WMBPA Incoming Freshman Parents Meeting - June 15, 2009

Shelly called the meeting to order and introduced the new board members. Shelly Burghoffer – President, Donna Genader – Vice President, Scott VanSickle – Treasurer, Sharon Sodon – Recording Secretary, Sue Timmins – Corresponding Secretary.

Kathy Nardiello, the new Uniform Committee chairperson, showed parents the uniform and described the care. Jackets, pants and all plaid pieces are dry clean only. Raincoats, drummer shirts, spats and suspenders are washable but nothing should be put in the dryer. Students need to order shoes ($30) and garment bag ($15) and have check or cash for cleaning fee. Uniforms are distributed the week of band camp. More information will be in the next newsletter. Alana Kattowski mentioned that guard needs different shoes than other band members and also gloves. Fall athletes who usually get uniforms after marching season will get them early this year as they are needed for the Town Parade on Sept. 13. Applied students will get theirs after marching season.

Janet Perrusio passed out T-shirt order forms. The first shirt is free but each additional shirt is $12. The t-shirt is part of the uniform and no one is allowed to wear it except band students. Drummers have different shirts than other band members.

Dr. McLaughlin told parents that being in band helps freshman make the transition to high school. Tutoring is available from other band students if needed. Our music program is one of the top 100 in the nation. Band camp is Aug 24 to 28. If anyone has a conflict with family vacation, please see Dr Mac ASAP. Without band camp, students will be far behind and may not be ready to perform until later in the season. There will be 2 rehearsals before band camp during the summer. Next Thursday, June 25, will be new member rehearsal from 6 to 8pm. Trip to Florida will be 5 days over Spring Break. Will discuss in detail during general meeting. July 5 is the Boston Crusader show, which is a fundraiser for the band. Web sites for information are wmbpa.org and schoolnotes.com. Sign up at schoolnotes.com to be notified whenever info is updated. Dr. Mac will post schedule, directions to games and competitions, list of what students need to bring, etc. on schoolnotes each week. Don’t hesitate to call if need more info – 973-697-1701 ext. 7070. Will be available after the meeting for more questions. Freshman students were dismissed to the choir room to meet with drum majors and section leaders to ask any questions they may have and to see video of 2008-2009 show. Fall schedule and Band Parents 101 handouts are available. Note that there is an error on the schedule – there is NO rehearsal Oct 5.

Shelly reviewed info in Band Parents 101 – urged parents to read it and keep for reference. Uniforms – tall, black socks are available for pipers, drummers and guard; piper and drummer spats can be purchased at Pipeline in Pompton Lakes and at various sites online; Under Armor very good for under uniform when its cold. Good idea to write uniform numbers down. Reminder not to pull into fire lane when dropping off or picking up students for band events for safety reasons. Committees – please sign up. For away games, our band plays before the game. Band camp – 8am to 4pm each day. Come inside for lunch. Tues. and Thurs. during camp is additional rehearsal from 6pm to 9pm. Friday evening will be a performance for parents at 6pm.

Fundraising – numerous events planned – Boston Crusaders show on July 5; car wash during summer; cheesecake sale in fall; Tattoo; art auction; Market Day; Tag Day in Dec; hoagie sale for Super Bowl; concession stand; recycle cardboard in dumpster by cafeteria.

We would like to go paperless as much as possible. Please provide your e-mail address (sheets were passed around) and keep your info up to date. If you do not have e-mail access, please let us know and we will mail newsletters. Please be sure to sign in at all meetings.

Merchandise – send all orders to Tammy McLaughlin. DO NOT send into school. Mail to the address on the order form. Orders are due by Aug 31. Tammy will call you to confirm your order when she receives it. Will have items on display at August band parent meeting. In addition to the items on the form, there are also Tattoo shirts from last year for $7 and older ones for $5.

Physicals – Every student must have a physical before band camp. If you missed the physicals given by school last Friday, you must go to your own physician and you MUST use the school forms. These are available on wmtps.org (West Milford schools website).

Meeting ended at 7:45pm. Motion to adjourn – Kathy Nardiello and Ginny Cibenko.