In This Issue - April 13, 2017
Snapshot from the Ridge

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

Students fill out their online ballots during Tuesday's All-School elections.

Bulletin Board

10th-Year Celebration Athletic Tailgate on April 18th
To celebrate Athletics Week during the 10th-year celebration, the Parents Association is hosting a tailgate on April 18. All are welcome to attend. Afterwards, cheer on the girls Middle School - A and - B Basketball teams and Boys Varsity Lacrosse against Santa Fe Christian.
Date: Tuesday, April 18th
Time: 3:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Location: Athletic Center

9th/10th-Grade Global Travel Night on April 19th
This event will give 9th and 10th-grade parents and students information about the upcoming China and Northern Sierras trips. Both parents and students should attend the China meeting. Sophomores can join their parents at the Northern Sierras meeting if they choose. Parents will get extensive background about the trips and 9th graders will find out which travel group they are in and who their chaperones are.
Date: Wednesday, April 19th
Time: China, 5:45 - 7:00 p.m.; Northern Sierras, 7:15 - 8:15 p.m.
Place: East Reading Room
NO SCHOOL on April 21st: Student-Led Conferences
Pacific Ridge welcomes families on Friday, April 21 for Student-Led Conferences. There will be no classes that day.
 

Tickets Available for Almost Maine!
Love can be messy as the residents of the fictional town called Almost, Maine, find out one cold winter night in February. Save the date for the upper school performance of Almost Maine on April 22 and 23. Tickets, $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors, are available here.
Date: April 22nd and 23rd
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Place: Avo Playhouse, 303 Main St, Vista, CA 92084 

Grandparents Day is on April 26th!
Pacific Ridge School is hosting its first-ever Grandparents Day on Wednesday, April 26. Starting at 10:30 a.m., grandparents are welcome to tour the campus, attend classes with their grandchildren and enjoy a special lunch. Afterwards, they're invited to join the rest of the Pacific Ridge community, including parents, at an afternoon of SpringFest activities.
Date: Wednesday, April 26th
Grandparents Check In Time: 10:30 a.m.
SpringFest: 12:30 - 3:00 p.m.
 
Don't Miss SpringFest!
The entire Pacific Ridge community is warmly invited to SpringFest on April 26. Activities will include performances, STEAM activities and the hands-on, student-led Exploratorium tent. There will also be a culinary arts competition and the opportunity to dine on a variety of student and faculty-made dishes. Join us in celebrating the arts at Pacific Ridge!
Date: Wednesday, April 26th
Time: 12:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Place: Pacific Ridge lawn

11th/12th-Grade Parent Global Travel Night on April 26th
This event will focus on giving you all the information you need to know about your child's end-of-year global trip. We will discuss packing, itineraries and what your children can expect from their trips. 
NEW DATE: Wednesday, April 26th
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Place: Athletic Center

Summer Programs and Sports Camps At Pacific Ridge!
From June 26 to early August, Pacific Ridge will be offering a number of summer programs available to all students in San Diego's North County. Choices include the Firebird Program for rising 5th through 7th graders, non-credit academic and other classes for middle and high school students, and sports camps for children in elementary school through high school. To check out all the great options and to register, please visit the 2017 Summer Programs page on the Pacific Ridge website.

10 Years Strong
It's Academic Excellence Week!
Every day, Pacific Ridge students are challenged to excel academically. Harkness discussions ensure middle and upper school students are actively engaged in their lessons and learn how to collaborate with their peers and teachers. Academic content is integrated across disciplines to provide context and greater meaning. Students have a varied mix of course options, including required core subjects and the chance to explore their passions. Co-curricular programs such as Service Learning and clubs are built into the school day, giving students the time necessary to expand their learning beyond the classroom. 
The energy, quality and dedication of the teachers at Pacific Ridge are the essence of our academic excellence. 

The Harkness method of teaching has been central to academic excellence at Pacific Ridge since the school's first day. 
Freshman Orations Get Pacific Ridge Community Thinking
Since Pacific Ridge's founding, orations have been a signature experience for ninth graders. Today's orations finals included the 800th oration in the school's history given in front of the entire school community. Each finalist was selected by their peers and teachers after giving an earlier speech to a smaller audience. Topics ranged from creating success out of failure to the significance of one's name and the symbolic and gustatorial value of donuts. The speeches were often personal and were delivered with sincerity, humor and eloquence. Congratulations to the entire 9th-grade class, the finalists and third place winner Sophia Mickelson, second place winner Jackson Philion and first place winner Sofia Hart!

Sofia Hart - "Too Costly a Cure"
Sophie Harris - "The Use of Social Media for Peer Acceptance"
Marcus Phillips - "Hip-Hop: Hero or Villain"
Mika Ellison - "Hi, I'm a Feminist"
Jackson Philion - "Mind vs. Body: Donuts"
Krishnalei So'oto - "Bouncing Back"
Sloane McGuire - "The Name Game"
Sophia Mickelson - "Racism Without Racists"
 
Next Week is Athletics Week - Join Our Tailgate!
The Firebird spirit is strong among our student-athletes who participate in all different types of sports. Help us celebrate Athletics Week by attending the Tailgate on April 18 and cheering on the middle school girls basketball teams and varsity boys lacrosse team. See details in the Bulletin section above.

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.

Educational Insights

Voices From the Ridge: Click here to read Communications Manager Abby Adams' blog post "Six Tips for Giving a Great Freshman Oration."

New & Noteworthy
Sophomores Advise Freshmen on Upcoming China Trip
"Ziplock bags will be your best friend" and "Be sure to try the yak - it's delicious!" were among the pearls of wisdom shared by 10th-grade students with 9th graders on April 10. A panel of sophomores described their China trip experiences and took questions from the 9th-grade class to help them prepare for this year's China adventure. The session included tips on packing, food in China, sleep, communication, cultural respect and the vast rewards of leaning into discomfort. According to 9th-Grade Dean Sarah Peeden, "The discussion allowed 9th graders to learn from their peers and for 10th graders to reminisce and share the knowledge they gained abroad." Ninth graders will spend time preparing for their travel with discussions, research assignments, field trips and panels like this one.

10th graders assured the 9th graders the yak in China is delicious!

We Did It! Day of Giving a Big Success
During the Day of Giving Campaign on March 29, 125 Pacific Ridge parents made gifts earning a $10,000 Challenge Grant for the Pacific Ridge Annual Fund! Thank you to all who have given to the Annual Fund this year. Your support helps us reach higher every day. The Pacific Ridge Alumni Fund also received strong support, with 76 alumni contributions, unlocking an additional $7,500 challenge grant. To date, we have raised $555,000 toward our $625,000 goal. If you have yet to support the 2016-2017 Annual Fund, it is not too late! Click here to make your gift or pledge.

Thank you parents!
Thank you parents!

Good Reads


Ms. Behr's Pick: Find out why visual arts teacher and service learning director Alison Behr's favorite book is Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, by Lewis Carroll.

Curricular Adventures
Vocal and Jazz Ensembles Make Beautiful Music in NYC
About 30 students in the vocal and jazz ensembles kicked off spring break on a high note by performing in the Big Apple! The Vocal Ensemble was chosen for the prestigious opportunity to perform a solo as part of the National Youth Choir at Carnegie Hall on April 2. Earlier, the Jazz Rock Ensemble was awarded gold at the WorldStrides Heritage Festival for their performance March 31 at Riverside Church. While it was a weekend full of choir and jazz, students also managed to soak in the city. They saw the Empire State Building, Central Park, Rockefeller Plaza, the Statue of Liberty and even two Broadway shows!

Students worked all year on their performance.
Students at Carnegie Hall, left and the Empire State Building.

Seventh Graders Visit Border and Suzie's Farm
On March 31, seventh graders heard from border patrol agents at Friendship Park as part of their borders and boundaries unit in Social and Community Studies (SOCCOM). They're currently examining the complexity of recent immigration policy and the potential changes the current administration might make on American immigration and border security. Afterwards, students toured Suzie's Farm, a 70-acre organic farm, to bring to life their science studies on plants. 

The seventh graders had great questions for the border patrol agents.
Model U.N. Participants Compete in Laguna Beach
On March 25, 17 upper school students attended the Model UN Conference at Laguna Beach High School. Faculty advisor Scott Silk reports: "We entered a group of young, but talented delegates. I was extremely proud of their preparation, engagement, and willingness to push themselves beyond their comfort zones." Mary Fangman '20 and Jake Arft-Guatelli '20 both took home Outstanding Delegate Awards. Maeve Hushman '20, Emil Halliday '20, Sydney Schmitter '19 and Kiran Dickey '19 won Commendation Awards. 

Congratulations to the Model UN Club!

Service Learning in the Field

KARE Hosts Anti-Bullying Workshop
New upper school service learning group KARE hosted the Positive Action Community Theatre (PACT) organization on April 11 for an anti-bullying workshop. Student actors from across North County who fall on the autism spectrum performed various bullying scenarios to raise awareness of the different types of harassment, from physical to cyber bullying. Students in KARE hope to promote awareness about adolescent mental health at Pacific Ridge and in the larger community. 

A PACT actor demonstrates what physical bullying can look like.

Parents Association 
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. Space is limited, so please RSVP by Monday, May 9 to parentsassociation@pacificridge.org.
Date: Friday, May 12th
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Location: Community Hall

10th Grade Parent Social Meet-Up
All parents of 10th-grade students are invited to get together for a casual evening at Del Mar Plaza. Join other parents for appetizers, dinner and/or dessert or just drop by to socialize.
Please RSVP to parentsassociation@pacificridge.org to receive more information concerning the event.
Date: Saturday, April 22nd
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Del Mar Plaza

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.


04/17/17
3:15 p.m. Boys Junior Varsity Lacrosse vs Santa Fe Christian

04/18/17
3:30 p.m. Girls MS - A Basketball vs Santa Fe Christian Schools
4:30 p.m. Girls MS - B Basketball vs Santa Fe Christian Schools
5:15 p.m. Boys Varsity Lacrosse vs Santa Fe Christian Schools

04/19/17
3:45 p.m. Boys MS - A Volleyball vs Christian Jr/Sr High School

04/20/17
4:00 p.m. Girls Varsity Lacrosse vs Del Lago Academy

Congratulations to the All-League Winter Athletes!
Girls Varsity Basketball
2nd team All-league: Reid Dinning
Honorable mention: Kimberley Cheung and Emmie Neilson

Boys Varsity Basketball
1st team All-League: Noah Kuo
2nd team All-League: Kyle Ramsay
 
Boys Varsity Soccer
1st team All-League: Borhan Rafiq
2nd team All-League: Ben Causey
Honorable Mention: Jared Pollard, George Biddle, and Max Viernes

Girls Varsity Soccer
1st team All-League: Laura Jones

Boys Junior Varsity Volleyball Places 2nd in West Coast Challenge Tournament



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 from around the country at the San Diego National College Fair on April 25. Pre-registration online is 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

Local Information Sessions
Students and families who are interested in attending local information sessions hosted by various colleges and universities can find them listed as Key Dates on the College Guidance landing page of Haiku here.
 
Juniors: Save the Dates of May 16th and May 24th-25th
Several mandatory junior programs are coming up, including Coastline Case Studies on May 16 at Pacific Ridge and Camp College, May 24 - 25 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. More details coming soon.

Seniors: Check in With Counselors on College Decisions
Seniors should remember to check in with their counselor when they have news to share regarding college decisions. Students who have questions about any decision they have received should be in touch with their counselor well ahead of the May 1 National Reply Deadline.


Faculty & Staff News

Welcome to a New Firebird!
Congratulations to vocal music teacher Justine Hansen, who welcomed her second daughter, Eliza Lynn Marie, on March 1. She weighed 6 pounds and 10 ounces at birth. Baby Eliza has already attended 2 choir concerts and 1 rehearsal in her four weeks of life. Ms Hansen said she's doing great and Eliza's big sister Eleanora and dad Ross are very much in love with the new girl!

New Staff & Faculty

 
Michael Bourland - Business Office Assistant

Most recent, book? Machiavelli: The Prince
Favorite movies? Goonies and Big Trouble in Little China
Favorite sports? Traditional Martial Arts (not MMA)
Greatest indulgence? Del Taco
If you make him breakfast? Pancakes
In his free time? Video Games, photography, creative writing
Dream vacation? Scotland                          
Home Town? San Clemente, CA

Sports Scores

Scores:

Girls MS - A Basketball
03/28/17 Tri-City Christian Schools 27 39 L

Girls MS - B Basketball
03/28/17 Tri-City Christian Schools 18 2 W

Coed Varsity Golf
03/28/17 Army & Navy Academy 218 266 W
03/29/17 Classical Academy High 228 243 W
04/04/17 The Bishop's School 218 219 W
04/06/17 Santa Fe Christian Schools 215 187 L

Boys Varsity Tennis
03/27/17 San Marcos High School 3 15 L
03/28/17 Tri-City Christian Schools 17 1 W
03/29/17 Orange Glen High School 14 4 W

Coed Middle School Tennis
03/28/17 Rancho Santa Fe Middle School 1 5 L

Boys Varsity Lacrosse
03/29/17 Wheat Ridge High School 4 15 L
03/31/17 Rancho Bernardo 7 8 L
04/04/17 Oak Park High School 8 15 L
04/07/17 Sage Hill 14 0 W

Boys Junior Varsity Lacrosse
03/27/17 Del Norte High School 5 7 L

Girls Varsity Lacrosse
03/29/17 Westview High School 15 10 W
03/31/17 Grossmont High School 12 2 W
04/01/17 Francis W. Parker School 15 5 W

Boys Varsity Volleyball
03/28/17 Torrey Pines High School 0 3 L
04/06/17 The Bishop's School 3 1 W
04/07/17 West Coast Challenge
   Liberty Charter High School 2 0 W
   Helix High School 2 0 W
   Mission Hills High School 2 1 W
4/08 West Coast Challenge Continued
   Torrey Pines High School 1 2 L
   Bishop's School 2 1 W
   Mt. Carmel High School 0 2 L

Boys Junior Varsity Volleyball
03/28/17 Torrey Pines High School 0 2 L
04/01/17 West Coast Challenge 
   Valhalla 2 0 W; 1 0 W
   Mt. Carmel 0 2 L
   Santana 0 2 L
   West Hills 1 0 W
   Classical Academy 0 1 L
04/06/17 The Bishop's School 2 1 W

Boys MS - A Volleyball
03/29/17 Christian Junior Senior High School 2 0 W

Girls Track and Field
04/01/17 Willie Banks Invitational at Oceanside High School
Olivia Carter: 2nd place - 100m Hurdles - 33" Varsity



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

April 18th
PA Tailgate
3 p.m.

April 19th
9th/10th-Grade Global Travel Night
China: 5:45 - 7p.m.
Northern Sierras: 
7:15 - 8:15 p.m.

April 21st
NO SCHOOL
Student-Led Conferences
8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

April 22nd
Upper School Play
7 p.m.

April 23rd
Upper School Play
7 p.m.

April 26th
Grandparents Day
10:30 a.m.

SpringFest
12:30 - 3 p.m.

11th/12th-Grade Parent Global Travel Night
6:30 p.m.

May 12th
Parents Association General Meeting
8 a.m.

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