Week 3 FYI

​It's finally Game week!  There are a few important things to discuss as this will be our first time out this year.  Friday is a home game which makes things easier but it also requires quite a few logistical hurdles for the band members and boosters.  

Food
On Friday kids are dismissed at 2:55 from school.  It is highly encouraged all students eat an early meal before the our report time.  

Uniform
I've gone ahead and made the decision to use our summer uniforms for Friday due to the expected heat wave. Students will need to wear their white band shoes, no-show socks and appropriate undershirt/garments under their white band polos.  All rules regarding accessories are to be followed.  Headbands that do not match hair color will be removed.  Colored fingernails will not pass inspection.  Uniform moms will help remove any fingernail polish that is not clear. Piercing must be discreet, no hoops or colored ear rings of any kind.  Nose or piercings on your face must be removed.  This is all to maintain a uniform look and to demonstrate or discipline as a band visually.  

 Parent Participation 
As we are preparing our show for the football season and competitions, we are in need of parents to assist in the set-up of the sound equipment, field commander stands, and the front percussion equipment for our performances. Each performance is timed and we receive penalties if not all the equipment is off the field.

We encourage our parents to attend practices to know the set-up a head of time and to practice moving and assembling the equipment before an event. You must be available to help during half-time and at our competitions. Consistency is the key to this operation.

Water Coolers
Thank you for your generous donation of the bottle water during band camp week.  Now it's time we start filling our coolers and taking it to the games and competitions. We are looking for volunteers to help assist in the process. Logistics will take care of moving the coolers to and from events.

Disbanding 
For parents who might not know how we disband at the end of football games here is the short version.  
1.  It is up to the student to make their way back to the band room to hang uniforms and put equipment away.  
2.  I discourage students from walking alone back up to the High School.  
3.  I encourage students to safely walk in groups and or carpool legally back to the high school. 
4.  The band room will be the only part of the school that is unlocked after games.  

Parking
Everyone wants to get their child out of the school and home as fast as possible after games and contests. I understand but please help by doing the following:

Please do not park behind the band room or block the driveway during football games and band competitions.  We will be loading  and unloading equipment onto trucks from the bandroom. At home games, the Penske truck will be loaded and unloaded twice and taken to the stadium. The football bus will also be accessing the back of the fieldhouse. For the safety of your children, please make arrangements to drop-off  or meet your child in the parking lot after the football games or competitions rain or shine!

Timeline for Friday

4:00 - Dress rehearsal on the practice field.  (be in summer uniform)
5:30 - Load equipment and make final preparations for the stadium
6:10 -  Parade block in LT lot. 
6:15 - Start Parade to Tiger stadium
6:30 - Enter Tiger Stadium 
6:50 - Pregame
7:00 - Kick off

Be sure to communicate with your child about when and how they are getting back to the High School.  

We are looking forward to a great season opener and sharing our show with everyone for the first time!  

Best wishes,

Mr. Stowe