December 14, 2018
PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL
Runnels has always been the school for all races, religions, and national origins.
FRIDAY FOCUS


In Focus this week: Kendall Eastman-Stuart Named Overall Winner in 2018 Ochsner Holiday Card Contest; Writing Champions; District Honor Band Recruits from Runnels; Harps Add Sparkle to Holiday Season; Previewing Books for Independent Reading on the American Dream; Cool Concert Hails Holidays; Exploring World Cultures; Stellar Performances Light Up Drama Room Stage; Winter Wonderland Teacher Appreciation Luncheon; Kudos and Notable Events; We Sincerely Thank; Weekly Photo Album; Athletic Corner; Friendly Reminders
Cool Concert Hails Holidays

The 4th- and 5th-Grade Bands, directed by Shanna Drescher, presented a concert of snappy holiday music in the Gladys Hague Runnels Theatre on Dec. 10. Among the selections played were "Santa on the Housetop" by the Beginning Band and "Oh, Hanukkah" by the 5th-Grade Band. Congratulations to our youngest band students on a successful concert! ( Photo: Beginning Band trumpet players, at left, Alex Hayden and Adin Brunner.)

CLICK HERE for a video of the concert.
Exploring World Cultures

Our students in the 3s class welcomed several special guests to the preschool this week to help them learn about cultures of the world. Runnels dad Mauricio Toscano shared information about the music and food of Ecuador and other Latin American countries. He and his wife Jennifer, our 3s cubby teacher, demonstrated some Latin American dance steps.

Pre-K afternoon teacher and preschool mom Stacy Rosenbrook also visited with the 3s to talk about Trinidad and Tobago, the dual island Caribbean nation where she was born. Ms. Rosenbrook reminisced about climbing mango trees when she was little and eating fruit from the branches. She even brought in some slices of mango to for the youngsters to sample.

( Photo: Stacy Rosenbrook (center) tells preschool students about her home nation, Trinidad and Tobago, as her son Keiran, Pre-K, holds up a picture of its flag.)
Kudos and Notable Events
Middle School Honor Orchestra ... Congrats to the string students who made the Middle School All-Parish Honor Orchestra. They include (front, from left) Sarah Ortleib, Isabelle Kennedy, Zeb Tate, Parker Wright, Olivia Chaisson, and George Forgey; (back row) Brooke Parsons, Hannah Landry, Madeleine Reonas, Ali Guerin, and Sela Basso.
High School Honor Orchestra ... Bravo to the students named to the High School Multi-Parish Honor Orchestra. They are ( from left) Andrew Schacht, Ryan Roper Roper, Emily Schacht, Anna Claire Pousson, Ally Sutton, and Conner Porthouse. Both honor orchestras will have their concerts on Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. at Baton Rouge Magnet High .
Bake Sale Proceeds To Benefit Charity ... The GSA raised $106 at its bake sale this week, which will be donated to HAART, Inc. (HIV/AIDS Alliance for Region Two), a local organization that has been assisting people with HIV/AIDS for more than 20 years by providing housing, health care, medications, and emotional support. "We greatly appreciate everyone who supported the bake sale and wore read on Tuesday," said GSA sponsor Ramona Eberly.
Library Makers Moment ... This week in the elementary library, 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders read If Picasso Painted a Snowman by Amy and Greg Newbold. "The book," said Elementary Librarian Amanda Albin, "highlights well-known artists and what it might look like if they drew a snowman." Afterwards students spent time in the library drawing or painting snowmen in their own unique styles using materials such as chalk, q tips, and cotton balls.
... Calvin Pittman, grade 7, participated in the Over the Edge fundraising event for the Special Olympics in New Orleans on Dec. 7. (Photo: Calvin Pittman rappels down NOLA's Benson Tower at the Over the Edge event.)

... Alumnus Sam Day ('18) will be marching with the UL Pride of Acadiana Band at the Dec. 15 Cure Bowl in Orlando. The game will be aired on CBS.

... Congrats to teacher Kari Roan for winning the Tacky Holiday Sweater Contest teacher drawing today. She is the lucky winner of a $10 Starbucks card.

... Gavin Foley , 3A, appears in the film Green Book now in local theaters. He plays the son of the character portrayed by Viggo Mortenson.
We Sincerely Thank ...
Clean Energy ... We sincerely thank Tyler Herman and Ann Shaneyfelt of Louisiana Clean Fuels, funded by Clean Cities Department of Energy, for visiting with the 6th graders in Julie Fink's science classes today to share their expertise on alternative fuels. ( Photo: Tyler Herman speaks to 6th graders about cars fueled by alternative sources of energy such as propane.)

Santa’s Nice List ... "The "Nice List" was a dazzling success this year," reports PAR President Blake Stevenson. "Teachers and staff members received their gifts on Wednesday during the Winter Wonderland Luncheon." The faculty and staff deeply appreciate the generosity and kindness of all the families who helped make the "Nice List" happen, with special thank yous to "elves" Karen Rhinehart, Beth Golden, Kay Chauvin, and Blake Stevenson.

Preschool Toys ... We sincerely thank Stephanie and Jeffrey Frederic for donating wooden puzzles and blocks to the preschool.

Senior Luncheon ... Many thanks to the parent and grandparent volunteers who helped put on the special senior lunch in the gym this week. They include class co-sponsors Christine Pousson and Amy Taliaferro , Sherry Roper, Alfred and Regina Roper (Sherry's in-laws) , Donna Wehbe , Sonya Beuche , and Kim Courville . The students enjoyed gumbo, jambalaya, white beans, salad and rolls.

Photography Club ... Special thanks goes to 7th graders Brynn Myles, Alaysia Mandujano and Poppy Pellissier of our new Photography Club for their help with today's "Tacky Holiday Sweater" pictures.
In this week's photo album: Hour of Coding, Makers Moments in Elementary Library, GSA Bake Sale, "Tacky Holiday Sweater Day," Ochsner Holiday Card Winner, Perusing Books for American Studies Project, Preschoolers Learn about Cultures of the World, 4th-Grade Field Trip, and Candids.

( Photo: Students decked out for "Tacky Holiday Sweater Day" in the high school.)
Athletic Corner
VARSITY BASKETBALL

The Runnels varsity basketball team beat Doyle on Tuesday night 66-44. The lead was 15 points at the end of the first quarter and stretched to 22 points at the end of the first half. The Raiders never trailed in the game. Cade Tate led the scoring with 18 points, Collin Coates added 16 points, and Ben Holliday had 13 points.

On Thursday night, Runnels traveled to New Roads to play Catholic PC, crushing them 66-44. Cade Tate had a big game with 38 points.

Tonight and Saturday, the Raiders will play St. John and FCA in the Catholic PC tournament. Next Thursday, Runnels will take on Parkview at home.
JUNIOR HIGH BOYS BASKETBALL

Last Sunday, the junior high boys basketball teams took on Episcopal. The 7th grade team lost to Episcopal 30-28. Rossie Harrison scored 14 points while Cooper Coates added 10 points. The 8th grade beat Episcopal 42-34. Shelby Anders and Alan Lam each scored 10 points.

On Monday, the 7th grade team beat Frost Middle 42-16. Harrison White and Yaseen Pirzadah had 6 points apiece. The 8th grade grade team also won, scoring 38-24, with Alex Lam earning 13 and Charlie Tucker adding 10 points.

Wednesday evening, the 7th grade team defeated Denham Springs 28-19, with Rossie Harrison and Cooper Coates each scoring 10 points. Unfortunately, the 8th grade lost 31-28, missing a three pointer at the buzzer to tie it up. Alex Lam had 9 points and Alan Lam had 10 points.
Lena Huynh playing some "D."
Junior high girls on the attack.
Alaina Milam making a save while Lena Huynh has her back.
JUNIOR HIGH GIRLS BASKETBALL

The Runnels junior high girls teams, White and Blue, played at Copper Mill on Wednesday. Runnels White tied the defending champs, Copper Mill, 16-16. Gracie Coates led the team in scoring with 10 points. Carlie Shay, Mikalyn Shay, and Lena Huynh each scored 2 points. Runnels Blue lost a tough physical game to U-High 17-8. Annie Garrison led us in scoring with 6 and Ashlynn Harper added 2 points.

On Thursday, Runnels White beat Victory, 12-5. Offense was a team effort that night. Lena Huynh had 4 points while Carlie Shay, Gracie Coates, Dru Hairford and Alaina Milam each scored 2. Runnels Blue smothered Episcopal and won 13-1. Lily Hayden led the team in scoring with 5 points, Annie Garrison had 4 points, and Olivia Williams and Ashlynn Harper added 2 points each.
GET RUNNELS APPAREL AT THE BOOSTER CLUB SPIRIT STORE
THIS WEEKEND...
TONIGHT
Varsity Girls Soccer at St. Michael – 3:30 p.m. – Dismiss at 2:20 p.m.
Varsity Boys Basketball vs. St. John at Catholic PC – 6:50 p.m.

On Saturday
Varsity Girls Soccer vs. Bolton at Burbank #10 – 1:00 p.m.
Varsity Boys Soccer vs. Bolton at Burbank #18 – 5:00 p.m.
Varsity Boys Basketball vs. FCA at Catholic PC – 1:30 p.m.
Jr. High Girls Basketball (White Team) vs. Dunham - 9:00 a.m.
Jr. High Girls Basketball (Blue Team) vs. Victory - 10:00 a.m.
Jr. High Boys Basketball at Hosanna – 7th grade at 10:00 a.m.
RAIDER FAN ART WELCOME!
SEND US YOUR FAN PICTS!

Email game and fan photos to  [email protected] . Please include the event and the name of the students pictured .  
Friendly Reminders
Through Dec. 17 / Toys for Tots Drive at Runnels / Collection barrels are in the foyer of the Elementary School. All donations will go to children in the Greater Baton Rouge area. New, unwrapped toys are welcome.

Dec. 17 & 18 / Exam Dogs / Pups in foster care will be available for test de-stressing during the Jr./Sr. High Mid-term break period behind the performing arts classroom building.

Dec. 19 / Dance Watch Day / Parents of dance students are invited to a dance demonstration during their children’s class period in the Ally Short Dance Studio in the performing arts classroom building. (3rd graders also attending.)

Dec. 20 / General Music Class Parents Day / Room 64, performing arts classroom building, 10:15 a.m. (3rd graders also attending.)

Dec. 20 / Elementary Holiday Snack / 11:30 a.m., provided by PAR

Dec. 21 through Jan.- 4 / Winter Break

Jan. 7 - / School Resumes