In This Issue - January 5, 2017
Snapshot from the 
Ridge


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

A big thanks to all the former Firebirds who made Wednesday's Alumni Day so special! See next week's E-Newsletter for more details.

Bulletin Board
 


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.

Parents Association General Meeting on January 12th
All parents are invited to attend the Parents Association General Meeting next Thursday evening, January 12. A panel of alumni will share insights about "life after Pacific Ridge School" and how their experiences have been impacted by their education. Dr. Ogle will also be on hand to share plans for celebrating the school's 10th year! Refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP by January 10 to parentsassociation@pacificridge.org. We look forward to seeing you there!
Date: Thursday, January 12th
Time: Doors open at 6:00 p.m., program is 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Place: East Reading Room

Come to the Middle School Sports Extravaganza on January 13th!
PRS students and families are in for a delightful sports social event on January 13. Starting with girls soccer at 3:00 p.m., middle schoolers are encouraged to come out and show school spirit, cheer on the middle school Firebird teams, and enjoy a taco bar and giant slide. Students eat free! Boys basketball and soccer follow with fun half-time games throughout the afternoon. Be a fan and bring your family!
Date: Friday, January 13th
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Place: Athletic Center and Field
 
Middle School WinterFest is Coming!
All of next week the Middle School will participate in WinterFest! Dress up Spirit Days during the week will culminate with a WHITEOUT theme for the BIG games after school on Friday the 13th. Middle School spirited "flock" shirts will be on sale next week during lunch for $10. Those shirts will come in handy for the WHITEOUT FAN FRENZY planned for Friday's games. Students, be on the lookout for more information!
 
Join Us for Our Education Today Series on January 18th
Parents are invited to attend our next Education Today discussion: "Purposeful Programming: Igniting Interest Beyond the Classroom." Director of Student Life John Comforto and Director of Athletics Hans Richter will talk with parents and other interested attendees about why being actively involved in school, both in and out of the classroom, is powerful and impactful. RSVP here.
Date: Wednesday, January 18th
Time: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Place: Community Hall
 
Blood Drive on January 24th
The San Diego Blood Bank will be conducting a blood drive at Pacific Ridge on January 24. Want to help someone in need by donating blood? Appointments can be scheduled by visiting here. Click on Donate Blood, select Make an Appointment, and enter our sponsor code: PARS.
Date: Tuesday, January 24th
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 
Place: Athletic Center Parking area
 
Wedding Singer Logo
Tickets Available for Upper School Musical!
You won't want to miss this romantic comedy that will tickle your ribs and move your heart. Performances of The Wedding Singer take place on January 26, 27 and 28. Tickets are available here.
Dates: Thursday, January 26th, Friday, January 27th and Saturday, January 28th
Times: 4:30 p.m. on Thursday; 7:00 p.m. on Friday; 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Saturday
Place: Howard Brubeck Theater, Palomar College
 
Calling All Performers!
Showcase at Pacific Ridge is a highlight of everyone's year and performers are needed! This year visual art will be highlighted as well. Student works can range from comedy and theater to all forms of visual arts. Visual art is due by January 20 and performance auditions take place the week of January 29. Questions? Students can get more information on Haiku/Power School or from their individual arts teachers.

New & Noteworthy
 
Gingerbread Breakfast a Delicious Holiday Sendoff
Nearly 700 students, faculty, staff and alumni celebrated the beginning of holiday break on December 16 at the annual Gingerbread Breakfast. The army of organized and gracious parent volunteers ensured the rain didn't put a damper on the festivities. Thanks go to the Parents Association and the many volunteers who contributed food and baked items, as well as those who set up, served and tidied up after the breakfast. Their efforts made the 2016 Gingerbread Breakfast a continued favorite in the hearts and stomachs of all!
 
 
Community Enjoys Winter Performing Arts Concert
Immediately following the Gingerbread Breakfast, the Pacific Ridge community enjoyed a series of performances by members of the Jazz Rock Ensembles, Advanced Theater Classes, Vocal Ensemble, and multiple dance groups, as well as some video clips from film students. The entertainment sent students and faculty off to their holiday vacations filled with music, laughter and good cheer. Thanks to Mr. Dziekonski and Ms. Hansen for coordinating the outstanding performances.
 
    
 

Presenting Feeding San Diego's Gwendolyn Sontheim with proceeds from the Penny Wars competition.
 
For more photos, visit our Facebook page.
 
Students Encouraged to Learn About Local Politics
While federal politics often get top billing, history teachers Mr. Consuegra and Mr. Silk reminded students that local politics often have more of an effect on citizens' daily lives. During a civic engagement lunch on December 15 the two teachers encouraged students to reach out to local representatives to enact change on issues they are passionate about. Mr. Consuegra shared anecdotes from his time working for New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani to illustrate that politicians are real people, who are often accessible and interested in engaging with their constituents. Next week, College Guidance's Emily Moscol will run a workshop for interested students about the specifics of contacting local and national representatives to express their views.
 
Civil Engagement Speech, Phil Consuegra and Scott Silk  
Mr. Consuegra and Mr. Silk, representing both sides of the aisle

Curricular Adventures

Model United Nations Dec 2016
Pacific Ridge MUN members confer over conference details.

Model United Nations Hosts Regional Conference 
More than 200 students from 13 Southern California schools visited Pacific Ridge on Saturday, December 10, for the Model United Nations North County Regional Conference. Organized by Pacific Ridge students and co-hosted by High Tech High North County, the conference offered delegation topics ranging from George Washington's Cabinet, to the 2003 Iraqi Cabinet and New World (a future world fantasy committee). On January 12, Pacific Ridge students will travel to New York for the Columbia University Model U.N. Conference (CMUNC).

Service Learning in the Field

Students Present Proposals for Service Grants
In December, an impressive array of student proposals were submitted to the Service Grant program. Five finalists presented to a panel of invited judges and competed for funds to support their Service Learning projects. Supporting social and global entrepreneurship in the student body, a range of grants were awarded to the following finalists:

Project HYPE: Lauren Wiehl '18 and Vivian Yun '18 are supporting homeless teens by connecting them with social services and raising awareness about local youth in need.

Global Vantage: Dana Carney '17, Ziad Badr '17 and Garrett Conway '18 represented Pacific Ridge students in the service learning group that solicits articles from writers worldwide and produces a global magazine.

Raptor Rehab: August Trees '18 began the service learning group this year to support injured birds of prey. The group is building an aviary for the non-profit Project Wildlife. 

Tune Back Time: Kyle Ramsay '17 was awarded a grant to continue creating custom music playlists for Alzheimer's patients in Carlsbad. Music memory is rooted deep in the sub-cortex of the brain so it's often the last sense to be affected by the disease.

A Brand New Day: Savannah Streitman '19 and Kira Mok '19 work to support children affected by domestic violence. Through the Kathy's Legacy Foundation, they design "fun and games" days for children to help relieve stress and build relationships.

Parents Association 
 
Join Our Parents Association General Meeting!
Please see the Bulletin Section above for more details about next Thursday's Parent Association event featuring Pacific Ridge alumni. 
 
Used Uniform Sale on Thursday, January 12th!
Do you need cold weather clothing or sweatshirts? Are your kids growing out of the uniforms that fit just fine last fall? Come visit our used uniform sale to restock your wardrobes. Please plan to pay by CASH or CHECK only. If you have gently used items to donate, please drop them off at the main office. Funds from the sale are used to support Gingerbread Breakfast, Staff Appreciation, and other activities.
Date: Thursday, January 12th
Time: 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Place: Athletic Center Lobby
 
Book Club Meets Monday, January 23rd
The book club will be kicking off the new year discussing its recent pick, Hillbilly Elegy, by J.D. Vance.
Date: Monday, January 23rd
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Place: Pacific Ridge School Library
 
Questions? Contact parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.
 
Sports on the Ridge

Upcoming Home Games
Schedules are subject to change. Please check 
Schedulestar regularly for the most accurate information.

01/10/17 
3:30 p.m Boys MS - B Basketball vs San Diego Jewish Academy
3:30 p.m. Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Horizon Christian School
4:30 p.m. Boys MS - C Basketball vs. Santa Fe Christian
6:00 p.m. Boys JV Basketball vs. Classical Academy High

01/11/17 (Home Games at Aviara Community Park)
3:00 p.m. Boys MS - A Soccer vs. Rancho Santa Fe
3:00 p.m. Girls MS - A Soccer vs. Rancho Santa Fe

01/12/17
3:30 p.m. Girls Varsity Soccer vs. El Capitan High School

1/13/17
3:00 p.m. Girls MS - A Soccer vs. Maranatha Christian
3:30 p.m. Boys MS - A Basketball vs. Horizon Prep
4:00 p.m. Boys MS - A Soccer vs. Maranatha Christian
4:30 p.m. Boys MS - B Basketball vs. Horizon Prep
6:00 p.m. Boys JV Basketball vs. Guajome Park Academy
7:30 p.m. Boys Varsity Basketball vs. Guajome Park Academy

Boys Varsity Basketball Excels in Oakland Tournament
The break was full of excitement for the Boys Varsity Basketball team who visited the Bay Area on December 28 for the three-day Tom Welsh Holiday Tournament at Head-Royce in Oakland. They won two out of the three games in thrilling, come-from-behind style and Grant Mahler scored two game-winning 3-point shots, gaining him a coveted spot on the all-tournament team. Congratulations Firebirds!

    

Alumni Lacrosse Game a Clash of Friendly Firebirds
The boys alumni lacrosse game enjoyed a great turnout of current and former Firebirds on December 22. The alumni dominated the first half, so the teams regrouped for a fantastic second half full of goals, cheers and laughter all around. A gathering at Pizza Port rounded out the afternoon. Coach Collins would like to thank all the players and parents who helped organize the successful event.



Alumni Basketball Game A Slam Dunk
On December 16, players from all years of the Pacific Ridge boys basketball program gathered for some fun on the court. Current JV players and coaches took on the alumni, who won with a buzzer-beating basket by Scott Nalbandian '15. The event, which also included a series of 3-pt. and free-throw contests, was a great way to reconnect with alumni and celebrate the sport.
 

Scores:

Boys Varsity Basketball 
Head- Royce Holiday Classic Tournament
12/28/16  28 63 L
12/29/16 36 35 W
12/30/16 44 42 W

Girls Varsity Soccer
12/22/16 Academy of Our Lady of Peace 0 4 L

College Guidance
 
 
 
 

Save the Date! Summer Opportunities Fair & Special Interest Sessions 
The annual Summer Opportunities Fair is coming up on Wednesday, January 25. This year's event will include a presentation on best practices for pursuing academic and outside interests over the summer, as well as sessions on scholarship searches and understanding the changes underway in standardized testing. Vendors will be on hand to share information on various summer programs. 
Date: Wednesday, January 25th
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Place: East and West Reading Rooms 

See upcoming key dates here.
For questions related to college guidance, e-mail 

New Faculty & Staff Snapshot

Jen Contreras

Jen Contreras - Admissions Assistant

Favorite or Most recent book? The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
Favorite movie?  Inception
Favorite sport? Baseball
Greatest indulgence? Mani & Pedi every 2 weeks!
If you make him/her breakfast? French toast and country potatoes  
In his/her free time? Hiking, paddle boarding, beach dates with my dogs, writing Yelp reviews!
Dream vacation? Any tropical location
Home town? Livingston, California


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

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

January 12th
Parents Association General Meeting
6 p.m.

January 13th
Middle School Sports Extravaganza
3 - 5 p.m.

January 18th
Education Today Series
9:30 a.m.

January 24th
Blood Drive
8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

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

January 26th
Upper School Musical
4:30 p.m.

January 27th
Upper School Musical
7 p.m.

January 28th
Upper School Musical
2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

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