Hello Everyone!
THERE IS GOING TO BE BAND CAMP THIS YEAR... I am so sorry it has taken this long to get to this point, but if you have been on this planet for the last four months, you understand :) I AM SO HAPPY that THE HIGHLANDERS ARE BACK.
IF YOU ARE IN MARCHING BAND NO MATTER WHAT, GO TO THE BOTTOM AND FILL OUT THE GOOGLE FORM BY SUNDAY, JULY 26TH SO WE KNOW WHO IS STILL PARTICIPATING IN MARCHING BAND!
There will be even more info in the near future, so check the blog every day from here on out!!! Here are the most important parts right now:
BAND CAMP IS SHORTER:
Squad leader day AND newbie day are being moved to the "first" day of camp SUNDAY AUGUST 9TH. Squad leaders will meet from 7:30 am -11:00 am and the newbies (anyone new to marching band) and squad leaders will meet from 12:30-3:30pm. Nothing is going on August 6th or 7th anymore as far as rehearsal goes. The entire marching band will meet Monday, August 10th through Thursday, August 13th from 7:30 am - 3:30pm.
BAND CAMP WILL ALL BE HELD AT HOWELL HIGH SCHOOL, AND ALMOST COMPLETELY OUTSIDE.
I've put a lot of thought into this and the only way I feel safe at this time is by having that huge group of kids outside. There will be sanitizing stations, cooling stations, porta-potties, even lunch will be served outside. There is currently a plan to get three enormous tents for various uses at the HS and we will be utilizing them as well.
WE ARE GOING TO WORK HARD TO BE SAFE. PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING AS IT WILL DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT YOUR KID IS IN MARCHING BAND:
-We wear our masks whenever it is needed. Over our nose and mouth.
-We will be almost completely outside.
-EVEN OUTSIDE IF YOU ARE WITHIN 6 FEET OF SOMEONE ELSE YOU PUT YOUR MASK UP
-IF WE ARE INSIDE A BUILDING WE HAVE OUR MASKS ON
-No sharing ANYTHING (water bottles, instruments, flags, sticks, music, equipment... ANYTHING. (this is going to be a big challenge for the kids that shed all their personal belongings all over the place, that never was acceptable, it will no longer be tolerated).
-We will go over proper handling, sanitizing, and proper covid-style playing of all instrument types (we will be using the study from the University of Colorado completed on band instruments and COVID-19 as guidance).
-Time will be taken to allow kids to properly clean and sanitize their hands and equipment.
-Students' and Staff''s medical condition will be closely monitored per the district policy. This will probably include daily temp screening by our nurse along with filling out an online form each day. In the event of someone getting sick and/or testing positive for COVID-19, we will follow strictly the guidelines put forth by our county health dept and our district. By having camp, there is risk, but I am going to do my VERY best to minimize that risk. Trust me, I am as scared as the rest of you (probably more than many, actually). Which brings us up to the final thing:
-None of the precautions we are taking are up for discussion. We wear masks, we will keep our distance. We will treat this disease as a legitimate threat and diligently work to protect each other. I understand that some people have a different outlook at home. What you do at home is up to you. When the kids are in my care, I have to have everyone's cooperation, from both the kids and anyone near us on the premises (Adult volunteers, camp staff, etc) or we will be unable to proceed with camp. There are no alternatives, no exceptions, no excuses.
-I would love to have people come visit and say hi, but due to COVID-19 we can't really have visitors even come and watch. I know that sounds heartless, but you have to understand that our activity was not going to be allowed at all. We have to work to keep our total numbers down. I will send my own mother away if she shows up and tries to watch practice (and will hear about it for the next three years, but it's that serious).
MARCHING BAND / CAMP IS GOING TO COST $150
-If anyone is interested in how that is going to break down, we can do it for you. Please trust me, it is pretty reasonable considering all the stuff we gotta do this year. It includes buying the music, getting the drill, paying instructional staff, band shirt, and box lunch for Monday-Thursday of camp.
SCHEDULE
SUNDAY, August 9th
7:30 AM - SQUAD LEADERS REPORT FOR SQUAD LEADER SEMINAR (all Squad leaders passed the test, you're in!!)
11:00 - lunch on your own
12:30 - ALL NEWBIES (anyone new to marching band) AND SQUAD LEADERS REPORT FOR NEWBIE DAY
3:30 PM - Done
MONDAY AUG 10th - THURSDAY, AUG 13th
7:30 am - Rehearsals
11:30 - Lunch (Gonna have box lunches for everyone!! 67.1% chance of Jimmy Johns!!)
12:30 - Rehearsals
3:30 pm - Done
If you already signed up and sent in your marching band forms: Payment of $150 and the payment form is due by the first day of camp, August 10th! See the payment voucher and info link below for detailed info.
IF you did NOT already sign up for marching band and turn in your forms, you must register by Tuesday, July 28th! Contact Laura Allegoet at allegoel@howellschools.com for forms and info.
Payment Form and Info:
NEW YORK UPDATE:
Sadly, there is very little new on this front other than they still think they will be able to get us our refunds by the end of July. I did speak with them last week, and they assure me they are working as fast as they can. I know that this has been a long time, and that things need to be moved forward. We have showed good faith and all of you have been patient above and beyond what should be expected. I am working with the school district to get their help in the collection process now.
Much much more on the way! GET ON THE HYPE TRAIN!!
-Smigell
