent cocktail reception prior to Designing New Perspectives on March 17th at 5:30 p.m. Come enjoy appetizers, drinks and the company of other parents before hearing from our speakers. We look forward to seeing you! To RSVP, contact Monique Benjamin at mbenjamin@pacificridge.org.
You Can Still Sign Up!
The Spring After-School Extension Program courses allow students to make, create and collaborate in an informal learning environment. The session runs from mid-March through mid-May and is open to Pacific Ridge students and students from the larger community. Sign up and bring a friend! Courses include Video Game Design, Broadcasting Team, Tinkering Lab, Ceramics Studio, guitar lessons and piano lessons. Note: More space is now available in ceramics and guitar. Click HERE for more information and to register. Questions? Contact Mr. Dziekonski at sdziekonski@pacificridge.org.


Summer Programs and Sports Camps At Pacific Ridge
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.



New & Noteworthy

Pacific Ridge's Sustainability Initiatives Among Top in State
For the second consecutive year, Pacific Ridge School has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a California Green Ribbon School for its excellence in resource efficiency, health and wellness, and environmental and sustainability education. Pacific Ridge is one of just nine individual California schools, and the only San Diego County school, to receive the program's Gold Award this year. From a paper reduction campaign to reusable plates and flatware, from a Middle School co-curricular project on climate change to Upper School Wellness Week, Pacific Ridge continues to grow as a mindful, sustainability-focused community. Thank you to Pacific Ridge Sustainability Director Melissa Symington for leading the way!   

Glassless Minds Performs Spoken Word Poetry 
During last Thursday's Community Life, Pacific Ridge senior Khalid Abudawas performed spoken-word poetry alongside two additional members of Glassless Minds, a non-profit that seeks to facilitate young adults' creative expression through workshops, mentoring, open mics, classroom discussions, and performances. The trio shared personal stories about the role art has played as an emotional outlet in their lives, and performed original pieces about identity, acceptance, relationships, and more. Several brave students from the audience also joined in on the performance by volunteering to improvise poems about community.



Curricular Adventures 

7th-Grade Students Consider Climate Change 
Last week, 7th-grade students and faculty worked together on an integrative, grade-wide exploration of climate change. In 
math, students learned how to determine the magnitude of climate change through data interpretation. English students read and discussed essays on global water issues. French, Spanish, and Chinese students learned climate change vocabulary, then watched videos on the ways climate change is affecting life around the world. Social and Community Studies students participated in a United Nations climate change conference simulation and created a public service announcement to encourage carbon footprint reduction. Life Science students examined the science behind climate change and got a hands-on look at alternative energy sources by creating their own wind turbines. Click the video below for a glimpse into this week's Life Science class. 


Students Attend Salk High School Science Day 
On February 27th, eight Pacific Ridge students attended the Salk Institute High School Science Day, when the world-renowned research facility opens its laboratory doors to share the daily life of its working scientists. Students visited several labs, hearing about research science from professors, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. They then participated in real lab work, including visiting a stem cell core facility and a microbial pathogenesis lab, among others. Students also attended two presentations. The first by Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn, 2009 recipient of the nobel prize in physiology and medicine for her work on telomeres, and the second by Dr. Janelle Ayres about her pioneering work studying the human microbiome. 



Social and Community Studies Students Rock The Mock Vote 
Middle School students in Ms. Nattrass' Social and Community Studies class may not be old enough to legally vote, but that didn't stop them from casting their ballots on Carlsbad's Measure A. On Tuesday, February 23rd, the class read analysis and arguments for and against the measure. Then they had the opportunity to speak with Carlsbad City Attorney Celia A. Brewer, author of the "Sample Ballot & Voter Information Pamphlet" Impartial Analysis. Students were excited to have a city official answer their questions and address their concerns, especially on the heels of a class unit on government and legislative process. Unlike the City of Carlsbad, the class voted to pass Measure A. But surely those on both sides of the fence could agree that fostering a new generation of educated, enthusiastic voters is a winning proposition!



Service Learning In The Field

ActivCare Residents Enjoy On-Campus Visit
Each week, as part of the "Senior Connection" rotation of the Middle School Service Learning Program, students walk to Bressi Ranch to spend time with residents at the ActivCare assisted living facility. There, students and residents play games, work on crafts, and share stories. According to the students, their ActivCare friends especially love hearing about life at Pacific Ridge. So this week, students invited the residents to join them on campus for karaoke and stand-up comedy performances, snacks, and art activities. 





Alumni Notes

Chen '15, Berkeley Hyperloop Team, Selected as Finalists 
Congratulations to Pacific Ridge alumnus Tyler Chen '15 and the rest of the UC Berkeley Hyperloop Team on being selected as finalists in the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition. In late January, Berkeley Hyperloop joined more than 180 teams from around the world at "Design Weekend" to present their design to judges, media, the general public, and surprise guest Elon Musk! As one of just 22 teams chosen to advance in the competition, Berkeley Hyperloop now has the opportunity to test their pod on Space X's test track this summer. Follow along on the Berkeley Hyperloop Facebook page as Tyler and his team help usher in the future of transportation.


Tyler Chen '15 (second row, far right) and the Berkeley Hyperloop Team

Dr. Ogle and Ms. Molineaux Catch Up With Bay Area Alumni
While in San Francisco for a National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) conference last week, Dr. Ogle and Ms. Molineaux were able to carve out time from their busy itinerary for dinner with a number of alumni attending schools in the area. The group enjoyed a great meal, full of laughter and conversation, updating each other on their current interests, challenges and successes, and reminiscing about Pacific Ridge.

 

Parents Association 

Join The Walking Club on March 11th 
Join the Walking Club for exercise and good conversation on the morning of Friday, March 11th. The Club will be walking the trails near Bressi Ranch. All parents are welcome.
Date: Friday, March 11th
Time: 8:15 a.m.  
Location: Meet at Peet's Coffee, Bressi Ranch

Book Club Meeting on March 21st
The Pacific Ridge Parents Book Club will meet on Monday, March 21st to discuss The Signature of All Things, by Elizabeth Gilbert. All Pacific Ridge parents are welcome to attend.
Date: Monday, March 21st
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Pacific Ridge School Library

WeCare Presents Author Dr. Anthony Wolf
WeCare's Spring speaker will be Dr. Anthony Wolf, a clinical psychologist and author of several bestselling parenting books including, Get Out of My Life, But First Could You Drive Me and Cheryl to the Mall? A Parent's Guide to the New Teenager.
Dr. Wolf will provide guidance for dealing with the everyday challenges of raising teens in the 21st Century. All parents are invited to attend either presentation. Click here for more information.
Evening Presentation:
Date: Monday, March 21st
Time: 6:00 p.m. Social Reception, 7:00 p.m. Presentation 
Location: La Jolla Country Day School - Community Hall  
Morning Presentation:
Date: Tuesday, March 22nd
Time: 9:00 a.m. Social Reception, 10:00 a.m. Presentation
Location: Warren Walker Middle School - Linder Hall 

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

Upper School Winter Sports Celebration on March 7th  
Families of Upper School winter sports athletes are invited to the end-of-season Sports Celebration on Monday, March 7th. The event will feature a slide show, awards ceremony and breakout sessions for individual team awards and dessert. Dinner will not be served.
Date: Monday, March 7th 
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Place: East Reading Room

Upcoming Home Games
Schedules are subject to change. Please check Schedulestar 
regularly for the most accurate information.

3/8/16
4:00 p.m. - Girls Varsity Lacrosse vs. Francis Parker

3/9/16
3:30 p.m. - Girls Middle School 'A' Basketball vs. Tri-City Christian
4:30 p.m. - Girls Middle School 'B' Basketball vs. Tri-City Christian

3/10/16
3:30 p.m. - Girls Varsity Lacrosse vs. Carlsbad
3:30 p.m. - Boys Middle School 'A' Volleyball vs. Warren-Walker 

3/11/16
4:00 p.m. - Boys Varsity Lacrosse vs. San Dieguito Academy

3/12/16
1:00 p.m. - Girls Middle School Lacrosse vs. San Dieguito Academy 




 
Scores:

Boys Varsity Basketball
2/24/16 El Capitan High School (CIF First Round) 33 40 L

Beyond The Ridge

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. This program is open to all students and families and strongly encouraged for parents of 10th graders.
Date: Tuesday, March 8th
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Community Hall

NCAA Night on March 16th
Pacific Ridge student-athletes and parents curious about the NCAA recruitment process are encouraged to attend a panel discussion on the evening of March 16th. Panelists will discuss NCAA rules and regulations, timelines that affect different sports, tips on creating personal profiles, and outreach to coaches. The program will explain the guidance and resources available at Pacific Ridge to help families looking to take charge of the recruitment process.
Date: Wednesday, March 16th
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: East Reading Room 


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

March 4th
9th-Grade Parent Coffee
2 - 3 p.m.

March 5th
Music and Dance Concert
7 p.m.

March 7th
Winter Sports Celebration
5:30 p.m.

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

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

March 14th
NO SCHOOL
Staff Day/Offices Open

March 16th
NCAA Night
6:30 - 8 p.m.

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

March 21st
Parent Book Club 
7 p.m.

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