The Pride of Sussex County & Georgetown, Delaware
Sussex Technical High School "Raven Nation" Marching Band
Update #8 - Sunday, September 16, 2018
GAME WEEK #3: HOME VS. MT. PLEASANT
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I need to say thank you to those who helped make positive contributions to our program over the past two weeks. Starting the year with two away games where the band has not visited in over 5 years is a big challenge. Thank you to those who remained positive, patient, flexible, understanding, and supportive of our instructions and decisions – it is greatly appreciated by both myself and G. Batten.
There was a very noticeable improvement in our musical performance last Friday, even with a number of players. The potential exists for very great performances this weekend if we approach upcoming rehearsals ready and willing to make it happen.
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With that said, we will be taking the time over the course of the next few weeks to refine and reinforce our expectations for students during away travel, as well as during performances. We have not been pleased with the degree of complaints about decisions, student-to-student conduct, uniform code violations, and the general attention/reaction time to directions given by band staff and chaperones. If we are going to continue to go to Atlanta, we need to see and hear less of these types of incidents – we are still within the 100% refund window.
1. SEND HOME UPDATE
Thank you to those who turned in the first send-home update signature page. We are hoping for greater response to our requests in future emails and Remind messages. We will continue to periodically create send-home updates when we have a large amount of information that must be seen by parents.
2. UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
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Monday 9/17 [EVEN]:
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After-School Rehearsal, 3:30 PM - 5:50 PM
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Georgia House fundraiser tickets due
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Tuesday 9/18 [ODD]:
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NO REHEARSAL
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Wednesday 9/19 [EVEN]:
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Drumline Rehearsal, 3:30 - 5:50 PM
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Thursday 9/20 [ODD]:
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After-School Rehearsal, 3:30 - 5:50 PM
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Peach Bowl Payment #2 Due
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Friday 9/21 [EVEN]:
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Game #3: Home vs. Mt. Pleasant
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Timeline later in email
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Annual band photos taken with Mr. G. before the game (early call time!)
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Plan to stay after-school!!!
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DINNER SIGNUP: https://goo.gl/forms/WDqWLDpTSSHnN20O2
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Saturday 9/22:
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Norfolk State Univ. Spartan Legion Classic​
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Info later in email
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NEXT WEEK PREVIEW: HOMECOMING WEEK
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Monday 9/24 [ODD]: NO REHEARSAL
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Georgia House dinner fundraiser (Millsboro)
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Tuesday 9/25 [EVEN]: After-School Rehearsal, 3:30 – 5:50
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Wednesday 9/26 [ODD]: Drumline Rehearsal, 3:30 - 5:50
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Thursday 9/27 [EVEN]: After-School Rehearsal, 3:30 - 5:50
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Friday 9/28 [ODD]: Game #4: Homecoming vs. Appoquinimink HS
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Pep rally during 7th Period
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Plan to stay through after-school (dinner on campus - at cost $$)
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Dinner information will be communicated in next update (Sunday 9/23)
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3. GAME #3: TIMELINE & INFORMATION
**There may be some adjustment based on Mr. G’s availability for photos**
3:15 PM School Day Ends
- Put all belongings in Room 690 (will be labeled by section)
3:30 PM Dinner Available in Cafeteria **no food in band room, or 690**
- Change into full uniform as soon as you are finished eating
4:30 PM CALL TIME/ATTENDANCE IN BAND ROOM – FULL UNIFORM
4:35 PM Warm Up/Review of music/block band/etc.
5:00 PM Parade Formation #1 outside band room
March to Soccer Field for photos
6:05 PM Parade Formation #2 at soccer field
6:10 PM March into Raven Stadium
6:35 PM Appoquinimink performs pregame show
6:55 PM Star Spangled Banner – first notes in stadium
7:00 PM Kickoff
~8:00 PM Halftime Show Performance
- We will leave stands with 5:00 left in 2nd quarter to warm up, tune, & focus
~9:15 PM Approximate End of Game
Rides home: plan to arrive at this time
- Clean up band room, outdoor areas, and Room 690
* SIGN OUT SHEETS ARE IN EFFECT THIS WEEK
~10:00 PM Clear campus ASAP – get rest for Saturday!
* Sign out sheets are required for ALL members of the organization, and will not be posted until our entire area of the campus is clean and orderly. Leaving early or not signing out will result in a grade deduction, and potentially one or more of the following: additional assigned responsibilities, temporary travel suspension, or drill reassignment to shadow status.
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4. NORFOLK STATE “SPARTAN LEGION CLASSIC” BATTLE OF THE BANDS
We have had a placeholder on our calendar since the start of band camp for this date. We finally have more information regarding our timeline. If there are any changes/adjustments, they will be communicated via Remind.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND, 2018: **REQUIRED EVENT**
8:00 AM Band Room Opens
8:30 AM Call Time – All Members
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Load truck, change into half uniform
9:00 AM Depart (attendance taken on bus)
12:00 PM Lunch Stop in Norfolk Area (TBD - $$$)
1:15 PM Arrive & Unload at NSU
2:00 PM Event Begins
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Watch other bands in A & AA classes
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Concessions available (plan to eat dinner there - $$$)
~4:30 PM Group Warmup & Performance Preparation
~5:00-5:30 PM APPROXIMATE PERFORMANCE TIME
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Halftime show + stands music afterward
~6:30 PM End of Event/Awards
~7:00 PM Pack up & depart NSU (Remind sent with estimated arrival)
~10:30 PM Estimated arrival at STHS (Updates sent on the way via Remind)
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5. PARENT UPDATE – “Beats from the Boosters”
First home game is here! We are all looking forward to this! No packing the van and loading buses…but it brings another whole set of opportunities to help out! Baked goods, manning the booster table to sell apparel, feeding kids dinner, and loading coolers with water are just some of the areas where you as a parent can help out. So come in your black & silver to cheer on our team!
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Link for Friday night’s dinner - https://goo.gl/forms/WDqWLDpTSSHnN20O2 - this will close on Wednesday. Pizza!
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Georgia House Ticket money is due Monday – 9/17. Please be sure to send in all money and unsold tickets in their original envelopes – so we can account for each student.
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Calling all persons who love to bake! Baked goods are needed at the booster table this Friday evening. Drop them off as you enter the game. Please individually wrap items – we sell most everything for $.25-$.50.
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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.
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Incentive you ask? Absolutely!! The section that brings in the highest dollar amount in gift cards wins a pizza party OR ice cream party!
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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!
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Fundraisers going on currently: Remember all should be helping to fundraise!
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Wa-Wa hoagie cards
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Upcoming Fundraisers:
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September 24th – Georgia House dinner – money is due now! Sign up to work it for volunteer hours band!
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October is for Krispy Kreme Donuts! The volume of donuts that we sell is UNBELIEVABLE! And not to mention DELICOUS!
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These fundraisers help to decrease the total cost of trips planned for the band and help to keep the band running smoothly.
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Email us below if you need any of the fundraiser order forms/fliers.
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Make sure you have signed up and/or downloaded the Charms app. It is our go-to for volunteering and planning around calendar events!
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Next Booster meeting is Tuesday, 10/9, at 6:30 PM in the band room.
If you have questions about a volunteer opportunity, contact us at ravensmusicboosters@gmail.com.
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If you have any questions or comments, email both Mr. Kenney & G. Batten (ian.kenney@sussexvt.k12.de.us & grace.batten@sussexvt.k12.de.us).
Have a great week.
"ATTACHMENTS"
EXCUSED ABSENCE REQUEST