In This Issue - December 1, 2016
Snapshot from the 
Ridge

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

Students catch a "quick" game of chess outside of the library.

Bulletin Board
Join Us for Our Education Today Series on December 8th
Parents are invited to attend our next Education Today discussion: "Serious Play for Teens: Hands-On, Minds-On Learning." Director of Arts and STEAM Programs Steve Dziekonski, Facilitator of Tech-Based Projects Richard Masland, and Visual Arts Teacher Eva Schmidt will talk with parents and other interested attendees about how teens benefit in unexpected ways from highly engaging, hands-on learning. RSVP here.
Date: Thursday, December 8th
Time: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Place: Community Hall
Tickets Still Available for The Little Mermaid, Jr.
Head under the sea to enjoy this Disney spectacular, brought to life by our middle school performers. Reserve your tickets here.
You won't want to miss it! Special Offer for Middle School Students: A limited number of free tickets are still available for middle school students who would like to attend the Saturday, December 10 matinee performance. Transportation to and from campus will be provided. Interested students must reserve tickets in advance here.
Date: Friday, December 9th and Saturday, December 10th
Time: 7:00 p.m. on Friday, 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Saturday
Place: Brooks Theater, 217 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside CA 
 

 
Birds' Nest Selling Pacific Ridge Outerwear!
Upper school service learning group The Birds' Nest is selling Pacific Ridge outerwear on Friday December 2 during the afternoon's athletic events. The sweatshirts and jackets make great gifts and will keep your family members warm during the winter months. Proceeds from Birds' Nest sales go to support all of Pacific Ridge's service learning groups.
Date: Friday, December 2nd
Time: 3:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Place: Athletic Center lobby


Stay warm with Birds' Nest gear!

Annual Holiday Toy Drive to Benefit Head Start!
Help make a child's holiday wish come true by contributing to the annual Head Start Toy Drive! Starting this week, you can select and sign out gift tags in the lobby of the Middle School building or Mullady Hall. Please remember: limit one gift per child; maximum $15 price per gift; wrap each gift and attach the original tag; drop off gifts in the aforementioned locations by Friday, December 9th. Gifts will be delivered to two local Head Start preschools by the upper school service learning group Building Blocks and the two middle school Head Start service learning groups. Thank you for helping our North County neighbors this holiday season!

Reminder: Help Us Celebrate 10 Years
February 27, 2017, marks the 10-year anniversary of Pacific Ridge School's campus groundbreaking. This spring, from the end of February to mid-May, the school will be hosting a number of fun, commemorative activities and events. Want to help us celebrate? If you would like to serve on one of several working committees planning these festivities, please click here. We welcome your input and involvement.

Save The Date: Pacific Ridge Alumni Reception January 4th
All Pacific Ridge alumni and their families are invited to a winter reception on the Pacific Ridge campus. Check your mail in mid-December for invitations and details.
Date: Wednesday, January 4th
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Place: Pacific Ridge School
Admissions Open House on January 7th
Families interested in Pacific Ridge are invited to our winter Open House event on Saturday, January 7, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Presentations and activities will be followed by campus tours. Come meet the students and faculty that make Pacific Ridge special. To RSVP, you can click here or contact Admissions Assistant Jennifer Contreras at jcontreras@pacificridge.org or 760-448-9841.

Hands of Peace Summer Program Seeking Applicants
Hands of Peace, an interfaith organization working to develop peace-building and leadership skills in Israeli, Palestinian, and American teens, is excited to announce that applications for the summer 2017 program are now available online. The program, hosted at Pacific Ridge, runs from July 12- July 31. To learn more about being a Hands of Peace participant, click here. To learn more about serving as a host family, click here. Questions? Contact Scott Silk at ssilk@handsofpeace.org.

Winter After- School Extension Classes Start Next Week
Don't delay - classes start next week! Check out this new set of exciting, after-school extension courses that allow students to make, create and collaborate in an informal learning environment. Classes include Skateboard Design & Fabrication, Inventing with Arduino, Tinkering Lab, 3D Architectural Design and guitar lessons. The winter session runs from December 5 until mid-February, and courses are open to both Pacific Ridge students and students from the larger community.  Sign up online by Friday, December 2nd. 



Educational Insights

Bob's Blog Leading and Learning in a Post-Election School 
Click here to read Dr. Ogle's latest blog post about campus care and continued learning opportunities available to interested students.

New & Noteworthy
Boys Varsity Basketball Plays Tijuana Friendly
The Boys Varsity Basketball team headed across the border to play a friendly match vs. Centro de Enseñanza Técnica y Superior (CETYS) in Tijuana over the Thanksgiving break. After the game the teams shared a meal and practiced their language skills. Paulina Bueno, Director of CETY's International Baccalaureate program, thanked the team for its visit, and said CETYS is happy to "continue working together to promote an international mindset and to strengthen inquiry, communication and reflection."

 
Accomplished Athletes Speak About Athletic Leadership
Fostering leadership is an important tenet at Pacific Ridge School. On November 17, athletic leaders in the Firebird community, including Olympic medalist and Girls JV Volleyball coach Tammy Liebl, Boys Club Ice Hockey Coach and Student Support Specialist Juan Trevino and Middle School Soccer Coach and Pacific Ridge alumnus David Hines, spoke about the challenges, benefits and nuances of leading a team. Their presentation was followed by two spirited basketball games, including a 3-on-3 girls match and 4-on-4 boys vs. faculty faceoff.



Curricular Adventures

Eighth Graders Surprised with Balboa Park Field Trip
On November 17, eighth-grade students were surprised with a field trip to Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo. After participating in an animal-identifying scavenger hunt and deciding which species they would choose as their spirit animal, students watched a dramatic IMAX film about extreme weather. The unexpected day was a wonderful kick-off to Thanksgiving week.

   
Sophomores Visit Therapeutic Riding Center
On November 28, students in one of the 10th-grade Planting a Seed groups visited REINS Therapeutic Riding Center in Fallbrook to learn about programs offered to people with disabilities. As part of the Planting a Seed designing-thinking process, students asked questions to determine the benefits of the organization as well as what limits or constraints prevent them from serving constituents in the best way possible. An interesting takeaway was the explanation of how riding a horse rotates the hips in a natural walking motion that empowers those who cannot walk to feel as though they can. The group was able to see the benefits experienced by riders of all ages while at the center. Stay tuned for more Planting a Seed news in the coming weeks.




Service Learning in the Field
New Ocean Blue Paddle Boards for a Cause
Members of upper school service learning group New Ocean Blue combined fun and environmental stewardship on November 19 by heading to the beach and collecting trash in hard to reach areas using standup paddleboards. Students teamed up with H20 Trash Patrol and had a part in collecting more than 130 pounds of trash around the San Diego Bay. 



Class Notes 

Eighth Grader Cast in A Snow White Christmas
Hayden Luedde '21 will be performing as the Dwarf Doc and a Dance Captain in the Lythgoe Family Panto A Snow White Christmas at the Lyceum Theatre Horton Plaza, San Diego. The panto show is an updated version of a classic tale featuring family-friendly magic with a comedic twist and contemporary music. Dates range from Friday December 2 to Saturday December 24. Hayden will be performing all shows on December 2,4,8,10,15,17, 22 and 24. Tickets are available here.


   
Alumni News

Lili Muskal talks second year at Claremont McKenna College

Alumna Checks in from Claremont McKenna
Lili Muskal '15 is a great example of how Pacific Ridge students are ready to embrace the college experience. Her involvement in interdisciplinary studies, entrepreneurial service work and global engagement sound quite familiar to both current and former Firebirds. Check out this interview conducted by Claremont McKenna College about Lili's second year at the school.

Former Firebird Gets Rave Review for Volleyball Skills
Roxi Corbeil '15 recently was named Athlete of the Week at Williams College for her contributions to the Women's Volleyball program. "Roxi has been a consistent and positive presence for us this season. She is just one example of what this entire team has been about all year which is playing with passion for the game, having an intense competitive fire and most importantly playing for each other and being great teammates on and off the court," said Williams Head Coach Christi Kelsey. Go Roxi!



Alumni: Please send your news to the school by contacting Alumni Relations Manager Nisa Conway at nconway@pacificridge.org. We would love to hear from you!
 
Parents Association 

Veteran's Village Donation Drive Ends This Week!
Parents: Don't forget! Tomorrow (December 2) is the last day for dropping off donations of toiletries, canine items and gently used or new clothing to support the Veterans Village of San Diego and Canine Companions for Independence - Veterans Initiative. Please support these important causes by delivering your donations to the collection bins on campus. 

Middle school families: Join the party when we package the donated items for delivery to these worthwhile organizations. Interested?  Please RSVP here.
Date: December 4th
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Place: Pacific Ridge School
 
Now is the Time to Show Your Appreciation for Pacific Ridge Faculty & Staff!
The Annual Holiday Gift Drive is our time to show appreciation for Pacific Ridge's hard-working teachers and staff. Monies collected through the drive will be used to purchase gift cards for all faculty and staff. Check donations (made payable to PRS Parents Association and sealed in an envelope labeled Appreciation Gift) may be placed in the drop box in the lobby of the Middle School building. Or, you can donate online here using Paypal. Instructions can be found on the Parents Association page in PowerSchool. The drive ends on Wednesday, December 9th.
 
Gingerbread Breakfast - Volunteers & Food Still Needed
We are still looking for food donations and volunteers for the festive Gingerbread Breakfast coming up on December 16! Click here to sign up to volunteer your time and/or donate food items. At this event, the Parents Association serves breakfast to approximately 750 students, faculty, staff and alumni, while celebrating the start of the Winter Holiday break. After the breakfast, families can join the celebration in the gym where students will provide entertainment. We encourage everyone to participate in this community celebration!
Questions? Contact parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.
 
Another Friendly Reminder to think of Pacific Ridge School When You Shop, Dine and Purchase Gift Cards
Go to smile.amazon.com instead of the regular Amazon homepage and register Pacific Ridge as your nominated charity. Register for the e-Scrip program ("Benefit") which allows anyone to buy digital gift cards through a free downloadable app on your Android or iPhone. Designate Pacific Ridge School as the beneficiary and the Parents Association will receive funds to support Gingerbread Breakfast, Staff Appreciation Lunch and its other community activities. Thank you!
 
Walking Club Tomorrow - Friday, December 2nd
Enjoy some exercise and conversation. 
Time: 8:20 - 10:50 a.m.
Location: La Costa Roasting Company, Plaza Paseo Real, 6965 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92009. 
Questions? Contact parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.

Sports on the Ridge

Home Games the Week of December 5th 
Schedules are subject to change. Please check 
Schedulestar regularly for the most accurate information.


12/2/16
3:15 p.m. Boys Soccer vs. Maranatha Christian 
4:00/5:30/7:00 p.m. Boys Basketball vs. Sage Creek 
 
12/3/16
6:20 p.m. Boys Club Ice Hockey vs. Long Beach Prep 
(Carlsbad Icetown) Public skate to follow game.

12/6/16 
3:30 p.m. Boys Varsity Soccer vs. West Shore
5:30 p.m. Boys JV Basketball vs. High Tech High

12/8/16
3:30 p.m. Boys JV Basketball vs. Guajome Park Academy
5:00 p.m. Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Guajome Park Academy

12/9/16 
3:30 p.m. Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Del Norte High School
5:00 p.m. Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Sage Creek High School
Ice Hockey Club Faces Stiff Competition, JV Comes Up Big
The Pacific Ridge Hockey Club took to the ice over the Thanksgiving break for the Annual JSerra Ice Hockey Tournament. The JV club team notched 5 wins and earned their second tournament championship of the year. The Varsity club team came away with a 1 and 3 record playing against stiff competition from the Winnipeg High School League. The step up in competition was a great experience for the club according to Head Coach Juan Trevino. All Firebird fans are invited to the next varsity home game on December 3 at 6:20 p.m.



Three Firebirds Sign National Letters of Intent
Congratulations to Pacific Ridge student-athletes Emma Price, Ava Embry and Angela Ding, who signed National Letters of Intent last week. Emma committed to continuing her volleyball career playing D1 ball for Hofstra University, while Ava will also be contributing her volleyball skills to the D1 LaFayette College program. Angela will be rounding out a strong Lehigh University womens golf team. These standout Firebirds will become Lions, Leopards and Hawks, respectively, so their opponents better watch out!


Coed Varsity Cross Country Finishes Strong at CIF Finals
On November 26 the Coed Varsity Cross Country team competed in the CIF State Finals at Woodward Park. Kimberly Cheung came in 19th out of 204 runners in the girl's D5 race. Her finish time of 19.19.5 was almost 40 seconds faster than her 5k personal best at League Finals (Lucky number 19!). Lynnlee Duck-Reynolds ran a personal best time of 21:07, despite having an injury that limited her training over the last several weeks. The girls team placed 5th out of 11 teams. The boys ran well and demonstrated tough mental fortitude, placing 6th out of 21 teams despite not having a runner in the top 30. With a young and promising squad, next year looks bright to coach Steve Edwards.


 
Faculty Notes


English Teacher honored by University of Chicago
English Teacher Dr. Timothy Rosenwong was selected for University of Chicago's Outstanding Educator Award after receiving a nomination from alumnus Calder Sheagren '16. The award is given to educators who have influenced students, whether it be by challenging them intellectually for the first time or opening new vistas in the realms of discovery, according to Vice President of Enrollment James Nondorf. Calder has carried Dr. Rosenwong's inspiration with him into his first year of classes at the university.

College Guidance

Juniors Get Familiar with College Process
College Guidance met with all juniors on Monday, November 28 to discuss the timeline of application processes, answer preliminary questions leading up to Junior College Night on Thursday, December 1, and encourage students to start thinking about tasks that they can complete now. Juniors should be comfortable with Naviance, and should be working towards completion of their Junior Surveys before making their first appointment with their assigned college guidance counselor. 

Seniors Continue to Meet with College Guidance
College Guidance continues to meet with seniors to encourage and guide them through the college process, including review of final essay drafts, updating counselors with early acceptance news, and completing final college application lists. These lists should be completed before Winter Break. Details on internal college guidance deadlines for seniors have been emailed and are also available via Naviance.
 
Practice ACT Test December 3rd
College Guidance will proctor a practice ACT exam on Saturday, December 3rd, and students have until Friday to register for this test. Details have been emailed to sophomore and junior families. This practice will be held in test conditions and is a good way for students to be exposed to the test early in order to decide which testing path to take. Results from the PSAT can be expected the week of December 12th, and College Guidance is happy to discuss the results of these exams with students in order to help inform test-taking decisions.
Date: Saturday, December 3rd
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Place: West Reading Room
 
Senior Parent Afternoon Coffee on December 8th
On Thursday, December 8th parents are invited once again to talk with College Guidance over a warm cup of coffee. The last event was a terrific way for parents to connect and discuss the college process, as well as ask questions and get clarification on what is next for their child.
Date: Thursday, December 8th
Time: 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Place: Middle School Conference Room

Save the Date! Sophomore College Night
Date: Thursday, January 5th
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. 
Place: Dove Library

Summer Opportunities Fair & Standardized Testing Primer
Date: Wednesday, January 25th
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Place: East and West Reading Rooms

For questions related to college guidance, e-mail 

New Faculty & Staff Snapshot


   

Ljubica Plavsich - Programming
Favorite or most recent book? Recent: Mindset by Carol Dweck, Ph.D. favorite: Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
Favorite movie? Maleficient
Favorite sport? Volleyball
Greatest indulgence? Neuhaus chocolates
If you make her breakfast? Eggs Benedict with Café Latte
In her free time? Loves to travel, cook and do yoga
Dream vacation? Go back to Greece to visit Athens, Crete and enjoy the delicious food
Home town? This is the toughest question! Home town can be Paris, Belgrade, or Mexico City.

Communications Corner

Pacific Ridge Blogs Make Great Reading!
Learn more about teacher perspectives and educational insights by reading our faculty blog Voices From the Ridge. Make sure to keep up with our Head of School's blog, in which Dr. Ogle shares his thoughts on school leadership and campus life. The blogs are accessible here. 

North County Happenings

FACE Foundation Fundraiser on December 4th
Senior Maranda Phillips is holding her 10th "Howliday in a Bottle" open house to benefit the FACE Foundation, a local charity that provides financial grants for animal owners unable to cover the cost of a pet's emergency medical care. The event will feature an array of holiday shopping opportunities, from decorative holiday bottles to candles, clothing and unique jewelry items. For more information about the event and FACE, please visit the foundation's website.
Date: Sunday, December 4th
Time: 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Place: Sports Centre at the Bridges in Rancho Santa Fe, 18550 Seven Bridges Road, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92091


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

December 2nd
Walking Club
8:20 a.m.

December 3rd
ACT Practice Test
8 a.m.

December 4th
Middle School Family Service Project
2 - 4 p.m.

December 8th
Education Today Series
9:30 a.m.

College Guidance Senior Parent Coffee
3:30 - 5 p.m.

December 9th 
Little Mermaid, Jr.
7 p.m.

December 10th 
Little Mermaid, Jr.
2 & 7 p.m.

January 4th
Alumni Family Reception
6 p.m.

January 5th
Sophomore College Night at The Dove Library
6:30 p.m.

January 7th
Admissions Open House
1 - 4 p.m.

January 25th
Summer Opportunities Fair
6 - 8 p.m.

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