newsletter
September 4, 2023
Weekly Newsletter - September 4, 2023
I hope everyone is enjoying their long weekend and getting some much deserved rest. As usual during marching season, I have plenty of news for you, so please make sure to read through everything.
What's in this newsletter?
Here's what I have for you all this week:
Fundraising Events - we have a couple of fundraising opportunities this week - Panda Express Restaurant Night and our Mattress Sale
Spring Trip Commitment - It is now SEPTEMBER and the deadline is 9/15 - less than 2 weeks away! Make sure to pay the fee and complete the commitment form by that date to secure your spot.
Band Fees - if you haven't logged into the Band Store and linked your student to your account, please do so asap - be on the lookout for performance fees to be assessed this week
Volunteer Opportunities - weekly list of open volunteer opportunities - hydration team needs some help so we have a signup now for this
Corporate Sponsorships/Golden Boosters - We've hit the deadline for sponsorships to affect band fees so I'm going to lock in our performance fees for the year. Also, please consider helping our program through becoming a Golden Booster - this is an important revenue stream for the program and we are lagging behind budgeted expectations
And a word from Mr. Sayre
This week in band...
Monday 9/4
NO SCHOOL!
Tuesday 9/5
4:10 PM - 6:00 PM - Afternoon Rehearsal
Wednesday 9/6
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM - Color Guard Sectional
Thursday 9/7
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM - Percussion Sectional
Panda Express Restaurant Night - See the Restaurant Nights page for details
Friday 9/8
Football Game - Piedra Vista (Home) - Wilson Stadium - Call Time: 5:00 PM.
Sunday 9/10
Mattress Sale - see the Mattress Sale page for details and how to get the word out!
Now on to the details...
Fundraising Events
Its going to be a busy week for fundraising...
First, on Thursday, 9/7, we have a Panda Express restaurant night. See the Restaurant Nights page for all the details and the flyer. Bring in your flyer, or order online and use the code in the flyer to help us raise some money for the band program.
Also, on Sunday, 9/10, we have our annual Mattress Sale. You can get all the details on the Mattress Sale page, including a link to a Facebook Event you can share with your friends and family to get the word out. Remember - all we need you to do with this sale is get the word out. If you need a mattress, check it out and get a great deal, otherwise let your friends and family know as odds are some of them need a new mattress (or pillows, sheets, etc.)
Spring Trip Commitment
We are in SEPTEMBER! That means the commitment deadline is less than 2 weeks away on 9/15/2023. We still need ~60 more students to commit to going on this trip, so please make sure you do both commitment requirements (pay fee and submit commitment form) by that date.
The details:
When: April 17-21, 2023
Where: San Diego, CA
Cost: $950, with $150 commitment fee due by 9/15/2023 (commitment fee is part of the total balance) - this cost is worst case, and as you heard at the parent meeting, our spring trip coordinator, JP, is working diligently to bring down the total cost of the trip. Once things get firmed up over the next few months, this number may go down. No promises, but we are trying very hard. If the costs do go down, and you have already paid the balance, we will refund the difference.
In order for your commitment to be complete, I need 2 things for each student going:
1. Pay the commitment fee in the Band Store fee management - after paying this fee, I will add your student to a list of committed students, after which the remaining trip balance will become available in the band store.
2. Fill out the Spring Trip 2024 Commitment Form - this is a way for us to reinforce the requirements around spring trip commitment and ensure parental understanding
If you have any questions, please let me know.
Band Fees
The band fees are available in the Band Store. If you have not yet created an account and linked your student to your account, please do so ASAP. Also, now that our Corporate Sponsorship campaign is done, I will be finalizing the performance fees this week and assessing them to the student accounts.
All the instructions for paying fees in the Band Store are available on the Fee Management page, so please be sure to read them carefully. Most notably, remember that your student's Charms ID is to be entered for BOTH the Student ID and the PIN.
If you have any issues getting setup, please let me know.
After I assess the performance fees this week, I will send out new statements to everyone letting them know what they owe on their accounts.
Volunteer Opportunities
Here is a list of all active volunteer opportunities. These are also always available on the Volunteering page.
Football Game Chaperone Signup Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d48adaa2da1fb6-football#/
Football Game Spiritwear Assistant Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D48ADAA2DA1FB6-football2
Hydration Team Volunteer Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080F4BA4AD23A4FE3-hydration#/
Corporate Sponsorships/Golden Boosters
Our initial Corporate Sponsorship campaign is done. We did great! Thanks to all of you that went out and got sponsorships for our band program, and special thanks to our sponsors as well. I will be getting them all up on the website this week. Also, keep in mind that if someone still wants to find a corporate sponsor for our band season, they certainly can do so anytime throughout the year, it just wont have any additional direct affect on our band fees for this year.
Students - you all did a great job. I have the final standings for the sections that brought in the most money. And the winner is........
TRUMPETS!
The trumpet section made a huge last ditch push to make it past the baritones this last week. Congrats! I'll be in touch for your prize.
1st - Trumpets
2nd - Baritones
3rd - Saxophones
Remember, becoming a Golden Booster is the best way for you to directly support your band program. Thanks so much to those of you who have donated so far, but we can always use more help. Please consider supporting the program through this campaign. See the Golden Boosters page for all the details.
Have a great week!
Go Eagles!
JD
AND a word from Mr. Sayre...
Hello Eldorado Band!
Great work at the game on Thursday. It was a long day and you handled it like champions. I hope you had a restful 4 day weekend because you certainly earned it.
As we look forward to this week:
Attendance:
Make sure you clear your attendance conflicts with the directors well in advance. It is the expectation that all members be present at every performance and rehearsal. We have always made considerations for students participating in EHS sports and activities as those are school sanctioned. Mr. Snowden and I are receiving notifications for absences that do not fit within the allowance in the Band Handbook policies. Here is a link to the handbook page if you would like to refresh yourselves on the absences policy.
Assembly on Thursday:
Wear your band shirt. Details will emerge as we get closer to the event.
Game on Friday:
We will meet at the band room at 5pm, you will need to go home and eat then come to school. We are playing at halftime and we will have some of our props on the field for this performance.
Here is the plan for the week.
And now our director recognitions:
Most Improved
Alex Conrad: Freshman Percussionist
For having a great attitude and doing your best in class.
Most Helpful
Jackson Simpkins: Freshman Trumpet Player
For contributing everything he can every day to help the band get better.
Most Improved Section
Flutes!
For getting better and better every rehearsal and doing the best you can every day.
Outstanding Section
Drum Majors!
For being early every day and quietly doing their job exceptionally well.
Exemplary Member
Porter Deangelo: Senior Sax Player and Section Leader
Porter is always doing their best! Congrats Porter and THANK YOU for doing your best every day.
See you tomorrow!
Mr. Sayre