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"Common Times" Weekly Newsletter 8/28-9/1



Upcoming Events


Greetings Wildcat Band Families,


The first full week of school has proven to be nothing less that incredible! The students are settling into routines and learning how to get their instruments home each day. Day 1 we had 22 instruments left behind. Day 2-3 we had 6 and day 4-5 we only had 1. I will keep reminding students in class but please help encourage them to bring their instruments home. Almost all 7th grade classes have our first playing quiz this week so it is important they are taking their instrument home, practicing and coming back prepared.

If you wanna get reminders, weekly over views and inside scoop on what's happening in our classes, be sure to check out some of the pics on our Instagram and Facebook pages.

This week EVERY band student will bring instruments to class the day they have class. Please review the daily schedule below to confirm which day your student has class.

Thank you to everyone who has been sending in the band supply fees! That is a huge help! We will have the option for online payments via MyPaymentsPlus after Labor Day. In the meantime you can send in cash or check made out to "WJHS Band." Thank you for your help!!

 

This week we will be sending home copies of the BSD Junior High Band Handbook Signature Form. Please take a few minutes to scan the QR codes on the handbook and calendar to review the information. Then sign and return the form with your student to school. Every student must have this signed and returned. You can review our handbook here. Our calendar can be found here in spreadsheet form.

 

Our new band apparel store is now open until September 8th! Everything in the store is optional but a great way to show your pride for the WJHS Band! The required band t-shirt and jazz band t-shirt will be ordered in bulk by Mr. Jones. You do NOT need to order the required shirt here unless you want an extra.

This year we are also offering a couple of options for the top part of concert black attire through this store.

Please note that we cannot reopen the store after it closes. If your student wants a hoodie, now is the time to order it for the winter.

Visit our store here: bit.ly/wjhs2324


 

ATTENTION 8TH GRADE BAND AND JAZZ BAND STUDENTS

This spring we will travel to St. Louis for 3 days and 2 nights with the 8th grade band and advanced jazz band. To streamline this process we are working with Bob Rogers Travel company. A tour company created by band directors for band directors. Please create your account by going here: https://bobrogerstravel.groupcollect.com/admin/trips/7438

TRIP ID: WASHINGTON0065


Deadline to register is THIS FRIDAY, September 1st.

First trip payment is September 15th

Full payment due by December 15th


Need financial assistance in addition to the fundraisers? Please contact Mr. Jones ASAP. We will make it possible for every student who wants to attend to be able to .


If your family, business or you know a business owner who is able to make a tax deductible donation to help students attend this incredible trip, please contact Mr. Jones.


Additional documents and information about the trip can be found here.

 

We have almost all of our families signed up for the app and it is already being utilized well! If you haven't signed up, please do so. It is also important for students to be a part of the app. Students without a phone should still sign up as they can receive notifications by keeping a tab open on their computer and can also set their settings to receive email notifications.

One thing I LOVE about this app is that parents/students can ask a question to everyone in our group and anyone can respond. This is great when parents ask a question and I'm in class and unable to respond. Often times another parent is able to answer the question lickety-split. You can also create a private chat with me to send a message if you don't want it broadcast to everyone.


Click the appropriate link(s) to download the app and join our groups (Bands).

8th Grade Families - https://band.us/n/aba79ez9XbYfi

7th Grade Families - https://band.us/n/acae96z4X2Y47

Jazz Band Families - https://band.us/n/a7ab96zbYaJeY

 

Concession Volunteer Opportunities!

Sign up to earn $25 per shift per person (Max 2 people) towards band related expenses.


 

Here is our PDF calendar for the 2023-2024 school year.

You can view and subscribe to our Google Calendar of events here.




Please take a few moment to review the information below so you are fully prepared for the week ahead.




This week:

  • Monday - "A" Day (Classes 1-3, Advisory, 4th)

  • Band Classes that Meet on "A" Days

  • 7th Grade Trombones (Low Brass)

  • Jazz Band

  • 7th Grade Flutes and Saxophones (High Winds)

  • 7th Grade Clarinets

  • 7:45am - Band Room Opens

  • 7th grade flute and saxophone concert Bb Scale and Arpeggio quiz due

  • Good luck Volleyball!!

  • 4:30pm - Band Room Closes

  • Tuesday - "B" Day (Classes 5-7, Priority, 8th)

  • Band Classes that Meet on "B" Days

  • 8th Grade Band

  • 7th Grade Trumpets (High Brass)

  • 7:45am - Band Room Opens

  • Priority Time - Open practice for woodwind students

  • Good luck Volleyball!!!

  • 4:30pm - Band Room Closes

  • Wednesday - "A" Day (Classes 1-3, Priority, 4th)

  • Band Classes that Meet on "A" Days

  • 7th Grade Trombones (Low Brass)

  • Jazz Band

  • 7th Grade Flutes and Saxophones

  • 7th Grade Clarinets

  • 7:45am - Band Room Opens

  • 7th grade trombone concert Bb Scale and Arpeggio quiz due

  • Priority Time - Open practice for brass and percussion

  • Natural's Game!

  • Itinerary: 3:45 Meet in Band Room/eat pizza 4:45 Load Busses at WJHS (outside band room) 5:00 Arrive at Arvest Ballpark and unload 5:30 Warm-Up 6:33 Perform Pep Tunes 6:50 Load instrument on buses 7:00 Enter Park/Check out with parents 8:30 Load Buses for WJHS 8:50 Arrive at WJHS Attire: Wear the BAND shirt with nice shorts with tennis shoe type shoes. NO ATHLETIC TYPE SHORTS.

  • Thursday - "B" Day (Classes 5-7, Priority, 8th)

  • Band Classes that Meet on "B" Days

  • 8th Grade Band

  • 7th Grade Trumpets (High Brass)

  • 7:45am - Band Room Opens

  • Priority Time - Open practice for any instrument

  • 4:30pm - Band Room Closes

  • Good Luck Football!!!!

  • Friday - "B" Day (Classes 5-7, Priority, 8th)

  • Band Classes that Meet on "B" Days

  • 8th Grade Band

  • 7th grade Trumpets

  • 7:45am - Band Room Opens

  • Band Water Party until 3:50-5:00p

  • Bring a towel, change of clothes, water gun and money for the ice cream truck! It'll be a TON of fun!!!

Reminder: No School Monday, September 4th for Labor Day

 

I know we JUST started the school year but I want to put a few AWESOME summer band camps on your radar as it seems we all begin planning and booking vacations earlier and earlier each year. :)


Typically 2nd Week of June - University of Central Arkansas Dixie Band Camp in Conway

June 10th-14th - Bentonville All-City Band Camp (1/2 Day) at BHS

July 7th-12th - University of Arkansas Band Camp in Fayetteville


Also, for our 7th grade families to plan, we will have required summer band rehearsals approximately 2 weeks before school begins. I will be able to give exact dates once the 2024-2025 calendar is approved later this semester; usually around October. The past several years it has been the first week of August.

 

PRIVATE LESSONS ARE AWESOME! They are designed to be fun, engaging, supportive and focused on the individual student.


We have an awesome partnership with Arkansas Music Conservatory where your student can take a lesson or two on US to see what private lessons can do for your band student!


Who should take private lessons:

  • Advanced students who need to be pushed and challenged

  • Students who need some 1-on-1 assistance to learn and master concepts covered in class

  • Students who missed substantial class time due to illness

  • Students who just began playing this year

  • Students who want to get better

  • EVERYONE

 

To stay in the know be sure to follow us on your social media platform of choice: Facebook or Instagram - @wjhswildcatband and/or at www.wjhswildcatband.com


If you have any questions or concerns, please never hesitate to reach out. We are partners in your student's growth and need to work together for them to be as successful as possible.


Musically Yours,







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