In This Issue - January 12, 2017
Snapshot from the 
Ridge


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


The 7th graders boisterous cheers won them the spirit stick during announcements January 10.

Bulletin Board
 
Come to the Middle School WinterFest on January 13th!
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. Middle School 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
 
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, and how homework fits into the schedule. RSVP here.
Date: Wednesday, January 18th
Time: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Place: Community Hall

Upper School Sports Tailgate on January 20th!
Come out and support your Upper School Firebirds as they take on teams from Francis Parker and Maranatha. Boys Varsity Soccer starts the afternoon with a 3:30 p.m. game, and three consecutive Boys and Girls Basketball games follow in the gym. Come grab something yummy from the Parent Association cookout and cheer on your Firebirds!
Date: Friday, January 20th
Time: After school
Place: Athletic Center and Field

Middle School Parent Evening: Insights Into Adolescence
Adolescence is a time in a young person's life that involves significant physical and hormonal changes. Research is at an all-time high to help parents and educators understand these transformations and the effect on a young person's decision-making and social functioning. Student Support Specialist Juan Trevino, along with other Middle School teachers and support staff, will discuss brain development, social & emotional changes, changes in relationships, and meeting our children's needs from a parenting perspective. Come join us for a night of enlightenment to better understand how your child's mind works, and how we can best provide support.
Date: Tuesday, January 24th
Time: 6:30 p.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. For a sneak peek, check out the January 5th post on our Facebook page.
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.

Educational Insights

Bob's BlogMission-Driven Initiatives Update
As mentioned in his recent letter to the community, Dr. Ogle has invited several school leaders to add posts to his blog over the next few weeks about progress on this year's mission-driven initiatives. First up? Dr. Smith's review of faculty development at Pacific Ridge.

New & Noteworthy

Dozens of Graduates Return for Alumni Day
Once a Firebird, always a Firebird! Pacific Ridge alumni visited campus on January 4 to talk with students about life after Pacific Ridge and reconnect with teachers and peers. Alumni hosted a panel on topics ranging from qualities to consider when picking a college, to favorite college courses and how to balance schoolwork and an active social life. Afterwards, alumni caught up during lunch, held a Harkness discussion with College Guidance and school administrators and were honored guests at an evening event.

 
Letter Writing Workshop Encourages Civic Engagement
Most Pacific Ridge students may not be old enough to vote, but their voices can still be heard by elected officials. In the recent Civic Engagement series' final session, Associate Director of College Guidance Emily Moscol and history teacher Preston Peeden showed students how to reach out to their local, state and federal representatives. Students were encouraged to write letters asking for information, expressing support or delivering criticism, on issues they are passionate about.


Mr. Peeden helps students craft a letter to Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall.

Curricular Adventures



Eighth Graders Create Their Own Street Art
No spray paint needed for this street art! Eighth grade Studio Art students just finished a street art unit to learn about typography. They researched where certain fonts and graffiti styles come from and then created their own style of graffiti. Tempera paint and water was used to create a word that describes each artist, such as "curious" or "athletic." The designs are currently displayed on a faux brick wall in the Arts & Technology Center.

Service Learning in the Field

Global Vantage Article of the Month is Online Now!
In Global Vantage's January edition, Isaiah Granet '18 writes about his service learning group, The San Diego Chill. Isaiah's group helps kids with developmental disabilities to bond with student coaches and enjoy teamwork playing hockey. To read more about Isaiah's charity, read the full article here.


Service Learning Hosts Avian Visitor
Raptor Rehab hosted a popular visitor on January 11! Carly Padilla from Project Wildlife visited the service learning group with animal ambassador KwaPai, a red-shouldered hawk. Students and teachers from other groups were eager to stop by to check him out. The members of Raptor Rehab are building an aviary for birds like KwaPai, who can't be re-released into the wild because he is blind in his right eye. For more information about KwaPai, please visit our Facebook page. 


Class Notes


Clockwise from top left: Photo by Mathew Cheung '18, 
Charlie Clarke '17, Kaitlyn Wardrup '17 and Ava Embry '17.

Photography Students Featured in Youth Art Month
Four AP and Post-AP photography students have been selected by a jury from over 200 entrants to show their work at Youth Art Month, the annual exhibition of K-12 student art from schools throughout San Diego County. Mathew Cheung '18, Charlie Clarke '17, Ava Embry '17 and Kaitlyn Wardrup '17 all had entries into the exhibit, which is open January 23 through March 5 at Francis Parker School's Rose Gallery.

Alumni News

Alumna Learns Firsthand About Spanish Healthcare System
Lili Muskal '15, a sophomore at Claremont McKenna College, was named a Wagener Family Global Scholar, awarding her two international experiences during her time as an undergraduate. For her first experience, the Biophysics and economics dual major traveled to Spain where she shadowed doctors in hospitals for five weeks through the Atlantis Project. She learned a great deal about universal healthcare, including some of its primary benefits and drawbacks. Her journey is documented on her blog here. During her junior year, Lili plans to study abroad in either Budapest or Copenhagen.


Lili (right) and fellow Atlantis Project participant, get ready to observe a surgery.

Parents Association 
Used Uniform Sale is tomorrow, Friday, January 13th
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: Friday, January 13th
Time: 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Place: Athletic Center Lobby
Book Club Meets Monday, January 23rd
Is your New Year's resolution to read more? If so the book club will be kicking off the new year discussing its recent pick, Hillbilly Elegy, by J.D. Vance. Newcomers are always welcome to attend!
Date: Monday, January 23rd
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Place: Pacific Ridge School Library

Walking Club meets Wednesday, January 25th
Enjoy socializing and amazing sights walking along our beautiful coastline (rain or shine!)
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Place: Better Buzz Coffee Roasters, 578 S Coast Hwy 101, Encinitas
 
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.

01/18/17
3:30 p.m. Boys MS - A Basketball vs Rancho Santa Fe
3:30 p.m. Boys Varsity Soccer vs Santa Fe Christian
4:30 p.m. Boys MS - B Basketball vs Rancho Santa Fe

01/19/17
3:00 p.m. Boys MS - A Soccer vs Santa Fe Christian 
3:00 p.m. Girls MS - A Soccer vs Santa Fe Christian

01/20/17
3:30 p.m. Boys Varsiy Soccer vs Francis Parker
4:00 p.m. Boys Junior Varsity Basketball vs Maranatha Christian
5:30 p.m. Girls Varsity Basketball vs Maranatha Christian
7:00 p.m. Boys Varsity Basketball vs Maranatha Christian

01/21/17
1:00 p.m. Boys Frosh Basketball vs Classical Academy

Alumni Soccer Players Return to the Field
The current Firebirds, both the girls' and the boys' varsity soccer teams, hosted over two dozen alumni on a sunny Friday, January 6, for a battle between the wise and the fit. Many of the alumni created long-lasting friendships at Pacific Ridge in 2007 and were happy to be reunited. It was a close game, although the alumni ultimately prevailed 7-6 in a "golden goal" overtime. Current players want to set the record straight: "We let the alumni win to build their self-esteem!"
 


Boys Basketball Hosts Firebird Tournament 
The Firebird Boys' Basketball tournament was a successful event as eight teams from around San Diego competed over a five-day period. Pacific Ridge finished the tournament 2-2, culminating in a hard fought 58-55 win over a very strong Temecula Prep team. Francis Parker took the tournament title. According to Varsity Head Coach Chris Burman, the team was happy to host the tournament for the second year in a row and hopes to make it an annual tradition.





Scores:

Boys Varsity Basketball 
Pacific Ridge School Firebird Tournament
01/03/17 San Diego Jewish Academy 49 47 W
01/04/17 Francis W Parker 47 59 L
01/05/17 Escondido Adventist Academy 32 53 L
01/06/17 Temecula Prep 58 55 W

Boys Junior Varsity Basketball
01/06/17 The Bishop's School 55 63 L

Boys Frosh Basketball 
01/04/17 Guajome Park Academy 24 34 L

Girls Varsity Basketball
01/05/17 Escondido Charter 38 31 W

Boys Varsity Soccer
01/04/17 Rancho Bernardo 2 3 L

Boys Junior Varsity Soccer
01/05/17 San Marcos High 0 7 L

Girls Varsity Soccer
01/04/17 La Jolla Country Day 2 4 L

College Guidance

Sophomore College Night Full of Information
Sophomore College Night was held on January 5 at the Dove Library in Carlsbad and was well attended. Sophomores will be able to meet with College Guidance for a check-in meeting starting in mid-February and March following the completion of their Sophomore Survey. Parents are welcome at these meetings. 
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. Participating organizations include:
Open Source Maker Labs, Global Leadership Adventures, Lux Art Institute, San Diego Museum of Art, Where There Be Dragons, Abbey Road Programs, Oxbridge Academic Programs, Army-Navy Academy, US Naval Academy, FIDM, ARCC Programs, Atlas Workshops, Rustic Pathways, MiraCosta College, Council on International Educational Exchange, Rosetta Institute of Biomedical Research, Camp Stevens, The Oxbow School
Date: Wednesday, January 25th
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Place: East and West Reading Rooms 

See upcoming key College Guidance dates here. 


New Faculty & Staff Snapshot

 
Cathy Kreisel - Student Support Specialist
Favorite or most recent book? Last read: Anything child development-related as I have a 3 year old who is always keeping me busy.
Favorite movie? Bridget Jones's Diary
Favorite sport? I ran a few marathons and triathlons. I wish I could surf.
Greatest indulgence? Pizza - I can't get enough!
In her free time? You can find me doing just about anything outdoors: walking around farmer's markets, outdoor concerts, or biking along the coast.
Dream vacation? Since recently moving to the San Diego area from Chicago, I feel like I'm on a permanent vacation. I'd love to visit Santorini, Greece to experience the culture and see the beautiful architecture.
Home town? Chicago, Illinois


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

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

January 23rd
Book Club
7 p.m.

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

January 25th
Walking Club
8:30 a.m.

Summer Opportunities Fair
6 - 8 p.m.

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

January 27th
Upper School Musical
The Wedding Singer
7 p.m.

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

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