In This Issue - May 11, 2017
Snapshot from the Ridge

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


Conceptual Physics students work on their Rube Goldberg project.

Bulletin Board
NEW TIME: Senior Art Show Celebrates Dedicated Artists
This year's show features a wide range of media including drawing, painting, film, graphic design and photography. Hors d'oeuvres will be served. Please note the new start time of 7:00 p.m.
Date: Thursday, May 11th 
Time: 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. 
Location: Community Hall 

Reminder: Junior and Senior Prom is May 13th
Juniors, seniors and their guests will be setting sail for a night of fun and dancing aboard the Hornblower Cruise. Students must meet at Pacific Ridge no later than 4:45 p.m. The boat sets sail at 6:00 and returns at 9:00 p.m. Students will then be transported back to campus and should arrive about 10:00 p.m.
Date: Saturday, May 13th
Time: 4:45 - 10:00 p.m.
Location: Transportation provided to and from Pacific Ridge
Aviary Builders Needed May 13th
Service Learning group Raptor Rehab is finishing the construction of an aviary to rehabilitate injured birds in Ramona. Volunteers are needed to help assemble the pre-made panels. The times of arrival and departure are lenient so if you can make it for just part of the time that's fine. Email August Trees (atrees@pacificridge.org) with questions or to RSVP. Be sure to wear closed-toed shoes to the event. Food and drinks will be provided.
Date: Saturday, May 13th
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Ramona

Class of 2017 Parent Celebration Dinner 
Senior parents are warmly invited to a dinner honoring the wisdom, guidance, support, encouragement and love you have bestowed on this group of seniors, helping them become the amazing young adults that they are. Dinner and a special program will be provided. Please direct questions and RSVPs to Nisa Conway at nconway@pacificridge.org. 
Date: Thursday, May 18th
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Place: West Reading Room

Reminder: La Posada Service Toiletry Drive
The Middle School Service Learning group working with the La Posada mens shelter in Carlsbad is collecting soap, razors, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, deodorant, sunscreen and shaving cream. Collection boxes are in the Middle School Reading room until May 15.

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. To check out all the great options and to register, please visit 2017 Summer Programs on our website.

10 Years Strong
Global Reflections - You'll Want to Read This!
Our 10th-year celebration volunteers have been gathering photographs, scouring the archives for information, and reflecting on all things Pacific Ridge. For a beautiful synopsis of global engagement at Pacific Ridge, please click here to visit our 10th-Year Celebration page and read a reflection penned by parent Gwen Meitchik. While you're there, take a look at the topics we've been celebrating over the past nine weeks!
10th graders on the Northern Sierra trip!

A student reads to a child at a foster home in South Africa.

Share Your Pacific Ridge Story!
As part of our 10th-year activities, we are creating an archive of Pacific Ridge stories that can be included in our culminating 10th-year celebration in September. We need your help! Please take a few moments to reflect on your Pacific Ridge journey and, using the survey link here, describe an experience from your time at the school that has been meaningful to you, your child or your family. Your family's personal story is an important part of the story of Pacific Ridge. Thank you for sharing it.
 
Next Week College and Alumni are Highlighted
As the 10th-year celebrations are winding to a close, we plan to celebrate our amazing community of alumni and the different colleges Firebirds are attending throughout the U.S. Stop by the Athletic Center lobby next week to view the college and alumni display.
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
Wedding Singer Logo Wedding Singer Nominated for Best Musical!
For the first time in Pacific Ridge's history, a school production was nominated in the best musical category of the Ben Vereen Awards. Four other schools were nominated for the prestigious honor. A small group will perform at the award ceremony on May 28th. Junior Nick Hamparayan was nominated for best actor and more information on the award ceremony is available in the Class Notes section below. Huge congratulations go to director Fredreka Irvine and the entire cast and crew!

Firebird Research Institute Visits Life Science Incubator
Shared workspaces are gaining popularity throughout North County and one of them aims to make science research more accessible. On May 4, members of the Firebird Research Institute traveled to Bio, Tech and Beyond to explore the North County life science incubator. By making available many of the tools of modern life science research to anyone who wants to use them, Bio, Tech and Beyond has put the scientific research process in the hands of anyone with a great idea. Students heard from scientists who are developing new and exciting projects using the incubator.


Observational Bee Hive Coming to Campus
An observational bee hive is in the process of installation in room H226. The hive is a resource for the whole community to experientially, but safely, learn about pollinators' important contributions to our local ecosystem, agriculture, and economy. For more information about the hive, its installation and its proposed uses, view this letter by Sustainability Director and resident beekeeper Melissa Symington.



Academic League Celebrates Season
The Academic League took on a tough team on May 3 - their parents! In celebration of a great season, the varsity team played three matches against a team of parents in Community Hall. It was a great sendoff for the seniors and a fun event attended by more than 60 people. The varsity team ended their Academic League season with a record of 5-1, the junior varsity finished at 3-3 and the freshmen earned a strong 5-1 record in their first year competing. Congratulations!

We'll miss this team!

Clinical Geneticist Highlights Lifelong Career in Medicine
Dr. Joseph Peeden Jr., clinical geneticist & pediatrician at the University of Tennessee and the father of teachers Sarah and Preston Peeden, met with students on May 5 during a SPARK session. Students asked him questions about genetics and his work in pediatrics. Dr. Peeden is a founding fellow of the American College of Medical Genetics. He discussed common misconceptions about genetics and encouraged students with an interest in medicine to take a lot of science courses. The discussion came a day after a Community Life on the future of genetics so students were able to get another point of view on the topic.

Good Reads

Ms. McElroy - Infinite Divisions
Ms. McElroy - 
Infinite Divisions

Ms. McElroy's Pick: Find out why Spanish Fellow Alexa McElroy's favorite book is Infinite Divisions: An Anthology of Chicana Literature edited by Tey Diana Rebolledo and Eliana Suárez Rivero.

Curricular Adventures
Geometry Students Make A Splash During Boat Regatta
Cheers could be heard all throughout Alga Norte Community Park as geometry students put their cardboard boats to the test on May 8. The goal of the regatta was to get in as many laps as possible in a cardboard boat. Geometry students created a prototype and built their boats out of nothing but cardboard and duct tape. They applied concepts such as surface area and it's relation to volume to have the best chance of staying afloat. Some managed more than 10 laps while others barely made it inches past their launch site! A handful of students made oars and paddles (out of cardboard and duct tape of course) to help them get in more laps before their boat inevitably sank.

The Cardboard Boat Regatta
The Cardboard Boat Regatta

More photos available on Facebook here.

Culinary Club Tours Organic Bakery
Clinton and Louie Prager, owners of Prager Brothers Artisan Bakery, shared the ingredients for a successful small business with the Culinary Club on May 4. The brothers explained the benefits of working with organic, quality ingredients and discussed their sustainability efforts. Students toured the Carlsbad bakery for a closer look at the artisan bread making practice. 

Louie Prager showcases unbaked loaves.

Class Notes

Junior Nominated for Ben Vereen Award
Nick Hamparyan '18 has been nominated as Best Actor for the 2017 Ben Vereen Awards for his performance as Robbie Hart in this year's production of The Wedding Singer. There were 24 Ben Vereen Awards adjudicators who attended performances of The Wedding Singer - the most ever at Pacific Ridge School. There were 9 other students nominated for best actor. In collaboration with the National High School Musical Theatre Awards, the awards present talented young performers with a unique scholarship opportunity to advance their educations and careers in the genre of musical theater. If Nick wins, he will be selected to compete at the National High School Musical Theatre Awards (the "Jimmy Awards") in New York City in June. He will also be selected to participate in Camp Broadway. Tickets to the ceremony are available here.
Date: Sunday, May 28th
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: The Balboa Theatre, 4th Ave. and E St., San Diego

Nick as Robby Hart and Rachael Bell as Julia Sullivan.

Service Learning
 
Animal Allies Models Summer Photo Shoot
The middle school service learning group Animal Allies held a photo shoot at the North County Animal Shelter on May 1 with some of the adoptable animals. The photo shoot was themed around summer, with boogie boards and festive hats. The interaction helps socialize the animals and also provides the shelter with great photos which will help them find new homes. 



Parents Association 

Reminder: Final Parents Association General Meeting is tomorrow!
Don't miss the final general meeting and coffee of the year which will feature a panel of graduating Pacific Ridge seniors who will share their unique experiences with the college application and decision-making process.
Date: Friday, May 12th
Time: 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Location: Community Hall

Book Club Meeting Monday, May 15th
As we start to wind down this year of great reading, join fellow parents to discuss Lincoln in the Bardo: A Novel, by George Sanders. Reviews suggest investigating the word "bardo" to reduce the potential for confusion, especially in the beginning of the book. Give consideration to listening to this book, as it breaks new ground in audio recording!
Date: Monday, May 15th
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Place: Pacific Ridge School Library
 
Final Parent Walking Club of Year Next Friday
Join the Walking Club for a walk around the Rancho Santa Fe Golf Course. The group also plans to enjoy coffee and refreshments at Thyme in the Ranch for anyone able to stay. 
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Location: Thyme in the Ranch, 16905 Avenida De Acacias, Rancho Santa Fe 

Save the Date! Year's Final Supper Club Social on May 21st
All Supper Club members are invited to attend the final Supper Club Social of the 2017-18 school year! Come enjoy a relaxed evening with other parents as the school year draws to an end. Evites have been sent out. If you have not received an eVite and expected one, contact parentsassociation@pacificridge.org. Please RSVP no later than Thursday, May 18.  
Date: Sunday, May 21st
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Place: See eVite for Bressi Ranch location 

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.

CIF Tournament Games
Since CIF tournament games are determined by wins and losses, visit Schedulestar to see the latest information on upcoming games. Support your Firebirds!!
Boys Varsity Volleyball CIF Playoff BBQ Tomorrow
Boys Varsity Volleyball with be playing in the CIF quarterfinals tomorrow against Poway. It is the last home game of the season.
Join us for a barbecue and cheer on the team afterwards. The first 50 students are free, then student tickets are $6 and adult tickets are $9.
Time: BBQ - 4:00 p.m. Game - 5:00 p.m.
Date: Friday, May 12th
Location: Athletic Center

Congrats to Our CIF Champions!
The Boys Varsity Tennis players took first and second place in the Individual Pacific League Championship and also took first place in doubles! The Boys Volleyball Middle School A Team took home the title of South Coast Middle School League champions! 
Boys Varsity Tennis
Boys Volleyball Middle School A Team

Girls Beach Volleyball and Boys Volleyball Get Airtime
Check out these clips from Fox 5 and KUSI following big wins by the Firebirds:

Girls Varsity Beach Volleyball on Fox 5.
Girls Varsity Beach Volleyball on Fox 5.

Boys Varsity Volleyball on KUSI News.
Boys Varsity Volleyball on KUSI News.

College Guidance

Reminder: Coastline Case Studies for Juniors and Parents 
Date: Tuesday, May 16th
Time: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Mullady Hall and campus-wide

Transition to College Tailgate for Senior Families on May 23rd
On May 23, College Guidance is hosting the Transition to College Tailgate and Improv. It will be a light-hearted night of food and comedy for seniors and their parents to celebrate the next steps beyond Pacific Ridge.
Date: Tuesday, May 23rd
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Athletic Center

Camp College for Juniors  May 24th - 25th
All juniors are expected to attend Camp College.
Date: Wednesday and Thursday, May 24th - 25th
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

Admissions Officer Panel on May 17th
College admissions officers from colleges and universities around the nation will be available to talk with all Pacific Ridge families on Wednesday, May 17. This event is recommended for parents of juniors and sophomores. This year, colleagues from Boston University, Stanford University, Trinity College and the University of Virginia will share the wisdom of their experience as the people who read applications and meet with high school students year in and year out.
Date: Wednesday, May 17th
Time: 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Location: Community Hall

Junior Families Save These August Dates
Families should save the date of August 23-24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Camp College, and the evening of August 23 at 6:30 p.m. for 12th Grade Parent College Night. More details to follow.
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.


Sports Scores

Scores:

Girls MS - A Basketball
05/02/17 San Diego Jewish Academy 40 6 W
05/04/17 Tri-City Christian Schools 23 28 L

Girls MS - B Basketball
05/02/17 San Diego Jewish Academy 21 6 W

Boys Varsity Tennis
05/02/17 Vincent Memorial Catholic High School 
CIF First Round 3 15 L

Boys Varsity Lacrosse
05/02/17 La Jolla Country Day School 9 11 L
05/04/17 The Bishop's School 5 14 L

Boys Junior Varsity Lacrosse
05/01/17 La Jolla Country Day School 5 6 L

Girls Varsity Lacrosse
05/02/17 The Bishop's School 12 13 L

Girls Middle School Lacrosse
05/06/17 United Blue 11 4 W

Boys Varsity Volleyball
05/02/17 Escondido Charter 3 1 W
05/05/17 Santa Fe Christian 3 0 W

Boys Junior Varsity Volleyball
05/02/17 Escondido Charter 0 2 L
  
Boys MS - A Volleyball
05/03/17 Francis Parker School 2 0 W

Boys MS - B Volleyball
05/03/17 Francis Parker School 1 2 L
05/05/17 Santa Fe Christian School 2 0 W

Girls Varsity Beach Volleyball 
05/04/17 Mission Bay Bucs 1 2 L

Girls Junior Varsity Beach Volleyball 
05/04/17 San Marcos High School 0 7 L

Coed Track & Field
05/04/17 - League Meet #5 at University City High School
Cole Hardin: 3rd place - 100 meters
Megan Martindale: 3rd place - 400 meters
Kimberly Cheung: 1st place - 1600 meters
Lynlee Duck-Reynolds: 3rd place - 3200 meters
Olivia Carter: 1st place - 100m hurdles 33"; 2nd place - long jump
Jordan Lee: 2nd place - 100m hurdles 33"; 3rd place - 300m hurdles 30"
Sarah Levitt: 3rd place - 100m hurdles 33"


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

May 11th
Senior Art Show
7 p.m.

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

May 13th
11th/12th Grade Prom
4:40 p.m.

May 16th
Coastline Case Studies for Juniors
6 p.m.

May 18th
Senior Parent Celebration Dinner
6 - 8 p.m.

May 24th- 25th
Camp College for Juniors
9 a.m.

Senior Retreat
9 a.m.

May 26th
Upper School Global Trips Begin to Leave

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