Week 6 @ Lancaster HS

Good morning Tiger Band Families,

Congratulations to the booster clubs for hosting a great 50th Anniversary Pickerington Band Festival.  We are quickly turning into a sought after event by bands across central Ohio and beyond.  This isn't possible without dedicated parent groups and superior team work.  Thank you for every minute spend on planning and serving. 

Congrats to the Marching Tigers!  We have yet again qualified for State Marching Band Finals at our first show.  I will do some digging and see how many years are in this streak. Congratulations are certainly in order, but I do want to remind families and students that we are not finished with the show and must continue to maintain a strong work ethic to produce the best quality show we can before SMBF. 

Only after a band qualifies for State Marching Band Finals are they allowed to schedule and request a performance time.  It is not a guarantee until the last week of the season, but I have requested October 26th at Hilliard Bradley.  I will not receive confirmation of our date and time until the last week of district OMEA competitions (late October). 

"Give Back" Charity Event
After looking at the calendar there isn't a free Saturday this fall to do a traditional performance at our local McDonalds to raise money for the RMHC.  This has happened a few times before in the past.  Ultimately what we end up doing is a consumable products drive before our holiday concert.  This mostly consists of basic items needed in the house.  Toilet paper, paper towels, tooth brushes, etc.  All things that you already might have in your pantries at home.   

Another option would be to support an organization that is near to my own heart.  The Stowe Mission is an organization that provides essential care to those less fortunate.  Their services include: soup kitchen, food pantry, community closet, dental care, vision care and so much more.  The Stowe Mission is funded by local churches and the "Brighter Day" Foundation, a foundation created by professional golfer, Jason Day. 

For the purposes of fulfilling our charity goals we could provide children's toys for Mission's annual holiday gift giving event.  Which allows families in need from Columbus to give Christmas gifts during a time when many must choose between bills or gifts.  Our NHS chapter here at Pickerington Central has been making nearly 100 blankets each year for the last 3 years for this event and are always the first item to run out at the toy drive.  

Talk to your booster officers to voice your opinion on how to support families this year.  If there are other Pickerington organizations similar to RMHC or the Stowe Mission, let us know!  We should support our own community first.  

Timeline for Friday to Lancaster
Timeline
3:10 - Dress rehearsal
4:10 - Load/eat/change
5:20 - Load Busses
5:30 - Depart for LHS
6:15 - Arrive at LHS
7:00 - kick-off 

Pay to Participate Update
We are currently half way through the marching season and coincidentally we currently have a little over half the Marching Tiger families that are in "good standing" with PLSD's Pay-to-Participate fee. I've said this before but it never hurts to read it again, Pay-to-Participate is NOT the band booster dues.  PTP is a District office class fee used to maintain/replace/replenish uniforms. It is not for dry cleaning, dry cleaning is a booster expense, and a big one at that.  The fee also covers transportation costs for the band.  You see those fees at work when the Tiger Band trailer is rolling down the highway, when Mr Knapp is unloading the box trucks and when the band cruises to each performance in the luxurious yellow limousines! 

It is important to pay these fees as soon as possible as the district depend on these funds to keep the band rolling.  If you are in need of financial assistance, please email me and I can assist you in acquiring the correct forms for fee reduction or get you in contact with the correct people to set up a payment plan.  

Parent Volunteers for Friday's away game
Nurse - Melissa Wyatt
Emily Haverfield
Mike Osterlink
Melissa Osterlink
Lisa Mezquita 
Josh Warmund
Chris Mirakian