In This Issue - September 15, 2016
Snapshot from the 
Ridge


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

We've got spirit, how 'bout you? Firebird fans packed the bleachers 
Friday during a Girls Volleyball triple-header!  

Bulletin Board

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 lobrien@pacificridge.org.
Date: Saturday, September 24th
Time: 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. (breakfast provided!)
Place: Pacific Ridge School East Reading Room
Be a Parent Ambassador During Admissions Season
We are looking for parents of current students and alumni to help families learn about Pacific Ridge during admissions events. Come to a Parent Ambassador meeting on September 30th for an overview of the admissions process and to learn how you can be an important part of admissions events. If you are unable to attend the meeting but are still interested in serving as an ambassador, please contact Jean Nassif at jnassif@pacificridge.org.
Date: Tuesday, September 30th
Time: 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Place: Middle School/Administration Building Conference Room

Schedule of Event Calendar
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.
Student Performers Needed for Fall Fest!
One of the highlights of Fall Fest is always the live performance stage. Comedians, musicians, actors, magicians, lip syncers, actors, jugglers, dancers, singers, storytellers, and all other types of performers are welcome! Students who would like to perform at Fall Fest are encouraged to check their email for a Google form sign-up sheet, or contact Mr. Dziekonski at sdziekonski@pacificridge.org.

Reminder: California Scholarship Federation Deadlines
Attention juniors and seniors: Applications for the California Scholarship Federation for Trimester 3 of the last school year (2015-16) are due by September 30th. Please return your forms to Ms. Serafini at the reception desk in Mullady Hall. Parents of sophomores, juniors and seniors, please check your email for more information about CSF requirements and deadlines.

Parent Volunteers Needed for Senior Class Events
Are you interested in helping to organize the 100-Day Dinner and Grad Night? The Committee for Senior Class Events needs additional volunteers. Please contact Monna Radulovich for more information.

The After-School Extension Program Starts Next Week!
Last chance to sign up! 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. 

Educational Insights


Click here to read Dr. Ogle's blog post about the recent Civil Discourse event at Pacific Ridge.



New & Noteworthy


Practicing Civil Discourse in a School Community
On Thursday, September 8th, over 200 Pacific Ridge parents gathered in the Athletic Center to talk about the nature of difficult conversations and how to help our students gain the skills to successfully navigate them. After an introduction by Dr. Ogle, attendees, seated in circles of ten, discussed common obstacles to constructive dialogue and why so many go wrong. Common themes were shared with the room before the parent groups then discussed the qualities and actions that lead to successful dialogue. The event provided food for thought that we hope parents will take home to discuss with their children. During this challenging election period, the entire Pacific Ridge community will be encouraging students to learn and think deeply about the issues that face our nation and to debate ideas respectfully and constructively. 

Nick Allman '11 Speaks About Serving as a Political Delegate
Last week, Pacific Ridge alumnus Nick Allman stopped by campus to share his experience as a 2016 GOP National Convention Delegate. During Thursday's Community Life, Nick gave a brief history of the convention and the process of attending as a delegate. He explained how his youth and a bit of clever strategizing earned him a spot in the Texas delegation, then revealed some "behind-the-scenes" stories about parts of the convention that didn't make the news. However, Nick himself earned national news coverage several times during his four days in Cleveland. He was in the spotlight for successfully organizing a Republican National Convention Youth Caucus and for giving several interviews about the GOP millennial perspective on social issues. Nick also stopped by several American History classes to answer questions and encourage students to get involved in the political process.  



Firebirds Flock to Community BBQ, Home Volleyball Games 
On Friday, September 9th, students, faculty, family and friends gathered for the annual Pacific Ridge community BBQ. Familiar faces staffed the grill, doling out burgers and hot dogs to the hungry masses who worked up an appetite participating in an inflatable obstacle course, Sumo Suit wrestling, and more. After everyone had their fill of food and outdoor activities, the party moved to the Athletic Center, where a rousing home crowd helped cheer the Girls Volleyball teams on to victory! 




Service Learning In The Field
 
Global Travel Group Gives Back, With Help From Crocs, Inc. 
During last year's Global Travel trip to Ladakh, India, students stayed at the Lingshed Area Residential Hostel in Leh. Fellow hostel inhabitants included 105 children, some as young as seven, living away from family eleven months of the year in order to seek educational opportunities unavailable in the remote Himalayan Villages they call home. Our students noticed that the children wore Crocs for everything from playing soccer to completing chores, and that most were worn out or the wrong size. Upon returning home, the group sent a letter to Crocs asking for a donation, and the company responded by sending 115 pairs of shoes - enough for the entire hostel and its staff. The hostel, which is supported solely through private donations, is in danger of having to close in December when funds run out. Students have launched a Generosity.com fundraiser to keep the hostel open.    



Parents Association 
 
Fall Fest Is Coming Soon! Saturday, October 8th
We invite all students, staff and families to attend Fall Fest this year! Activities will include the renowned Parents Association bake sale, music and entertainment, food & drink options, basket raffles, the ever-popular living succulent pumpkin centerpiece sale, uniform sale, three-on-three basketball tournament and more! Parent volunteers can sign up here.
Date: Saturday, October 8th
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

Last Call to Join Supper Club!
Interested in connecting with fellow Pacific Ridge parents for good food and great 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

Succulent Donations Needed for Fall Fest
The Senior Events Committee is looking for donations of ornamental succulents for the Fall Fest pumpkin succulent sale. All proceeds from the sale will go toward expenses for Senior Grad Night. Succulent donations will be collected Thursday, September 22nd through Friday, September 30th, and can be dropped off at the reception desk in the Middle School Building (tall grocery paper bags filled to the top are the ideal size to carry - we will accept all quantities). Questions? Please contact the Parents Association. Your help and generosity are much appreciated!

Save The Date! Grade-Level Parent Parties
Grade-level parties are a great opportunity to meet and get to know other parents in your child's grade. If you are willing to host a party at your home, please contact the Parents Association. More detailed email invitations will be sent out soon. Until then, please mark your calendar for the following dates:
7th Grade: Sunday, September 25th, early evening
8th Grade: Still looking for a host
9th Grade: Sunday, October 2nd early evening
10th Grade: Still looking for a host
11th Grade: Sunday, October 23rd, early evening
12th Grade: Planned for mid/late January

SCREENAGERS Movie Discussion Group?
Following the successful screening of the movie SCREENAGERS (sponsored by WeCare), we are considering hosting a discussion group at Pacific Ridge. Contact the Parents Association by Friday, September 16th if you are interested in participating. 

Used Uniforms: Drop Off at the Main Office
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.

Sports on the Ridge

Home Games, Week of September 19th
Schedules are subject to change. Please check 
Schedulestar regularly for the most accurate information.

9/20/16
3:30 p.m. - 8th-Grade Flag Football vs. Maranatha Christian 
4:00 p.m. - Girls JV Volleyball vs. La Jolla Country Day
4:30 p.m. - Coed 7th-Grade Flag Football vs. Tri-City Christian
5:15 p.m. - Girls Varsity Volleyball vs. La Jolla Country Day 


 


Athletes of the Week
The Flock, a new Upper School club, is devoted to promoting school spirit and Firebird athletics. Each week the group will highlight an athlete or athletes for their contributions on or off the field or court. This week, the group recognizes Ollie McClymonds '17, who has has scored 11 goals in the Boy's Varsity Water Polo team's first three games, and Kimberly Cheung '20, who placed third overall in her first high school Cross Country race against a field of 150 runners. The Flock would also like to recognize Corinne Gardner '21. Although Middle School sports did not start until this week, coaches selected Corinne for her work ethic and positive attitude.


Scores:

Coed Varsity Cross Country
9/10/16 Bronco Roundup Invitational 
Top Girls Finishers - Kimberly Cheung, placed 3rd of 87 runners; Lynlee Duck-Reynolds, placed 5th of 87 runners
Top Boys Finishers - Jake Arft-Guatelli, placed 16th of 96 runners 

Girls Varsity Tennis
9/6/16 La Jolla High School 7 11 L
9/8/16 Classical Academy High 12 6 W

Boys Varsity Water Polo
9/9/16 Mission Hills High School 10 11 L 

Boys Junior Varsity Water Polo
9/9/16 Mission Hills High School 9 4 W 

Girls Varsity Volleyball
9/7/16 Temecula Valley 0 2 L 
9/9/16 San Pasqual High School 2 0 W 

Girls Junior Varsity Volleyball
9/7/16 Temecula Valley 0 2 L
9/9/16 San Pasqual High School 2 0 W

Girls Frosh Volleyball 
9/7/16 Temecula Valley 0 2 L
9/9/16 San Pasqual High School 0 2 L 

Beyond the Ridge

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.
Place: 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.
Place: East Reading Room 

CSU/UC Application Workshop for Seniors
On October 14th, a page-by-page CSU application review will be followed by a detailed Q&A session to wrap up details of the UC application. Seniors not using the fall break weekend to travel are encouraged to attend this application workshop, as are seniors who have finished with the UC/CSU application work and want to work on college applications. Breakfast snacks/juice will be served.
Date: Friday, October 14th
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Place: East Reading Room

College Representatives Are On Their Way:

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

Week of September 26th
American University; Carleton College; Emmanuel College; Fordham University - Lincoln Center Campus/Rose Hill Campus; Gettysburg College; Haverford College; Johns Hopkins University; Johnson & Wales University (Providence); Lesley University; Long Island University, Post; Loyola Marymount University; Suffolk University; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; The University of Arizona; University of Richmond 

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.
Place: Courtyard Marriott Downtown; 530 Broadway Street, San Diego 
Click here to register.

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.
Place: High Tech High Forum; 2150 Cushing Rd., San Diego
Click here to register.

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.
Place: 6501 Linda Vista Rd, San Diego
Click here to register.

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.
Place: 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.
Place: High Tech High; 2855 Farragut Rd., San Diego 
Click here to register.

Faculty News


Ms. DeHaven Makes a Splash at Labor Day Pier Swim
Congratulations to math teacher Christine DeHaven, who placed second in her age group at the 87th Annual Labor Day Pier Swim in Oceanside. Ms. DeHaven took advantage of relatively calm surf to speed through the mile-long course around the Oceanside Municipal Pier - one of the West Coast's longest piers - ending with a mad dash along the beach to the finish line for a time of 20 minutes, 24 seconds. The event, organized by the Oceanside Swim Club, raises funds to support swim instruction for children ages five to eighteen.

New Faculty & Staff Snapshot


Alexa McElroy - Spanish

Favorite book? Infinite Divisions: An Anthology of Chicana Literature, by Tey Diana Rebolledo and Eliana S. Rivero
Favorite movie? The Sound of Music
Favorite sport? Soccer
Greatest indulgence? "Any time at all spent with dogs - I love them!"
If you make her breakfast? 
Eggs Benedict and Vietnamese Iced Coffee
In her free time? listens to music, hikes, and watches the Food Network
Home town? Capistrano Beach, CA


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

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 24th
Science Olympiad Information Meeting
9 - 11 a.m.

September 26th
Parent Book Club
7 - 9 p.m. 

September 30th
Parent Ambassador Information Meeting 
8 - 9:30 a.m.

Upper School 
Social Event

October 5th
College Guidance 
Key Conversation
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Financial Aid Forms 
and Formulas
6 - 7:30 p.m. 

October 8th
Fall Fest
11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

October 10th
Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences
4 - 7 p.m. 

October 13th
Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences
4:50 - 8:15 p.m.

October 14th
Parent/Student/Teacher
Conferences
8:20 - 11:55 a.m.

UC/CSU Workshop
8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

October 17th
NO SCHOOL 
Staff Day 

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