In This Issue - October 13th, 2016
Snapshot from the 
Ridge


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

Student Mock Election week at Pacific Ridge

Bulletin Board
No School on October 14th and 17th
Due to Parent-Student-Teacher conferences and a staff day.



Admissions Open House on October 29th
The first Admissions Open House of the year is on Saturday, October 29, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., with presentations followed by campus tours. To RSVP, you can click here or contact Admissions Assistant Jennifer Contreras at jcontreras@pacificridge.org or 760-448-9841. Click here to learn more about the application process. 
Amnesty International USA Reception on October 27th
Parents, teachers and staff are invited to conversation and hors d'oeuvres on October 27 with Margaret Huang, the Executive Director of Amnesty International USA. Ms. Huang has been advancing human rights and racial justice for more than two decades. She will be speaking to students during Community Life earlier in the day. 
Date: Thursday, October 27th
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Place: The home of Eric & Laura Michelsen
RSVP: by October 23rd to Tracey Kardash, Director of Development AIUSA, TKARDASH@AIUSA.ORG or 213-417-2061
Upper School Halloween Dance on October 28th
Come show off your spooky moves!
Date: Friday, October 28th
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Place: Pacific Ridge School campus

Middle School Halloween Dance on October 29th
A costume competition, fall-themed activities and snacks to boot! 
Date: Saturday, October 29th
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Place: Pacific Ridge School campus

New & Noteworthy

Middle School Buildings Receive AIA Award for Design
Pacific Ridge School recently received a merit award from the American Institute of Architects, Orange County, for the Middle School and Arts & Technology buildings. Among the jury's notes: outstanding light quality, fluid connection to surroundings and envelope-pushing school design. Click here for details.


Fall Fest Celebrates Season and Service 
On October 10, Pacific Ridge families gathered to celebrate the changing seasons and support student service learning groups and clubs. Attendees enjoyed student entertainment, cheered for contestants at the faculty dunk tank, munched on sweets at the bake sale and perused the silent auction; all while learning about, and contributing to, worthwhile causes. Thank you to all of the hard-working volunteers, students and staff who make Fall Fest a cherished community event.

Sincere thanks go to the following community donors:



Learning about student-run Service Learning projects


Dr. Smith takes the plunge!


The entertainment stage was rocking all day long.

For more photos, head to our Facebook gallery.

Curricular Adventures

8th Graders Connect La Posada to Of Mice and Men
This week, eighth graders visited La Posada de Guadalupe, a Carlsbad migrant and homeless shelter, as a way to contextualize John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men. Students wrote notes for the residents which were translated into Spanish by Sr. Burman's AP Spanish class, donated sunscreen, and later wrote creative descriptions of La Posada using Steinbeck's narrative style. Congratulations to Jackson Schalow, whose essay was the prize winner. An excerpt:

"Leather jackets and cowboy hats worn from season to season line neatly up on a single hanger just beside the top right bunk. Their faded pillows and blown out shoes remind them of the long, debilitating, and arduous hours on the fields. The money earned [is] carefully stored, each dollar being savored and carefully planned to find its way into the hands of a loved one. A silver-plated wrist watch hidden in between the covers and the pillows seems to slow down time every second."


 Students learn more about the migrant experience at La Posada.

Advertising Campaigns Dissected in Theory of Knowledge
Super Bowl ads can have their place in education. Havas Edge CEO and Chairman of the Pacific Ridge School Board of Trustees Steve Netzley spoke with students in Mr. Decrop's Theory of Knowledge class about the concepts behind direct marketing. He and the class analyzed both successful and unsuccessful advertising campaigns, including some famous Super Bowl spots.

 
Service Learning in the Field

Global Vantage Begins Article of the Month
Upper School Service Learning group Global Vantage publishes an annual magazine of the same name. Soliciting articles from writers worldwide, the group connects communities through storytelling and images. New this year from Global Vantage are online monthly articles. The inaugural article, "Babies are Breathing Better" by U.S. Navy Cmdr. Natalie Burman, describes the challenges of providing infant care in rural settings and the important role that breathing kits can play in newborn resuscitation. Global Vantage is proud to have donated five breathing kits to a hospital in Arawa, Papua New Guinea, as its 2016 social action project.


Cmdr. Burman demonstrates infant respiratory care.

Balance Bikes donated to Leo Carrillo Elementary School
Students in the Leadership rotation of the 9th grade service learning program excited Kindergartners at Leo Carrillo Elementary School October 11 when they dropped off balance bikes. Students worked in teams to build and decorate the bikes, which help the young kids with balance and coordination.

 
 
Class Notes

Seniors Commended in National Merit Scholarship Program
Of the more than 1.6 million juniors who took the Preliminary SAT and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test last October, six Pacific Ridge seniors were identified among the 50,000 highest scorers in the nation. Dana Carney, Stefano Colmignoli, Jonah Gercke, Hannah Lange, Anderson Lee and Elena Scott all received commendation for their achievement. These students join five seniors who were awarded semi-finalist status.



ImpACT on Stage Gives Students Tools to Neutralize Bullying
Not all bullies are straight out of an '80s movie as an ImpACT on Stage actor pointed out. On October 6 the non-profit group spoke with 8th graders about issues such as cyber-bullying, body-image, economic discrimination and racial stereotyping. Each performance showed that bullying isn't always obvious and gave students concrete tools for resolving situations safely and peacefully.
 
Parents Association 

Save The Date! NY Times Author Ron Leiber To Speak
Ron Lieber is the best-selling author of The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money, an instant New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller when it was released in 2015. Sponsored by WeCare, this local evening event is free and open to the whole Pacific Ridge community. 
Date: Monday, November 14th
Time: 7:00 lecture
Place: The Bishop's School, 7607 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla

Upcoming October Parent Parties!
Be sure to check your email accounts for these upcoming party eVites. Take advantage of a relaxing social event to meet new parents and reconnect with those you know.
8th Grade: Planned for Friday, October 28th
10th Grade: Saturday, October 22nd starting at 6:30 p.m.
11th Grade: Sunday, October 23rd, 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Participate in the Oceanside Turkey Trot!
This Thanksgiving, Pacific Ridge School families will have the chance to get some exercise in before the Thanksgiving meal while benefitting the Parents Association. Participants can run or walk in the 5K or the 10K. When prompted during sign up, select the Pacific Ridge Parents Association and $5 of your entry fee will support Gingerbread Breakfast and other great school events.
Date: Thursday, November 24th
Time: 6:45 a.m.
Place: Oceanside Civic Center, 330 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside

Sports on the Ridge

Home Games, Week of October 17th
Schedules are subject to change. Please check 
Schedulestar regularly for the most accurate information.


10/18/16
3:30 p.m. Girls Varsity Tennis vs. La Jolla Country Day
4:00 p.m. Coed JV Water Polo vs. Del Norte
5:00 p.m. Boys Varsity Water Polo vs. Del Norte

10/19/16
3:30 p.m. Coed MS Cross Country @ Horizon Prep
3:30 p.m. Girls JV Volleyball vs. La Jolla Country Day
3:30 p.m. Girls MS-A Volleyball vs. Maranatha Christian
3:30 p.m. Girls Frosh Volleyball vs. La Jolla Country Day
3:30 p.m. Girls MS-Blue Volleyball vs. SD Jewish Academy
4:30 p.m. Girls MS-B Volleyball vs. Maranatha Christian
4:30 p.m. Girls MS-White Volleyball vs. SD Jewish Academy
4:45 p.m. Girls Varsity Volleyball vs. La Jolla Country Day

10/20/16
3:30 p.m. Coed 8 Blue Flag Football vs. Maranatha Christian
3:30 p.m. Girls MS-A Volleyball vs. Rancho Santa Fe MS
3:30 p.m. Girls MS-Blue Volleyball vs Rancho Santa Fe MS
4:30 p.m. Coed MS-White Flag Football vs. Maranatha Christian
4:30 p.m. Girls MS-B Volleyball vs. Rancho Santa Fe MS
4:30 p.m. Girls MS-White Volleyball vs. Rancho Santa Fe MS

10/21/16
2:45 p.m. Coed Varsity Cross Country @ Mt. Sac
4:00 p.m. Boys Varsity Water Polo vs. High Tech High
4:30 p.m. Girls JV Volleyball vs. Francis W. Parker
4:30 p.m. Girls Frosh Volleyball vs. Francis W. Parker
5:00 p.m. Coed JV Water Polo vs. High Tech High
5:45 p.m. Girls Varsity Volleyball vs. Francis W. Parker

10/22/16
TBA Girls Frosh Volleyball: Frosh Firebird Classic



 
Scores:
Coed MS Cross Country
10/5/16 South Coast MS @ Horizon Prep, 1.5 miles
Boys placed 1st of 4 teams
Jedd Queen: 1st place with 9:21 
Mitchell Oeth: 3rd place with 9:27

Girls placed 3rd of 5 teams
Riley Bender: 1st place with 9:10

Coed 7 Blue Flag Football
10/6/16 Tri-City Christian 27 0 W

Coed 8 Blue Flag Football
10/4/16 Horizon Prep 0 14 L
10/6/16 9 Army & Navy Academy 9 0 W

Girls Varsity Tennis
10/4/16 Francis W. Parker 8 10 L
10/6/16 La Jolla Country Day 9 9 T

Boys Varsity Water Polo
10/5/16 Poway High School 6 14 L
10/7/16 Santa Fe Christian 15 7 W

Coed JV Water Polo
10/5/16 Poway High School 0 12 L
10/7/16 Santa Fe Christian 3 6 L

Girls Varsity Volleyball
10/5/16 Francis W. Parker 2 3 L
10/7/16 Tri-City Christian 1 2 L

Girls MS-A Volleyball
10/3/16 Tri-City Christian 2 0 W
10/5/16 Horizon Prep 2 0 W

Girls MS-B Volleyball
10/3/16 Tri-City Christian 2 0 W
10/5/16 Horizon Prep 2 0 W

Girls Frosh Volleyball
10/5/16 Francis W. Parker 2 0 W
10/7/16 Tri-City Christian 1 2 L

Girls MS-White Volleyball
10/5/16 Horizon Prep 2 0 W
10/6/16 San Diego Jewish Academy 2 0 W

Girls MS-Blue Volleyball
10/3/16 Tri-City Christian 1 2 L
10/6/16 San Diego Jewish Academy 2 1 W

Alumni News

Alumni Lessons in Product Design
Alumnus Ivan Maric ('11) stopped by Mr. Masland's 3D Design and Prototyping class on September 30 to talk with students about the concepts they're learning and how they can be applied in a commercial setting. Ivan, a recent graduate of UC Berkeley will be working for Apple after receiving his Master's degree in mechanical engineering from UCSD. Ivan gave valuable feedback to the students' design projects which are made using a laser cutter and a 3D printer. They're working on everything from an iPhone docking station to ping pong paddles.


 
Beyond the Ridge

Did You Miss It? Key Conversations About Raising Financially Responsible Kids & Funding College
On October 5, College Guidance and Advanced Mathematical Finance teacher Mr. El Alam gave the first of three presentations on college finances. He offered relevant illustrations on the power of compounding interest alongside findings from Sallie Mae's study: How America Pays for College. The event also included information about filling out financial aid forms such as FAFSA. Families can access information from the event on PowerSchool (Haiku).The next Key Conversation is in January - stay tuned for more info.
 
College Application Workshop October 14 
Seniors not using the fall break to travel to college campus visits are encouraged to join College Guidance in Community Hall for this supportive application workshop, which will begin with a page-by-page review of the CSU application, followed at 10:30 a.m. by UC application and answers to questions that Seniors have in the weeks leading up to November 1. Snacks will be provided.
Date: October 14th
Place: Community Hall
Time: 8:30 a.m.

College Representatives Are On Their Way:
Week of October 18th
College of the Holy Cross, Washington University in St. Louis, Santa Clara University, Washington & Lee University, Babson College, High Point University, Hamilton College, Boston University, Becker College, Muhlenberg College, University of Oregon, Vassar College, Barnard College Simmons College, Assumption College, Merrimack College, Colorado State University, Lasell College, Stonehill College, Hofstra University, University of Florida, College of Charleston, George Washington University, University of Rochester, American University of Paris, Trinity University, Wake Forest University, University of Delaware, Macalester College

Week of October 24th
Vanderbilt University, Emory University, Gonzaga University, University of Notre Dame, Eckerd College, Brandeis University, University of Michigan, Occidental College, University of Alabama, Cal College of the Arts, Augustana University, Connecticut College, Kalamazoo College, Georgia Institute of Technology College of Engineering, Arizona State University, Bentley University, Princeton University, Hampshire College, University of Kansas

Regional Programs: 
Please visit the College Guidance page on PowerSchool/Haiku for campus programming notes and a complete list of upcoming regional info sessions.

Washington University in St. Louis
Date: Sunday, October 16th
Place: Hilton San Diego Mission Valley, 901 Camino Del Rio, SD
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Click here for more information. 

University of Chicago
Date: October 17th
Place: Academy of Our Lady of Peace, 4860 Oregon St, SD
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Click here to register.

Poway Unified School District College Fair
Date: October 18th
Place: Rancho Bernardo HS, 13010 Paseo Lucido, SD
Time: 6 - 8:30 p.m.
For information, including colleges attending, click here.

Boston University
Date: October 18th
Place: Hyatt Regency La Jolla, 3777 La Jolla Village Drive, LJ
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Click here to register.

San Diego Performing and Visual Arts Fair
Date: October 20th
Place: Del Mar Fairgrounds - Exhibit Hall, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd, SD
Time: 7 - 9:00 p.m.
Information and registration here

New Faculty & Staff Snapshot


 Jen Bicknell - History 

Favorite/Most recent book? Most recent: AP summer reading: American Dreams, by H.W. Brands; Favorites: Ender's Game series, by Orson Scott Card and Mists of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley 
Favorite movie? Princess Bride
Favorite sport? Water Polo
Greatest indulgence? Starbucks
If you make her breakfast? Coffee (much too much coffee!) and whole-wheat banana pancakes
In her free time? Hiking, camping, yoga and reading
Dream Vacation? You name it, I'm packed, let's go!
Home Town? Fullerton, 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

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 

October 28th
Upper School
Halloween Dance
6 - 9 p.m.

October 29th
Admissions Open House
1 - 4 p.m.

Middle School Halloween Dance
6 - 8 p.m.

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