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In This Issue - May 19, 2016
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Each week, Pacific Ridge School invites you to enjoy a spontaneous view of school life.
On Tuesday, The Parents Association hosted a beautiful and
celebratory Faculty & Staff Appreciation Luncheon. Attendees
were treated to a delicious meal, a heartfelt student-video, and a
surprise performance by the Pacific Ridge Vocal Ensemble.
Thank you to the Parents Association and many parent volunteers who support the school throughout the year!
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This Weekend Only: Don't Miss Zombie Prom!
Set in the atomic '50s and scored to all original musical numbers, this year's Middle School musical, Zombie Prom, tells the classic tale of good girl meets bad boy, with a nuclear twist! Tickets are going fast! Be sure to purchase yours today at vistixonline.com.Dates: Friday, May 20th and Saturday, May 21st
Times: 7:00 p.m. with an additional 2:00 p.m. matinee on Saturday
Place: Avo Theater, 301 Main Street, Vista
Tomorrow Night: Science Like You've Never Seen It!
Come to a science show unlike anything you've experienced before. On Friday, May 20th, Pacific Ridge students will be presenting a series of theatrical science experiments, all set to music, with dramatic staging and lighting. Science Extravaganza! is free, family friendly and open to the whole community.
Date: Friday, May 20th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: La Costa Canyon High School Theater, 1 Maverick Way, Carlsbad
Parents Association Collecting Used Uniforms Next Week! 
Have a bunch of uniforms at home that your child has outgrown? You can create more space in your closets by donating them next week, May 23rd - 27th, to the Parents Association Used Uniform sales program. You don't even need to park your car - collection bins will be located along the drop-off and pick-up routes in the school driveway. The Parents Association will be hosting its next used uniform sale in August, before the start of school.
School Supply Drive To Benefit Students In Need
Tools Organizing Successful Students (TOSS), a non-profit organization created and run by Pacific Ridge sophomore David Wiesley, is seeking donations of gently used school supplies. From May 20th through the end of the school year, supplies can be dropped into the metal TOSS bins located in the Middle School and Mullady Hall lobbies. From markers and pens to reams of paper and rulers, all donations are appreciated. Last year, TOSS was able to give backpacks full of much-needed school supplies to more than 3,500 students. Visit www.tossforall.org for more information.
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.
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Students Explore Borders and Boundaries in San Ysidro
On Tuesday, May 10th, the seventh-grade class spent the day in San Ysidro exploring how the presence of the border affects the local community and environment. In three groups, students set out for an exploration of Friendship Park, a collaborative technology project with a group at San Ysidro Middle School, and a historic walking tour of the town. The groups met with Barbara Zaragoza, author of Images of America: San Ysidro and the Tijuana River Valley, a Customs and Border Protection officer and a Border Patrol agent to hear firsthand perspectives on immigration, and the impacts of the border on infrastructure, life and work. The trip added a new level of understanding to issues discussed in Social and Community Studies throughout the year.
Tijuana Students Enjoy Day at Pacific Ridge
On Thursday, May 12th, 29 eighth graders and two teachers from Colegio Reina Isabel, a secundaria school (grades 7-9) visited Pacific Ridge. Last year, Pacific Ridge students made the trip across the border, and next year both groups hope to visit one another. The Colegio Reina Isabel students toured the campus, enjoyed lunch in mixed small groups, played athletic games on the field, and observed several classes. According to Spanish teacher Meredith Brady, the visits allow students to establish meaningful cross-cultural connections and break down stereotypes about their peers across the border. At the end of the day, students exchanged hugs and social media contact information with their new friends.
Upper School Academic Work Highlighted at Colloquium
At Community Life on May 7th, Upper School students and faculty were treated to presentations of exceptional academic work. Students nominated by their teachers spoke about a variety of creative projects including an art piece depicting a literary character's internal experience, a self-designed China trip itinerary composed in Chinese, an in-depth examination of the causes of the Great Recession, a cinematic interpretation of Walt Whitman's poetry, and more. For their nominations, faculty members selected student work that reflected creativity, strong understanding, thorough execution and exceptional attention to detail.
Talent and Technique On Display at Senior Art Show
The portfolios of Pacific Ridge's graduating visual artists were celebrated on Thursday, May 12th, with a reception and exhibit in the Arts & Technology Center. Families and friends viewed the artwork and discussed its inspiration and creation with each of the artists. "A good time was had by all at this year's senior art show," said Art teacher Ray Oakes. "Students, parents, friends, and faculty were treated to an exhibition of studio art and graphic design by our talented seniors. The reception was also full of good food and conversation regarding the culmination of a successful year of visual art. We were able to send our seniors off with the knowledge that they will always have an arts family at Pacific Ridge, and we wish them well."
Culinary Club Celebrates Inaugural Year
Last week, in celebration of a great inaugural year, the Pacific Ridge Culinary Club visited Casa de Q'ero in Cardiff. Executive Chef and owner Monica Szepesy welcomed the group to the restaurant and introduced students to the world of Peruvian cuisine. Mr. Nagler led a tour of the commercial kitchen while Chef Szepsey demonstrated how to prepare traditional Peruvian ceviche. Following the tour and demonstration, students had the opportunity to enjoy a variety of empanadas, yuca and plantain chips, and chicha morada (a purple corn drink made in-house).
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Guest Speaker Shines Light Into The Ocean's Depths
On Friday, May 13th, the Pacific Ridge Marine Biology class welcomed Dr. Wiebke Ziebis, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Southern California. Dr. Ziebis spoke to students about the path she took to become a Marine Biologist, and how her current research in biogeochemistry and the microbial ecology of the ocean floor is impacting what we know about the marine environment. Her research involves extensive fieldwork and has led to expeditions on 15 different research vessels to the Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, the Persian Gulf, and more. Students enjoyed hearing about her adventures using submersibles, Human Occupied Vehicles (HOV, i.e. Alvin) and remote operated vehicles (ROVs) to study benthic habitats that often prove just as difficult to get to as the moon.
Students Become Teachers for Calculus Exam Prep
To prepare for their final exam, students in Essentials of Calculus have been taking turns instructing one another on key class topics. Research has shown that teaching prompts students to work harder to understand the material, recall it more accurately and apply it more effectively. Plus, according to math teacher Jenny Bjornstad, it maximizes engagement by giving students the opportunity to integrate the material into something they find fun or exciting. One group taught a lesson that involved determining the dimensions of a candy garden and maximizing the amount of M&M flowers given a defined amount of fencing. Another group instructed classmates to estimate the area of Donald Trump's hair by using Reimann sums and integrals. Calculus lessons involving humor and sugar are sure to prove memorable during test time!
Calculus + Candy = A Winning Equation!
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Service Learning In The Field
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Middle School Students Promote Pet Adoption
Throughout the year, groups of Middle School Service Learning students have been working to improve the lives of animals at Carlsbad's San Diego County Animal Shelter. During weekly visits, students have helped with everything from playing with and feeding the animals to building a new dog exercise area. The Pacific Ridge groups have also been actively involved in shelter promotion, including participating in themed photo shoots and helping design marketing materials. Last month, students used the Design Thinking process to create prototypes for a large banner promoting animal adoption. After receiving feedback from the shelter staff and going through several rounds of revisions, two of the student designs were selected to be printed and displayed along Palomar Airport Road.
A few of the student designs submitted for the SD Count Animal Shelter's new promotional banner!
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Join The Walking Club on June 2nd
Join the Walking Club for its final walk of the school year on Thursday, June 2nd. The club will walk the Bressi Ranch trails, then celebrate the end of the school year at Peet's Coffee.
Date: Thursday, June 2nd
Time: 8:15 a.m.
Location: Meet at Peet's Coffee in Bressi Ranch
Parent Book Club Meeting on June 6th
The Book Club will be discussing Old Filth, by Jane Gardam at its next meeting. All parents are welcome to attend.
Date: Monday, June 6th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Pacific Ridge Library
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Boys Volleyball To Play for CIF Championship on Friday!
After cruising past Lutheran High School 3-0 in the semifinals, and defeating Classical Academy High 3-0 during Tuesday's quarterfinals, the Pacific Ridge Boys Varsity Volleyball team has earned a spot in Friday's CIF Championship game! The #1 seeded Firebirds will take on #2 seeded Sage Hill at 5:00 p.m. at Montgomery High School (3250 Palm Ave, San Diego, CA 92154). The Athletics Department has organized for a fan bus to take students (who have reserved a spot in advance) to and from the game, but we need your help to complete the Firebird cheering section! Come out and support these student-athletes for the final game of a truly impressive season! The CIF-mandated admission charge will be $12 for adults, and $8 for students and seniors.
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oohn-ha Bae '16 Competes in CIF Individual Playoffs
Congratulations to senior Joon-ha Bae on representing Pacific Ridge Tennis during last week's CIF Individual Playoffs. Bae has been a major contributor to the Firebird Boys Tennis program over the years, and his dedication, hard work, and leadership have been appreciated by his coaches and teammates.
18 Firebird Track Athletes Medal at Coastal Conference Finals
Congratulations to all the Pacific Ridge track and field athletes who competed in last week's Coastal Conference Finals. The girls team finished 1st place in the league, and the boys finished 4th. A total of 18 Firebirds medaled, and many set new personal records!
Girls Medalists: Oliva Carter, Gianna Bacher, Grace Hofer, Jordan Lee, Hannah Maerowitz, Lynlee Duck-Reynolds, Anna Bae, Akayla Shrivistava
Boys Medalists: Cole Hardin, Travis Headapohl, Kent Snodgrass, Adrian Chang, Lenny McCline, Gavin Conway, Carl Ash, Matthe Cheung, Jordan Derbas, Christopher Ong
Scores:
Boys Varsity Lacrosse
5/10/16 Rancho Bernardo (CIF First Round) 9 7 W
5/13/16 Santa Fe Christian Schools (CIF Quarterfinals) 7 10 L
Girls Varsity Lacrosse
5/10/16 Grossmont High School (CIF Quarterfinals) 8 9 L
Boys Varsity Volleyball
5/13/16 Lutheran High School (CIF Quarterfinals) 3 0 W
5/17/16 Classical Academy High (CIF Semifinals) 3 0 W
Girls Sand Volleyball
5/10/16 University City High School (Playoffs) 1 2 L
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'Eight of the Best Colleges' Event on May 19th
Prospective students and their parents are invited to attend informational meetings with representatives from Connecticut College, Grinnell, Claremont McKenna, Haverford, Kenyon, Macalester, Colorado College and Sarah Lawrence.
Date: Thursday, May 19th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Marriot Mission Valley, 8757 Rio San Diego Drive
'Exploring College Options' Event on May 22nd
San Diego families are invited to "Explore College Options" with five of the nation's leading universities: Duke, Georgetown, Harvard, UPenn and Stanford. Student/parent Information sessions will include brief presentations describing each institution; as well as up-to-date information about selection practices, financial aid, and other issues related to selective college admissions.
Date: Sunday, May 22nd
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Marriot Mission Valley, 8757 Rio San Diego Drive
Transition to College Tailgate & Improv on May 24th
 The Class of 2016 and parents are invited to celebrate the year's successes and look to the exciting year ahead by participating in the time-honored, college tradition of tailgating. In addition to a casual feast and lawn games, families will be entertained by the Pacific Ridge Improv team acting out a few humorous college transition scenarios. Date: Tuesday, May 24th Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Location: Community Hall and West Parking Lot
Camp College for the Class of 2017 on May 25th - 26th
Camp College is a mandatory and invaluable workshop designed to provide Pacific Ridge juniors with the information and materials needed to begin the college application process. Camp College will reconvene in late summer, when students will begin working on the Common Application.
Dates: Wednesday, May 25th and Thursday, May 26th
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Mullady Hall
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In a community that fosters academic excellence, ethical responsibility, and global engagement, Pacific Ridge School prepares students for college and a purposeful life.
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May 20th
Science Extravaganza
7 p.m.
Zombie Prom
7 p.m.
May 21st
Zombie Prom
2 p.m. & 7 p.m.
May 24th
Transition to College Tailgate and Improv
6 - 8 p.m.
May 25th
Camp College
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
May 26th
Camp College
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
June 2nd
Parent Walking Club
8:15 a.m.
June 6th
Parent Book Club
7 p.m.
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PRS Student Newspaper
Password: firebird
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