Dear M100 Family,
Hope this email finds you and your family well and safe! Thank you to all parent and student volunteers who helped with our uniform fittings and pictures this past week! A HUGE THANK YOU to all students and parents who have gone out “Flamingoing” these past 2 weeks! This fundraiser has been GREAT for us and we have already been able to purchase much needed storage space for props out at the field! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR GENEROSITY AND SUPPORT!!! Thank you ColorGuard for your time in filming on Thursday for the BHS Family Dance Video. You guys did an excellent job and I personally appreciate you (and Mr. H) dancing instead of me! :-)
We are excited to welcome all of our students back to school in person or virtually next Tuesday! Lots of valuable information in this newsletter - please read thoroughly. Please continue to engage in masking and distancing practices so that we can all stay healthy and continue to work with one another in person!
Si necesita hablar con alguien en español, envíeme un correo electrónico a jbiggs0106@yahoo.com. (Jasmine Biggs)
REMIND CODES FOR 2020-2021 - YOU MUST JOIN!
To join a class, text the code to 81010
All Students: @20202021m1
Parents: @8g24b8
Leadership: @ea3aadb
ColorGuard: @7ge97g8
ALL - SOME NEW CLARITY ON HOW WE WILL DO “SCHOOL” THIS YEAR! (so far…)
(it goes without saying that all this could change...we are all used to that statement by now I’m sure…)
*BAND HALL AVAILABILITY - Will open at 8am but students must not congregate.
Will be locked by 4:50pm during marching season but again, do not “hang out” in the band hall after school. Band hall is open until 4:50 so students can get instruments/equipment for after school rehearsals. Band Hall will lock up at 4:45pm on NO REHEARSAL days.
Game Day procedures will be shared soon.
1ST WEEK OF SCHOOL (9/8-9/11):
ALL BAND & COLORGUARD students (all BHS students actually) will be required to log in to their class period via ZOOM (at the time it meets at BHS) when they are not physically present at school. This goes for students who have been classified as remote or in-person learners. THE BHS BAND AND COLORGUARD WILL USE SCHOOLOGY as our web-based instructional platform this year and ZOOM for synchronous meetings. (there has been rumor of us using Google Classroom but this is false)
Zoom links for all of our classes will be available in Schoology. Band students must log in and will be given more detailed instructions in Schoology and by the director on the Zoom.
THE FOLLOWING WEEKS OF SCHOOL (while in the Hybrid model):
COLORGUARD - MR. H. WILL ADVISE
WOODWINDS, BRASS, AND PERCUSSION - You ALL will be expected to log in to ZOOM for your band class at BHS during its scheduled time if you are not on campus on any Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday. ALL Band members will be required to log-in to Schoology on Wednesdays for a “Check-IN”. You’ll see instructions on what to do with the Wednesday Check-In in Schoology in your particular band class. You may not be required to stay logged on for the entire class period. More instructions are forthcoming regarding the length of your virtual attendance but please know that we do expect you to log-in to your band class at the time of your class for every day you are not physically present at BHS. (whether you are classified as “Remote” or “In-Person)
ALL BAND AND COLORGUARD STUDENTS
According to our Administration at BHS - YOU MAY ATTEND BAND/COLORGUARD CLASSES EVERYDAY (except Wednesday while we are on the Hybrid model) if you can get to BHS, attend that appropriate band or colorguard class, and then leave BHS (if it is not your day to stay on campus of course). This is being done in Athletics so that those students are able to get more practice time in, to my knowledge. I am not aware of any busing available for students coming only for elective classes so transportation would be up to the students/families. This is not required of band students but it would greatly benefit the students and the band program as a whole as we may only see some individual students in class during the day once a week on the Hybrid model AND our curriculum is very much performance based (as in it’s tough to play in a jazz band when you’re not with the band, for example). We will do our best to provide meaningful lessons and daily practice routines virtually, however, we cannot replicate the ensemble experience virtually so this is just an option for our students.
ALL - IF YOU ARE CHOOSING AT-HOME LEARNING THIS SEMESTER, PLEASE FILL OUT THIS SURVEY if you haven’t already:
ALL AFTER SCHOOL MARCHING BAND REHEARSALS/GAMES/& CONTESTS ARE REQUIRED UNLESS A STUDENT IS CLASSIFIED AS A REMOTE LEARNER AND HAS CHOSEN NOT TO PARTICIPATE IN PERSON AT ALL.
Students cannot come to class during the day and then NOT participate in rehearsals after school. Marching band is not a separate class, it is part of the fall curriculum of the overall band class.
If a student chooses to come to school in person and attend classes, they are also expected to attend after school marching rehearsals/games/and contests, even if they are not at school that day (due to Hybrid schedule). Email a director if you anticipate transportation issues.
Some students have chosen at-home learning and will participate in after school marching rehearsals, games, & contests and that is OK as well.
Please email shannon.gill@bisd.net if you have any questions. Thank you!
ALL - AFTER SCHOOL REHEARSALS
Starting up the first day of school! It will most likely be hot outside! Be prepared! Note the following:
Rehearsal starts promptly at 5pm out at the parking lot practice field between Sparta Elem. and BMS (where we were for summer band). We will meet at the field.
Wear cool, comfortable clothing and TENNIS SHOES - no other shoes. Hats & sunglasses recommended for instrumentalists.
Have your instrument, flip folder, show music, pencil, and gallon jug filled with clean, fresh, cold water only
The band hall will be closed and locked (if no section is rehearsing in there) at 4:50pm so make sure you get your items and get out to the field prior to 4:50pm. Pit percussion - see Mr. Smith for instructions as to when you’ll go out and when you’ll stay in. Guard - see Mr. H. for your instructions.
When we are finished with rehearsal, all students except Percussion, Sousaphone, & ColorGuard need to take their instrument home with them. Only Tuba players, Percussionists, and ColorGuard should return to the band hall to put away equipment. All Tuba players need to have a home horn - please see Mrs. Gill if you still need a concert tuba for home use.
IF RAIN - watch the Remind for information regarding cancellations or moving rehearsal indoors if possible. Remind codes at the top of this newsletter.
IF YOU KNOW YOU WILL BE ABSENT - A PARENT MUST EMAIL A DIRECTOR to be excused (student work is not an excused absence). Do not just tell your section leader or a friend. Student emails will not be accepted. PLEASE COMMUNICATE! THANK YOU!
ALL - INDOOR / OUTDOOR SAFETY PROCEDURES FOR FALL 2020:
In a constant effort to try to make our time together as safe as possible, we have made the following arrangements:
1. Spacing considerations in the band hall - 6 feet apart. (chairs when in use/music stands when students will be standing). Social congregating before/after school will be discouraged.
2. The district has ordered bell covers/flute shields for every person in the band programs. The covers will be given to students this coming week and should be brought home every week to be washed/sanitized. Any student without their cover inside will not be allowed to play that day. We will use the covers for some outdoor rehearsals as well.
3. Masking. Instrumentalists-The expectation is that students have their masks on every second they are not playing their instrument (inside). As per UIL rule - students may remove the mask when marching/exercising/playing outdoors but we encourage students to have their mask easily accessible even outdoors and put it on whenever they are not playing. ALL students need to wear masks on breaks when not drinking water. Colorguard and Percussion - you guys need to be in masks as much as possible but you are allowed to remove it or expose your nose at least when you are marching or exercising.
4. Marching Band Drill - we have asked our drill writer to write our drill at a 3 step interval. This means that while the students are marching drill, they will be 67.5 inches apart (1 step = 22.5”) if they maintain perfect spacing :). This was not mandated by UIL but we wanted to try to take all measures we could for safety and this is something we could do while still maintaining form integrity in the drill.
5. At Games - the band will not be in the stands - we will be on the field - between the end zone and the fieldhouse at Tiger stadium in chairs. We will do our best to space out the chairs within our given space AND this way, we will not be in stands and have bell front instruments blowing over the heads of other students. We will use bell covers at the games (except for the halftime performance) to reduce the emission of aerosol droplets from instruments as we will be all together in that space for several hours at the game.
6. Emptying of condensation that comes from the spit valves will be done in trash cans that are spread throughout the band hall.
All of these items are in addition to the precautions and protocols that the entire school building will be following.
M100 INSTRUMENTAL PRIVATE LESSON SCHOLARSHIPS!
As a result of your fundraising efforts and generous donations, the BHS Band Boosters are excited to be able to offer private lesson scholarships to our woodwind, brass, and percussion students!
The Belton High School Band Private Lesson Scholarship program is designed to help students offset the financial impact of private lesson study. If awarded, the scholarship will cover half of the student’s weekly private lesson fee. The student financial responsibility will be reduced 50% per lesson. The student portion of payment should be paid directly to the private lesson teacher at the beginning of each month or whenever the lesson teacher has requested payment be made.
For access to the Lesson Scholarship Application - please go here: https://www.beltonmarching100.com
You can also find contact information for our Private Lesson Teachers here: https://www.beltonmarching100.com/private-lesson-instructors
ALL PRIVATE LESSONS WILL BE CONDUCTED VIRTUALLY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
Parents need to contact lesson teachers directly to set up private lessons.
Lessons are STRONGLY encouraged for musical advancement but ESPECIALLY this year when the amount of time we the directors will spend with students will be greatly reduced (especially in the hybrid model). Thank you!
*Online form is not fillable (sorry-I don’t have Adobe). I will have paper copies in the band hall if you need. Return forms to Mrs. Gill (or email to shannon.gill@bisd.net)
ALL-REHEARSALS, GAMES, CONTESTS
All have been updated to the band calendar. Please check weekly to ensure you know what’s going on for the week!
ALL - FORMS
We are still missing forms from some people. Please turn in all of your forms ASAP. Can be emailed to shannon.gill@bisd.net OR bring them by the school.
FORMS link:
https://www.beltonmarching100.com/blank-page-1
ALL-ON-GOING BAND FUNDRAISERS
NEW HATS & CLEAR STADIUM BAGS THAT WILL BE REQUIRED THIS FALL TO ENTER TIGER STADIUM. Find them here:
MASKS!!!! We receive 25% of all sales. The link to the masks is
ALL - COVID-19 PRE-SCREENING QUESTIONS
All parents are required to screen their children everyday before sending them to school for any reason. Please notify shannon.gill@bisd.net if your child cannot attend practice due to symptoms or exposure to a positive or presumed positive case of COVID-19. I will notify our campus nurse and she will contact you as per district policy. Please do not send students if they have been experiencing any of the symptoms in this document:
ALL-SCHEDULE FOR NEXT 3 WEEKS:
https://www.beltonmarching100.com. SCHEDULE ON HOMEPAGE. Also on the Band Calendar on the website!
Monday, Sept. 7 - NO REHEARSAL
Tuesday, Sept. 8 - Rehearsal 5pm-7pm - Parking lot rehearsal field
Thursday, Sept. 10 - Rehearsal 5pm-7pm - Parking lot rehearsal field
Friday, Sept. 11 - Rehearsal 5pm-7pm - Parking lot rehearsal field
Monday, Sept. 14 - Rehearsal 5pm-7pm - Parking lot rehearsal field
Tuesday, Sept. 15 - Rehearsal 5pm-7pm - Parking lot rehearsal field
Thursday, Sept. 17 - Rehearsal 5pm-7pm - Parking lot rehearsal field
Monday, Sept. 21 - Rehearsal 5pm-7pm - Parking lot rehearsal field
Tuesday, Sept. 22 - Rehearsal 5pm-7pm - Parking lot rehearsal field
Thursday, Sept. 24 - Rehearsal 5pm-7pm - Parking lot rehearsal field
Friday, Sept. 25 - 1st Football Game! Game day details to come.
ALL-UNIFORM FITTINGS
If you weren’t able to do uniform fittings this past week, and you will be attending school in-person, you will be fitted during your band or colorguard period as soon as possible.
ALL - PICTURES
Be on the lookout for an email from Sharon Cobb (through Charms) regarding when you might order the individual band pictures that were taken this past week if you like.
WOODWINDS/BRASS/PERCUSSION - INSTRUMENT RENTAL FEES
If you are using a school owned instrument (including percussion), you will be assessed an instrument rental fee of $62.50 per instrument per semester. We will ask for payment of these fees during the second week of school (Sept. 14th). Payments will be delivered to Mrs. Gill and not paid through Charms. Payments only in the form of cash (in an envelope with student’s name on it) or check made out to Belton HS Band. Payments are deposited into an account to be used for repair and general maintenance on instruments. Students will receive a form indicating the amount they owe in the coming weeks.
*From Mr. Smith’s (Principal) Parent Update:
First Week Schedule (September 8-11)
Just to be sure we are all on the same page, below is a breakdown of next week's schedule.
Monday- No School
Tuesday (A Day: Periods 1, 2, 3, 4, 8) and Wednesday (B Day: Periods 1, 5, 6, 7, 8)- Students with last names A-K are at school. Students with last names L-Z are at home. On these days, L-Z will log in to Schoology and work from home.
Thursday (A Day: Periods 1, 2, 3, 4, 8) and Friday (B Day: Periods 1, 5, 6, 7, 8)- Students with last names L-Z are at school. Students with last names A-K are at home. On these days, A-K will log in to Schoology and work from home.
First Week Daily Attendance for Enrollment
Each day next week, our teachers will be checking roll every period. This is for ALL students, in person and at home. Teachers are providing students with specific agendas for their classes, so it is imperative your child follows the schedule sent by their teachers. Students must make sure they are logged in and present in the scheduled times provided by the teachers so that they are counted present. Students not present for the week will be counted as 'No Shows" and will be withdrawn. So please make sure your child is following his/her schedule next week! On that note, teachers are aware some students will be traveling and are taking that into consideration as to when roll will be conducted. We will take care of these kids!
Thank you and please stay safe and healthy!
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