PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
Runnels has always been the school for all races, religions, and national origins.
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Thanks to your generosity, the 2018 Annual Giving Campaign, A Gift of Kindness, was very successful. We are extremely appreciative of the gifts we received from parents, faculty and staff, trustees, alumni, and friends who believe in the mission and vision of our school and the strength and value of a Runnels education. A special thank you goes to our latest Diamond Donors, Steve Hayden and Julie Martin. Their names will be added to the donor plaque in the Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre.
2018 DONORS
In this week's Focus: Friendly Reminders (No school Tuesday, Nov. 6); Outstanding Volunteer Award; Bravo to the Cast and Crew of
The Crucible
; The Transformative Power of Words; A Boo-tiful Parade; Elementary Library's Fall Scholastic Book Fair; Escape Room Reading Challenge; Thank Yous, Kudos and Notable Events; Weekly Photo Album; Athletic Corner.
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Tonight, Nov. 2 /
Fall Fling
/ Outdoor Plaza, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Through Nov. 8 /
Annual Sr. Beta Club Thanksgiving Food Drive for Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank
- Non-perishable food items and cash donations are welcome. Collection bins and money jars are located in grade 7-12 English classes.
Tuesday, Nov. 6 /
No School (both campuses) - Election Day /
Runnels is a voting precinct.
Nov. 8 - 16 /
Elementary
Library's Fall Scholastic Book Fair
Nov. 9
/ Veterans Day Programs /
Gladys Hague Runnels Theater. Reception for veterans and their guests attending the elementary program, 8:00 a.m.; Elementary Musical Tribute to Veterans, 9:00 a.m.; Reception for veterans and their guests attending the Jr./Sr. High Program, 10:45 a.m.; Jr./Sr. High Veterans Day Program, 11:20 a.m.
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Outstanding Volunteer Award
Senior Kalyee Freiberger has won
the 2018 Outstanding High School Volunteer Award from the Greater Baton Rouge State Fair Foundation. She was presented with her award, which includes a $500 scholarship, by Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser during a ceremony at the fair on Oct. 28.
The honor recognizes high school students who have performed outstanding volunteer service at school and throughout the community. Kalyee was nominated to receive the award by the Runnels administration for her genuine kindness and generosity toward others and her many hours of volunteer work.
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Bravo! to The Crucible
Cast and Crew
Top marks go to everyone involved in bringing the junior and senior high drama department's powerhouse production of
The Crucible
to life on our main stage.
The show ran for three performances in the Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre Oct. 26-28.
The show was dedicated to 2017 Runnels graduate Isabel Booty, who tragically passed away in a traffic accident in December of that year. Director Neena McLain remembered Isabel's contributions to the theatre in the play handbill: "Isabel stage managed many shows in our theatre and was a valuable and well loved part of our theatre family. A stage manager podium has been built and decorated in her memory. It will stand backstage for our current and future stage managers. We know her spirit will guide them and her infectious laugh will echo in our theatre forever."
Isabel's parents, Liz and Billy Booty, and her brother, Dorion, attended the opening night performance of
The Crucible
for the dedication ceremony.
(In a scene from 'The Crucible' are, from left, seniors Landon Simpson, Sophia Torres, and Alex Morgan.
)
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The Transformative Power of Words
Students in Michele Barnett's 4th-grade reading classes recently learned an important lesson about how "words matter."
"It started during their library time," said Mrs. Barnett. "They were talking about Noah Webster and reading the book
The Word Collector
by Peter Reynolds. The theme of the book was how important and powerful words can be."
Upon returning to the classroom, a spontaneous discussion erupted. "Students wanted to write down meaningful words they felt would impact others in a positive way." Mrs. Barnett explained.
They turned their thoughtful words into a bulletin board now on display in their classroom. "It's a daily reminder of how our "words matter!" said Mrs. Barnett.
(
With the new bulletin board in Room 27 are 4th graders, from left, Gracie Doughty, Olive Pittman, Dana Badawi, Lilah Brumfield, and Harper Guay.)
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A Boo-tiful Parade
Students in grades K-6 and the senior class got a head start on trick-or-treating the morning of Oct. 31 by wearing their costumes to school for the annual Elementary Halloween Parade in the gym.
Gigantic thank yous also go to those who helped put on the Elementary Halloween Parade. They include Elementary Assistant Principal Beth Golden for organizing the event, elementary teacher John Baird for taking on emcee duties, Admissions Director Sarah Haase for lining up the music, and elementary teachers Wendy Worsham and Niki Roton for arranging the games.
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Photo: Making a grand entrance as an elegant octopus at the elementary parade is art department head Lee Randall. Many thanks to Mrs. Randall and her under-the-sea assistants, elementary teachers Burgundy Brumfield [the goldfish], and Madeleine Arboneaux [the shark].)
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Wander Through The Enchanted Forest Scholastic Book Fair Nov. 8-16
The Elementary Library's annual Fall Scholastic Bookstore is coming to the Drama Room next week! This year's theme, Enchanted Forest Book Fair, is sure to deliver a fantastic experience to readers of all ages and interests.
The book fair will be open weekdays Nov. 8 - Nov. 16 from 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Special point-out events include Grandparents, Family and Friends Day on Nov. 9, Magical Muffins with Mom on Nov. 15, and Draggin' Dads to Donuts on Nov. 16. The book fair opens at 7:00 a.m. for each of these special events.
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"Escape Room" Reading Challenge
In addition to being performed on our stage, Arthur Miller's drama
The Crucible
has been under scrutiny in Sherry Wilks' English III classes recently as a reading assignment. After finishing the play, Mrs. Wilks arranged for her students to participate in an "escape room" puzzle to review their reading.
To solve the puzzle and ultimately "escape" from The Salem Witchcraft Trials, students had to come up with answers to "task card questions" about the play in the categories of Literary Elements, Historical Context, Quotations, and Plot Points. Students input their answers on Google Forms, which
automatically moves them through the challenges as they type in the correct answers. Ultimately, with enough correct answers and by following a decoding system, they are awarded the secret clues they need to unlock a phrase and make an "escape." Congratulations to juniors Jackie Hinkle, Jaidyn Procell, Mickey Kaiser, and Kade Damon for navigating a successful "escape."
(
Photo: Working on the "escape challenge" in English III are, from left, juniors Eli Todaro, Andrew Schacht, and Ally Sutton.
)
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Thank Yous, Kudos and Notable Events
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Donation To Cancer Services
Connie Caldwell of Cancer Services of Baton Rouge stopped by our campus today to pick up a donation of $360.50. The money was raised by the junior and senior high in last week's
“Think Pink Breast Cancer Awareness Spirit Day.”
(
Photo: Eighth grade class officers, from left, Zeena Shammout, Emma Collett, Cancer Services' Connie Caldwell, Mira Badawi and Sadie Alello. The 8th grade sponsored the bake sale at the Think Pink! event.)
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Robotics Club at Makers Faire
The Jr./Sr. High Robotics Club took part in the Mini Makers Faire at the Goodwood Library in October. "The group attended the event as a public outreach opportunity," said coach Jennifer Leeper, "sharing information about Runnels, the Robotics Club, and the robots students are working on." Club members participating were Evan Beoubay, Conner Porthouse, Preston Kyle, Reagan Kyle, Michal Gawronski, Ali Guerin, Ali Ismail, Gavin Oram, Gareth Oram and coaches Richard Oram and Jennifer Leeper.
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So Many Delicious Donuts
A very sweet thank you goes to
PAR President Blake Stevenson and the parent volunteers
who helped decorate and serve dozens upon dozens of Krispy Kreme donuts to students in grades K-12 as a Halloween snack on Oct. 31.
Kudos to...
Teacher
Amy Guillory
for winning the costume drawing for junior and senior high teachers on Oct. 31. The prize was a $10 gift certificate from Starbucks. Mrs. Guillory was dressed up as one of the witches from the film,
Hocus Pocus
.
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Preschool Halloween Carnival
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The preschoolers celebrated Trick-or-Treat season on Oct. 26 with a special event all their own, the annual Halloween Carnival. Lending a hand with the games and festivities were members of the National Honor Society. We extend sincere thanks to them and their sponsors, Norma Marsh and Colleen LeBlanc. We also thank the preschool administrators, teachers, and parent volunteers who helped plan, organize and staff this big event for our little ones.
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... Congratulations to Runnels mom
Kacy Edwards
, Sophie, grade 10, and Sadie, grade 5, for winning, along with her business partner, Julie Scott, the
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation's 2018 Angel Award
as founders of the not-for-profit company, Career Compass. The honor, which includes a $20,000 award, was presented to 10 Louisianians this year for outstanding service to children.
... Kudos to the newly elected officers of the
National English Honor Society. They are
Anna Kadi
, president;
Chris Ortego
, vice president;
Caroline Henning
, secretary;
Anna Somerville
, treasurer;
Mollybeth Wilkinson
, historian;
Chris Yura
, public relations chair;
Jillian Edmonson
and
Annie Leake
, activities chairs; and
Aubri Watts,
technical liaison. All are student mentors in the Runnels Writing Center.
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Above:
The
Runnels Advanced String Orchestra conducted by Jennifer Cassin made a guest appearance at the preschool on Nov. 1 to perform for the children. Also on the program were Halloween stories presented by Neena McLain and her 4th hour Theatre I and II students. The students first read "Goodnight Goon" to the preschoolers and then assisted Ms. McLain as she told the tale of "The Big Giant Pumpkin." The stories were set to music provided by the orchestra.
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In this week's album: 2nd Grade Science, Kindergarten Pajama Day, Escape Room, Kindergarten Pumpkin Estimation, S'mores in Chemistry, Strings at the Preschool and Candids.
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RUNNELS APPAREL AVAILABLE YEAR ROUND AT THE BOOSTER CLUB SPIRIT STORE
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Members of the junior high softball team with Coach Brent Lax on left.
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Meredith Taliaferro catching for the junior high softball team at the playoff game.
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JUNIOR HIGH SOFTBALL
Congratulations to the junior high Lady Raiders softball team for concluding the season in 3rd place. In the first round of the playoffs, the Ladies played U-High, scoring a 6-5 victory, with a walk off single by Hope Oubre, who led the team with 2 hits and an RBI. Alyssa Oubre and Reilly Wilks each had a hit and an RBI. Addison Latona, Chloe Bueche, and Sophia Rabeaux each added hits.
During the Semifinals, the Ladies ended their season with a loss to Victory, 6-1. Chloe Bueche scored the only run. Bueche led off the inning with a single and was bunted over to 3rd by Meredith Taliaferro, scoring later on a wild pitch, putting the team on the board.
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CROSS COUNTRY
At the Metro Championship on Saturday, the Running Raiders set 20 new PRs and a new school record at Highland Road Park. Junior Annie Fink set a new school record racing 3 miles in 19:07, breaking her own record of 19:31 set in September.
The high school girls team finished in 3rd behind St. Joseph’s Academy and St. Michael. Head cross country and track coach Julie Fink said, “This is an amazing victory!” Congratulations, Raiders.
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VOLLEYBALL
This week, the volleyball team competed in the Bi-District play-offs at Lafayette Christian. The Lady Raiders finished district in 4th place and were seeded 29 out of the 32 teams at state.
The Ladies were struck with multiple injuries and illness at the start of district play and ended the season the same way. However, the girls hung tough and played in positions left vacant from injury. A few members of the junior varsity team were played up to fill the void. Kudos to the Ladies for reaching the play-offs. District honors will be announced next week.
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SWIMMING
Last Saturday the varsity swimming Raiders met their most challenging meet of the season at the City Championship. Junior Erin Oehrle placed 7th overall in the girls 50-yard freestyle with a time of 26.95 and 12th overall in the girls 100-yard freestyle with a time of 1:01.43.
The boys relay team consisting of Spencer Spivak, Steven Spivak, Ian Lansing and Barrett Couvillion placed 12th overall in the 200-yard freestyle relay with their season best time of 1:47.77. Spencer Spivak placed 16th overall in the boys 100-yard breaststroke with his season best time of 1:10.93.
Seniors Spencer Spivak, Ian Lansing, and Seth Miller were recognized during the meet as All-Academic Swimmers. This award goes to senior athletes with a composite GPA of 3.5 or higher. Congratulations, Raiders!
(Pictured from left, Ian Lansing and Spencer Spivak.)
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VARSITY BASKETBALL
Last Friday, the Runnels basketball team scrimmaged St. Michael. In their season home opener on Tuesday, the Raiders suffered a loss to Phoenix, 71-58. Phoenix led early in the game, but Runnels fought back to cut it to two points at half. The Raiders were leading by one going into the fourth but could not finish them off. The team was led by Cade Tate with 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists. Collin Coates added 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Tonight, the Raiders travel to JS Clark in Opelousas.
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JUNIOR HIGH BASKETBALL
The junior high basketball team kicked off its season last night in games against Juban Parc. The 7th grade team won 26-25, with the 8th graders also claiming a 31-27 victory. Leading the 8th grade team were Alex Lam and Shelby Anders, each scoring 10 points. Alex had a steal with 10 seconds left to seal the game. From the 7th grade team, Cooper Coates scored 8 points with 3 blocks and Rossie Harrison scored 10.
(Photo: From left, Rossie Harrison and Cooper Coates affectionately known as the duo, Shake-N-Bake.)
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WHAT'S UP NEXT...
On Friday |
Boys Basketball
at JS Clark – JV at 6:00 p.m. & Varsity at 7:00 p.m.
On Saturday | Varsity & Jr. High Cross Country
at the Warrior Run & Jr. High Championship at Highland Road Park – Begins at 11:00 a.m.
On Monday | Boys Basketball
at Maurepas – JV at 5:00 p.m. & Varsity at 6:00 p.m.
On Tuesday — Election Day – No School
Jr. High Boys Basketball
vs. Doyle at Home – 7th grade at 6:00 pm & 8th at 7:00 pm
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SHOW YOUR RAIDER SPIRIT—SEND US YOUR FAN PICTS!
Email game and fan photos to
n.latiolais@runnels.org
. Please include the date and location of the event and the students pictured
.
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