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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: Gym Dedicated to Wayne Catalano; Runnels Receives Grant; Elementary Chorus Concert; Festive Holiday Activities at Preschool; Brownies Pay Holiday Visit to Nursing Home; Here Comes Santa Claus; Thank Yous and Kudos; Hooray for the Holidays; Friendly Reminders;
Hero Spotlight; Weekly Photo Album; and Athletic Corner.
We look forward to seeing you when school resumes Monday, January 2, 2017 on both Runnels campuses.
We wish you and your family a joyous holiday season and a peaceful, prosperous and very Happy New Year!
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Wayne Catalano
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Honoring a Great Friend and Supporter of Our School
In grateful appreciation for his exceptional support
, generosity, and consideration toward our school and school community as we confronted the monumental task of rebuilding after the flood, the "Runnels Gym" has been named the "Catalano Gymansium" in honor of Mr. Wayne Catalano, who did so much to restore our campus to its current strength.
Mr. Catalano's company, US Restoration, LLC, began pouring its resources, equipment, and manpower into remediating the extensive damage done to the main campus before the floodwaters had fully receded. Through the remediation process, they began removing the materials before additional damage from mold could set in. Their meticulous process of cleaning and sanitizing the buildings on campus ensured our environment would be 100% safe for the return of our students, faculty and staff.
In addition, Mr. Catalano introduced us to Don McMath and his company, McMath Construction, which so capably handled the reconstruction side of the project. (Don McMath and his company were highlighted in last week's Friday Focus and our website.) Both men and their companies jumped into action and stayed in that mode throughout the entire project, resulting in a beautifully restored campus in just 10 short weeks.
Wheels began turning to place Mr. Catalano's name specifically on the gym for two reasons: He and his company were referred to us by High School Athletic Director Tookie Johnson and Mr. Catalano used the gym as his center of operations on the campus. He set up his office in the weight room.
In addition, Mr. Catalano came up with a way to save the costly-to-replace stage curtains.These curtains, which have been a valuable asset to the Runnels Theater Program for many years, would be very difficult for us to replace. Mr. Catalano's quick action restored the curtains to nearly pristine condition. They will be an integral part of our drama program for years to come.
"It's been an honor and privilege to work with a contractor of such integrity, skill and determination, who has given so generously of his time and resources to help our school," said Dr. Runnels. "Throughout the remediation experience, Mr. Catalano has provided creative solutions to our unique problems and produced exceptional results that will benefit generations of Runnels students to come."
Our school community is deeply grateful to Mr. Catalano and his company for their deep commitment, unbounded support, and open-hearted generosity as we faced the challenges brought on by the flood. We are honored to dedicate the gym as the "Catalano Gymnasium" in his name. Your exceptional generosity, steadfast friendship and caring support for our school and its community is truly appreciated. Thank you, Mr. Catalano.
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Runnels Picked to Receive Staples Grant
 Runnels School has been awarded a grant of $2,000 by Staples Foundation, the private charitable arm of Staples, Inc., through a program called 2 Million & Change that allows Staples associates around the world to direct more than $2 million in donations to non-profit organizations each year. This is the third grant Runnels has received from Staples.
According to Elementary Assistant Principal and Grants Officer Beth Golden, Runnels alumnus Michael Smith (Class of 1998), a former Staples employee and current Runnels dad, put us in touch with Jennifer Robinson of Staples, who recommended us for the grant. We sincerely thank them for helping us secure this grant.
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Sing We Joyous, All Together
The Upper Elementary Chorus welcomed the holidays and saluted the history of the American musical
with its concert, "The Holidays Meet the Broadway Beat," presented in the Drama Room Dec. 15. The performance featured a selection of both old and new Christmas standards as well as popular songs from famous American musicals such as "The King and I," "Rent," and "Grease." Congratulations to the singers and Chorus Director Johnice Thoms.
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Making Reindeer Food and Tasting Latkes
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Paige Yesso, a member of the 3-year-olds' preschool class, gives the reindeer food mixture a good stir under the guidance of teacher Anne Brown.
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The sights and sounds of the season were everywhere at the preschool this week as students explored a range of festive traditions.
The 3s enjoyed whipping up a batch of sparkly reindeer food. "It's a secret recipe made of magical stuff reindeer love like oats and glitter," said Preschool Co-Director Janice Leger. The students also crafted snowman ornaments, sewed Christmas stockings with the guidance of preschool teacher Michael Bordelon, and made hand-print reindeer with the help of teachers Anne Brown and Lauren Downing.
In their Handwriting Without Tears sessions, the Pre-Ks practiced their fine motor skills by making bell necklaces, which they wore when Santa came to preschool this morning. They also enjoyed learning about Hanukkah from special visitor Gloria Howell, mother of Pre-K student David. She read a book entitled
Hanukkah Story and introduced students to the menorah, gelt, and a dreidel game. For a snack, she made delicious potato latkes, a traditional Hanukkah treat. Our thanks to Mrs. Howell for this special visit.
MORE PHOTOS
(Special thanks to the preschool for sending in these photos).
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Brownies Spread Holiday Cheer
Runnels second- and third-grade Brownie Girl Scouts helped make the season bright for residents of the Old Jefferson Community Care Center recently. They visited the facility last Saturday to sing Christmas carols and give the residents gift packets of travel sized lotions, lip balm, and socks. Troop leaders are Gina Golda (3rd grade), Blake Stevenson (3rd-grade), and Brandy Rush (2nd grade).
Photo: Brownie Girl Scouts Rebecca Ortlieb (left) and Alex Griffin are rewarded with a smile of happy surprise as they present a gift to a resident of the Old Jefferson Care Center.
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Here Comes Santa Claus, and Mrs. Claus, Too!
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Mr. and Mrs. Claus make their annual stop in the Runnels kindergarten.
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There were reported sightings of reindeer on the roof this morning just before Santa Claus made his annual appearance in the Runnels Kindergarten. He visited with the children, took mental notes about their Christmas lists and posed for photos. Before disappearing in a flash, someone thought they heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight, "I love that you're kind and try hard to do right!" Santa was sighted later at the Runnels Preschool, a favorite stop for his reindeer, who love the homemade reindeer kibble the students leave for them every year. (Special thank yous go to Lawrence Delaney, Tony Leger, and Joanna Anselmo.)
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Festival of Lights We sincerely thank
Bob and
Virginia Brumberger for visiting with our preschoolers on Thursday to share the traditions of Hanukkah - The Festival of Lights. "Their children attended Runnels many years ago," said Preschool Co-Director Janice Leger. "Mr. Brumberger said it (that being back at Runnels School) felt like coming home!"
Photo: Bob Brumberger offers information about Hanukkah traditions to preschoolers.
Lending a Paw
Stress relief in the form of wagging tails and wet noses was available to junior and senior high students dealing with semester exams this week. Runnels mom and Bark and Roll Rescue Companions (BARRC) volunteer
Dana Kahn
brought a crew of her four-legged friends to hang out with students between tests. Smiles bloomed everywhere as students petted and played with the precious dogs. We thank Mrs. Kahn and Art Department Head
Lee Brandt Randall
for arranging the activity. (Photo: Anna Manning makes a fuzzy friend.)
Learn more:
facebook.com/barkandrol
l/ or
www.instagram.com/barkandrollrc/.
On Stage in The Happy Elf
The second grade attended a complimentary performance of Playmakers'
The Happy Elf at the Reilly Theater on the LSU campus this week. It was an extra special performance because the cast included Runnels students Julia (grade 2) and Madeline (grade 5) Golden.
(Photo: Julia Golden and second-grade teacher Caroline Hader at the Reilly Theater.)
Cheering in the Magic Kingdom
Varsity cheer co-captains,
Blair LeBleu
and
Jourdan Milton
, joined more than 800 high school cheerleaders and dancers from across the nation in Orlando, Florida in early December to perform in the Varsity Spirit Spectacular at Walt Disney World.
They qualified for the honor through their participation in a Varsity Spirit camp held at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette last July. Photo: Enjoying the view in the Magic Kingdom are varsity cheerleaders Blair LeBleu (left) and Jourdan Milton.
Busy Elves Fill Teachers' Stockings
Thanks to the amazing generosity of the RPO and all of the contributing families, the Runnels faculty and staff once again made "Santa's Nice List." This gracious gesture is truly appreciated.
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Old-Time Ornaments
Seniors welcomed the holidays by making ornaments that harkened back to their preschool and kindergarten days. With the help of class sponsor Tish Tooraen, they made foam ornaments for their parents during lunch recess on Monday.
Photo: Seniors (clockwise from front left) Emily Britt, Jena Bordelon, Jack Tooraen, Micah Danos and Jeehan Mikdadi refresh their ornament making skills.
Decking the Halls with Holiday Sweaters
Though the weather was warm enough to send us to the beach, we came to school in our tacky holiday sweaters anyway on Monday to embrace the season. Our cameras caught many students and teachers fearlessly styling their holiday knits.
(Photo: In fashion for "Tacky Holiday Sweater Day" at Runnels are 8th graders (from left) Mollybeth Wilkinson, Kaylee Mancuso, and Margaret Campbell.
MORE PHOTOS
Around the World with the Gingerbread Boy
Students in Vicki LeBleu's first-grade reading classes went global in their search for gingerbread boy stories recently. They discovered that many countries have national tales similar to ours. In Russia, children read about a plump bun-like character called Kolobok, who is chased through a forest by creatures who want to gobble him up. In China, the story of a runaway rice cake parallels the adventures of our gingerbread boy.
Students also learned about the Cajun version of the story, in which the main character tries to make his escape through bayou country.
After exploring the tales of several cultures, the first graders made their own book with gingerbread stories from various continents and states.
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Jan. 2: School resumes.
Jan. 6: Raider Star Drawings (Grades 4-6, 8:40 a.m.; Grades 1-3, 10:10 a.m.) and
#raiderpride Day Pep Rally, 2:10 p.m.
Jan. 10: RPO Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Drama Room
Jan. 16: Martin Luther King Day - School Holiday
Jan. 17: St. Jude Math-A-Thon Kick-Off
Jan. 18: Homecoming Court Election
Jan. 23: D.A.R.E. Graduation Ceremony, 2:00 p.m.
Jan. 27: Junior Beta Induction Ceremony, 11:00 a.m. Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre
Homecoming Court Presentation, 2:10 p.m., Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre
Homecoming Court Presentation, 7:30 p.m., Catalano Gymnasium
Jan. 28: Homecoming Dance, 7:00 p.m., Catalano Gymnasium
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Hero Spotlight
 U-High Students Donate Books to Andy Mack Memorial Library
As part of an English class project, students at U-High were challenged to make a difference in our community. Senior Preston Myer chose to help Runnels after he heard about the staggering losses our libraries sustained in the flood. He held a book drive and collected more than 50 books for our school. When Preston and two of his classmates delivered the books to the Andy Mack Memorial Library last Friday, they were welcomed to Runnels by Assistant Head of School and Junior and Senior High Principal Conchetta Foshee. We sincerely thank these students for their thoughtful and generous donation.
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"As we approach the winter break," reports Athletic Director Tookie Johnson, "the Lady Raiders have two wins, two losses and two ties. The Raiders have one win, two losses and one tie." Contributing to the Raiders' 5-1 victory over Lee High on Dec. 10 were Max Sager and Adam Howe with two goals each and Nathan Fairley with one goal and an assist.
Varsity Basketball
"The Raiders have 7 wins and 2 losses," said Coach Johnson, "and the girls basketball team, while very young, continues to make improvements."
Coming Up
Powerlifting, indoor track, bowling and tennis are preparing for their seasons to begin in January.
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Raiders Varsity Basketball Team
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Lady Raider Varsity Basketball Team
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Junior High Sports Report
Basketball: Congratulations to the 7th-grade boys basketball team for winning the St. Theresa 23rd Annual Brett and Brett Memorial Tournament by besting St. Theresa 31-30, Denham Springs Junior High, 45-17, and Dutchtown, 37-33. Also at the tournament, the 8th grade boys team took 5th place, posting losses to Episcopal (51-47) and Prairieville (37-30) along with a 41-32 win against St. Theresa.
In games against Parkview last week, the 8th-grade boys basketball team lost to Parkview, 41-40; the 7th-grade boys won 35-22; and the 6th-grade boys won 45-20. In matches against Episcopal, the 8th-grade boys lost to Parkview 41-32; 7th grade won 32-29; and 6th grade won 42-29.
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The 7th-Grade Boys Basketball Team: (from left) Brock Toney, Charlie Garr, Junior High Athletic Director and Coach Sam Coates, Collin Coates, Josh Freeman, Jake Haase, Blaine Nicholson and Robby Harrison.
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Soccer
: The junior high boys soccer team earned a 3-0 victory against the SAS Lions last weekend. Contributing all three goals was 7th grader Charlie Garrison, who
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Charlie Garrison
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scored a hat trick (three consecutive goals during one game by the same player). Congratulations!
Soccer Coach Angie Mitchell reports that the junior high girls soccer team redeemed a 1-4 loss against West Feliciana last Saturday with a victory over U-High on Sunday. The team also suffered a 1-2 loss against St. John's that day. Seventh grader Sydney Worsham scored goals in the games against West Feliciana and St. John's.
Booster Club Update
If you are interested in joining the Booster Club, click on the links below.
Booster Club Member Application
Member Payment |
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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
