In This Issue - October 20th, 2016
Snapshot from the 
Ridge


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

Students work on a puzzle in the library.
Students clear their minds by tackling a jigsaw puzzle in the library.

Bulletin Board


Admissions Open House on October 29th
Date: Saturday, October 29th
Time: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Place: Pacific Ridge Campus
RSVP: Click here or contact Admissions Assistant Jennifer Contreras at jcontreras@pacificridge.org or 760-448-9841. 
More information: 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
Reminder: Upper School Halloween Dance on October 28th
Date: Friday, October 28th
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Place: Pacific Ridge School campus

Reminder: Middle School Halloween Dance on October 29th
Date: Saturday, October 29th
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Place: Pacific Ridge School campus

New & Noteworthy

Launch Your School Spirit With the Spirit App!
This week a new Spirit App launched which shows all of the athletic and arts events going on at Pacific Ridge School. Students will earn points for their grade level when checking in to an event. The grade level with the most points at the end of the year will get a free dress day. Parents don't earn points but can use the app to find events they can attend on campus. Interested? E-mail Coach Sara VanderHorst at SVanderHorst@PacificRidge.org and download the app here.

Mock Election: The Results Are In!
On October 18 the results of the state-wide Mock Student Election were announced. Throughout California, middle and high schoolers voted for their top picks. Hillary Clinton won by a large majority in the presidential race - 58 percent of students chose her while 20 percent chose Donald Trump. Gary Johnson received 8 percent while Jill Stein and Gloria Estela La Riva each received 7 percent. Loretta Sanchez earned a spot in the U.S. Senate and students voted yes on all the California initiatives included on the student ballot: Propositions 51, 54, 55, 56, 58, 59 and 67. 


Learning about the rights and privileges of voting

Curricular Adventures

Photography Students Connect Art With the Election
On October 13, Ms. Pietrowski's Advanced Photography students traveled to the Museum of Modern Art in La Jolla for inspiration. They're working on a project inspired by the election using imagery to connect with contemporary issues in politics. The exhibit The Uses of Photography: Art, Politics, and the Reinvention of a Medium gave students context and ideas for their projects.


Election Highlights Proportional Reasoning
The upcoming election has provided some valuable teaching opportunities, one of which includes proportional reasoning. Algebra I teachers Ms. Bjornstad and Ms. Tadder showcased three different voting models in which students voted for their favorite "candydates." The exercise highlighted the pros and cons of direct popular vote and representative voting while also showcasing the Electoral College model. Which "candydate" won in Ms. Bjornstad's class? Gummy bears!

 

HoloLens and Mixed Reality 101
"We'll yell if you're about to run into anything," enthused a student in the After-School Extension class "HoloLens 101." It's a warning that might actually be necessary when trying out virtual reality. Students get hands-on training with programming, learn to code through video game software Unity and play the games they create. The HoloLens mixed reality goggles allow wearers to see their surroundings while also playing a game through the lens. The best part about the class, according to students is getting to use the cutting edge technology, "with friends."



Service Learning in the Field

Students Spread Halloween Cheer at the Arc
Middle school students visited the Arc of San Diego October 10, much to the delight of the Arc consumers. They worked together to decorate the facility for the Halloween holiday. Everyone enjoyed themselves decorating pumpkin stickers and draping festive orange and black pom poms.

Students decorated the Arc with Halloween decorations.

Parents Association 

Senior 
Succulent Sale at Fall Fest a Big Success
The Parents Association would like to thank Home Depot and the Pacific Ridge parents who generously provided succulents for our beautiful pumpkin succulent sale. A perennial favorite, the sale raises funds for Senior Grad Nite. 


Upcoming October Parent Parties
Be sure to check your email 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.

Family 
Community Service Project Coming Soon!
You are invited to join the entire Pacific Ridge School community in supporting the Veterans Village of San Diego and the Veterans' Initiative of Canine Companions for Independence through donations of clothing, toiletries and specific canine items starting in early November. Middle School families will be invited to gather at school on Sunday, December 4 to package all items for delivery. More details and a SignUpGenius will be forthcoming as we join together to embrace the season of giving.

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. Sponsored by WeCare, this local evening event is free and open to the whole Pacific Ridge community. 
Date: Monday, November 14th
Time: 7:00 p.m. lecture
Place: The Bishop's School, 7607 La Jolla Blvd., La Jolla

Participate in the Oceanside Turkey Trot!
Get some exercise before you feast and benefit the PRS 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

Book Club Meeting on Monday, November 28th
Enjoy your Thanksgiving week reading A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. We welcome new readers and encourage previous attendees to join us at this social gathering!
Date: Monday, November 28th
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Place: Pacific Ridge School Library

Sports on the Ridge

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


10/25/16
3:30 p.m. Girls MS - A Volleyball vs. Santa Fe Christian
3:30 p.m. Girls MS - Blue Volleyball vs. Santa Fe Christian
4:30 p.m. Girls MS - B Volleyball vs. Santa Fe Christian
4:30 p.m. Girls MS - White Volleyball vs. Santa Fe Christian

10/27/16
3:30 p.m. Coed Junior Varsity Water Polo vs. Army & Navy
3:30 p.m. Girls MS - A Volleyball vs. Tri-City Christian 
4:30 p.m. Boys Varsity Water Polo vs. Army & Navy
4:30 p.m. Girls MS - B Volleyball vs. Tri-City Christian
5:30 p.m. Girls MS - Blue Volleyball vs. Tri-City Christian
Athletes of the Week, October 10th & 17th
  • Christian Yun, Cross Country - Pushed through injury and recently took first place for the Firebirds
  • Jackie Jones, Volleyball - scrappy and competitive, always has great respect for her teammates
  • Tori Farris, Flag Football - makes great defensive plays and got a key interception in a big game
  • Zach Brown, Flag Football - extremely coachable and solid offensive player

Scores:

Coed MS Cross Country
10/12/16 Open Date
Boys placed 1st of 4 teams
Jed Queen: 1st place with 9:07 
Mitchell Oeth: 4th place with 9:52
 
Girls placed 3rd of 5 teams
Riley Bender: 1st place with 8:59
 
Coed 7 Blue Flag Football
10/11/16 Rancho Santa Fe MS 6 24 L
 
Coed 8 Blue Flag Football
10/11/16 Rancho Santa Fe MS 6 20 L
 
Coed MS - White Flag Football
10/11/16 Rancho Santa Fe MS 6 33 L
 
Girls Varsity Tennis
10/11/16 The Bishop's School 8 10 L
10/13/16 Francis Parker 7 11 L
 
Boys Varsity Water Polo
10/12/16 Rancho Bernardo 4 15 L
 
Coed Junior Varsity Water Polo
10/12/16 Rancho Bernardo 4 13 L
 
Girls Varsity Volleyball
10/10/16 The Bishop's School 0 3 L
1011/16 Santa Fe Christian 0 3 L
 
Girls Junior Varsity Volleyball
10/10/16 The Bishop's School 0 2 L
10/11/16 Santa Fe Christian 0 2 L
 
Girls MS-A Volleyball
10/11/16 Santa Fe Christian 2 0 W
 
Girls MS-B Volleyball
10/11/16 Santa Fe Christian 1 2 L
 
Girls Frosh Volleyball
10/10/16 The Bishop's School 0 2 L
10/11/16 Escondido Charter 1 2 L
 
Girls MS-White Volleyball
10/12/16 Maranatha Christian 2 1 W
 
Girls MS-Blue Volleyball
10/12/16 Maranatha Christian 0 2 L

Alumni News

Alumnus Playing Lacrosse for Norwegian National Team
Alumnus Parker Lawlor '14, who is studying computer science at Middlebury College, is spending a semester at the University of Oslo in Norway. The former lacrosse high school All-American is playing with the Norwegian National Team, including in the finals of a European championship vs. England. When not playing lacrosse or studying, Parker is hiking and traveling Norway's scenic byways.


 
Beyond the Ridge

College Representatives Are On Their Way:

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, Ringling College of Art & Design

Week of 30 October
Loyola University New Orleans, Willamette University, Les Roches International School of Hotel Management, Lehigh University, Lynn University, University of the Pacific, University of San Diego, Reed College, Landmark College

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

Penn State University
Date: October 22nd
Place: San Diego Marriott Del Mar, 11966 El Camino Real, SD
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Information here 

Emory University
Date: October 23rd
Place: San Diego Jewish Academy, 11860 Carmel Creek Rd, SD
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Information here

National Portfolio Day, San Diego
Date: October 23rd
Place: Westin San Diego, 400 West Broadway, SD
Time: 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
For more information on this opportunity to meet one-on-one with top art and design colleges and universities, click here.

University of Notre Dame
Date: October 26th
Place: St. Brigid Parish, Parish Hall, 4735 Cass St., SD
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Information here

Dartmouth College
Date: October 26th
Place: Francis Parker, Crivello Hall, 6501 Linda Vista Rd, SD
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Information and registration here

University of Southern California
USC's annual open house program, including a Portfolio Forum where aspiring visual artists and designers can get feedback from faculty. Registration required. Click here for more information.
Date: October 30th
Place: USC campus, Los Angeles
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

New Faculty & Staff Snapshot


 Myles Teasley - History 

Favorite/Most recent book? Favorite is too hard, but recent reads are The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid, Shattering Glass by Gail Giles, and The Future of Freedom by Fareed Zakaria
Favorite movie? Good Will Hunting
Favorite sport? Volleyball, or Basketball (Lakers, Warriors, & Davidson Wildcats)
Greatest indulgence? Binge-watching a good TV show, or constantly checking Politico and Foreign Policy. Also, tacos.
If you make him breakfast? Breakfast sandwiches: sausage, egg, and cheese with a hint of maple syrup, please.
In his free time? Volleyball, reading, watching movies, talking politics
Dream Vacation? He prefers cultural immersion, but he's pretty high on Malta or Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia.
Home Town? Inglewood, 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 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.

October 31st
Halloween Parade

November 2nd 
PSAT
Grades 10 & 11
8 a.m. - noon

November 11th
NO SCHOOL
Veteran's Day

November 14th
WeCare Speaker
Ron Lieber
7 p.m.

November 24th
Oceanside Turkey Trot
6:45 a.m.

November 28th
Book Club
7 p.m.

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