Hi all,

The time is here, our first actual game! It’s been a long and grueling 7 weeks of preparation and tomorrow it will all be worth it! I just wanted to send some reminders so you can prepare adequately.

Schedule:
Pep rally
– 2:10pm Students dismissed to bandroom
– 3:00pm Pep rally in main gym
– 5:00pm All return to school in “whites” (see description below)
– 5:30pm Depart for Madison City Stadium
– 10:30pm Return from stadium and unload (Subscribe to the text alert message system by texting “@bjband2014” to (512) 337-4343 to a more accurate time of our return)

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
– Students are to report to bandroom in their “whites,” which consist of their compression shorts, compression shirt, long white socks, marching shoes (CLEANED AND POLISHED), and their white band pants. Their jacket is to be hung in the provided garment bag, hat should be in hat box, and gloves, lyre, and flip folders should be in their red string bag. Please read pg. 13 of the handbook for more specific details.
– Section leaders will perform uniform inspection before leaving the bandroom. Anyone who does not pass (ex. not wearing compression shirt/shorts, unclean pants, etc.) will be sent to the directors and will not be allowed to travel with the band to the game. This will result in a “0” as a test grade. Please come prepared and read the handbook carefully.
– ALL STUDENTS (including dance team and color guard) MUST CHANGE OUT OF THEIR UNIFORM BEFORE LEAVING THE BANDROOM AFTER WE UNLOAD THE TRUCKS. Please bring something to change into once we return to the bandroom after the game. Per the handbook, any student seen in any part of the uniform outside a band function will receive a “0” for a test grade for that performance and will be benched for the next performance, resulting in another “0.” Our uniforms are for band functions only, so please honor that by bringing something to change into.

**More details will be discussed tomorrow in all classes, but please read pg. 13 in the handbook to preface that conversation.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
– Parents: Please provide a written note/doctor’s excuse for all absences after school. Mr. Thornton and I both receive between 50-100 emails a day and we don’t want any emailed excuses falling through the cracks. Please send notes with your kids the next day. Additionally, you’ll find all “approved” excuses on pg. 15 of the handbook. If the absence doesn’t fall under these approved excuses, then the student will receive a “0” for that rehearsal/performance. If no note is received (wind players, percussion, dance team, and color guard included), then a “0” will be entered. A note turned into the office does not help us, as we do not have access to those. Please provide a second note turned directly into either myself or Mr. Thornton the next day. And as always, excessive absences, Thursday absences in particular, might/will result in loss of performance privileges.

– We have only had our new uniforms since last October. Since that time, most of them have been returned and re-issued in pristine condition. We did, however, have several that were dingy, molded, and/or completely ruined after only wearing them for a few performances. Last year when we bought them, we set a goal of making this set of uniforms last 8-10 years. That will only happen if each of you does your part to take care of your individual uniform by following the care instructions found in the back of handbook. Based on some uniforms I saw that were returned last year, I would’ve guessed they had only been washed maybe once since they had been issued. This is unacceptable. Cleanliness is a part of the uniform inspection process for each game. We will be VERY strict this year when it comes to this. We took a huge risk last year sending the uniform home for the first time. For most, it worked well. For others, it backfired and they ended up having the pay to replace some/all of the uniform before receiving another one this year. If you do not have access to a reliable washing machine, please contact our uniform chairs, Amy Crosby (amy.cook.crosby@gmail.com) and/or Joy Fredrickson (JoyFred1011@yahoo.com), for assistance.

Now that all the boring details are out of the way, I want to express my appreciation for each one of you. This organization has so many valuable parts that add up to make up one quality product. We would be nothing without the hard work/discipline of the students, the support of the parents, the passion of our staff, the selflessness of our volunteers, and the planning/innovation of our booster board and committee chairs. Parents- please take time to stop by and introduce yourselves to both Mr. Thornton and me sometime. We always love connecting a student with a parent and sharing our experiences. Students- I can’t wait to see you in those uniforms tomorrow night. It’s pretty cool to sit back and enjoy you guys entertaining the crowd and having fun. 100%!!

Thanks for a great start to the year, everyone. Looking forward to tomorrow night. Go Patriots!!

Leigh S. Thomas
Assistant Band Director, Bob Jones High School
leighthomas24@gmail.com

Hi Everyone!

First of all, I have to say, those of you who have already volunteered for concessions, chaperoning, equipment crew, uniforms, popsicles, you name it, have been incredible! Running out of water in the concession stand didn’t faze Gabi or anyone – they just went and bought more, and boy did they bring in the money! What an amazing group of people we have in this program! Thank you all for your participation. It’s so fun getting to know people and knowing the work is supporting such a great group of young people, isn’t it?

Please don’t forget the pansy sale! White, blue (purple), yellow and mixed flats are available for $16.00. To order yours, see anyone on dance team or contact Kathy Guest at 256-426-7247 or kathyguest5@gmail.com.

It’s time to “re-up” with Kroger! They have revamped their give back program and the new campaign will begin September 1st. They need us to sign up again and give the following guidelines:

* Register online at krogercommunityrewards.com

* Be sure to have your Kroger Plus card handy. Register your card with your organization after you sign up.

* If you don’t yet have a Kroger Plus card, they are available at the customer service desk at any Kroger. I will try to have some at the next booster meeting as well.

* Click on Sign In/Register

* If you are a new online customers, you must click on SIGN UP TODAY in the ‘New Customer?’ box.

* Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your email address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditions

* You will then get a message to check your email in box and click on the link within the body of the email.

* Click on My Account and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step.

* Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number.

* Update or confirm your information.

* Enter NPO number (36158) or name of organization (Bob Jones Band Boosters), select organization from list and click on confirm.

* To verify you are enrolled correctly, you will see your organization’s name on the right side of your information page.

* REMEMBER, purchases will not count for your group until September 1st AND until members register cards.

* Do you use your phone number at the register? Call 800-576-4377, select option 4 to get your Kroger Plus card number.

* Members must swipe their registered Kroger Plus card or use the phone number that is related to their registered Kroger Plus card when shopping for each purchase to count.

So far, we have had two restaurant spirit nights that have earned money for our band program. We’ll be having more throughout the year that will offer fellowship, good food and the opportunity to help local businesses AND our program. We may even have some prizes to offer along the way! You can find the dates for all of them on the website and charms calendars. We do not want to overwhelm anyone with all the “opportunities” but have made many available for each of you to pick and choose the ones that strike your fancy.

The next opportunity will be this coming Tuesday, September 2nd – the day after Labor Day, at BOTH LOCATIONS of Nothing But Noodles. They have graciously made their entire business day available to us and will give back a percentage of sales whether you go for lunch, dinner or a mid afternoon get together! Just tell them you’re with the Bob Jones Band!

We have some good news for students and families wanting a good place to go after the games Friday night. Stevie B’s will be staying open until midnight during football season! If this is a place you might like to spend your time after games, you may want to take advantage of the fundraising cards we have available for you to purchase. For your $10.00 purchase ($9.00 of which goes back to the band), you will get the following:

2 offers for 20 free game room tokens

Free Birthday Party Buffet – Birthday child eats free with any party package of 8 or more.

Free Medium Specialty Pizza with Purchase of a large pizza to go

2 offers for a free adult buffet with purchase of a drink 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Free large 1 topping pizza w/purchase of equal or greater value pizza

2 offers for Tokens – Buy $5.00 – Get $5.00 free

2 offers for a free kids’ buffet with purchase of a drink

Free Buffet Monday through Thursday

If you’d like to purchase a card, I’ll be in the band room today after rehearsal or you can catch me at the game Friday night too! You may also send the purchase info and money in an envelope, have your student put it in the booster box and I’ll get the card(s) back to him or her.

And finally – SCHWAN’S!

Catalogs are finally available in the band room. Those of you who have asked for one, should have them in hand soon! We have 32 days remaining for the bigger give back portion of this drive that will last an entire year. If you haven’t looked at what they have to offer, please go to https://www.schwans-cares.com/ and sign up for the Bob Jones Band – A year to enjoy Schwan’s. We’ve been told to be SURE everyone knows to order through this campaign and to use the number 13511 so we will get credit for each and every sale! Think my $9,000.00 goal was a little lofty? lol… We do have to make our uniform payment each year (this year and three more) until the entire $45,000. loan is paid in full, and I was hoping this would be our way of raising the DOUGH!

I’m sorry to be so long winded, but wanted to get all this out to each of you. Thank you for participating in these fund raisers and future opportunities you’ll be hearing about soon. Please be in touch if you have questions, want to help with fundraising or I can help you in ANY way.

Lou Justice

fund raising chair

256-830-8319

Sorry for the tardiness of this email, but all those who auditioned for Jazz Band: please plan to attend rehearsal at BJHS tomorrow after school until 5pm. Part assignments will given then. Thanks!

Leigh S. Thomas
Assistant Band Director, Bob Jones High School
leighthomas24@gmail.com

Parents,

Dr. Fowler and The Bob Jones Administration have asked that we share this memo with all of you. If you get the time he would like as many as possible to do the survey.

Parents,

We need your help! Our school and district are going through district accreditation this year, reviewing our strong areas and looking at areas in which we can improve and we need your help. We want your input. As part of the process, we are required to gather input through surveys from teachers, parents, and our students. Without this input we cannot complete the accreditation process. We need everyone’s participation.

The surveys are available now through August 27 and can be accessed through the link below or on the Madison City Schools website. Please be assured that your responses to this survey will be anonymous.

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback with us and for also providing opportunities for students to share their input.

Parent Survey: http://goo.gl/E2nkEd

Sylvia Lambert

Assistant Principal

Bob Jones High School

(256) 772-2547 Ext 80331

http://bjhs.madisoncity.k12.al.us/

Tomorrow Tuesday, August 26th from 4-8pm is our Spirit Night at Panera Bread in Madison. A portion of the sales will go to the band. Please bring a copy of the attached flyer or show them a copy on your phone. Please share with your friends too!

Cindy Leaphart

BJHS Band Booster President
Panera spirit night.pdf