In This Issue - February 2, 2017
Snapshot from the Ridge

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

   
Eighth-grade Conceptual Physics students take a crack at keeping a dropped egg in one piece using only plastic straws and rubber bands.

Bulletin Board

Admissions Applications Due tomorrow, February 3rd
The deadline for submitting admissions applications for Pacific Ridge School's 2017-2018 academic year is Friday, February 3. Please contact the admissions office at 760-448-9841 with any questions.

Fabulous '50s Winter Formal
Shake, rattle and roll Greasers and Pink Ladies! The upper school winter sock-hop is February 4th. Break out those letter jackets and hoop skirts and bring your dancing shoes. Advanced tickets are $10 and are available on campus during lunch or $15 at the door.
Date: Saturday, February 4th
Time: 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.

Theater Performance on February 6th
On Monday, February 6th, Pacific Ridge
Performing Arts will present current work by theater arts students. The performance is free of charge and open to all.
Date: Monday, February 6th
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: Athletic Center

Now on February 7th: Insights Into Adolescence for Middle School Parents
Adolescence is a time in a young person's life that involves significant physical and hormonal changes. Pacific Ridge 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. Pacific Ridge Middle School parents are welcome to come join us for a night of enlightenment to better understand how your child's mind works, and how we can best provide support. In order to allow for as much participation as possible we've rescheduled the event.
New Date: Tuesday, February 7th
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: Community Hall
You Won't Want to Miss the Science Extravaganza!
Come to a science show unlike anything you've experienced before. Don't think "high school science fair." Instead, think Cirque du Soleil or Blue Man Group! Pacific Ridge students will be presenting a series of theatrical science experiments, all set to music, with dramatic staging and lighting. Science Extravaganza! is free, family friendly and open to the whole community. It will knock your socks off!
Date: Friday, February 10th
Time: Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 7:00 p.m.
Place: Athletic Center
Students Invited to Day of Science and Engineering
All upper school students interested in science and engineering are invited to learn about innovative medical technologies developed locally and globally by pharmaceutical company Abbott. Students will get the chance to participate in hands-on demonstrations and learn how to prepare for a career in science and engineering. Space is limited to 30 students. RSVP to Jose.R.Gutierrez@abbott.com or by phone at (760) 801-7408. More information is available here.
Date: Monday, February 20th
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Place: Abbott Sciences, 2251 Faraday Ave, Carlsbad

Music Concert on February 13th
Come enjoy a music concert following the parent coffee hosted by College Guidance. Vocal and jazz ensembles will be showcasing their work. The performance is free of charge and open to all.
Date: Monday, February 13th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Athletic Center

Schedule of Event Calendar
2017-2018 Academic Calendar Now Available
The academic calendar for school year 2017-2018 is now available here.

Spring After-School Extension Registration Available Next Week!
Check your email soon for details about the exciting new classes planned for the spring After-School Extension Program. Offerings will include Skateboarding & Filmmaking, Fashion Design & Jewelry Making, Tinkering Lab, and private piano, voice and guitar lessons. The spring program starts the week of March 13 and runs through the week of May 8. Make your after-school hours fulfilling and fun!

Educational Insights

Bob's BlogOur Mission-Driven Work: Design & Problem Solving
Guest blogger Andy Wright writes about how Pacific Ridge helps students develop essential problem solving skills. Click here to read his blog.

New & Noteworthy

Audiences Fall in Love with "The Wedding Singer"
The upper school musical was a major hit over the weekend, with sold out performances January 27 and 28. A matinee show was added January 26 to give the Pacific Ridge community another opportunity to catch the hit play based on the movie of the same name. The cast and crew pulled out all the stops to entertain, and from the laughs, cheers and standing ovations that filled the theater, they met their goal. Many thanks go to Director Fredreka Irvine, Ms. Hansen, Ms. Clark and parent coordinators Christine Hamparyan and Tracey DeLange, for helping to making the show a smashing success.

 


For more photos go to the Pacific Ridge Facebook album here.   

Curricular Adventures

Geometry Students Channel M.C. Escher            
Where one saw a ghost, another saw a frog. The students weren't taking a Rorschach test, instead they were commenting on each other's tessellations. Students in Mrs. Bjornstad's Honors Geometry class created tessellation patterns, covering surfaces with repeating, shapes with no gaps or overlaps. M.C. Escher's graphic creations are famous examples and it was clear that some students were inspired by his work. The exercise allowed students to play with spatial reasoning and problem solve using math.


Makers Conference Draws North County Educators
Pacific Ridge hosted a dozen North County educators at a makers conference on January 23 to discuss opportunities for STEAM in the classroom. Teachers from Vista, Escondido and Carlsbad Unified school districts and Cal State San Marcos met with Pacific Ridge educators to discuss supporting students as they develop interest, understanding, and confidence in STEAM through making. Many thanks to our Director of Science and Engineering Outreach, Julie Gunther, for organizing the community and professional development event.

Service Learning in the Field

Service Learning Groups Reflect on Challenges and Progress
A panel of teachers and faculty sat in on presentations by all upper school service learning groups on February 1 to hear about each group's progress and unique set of challenges. Students reported on their successes, explained how they run their service projects and manage student teams, and responded to questions and suggestions. Upper school service learning groups are greatly varied, from spreading a passion for history to creating biofuel out of used cooking oil. Each of the following groups received feedback which will help them continue to work towards their goals.

Tech Team - ANKH - A Million Knots - On Pointe - Global School Connections - Archive - Firebird Radio - Notes of Hope - Woof Pack - TOSS - New Haven Night Shelter - Bird's Nest - Alternative Energy Sources - Educating Near & Far - Sports Force - Propel - Hands of Peace - Buddy Project - Building Blocks - Global Vantage - Brand New Day - FAST - LiNK - Raptor Rehab - Independent Service Projects


Students from Alternative Energy Solutions discuss the process of making biofuel.

Class Notes

Seniors Receive Presidential Recognition
Max Dawson '17 and Noah Kuo '17 have been named candidates for the 2017 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The distinction is extremely prestigious, as only 4,000 out of 3.5 million high school seniors across the country are named candidates. The list of 161 U.S. Presidential Scholars will be announced in May. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities. Congratulations, Max and Noah!

Parents Association 

8th-Grade Parent Party: New Date! Mark your calendars for Sunday evening, March 5. An evite will be sent shortly.

12th-Grade Parent Party: Scheduled for Sunday, February 12, from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. RSVP to your evite and enjoy a relaxing and fun event!

Walking Club Meets Friday, February 10th
Join fellow Pacific Ridge parents for some fresh air and exercise around Bressi Ranch!
Date: Friday, February 10th
Time: 8:20 a.m. 
Place: Peet's Coffee, Bressi Ranch

Next Book Club Meets Monday, March 20th
Grab some extra down time over winter break to read two interesting 'modern Shakespeare' stories: Hag-Seed, by Margaret Atwood (a modern retelling of The Tempest) and Nutshell, by Ian McEwan (a short novel narrated by a "baby-to-be or not to be" who is also Hamlet). Join us for what promises to be a memorable literary discussion!
Date: Monday, March 20th
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Place: Pacific Ridge School Library

Save the Date! WeCare Presents Speaker Richard Louv
On March 6th (evening) and March 7th (morning) WeCare will host talks by Richard Louv, a San Diego-based journalist who has written several books on the importance of the natural world in children's lives. His latest book is entitled Vitamin N: 500 ways to Enrich the Health & Happiness of your Family & Community. Stay tuned for more details.
Date: Monday, March 6
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: 4201 Randolph St, San Diego, CA 92103
Date: Tuesday, March 7
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Location: San Diego Jewish Academy, 11860 Carmel Creek Rd., San Diego, Ca 92130

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.

02/04/17
3:45 p.m. Boys Varsity Hockey vs Las Vegas Sports Academy Storm

02/07/17
4:00 p.m. Boys Frosh Basketball vs Army & Navy Academy

02/08/17
3:30 p.m. Girls Varsity Soccer vs Francis Parker

02/10/17
3:30 p.m. Boys Varsity Soccer vs Orange Glen High

02/11/17
1:00 p.m. Boys Frosh Basketball vs Classical Academy High

Boys Hockey Visits Notre Dame to Play in Hoosier Cup
The Firebirds Hockey team took to the road for the prestigious Hoosier cup tournament at the University of Notre Dame. The Firebirds took on two state champion teams and the nation's number 1-ranked team and eventual tournament winner, New Trier Green, and put in a strong performance in all three contests. In spite of three losses, the players showed they can hang with the best and got great experience with a faster speed of play. The weekend was also filled with wonderful team experiences including campus and locker room tours at the University of Notre Dame. Come cheer them on at their last home game of the season on February 4 at 3:45 p.m., at Icetown Carlsbad.


Firebirds tour the home of the Fighting Irish.
Scores:

Boys Varsity Basketball 
01/24/17 Calvin Christian School of ESC 28 26 W
01/27/17 Tri-City Christian Schools 31 48 L

Boys Junior Varsity Basketball
01/24/17 Calvin Christian School of ESC 59 29 W
01/26/17 The Bishop's School 64 63 W
01/27/17 Tri-City Christian Schools 39 34 W

Boys MS - A Basketball
01/23/17 Army & Navy Academy 53 12 W
01/25/17 Maranatha Christian 51 13 W
01/26/17 Tri-City Christian Schools 20 56 L

Boys MS - B Basketball
01/26/17 Tri-City Christian 32 40 L 

Boys MS - C Basketball
01/23/17 Santa Fe Christian Schools 21 5 W
01/25/17 Maranatha Christian 48 12 W
01/26/17 Tri-City Christian Schools 41 14 W

Boys Frosh Basketball
01/28/17 La Jolla Country Day School 39 27 W

Boys Varsity Hockey
Hoozier Cup 
01/27/17 New Trier Green 0 8 L
01/28/17 Medina 2 5 L
01/28/17 Hamilton SE 2 5 L

Girls Varsity Basketball
01/24/17 Francis Parker 30 62 L
01/27/17 Tri-City Christian 23 42 L

Boys Varsity Soccer
01/25/17 Orange Glen High School 0 3 L

Boys MS - A Soccer
01/24/17 Maranatha Christian 7 0 W
01/26/17 Army & Navy Academy 8 0 W

Boys MS - B Soccer
01/27/17 Santa Fe Christian Schools 6 0 W

Girls Varsity Soccer
01/25/17 Del Lago Academy 3 0 W
01/27/17 Escondido Charter 2 3 L

Girls MS - A Soccer
01/24/17 Maranatha Christian 7 1 W
01/27/17 Santa Fe Christian Schools 3 3 T

College Guidance
Harkness Discussion on Decision Making February 13th
On February 13 at 5:30 p.m., College Guidance will host our second Key Conversation focused on decision making and The Paradox of Choice. Director of Student Life John Comforto will join this Harkness discussion, which is open to all Pacific Ridge students and families. 
Date: Monday, February 13th
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Place: Athletic Center Conference Room

See upcoming key College Guidance dates here. 


New Faculty & Staff Snapshot

Cori Zammetti - Academic Support and Substitute Coordinator
Favorite or most recent book? Anything by Anita Shreve
Favorite movie? Gone With the Wind and The Princess Bride
Favorite sport? Hockey!!!
Greatest indulgence? Cinepolis
If you make her breakfast? Eggs Florentine and hash browns 
In her free time? Hiking and fishing with my family
Dream vacation? Zip lining in Costa Rica
Home town? Carlsbad

North County Happenings

Save A Life Foundation Free Heart Screening for Teens
Students 12 to 25 are invited to get a free heart screening by the Eric Paredes Save A Life Foundation on February 26. The foundation has screened more than 21,000 teens for heart abnormalities that can put about 1 in 100 students at risk for Sudden Cardiac Arrest - a leading cause of death under 25 and the number one killer of student-athletes. Parents can register at epsavealife.org/register/ and download a screening packet to bring to the event. Walk-ins are also accepted and paperwork is available onsite if online registration is not possible. Screenings take less than an hour. 
Date: Sunday, February 26th
Time: 9:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Place: Sage Creek High School, 3900 Cannon Rd, Carlsbad, 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

February 3rd
Admissions Application Deadline

February 4th
Winter Formal
7 - 10 p.m.

February 6th
Theater Performance
6 p.m.

February 7th
Insights into Adolescence
6:30 p.m.

February 10th
Science Extravaganza
7 p.m.

February 12th
12th-Grade Parent Party 
5 - 8 p.m.

February 13th
Key Conversations
 5:30 p.m.

Music Concert 7:00 p.m.

February 20th - 24th
NO SCHOOL
February Break

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