In This Issue - September 29, 2016
Snapshot from the 
Ridge


Each week, Pacific Ridge School invites you to enjoy a spontaneous view of school life.
Zooming In: Photography students use the campus as a backdrop for lessons in composition and natural light.

Bulletin Board
Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences in October
These informative and friendly conversations take place on October 10th, 13th, & 14th. Parents who filled out a preference survey will receive their session times via email on October 5th. Please contact Ms. Serafini with any questions: jserafini@pacificridge.org.

Upper School Movie & Taco Truck Night on September 30th
Upper school students are invited to feast on tacos and churros while feasting their eyes on a great movie: Now You See Me 2.
Date: Friday, September 30th
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Place: Pacific Ridge campus
Cost: Free!

Community Event! Tailgate Party & Volleyball Games
Don't miss our second Community Event of the year! Show up, snack big, and shout loud for our Firebirds as the Girls JV, Frosh, and Varsity Volleyball teams take on Tri-City Christian in a triple header. For a full list of Pacific Ridge Community Events you and your family can attend this school year, click here.
Date: Friday, October 7th
Time: Immediately after dismissal - JV and Frosh games start at 4:00 p.m.; Varsity game starts at 5:30 p.m.
Place: Right outside the Athletic Center

Fall Fest is on October 8th!
Mark your calendar for our annual Fall Fest celebration, where fun, games, food, & more support our students' service learning groups and clubs. Get ready for some new activities too!
Date: Saturday, October 8th
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Place: Pacific Ridge campus

E-Recycling Drive During Fall Fest on October 8th
Donate your old PCs and help make technology affordable for others! Bring your old PCs, or PC parts and components, to the Tech Team booth when you come to Fall Fest this year. The Tech Team will properly decommission your PCs by following stringent industry standard data-wiping protocols, then refurbish them so they end up in schools, nonprofits, government programs, and other eligible organizations. Thank you for your support!

Donate Your Used Cooking Oil to AES at Fall Fest!
Upper School Service Learning group Alternative Energy Sources (AES) is collecting waste oil to convert into a clean biodiesel product. Parents are encouraged to bring vegetable oil or peanut oil that has been used for cooking or that has expired to Fall Fest, where they can drop it off at the AES table. Thank you! 

Calling Pacific Ridge Parent Ambassadors
Learn how you can be an important part of admissions events. Contact Admissions Director Jean Nassif at jnassif@pacificridge.org if you are interested but can not attend.
Date: Friday, September 30th
Time: 8:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Place: Middle School/Administration Building Conference Room

Reminder: CSF Applications Due Tomorrow, September 30th
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. 

Educational Insights


Click here to read Dr. Ogle's latest blog post, on focus groups that met over the past week to imagine Pacific Ridge School's new library and multidisciplinary facility.
 
New & Noteworthy

Focus Groups Imagine Future "Library" at Pacific Ridge
What do you get when you combine a Robotics Lab with library stacks, group meeting rooms, relaxation areas, a gallery space, and a Design Lab? Currently, it is being called the "Multi-Disciplinary Innovation and Research Center," and last week, six different focus groups, comprising Middle and Upper School students, faculty, staff, and parents, met to brainstorm and design what the next planned campus building might look like. Led by Jim Oswald, a professional facilitator for Gensler Consulting, the groups literally laid out a first-floor plan, not only placing the givens (stairways, bathrooms) but making tough decisions about which kinds of spaces are musts and which are less critical. Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to the focus groups! Look for the next building update in November.


Deciding where the bio-tech lab should go


One of 25 completed plans!

The Ridge Report is Here!
The first issue of this year's Ridge Report, published by the Newspaper + Journalism club, is now available. Click here (password: firebird) to read about 2017 Global Programs, the Boys Water Polo teams, faculty reflections on 9/11, and more. You can access archived Ridge Reports by going to the Quick Links section at the bottom of the e-newsletter calendar sidebar.

Curricular Adventures

Word for Word: Examining Literary Translations
Dr. Smith's 11th- and 12th-grade World Literature class is reading Isabel Allende's Eva Luna, a fictional tale of an unnamed South American nation in the mid-20th century. They are looking at some passages in the original Spanish, as they consider the challenges of translation from one language into another, focusing primarily on the impact of word choice and syntax. What gets changed - and perhaps lost - in translation? Whose words are we reading: the author's or the translator's? Through the process, the students (not all of whom study Spanish) are gaining a finer appreciation for denotation and connotation and an understanding of how a translator's work affects the interpretation and reception of a text.

Service Learning in the Field

Middle School Students Create Partnership With La Posada
Students in the La Posada Service Learning group, new this year, are brainstorming ways to support La Posada de Guadalupe, a temporary housing and support facility for homeless men and farm workers in North County San Diego. Students have thus far toured the Carlsbad facility during day-time hours when residents are off-site, heard the stories of two men currently living there, and visited the affiliated thrift store in Vista. Together with Middle School Head Andy Wright, who leads the group, and La Posada Directors Lauren Pollick and Joaquin Blas, students will determine how best to support the goals of the shelter. Some ideas: helping to manage donations at the thrift shop and beautifying the facility during the holidays. La Posada received a permanent home in 2013, after 20 years in temporary buildings. Read about the new facility here.

 
A La Posada resident tells his story.

Class Notes

Katrina Ordway '20, a Broadcom MASTERS Semifinalist
Congratulations to ninth-grader Katrina Ordway, who is among 300 semifinalists nationwide in the 2016 Broadcom MASTERS, a premier science and engineering competition for middle school students. Katrina completed her research for her project, "Effects of Quercus engelmannii on Native vs. Invasive Plant Species," while a student at The Rhoades School. She distinguished herself among 6,000 applicants for the honor.
 
Parents Association 
  
The Parents Association Needs YOU for Fall Fest:
Volunteer: Bake sale, basket raffles, and a number of new, fun activities. Sign up here.
Baked Goods & Pop-Up Canopies: To volunteer to provide items for the Bake Sale or to lend a pop-up canopy, please email us: parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.

Succulent Donations: Donations will be collected 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. Thank you!

Parent Book Club Meeting Now OCTOBER 10TH
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, October 10th
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Place: Pacific Ridge School Library
Attention Freshman Parents!
The 9th-grade Parent Party is this Saturday, October 1st, beginning at 6:30 pm. Please RSVP to your eVite by Thursday, September 29th to let us know you are coming. See you Saturday!

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 sale will be at Fall Fest on October 8th.

Sports on the Ridge

Home Games, Week of October 3rd:
Schedules are subject to change. Please check 
Schedulestar regularly for the most accurate information.

10/1/16
7:45 p.m. Boys JV Ice Hockey vs. Edison @ Poway Ice Arena

10/3/16
3:15 p.m. Girls MS-A Volleybal vs. Tri-City Christian
4:15 p.m. Girls MS-B Volleyball vs. Tri-City Christian
5:15 p.m. Girls MS-Blue Volleyball vs. Tri-City Christian

10/4/16
3:30 p.m. Coed 8 Blue Flag Football vs. Horizon Prep
3:30 p.m. Girls Varsity Tennis vs. Francis Parker @ Bobby Riggs

10/5/16
3:00 p.m. Boys Junior Varsity Water Polo vs. Poway High School
3:30 p.m. Coed MS Cross Country @ Horizon Prep
3:30 p.m. Girls MS-A Volleyball vs. Horizon Prep
4:00 p.m. Boys Varsity Water Polo vs. Poway High School
4:00 p.m. Girls Junior Varsity Volleyball vs. Francis Parker
4:00 p.m. Girls Frosh Volleyball vs. Francis Parker
4:30 p.m. Girls MS-B Volleyball vs. Horizon Prep
5:15 p.m. Girls Varsity Volleyball vs. Francis Parker

10/6/16
3:30 p.m. Coed 8 Blue Flag Football vs. Army & Navy Academy
3:30 p.m. Girls Varsity Tennis vs. La Jolla Country Day
3:30 p.m. Girls MS-Blue Volleyball vs. San Diego Jewish Academy
4:30 p.m. Coed 7 Blue Flag Football vs. Tri-City Christian
4:30 p.m. Girls MS-White Volleyball vs. San Diego Jewish Academy

10/7/16
3:30 p.m. Boys Junior Varsity Water Polo vs. Santa Fe Christian
4:00 p.m. Girls Junior Varsity Volleyball vs. Tri-City Christian
4:00 p.m. Girls Frosh Volleyball vs. Tri-City Christian
4:30 p.m. Boys Varsity Water Polo vs. Santa Fe Christian
5:15 p.m. Girls Varsity Volleyball vs. Tri-City Christican

Another Great Week For Pacific Ridge Club Ice Hockey
The JV team put its undefeated record on the line against the Damien Spartans this past Saturday. Firebird Jayden Alton scored first on a breakaway pass from Blake Scrable and Pacific Ridge held the lead all game, locking in a 3-1 victory. Colton Marcy dominated in the net, stopping 14 of 15 shots, while Nick Showman and Jon Schlegel scored the second two goals for the Firebirds.

Last Saturday, the Varsity team faced off against Bishop Armat, who took an early two-goal lead until Cameron VanBrabrant scored late in the first. Pacific Ridge took a 4-3 lead late in the 3rd period, but Armat tied the game, forcing overtime. A costly penalty eventually led to the game winner, with Bishop Armat sneaking a puck through to end the game 5-4.

JV Volleyball Tournament Serves Up Great Competition & Fantastic Play
Pacific Ridge hosted another top-of-the-line tournament last weekend, when twelve JV teams from around the city converged on the Athletic Center for a 12-hour marathon of non-stop, competitive volleyball. A highlight for the Firebirds was beating La Jolla Country in a three set, knock-down, drag-out match heading into bracket play. Though the team came up short on the scoreboard in its final match, the players showed intensity and cohesiveness throughout the tournament. Go Firebirds!

 
Athletes of the Week
This week the Flock recognizes Firebirds Shelby Aguilar '18 and Riley Bender '21. Shelby's Girls Varsity Tennis teammates nominated her for her terrifically improved play and for competing in her first singles tennis match last week. Riley, a regular contributor to the Middle School Cross Country team's scores, put in a Flock-worthy performance in her last meet. Congratulations!



Scores:

Boys JV Hockey
9/24/16 Damien Spartans 3 1 W 

Boys Varsity Hockey
9/24/16 Bishop Armat 4 5 L 

Coed 7 Blue Flag Football
9/20/16 Tri-City Christian 29 6 W

Coed 8 Blue Flag Football
9/20/16 Maranatha Christian 20 2 W

Girls Varsity Tennis
9/13/16 Santa Fe Christian Schools 14 4 W

Boys Varsity Water Polo
9/22/16 Army & Navy Academy 13 12 W
9/23/16 Escondido High School 7 19 L

Boys Junior Varsity Water Polo
9/22/16 Army & Navy Academy 9 10 L
9/23/16 Escondido High School 1 5 L

Girls Varsity Volleyball
9/20/16 La Jolla Country Day School 1 3 L
9/22/16 The Bishop's School 1 3 L

Girls Junior Varsity Volleyball
9/20/16 La Jolla Country Day School 1 2 L
9/22/16 The Bishop's School 0 2 L
9/24/16 Girls JV Firebird Classic Tournament:
Oceanside High School 0-2 L
Fallbrook High School 0-2 L
La Jolla Country Day School 2-1 W
Steele Canyon High School 0-2 L

Girls Frosh Volleyball 
9/20/16 Escondido Charter 1 2 L
9/22/16 The Bishop's School 0 2 L

Beyond the Ridge

College Guidance "Key Conversation" on October 5th 
Open to all Pacific Ridge parents and recommended for students in grades 10-12, our talk will focus on what teenagers can learn from discussing the cost of education, making smart decisions about money, understanding interest rates, calculating the true cost of loans, good debt vs. bad debt, and more. Pacific Ridge math teacher Noureddine El Alam and College Guidance staff will lead the conversation and welcome your questions.
Date: Wednesday, October 5th
Time: 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Place: Community Hall

Financial Aid Forms and Formulas on October 5th 
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, and provide an overview of forms and calculators and the methodology behind them. Attendance sometime before junior year is strongly suggested.
Date: Wednesday, October 5th
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Place: East Reading Room 

College Representatives Are On Their Way:

Week of October 3rd
Pace University; Chapman University; Ursinus College; Trinity College; Southern Methodist University; Washington College; University of British Columbia; Duke University; St. Lawrence University; Regis University; New York University; St. Olaf College; Dominican University of California; University of Glasgow; Mills College; Southwestern University; University of Chicago; Hendrix College; University of San Francisco; Whittier College; University of Missouri Columbia; Salve Regina College; Texas Christian University; Northwestern University; Colgate University; Northwest Christian University

Week of October 10th
University of Southern California, Wagner College, Hobart & William Smith Colleges, Pitzer College, New School NYC, SUNY Albany, Whitman College, University of Puget Sound, Brown University, University of Maryland, Northeastern University, Fairfield University, Indiana University, Colorado College, UC San Diego, Lewis & Clark College, Drew University, Emmerson College, Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science & Art, Skidmore College, University of Miami

Regional Programs: 
Please visit the College Guidance page on PowerSchool/Haiku for campus programming notes and a complete list of upcoming regional info sessions.
 
Purdue University
Date: Sunday, October 2nd
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Place: Courtyard San Diego Central, 8651 Spectrum Center Blvd, San Diego
Click here to register.

Johns Hopkins University
Date: Sunday, October 2nd
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Marriott Mission Valley, Cabrillo Salon, 8757 Rio San Diego Dr., San Diego
Click here to register.

Duke University
Date: Wednesday, October 5th 
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: High Tech High; 2855 Farragut Rd., San Diego 
Click here to register.

New Faculty & Staff Snapshot


Hannah Macquarrie - English

Favorite/Most recent book? Crush, by Richard Siken
Favorite movie? Tommy Boy - She's seen it about a hundred times and it never gets old!
Favorite sport? Soccer or lacrosse (to play); Football (to watch)
Greatest indulgence? Dark chocolate and reality T.V., usually enjoyed together!
If you make her breakfast? She's a classic two eggs with sausage and home fries type of lady, although she'd never turn down great Huevos Rancheros
In her free time? Going to the beach, reading/writing poetry, running
Dream Vacation? Almafi Coast in Italy
Home Town? North Hampton, NH


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

Upper School 
Movie Night
6 - 9 p.m. 

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

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

October 7th
PRS Community Event
Tailgate Party and Volleyball Games
3 p.m.

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

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

Parent Book Club
7:30- 9 p.m. 

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

October 14th
NO SCHOOL
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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