In This Issue - April 14, 2016
Snapshot from the Ridge

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


Juniors Anderson Lee and Derek Enge designed this Billie Holiday- themed mural, which was collaboratively painted by students at Springfest. The piece will be displayed in Mullady Hall.    

Bulletin Board
This Weekend: The Curious Savage, Seats Still Available! 
A limited number of tickets remain for this weekend's performances of the Upper School spring production, The Curious Savage. Written by John Patrick, the comedic and heart-warming play tells the tale of Ethel P. Savage, an elderly woman whose husband recently died and left her approximately ten million dollars. With their eyes fixed on the fortune, Ethel's stepchildren scheme to have her committed. What follows is an entertaining take on family, sanity, and the human condition. Showtimes are 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 15th and Saturday, April 16th at the Avo Playhouse in Vista. Click here to purchase tickets.  

NO SCHOOL on April 22nd: Student-Led Conferences
Pacific Ridge welcomes families on Friday, April 22nd for Student-Led Conferences. There will be no classes that day.
9th & 10th-Grade Travel Night on April 27th
 
Parents of 9th and 10th graders are invited to campus the evening of April 27th for information about this year's class trips to China and the Northern Sierras. Faculty and staff will be on hand to discuss travel goals, share trip itineraries and answer all your questions. Please mark your calendar for this important meeting.
Date: Wednesday, April 27th
Time: 9th Grade, 5:45 - 7:00 p.m.; 10th Grade, 7:15 - 8:15 p.m.
Location: East Reading Room

Middle School Social Event on May 6th
On Friday, May 6th, Middle School students are invited to stay after school for an afternoon of Capture The Flag and Dodgeball. Pizza will be available for purchase. 
Date: Friday, May 6th
Time: 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Athletic Center

Middle School Travel Information Night on May 10th
Parents of 7th and 8th graders are invited to campus the evening of May 10th for information about this year's Middle School trips to the Santa Monica Mountains and Washington, D.C. Faculty and staff will be on hand to discuss travel goals, share trip itineraries and answer all your questions. Please mark your calendar for this important meeting.
Date: Tuesday, May 10th
Time: 5:45 - 6:45 p.m.
Location: Community Hall

Final Sales Day Friday: New Firebird Windbreakers!
Tomorrow is the final day for students to purchase the Bird's Nest's latest product - The Firebird Windbreaker. Created by popular demand, the uniform policy-compliant outerwear comes in Carolina blue, navy blue, and black. Each windbreaker is $40, and Bird's Nest members will be accepting cash, credit, and checks in Community Hall during Friday's lunch period. Delivery will be 2 - 3 weeks after orders are placed.  

 

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.



Host an International Exchange Student!
Interested in a truly global experience? Every year Pacific Ridge enrolls an international exchange student and seeks a host family for the school year. The exchange is coordinated by AFS, a leading international exchange organization that operates in more than 50 countries. Questions? Contact Jean Nassif at jnassif@pacificridge.org.

New & Noteworthy

Student Creativity, Innovation In Full Bloom at Springfest  
On Friday, April 1st, faculty and students kicked off Spring Break with a celebration of STEAM and the culinary, visual, and performing arts. Under the "Exploratorium Tent" students had the opportunity to help shape a surfboard, make their own stop-motion animated short movie, sample liquid nitrogen ice cream, strike a pose at the photo booth, put brush to canvas on a collaborative mural, cook up kumbucha at the Fermentation Station, and more. Over at the Culinary Arts Competition, Springfest attendees dined on a variety of student and faculty-made dishes from cous cous to creme brulee, while a panel of judges evaluated for presentation and flavor. All the while, talented students took the event stage with impressive musical, theatrical, and dance performances. Visit the Pacific Ridge Facebook page for more photos.  







Global Travel Kicks Off: Marine Conservation in Eleuthera 
The first Global Travel destination of 2016? Eleuthera island in the Bahamas. Eight students and two faculty chaperones spent their spring break exploring marine conservation, sustainability, and the region's unique cultural and environmental landscape at The Island School. Taking full advantage of a spectacular setting, the group used the outdoors as a continuation of the classroom, earning scuba diving certifications, identifying marine creatures during open water dives and discussing coral reef ecology between snorkeling sessions and cliff jumping. According to the students, The Island School and Pacific Ridge share many similarities, including a commitment to sustainability, Harkness-based learning, and intimate advisory groups. But, as demonstrated in the photo below, The Island School may have a slight edge in classroom decor. 


A group shot before one of many scuba diving adventures.


Class with a view!

Carlsbad Police Captain Discusses Body-Worn Cameras 
During an all-school Community Life presentation on Thursday, March 31st, Carlsbad Police Department Captain Mickey Williams discussed the department's body-worn camera pilot program. Capt. Williams gave a brief presentation on the technology's functions, cost, advantages and disadvantages. The department's hopes, he said, are that the cameras will enhance trust, evidence collection and public safety. Following the presentation, students and faculty had the opportunity to ask thought-provoking questions about the program's data safety, constitutionality, and complex privacy issues.   


Curricular Adventures 

Students Create New Music For Classic Arcade Game
In Digital Music Recording Studio this semester, students have been learning the basics of recording music and performing, producing, and mixing in a studio environment. The STEAM-oriented class focuses on producing recordings that are balanced and easily edited. Recently, students have been using GarageBound and Soundstation to create an original, one-minute melody that dramatically underscores the action of a PacMan- inspired video game.  



Bestselling Author Shares Advice On Fiction Writing 
On Thursday, March 31st, Pacific Ridge parent and New York Times bestselling author Christopher Reich visited Mr. Richter's Genre Studies class to share insights into his disciplined writing regimen, the necessary but difficult work of rewrites, and how his real-life experiences inspired his first espionage thriller. The class recently finished reading and discussing two books about the art of writing, Bird by Bird, by Annie Lamott and Ernest Hemingway on Writing, (assembled) by Larry Phillips, so Mr. Reich's visit was a wonderful opportunity to get in-person advice from a current and prolific author.  


 
Parents Association 

 Parents Book Club Meeting on April 25th
The Book Club will discuss Too Much of a Good Thing: How Four Key Survival Traits are Now Killing Us, by Lee Goldman at its April 25th meeting.  All parents are welcome to attend.
Date: Monday, April 25th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Pacific Ridge School Library

Parents Association General Meeting May 12th, Please RSVP
Back by popular demand: the Parents Association's May meeting and coffee will feature a panel of graduating Pacific Ridge seniors who will discuss their experiences with the college application and decision-making process. Rachel Petrella, Director of College Guidance, will discuss the support, resources, and programs offered through the College Guidance department. The presentation will include practical information and suggestions to help students and parents navigate the college process, as well as information that will be helpful even if your student is not yet in high school. Space is limited, so please RSVP by Monday, May 9th to parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.
Date: Thursday, May 12th
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Location: Community Hall

Save the Date: Final Supper Club Social of the School Year
All Supper Club members are invited to attend 
the Supper Club Social on the evening of Sunday, May 15th. Come enjoy a relaxed evening with other parents as the school year draws to an end. E-vites will be sent out soon with additional event details. 

2016-17 Parents Association Board Positions Available 
Are you interested in becoming more involved at Pacific Ridge? The Parents Association is looking for volunteers to fill  open PA Board positions for the 2016-2017 school year. The PA's mission is to support the school through events and programs that connect students, parents, faculty and staff, such as Fall Fest, Gingerbread Breakfast, the Speaker Series, Supper Club, Book Club and Walking Club. 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 becoming more involved in the Parents Association and wish to learn more about available openings, please contact the Parents Association at parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.

Sports on the Ridge

Girls, Boys Volleyball Teams Remain Undefeated!
Both the Girls Sand Volleyball team and the Boys Varsity Volleyball team have had incredible starts to the season, sitting at 4-0 and 
10-0, respectively. After a March 31st victory over previously undefeated Sage Creek High, the girls have now played, and beaten, every team in their league. The team's success in its inaugural year as a Pacific Ridge (developmental) sport has been an unexpected bonus for Coach Tristan Green, Coach Bjorn Dahl, and their players, who are all thrilled to help get this new program off the ground. Two years ago, Boys Volleyball had a similarly impressive inaugural season as a developmental sport, and last year swept the league with ease. Now midway through its second year as a CIF team, Firebird Boys Varsity Volleyball continues to dominate. Though the boys play in Division 4, their undefeated record includes wins against powerhouse Division 1 and 2 programs. The team is young, but Coach McCabe believes the players' resilience, control, and poise will lead them into the playoffs and beyond. 





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

4/19/16
3:30 p.m. Boys Middle School 'A' Volleyball vs. Horizon Prep
4:00 p.m. Boys Varsity Lacrosse vs. La Jolla Country Day School

4/20/16
3:30 p.m. Boys Middle School 'A' Volleyball vs. Santa Fe Christian
4:15 p.m. Boys Middle School 'B' Volleyball vs. Santa Fe Christian

4/22/16
3:15 p.m. Girls Middle School 'A' Basketball vs. Santa Fe Christian
4:00 p.m. Girls Varsity Lacrosse vs. La Jolla Country Day School
4:15 p.m. Girls Middle School 'B' Basketball vs. Santa Fe Christian

4/23/16
9:00 a.m. Girls Varsity Lacrosse vs. Del Lago Academy
11:00 a.m. Boys Middle School 'A' Lacrosse vs. San Carlos
1:00 p.m. Girls Middle School Lacrosse vs. NCMS - Koopmans







Scores:

Boys Varsity Tennis
3/29/16 Francis Parker School 5 13 L
3/31/16 San Diego Jewish Academy 11 7 W

Coed Middle School Tennis
3/31/16 San Diego Jewish Academy 5 1 W 

Coed Varsity Track
4/2/16 Willie Banks Invitational 
Lynlee Duck-Reynolds, 7th place, 3000m
Gianna Bacher, 4th place, 100m Hurdles - 33''
Hannah Maerowitz, 5th place, Trimple Jump; 
Kent Snodgrass, 11th place, Long Jump 

Coed Varsity Golf
4/5/16 Horizon Christian School 229 287 W

Boys Varsity Lacrosse
3/29/16 Scripps Ranch 7 12 L
3/31/16 Rancho Bernardo 7 6 W
4/5/16 Valley Center 14 7 W 

Girls Varsity Lacrosse
3/28/16 San Dieguito Academy 7 2 W 
3/30/16 Sage Creek High School 10 2 W

Boys Junior Varsity Lacrosse
3/29/16 Scripps Ranch 3 13 L 

Boys Varsity Volleyball
3/28/16 San Diego Academy 3 0 W
3/29/16 Olympian 3 0 W

Boys Junior Varsity Volleyball
3/28/16 San Diego Academy 2 0 W 
3/29/16 Olympian 1 2 L  

Boys Middle School 'A' Lacrosse
4/1/16 Oceanside 9 3 W

Girls Sand Volleyball
3/31/16 Sage Creek High School 2 1 W 

Girls Middle School 'A' Basketball
3/29/16 San Diego Jewish Academy 61 2 W

Girls Middle School 'B' Basketball
3/29/16 San Diego Jewish Academy 20 6 W

Beyond The Ridge 

National College Fair on April 20th 
The National Association for College Admission Counseling is hosting a College Fair on April 20th at the San Diego Convention Center. More than 250 colleges and universities will be represented. Registration in advance is free and highly recommended.
Date: Wednesday, April 20th 
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.; 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Place: San Diego Convention Center, Exhibit Hall H, 111 Harbor Drive, San Diego, 92101

Coastline Case Studies for Juniors & Parents on May 17
Juniors and their parents are invited to learn first-hand what goes into the evaluation of college applications. College admission officers from 90 schools across the country and overseas will lead small groups of participants in a comprehensive review of several mock application files. The evening will conclude with a college fair, at which families can speak to representatives from all the schools about their respective institutions. This program is for juniors and their families only. Mock application files will be sent to families soon.
Date: Tuesday, May 17th
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Place: High Tech High 


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

April 15th
The Curious Savage
7:00 p.m.

April 16th
The Curious Savage
7:00 p.m.

April 22nd
NO SCHOOL
Student-Led Conferences
8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

April 27th
9th-Grade 
Travel Night
5:45 - 7 p.m.

10th-Grade 
Travel Night
7:15 - 8:15 p.m.

May 6th
Middle School 
Social Event
3:30 - 5 p.m.

May 10th
Middle School 
Travel Night
5:45 - 6:45 p.m.

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