The Pride of Sussex County & Georgetown, Delaware
Sussex Technical High School "Raven Nation" Marching Band
Update #7 - Monday, September 9, 2018
Game Week #2 - Away vs. Salesianum
1. SPECIAL NOTE FOR THIS WEEK’S UPDATE
This week’s update will be shorter than usual, mainly because it is very clear based on this past week that communication is not being received through email updates or on the band website. Because of this, I must now take additional time to prepare send-home updates. These updates must be signed and returned by Friday morning, or you will not be allowed to travel to Friday’s game.
2. GAME #1 NOTES & CORRECTIONS:
-
Overall, this was a pretty good first week. Every year we have some bumps along the way, and the weather didn’t help. Thank you to those who embraced the situation and remained flexible and understanding.
-
Grades for the first game will be posted by Wednesday. Uniform infractions were the biggest cause for lost points (missing parts, wearing non-school color items).
-
(!!!) WAY too many instances of students not following the directions of staff/parents, or worse, questioning or challenging directions. We absolutely cannot function this way all season long. Any further instances will result in loss of travel privileges, and potentially not being allowed to go to Atlanta.
-
Stands music is already showing glimpses of the strongest/best sounds the band has ever had. While moments are strong, we are not very consistent and a lot of individuals are pushing extra hard to carry their sections.
-
Despite asking the band to try to help one another, and communicating through these updates, we still had a handful of students who failed to get gloves and a shirt. There really is no excuse ...
3. GOAL RECAP/GOAL SETTING:
Last Week's Goals:
[X] Finish Game #1 Show:
(X) Clean up field positions: NFL, Jam, Get Ready, Paradise, & OMG
(X) Learn transition move to block band ("Hot In Herre")
(X) Learn choreography for "Bad Boy For Life" **SEE ATTACHMENTS SECTION FOR VIDEO**
(X) Game #1: transition to "Run This Town", "stack up" movement, & field exit on cadence
[X] Review Game #1 Stands Music Playlist
[X] Distribute shirts ($10) and gloves ($3 or $15)
[X] Establish band class seating & class expectations: Period 1 & Period 7
This Week's Goals
[ ] Elect Band Officers (Monday)
[ ] Focus heavily on Stands Music
[ ] Prepare Game #2 Show:
( ) Clean up drill in Get Ready
( ) Add additional movements/transitions in block band; fix existing choreography
​
4. WEEKLY SCHEDULE/WEATHER
Monday, September 10: [ODD DAY]
-
Period 1/7 Rehearsals
-
No after-school activities (room close time TBA)
Tuesday, September 11: [EVEN DAY]
-
After-School Rehearsal, 3:30 PM - 5:50 PM
-
Booster Meeting, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
-
Polo Shirt/Jacket Order Forms Due
Wednesday, September 12:​ [ODD DAY]
-
Drumline Rehearsal, 3:30 - 5:50 PM
Thursday, September 13: [EVEN DAY]
-
After-School Rehearsal, 3:30 PM - 5:50 PM
Friday, September 14:​ [ODD DAY]
-
Gameday (away at Salesianum)
-
Timeline to be released mid-week (keeping eye on weather)
NEXT WEEK PREVIEW:
-
Monday 9/17 [EVEN]: After-School Rehearsal, 3:30 PM - 5:50 PM
-
Tuesday 9/18 [ODD]: No Rehearsals
-
Wednesday 9/19 [EVEN]: Drumline Rehearsal, 3:30 - 5:50
-
Thursday 9/20 [ODD]: After-School Rehearsal, 3:30 - 5:50
-
Friday 9/21 [EVEN]: Game #3: Home vs. Mt. Pleasant
-
Saturday 9/22: Norfolk State Univ. Spartan Legion Classic
-
More information coming this week (waiting on info from NSU)
-
​
5. GAME #2: TIMELINE & INFORMATION
Timeline will be released mid-week once we know more about potential impacts from Hurricane Florence. The timeline will be close to last week's; however, we will be departing earlier (no afternoon walk-through), and arriving back to STHS later at night.
**UPDATED** INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
If heavy rain, wind, or lightning is certain for Friday night, I may cancel the band's participation after consulting with HS administration. If we experience lightning/heavy rain during the game, we will immediately load equipment and board the buses. We will evaluate the situation and determine whether we will stay or leave. We will always try to stay on-schedule with the timeline posted above. This is mainly in the interest of health and safety, but it also because we can't take a risk with our instruments getting wet. The school simply does not have the money to replace instruments that receive extreme moisture damage.
_______________________________
Beats from the Boosters:
Sure was an interesting first game opener for the season with the lightning delay during 2nd quarter! Thanks to all the parent volunteers who came out in the unsettled weather to help! Loved seeing all of you Friday night! That was a typical away game – minus the threatening storms and lightning of course. We get to do it again this Friday at Salesianum – come join us! Be sure to sell those Georgia House Dinner tickets – let us know if you need more!
-
Booster meeting this Tuesday, 9/11, at 6:30 in the band room.
-
Polo Shirt & Jacket Orders & Money – due at the booster meeting. ALL BAND members must have one (excludes pom, colorguard, majorettes unless they want one for fundraising events)
-
Be thinking ahead to our first home game 9/21 – we sell all sorts of baked goods at the booster table along with apparel. Please individually wrap items – we sell most everything for $.25-$.50.
-
Gift Card Wreath Challenge!! What did you say?? Sections – this is for you! Collect donations for GIFT CARDS to fill our wreath! There is a special gift card donation letter in Charms to print out when asking for donations.
-
Incentive you ask? Absolutely!! The section that brings in the highest dollar amount in gift cards wins a pizza party OR ice cream party!
-
Boosters will be selling raffle tickets at home football games for people to win the wreath – let’s make it a jam packed fabulous wreath!
-
-
Fundraisers going on currently: Remember all should be helping to fundraise!
-
WaWa hoagie cards
-
Scrip Gift card fundraiser – did you know there are over 700 businesses to choose from?! You can find the order form on Charms!
-
Georgia House tickets are going out on Monday 8/27
-
-
Upcoming Fundraisers:
-
September 24th – Georgia House dinner – students have tickets – sell them!
-
October is for Krispy Kreme Donuts! The volume of donuts that we sell is UNBELIEVABLE! And not to mention DELICOUS!
-
-
These fundraisers help to decrease the total cost of trips planned for the band and help to keep the band running smoothly.
-
Email us below if you need any of the fundraiser order forms/fliers.
-
Make sure you have signed up and/or downloaded the Charms app. It is our go-to for volunteering and planning around calendar events!
If you have questions about a volunteer opportunity, contact us at ravensmusicboosters@gmail.com
_______________________________
If you have any questions or comments, email both Mr. Kenney & G. Batten (ian.kenney@sussexvt.k12.de.us and grace.batten@sussexvt.k12.de.us).
Thank you & have a great week.
"ATTACHMENTS"
EXCUSED ABSENCE REQUEST