PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
Runnels has always been the school for all races, religions, and national origins.
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Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to the 2018 Annual Giving Campaign, "A Gift of Kindness." Your donation was most welcome and deeply appreciated. As with most independent schools, Runnels relies on annual gifts, in addition to tuition and fees, to balance the budget each year and continue to provide enhanced educational and extra-curricular options for our students. Your gift, in any amount, helps keep tuition competitive and educational opportunities robust and compelling. Please show your support for our school by making your gift today.
CLICK HERE TO CONTRIBUTE
In this week's
Focus
: Pictures in the Plaza; Family Ties at Poverty Point; Annual Giving Campaign; Global Read Aloud; Good Chemistry; Balloon Racer Challenge; Get Your Tickets for
The Crucible
; We Sincerely Thank; Kudos; Friendly Reminders; Weekly Photo Album; and Athletic Corner.
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Pictures in the Plaza (PIP), sponsored by the Parent Association of Runnels (PAR), is back! Join us Friday, Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the Outdoor Plaza on the main campus for our first feature-length movie of the year,
Transylvania 2
. As always, admission is free.
The PAR will be selling concessions at the event. The menu will include hot dogs, chili, chili dogs, taco nachos, nachos, popcorn, chips, soft drinks, and assorted sweet treats.
"PAR volunteers are needed to work at the event and to bake desserts for concessions," said PAR President Blake Stevenson. A volunteer sign-up sheet is below.
"Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy a fun movie night with our school family," she added. (
Please, no outside food or drinks and no ice chests.
)
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6th Grader Shares Family Ties to Poverty Point on Class Field Trip
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For most 6th graders, the annual field trip to Poverty Point is about discovering remnants from the ancient past, but for Taylor Valentine it was also about his own past and the family ties that link him to this famous archeological site. In the museum at Poverty Point, he found a plaque honoring the leading archeologists who made significant contributions to the World Heritage Site. Among them was Taylor's great-grandfather, Dr. William G. Haag, Jr.
"He was an archaeologist and anthropologist," said Taylor's mom, Noel Melancon, Dr. Haag's granddaughter. "He was an emeritus professor at Louisiana State University. Something few achieve."
"Granddaddy Bill (as she called him) was very educated, and he told great stories," Ms. Melancon continued. "There's a tree at LSU in his honor and a library wing named after him. There's also an oral history (at Hill Memorial Library) dedicated to him."
When the 6th grade got to the museum at Poverty Point, Taylor found the plaque with his great-grandfather's picture on it. "It's my grandfather," he said. Though Taylor's mom wasn't on the field trip, she kept in touch with a parent who was by phone and followed her son's progress and discovery of the plaque that linked the family history to the story of Poverty Point.
The annual day-long field trip to Poverty Point has become a 6th-grade tradition. A World Heritage Site located in northeast Louisiana, Poverty Point is a prehistoric earthworks built by American Indians 3,400 years ago. It is an important archaeological site that is still being excavated. We sincerely thank the teachers and parent chaperones who supervised this year's trip, with a special shout out to elementary science teacher Julie Fink for organizing it. (
Photo: Taylor Valentine finds the plaque with his great-grandfather's picture in the Poverty Point Museum.
)
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Support Our School with a "Gift of Kindness" - 2018 Annual Campaign
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We hope you will decide to support Runnels with a gift to the Annual Giving Campaign at or above the Corporation level. A donation of $250 or more made by Wednesday, Oct. 31 entitles you to the option of becoming a member of Runnels Schools, Inc., also known as the Corporation, for one year. This includes invitations for two to the annual Corporation Dinner Meeting on Nov. 14. At annual meetings, Corporation members learn first of new ventures of the school, and vote for Board of Trustee positions to be filled. Your gift, at any level, will make a difference and will be truly appreciated.
CLICK HERE TO DONATE
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Connecting with Readers in Other States through Global Read Aloud
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Our first graders are connecting with students around our nation through literature by participating in the 2018 Global Read Aloud. Created in 2010, the Global Read Aloud project has attracted more than 4 million participants around the world. The premise is to have students connect with each other through their responses to reading. Students read the same books at the same time over a six-week period and record videos of themselves responding to some element of the story. They share their responses with other Global Read Aloud participants through a platform such as Skype or Seesaw.
Elementary Librarian Amanda Albin organized the participation of our students in the project. Julie Stevenson's students are partnering with a class at Bells Elementary in New Jersey, and Kari Calhoun's 1st graders are connecting with a class at the Uwchlan Hills School in Pennsylvania. So far, the children have read the picture book
My Heart Fills with Happiness
by Monique Gray Smith. Our students have made videos of themselves talking about things that made them happy and shared their responses via Seesaw with students in their partner schools. Their current book is
Wild Berries
by Julie Fleet.
Over the next few weeks, the students are scheduled to read and share their responses to the following books:
You Hold Me Up
by Monique Gray Smith,
A Day with Yayah
, and
When We Were Alone
by David Alexander and Julie Flett.
(
Photo: Elementary Librarian Amanda Albin helps 1st graders Anderson Smith and Natalie White participate in the Global Read Aloud.)
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Good Chemistry Makes a Great Lesson
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The 5th graders in John Baird's science classes got their first chance at being real chemists this week. After learning about rules for safety in the science classroom and outfitted in protective goggles and old t-shirts, they went to work on experiments to show evidence of chemical reactions.
In one experiment, they tested a drop of cabbage juice to see what would happen when it was mixed with a tiny amount of sodium chloride. It changed color, showing that a chemical reaction had taken place. The students carefully applied several other substances to drops of cabbage juice to see if the color or texture was altered. Just like scientists, they carefully observed the results and diligently recorded them. Some students were surprised to learn that no change was also a result and that it needed to be recorded.
(
Photo: Working on an experiment
in Mr. Baird's science class
to find evidence of chemical changes are 5th graders, from left, Lizzie Castille and Sawyer Suchanek.)
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Balloon-Racer Challenge Accelerates Learning in Physical Science
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Learning was in the fast lane in Marcy Faust's physical science classes this week as students demonstrated their knowledge of Newton's Third Law of Motion by building balloon-powered race cars to compete in the annual Balloon Racer Challenge.
For the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) project, the students designed and built light-weight balloon-powered cars using recycled materials. The activity challenged them to show their understanding of how mass, air resistance, and friction would affect the speed and distance their model cars could travel.
Congratulations to the winners:
Fastest Car
(with a speed of 1.13 miles per second) - Mira Badawi, Charles Tucker, Noella Brigman and Brianna Williams.
Longest Distance
(with a total distance traveled of 8.64 miles) - Jacob Schmidt, Eli Latiolais, and Katie Brigman.
(
Photo: Physical science students, from left, Chris Cox, Shelby Anders, Zayne Mandujano, Mason Pentes, and Jaidyn Procell at the Balloon Racer
Challenge in Koenig Hall this morning.)
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Get your tickets for our fall junior and senior high play
The Crucible
by American playwright Arthur Miller.
The show
will run for three performances Oct. 26-28 in the Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre. Advance tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students. At the door, tickets are $12. Online ticket sales end 12 hours before each performance.
Tickets are now available.
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Preschool Book Fair Helpers
... Many thanks to longtime preschool director
Molly Hightower
, now retired, for reading to our students on Grandparent Days at the preschool's Fall Scholastic Book Fair. Special thanks also go to book fair coordinator
Staci Snorgrass
and to
Isaiah Underwood
for helping with book fair set up. Preschool Co-Director Karen Runnels reports the event was very successful. Sales this year totaled $963.57.
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Master Class
..
.Guest musician, teacher, and co-owner of the Grace Notes Music School
Joy Keown Bedillion
presented master classes in cello to Jennifer and Dan Cassin’s 2nd through 5th hour string students on Oct. 9. She listened as the students played their instruments then worked with them individually on bowing and fingering techniques.
(Photo: Joy Keown Bedillion with 5th grade cello students Conner Joubert and Sadie Edwards.)
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Happy Trails Lunch Ladies
...
The students in the Class of 2019 gathered in the Catalano Gym at noon on Thursday to enjoy a catered lunch, chuck wagon style, complements of class sponsors
Christine Pousson
and
Amy Taliaferro
and several volunteer parents including
Susan Mayeaux
,
Wendy Miller, Jill Bueche, Wendy Worsham
, and
Rachel Evans
. This was the second senior luncheon of the school year.
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Robotics Club Grants
...
A huge thank you goes to
Tom and Brooke Yura
for their help in securing a recent grant from BASF. The Elementary and Jr./Sr. High Robotics Teams have each been awarded $750.00. The sponsorship will be used to support our teams during the current competition season, and is greatly appreciated.
Raider Star Returns
... We sincerely thank former elementary science teacher
Ashley Stevens
for returning to campus to help us celebrate our first Raider Star drawing of the year. Mrs. Stevens was a frequent on-stage assistant at Raider Star assemblies before she and her family moved out of state.
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Lending a Hand
... Members of our Jr. Beta Club recently gathered in the Drama Room to wrap more than 200 holiday gifts and construct approximately 30 "Life Books" (personal journals with pre-printed pages in binders) for Braveheart, a local charity dedicated to helping children who are removed from their homes and placed into foster care. The club also donated 50 binders for "Life Books."
This is the tenth year in a row the club has assisted Braveheart with holiday projects. Club officers are Alan Lam, president; Jenna Sheikha, treasurer; and Christian Caillouet, secretary. The sponsors are Christine Pousson, John Baird, Caroline Hader, and Candice Ortlieb. (
Wrapping gifts for Braveheart are, from left, Phoebe Koontz, Mira Badawi, Cassidy Wartelle, Zeena Shammout, Meredith Taliaferro, and Sarah Burleigh.)
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Alumna Named LSU Rucks Fellow
...
Runnels alumna
Morgan Evans
(Class of ‘15) was recognized as a 2018-2019 Rucks Fellow by the LSU E.J. Ourso College of Business Rucks Department of Management this week. Rucks Fellows are graduating management majors with the top grade-point averages. Morgan, who plans to attend cosmetology school following graduation with an eye toward opening her own business, is one of only 11 Rucks Fellows named this year.
(
Photo: Morgan Evans is 5th from the right.
)
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Oct. 13 /
Fall High School Dance, "Let's Glow Crazy
" / Catalano Gym, 7-10 p.m.
Oct. 16 /
St. Jude's Math-A-Thon Kick-Off /
Drama Room, 10:10 a.m.
Oct. 18 /
4th-Grade Band Performance /
Theatre, 9:30 a.m.
Oct. 19 /
Popsicle Friday
/ Students in Grades 4-6 may purchase popsicles for 25 cents during recess on the elementary playground.
Oct. 19 /
Pictures in the Plaza - Sponsored by the PAR /
Outdoor Plaza, 6:30 p.m. On the big screen:
Hotel Transylvania 2
Oct. 26-28 /
Arthur Miller's
The Crucible /
Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre, Oct. 26 and 27, 7:00 p.m. and Oct. 28, 2:00 p.m. Advance tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students. At the door, tickets are $12 for all. Online ticket sales end 12 hours before each performance.
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS
Oct. 31 /
Elementary Halloween Parade
/ Catalano Gym, 8:45 a.m. (PAR Halloween Snack, 10:00 a.m.)
Nov. 2 /
PAR's Fall Fling /
Outdoor Plaza, 6:00 p.m. (Save the Date!)
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In this week's album: Global Read Aloud, 5th Grade Science, Poverty Point, Balloon Car Racing, Fly Swatter Bingo, Jr. Beta, Raider Star Drawing, Guest Cellist in String Class, Senior Lunch and Candids.
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BOOSTER CLUB SPIRIT STORE SALE
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The Booster Spirit Store's fall sale is under way and will end on Friday, Oct. 26. Runnels apparel makes great birthday and holiday gifts. Plan ahead, this is the only sale before the holidays.
While the sale may end, the store will remain open year-round.
Please keep in mind the following as you order:
- Items with artwork cannot be exchanged/returned if they don't fit. (The only acceptable reason for return is a vendor mistake.)
- Orders will take 2 ½ weeks to process after the sale has closed on Oct. 26.
- Orders will be shipped directly to your home. Once your order is boxed up, you will receive an email with the FedEx tracking information. Allow 2 business days for standard shipping.
If you have any questions regarding your order, contact GTM’s Customer service line at 877-597-8086.
Be sure to save the site to your favorites bar.
Happy shopping and Go, Raiders!!
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CROSS COUNTRY
Last Saturday, the Runnels Cross Country team hit the trails at the Catholic High Invitational at Highland Rd. Park.
Leading the high school teams were junior Annie Fink and freshman Dawson Latona. Ashleigh Cooper stepped up and led the junior high girls team while Ethan Ho led the boys. Setting new personal records were Blaiklee Guillot, Eric Ho, Evan Ho, Bailey Hyatt, Angele Lansing, Dawson Latona, and Parker Wright.
Cross country head coach Julie Fink said, “Our teams scored well at the CHS Invite because our runners never gave up!”
The varsity team will race again on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. in the Menard Invite at Buhlow Recreation Area in Pineville.
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SWIMMING
On Saturday, Sept. 29, the swimming Raiders took on some tough competition at the Crawfish Aquatics meet.
The boys' relay team dropped significant times in its races, placing 9th overall for the 200-yard Medley Relay and 4th in the 200-yard Freestyle Relay. Swimming on the relay team were seniors Spencer Spivak and Steven Spivak, junior Hudson Hillman, and sophomore Barrett Couvillion.
Our finalist swimmers were: Barrett Couvillion, 200 yard Freestyle and 500 yard Freestyle; Kate Oehrle, 200 yard IM and 100 yard Breaststroke; Spencer Spivak, 50 yard Freestyle; and Erin Oehrle, 100 yard Freestyle and 100 yard Backstroke. Preliminary finalists included: Steven Spivak, 200 yard Freestyle; Hudson Hillman, 200 yard IM; and Spencer Spivak, 100 yard Breaststroke.
The junior high team had another good meet. The girls' relay team placed 9th overall for the 200-yard Medley Relay and set a new season record. Seventh grader Mikalyn Shay placed 7th overall in the girls' 100-yard Freestyle with a new personal record of 1:13.73. Preliminary finalists were: Michael Hillman, 50-yard Freestyle; Luke Hillman, 50-yard Butterfly; Mikalyn Shay, 50-yard Breaststroke; and Lily Hayden, 50-yard Breaststroke.
The varsity team makes a splash next at Crawfish Aquatics on Saturday at 8:30 a.m.
(Photo: Some members of the junior high swim team are,
front row, from left, Lily Hayden, Jasmine Townsend, and Amelia Breeden; and
back row,
Paige Ashley, Lilah Wartelle, Carli Shay, Annie Garrison, and Mikalyn Shay
.)
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WHAT'S UP NEXT...
Saturday
Varsity Swim Meet
– 8:30 a.m. at Crawfish Aquatics. Spirit Event!
Varsity Cross Country Menard Invitational
at Buhlow Rec. Area in Pineville – 9:00 a.m.
JV Volleyball
at Central JV Tournament - TBA
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RAIDER PARENTS
ARE THE BEST FANS!
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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Stay Connected to Runnels on Social Media
If you haven't already liked or followed us, please do so. Search for #runnelsschool or #raiderpride and see what's going on.
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Facebook:
Instagram:
Twitter:
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Runnels pages not maintained by Runnels School:
Facebook:
Instagram:
Twitter:
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There are also Facebook pages dedicated to your child's class, for example, "Class of 2021." These pages are usually private, so contact your class sponsor for access.
If you know of any other social media sites or pages that promote our school or school events, please let us know. We would love to follow them and share them with our school community.
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