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Runnels Weekly E-Newsletter
from Head of School Marcia Mackay
Dear Runnels Family,
In this week's Friday Focus: Mardi Gras; State Literary Rally Qualifiers; Weighty Measures; Shakespeare Competition; Running Tribute; Math-A-Thon's; DEMCO Essay Contest Finalists; Kudos and Thank Yous; Open House for Prospective Families Coming Up March 8 and 23; Friendly Reminders;
Weekly Photo Album; and Athletic Corner.
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Back Row: Eli Latiolais, Ali Guerin, Gavin McManus, Reide Walker, Sadie Edwards, Bryant Aucion; Front Row: Parker Wright, Jenna Sheikha, Jack Belcher, Jackson Phillips and Lauren Wheeler
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Beads were tossed, royalty crowned, king cake consumed and a good time was had by all during this week's exciting Mardi Gras festivities.
At preschool, the annual Mardi Gras Parade rolled this morning, with little float riders decked out in sparkling crowns and purple, green and gold costumes leading the way. The children tossed and caught beads and doubloons, waved to parade-goers along the route, and devoured king cake. On campus to lend the youngsters a hand were members of the Senior Beta Club and sponsor Michele Stanfield.
Earlier in the week, kindergartners enjoyed their traditional "Taste of Louisiana" luncheon. The menu included local culinary favorites such as jambalaya, gumbo, Louisiana strawberries and beignets.
The party moved to the Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre this afternoon for the Coronation of the Krewe of Runnels Royale and our traditional "tableau" showcasing performances by elementary classes. Leading students into the theater in a traditional second line was the "Runnels Marching Band" under the direction of Jill Swetnam.
Congratulations to the members of our Petite (grades 1-3) and Grand (grades 4-6) Courts.
The Co-Petite Queens were Sadie Edwards, grade 3, and Lilah Brumfield, grade 2, and the Petite King was Bryant Aucoin, grade 3. In the court were Lauren Wheeler and Jackson Phillips, grade 1; and Jack Belcher, grade 2. The Grand Queen was Ali Guerin, and the Grand King was Eli Latiolais, grade 6. Royal Court members were Jenna Sheikha and Parker Wright, grade 4; and Reide Walker and Gavin McManus, grade 5.
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Runnels Shines at District Literary Rally
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Congratulations to our State Literary Rally Qualifiers!
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The junior and senior high enjoyed outstanding success at this year's District Literary Rally held Feb. 18 at Southeastern. Twenty students qualified for the State Literary Rally, which will be held April 1 at LSU.
State qualifiers and their subjects were Daniel Mayeaux, Advanced Math - Pre Calculus; Dawson Latona, Algebra I; Sam Haase, Algebra II; Harrison Bonaventure, American History; Aaron Taliaferro, Biology I; Alex Matthews, Calculus I; Adam Howe, Calculus II; Savannah Sanders, Civics; Andrew Mitchell, English IV; Heath Moser, Environmental Science; Sam Matthews, Family and Consumer Science; Caroline Daigle, French I; Catherine Henning, French III; Connor Porthouse, Geometry; Garrett Rhinehart, Physical Science; Eva Kruger, Physics; Isabelle McCall, Psychology; Arianna McNeal, Spanish I; Ian Lansing, Spanish II; and Zachary Sides, World History.
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Weighty Measures
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| Reed Miller with his straw balance. |
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Students in John Baird's fifth-grade science classes stretched their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) muscles last week in a project designed to give them practice in metric conversion.
The students built balance scales using a soda can, drinking straws, a clothespin, straight pin, tape and two Dixie cups. The straws formed the beam of the balance (see picture), with the two Dixie cups providing the pans in which objects are weighed. To determine the weight of an object, students placed a "standard" weight -- in this case a sugar cube equal to "1 Mass" -- in one of the Dixie cups. They placed a second object in the opposite Dixie cup on the balance. When the Dixie cups contain the same weight, the beam is in balance. Students were able to figure out the weight of the objects by comparing them to the "1 Mass" weight of the sugar cube.
Using the balances, they determined how many paper clips equaled one sugar cube and how many grains of rice equal the weight of a paper clip. They converted their answers to metric measurements.
This hands-on lesson is a favorite of Mr. Baird's. "I see a lot of independent work going on in class," he said.
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Senior Wins Shakespeare Competition
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Jarrett LaBonne
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Senior Jarrett LaBonne won first-place in the English-Speaking Union's (ESU) National Shakespeare Competition held Feb. 10 in the Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre. This qualifies him to advance to the next level of competition at Tulane University on March 5. Tulane winners are eligible to compete at the nationals in New York City where they will vie for cash prizes and the opportunity to attend a summer drama program. In the Runnels competition, Aubry Watts placed second and Madalyn Burney finished third.
Winners in the Folger Shakespeare Challenge, which was held concurrently with the ESU contest, were Alex Morgan, who was awarded first prize, Anna Manning, who took second place, and Natalia Tooraen, who won third place.
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As a special service project, the Runnels Junior Beta Club will participate in the 2017 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure to be held March 4 at LSU. The team is running the race as a tribute to fifth-grade parent, Bridgette Denicola, mother of Grant, who recently lost her battle with cancer. "We know it will be a tremendous source of comfort to the Denicola family to see our show of support at the race," said Junior Beta Co-Sponsor John Baird.
The 5k run/walk race is an effort to raise funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer.
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Math-A-Thon Contributions Set Record
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The top fundraisers in this year's Math-A-Thon are (from left) Eddie Tunis, Megan Shaneyfelt, Peyton Troxler and Ryan Funk.
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Elementary studen
ts participating in the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Math- A-
Thon raised a record breaking $8,666.00 in donations for the charity this year.
Students participate by solving age-appropriate math problems in an online Math-A-Thon Funbook. They raise donations by asking family and friends to support their participation in the program.
Our highest contributors this year were: Eddie Tunis, 1st place, with $670; Peyton Troxler, 2nd place, with $650; and Ryan Funk and Megan Shaneyfelt, 3rd place, with $500 each.
The Math-A-Thon coordinator is Christine Pousson. All students in grades 1-6 were invited to participate in the fundraiser.
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Regan Dean
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Kudos and Thank Yous
Beta Scholarship Contender ... Senior
Regan Dean has been named a 2017 Scholarship Semifinalist in the National Beta Club Scholarship Program. Approximately 275 scholarships are awarded by the organization to outstanding Senior Beta Club members each year. The awards range in value from $1,000 to $15,000.
Winners will be announced the week of May 1, 2017.
Stage Presence
... Six Runnels students recently won roles in Theatre Baton Rouge's upcoming production of the hit musical comedy
Bye, Bye Birdie
. Congratulations to
Conner Joubert
, grade 3,
Harper Guay
, grade 2,
Gibson Guay
, grade 4,
Abby Robbins
, grade 7,
Sophie Edwards
, grade 8, and
Tyler Robbins
, grade 10. The play runs March 16-26.
A Honey of a Demonstration ... We sincerely thank
Dr. Kristen Healy (Ryan, Pre-K)
, assistant professor of Medical Entomology and Public Health Entomology at LSU, for sharing her expertise on bees with the 2nd graders in Veronica Gulley's science classes this week. Dr. Healy showed the students a portable hive crawling with worker bees, drones, and a queen capable of producing 2,000 eggs per day. She also displayed several beekeeping tools to aid in gathering honey and a beekeeping jacket and veiled hat. (See pictures in Weekly Photo Album below.)
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Lindsey Litchfield (far right) serves up information about cheese to lower elementary drama students.
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Cheese Tasting ... In their upcoming musical, The Cheese Stands Alone, the first and second graders will be portraying different kinds of cheeses -- including some varieties they've never tasted. Lower elementary drama teacher Julie Horridge thought it would be nice to remedy this culinary deficit with a cheese tasting at school. To help out, she enlisted the expertise of Runnels mom and cheese aficionado, Lindsey Litchfield of Whole Foods. We sincerely thank Mrs. Litchfield (Aster, Pre-K, and Adele, grade 1) for providing the cheese trays for Thursday's event and sharing her knowledge about cheeses of the world. (See more pictures in the Weekly Photo Album below.)
Jr. High Basketball Thank Yous ... Many thanks to Shasta and Dustin Felton (Emma, grade 5, and Tyler, grade 2) of Rice & Roux for being a concession sponsor for our home junior high basketball games. We also sincerely thank Scooter Stafford (Ben, grade 8, Blake, Class of 2009, and Brooke, Class of 2013) for providing the jambalaya at the games on Feb. 21.
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DEMCO Essay Contest Finalists Announced
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Kaylen Howe
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Bruce Huynh
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Juniors Kaylen Howe and Bruce Huynh have been selected as finalists in the 2017 DEMCO Rural Electric Youth Tour Essay Contest. They will compete against other area high school juniors for the opportunity to win an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C.
The last round of competition will take place during a banquet on March 7 at White Oak Plantation, where finalists will give an oral presentation of their essays and take a test on DEMCO and rural electrification facts. Winners will be announced at the banquet.
This is the second year in a row that Runnels students have advanced to finalist status in the DEMCO contest, and last year, John Wiese won first place and participated in the trip to the nation's capitol.
The essays were written as assignments in Colleen LeBlanc's AP English Language and Composition course. Kaylen is the daughter of Monique and Sheldon Howe and Bruce is the son of Thuy Le and Chung Huynh.
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Please spread the word about our March Open Houses for prospective families.
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Friendly Reminders
Feb. 27 - Mar. 3: Mardi Gras Holidays
Mar. 4: Jr. Beta Parcipating in Race for the Cure, LSU Campus, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Mar. 6: School Resumes
Mar. 8: Open House for Prospective Parents of Students in Grades K-12, Drama Room, Main Campus, 9:00 a.m.
Mar. 10: Elementary Drama,
The Cheese Stands Alone, (1Y) 12:00 p.m.; (1X) 12:40 p.m.; (2B) 1:35 p.m.; (2C) 2:20 p.m.
Mar. 10: Pictures in the Plaza,
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, 5:30 p.m.
Mar. 12:
Daylight Savings Time Begins - 2:00 am
Mar. 14: Elementary Chorus Concert, Gladys Hague Runnels Theater,
8:45 a.m.,
Mar. 15 - 16: Eighth Grade to Youth Legislature, Old State Capitol,
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.,
Mar. 16: Junior Class Ring Ceremony, Gladys Hague Runnels Theater, 11:20 a.m.
Mar. 17: Raider Star Drawings, Drama Room, Grades 4-6, 12:35 p.m.; Grades 1-3, 1:40
Mar. 19: RPO's "Candyland Sweet Moments" Father and Daughter Dance, 2 - 4 p.m., Catalano Gym
Mar. 23: Preschool Open House for Prospective Parents, 9:00 a.m., Front Porch at Preschool
Mar. 24: Raider Rally, Elementary Playground, 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The Booster Club will be selling dinners.
ANNUAL SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR - CLICK HERE
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This week's photo album includes: Honeybee Science; Cheese Tasting; Dental Hygeine; Physics Computer Activity; Preschool Grandparents Week; Mardi Gras Practice; and Mardi Gras Mask Making.
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BOYS BASKETBALL - LHSAA PLAYOFFS
In a second round LHSAA playoff game, the Raiders will host Thomas Jefferson High School this Saturday at 6:00 p.m. on our ball field.
As the No. 8 seeded team, the Raiders received a bye for the first round of playoffs. Admission is $7.00 at the door.
BOWLING
Despite Monday's loss to Madison Prep., several members of the Raiders bowling team achieved
their personal bests. Garrett Rhinehart bowled a 151 and the high game of the week. Alex Matthews scored the second highest game with a 136. Seth Miller took the high series with a 373.
The team's next match will be against Capitol on
March 6.
SOFTBALL
The varsity softball team kicked off its season with three wins. In the first game of the season at home on Feb. 20, the Lady Raiders defeated Broadmoor 15-0 in three innings.
On Wednesday, they beat Woodlawn 17-1 in five innings and closed out the week by besting Broadmoor, 17-1, on Thursday.
Coach Brent Lax attributes this success to the help of the starting pitchers, senior Micah Danos and freshman Bailey Hyatt: "Combined, they pitched 11 dominant innings, allowing 0 earned runs, 5 hits, 17 strikeouts and 2 walks. The offense was led by freshman Carlie Aucoin, who hit 2 triples and drove in 10 RBIs."
Way to go, Lady Raiders! The team will play next on March 3 in the Tara Tournament.
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Members of the 2017 Lady Raiders Softball Team.
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TENNIS
The Runnels varsity team defeated Walker 7-1 in competition on Monday. Kudos to Anna Claire Pousson and Catherine Bonaventure for their first match win. They topped their opponents 6-3, 6-0! Kyle Sieberth, Jeehan Mikadai and Elizabeth Daigle all won their singles matches. Ryan Lam and Ian Lansing won at #1 doubles. The teams of Hannah Barback and Madeline Alessi and Rachel Wehbe and Natalie Justus also won their doubles matches.
The Raiders put up a great fight on Wednesday as they battled St. Michael. Eric Huygues, Kyle Sieberth, and Jeehan Mikdadi won their singles matches, with Jeehan in the #1 position. Doubles partners, Anna Claire Pousson and Catherine Bonaventure, also scored a victory.
TRACK & FIELD
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Runnels' 4x800 relay teams at the Indoor State Track Championships at LSU. |
The boys 4x800 relay team -- Dean Campbell, Nathan Fairley, Adam Howe and Sam Matthews -- placed 3rd in Div. 2 at the LHSAA Indoor State Track Championship held at LSU last weekend. Their time of 8:49 won them a spot on the podium where they were presented with bronze medals.
The girls team -- Annie Fink, Micah Roper, Ryan Roper' and Kaylen Howe -- placed 7th with a time of 11:15. The 4x800m relay teams also set two new school records! In addition, Sam Matthews placed 8th in the 800m and set a new personal record.
"I am so proud of each one of these athletes and impressed by all of their hard work and dedication to give nothing but their best," said Coach Julie Fink. Go Raiders!
JUNIOR HIGH BOYS BASKETBALL
On Feb. 18, the 7th grade basketball team lost the championship game to Charter Academy, 35-31. This was the final game in the Independent School Athletic Association (ISAA) play-offs.
On Monday, 8th grade defeated Sacred Heart, 34-32, while the 6th grade lost, 31-29. The Raiders battled St. Jean Vianney at home on Tuesday. The 6th and 7th grades won, 31-28 and 35-28. The 8th grade lost in a close game, 31-34.
The season came to a close on Wednesday evening as the Junior High teams faced St. Thomas Moore at home. It was a victorious night with three back-to-back wins. The 6th grade won, 40-18. Baron Stevenson and Alan Lam each scored 8 points. The 7th grade followed with a 40-29 win. Collin Coates led with 15 points. In the final game of the night, the 8th grade won, 37-31. Ben Stafford scored a staggering 24 points!
All of the junior high teams finished with winning seasons. The 7th grade had 27-3, while 8th was 16-15, and 6th was 16-10.
SPORTS THIS WEEKEND
Varsity Boys & Girls Regional Powerlifting Meet hosted by Ascension Catholic at Lowry Middle School - 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Varsity Boys Basketball 1st round playoff game vs. Thomas Jefferson at Home - 6:00 p.m. Admission is $7.00.
MARDI GRAS BREAK - FEBRUARY 26 TO MARCH 5
JV Baseball vs. CHEF at Home - February 27 at 4:00 p.m.
Varsity Track & Field - Brusly Invitational at Brusly High School - March 2
Varsity Softball - Tara Tournament - March 3-4
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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
