In This Issue - November 3, 2016
Snapshot from the 
Ridge


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

Seniors take a break from college applications for some bubble soccer fun.

Bulletin Board

 

Reach Higher - Annual Fund Campaign Kicks Off
Our Goals: $625,000 and Full Community Participation
Providing 4% of our operating budget, the Annual Fund supports the entire Pacific Ridge experience. Your tax-deductible gift helps sustain our curricular and co-curricular programs, global travel initiatives, service learning projects, faculty development and so much more. Every gift matters.  Every gift counts. Make your gift or pledge online today at pacificridge.org/annualgiving.
 
Middle School Gives Thanks With Food Drive
The Middle School has partnered with Feeding San Diego to run a "Giving Thanks" food drive from now until November 16. The donations will help support Feeding San Diego's backpack program. The recommended items to donate are 15 oz. cans of chicken, tomato, or vegetable soup, 15 oz. cans of vegetables or fruit and 1 lb. packages of whole wheat pasta. Students can bring their donations to school and give them to their advisor. Thank you for your donations!

Reminder: Music & Dance Concert on November 7th
Come enjoy a performance by both middle and upper school dance and music classes. Can't attend? A live link will be available on the Pacific Ridge School YouTube page. Once broadcasting begins a video will appear here.
Date: Monday, November 7th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Athletic Center



Education Today Series: The Art of Conversation
Pacific Ridge launches a three-part education series on the 16th of November with "The Art of Conversation: Why Face-to-Face Communication Still Matters in the Digital World." Join Upper School Co-Heads Allegra Molineaux and Tim Betzala, who will discuss why honing essential communication skills is vital for success, today and in the future. Come talk with Pacific Ridge educators about important topics in education. 
Date: Wednesday, November 16th
Time: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Place: Community Hall

Special Evening Program for 8th-Grade Parents 
Many exciting opportunities await your child in the next few years. Learn more about the high school experience from older students, parents, teachers, coaches and College Guidance while connecting with fellow parents. A light dinner will be served. RSVP here.
Date: Thursday, November 17th
Time: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Place: Community Hall

It's Flu Season! Help Our Community Stay Healthy
The flu season has begun. Parents, please encourage your children to practice preventive measures such as hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and avoiding close contact with sick people. If your children get sick, please keep them at home from school until they are fever-free for 24 hours, and do not send them "just" for a quiz or test. Now is a good time to get your child vaccinated. For more information please visit www.cdc.gov or call the Pacific Ridge Nursing Office at 760-448-9820.

Educational Insights


Voices From the Ridge: Ever wonder how quiet students engage around the Harkness table? Read English teacher Liz Grossman's recent blog post "Quiet Students in the Harkness Classroom."

Bob's Blog

A Happy Campus: Dr. Ogle knows that action on campus doesn't stop when classes let out. Pacific Ridge is still buzzing with student activity on the weekend. Click here to read his latest blog post.

New & Noteworthy

Amnesty International's Executive Director Addresses Students
Margaret Huang, Executive Director of Amnesty International USA spent the morning of October 27 speaking to middle and upper school students at Community Life. Ms. Huang explained the important role Amnesty International plays in supporting human rights, working to change oppressive laws and securing freedom for unjustly detained prisoners. Students had the opportunity to participate in the Write for Rights campaign, writing letters to argue for the release of an Egyptian photojournalist and a Peruvian human rights worker.


Amnesty International's Margaret Huang


Students write for rights.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Hosted for Little Free Libraries
Dr. Ogle joined Carlsbad's Mayor Pro Tem Lorraine Wood and Council Member Michael Schumacher to cut the ribbon on one of Pacific Ridge School's 13 Little Free Libraries on October 27. The libraries were decorated by faculty and placed around Carlsbad's Barrio neighborhood to encourage literacy and create a meeting spot for neighbors to discuss books.


A "little ribbon cutting" for the Little Free Libraries
Editor of 
Women's Running Discusses Career Fulfillment
On October 26, Editor-in-Chief of Women's Running, Jessica Sebor, held an informal Q & A with students about building a purposeful life by following their passion. She discussed her career path and how it took her some time to find her dream job, writing about running. She stressed the importance of trying several different positions to find the best fit.


Jessica Sebor discusses career ambitions with students.

Halloween Parade Crowns Best Costume
Students and staff strutted their stuff during Community Life on Halloween, showing off costumes, which ranged from hilarious to downright creepy. Winners were chosen for best group costume, most creative and scariest. For more Halloween pictures head to our Facebook page here.


Many food groups were represented!

Halloween parade 2016
Spot-on characters from The Office tied for best group costume. 

After-School Extension Program: A New Slate of Offerings!
The winter After-School Extension Program runs from mid-December through mid-February, and courses are open to both Pacific Ridge students and students from the larger community. Exciting new offerings include: 
  • Inventing with Arduino
  • 3D Architecture Design
  • Skateboard Design & Fabrication
  • Tinkering Lab 
  • Guitar Lessons
Click HERE for more information and to register. Questions? Contact Steve Dziekonski at sdziekonski@pacificridge.org


Curricular Adventures

Economics Students Make Learning Principles Fun
Upper school economics students created board game prototypes to teach middle school students about economic basics including scarcity and supply and demand. Middle schoolers each got a chance to try out the games. They gave feedback to the creators including tips on how to make them more fun and informative. The upper school students were tasked with conveying important economic concepts in clear, concise terms.


 
Actor Benjamin Scheuer Visits Theater Class
Benjamin Scheuer, who is currently starring in the The Lion at the Old Globe, shared his acting experiences and life story with Honors Theater students on October 27. He also brought along his guitar and treated students to an impromptu performance, sharing songs from The Lion and showcasing his prodigious musical skills. Scheuer's one-man show has drawn widespread acclaim.

The Lion Actor

Service Learning in the Field

FAST Members Help Special Needs Teens Show Gratitude
Upper school students in FAST - Friends Assisting Special Needs Teens met with the students of The Country School to decorate Thanksgiving cards and create hand-turkey art on November 2. The Country School students created cards for their loved ones and told members of FAST they were thankful for their visits!

FAST Thanksgiving

Parents Association 

Supper Club Mingle on November 6th
All supper club members are invited to enjoy beer tastings paired with light bites as we kick off our supper club social season. RSVP to your eVite by Friday, November 4th ($12 per person). Questions? Email parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.
Date: Sunday, November 6th
Time: 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Location: Culver Beer Company, 2719 West Loker, Carlsbad

Walking Club Meets This Friday, November 4th
Join fellow Pacific Ridge parents for good conversation while we walk near the golf course.
Date: Friday, November 4th
Time: 8:20 a.m.  
Location: Thyme in the Ranch, 16905 Avenida De Acacias, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92091

Update: Family Community Service Projects November 7th - December 4th
All families can sign up here to provide much needed donations of toiletries and canine items to support the Veterans Village of San Diego and Canine Companions for Independence. Collection bins will also be placed on campus to gather items listed here, as well as new or gently used clothing. Middle school parents are invited to help sort and package items at a service party on December 4 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Join us during this season of giving!

Reminder: Ron Leiber is Speaking on Monday, November 14th
Ron Lieber will speak about his book, The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money. More information about the author can be found here.
Date: Monday, November 14th 
Time: Doors open at 6:30; Talk starts at 7:00 pm
Location: The Bishop's School, 7607 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037

Support Pacific Ridge School When You Shop and Dine
As the gift giving & entertaining season approaches, we want to remind you of two great ways to help support Pacific Ridge at no additional cost to you! Use Amazon Smile and E-scrip for gift cards.

Amazon Smile
Amazon Smile will donate 0.5% of all purchases to Pacific Ridge! Just go to smile.amazon.com instead of the regular Amazon homepage and register Pacific Ridge as your nominated charity. Then, shop as you normally would.

e-Scrip 
A new mobile e-Scrip program ("Benefit") allows anyone to buy digital gift cards through a free downloadable app on your Android or iPhone.
Designate Pacific Ridge School as your beneficiary and the Parents Association will earn a portion of the proceeds to use towards Gingerbread Breakfast, Staff Appreciation and more. You can find more information about the program here and a link to a video that provides a brief overview. Participating retailers include Amazon, Target, Nordstrom, Starbucks, Southwest Airlines and a large variety of popular retailers and restaurants.  

Class Notes

Students Receive Top Honors in Singing Competition
Performing arts students Hannah Le Beau '19 and Rachael Bell '18 competed in the San Diego Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition October 29. Hannah tied for second place in the Musical Theatre category and Rachael received an honorable mention in the Classical category. 

 Rachael and Hannah at the competition

Alumni News

Alumna Treks Himalayas During Study Abroad
Maddie Minchin '14 is currently studying abroad in Nepal through Students for International Training, and just finished a two week trek through the Himalayas. She was inspired to return to the area after visiting China with Pacific Ridge School as a freshman. Maddie is studying Nepal's culture, history, and processes of political and social change through the lens of development, and is particularly interested in how street art is affecting the communities of Kathmandu. She'll return to the University of Redlands in the spring where she is studying women's and gender studies and social justice, with an emphasis on art.

Nepal
 Maddie stands with her homestay "sister" in the Tibetan village of Larjung.

Sports on the Ridge

Home Games, Week of October 31st
Schedules are subject to change. Please check 
Schedulestar regularly for the most accurate information.



11/4/16
TBA Girls Varsity Tennis - League Individuals

11/5/16
Girls Varsity Volleyball - Quarterfinals

Firebird Window Decals for Sale
Firebird window decals and sports badges are available for purchase in the athletic office through Jennifer Wiedemeier. They're easily removable and have no sticky residue. The Firebird decal is $3.00 and the sport badge is $1.00.
Athletes of the Week, November 3rd

Upper School: Julia Gonda
Julia is the co-captain for the Girl's Tennis team. She has competed in the number one singles spot for the third year in a row.

Middle School: Christiana Braswell
Christina is the captain of the Girl's A Volleyball team. She does a great job as a libero and doesn't let a ball get by her.

Scores:
 
Coed MS Cross Country
10/26/16 @ San Dieguito Park
Boys placed 2nd of 4 teams
Girls placed 2nd of 6 teams
Riley Bender: 1st place with 9:35

Coed 8 Blue Flag Football
10/20/16 Horizon Prep 12 7 W
 
Girls Varsity Tennis
10/25/16 Del Norte HS 8 10 L
 
Boys Varsity Water Polo
10/26/16 Westview High School 5 19 L
10/27/16 Army & Navy Academy 13 8 W
 
Coed JV Water Polo
10/26/16 Westview High School 4 13 L
10/27/16 Army & Navy Academy 8 9 L

Girls Varsity Volleyball
10/25/16 Tri-City Christian Schools 3 2 W
10/27/16 Santa Fe Christian Schools 0 3 L

Girls Junior Varsity Volleyball
10/25/16 Tri-City Christian Schools 1 2 L
10/27/16 Santa Fe Christian Schools 2 1 W

Girls MS - A Volleyball
10/25/16 Santa Fe Christian Schools 1 2 L
10/27/16 Tri-City Christian Schools 0 2 L

Girls MS - B Volleyball
10/25/16 Santa Fe Christian Schools 1 2 L
10/27/16 Tri-City Christian Schools 0 2 L

Girls Frosh Volleyball
10/25/16 Tri-City Christian Schools 0 2 L
 
Girls MS - White Volleyball
10/25/16 Santa Fe Christian Schools 0 2 L

Girls MS - Blue Volleyball
10/25/16 Santa Fe Christian Schools 1 2 L
10/27/16 Tri-City Christian Schools 1 2 L

Beyond the Ridge

Senior Parent Coffee Series Kicks Off
On Tuesday, November 15, College Guidance is hosting the first of six coffee conversations with senior parents about the various stages of the college process. College Guidance counselors will discuss UC deadlines at the end of the month so each household is prepared for Thanksgiving Break. This is a great opportunity to get your questions answered and talk with other senior parents about supporting your children during this exciting time.
Date: Tuesday, November 15th
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Place: Community Hall

College Representatives Are On Their Way:

Week of November 7
Lynn University, Pennsylvania State University, Landmark College, Reed 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.
Columbia University 
Attend a regional information session at Francis Parker.
Date: November 11th
Place: Francis Parker 6501 Linda Vista Rd, San Diego
Time: 6:00 p.m.
November 4th is Registration Deadline for ACT + Writing
Click here to register and for more information.

New Faculty & Staff Snapshot

 
 
Phil Consuegra - Director of Development, History

Most Recent Book/Most recent? Most Recent: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz. Favorites: Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell; Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin; Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, Theodore Rex by Edmund Morris
Favorite Movies? Patton, The Godfather, Miracle, Saving Private Ryan.
Favorite sports? To watch: American football (Atlanta Falcons and Miami Hurricanes), college basketball (Villanova Wildcats). To play: Golf/Tennis.
Greatest indulgence? Dan Dan noodles from Han Dynasty in Philadelphia.
If you make him breakfast? Lox and bagels
In his free time? Golf, tennis, history, running, traveling
Dream vacation? Exploring our U.S. National Parks
Home town? Atlanta, Georgia

North County Happenings



SCREENAGERS Documentary Movie
Through poignant, and unexpectedly funny stories, along with surprising insights from authors, psychologists, and brain scientists, SCREENAGERS reveals how tech time impacts children's development and offers solutions on how adults can empower kids to best navigate the digital world and find balance. Attend with your teenager to initiate a conversation about negotiating screen time.

Date #1: Wednesday, November 9th
Time: 6:00 p.m - 7:30 p.m.
Location: High Tech High North County, 1420 W San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos, CA 92078
Free to attend!  Please RSVP to hthnc.pa@gmail.com
Snacks and Drinks available for purchase.

Date #2: Thursday, November 17th
Hosted by: Solana Beach PTA, Solana Beach, CA
More information available soon. 

Carlsbad Student Leader Academy Taking Applications
Carlsbad residents, grades 9-12 are invited to apply online for the Winter session of the Carlsbad Student Leader Academy. The 10-week program develops emerging youth leaders through civic education and community projects. The application process and program are free, and applications are due by November 28th. For more information click here.


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

November 7th
Music & Dance Concert
7 p.m.

November 11th
NO SCHOOL
Veteran's Day

November 14th
Theater Class Performances
6 p.m.

WeCare Speaker
Ron Lieber
7 p.m.

November 15
Senior Parent Coffee
7:30 - 9 a.m.

November 16th
Education Today Series
9:30 a.m.

November 17th
8th Grade, 9th Grade & Beyond
6 p.m.

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

November 28th
Book Club
7 p.m.

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