In This Issue - March 23, 2017
Snapshot from the Ridge

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

Student Support Specialist and Hockey Coach Juan Trevino plays double dutch with students during lunch!

Bulletin Board

Second Annual Spring Kickoff Tomorrow
Students and parents are invited to celebrate warmer temperatures, longer days, and the beginning of the final trimester during the third annual Spring Kickoff! The all-school event will feature a free BBQ and inflatable jumpers. Stick around for the two boys volleyball games afterwards!
Date: Friday, March 24th
Time: 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Campus Lawn 

Reminder: NCAA Night on March 27th
Pacific Ridge student-athletes and parents curious about the NCAA recruitment process are encouraged to attend a panel discussion on the evening of March 27. The program will explain the guidance and resources available at Pacific Ridge to help families looking to take charge of the recruitment process.
Date: Monday, March 27th
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: East Reading Room 

Senior Signature Evening Expo on March 28th
Parents and students are invited to an evening celebrating the Class of 2017's Senior Signatures. Come view the projects seniors have created as their legacy to the Pacific Ridge community. Hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be served. Click here to RSVP.
Date: Tuesday, March 28th
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Place: Mullady Hall


March 29th is Day of Giving - Help Us Meet the Challenge!
Wednesday, March 29 is Pacific Ridge School's first ever Day of Giving. Parents and alumni will be encouraged to donate to the Annual Fund, with progress being tracked throughout the day. A special participation challenge will earn the school $10,000 if 100 gifts or pledges are received by March 31. Support the Annual Fund and help us earn the challenge grant by making your gift. Stay tuned for details! 

California Scholarship Federation Deadlines 
Applications for the California Scholarship Federation for Trimester 2 are due by March 31st. Please return your forms to Ms. Serafini in the lobby of the Upper School building. Parents of sophomores, juniors and seniors, please check your email for more information about CSF requirements and deadlines.

Reminder: Spring Break April 1st - 9th
Enjoy the vacation!

NEW DATE for Orations Presentations
On Thursday, April 13, freshman orations finalists will be delivering their speeches to the Pacific Ridge community. Come support our eloquent 9th-grade speakers and hear the important ideas they have to share. RSVPs requested here.
Date: Thursday, April 13th
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Place: Athletic Center

Grandparents Day on April 26
th!
Save the Date! Pacific Ridge is hosting its first ever Grandparents Day on Wednesday, April 26 before the start of Spring Fest. We hope to see many smiling grandparents on that day, so make sure your child's grandparents receive an invitation by supplying their contact information here

Reminder: ScheduleStar Update for Athletics
The ScheduleStar website, which hosts all athletic schedules, is being updated and includes a new URL. The new website is http://pacificridgefirebirds.com/. We appreciate your patience while ScheduleStar updates our information.

Birds' Nest is Now Open Wednesdays
The Birds' Nest is now open every Wednesday after school in the Athletic Center. New merchandise includes shirts, sweatpants, and outerwear for the whole family! Proceeds are granted to other Service Learning groups in the Pacific Ridge community. Shop online here.


Host Families Needed for 2017-18 School Year
Open your home and your heart to an international student attending Pacific Ridge for the next school year. Learn about another culture in your home and build global connections with other countries. Host families are asked to provide a nurturing, supportive home with a private finished bedroom, meals and transportation. Monthly compensation is provided. For questions and interest, please contact IEM at (858) 742-1541 x 315 and ask for Sabrina or request IEM Homestay Info.

10 Years Strong


Ethical Responsibility Week
Ethical Responsibility is one of the three key components of the Pacific Ridge mission to guide students toward a purposeful life. Students in every grade put ethics into practice, locally and globally, through Service Learning, classroom exploration and service-oriented global trips. What starts with exposure & learning about different types of service programs in middle school, moves to training and collaboration in 9th grade and ultimately leadership and initiative in 10th - 12th grades. Our students serve, and they do it well!
 

Middle school students play games and host arts and crafts weekly at the Arc of San Diego, which serves children and adults with disabilities.

A fun rotation in the 9th grade Service Learning program is building and delivering balance bikes to local preschools.

Sophomores Present Planting a Seed Projects
The class of 2019 is clearly interested in making a difference! Today sophomores presented their Planting a Seed projects. The causes ranged from spreading the word about horse therapy to making legislative change with the state to give more underserved preschoolers subsidized classes. A panel of judges reviewed the group presentations. Several will receive seed grant money to move their projects forward. Winners will be announced in next week's e-newsletter.

Planting a Seed - Syri-us
Planting a Seed - Syri-us

Next Week We Celebrate Purposeful Life
For our Purposeful Life week, we will explore how Pacific Ridge students find their passions, hone their leadership skills and give back to the community. Please see the Bulletin Section above for information about attending next week's Senior Signatures Evening Expo on March 28.

Visit our website here to learn about more upcoming 10th-year celebration events. Want to volunteer? Contact Monique Benjamin at 760-448-9866 or mbenjamin@pacificridge.org.

New & Noteworthy

Theater Students Compete at Festival
Lights... camera... competition! Over the weekend 11 students in the Advanced Acting and Directing class participated in the Fullerton College High School Theater Festival. Students performed solo and in groups more than 20 times! The festival was a great opportunity for inspiration and united theater students from throughout the region.


Dance Students Visit Orange County for Competition
Pacific Ridge dance students proved they're a step above! On March 18 students attended the Dance Masters Pacific Coast Competition in Orange County. For class awards, Dance 1/2 and Dance 3/4 took home a Gold Award. In the duo and trio category, Emma Lawlor, Grace Hofer, and Sarah Levitt received a High Gold Award for their trio and 5th overall high score. The soloists also did great job:
  • Grace Hofer: High Gold Award and the highest scoring Lyrical award
  • Sarah Levitt: Platinum Award and 5th place overall high scoring soloist
  • Megan Ong: Platinum Award and 4th place overall high scoring soloist 
  • Kyle Chen: High Gold Award
  • Lin Welsh: High Gold Award


Good Reads

Dr. Smith -
Dr. Smith - "Quicksand"

Dr. Smith's Pick: Find out why Assistant Head of School Dr. Sidra Smith's favorite book is Quicksand by Nella Larsen.

Curricular Adventures

Ninth Graders Hone Their Public Speaking Skills
Orations are a rite of passage for Pacific Ridge Upper Schoolers. Every year, ninth graders choose a topic they're passionate about and give a speech to a room full of their peers, teachers and community members. Starting March 14, students took to the podium to give their carefully prepared speeches. Finalists in each English class will present their orations to the whole school on April 13. Parents and community members are invited to attend. Click here to RSVP.



Neuroscientist Talks Real Science Behind Zombie Brains
What does a zombie's brain look like? On March 20, Dr. Brad Voytek, Assistant Professor of Computational Cognitive Science and Neuroscience at UC San Diego, mapped out a zombie brain for students in the Zombiology STEAM elective. Dr. Voytek also discussed his work studying non-zombie brains in the areas of neural oscillations, cognition and disease. His fascination with the concept of zombies led Dr. Voytek to co-author the book Do Zombies Dream of Undead Sheep? with fellow neuroscientist Timothy Verstynen.

Dr. Voytek and students delve into the minds of zombies.

Service Learning in the Field

New Haven Night Shelter Visits La Posada
Students in the upper school service learning group New Haven Night Shelter raise money and awareness for a homeless shelter in Cape Town, South Africa and often have the opportunity to visit the shelter during global travel. Students who haven't yet had the chance to visit were able to learn about a local shelter, La Posada de Guadalupe. On March 21, students toured the shelter, spoke with administrators and helped clean the facility. 

Hearing about the experience of La Posada's clients

Keeping the shelter clean and welcoming
 
Parents Association 

NEW DATE for Book Club Meeting: Monday, April 10th
The book club meeting has been rescheduled to Monday, April 10. Join fellow parents to discuss 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, April10th
Time: 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Place: Pacific Ridge School Library

Parents Association Informational Coffee on April 12th
Please join the Parents Association for an informational coffee on Wednesday, April 12 to learn more about the role of the PA and its available committee and board positions for the 2017-2018 school year. Please RSVP to parentsassociation@pacificridge.org if you are interested in attending the coffee or if you would like more information about becoming involved with the Parents Association.
Date: Wednesday, April 12th
Time: 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
Location: Community Hall

Parents Association General Meeting, Friday, May 12th
Save the date! The Parents Association's May general meeting will feature a panel of graduating Pacific Ridge seniors who will discuss their experiences with the college application and decision-making process. Rachel Petrella, Director of College Guidance, will discuss the support, resources, and programs offered through the College Guidance department. More details coming soon!

 
Sports on the Ridge

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


03/28/17
3:30 p.m. Girls MS - A Basketball vs Tri-City Christian
3:30 p.m. Boys Varsity Tennis vs Tri-City Christian (Bobby Riggs Tennis Club)
4:30 p.m. Girls MS - B Basketball vs Tri-City Christian

03/29/17
3:00 p.m. Girls Varsity Lacrosse vs Westview High School
4:00 p.m. Coed Varsity Golf vs Classical Academy High (Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club)
5:15 p.m. Boys Varsity Lacrosse vs Wheat Ridge High School

03/31/17
3:30 p.m. Girls Varsity Lacrosse vs Grossmont High School
5:15 p.m. Boys Varsity Lacrosse vs Rancho Bernardo




Parents! Help us feature your child's sport in the e-newsletter. If you like taking photographs and have images to share, please contact the Communications Office by clicking here.

College Guidance

San Diego National College Fair April 25th
Interact with admissions representatives at the San Diego National College Fair on April 25. National College Fairs is a program of the National Association for College Admission Counseling. Pre-registration online recommended and is available here.
Time: 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Date: Tuesday, April 25th
Location: Convention Center, 111 W Harbor Dr, San Diego

Out of State College Night was a big success, allowing short "meet and greets" with college representatives from across the nation.

See upcoming key College Guidance dates here in Haiku. 


Faculty & Staff News

Welcome to a new Firebird!
Congratulations to Athletic Assistant Jennifer Wiedemeier, who welcomed her first child, daughter Madagan Trevor Wiedemeier, on March 19. She weighed 8 pounds and 1 ounce and measured 20 inches at birth. Jen, her husband Matt, and two delighted big brothers are soaking up every minute with the new addition to their family.


New Staff & Faculty

Jed Stotsenberg - Director of Volleyball and Boys Varsity Volleyball Coach

Favorite or most recent, book? Books I am reading right now: 
Win Forever by Pete Carroll and Tools of Titans by Timothy Ferriss
Favorite books I've read this year: Red Rising Trilogy and Ready Player One
Favorite movie? I love movies, too many to pick just one.
Favorite sport? Volleyball, surfing and hiking
Greatest indulgence? Books, gear, hats
If you make him breakfast? Bacon, hash browns, eggs over easy, small salad and strong coffee
In his free time? Spend time with my wife and son, reading and being active outdoors
Dream vacation? One month no phones, no computer, surfing and/or in the mountains with good food, family and friends. Doesn't matter where.
Home Town? Kirkland, Washington

Sports Scores

Scores:

Girls MS - A Basketball
03/14/17 Rancho Santa Fe Middle School 19 25 L
03/16/17 San Diego Jewish Academy 44 4 W

Girls MS - B Basketball
03/14/17 Rancho Santa Fe Middle School 28 13 W
03/16/17 San Diego Jewish Academy 28 4 W

Coed Varsity Golf
03/15/17 Santa Fe Christian Schools 234 206 L
03/16/17 La Jolla Country Day School 223 212 L

Boys Varsity Tennis
03/14/17 Santa Fe Christian Schools 8 10 L
03/16/17 Orange Glen High School 17 1 W

Boys Varsity Lacrosse
03/14/17 San Dieguito Academy 17 6 W
03/17/17 Del Norte High School 5 7 L

Boys MS- A Lacrosse
03/15/17 San Marcos Bl 10 2 W

Girls Varsity Lacrosse
03/14/17 San Dieguito Academy 11 4 W
03/16/17 Rancho Bernardo 12 11 W

Girls Middle School Lacrosse
03/18/17 Sting 9 14 L

Boys Varsity Volleyball
03/14/17 El Camino High School 3 0 W
03/16/17 San Pasqual High School 3 0 W
03/17/17 Mission Hills High School 0 3 L

Boys Junior Varsity Volleyball
03/14/17 El Camino High School 0 2 L
03/16/17 San Pasqual High School 1 2 L
03/17/17 Mission Hills High School 0 3 L

Boys MS - A Volleyball
03/16/17 Horizon Prep 2 0 W

Girls Varsity Beach Volleyball 
03/16/17 Westview High School
Jackie Jones/Megan Luly 21-11 W; 21-16 W
Emma Price/Kear Keitel 21-17 W; 21-16 W
Phebe Le/Arianna White 9-21 L; 9-21 L

Girls Junior Varsity Beach Volleyball
03/17/17 Westview High School 
Alana Ly/Mishaal Ijaz 11- 21 L; 16-21 L
Idaly Gandara/Chyenne Loyd 5-21 L; 7-21 L
Emily Adams/Darin Marlow 3 21 L; 11 21 L
Darin Marlow/Idaly Gandara 20-22 L; 12-21 L
Dexie Schlassa/Meghan Sullivan 2-21 L; 7-21 L
Mila Spengler/Onyx Oliveira 21-13 W; 14-21 L; 21-19 W

Boys Track and Field
03/16/17 League Meet #1
Cole Hardin: 1st place - 100 Meters; 2nd Place - Long Jump
Gavin Conway: 9th Place -100 Meters; 7th place 200 Meters
John Meader: 8th Place - 200 Meters; 6th Place - Long Jump; 5th Place - Triple Jump
Jake Newman: 4th Place - 400 Metrs
Jordan Derbas: 9th Place - 400 Meters
Harrison Torino: 8th Place - 800 Meters; 7th Place 1600 Meters
Tommy Hughes: 9th Place - 800 Meters
Christopher Ong: 4th Place - 3200 Meters
Leo Diaz: 6th Place - 3200 Meters
Jay Grogan: 9th Place - 3200 Meters
Adrian Chang: 3rd Place - 110m Hurdles 39"; 4th Place - 300m Hurdles 36"

Girls Track and Field
03/16/17 League Meet #1
Megan Martindale: 6th Place - 200 Meters; 2nd Place - 400 Meters
Polly Ecke: 10th Place - 200 Meters
Anna Nuzzo: 10th Place - 400 Meters
Tanisha McCullough: 4th Place - 800 Meters
Savannah Streitman: 6th Place - 800 Meters 
Kimberly Cheung: 1st Place - 1600 Meters
Lynlee Duck-Reynolds: 7th Place - 1600 Meters
Agnes Chong: 10th Place - 1600 Meters
Olivia Carter: 1st Place - 100m Hurdle 33"; 1st Place - Long Jump
Sarah Levitt: 4th Place - 100m Hurdle 33"
Katja Reich: 5th Place - 100m Hurdle 33"
Hannah Salameh: 7th Place - Shot Put 4 kg
Hannah Maerowitz: 2nd Place - Long Jump; 2nd Place - Triple Jump


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 Schoolwww.pacificridge.org

March 24th
Spring Kickoff BBQ
3 p.m.

March 27th
NCAA College Night
6:30 p.m.

March 28th
Senior Signature Expo
6 p.m.

March 29th
Day of Giving

April 1st - 9th
Spring Break

April 10th
Parents Association Book Club Meeting
7 p.m.

April 13th
Orations Finals
11:30 a.m.

April 26th
Grandparents Day

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