Runnels Friday Focus, Jan. 5, 2018

January 5, 2018

PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL

Runnels has always been the school for all races, religions, and national origins.

FRIDAY FOCUS

Happy New Year! I'm delighted to welcome you to campus on this frosty first week of January. I hope you had a happy and healthful holiday with family and friends. As we transition into the new year and begin a new semester, the faculty, staff and I look forward to spending many happy and productive days ahead with your children.

In this week's Friday Focus , our weekly e-newsletter from Head of School Marcia Mackay: Time to Re-enroll at Runnels; District Honor Band; Become an Elementary Library Bookend; Holiday Card Contest Winner; Heads-up on Homecoming; Kudos; Friendly Reminders; Weekly Photo Album and Athletic Corner.

Time To Re-enroll at Runnels for the 2018-2019 School Year

Re-enrollment for the 2018-2019 school year at Runnels is underway! Thursday, February 1, 2018 is the "deadline" for re-enrolling with no enrollment fee. If you have any questions about re-enrollment, please call the school office at 225-215-5706.

Open enrollment for new students begins February 1. If you know of any families looking for a new school home, please invite them to check out our website at www.runnels.org, arrange a personal tour of our campuses at their convenience, or reach out to Admissions Director Sarah Haase at admissions@runnels.org or 225-215-5706.

Join Bookends: Sign Up Online to Read in Elementary Library

Parents of elementary students may now "sign up" online to read to their student's library class.

Sign-up sheets can be accessed here or on our school website, www.runnels.org. Click on "Academics," "Libraries," and then "Bookends." Grades K - 6 are listed across the bottom of the page. Select your student's grade, the date and time you wish to read, and enter your name and contact information.

If you need assistance or would like more information, please contact: Elementary Librarian Joni Orgeron at j.orgeron@runnels.org

or Bookends Coordinator Meredith Wartelle at meredithwartelle@gmail.com. (Photo: Runnels dad John Hillman reads 'The Cajun Night Before Christmas' to 5th graders during their library class.)

Fourth Grader Wins Recognition in Holiday Card Contest

Elementary student Rebecca Ortleib was named a school winner in the Ochsner 2017 Holiday Card Contest. She was awarded a cookie cake to share with her class or family and an art kit to help encourage her interest in drawing.

Rebecca was one of six school winners from participating schools, which, in addition to Runnels, included Central Intermediate School, Gray's Creek Elementary in Denham Springs, Prairieville Primary, St. John's Elementary in Plaquemine and Zachary Elementary. (Photo: Rebecca Ortleib is presented with awards for being named the school winner at Runnels in the Ochsner 2017 Holiday Card Contest by Ochsner Community Outreach Project Manager Heidi Howat Wendt.)

District Honor Band Students Announced

Ten Runnels students were recently named to the District Honor Band, with two selected as first chairs in their sections.

Chosen for the Symphonic Band are Reagan Kyle, 1st chair, Clarinet; Joseph Ismail, 2nd chair, Bass Clarinet; Emma Collett, 3rd chair, Alto Sax; Omar Badawi, 5th chair, Clarinet; Sam Day, 5th chair, Trombone; and Tate Smith, 7th chair, Trombone.

Selected for the Concert Band are Kareem Badawi, 1st chair, Clarinet; Mason Pentes, 3rd chair, Trumpet; Cooper Coates, 7th chair, Trumpet; and Evan Beoubay, Alternate Clarinet.

The District Honor Band Concert will be held Saturday, Jan. 13 at the Columbia Theatre in Hammond. (Photo: District Honor Band 1st chairs, Reagan Kyle, left, and Kareem Badawi.)

Heads-Up on 2018 Runnels Homecoming

The week of January 22 will feature a sparkling array of activities and events to celebrate 2018 Homecoming at Runnels! This year's theme, A Night on the Town, lends a cosmopolitan flair to the festivities, which will be crowned with a Homecoming Dance on Saturday, Jan. 27, from 7:00 to 10:00 pm in the gym.

Students will vote for members of the 2018 Homecoming Court on Wednesday, Jan. 10, in the Andy Mack Memorial Library during their social studies or math classes. The court will be presented at an assembly in the Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre at 2:10 pm on Friday, Jan. 26 and again that night at the varsity boys basketball game against the Holden Rockets in the gym.

Click here for more Homecoming information...

Holiday Sweater Kudo

Our very own April Wilkinson, who teaches English in our elementary school, appeared on the Kelly and Ryan Live Show in New York on Dec. 21 as a contestant in their Annual Holiday Sweater competition. It all came about during a family vacation in New York. She had tickets for the show and was waiting in line to get in when a showrunner came out of the studio, spotted her and her lovely green Christmas sweater, and invited her to appear on camera as a participant in the Holiday Sweater Contest. She was on stage with Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest and walked away with $100 for winning second place. (From left are April Wilkinson, Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest.)

Friendly Reminders

Jan. 8 / Spring RPO Meeting , 7:00 pm, Elementary Drama Room

Jan. 12 / RPO's Pictures in the Plaza , Despicable Me 2 , 6:00 pm, Raider Plaza (weather permitting)

Jan. 15 / Martin Luther King, Jr., Day - School Holiday

Jan. 17 / Senior Beta Induction Ceremony , 11:50 am, Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre

Jan. 19-21 / Disney and Cameron MacIntosh's Mary Poppins, The Broadway Musical, at the Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre;

Ticket Information: seatyourself.biz

Jan. 22-27 / Homecoming Week

Jan. 24 / D.A.R.E. Graduation Ceremony for 5th Graders , 1:30 pm, Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre

Jan. 25 / Jr. Beta Induction Ceremony , 11:00 am, Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre

(Above: Technical Theatre students Ben Holliday, at left, and Blake Siewert haul columns from the Elementary Drama Room to the Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre to serve as part of the set for our upcoming production of Disney and Cameron MacIntosh's 'Mary Poppins, The Broadway Musical.' Tickets are available for all three shows -- Friday, Jan. 19 and Saturday, Jan. 20 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, Jan. 21 at 2:00 pm -- at seatyourself.biz .)

Weekly Album

In this week's album: Pentago in 3rd Grade Math, Raider Star Drawings, Boys Varsity Basketball, and 6th Graders Reading to Their Kindergarten Buddies. (Special thanks to Gina Golda for the 6th grade Kindergarten Buddy pictures and Wendy Worsham for the 3rd grade math pictures).

Athletic Corner

VARSITY BOYS BASKETBALL

The varsity boys basketball team was 4-4 over the break. The Raiders had wins over French Settlement, Ascension Catholic, Vanderbilt Catholic, and Highland Baptist. The most recent win was on Thursday against Highland Baptist. Griffin Kennedy led the way with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Collin Bueche contributed 17 points, helping Runnels to the 59-35 win. Tonight the Raiders travel to Springfield to take on the Bulldogs. Go, Raiders!

VARSITY BOYS SOCCER

In their first game of the season, the varsity boys soccer team scored a thrilling victory against Westminster, 3-2. Max Sager scored two goals and an assist, with Ryan Lam scoring one. Making a huge save on a penalty kick, goalkeeper Eli Torado changed the momentum of the game to favor the Raiders.

This weekend, the Raiders are scheduled to play three games in Alexandria. Good luck, boys!

VARSITY GIRLS SOCCER

Over the holiday break, the varsity girls soccer team defeated Country Day, 2-1. Kaylen Howe and Ally Garrity each scored a goal. In play against Live Oak, the Lady Raiders tied 1-1, with Ally Garrity scoring the only goal.

The Lady Raiders will play next on Saturday against Central.

JUNIOR HIGH GIRLS SOCCER

The holiday week brought several victories for the the junior high girls soccer teams. The Blue Team is currently 3-0 with one tie. The Lady Raiders were victorious over St. Thomas More, 4-0, and Episcopal, 6-1, with a tie against Live Oak, 2-2 . On Wednesday, the ladies defeated St. Aloysius 3-2. Chloe Bueche scored 2 goals and Ava Kadi scored one.

The White Team is 1-1 for the season. The ladies scored an exciting win against Zachary, 6-1, and had a loss to Live Oak, 0-2.

(The Lady Raiders prep for their game at Live Oak. Photo courtesy of Wendy Worsham.)