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In This Issue - September 8, 2016
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Each week, Pacific Ridge School invites you to enjoy a spontaneous view of school life.
All Creatures Great and Small: Students marvel over the Firebird Research Institute's crawling critters at the Clubs & Service Learning Fair.
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Be a BBQ Enthusiast and Firebird Fan Tomorrow!
 Pacific Ridge parents, faculty and friends are invited to get in the Firebird spirit on Friday, September 9th with a Community BBQ and Girls Varsity Volleyball home games. Come grab a snack and socialize, then head to the gym to cheer our student-athletes on to victory! Date: Friday, September 9th Time: BBQ, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.; games 4:00 p.m. (JV and Frosh) & 5:15 p.m. (Varsity) Parking: Parking may be limited - please carpool if possible!
Blood Drive on September 15th
The San Diego Blood Bank will be conducting a blood drive at Pacific Ridge on September 15th. Want to help someone in need by donating blood? Appointments can be scheduled by visiting the San Diego Blood Bank. Click on Donate Blood, select Make an Appointment, and enter our sponsor code: PARS. Walk-ins are always welcome!
Date: Thursday, September 15th
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Athletic Center
Picture Day is on September 20th
Back-to-School Night on September 22nd
Come prepared to meet Pacific Ridge teachers and have a mini-experience of your child's day at school. Bring along any questions you may have!
Date: Thursday, September 22nd
Time: Program starts promptly at 6:30 p.m.
Place: Athletic Center
Mark Your Calendars for September Social Events
Please save the date(s) for this month's Middle and Upper School on-campus Social Events. Check next week's e-newsletter for more information on activities, cost, and more.
Middle School Event: Friday, September 23rd; 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Upper School Event: Friday, September 30th; time TBD
Science Olympiad Information Meeting on September 24th
Students and parents are invited to attend an informational meeting about this year's Science Olympiad program. New students and parents are especially welcome! Come learn how you can be a part of the highly successful Pacific Ridge team. Visit the Science Olympiad website for more information about this national non-profit organization dedicated to promoting interest in science. Curious about Pacific Ridge's student teams or interested in volunteering as a coach? Contact Science Olympiad coordinator Liz O'Brien at [email protected].
Date: Saturday, September 24th
Time: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. (breakfast provided!)
Place: Pacific Ridge School East Reading Room
Date Change for Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences
Please note in your calendars these updated dates for Parent/Student/Teacher conferences. In late September, parents will receive a survey via email to select specific conference times.
Monday, October 10th: 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, October 13th: 4:50 - 8:15 p.m.
Friday, October 14th: 8:20 - 11:55 a.m.
The After-School Extension Program Starts September 19th!
The fall After-school Extension Program runs from mid-September through mid-November, and courses are open to both Pacific Ridge students and students from the larger community. Offerings include: HoloLens 101: Introduction to Mixed-Reality Programming, Animation Studio, Design & Build: Woodworking, Ceramics Studio, Guitar Lessons, Piano Lessons, Voice Lessons and Band Instrument Lessons. Click here for more information and to register.
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Voices From The Ridge: Click here to read a post by physics teacher Brooks Park about the Conceptual Physics class's adventures in space!
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First Day Festivities Help Kick off 2016-17 School Year!
On August 31st, Pacific Ridge students and faculty gathered to celebrate the beginning of the new school year. Seventh-grade students were the last to be seated, allowing them to enter the Athletic Center to roaring applause from their new community. After welcoming remarks from Dr. Ogle and All-School President Amanda Mickelson, Grade-level Deans, Division Heads, and new faculty/staff introduced themselves. From there, it was all fun and games as volunteers from each grade faced off in a number of silly competitions for the ultimate prize: a jeans day! In keeping with Pacific Ridge tradition, a strike of the gong signaled the official start of a new academic year, and students headed, anxiously and eagerly, to their first classes.
Thank you to this year's student council members who met
during the summer to plan the Opening Day fun!
There was plenty of laugher and cotton ball chaos during a
"Minute to Win It"-style game.
The competition was heated during a grade vs. grade "blanket race"!
11th & 12th-Grade Year-End Trips Announced 
At the Global Programs Expo on September 6th, enthusiastic juniors, seniors and their parents learned about the this year's initial school-led trip offerings to 20 destinations on six different continents. Detailed information about the trips can be found on the PowerSchool/Haiku Global Travel page, under the "11th/12th-Grade Trips" tab. This year's proposed trips include:
- A student-designed camping adventure in the American Southwest
- Tropical reef ecology and scientific field research in Australia
- An exploration of innovation and entrepreneurship in Austin, Texas
- Spanish language immersion and cultural excursions in Barcelona
- Scuba certification and marine conservation on Santa Catalina Island
- Astounding astronomy and diverse ecosystems in Chile
- Tropical rainforest ecology and conservation in Costa Rica
- A journey into the rich culture and history of Cuba
- Wilderness First Responder training and expedition skills in the Eastern Sierras
- The rhythm of Ramadan and rural vs. city culture in Morocco
- Sustainable agriculture and community development in Nicaragua
- French language immersion and world-class museums in Quebec City
- Theater shows and workshops with industry professionals in New York City
- A visual journey through the artistic evolution and photographic history of Southern France
- Wilderness First Aid and ecosystem restoration on the Santa Cruz Islands
- Discussions with survivors of natural disasters and human rights violations; a glimpse into Buddhism, and ancient ruins in Thailand
- Filmmaking and documenting untold stories from the refugee crisis in Greece
- Cultural immersion and exploring the transformative power of education in rural India
- Cross-cultural interactions and incredible landscapes in Taiwan and Hong Kong
- Living alongside locals and contemplating human rights, social justice and international development in Senegal
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Service Learning In The Field
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Arc of San Diego Pays a Visit On Tuesday, September 6th, students in Middle School Service Learning hosted several friends from the Arc of San Diego for a morning of art projects and field games. Wanda Costello, Program Manager of the non-residential facility for developmentally challenged adults, spoke to the students, explaining the organization's mission and how it serves an important function in the local community. Pacific Ridge 7th and 8th graders visit Arc as part of their Service Learning rotation, sharing activities and building relationships with Arc's consumers each week.
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"Screenagers" Film Screening on September 12th
WeCare, the San Diego independent school parent consortium, presents the documentary "Screenagers" on Monday, September 12th at La Jolla Country Day School. Through poignant and unexpectedly funny stories - along with surprising insights from authors, psychologists and brain scientists - "Screenagers" reveals how tech time impacts students' development and offers solutions for adults seeking to empower students to best navigate the digital world.
Date: Monday, September 12th
Time: Doors open at 6:00 p.m., movie starts at 7:00 p.m.
Location: La Jolla Country Day School (Four Flowers Theatre): 9490 Genesee Ave, La Jolla
Tickets: $10; limited availability; purchase here
Parent Walking Club Meets on September 14th
 Join fellow parents for good conversation and exercise! Date: Wednesday, September 14th Time: Please meet at 8:15 a.m. The walk begins at 8:30 a.m. and will last 60-90 minutes. Location: Peet's Coffee in Bressi Ranch
Parents Association General Meeting on September 15th All are welcome to attend the fall Parents Association General Meeting/Coffee on September 15th. Hear from Dr. Ogle about plans being made for the year ahead, meet new faculty and staff members, and learn more about upcoming Parents Association activities. Please RSVP by September 13th to [email protected]. Date: Thursday, September 15th Time: 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. Location: Community Hall
Sign Up for Supper Club by September 19th
Interested in connecting with fellow Pacific Ridge parents for good food and good conversation? The Supper Club offers parents the opportunity to enjoy a meal with a group of Pacific Ridge parents who have children in the same grade and live in the same area. Click here to sign up before the Monday, September 19th deadline.
Parent Book Club Meeting on September 26th  The Pacific Ridge Parent Book Club will meet to discuss The Bad-Ass Librarians of Timbuktu: And Their Race to Save the World's Most Precious Manuscripts, by Joshua Hammer. The Book Club is open to all Pacific Ridge parents. Date: Monday, September 26th Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Place: Pacific Ridge School Library
Save The Date for an Afternoon of Family Fun at Fall Fest!
 Families are encouraged to mark their calendars now for one of Pacific Ridge's favorite events! Fall Fest is a once-a-year opportunity for students to promote and raise money for their service learning groups and clubs, as well as to showcase various music, performing and studio arts, and athletics activities. This year's event will include the renowned Parents Association bake sale, food, entertainment, raffles, the ever-popular living succulent pumpkin centerpieces (sold to raise money for Grad night and other senior events), and so much more! If you are interested in volunteering at this year's event, please sign up here.
Date: Saturday, October 8th
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Learn More About PA Volunteer Opportunities
Want to learn more about the volunteer opportunities available through the Parents Association? Click here to lend your time and talents to the Gingerbread Breakfast, Teacher/Staff Appreciation Lunch, Senior Events, Athletic Events, and more!
Used Uniforms Needed Has your child outgrown his/her school uniform over the summer? Has a sudden growth spurt made a uniform purchase not fit quite right? The Parents Association collects gently used uniforms year round! Donations can be dropped off at the main reception desk in the Middle School/Administration building on any school day. The next used uniform sale will be at Fall Fest on October 8th.
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Pacific Ridge Hockey Impresses at Labor Day Tournament
Congratulations to the Pacific Ridge Boys Varsity and JV teams on an impressive showing at the 5th annual Labor Day Hockey Festival in Orange County. The teams finished the weekend with a combined 6-1-2 record. The Varsity team got off to a slow start with a tie and a loss in the first two games, but bounced back with two big wins to finish the weekend in third place. The JV team quickly found its rhythm - despite having played only one game together prior to the tournament - and posted one tie and three wins on the way to a tournament championship victory! According to Coaches Trevino and Richter, both teams demonstrated grit, speed, skill, and physicality that hint at a very bright future for Pacific Ridge Hockey.
The Pacific Ridge JV Hockey Club celebrates its first championship win!
Home Games, Week of September 12th
Schedules are subject to change. Please check
9/14/16
3:30 p.m. Girls MS 'A' Volleyball vs. Rancho Santa Fe
3:30 p.m. Girls MS 'Blue' Volleyball vs. Rancho Santa Fe
4:30 p.m. Girls MS 'B' Volleyball vs. Rancho Santa Fe
4:30 p.m. Girls MS 'White' Volleyball vs. Rancho Santa Fe
9/16/16
3:30 p.m. Boys JV Water Polo vs. Olympian
4:30 p.m. Boys Varsity Water Polo vs. Olympian
Girls Varsity Tennis
8/30/16 Ramona High School 17 1 W
9/1/16 Poway High School 6 12 L
Boys Varsity Water Polo
8/31/16 San Dieguito Academy 8 21 L
9/2/16 High Tech High - San Diego 15 7 W
Boys JV Water Polo
8/31/16 San Dieguito Academy 5 12 L
9/2/16 High Tech High - San Diego 10 6 W
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Visual Arts Portfolio Advice on September 15th
Aspiring artists and design-minded students in grades 9-12 are encouraged to bring lunch and art samples to Community Hall on September 15th to learn more about how the Visual Arts portfolio is considered in the college admissions process. Admission representative Maggie Conduit, from the Pacific NW College of Art in Portland, will provide an overview of what the strongest digital portfolios contain, how they are reviewed, and offer advice on how artistic students can identify the programs best suited to their interests and goals.
Date: Thursday, September 15th
Time: Lunch
Location: Community Hall
College Guidance "Key Conversation" on October 5th
This optional, one-hour session (the first of three Key Conversations College Guidance will host this year) is open to all Pacific Ridge families and students in grades 10-12, and will focus on what teenagers can learn from talking about money, interest rates, calculating the true cost of loans, good debt vs. bad debt, and more. Pacific Ridge's Advanced Mathematical Finance teacher Noureddine El Alam and College Guidance staff will lead an informative conversation framed by The Opposite of Spoiled--Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart about Money, by Ron Lieber and Million Dollar Scholar, by Derrius Quarles.
Date: Wednesday, October 5th
Time: 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Community Hall
Financial Aid Forms and Formulas on October 5th
College Guidance's annual Financial Aid Forms & Formulas program provides an overview of federal and institutional methodology, and introduces families to the Net Price Calculator tool. The presentation will include a clear review of what the "Prior-Prior Year" policy being introduced in the current admission cycle means for families in terms of financial aid packaging and informed decision-making. This program is open to all Pacific Ridge families, and strongly suggested for juniors, seniors and parents.
Date: Wednesday, October 5th
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: East Reading Room
College Representatives Are On Their Way:
Week of September 12th
Bard College; Boston College; Bucknell University; Claremont McKenna College; Davidson College; Elon University; Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, Los Angeles; Franklin University of Switzerland; Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering; Lafayette College; Linfield College; Marist College; Nova Southeastern University; Pacific Northwest College of Art; San Diego State University; Tulane University; University of California, Santa Barbara; University of Denver; University of Massachusetts, Lowell; Wesleyan University
Week of September 19th
Columbia University; Drexel University; Grinnell College; Harvey Mudd College; Loyola University Chicago; Oregon State University; San Diego Christian College; Seattle University; Syracuse University; Tufts University; University of Colorado at Boulder; University of Connecticut; University of Redlands; Villanova University; Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Regional Programs:
Please visit the College Guidance page on PowerSchool/Haiku for campus programming notes and a complete list of upcoming regional info sessions.
United Kingdom University College Fair on September 17th
A "Why Study in the UK" session, running from 12:15 - 1:00 p.m., addresses the advantages of studying in England. Six universities -- Bristol, Durham, Newcastle, Southampton, Warwick, and York - will be present at the College Fair, where you will be able to speak with the universities individually and collect promotional materials.
Date: Saturday, September 17th
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Location: Courtyard Marriott Downtown; 530 Broadway Street, San Diego
Stanford University on September 25th
Learn about campus life, the application process and financial aid at Stanford. The program will include a presentation by an admission officer and a panel of local alumni.
Date: Sunday, September 25th
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Location: High Tech High Forum; 2150 Cushing Rd., San Diego
Experience Penn on September 26th
This program will feature a panel of recent graduates and interactive discussions about the opportunities at the University of Pennsylvania and beyond.
Date: Monday, September 26th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: 6501 Linda Vista Rd, San Diego
MIT Regional Info Session on September 29th
MIT admissions officers will give a presentation on academics, campus life, financial aid, and applying to MIT. Prospective students and parents will be able to participate in a Q&A session with admissions officers and alumni at the close of the program.
Date: Thursday, September 29th
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Qualcomm; Bldg Q Auditorium; 6455 Lusk Blvd., San Diego
No R.S.V.P Required
Discover Duke on October 5th
Duke admissions officers will present info and answer questions about the university, admission process, and financial aid.
Date: Wednesday, October 5th
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: High Tech High; 2855 Farragut Rd., San Diego
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Katie O'Laughlin' 14 CCAA Player of the Week
Congratulations to Katie O'Laughlin '14, who was just named California Collegiate Athletic Association's women's soccer player of the week. Katie, a striker for the University of California San Diego Tritons, launched her season with a hat trick in the team's 5-0 decisive opener against Azusa Pacific on September 1st. She followed that performance with an explosive first goal in the Triton's 2-0 win over Point Loma Nazarene on September 6th. Click here for a quick interview with the former Firebird.
Photo by Andy Wilhelm
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| New Faculty & Staff Snapshot |
Paul Reinke - Math
Favorite or most recent book? The Science of Good Cooking (Cook's Illustrated Cookbooks)
Favorite movie? The Princess Bride
Favorite sport? Football
Greatest indulgence? Creating his home gym
If you make him breakfast? The John Wayne Breakfast a la L.A./ South Bay diner-style
In his free time? "many ...ing's: reading, running, biking, cooking, singing, work-outing"
Dream vacation? Greece or Monaco, or anywhere with his wife
Home town? Concordia, MO
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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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September 8th
New Parent Reception
5 - 6 p.m.
Parent Conversation on Civil Discourse
6:15 - 7:15 p.m.
8th/10th/11th-Grade Parent Information Nights
7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
September 9th
Community BBQ
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
September 14th
Parent Walking Club
8:15 a.m.
September 15th
Parents Association General Meeting
8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Blood Drive
8 a.m. - 1:30p.m.
September 20th
Picture Day
September 22nd
Back-to-School Night
6:30 p.m.
September 23rd
Middle School
Social Event
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
September 26th
Parent Book Club
7 - 9 p.m.
September 30th
Upper School
Social Event
October 8th
Fall Fest
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
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PRS Student Newspaper
Password: firebird
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