PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
Runnels has always been the school for all races, religion, and national origins.
FRIDAY FOCUS
Runnels Weekly E-Newsletter 
from Head of School Marcia Mackay

Dear Runnels Family,

In this week's Friday Focus: We'll Be Home for Homecoming!; Teachers Get Pointers on Using Replacement Technology; Math-A-Thon Powers Up at Runnels; Making Music with STEAM; Mu Alpha Theta Awards Add Up; Little Einsteins; Re-enroll at Runnels by Feb. 1 for Top Savings; Friendly Reminders;  Weekly Photo Album; and Athletic Corner. 
 
We'll Be Home for Homecoming Game!
 

Join us for our very first game in the newly renovated gym on Jan. 27 when the Raiders and Lady Raiders take on the Christian Life Crusaders in Homecoming basketball action! 

Welcome home, Raider Nation! The Homecoming game on Jan. 27 will be the first to take place in the newly refurbished Catalano Gym. You'll want to be part of the action as we come together as a school family to celebrate this super-special Homecoming on our gorgeous new home court. The JV boys play at 5:00 p.m., the Lady Raiders come on the court at 6:00 p.m., and the varsity Raiders take over at 7:30. Let's pack the gym and cheer for our teams as they enjoy the first home court advantage they've had in a long time. Go, Raiders! 

Also on the docket for that day is the presentation of the Homecoming Court and crowning of the 2017 Homecoming Queen.This event gets underway at 2:10 p.m. in the beautifully reconstructed Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre.  An encore presentation of the court will take place at half-time in the boys varsity game.  

Best wishes and congratulations to the students elected to the 2017 Homecoming Court: freshmen Savannah McNeal and Talia Tooraen; sophomores Micah Roper' and Emma Tooraen; juniors Jourdan Milton and McKenna Tregre; and seniors Jena Bordelon, Micah Danos, Blair LeBleu and McKenzie Mayeaux. 


Teachers Stay After School to 
Master Replacement Technology 
 
Many teachers took advantage of the chance to advance their technology skills by attending an after-school training session Jan. 19 on the main campus to learn more about Epson Brightlink Interactive Projectors recently installed in many classrooms (with more devices on the way). The Epsons replaced interactive whiteboards lost in the flood.  

At the session, which was presented by a professional Epson trainer, teachers picked up valuable pointers on efficient deployment of the system's tools and shortcuts. They also learned more about integrating projector technology into the curriculum, implementing software, and using apps. 

(Today, elementary teachers Marisa Stelly and Lisa Harris used the Epson boards in their classrooms so their students could view the inauguration  of the 45th President of the United States.)

St. Jude's Math-A-Thon Powers Up at Runnels


Elementary students in grades 1-6 are practicing math while learning the value of helping others by participating in the annual St. Jude's Math-A-Thon. To raise funds for the children's charity, students sign up sponsors to pay for the completion of math problems in a "fun-book" distributed by St. Jude's. This year's theme is Super-Heroes. 

Runnels has participated in the Math-A-Thon program for more than 12 years and has raised more than $145,000 for the charity. For more information, contact Runnels Math-A-Thon sponsor Christine Pousson at [email protected].

Exploring the Science of Sound with STEAM


Displaying musical instruments they created as part of their lessons on the science of sound are 4th graders in Mrs. Stevens' sixth-period class. 

Art and technology came together in a creative STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) lesson about sound in Ashley Stevens' fourth grade classes this week. To demonstrate that vibration produces sound, students fashioned homemade musical instruments (which all rely on vibration to create music) from odds and ends and brought them to class for a performance. 

Carli Shay made a "hose pipe horn" from some garden hose, tape, a funnel and some plastic, which emitted a low-pitched sound when she blew into it.  A big blue and purple guitar was the work of Annie Garrison, who built it out of a box, a cardboard wrapping paper tube, string and PVC pipe. She successfully strummed a few bars of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" in her classroom performance. 
 
Math Competitors Round Up Multiple Awards 


Mu Alpha Theta competitors (from left) Andrew Mitchell, Garrett Miller, Connor Porthouse, Marshall Pentes, Alex Matthews, Natalie Justus, Austin Stansbury and Ashley Stansbury. Not pictured: Ryan Lam.   
A team of nine Runnels Junior and Senior High students participated in the Mu Alpha Theta tournament at Baton Rouge High School on Jan. 14. Approximately 350 students from 21 schools competed in two divisions at the match.  In mixed division play, Andrew Mitchell placed second in Calculus BC. He also came in second in the BC Team contest. Connor Porthouse placed 2nd in Geometry in Division 1, and  fourth, along with Marshall Pentes, in the geometry team competition. Alex Matthews and Austin Stansbury brought home honorable mentions in Calculus AB.  Working as a group, the nine Runnels students claimed third place in the Interschool Team competition.   
 
Little Einsteins 


Eli Latiolais and Ethan Ho experiment with casting shadows and how colors in light are created using red, green and blue light bulbs.
During a field trip to LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory) this week, sixth graders explored the science of gravitational waves and how they are used to interpret information about catastrophic cosmic events such as black holes and supernovae. 

Students toured the facility in Livingston and participated in experiments presented by on-site educators and Runnels science teacher Julie Fink. They watched demonstrations on vacuums, air pressure and the colors of visible light.

The LIGO Science Education Center was the highlight of the field trip. The center hosts 50 interactive hands-on science exhibits covering topics such as waves, pendulums, lights, resonance and gravity.

RE-ENROLL BY FEBRUARY 1 FOR TOP SAVINGS!
February 1 is the final day to re-enroll for the 2017/2018 school year with
enrollment tuition fully waived and your space at Runnels reserved!


If you re-enroll by February 1, Enrollment Tuition ($250 for Preschool; $500 for Grades K-3; $750 for Grades 4-12) is fully waived and space for your student(s) reserved. If you need a duplicate copy of your re-enrollment packet, please call the Business Office at 225-215-5706 (extension: 013) or visit us in McMath Hall on the main campus. (Open enrollment begins on February 1.)   Click here for complete re-enrollment details!

Kudos and Thank You


From left: Erin Oehrle, Jasmine Felton and Seth Miller.
... Senior Jasmine Felton, sophomore  Seth Miller, and freshman  Erin Oehrle have been selected to showcase their artwork in the Third Annual Statewide Juried High School Exhibition coming to the LSU Foster Gallery Feb. 20 - March 18. Winners will be announced and awards presented at a closing ceremony and reception for the artists on Saturday, March 18 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. The first-place winner will be awarded $500. 




... Eagle Scout Michael Martinez , grade 12, participated in the inauguration of newly elected East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Broome on Jan. 2. Michael was one of five Eagle Scouts from the parish to assist with seating guests and handing out programs at the event. Also participating was Runnels alumnus Carson Szot

In photo: Eagle Scouts Carson Szot (left) and Michael Martinez at the mayor-president's inauguration ceremony.  


Kayleigh Smith (left) and Sonja Vallaire (right).
... French teacher Sonja Vallaire and Spanish teacher Kayleigh Smith recently attended an LFLTA  (Louisiana Foreign Language Teachers Association) conference. They participated in several sessions on instructional methods, such as Comprehensible Input, and TPRS (Total Physical Response with Storytelling), and took part in three round-table discussions dealing with computer programs and research that pertained to classroom instruction. Madame Vallaire said she is looking forward to using storyjumper.com and edpuzzle.com, programs she learned about at the conference, in her French classes soon.  

WE SINCERELY THANK... everyone who donated items and/or made monetary contributions to help restock and restore the baseball and softball field concession stand, which was damaged in the flood. The goal is to have the concession stand back in working order by the opening game on Feb. 20. 

Friendly Reminders

Jan. 23 - 27:  Runnels 2017 Homecoming Week Remember, Spirit Week starts on Monday with the Homecoming Door Decorating Contest and Movie Monday.

Jan. 23: D.A.R.E. Graduation for 5th Grade, Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre, 2:00 p.m.

Jan. 27: Junior Beta Induction Ceremony, Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre, 11:00 a.m. 

Feb. 1: Last Day to Re-Enroll at Runnels with Tuition Enrollment Fully Waived and Your Space Reserved. 

Feb. 4:  Mini-Cheer Clinic.  (Participants will perform cheers they learn at the clinic at the girls high school basketball game on  Tuesday, Feb. 7 at 6 p.m.)

Feb. 6 - 10:  Gigantic  Used Book Sale in the Elementary Library and Junior and Senior High Library, with special "Private Preview Day" for Runnels School families on Saturday, Feb. 4 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Feb. 17 - 19: The Importance of Being Earnest, Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre, 7:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 17 and Saturday, Feb. 18 and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 19.


This week's photo album includes: third-grade solar system projects; voting for Homecoming queen and court; Math-A-Thon; preschool "Transportation Week," preschool art in the style of Vincent van Gogh; and junior and senior high candids. 
ATHLETIC CORNER   
 
VARSITY HIGHLIGHTS


Varsity Basketball Seniors, from left,  Paul Lukinovich, Conner Raines, and Douglas Gulley
Boys Basketball 
The Raiders defeated Northlake Christian 57-45 last Friday night. "Our team led for most of the game and had a balanced attack, with four players in double digits," said Head Coach Ben Young. Cade Tate led the way with 13 points, and Douglas Gulley, Conner Raines, and Griffin Kennedy each contributed 10 points. "It was the first time this year the Raiders had four players in double digits," explained Coach Young. 

Tuesday night the Raiders lost a close one (67-57) in district play to the Dunham Tigers. Runnels was down 15 points early on but roared back to cut the lead to 5 points with only a few minutes to go, said Coach Young. "Unfortunately, we were not able to finish the comeback against the No. 1 team in Division 3, but gave it a great effort."  Douglas Gulley had 15 points, while Ryan Carrier and Cade Tate added 14 points.

 
Bowling
The bowling team performed well in competition this week, reports Coach Drake Fromenthal. Though outnumbered, the team of four bowlers put up a good fight; they ultimately lost Wednesday's match against Woodlawn, 4-23.  Alex Matthews scored the high game of 180, with a three game series of a 460. Andrew Mitchell also scored a 147. Matthews, Mitchell and Marisa Russo all scored points, with Matthews scoring two. 


Varsity Soccer players, Anna Kadi and Bailey Hyatt
Girls Soccer
On Monday, the girls varsity soccer team played at #13 Riverside and won 2-0. Goals were made by Ally Garrity and Kaylen Howe.

Indoor Track
Last week, while competing at McNeese, both Annie Fink and Sam Matthews improved their marks in the 1600m and the 3200m and are listed in the top 12 in the LHSAA division 2 rankings. 

This Saturday, the Raiders will be competing at LSU in the Maddox Fieldhouse with events starting at 10:55 a.m. Joining  Fink and Matthew will be Micah Roper, Ryan Roper, Kaylen Howe, Nathan Fairley Adam Howe and Dean Campbell. The girls and boys will be racing in several events that include the 4x800m, 4x400m the 800m, 1600m and 3200m. Come out and support the team!

Tennis
The varsity tennis team is gearing up to compete in its first competition of the season this weekend.  The team will be taking part in the YMCA High School Tennis Challenge at the Lamar YMCA.  All participants are playing in both singles and doubles matches. Tennis Coach Kathrin Sieberth said, "I'm very excited to get the chance to watch all my players compete! Go Raiders!"


 
JUNIOR HIGH HIGHLIGHTS 
   
Boys Basketball
Last Thursday, the 8th grade boys lost 41-38 to Christian Life Academy. Collin Coates scored 19 points in the game. On Monday, the 7th grade boys beat St. Theresa 40-32; while the 8th grade boys lost 30-22. On Tuesday, the 7th grade boys beat Ascension Christian 42-19, and the 8th grade boys beat Iberville Charter 45-17.

The 6th, 7th and 8th grade teams will compete in the St. Jean Vianney Basketball Tournament, which runs today through Sunday.

Soccer
The junior high boys soccer team played Central last Saturday and claimed a 9-0 victory!


SPORTS THIS WEEKEND
 
FRIDAY, JANUARY 20
Junior High Boys Basketball Tournament at St. Jean Vianney
6th Grade at 5:00 p.m.   /  7th Grade at 7:15 p.m.  /  8th Grade at 8:45 p.m.

JV and Varsity Basketball at Episcopal
JV at 5:00 p.m.  / Varsity Girls at 6:00 p.m.  / Varsity Boys at 7:30 p.m.

Varsity Boys Soccer vs. Riverside at Burbank - 6:00 p.m.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 21 
Junior High Boys Basketball Tournament at St. Jean Vianney

Varsity Girls Soccer vs. Christian Life at CCU/WBR Soccer Complex at 11:00 a.m.

Varsity Indoor Track and Field - High School Indoor Qualifier at LSU at 10:55 a.m.


SUNDAY, JANUARY 22 
Junior High Boys Basketball Tournament at St. Jean Vianney
 
Please consider making a tax-free donation to the Runnels Disaster Relief Fund.

DONATE TO OUR DISASTER RELIEF FUND ONLINE


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 17255 South Harrell's Ferry Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
225-751-2192