PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
Runnels has always been the school for all races, religions, and national origins.
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In
Focus
this week: Runnels Orchestra To Perform with LSU Philharmonia; Raider Rally Next Friday Night; Social Studies Fair Winners Announced; Mu Alpha Theta Welcomes New Members with Pizza and Pi Day Celebration; Jr./Sr. High Robotics Team Advances to Regionals; Standardized Testing Coming Up Next Week; PAR Daddy & Daughter Dance Invitation; St. Patrick's Day Scavenger Hunt in First Grade; Thank Yous, Kudos and Notable Events; Weekly Photo Album; Athletic Corner; Friendly Reminders.
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Runnels String Orchestra To Share Stage with LSU Philharmonia
The Runnels Advanced String Orchestra will have the unique opportunity of sharing the stage with the LSU Philharmonia in a side-by-side concert at LSU on March 19. The performance will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Music Building Recital Hall. It is free and open to the public.
“This is quite an honor," said Runnels Orchestra Director Jennifer Cassin. “It’s unusual for a prestigious university orchestra to ‘share music stands’ with local high school students.”
On the program will be
Little Suite for Strings by Dr. Christopher Lowry, a piece commissioned for the Runnels Orchestra in 2017. The composition had its debut on our stage in May of that year, with the composer as a guest artist. The week after the premiere, the only recording of the concert was destroyed in a fire at Dr. Lowry's residence. The side-by-side concert will provide an opportunity to make a substitute recording.
Directing the concert will be LSU Symphony Orchestra conductor Carlos Riazuelo. The students have been rehearsing with the maestro at Runnels and LSU since the week of Mardi Gras.
We hope you'll be able to join us for this exciting concert.
(
Photo: LSU's Carlos Riazuelo conducts the Runnels Advanced String Orchestra in a rehearsal of 'Little Suite for Strings' in the Performing Arts Classroom Building. On Thursday, the orchestra members took a field trip to LSU to practice with the Philharmonia.)
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It's Almost Time for the Raider Rally!
Be sure to circle next Friday, March 22 on your calendar so you'll remember to be on campus for the 16th annual Raider Rally. The fun starts at 5:30 p.m. on the elementary playground.
Sponsored by the Booster Club, the Rally is a school-wide fundraiser featuring games, prizes, music, food, and fun! Entertainment will be provided by the Runnels 6th-12th-Grade Band, the junior and senior high cheerleaders, and the dance team. Runnels logo apparel and merchandise will be available for purchase (cash or check only), and hot dogs and hamburgers will be sizzling on the grill.
Tickets for games (and some treats) will be sold at the gate. Individual tickets are 50 cents each, and strips of tickets are $10.00. The proceeds from the Rally will benefit a variety of classes, clubs, groups, and athletic teams at Runnels.
The Booster club asks that all elementary aged children be accompanied by a supervising adult. Thank you in advance for your continued support!
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Junior High Social Studies Fair Winners Announced
From "Feuding Founding Fathers" to the "Impact of Nutria on Louisiana Wetlands," there was something to pique everybody's interest at the Jr. High Social Studies Fair held in the Catalano Gym March 14-15. Each student produced a complex research paper that included a thesis, abstract, body of research, conclusion, and bibliography along with a 3-D display. Seventh grade projects focused on American history and eighth-grade work explored various aspects of Louisiana culture and history.
The top award in 7th grade went to George Forgey for "Hysteria in America - The Salem Witch Crisis." In 8th grade, Emma Collett won first place for "What Is Voodoo? A Misunderstood Religion."
Other winners were (grade 7) Addie Watson, 2nd place; Katherine Campbell, 3rd place; Allie Alessi, 4th place; Malek Badawi, 5th place; and Megan Shaneyfelt, 6th place; (grade 8) Ali Guerin, 2nd place; Alex Frederic, 3rd place; Sophia Horridge, 4th place; John Latona, 5th place; and Sadie Alello, 6th place.
Special recognition for display boards went to 7th graders Harrison White, Lily Hayden, Summer Guerin and Mikalyn Shay and 8th graders Eddie Tunis, Eli Latiolais, Madison Cummins, and Grant Gueho.
We sincerely thank judges Matt Reonas, Alecia Tate, Aprille Wright, Rob Parker, Lee Parker (Runnels Class of '17), and Southeastern graduate students Rosemary Flynn and Heather Duncan. We also thank 8th grade Louisiana Studies teacher Rachel Kane for assisting with the fair and Steve Hayden, who teaches 7th grade U.S. History, for organizing the event.
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George Forgey, grade 7, is ready to present his project on the Salem Witch Trials to Social Studies Fair judges.
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First- through third-place winners, from left, Alex Frederic, Ali Guerin, Emma Collett, Addie Watson, and George Forgey. (Not pictured: Katherine Campbell.)
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With her prize-winning entry, "What Is Voodoo? A Misunderstood Religion," is 8th grade Louisiana History student Emma Collett.
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Mu Alpha Theta Welcomes New Members with Pizza and Pi Day Party
Members of Mu Alpha Theta, the honor math society, gathered on March 14 to celebrate National Pi Day and induct eight students into their ranks. Congratulations to fresh recruits (
photo from left
) Drake Tooraen, Ryan Ly, Jenna Carballo, Jillian Edmonson, Reagan Kyle, Eric Ho, Madison Sutton, and Joseph Ismail.
Since Pi (3.14) is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, round foods were definitely in order, so students enjoyed a variety of sweet and savory pies including pizza with the works.
They also played math games and participated in a contest to name the most numerals in the number Pi. Senior Carson Badinger won first place with a whopping 65 numbers recited, followed by inductees Madison Sutton, grade 12, who came in second, and junior Eric Ho, the third-place finisher. Club members also took the occasion to thank their sponsor, Runnels alum ('16) Anna Morgan, for organizing the ceremony and providing the pies.
Next up for Mu Alpha Theta is the state convention in Baton Rouge April 11-13.
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Regional Robotics Tournament Ahead
Congratulations to the Jr./Sr. High Robotics Team and sponsor Jennifer Leeper for winning the Control Award for advanced software programming at the FIRST Tech Challenge qualifier tournament in Slidell on Feb. 2.
The team placed 7th out of 19 teams and qualified for the regional FIRST Tech Challenge Tournament in Destrehan tomorrow.
“In the weeks since our last competition,” said Mrs. Leeper, “the students have been working with Jonathan Hebert in the Runnels IT department to design a new component for our robot and build it using a 3D printer. We’ll have an opportunity to try out the new part during the regional competition.”
Robotics team competitors also include Gavin Oram, Ali Ismail, Preston Kyle, Reagan Kyle, Evan Beoubay, Alex Frederic, Michal Gawronski, and Ramsey Rogers.
(
Photo: With the Control Award at the qualifier tournament in Slidell are, from left, Kade Damon, Connor Porthouse, Gareth Oram, and Ali Guerin.
)
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Standardized Testing Set for Next Week
Annual achievement tests will be administered during the week of March 18-22.
Students in
grades 1-6
will receive a full battery of nationally norm-based tests in all subject areas. Attendance will be taken at 8:30 a.m. with testing to begin promptly after that time. During testing week, elementary students will not be assigned homework.
Grade 11: Practice ACT test, Monday, March 18, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Theatre.
Grades 7 and 8: Explore test, Tuesday, March 19 from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Theatre.
Grades 9 and 10: PreACT test, Wednesday, March 20, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Theatre. Please be aware that students who are tardy will not be allowed to enter a room once testing has started.
You can help by making sure that your child eats a good breakfast, is well rested on test days and gets to school on time. Thank you for helping us make testing days positive and successful for our students.
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Get Your Tickets for PAR Daddy & Daughter Dance
Dig out your dancing fins, Dads, and make a date with your daughter(s) for "Under the Sea," the PAR's third annual Father and Daughter Dance for grades K-6 on the docket for Sunday, March 24 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. in the school gym. Tickets are $20 for PAR members ($4 for each additional daughter) and $25 for non-PAR members ($5 for additional daughters).
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Leprechaun Gold Sighted in First Grade
Our 1st graders celebrated St. Patrick's Day with a treasure hunt that challenged their reading and detective skills. They found a series of written clues in their lockers, journals, the snack bucket, and a drinking fountain and followed them to discover Leprechaun "gold" (Mardi Gras beads). Later, they gathered in the Admissions Building to hear elementary teacher Kari Calhoun read
How To Trap a Leprechaun
by Sue Fliess. Many thanks to her and elementary reading teacher Julie Stevenson for arranging the special activities.
(Photo: Mrs. Calhoun reads a St. Patrick's Day story to 1st graders in Mrs. Mackay's office in the Admissions Building this morning.)
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Thank Yous, Kudos, and Notable Events
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Helping the Homeless ...
Kudos to freshman
Jacob Schmidt,
who
received a big thank you from the Volunteers of America Greater Baton Rouge via social media this week for “making 80 brown bag lunches to help feed the homeless” at their One Stop Homeless Services Center during the Mardi Gras Break.
(
Photo: Jacob Schmidt)
Parents Night Out ...
The Class of 2020 will host a spring Parents Night Out for students in grades K-5 on Saturday, March 30 from 5:30 - 9:30 p.m. in the gym. Pre-registration is required by March 27. It includes pizza, beverages, and snacks. Fees are $30 for one child, $50 for two, and $65 for three.
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Coming Home
...
Runnels alumnus Sean Parker (‘18), now a freshman majoring in music and biology at Emory University, came back to campus this week to work with string students in Dan and Jennifer Cassin's classes. Now a cellist in the Emory University Symphony Orchestra, Sean took the time to listen to our students play, both solo and in ensembles. He offered them encouragement and sound advice on how to get the most out of their instruments. We sincerely thank him for sharing his talents and skills with younger students. (
Photo: Sean Parker works with elementary string students, from left, Lucas Holden, Sam Kennedy and Jonah Kennedy.
)
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Eat Like You're Irish
... A bake sale sponsored by the Jr./Sr. High Library's Writing Center took on a St. Patrick's Day flair this week. Students and faculty alike lined up to purchase cookies, cupcakes, brownies, and Rice Krispy treats decorated with emerald green sprinkles and frosting. Proceeds from the sale will go toward the purchase of awards for the Center's quarterly student writing contests and edibles for a catered spring luncheon to welcome new peer mentors. (
Photo: Writing Center peer mentors, from left, Anna Kadi, Caroline Henning, and Jillian Edmonson help Hannah Cassano choose a tasty treat.
)
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Pi Guys
... Elementary math students in Christine Pousson, Renee Miller's and Michelle Harper's classes hailed National Pi Day Thursday by participating in activities that centered around circles. Their pursuits included working with pie charts, blowing bubbles and measuring the diameter of circles left behind and multiplying them by by Pi, reading
Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi
by Cindy Neuschwander, decorating and eating Pi shaped cookies, performing measurements and calculations on an assortment of round objects, and drawing circles with compasses. (
Photo: Working on a Pi chart are 4th graders, from left, Lucas Holden, Tyler Felton, and Brody Osborne.
)
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(
Above
Photo: Dr. Nancy Gamso, a professor of music at Ohio Wesleyan University, presented workshops on jazz improvisation to junior and senior band students in Jill Swetnam's classes this week. As a bonus, she played along with the students on her clarinet as they performed "St. James Infirmary" and "When the Saints Go Marching In." At Wesleyan, Dr. Gamso teaches applied woodwinds, history of jazz, woodwind methods, music appreciation, and also coaches the woodwind chamber ensembles. A native of Natchitoches, she can often be found in the South doing research on the American music traditions of blues and early jazz. We sincerely thank Dr. Gamso for sharing her expertise with our students.)
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In this week's photo album: Earth Science Volcanoes, Pi Day, Sr. Beta Club at the Preschool for Dr. Seuss Day, 1st Grade Leprechauns, Writing Center's Irish Bake Sale, Guest Artist in Band Classes, LSU Symphony Conductor Conducts Advanced String Orchestra, Superhero Raider Star Drawings, Social Studies Fair, Elementary Chess Club, Mu Alpha Theta Induction Ceremony and Pi Day Activities, Baseball vs. Fountainebleau and Softball vs. Maurepas, and Candids.
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BASKETBALL
Last week, the boys basketball team finished up its year in the State Semifinals in Lake Charles. This marked the first trip to the State Tournament since 2008. Although the journey ended in a loss to Crescent City 65-42, the Raiders had a great year. The team finished the season with 31 wins and defeated at least one school in every classification from 5A to C.
The Raiders are graduating four seniors: Collin Bueche, Griffin Kennedy, Cade Tate, and London Deshotel. Congratulations to Tate and Kennedy for their selection to the All-District basketball team.
“Thank you to all the students, parents, and fans that came out to support the basketball team this year,” said Head Basketball Coach Ben Young. “We are looking forward to another successful season next year.”
(Photo: From left are
Cade Tate and
Griffin Kennedy.)
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OUTDOOR TRACK & FIELD
Over the Mardi Gras break, the outdoor track and field team competed at the Baton Rouge High Bulldog Relays with the girls team placing 4th. Junior Annie Fink was named the outstanding track performer and set a new PR and school record for the 1600m with a time of 5:29. Several medals were scored and new PRs set by Angele Lansing for javelin, Sydney Worsham for the 3200m, and Dawson Latona for the 1600m.
“Our numbers were low but performances were high,” stated Head Track and Field Coach Julie Fink. The team will compete again in the Red Stick Classic today at Zachary High
School.
(Photo: Junior Annie Fink)
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BASEBALL: VARSITY
The varsity boys baseball team lost to Fontainebleau High School on Tuesday, 16-8. Grayson Gulley went three for four with two RBIs and Colin Bueche added two hits. Robby Harrison and Aaron Taliaferro each had a double.
On Thursday, the Raiders competed in a tight ball game against Ascension Christian High School but eventually fell 8-2. Blaine Nicholson and Sam Haase each had two hits while Robby Harrison drove in both runs.
This evening, the Raiders play West Feliciana at 6:15 p.m. at the West Feliciana Sports Park.
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BASEBALL: JUNIOR HIGH
This week the junior high boys baseball team played two scrimmage games at Cedar Park. On Monday, the Raiders took a loss to the Astors, 6-11. Pitcher Preston Treadaway struck out four batters and the Raiders scored six runs. On Wednesday, the Raiders defeated the BR Tigers, 7-3, with three no hit innings by pitchers Rossie Harrison and Tate Smith. Alan Lam had two RBIs in the game and Harrison added two hits.
The team plays Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at Cedar Ridge Park in the Hickory Ridge subdivision at either 5:45 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. Coach Brent Hoeprich encourages fans to “come out and support the the team throughout the season.”
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BOYS SOCCER
Kudos to the members of the boys soccer team for their selection to the All-District team. Selected for First Team All-District were senior Ryan Lam, junior Eli Todaro, and freshman Charlie Garrison. Garrison was also named
District Offensive MVP.
Selected for Second Team All-District were freshmen
Thomas Betancur, Dawson Latona, and Kyle Nicholson.
Ryan Lam made the 2018-2019 LHSAA Composite All-Academic Boys Soccer Team and LHSAA Class All-Academic Boys Soccer Team, Div. IV. Alex Morgan also made the LHSAA Class All-Academic Boys Soccer Team, Div. IV.
The All-Academic class is composed of student-athletes who have attained a grade-point average of 3.5 or above within their schools’ class/division. A place on the Composite Team requires a GPA of 4.0.
(Photo: From left are Ryan Lam and Alex Morgan.)
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VOLLEYBALL: JUNIOR HIGH
The junior high volleyball teams each played games this week. The 5th grade scored a win against Dunham while the 6th grade team lost to St. Luke’s and Dunham. The Blue and White teams each lost to Northwest and St. Luke’s, respectively.
On Saturday at Copper Mill, the 5th grade will play Copper Mill, the Blue team will play St. Luke’s, and the White team will take on Central. The games will run concurrently starting at 9:00 a.m.
(
Photo: Ashlynn Harper serves up play
.)
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GET RUNNELS APPAREL AT THE BOOSTER CLUB SPIRIT STORE
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SPORTS THIS WEEKEND
TODAY
Varsity Track & Field
at Red Stick Classic at Zachary High
Varsity Girls Powerlifting Team
at State Meet in Alexandria
Varsity Baseball
vs. W. Feliciana – 6:15 p.m. at West Feliciana Sports Park
Varsity Softball
at Grace Tournament in Alexandria
SATURDAY
Varsity Boys Powerlifting Team
at State Meet in Alexandria
Varsity Softball
at Grace Tournament in Alexandria
Junior High Volleyball teams
at Copper Mill - 9 a.m.
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RAIDER FANS TAKE THE BEST PHOTOS!
Email game and fan photos to
n.latiolais@runnels.org
. Please include the event and the name of the students pictured
.
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March 21 / Jr. & Sr. High “Neon” Pep Rally (final one of the school year) / 2:10 p.m., Gym
March 22 / Kindergarten Musical, “The Travel Hour,” / Theatre, 9:00 a.m.
March 22 / Raider Rally / Elementary Playground, 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
March 24 / Daddy/Daughter Dance / 2:00 p.m., Gym
March 28-29 / Youth Legislature - Grade 8 / Old State Capitol
March 29 / Elementary String Camp for Beginning and Intermediate String Students / Baton Rouge Center for Visual and Performing Arts, concert at 4:30 p.m.
March 29 / Ring Ceremony for Juniors / 11:20a.m.,Theatre
March 29 / Fun Fitness Friday for Kindergartners and 6th-Grade Buddies / 12:30 - 2:30, Elementary Playground
April 30 / Athletic Recognition Ceremony / Theatre, 11:20 a.m.
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