8/19 Week 1, Home Opener

Happy Tuesday -Marching Tigers and Parents,

It has been an awesome summer and preseason up to this point.  I'm very proud of our members and look forward to finally getting onto a football field and in the stands for Friday's game.  We have much to cover for this weekend and beyond.  This will be a longer than normal FYI, if you are looking for specific info I will be covering the following topics in our first addition FYI:

1. Practice Schedule.
2 Friday night timeline
3. Picture Day
4. Summer uniform dress code/full uniform dress code for photos.
5. Volunteers for Friday 
6. PTP vs Booster fees. 

Practice Schedule and Changes from last year
Last night we had a good talk as a band about the importance of being at practice now that school is starting.  Over the summer I’m very much aware of making sure there is time for family and fun.  Now that school is in motion, we need to minimize the number of absences taken by our membership.  Missing practice for unapproved reasons can impact the student’s 3rd quarter time and potentially their membership in the organization.  
 
Wednesday practices are now from 3-6.  This was based on the data collected by parents from last year’s survey.  A large majority of families wanted to see more free time in the evenings.  This is reflected in our band calendar found on the website. 


Friday Night Timeline
3:10 - Dress rehearsal on band practice field
4:10 - Dismiss.  Take instruments with you! 
5:30 - Report to Ridgeview parking lot. Students park in grass lot closest to C3 church. (on the ridge)*
5:45 - Warm-up
6:25 - Parade from Ridgeview parking lot.
6:50 - pregame
7:00 - Kick-off

* In order for the parking to work I want to encourage SAFE car-pooling and/or parent drop off.  I will take class time to explain this  plan with the entire band in class.  

Picture Day 9/3
Forms for picture day can be picked up outside my office.  The band room will be opened at 9:15 am for any full uniform concerns.  We will start with our full band photo at 10am sharp! We will do our full band photo this year without instruments.  Section and individual photos will be with instruments and will begin immediately after the full band photo.

White shoes will be worn as well as black socks. No hooped, large or colorful earring will be permitted.  Hair must be up for the full and section photos.  Individual photo can be taken with your hair down.  Pictures will be done around 12:00.  

Summer Uniform Dress Code
Students will wear their white polo shirts and purple jersey shorts with white ankle socks and white drill master shoes.  Hair past the jawline will need to be in a bun or ponytail.  No colorful or large jewelry is permitted.  Students will want to make sure their undergarments are a neutral white or light grey to prevent any unfortunate wardrobe issues.  Shirts need to be tucked in at all times. 


Volunteers for Friday 
Parent volunteers will be issued a badge to wear at all times before entering the visitors side track gate.  Brian W. will have the badges for you and will collect them at the end of the night.  This does not get you into the press box or into the bleachers.  You may bring a folding chair for your comfort.  In other words the passes are for field access only.  Friday's team consists of the following parents:

Emily Haverfield
Jennifer Dryer
Chris Hartung
Amy Menke
David Horton
Jay Brandt
Ann Brandt
Kim Kinnison
Ron Winters
Theresa Garee
Orville Williams

Pay to Participate vs. Booster Fees
I have yet to receive any updates from the district regarding balance dues for Pay to Participate fees.  This is simply a friendly reminder to get it on your "family radar".  

If you have yet to pay your PTP fee with the district or set up a payment plan with the athletic department the district has the option to prevent your student from participating in marching band performances. 

The boosters do NOT have the ability to do this with booster fees.  We do hope everyone understands that our booster fees help fund the many aspects of the band that the school does not.  Our parents will be able to see and hear what your dollars support at our first contest!