PRACTICE SCHEDULE CHANGE - TUESDAY, SEPT. 7TH!

Marching Band Practice - TIME CHANGE!
Tuesday, September 7th
6:30 to 8:30 pm at the football field

The 8th graders from Highlander Way and Parker Middle School will be joining us for the football game on Friday, September 10th.  They will also be joining us for practice on Tuesday, September 7th so we can help prepare them for their marching band debut.  In order to do this, we must change our practice time on the 7th.

Our sincere apologies for the late notice of this time change.  We definitely understand if you have a scheduling conflict but hope you can still make it.  We still need "all hands on deck", if possible, to make sure we're ready to go on the 10th!  Let Mr. Smigell (smigellj@howellschools.com) or I know if you have any questions.

Have a great week! - Laura  (allegoel@howellschools.com)

HELP NEEDED FOR MB TAILGATE #2! UNIFORMS & INFO FOR THE 2ND HOME FOOTBALL GAME

Our marching Highlanders were awesome on Thursday evening - what a  wonderful performance!  It was great to see everyone back out on the field AND in the stands!  Thank you to everyone that helped make it a success!  💚💛

BAND APP - new communication tool for band families

A great way to get band updates!  It's also how you can sign up to help or donate for the marching band tailgates!  What is this great new communication tool?  It's called "BAND" and here is the info you need to sign up for the app:

CLICK HERE FOR BAND APP SIGN-UP INFO!

• Any questions about the BAND app?  Please contact Breanne Green at bcnichols@gmail.com

Tailgate for the Second Game * - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2ND!

Before each home football game, the band boosters organize a tailgate for the marching band. For our second tailgate, we're having tacos! If you'd like to donate and/or volunteer to help, go to and sign up for the BAND app:

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO HELP OR DONATE FOR FIRST TAILGATE (USING THE "BAND" APP)

OR CLICK HERE IF THE ABOVE LINK DOESN'T WORK FOR YOU TO SIGN UP FOR THE TAILGATE!

Please bring $3 per person if you are not donating something or helping with something (listed on the BAND App's Sign Up). You can drop off money early in an envelope in the mailbox in the band room w/your name (and your families names) on it. This helps with the extra costs needed to feed everyone.

• Any tailgate questions?  Please contact Jamie Miller at jamiehoward85@gmail.com

Home Game #2- vs. Canton:

Thursday, September 2nd at 7 pm.

Report Time: 4:30 pm ***ON THE FIELD*** (Please try not to be late, we only have enough time to run through the whole thing a couple times)
Tailgate: 5:00 PM (if you signed up to bring something, please bring with you) Link to sign up below!
Uniforms: Depending on the weather, we may wear our formal uniforms.  However, if it's too hot, we will wear our "summer uniform" - marching band t-shirt, school approved khaki shorts, solid black shoes and black socks.  Stay tuned for the official uniform announcement!

Step Off: 6:35pm - please arrive at 6:25 if you want to watch step off in case they go early!
Pregame: 6:45pm - MB Performs Pregame Show
Kickoff: 7:00pm - MB Performs During Halftime
Game Ends: 9:00pm-ish (Depending on timeouts, injuries, etc.) 

PLEASE NOTE - it will take a little longer for students to depart the band room after the game IF we wear our uniforms.  They need to hang them up and turn them in before heading home 😊

CLICK HERE FOR MARCHING BAND UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS

Marching Band t-shirts have been distributed.  Please let Mrs. Allegoet or Mr. Smigell know if you still need your tshirt!💚💛

Marching Band Uniform Fittings:

SCHEDULE CHANGE:  Fittings for newbies will start on Monday during Concert Band's class period.  We hope to finish on Monday but, anyone that isn't able to get fitted during that time can get fitted on Tuesday or Wednesday. Please sign up for a date and time slot just in case you can't get fitted on Monday.

• NEWBIES - Monday, August 30th during Concert Band class
• NEWBIES - Tuesday, August 31st from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
• NEWBIES - Wednesday, September 1st from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Sign Up Genius link (for Tuesday and Wednesday):  

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050E4BA9AF28A31-marching

Google form link (for newbies to provide measurements to help expedite fittings):

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6ZCUrL1AzPPEp8Yu8zVaTCdJDe5ubgVm6FgROy8cfBZdwFg/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0&usp=mail_form_link

Help is needed on these days to do fittings (use the sign up genius link above) - no experience necessary! 

All new marching band members need to be fitted for their uniform - pick a day that works best for you.  Veterans - if  you got taller, lost weight, etc. over the summer, you will need to be re-fitted. Questions about fittings?  Please contact Dana Sleder at slederrn@gmail.com

Any other questions?  Please contact Laura Allegoet at allegoel@howellschools.com

REPORT TIME CHANGE FOR THURSDAY'S GAME! AND when you can return to marching band from quarantine!

REPORT TIME FOR THURSDAY FOR MARCHING BAND MEMBERS IS NOW 4:00 PM!  

The countdown is on for the first home football game of the season!  There is still a lot for our new marching band members to learn so, after last night's practice, Mr. Smigell thinks  it would be beneficial to have a slightly longer practice before the game on Thursday.  Please report to the football field by 4 pm, if you can! 

SOME DONATIONS AND HELPERS ARE STILL NEEDED FOR OUR FIRST TAILGATE! SIGN UP ON THE NEW "BAND" APP TO HELP!  DETAILS IN THE BLOG POST BELOW:

CLICK HERE FOR THE AUGUST 20TH BLOG POST WITH FIRST GAME DETAILS FOR MARCHING BAND!

• Marching band tshirts will be handed out today (Tuesday) after practice but you can get them any time between now and Thursday's game
• REMINDER - sign up for a uniform fitting! Instructions in the August 20th blog post :)

QUARANTINE RETURN

We've had some questions about when you can return to marching band practices and games if you are quarantined by the school.  If you are in quarantine that does not allow you to attend school, you also may not attend marching band practices or the football games during that time. You may return to marching band on the same day that you can return to school.  If you have more detailed questions about quarantines, please contact Howell High School at 517-540-8300.

Feel free to email me at allegoel@howellschools.com with any other questions!  - Laura :)

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR THE FIRST FOOTBALL GAME & UNIFORM FITTINGS FOR MARCHING BAND!

BAND APP - new communication tool for band families

The Band Boosters is excited to be trying a new app to make communications with our band families easier.  It's called "BAND" and here is the info you need to sign up for the app:

CLICK HERE FOR BAND APP SIGN-UP INFO!

• A reminder that marching band practices start on Monday!  See the August 17th Blog Post! for the practice schedule, football schedule and other marching band info!

Home Game #1- vs. John Glenn (Westland):

Thursday, August 26th at 7 pm.

Report Time: 4:00!! Note time change!   4:30pm ON THE FIELD*** (Please try not to be late, we only have enough time to run through the whole thing a couple times)
Tailgate: 5:15 PM (if you signed up to bring something, please bring with you) Link to sign up below!
Uniforms: Wear your "summer uniform" - marching band t-shirt, school approved khaki shorts, solid black shoes and black socks

Step Off: 6:30pm - please arrive at 6:20 if you want to watch step off in case they go early!
Pregame: 6:45pm - MB Performs Pregame Show
Kickoff: 7:00pm - MB Performs During Halftime
Game Ends: 9:00pm-ish (Depending on timeouts, injuries, etc.)

CLICK HERE FOR MARCHING BAND UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS

Marching Band t-shirts will be distributed at or before the first home football game on August 26th!

Tailgate for the First Game* - THURSDAY, AUGUST 26TH!

Before each home football game, the band boosters organize a tailgate for the marching band. For our first tailgate, we're having pizza! If you'd like to donate and/or volunteer to help, go to and sign up for the BAND app:

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP TO HELP OR DONATE FOR FIRST TAILGATE (USING THE "BAND" APP)

Please bring $3 per person if you are not donating something or helping with something (listed on the BAND App's Sign Up). You can drop off money early in an envelope in the mailbox in the band room w/your name (and your families names) on it. This helps with the extra costs needed to feed everyone.

Any questions?  Please contact Jamie Miller at jamiehoward85@gmail.com

Marching Band Uniform Fittings:

We are using a sign-up system this year for uniform fittings.  Please click on the link below to sign up for your fitting on the designated date OR if you can help do the fittings.

• VETERANS - Wednesday, August 25th from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
• NEWBIES - Tuesday, August 31st from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
• NEWBIES - Wednesday, September 1st from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Sign Up Genius link:  

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050E4BA9AF28A31-marching

Google form link (for newbies to provide measurements to help expedite fittings):

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6ZCUrL1AzPPEp8Yu8zVaTCdJDe5ubgVm6FgROy8cfBZdwFg/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0&usp=mail_form_link

Help is needed on these days to do fittings (use the sign up genius link above) - no experience necessary! 

All new marching band members need to be fitted for their uniform - pick a day that works best for you.  Veterans - if  you got taller, lost weight, etc. over the summer, you will need to be re-fitted. Questions about fittings?  Please contact Dana Sleder at slederrn@gmail.com

Any other questions?  Please contact Laura Allegoet at allegoel@howellschools.com

IMPORTANT MARCHING BAND UPDATES!

 Hello Everyone,

I know there has been some confusion regarding everything that has happened since band camp.  Here is what we know and how Howell HS Bands are responding:

• We have had five positive test results for Covid-19 amongst the membership of the marching band since we returned from band camp.  All protocols dictated to me by the school district and State of Michigan were followed to the letter.  All children were asymptomatic when we left and when we came back (One of the children that tested positive remarked on being "tired" the last day at camp but was attributed to heat exhaustion).

• The School has taken over contact tracing and calling everyone affected by quarantines.  Howell Bands does not make these decisions, we only give the school the information needed to complete the process.  If your child was deemed a close contact, you will be contacted by the school within the next day.  

• In an abundance of caution, we are cancelling marching band practices after school for this week (August 18th and 19th).  WE WILL BEGIN PRACTICES AS NORMALLY SCHEDULED NEXT WEEK.  NO OTHER CANCELLATIONS ARE PLANNED AT THIS TIME.  See below for our regular practice schedule:

MARCHING BAND PRACTICE SCHEDULE 

• August 18th and 19th practices CANCELLED!  No practice or football game on Friday, August 20th.
• Bring a water bottle, your instrument and marching band music to all practices!

Starting the week of August 23rd (on days that we have school):

• Mondays (no practice on Labor Day!) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Tuesday through Thursday from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• Friday practices TBA depending on the week (home games/away games)

!! Practices are mandatory !!  Please let Mr. Smigell or Mrs. Allegoet know if you can't make it.

• WE STILL ARE PLANNING ON PERFORMING AT THE HOME GAME NEXT WEEK (August 26th).  We got a lot done at camp (With the exception of the COVID issues, camp was AMAZING) and should be able to put a good performance together for everyone to enjoy :)
• Click here for 2021 Football Schedule
  
• Click here for previous blog post about marching band uniforms, tailgates and uniform fittings (TBD)
  

Things seem to be "getting interesting" again.  I want you all to know I am doing my very best to balance performance opportunities while still being as responsible as I can from a safety perspective.  I will say this year that participating in band (just like coming to school) will involve a certain element of risk. 

I am still looking forward to this year.  Whatever it will be, it will be better than last year with our amazing kids and intrepid staff.

- Jason Smigell

HIGH SCHOOL CLOSED 8/13

Due to continued power outages at both high school buildings AND significant water damage at the 10/12 building, the marching band's "mini-orientation" is cancelled for today.  PLEASE NOTE:  As indicated in the band blog's July 29th post, student's are only able to tour the buildings and get parking passes.  We NEVER indicated that pictures would be taken.  Pictures will be taken on picture make-up day on August 25th.  

The school is hoping to have buildings re-opened on Monday but, this may not be possible.  Please check your school email, school website OR the band blog for continued updates.

http://hhsbands.blogspot.com/

http://howellschools.com/

I know that many families are without power and I hope it is restored soon.  Please let us know if you have any questions at ALLEGOEL@HOWELLSCHOOLS.COM or contact Mr. Smigell at SMIGELLJ@HOWELLSCHOOLS.COM

Take care - Laura

Please read this! (Mostly ) final COVID-19 protocols for camp!

Hello bandos, parents, and all the ships at sea!

Hopefully you have had a wonderful summer so far, I am delighted to report that we are still going to Eagle Village for marching band camp and most of the mask requirements are lifted.  Masks are required on the bus!  Unfortunately, we are all still living interesting lives, but the important thing to remember is IT IS GOING TO BE BETTER THAN LAST YEAR.  I think for most people, it will be A LOT better.  

We are going to be following our district policies for health and safety protocols.  I think it would be a good idea for you to at least skim the two documents below:  If you would like the "TL,DR" (Too long, didn't read), scroll to the bottom. 

I want you to know that this is the best I've felt about things in nearly a year and a half.  WE ARE GOING BACK TO THE LAND OF JOY AND MAGIC FOLKS... Little place called band camp.  My wife is currently doing a camp at Eagle Village and she says the food is still top notch!  

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

Click here for HHS Marching Band Camp Covid-19 Protocols

Click here for Howell Schools Covid-19 & Communicable Disease Protocols

MEDICATIONS AT CAMP

• Personal student medications should be given to the Camp Nurse at check-in for dispensing throughout our stay at camp.  Please include (in a Ziploc bag with student’s name):  original packaging with student’s name, dose and frequency included.  Standard aids are available from our nurse’s band camp supply: Tylenol, Motrin, Benadryl, Tums, ointment, bandaids, etc.

ROOM / CABIN ASSIGNMENTS

• Students will sign up for their room / cabin during check-in at the high school this year.  Chaperones will be available to assist with this.

HELP NEEDED

• Volunteers are needed to help at check-in the morning of band camp departure on Sunday.  Volunteers need to arrive at the band room at 6:45 a.m. for instructions and to help set up the check-in area.
• Please email Laura Allegoet at ALLEGOEL@HOWELLSCHOOLS.COM if you can help or if you have any questions.  Thank you!

DETAILED BAND CAMP & MARCHING BAND INFO (info from previous Blog Post)

• Click here for marching band / camp schedule, packing list, etc.
  

TLDR (Shame on you) 😉

-The only mask requirement is while on the bus.

-We would appreciate if you are going to camp, to either test for Covid within 72 hours of departure or to be fully vaccinated. This is not required.  No one is trying to force you.

- There is an element of risk by doing a sleep-away camp during a pandemic.  The vaccine currently is highly effective against even the delta variant.  

-We are doing everything we can within the safety protocols of Howell Public Schools to protect your child.  

-DON'T COME TO CAMP SICK AND DON'T HIDE SYMPTOMS IF YOU START TO FEEL BAD AT CAMP.

See you VERY, VERY soon!

-Smigell

V