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FRIDAY FOCUS
Runnels Weekly E-Newsletter from Head of School Marcia Mackay
Dear Runnels Family,
In this week's Friday Focus: One-to-One Computer Roll-Out; District Honor Band; Homecoming's Almost Here; When I Was Little"; Just Like Mrs. Stevens; Time for Re-enrollment at Runnels; Open Enrollment and Open House;
Hero Spotlight; Friendly Reminders; Weekly Photo Album; and Athletic Corner.
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High school student Hannah Barback sets the background photo on her new laptop to a selfie with Dr. Runnels.
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One-to-One Computer Roll-Out Successful
It was all about the laptops in junior and senior high this week as we launched our one-to-one computer initiative. Each student was issued a personal Dell laptop, charger and stylish grey carrying case. "The roll out went extremely smoothly," said Technology Integration Specialist Monica Bryan. Throughout the day during core courses, students received instruction and training on acceptable use, proper care and digital citizenship.
Mrs. Bryan noted that it's important for parents to help students remember to charge their laptops every night. Parents also need to be aware of where students are working, she added. "Laptops should not be used in bed because they can overheat." For younger students," she said, "parents should feel comfortable accessing their email accounts."
In many classes, the new laptops were immediately put to work for instruction and learning. Spanish language students in Kaylee Smith's classes got busy learning how to use a Spanish keyboard, and in Coach Jean Martinez's P.E. classes students accessed their online health textbook.
To help monitor student laptop use, teachers are using a newly acquired software program called Classroom Orchestrator. From their own desktops, teachers can see what is on each student's computer screen. Junior high English teacher Kylie Harbin is definitely a fan: "
Orchestrator is working wonderfully! I love seeing what the kids are currently working on, and it allows me to see -- at a quick glance -- if they are stuck or in need of help
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The carrying cases for the laptops and chargers are also a hit. "Students all love the bags," said Mrs. Bryan. They're dark grey over-the-shoulder messenger-style bags. They're roomy and have a padded orange interior.
We sincerely thank Mrs. Bryan, Mahan Moghaddan, Laura Roark, Beth Morrison, our consultant Nikole Blanchard, and Immense Networks for putting in so much extra effort to make the roll-out seamless and successful. We also thank everyone in our school family for being so patient and supportive as we strived to reach this important day for our students and school.
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District Honor Band Picks Five from Runnels
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Recruited for District Honor Band are junior and senior high student musicians (from left) Christopher Yura, Sam Day, Evan Beoubay, Michael Martinez and Reagan Kyle.
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Five junior and senior high students from Runnels were chosen to be members of the 2017 District Honor Band. Approximately one-thousand students competed for spots in the Honor Bands during auditions held at Louisiana State University in December.
Selected to play in the Middle School Symphonic Band were Christopher Yura, 1st chair, alto saxophone; Evan Beoubay, 2nd chair, clarinet; and Reagan Kyle, 12th chair, clarinet. Chosen for the High School Concert Band were Michael Martinez, 2nd chair, trumpet; and Sam Day, 8th chair, trombone.
Their band instructor at Runnels is Jill Swetnam.
District Honor Band concerts will be held Jan. 14 at Southeastern University in Hammond, Louisiana.
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Just Like Mrs. Stevens
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Ms. Stevens and Alaina wearing their matching Buc-ee's tshirts.
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Third grader Alaina Milam and her science teacher, Ashley Stevens, came to school on Wednesday wearing smiles and matching Buc-ee's t-shirts. A Christmas gift Alaina received from her godmother sparked the look-alike look.
"When Alaina opened the gift -- a neon orange Buc-ee's t-shirt -- the first thing she said was, 'Mrs. Stevens has a shirt like this!'" said Alaina's mom, Runnels Webmaster Wendy Milam.
Buc-ee's is a gigantic convenience store chain in Texas that carries loads of logo items like t-shirts, frisbees and hats. Mrs. Stevens, who hails from Texas, loves Buc-ee's and sometimes wears their t-shirts -- with the distinctive Buc-ee's Beaver logo -- to school. She said it's her favorite place to shop for food, candy and toys. Alaina couldn't wait to tell Mrs. Stevens about the Buc-ee's t-shirt she got for Christmas.
Alaina and Mrs. Stevens hatched a plan to come to school in coordinated outifts on Wednesday of this week. "They matched from head to toe," said Mrs. Milam. "Mrs. Stevens even put her hair up in a side ponytail like Alaina," she added.
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Homecoming Ahead
The week of Jan. 23 will be jam-packed with exciting activities and events to celebrate Homecoming. This year's theme, Midnight in Paris, will lend an international flair to the festivities, which will be reflected in Spirit Days, the Door Decorating Contest and the Homecoming Dance on Saturday, Jan. 28. The presentation of the Homecoming Court will take place on Friday, Jan. 27, with the game against Christian Life Academy later that night.
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Gracie Coates reads her "When I Was Little" book to the class.
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"When I Was Little"
Students in third-grade composition classes gave their parents unique gifts this holiday season --- autobiographical picture books they wrote and illustrated themselves.
The books entitled
When I Was Little paired up a series of phrases about how the students were when they were younger and how they are now. For example, one child wrote, "When I was little, I cut my hair in my mom's bathroom. Now, I let my mom cut my hair."
Each bound book had an illustrated cover and copyright page as well as a range of photos and drawings. Students wrote the text, chose the photos to include, and illustrated their own "Now" pictures. Many thanks to third-grade teachers Lisa Harris, Ashley Stevens and Wendy Worsham for working so hard to help students produce these milestone volumes.
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It's Time for Re-enrollment
We have already begun planning for the 2017-2018 school year at Runnels. February 1, 2017 is the "deadline" for re-enrolling with no enrollment fee. Please call the school office (225-215-5706) if you have questions about re-enrollment procedures.
Open enrollment for new families begins February 1, 2017. Please tell your friends and neighbors about our Open House coming up on March 8, 2017, or call Admissions Director Sarah Haase at 225-215-5706 to arrange a personal tour.
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Jan. 16: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (no school)
Jan. 23: D.A.R.E. Graduation
Jan. 27: Junior Beta Induction Ceremony
Jan. 23 - 27: Runnels Homecoming
Feb. 17 - 19: High School Drama Department will present Oscar Wilde's
The Importance of Being Earnest in the Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre at 7:00 p.m. on Feb. 17 and 18 and at 2:00 p.m. on Feb. 19.
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Hero Spotlight
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From left: Katelyn Bush, Elementary Librarian Joni Orgeron and birthday girl, Molly Bush.
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Birthday Books - Molly Bush, a 5th grader at Runnels, who will celebrate her 11th birthday this month, decided she wanted to use the special occasion to help the Elementary Library. Instead of giving her presents, she asked friends and family to donate children's books to the library for her birthday.
This morning, Molly and her mom, 6th-grade reading teacher Melissa Bush, Molly's friend Katelyn Bush (no relation) and Katelyn's mom, Jane Ann Bush, visited the library to deliver several bags full of books donated in honor of Molly's birthday. Many thanks to Molly and her crew for this special present to our library.
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IN THIS WEEK'S PHOTO ALBUM:
Elementary students taking non-music electives
switch to their second semester choices this week; "Raider Star" Assemblies; Night and Day Week at Preschool; One-to-One Computer Roll-Out.
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Alums and parents dig holes for the metal fence posts on the softball field.
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Raising a Fence on the Softball Field
Parents, faculty, alumni and student volunteers gathered on the softball field with tools and work gloves on Dec. 24 to replace the fence. Among the volunteers were Chad, Tika, and Micah Danos, Gary and Emily Britt, Danny, Melanie and Bailey Hyatt, Jennifer and Mike Rodrigues, Mark Aucoin, Kevin Sutton, Brent Hoperich, Brent Lax and Hampton Hudson. Donations from parents and the Booster Club helped with the funding for this project.
Boys Varsity Basketball
The Raiders
defeated St. Johns of Plaquemine 42 to 35.
During the Red Stick Classic Tournament over the holidays, despite great efforts, the Raiders were overcome by Catholic High, 64-48. In the game, Douglas Gulley scored 20 points. Ryan Carrier scored 21 points and had 13 rebounds in the game against St. Thomas Aquinas in the same tournament.
Girls Varsity Soccer
The Lady Raiders defeated Christian Life, 8 to 0 this week.
Varsity Volleyball News
Senior Micah Danos made Honorable Mention on the 2016 All-Metro Volleyball Team.
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Fifth grade basketball team: (bottom row) Katherine Campbell, Caroline Pousson, Chloe Bueche, Allie Bethea; (top row) Olivia Williams, Coach Chuck Bueche, Keiandra Turner, Mikalyn Shay, Coach Jeff Shay and Reilly Wilks.
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Junior High Update
Girls Basketball: The 5th-grade girls basketball team won the Advantage Charter Academy Holiday Tournament, which was held over the holidays. The girls defeated Charter Academy 20-3 to bring home the 1st-place trophy!
Boys Basketball: On Dec. 17, the 6th and 7th grade boys basketball teams beat Hosanna Christian.
Currently Undefeated: 7th grade boys basketball team. Congrats!
FRIDAY, JANUARY 6
Powerlifting: Woodlawn High School (all day)
Basketball: Raiders vs. Family Christian
Academy (Game Postponed to Jan. 26 at FCS.)
SATURDAY, JANUARY 7
Indoor Track: LSU High School Invitational Meet, LSU
Boys Soccer: Cenla Tournament in Alexandria
Girls Soccer: Lady Raiders vs. Dunham at 11:00 a.m (Cancelled due to weather.)
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DONATE TO OUR DISASTER RELIEF FUND
Please consider making a tax-free donation to the Runnels Disaster Relief Fund. Contributions will be directed toward flood recovery and reopening our main campus as soon as possible. We are immensely grateful for your continuing support as our school rebounds from this unprecedented event.
We are Raider Strong!
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17255 South Harrell's Ferry Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
225-751-2192 |
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PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
