newsletter
SEPTEMBER 1, 2024

Weekly Newsletter - SEPTEMBER 1, 2024

Sent 9/1/2024, 7:42 PM.

Another great weekend!  We had a blast (no pun intended) at our Car Wash this weekend.  It was so great to see all the kids out there working hard, playing pep tunes for the Montgomery traffic, and just having a good time.  They raised over $3000 for the band program, so the event was a great success!  A huge thanks to all the parent volunteers as well who came out and helped corral cars and kids, as well as to Firestone for hosting us.

Make sure you get your Spring Trip Commitments in - only 2 weeks left until the deadline of 9/15.

Also, our football game chaperone signups are live.  See the link below, or on the Volunteering page.

It's labor day weekend, so enjoy the extra day off.

Here is what I have for you this week...

What's in this newsletter?

Here's what I have for you all this week:

• Parental Reminders - some recurring reminders for things I need from parents and guardians

• Spring Trip Commitment - Spring trip commitment is open.  You need to register and pay the $250 non-refundable commitment fee by 9/15 - ONLY 2 WEEKS LEFT!

• Fundraising Updates - one more fall fundraiser - our mattress sale - it's the last week to get the word out!

• Student Accounts - performance fees and direct charges have been added, make sure you are paying those balances down

• Volunteer Opportunities - plenty of volunteer opportunities are open right now, including football game chaperones - take a look and consider grabbing a slot

• And a word from Mr. Sayre - make sure to read through this - some important information on assignments

This week in band...

Monday 9/2

• NO SCHOOL - Labor Day

Tuesday 9/3

• 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Tuesday Rehearsal

Wednesday 9/4

• 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Color Guard Sectional

Thursday 9/5

• 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Percussion Sectionals

Friday 9/6

• Football Game (Homecoming) vs. Cibola @ Wilson Stadium - 4:30 PM Report Time

Sunday 9/8

• 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Mattress Sale at Eldorado Cafeteria - see the Mattress Sale page for the details.  Get the word out!

Now on to the details...

Parental Reminders

I have a few small reminders and notes for all the band parents - we still have some outstanding needs from some of you - please take care of these items ASAP.

• If you have not yet done so, please sign the parent handbook acknowledgement form.  This form is available in your students Cut Time page (using the magic link sent from Cut Time) - scroll down to about the middle of the page to find the link.  Let me know if you are having any issues with this..

• If you have completed your Unsupervised Clearance process with APS, please do not forget to scan and email the clearance form they provide you to our VP, Robby Claspell at vicepresident@eldorado.band.  We want to keep track of all of our volunteers cleared for unsupervised access.

• Also, if you have not yet done so, please pay your $80 activity fee as soon as possible so we can fully fund the activity fund for our directors.  This fund is required by APS and pays for buses and other critical class elements, so it needs to be fully funded.  You can pay this here: https://eldorado-band-course-fee.cheddarup.com

Spring Trip Commitment

Spring trip commitment season is open.  If you plan to attend spring trip, please pay the $250 non-refundable commitment fee at the link below by 9/15 - ONLY 2 WEEKS LEFT!

Spring Trip Commitment Link: https://ehsband-spring-trip-registration.cheddarup.com 

All the details are on the Spring Trip 2025 page.  If you have any specific spring trip questions, you can contact our trip coordinator JP at springtrip@eldorado.band.

Fundraising Updates

Our last major fundraiser for the fall is our Mattress Sale.  It is coming this next Sunday, 9/8.  See the Mattress Sale page for all the details.

GET THE WORD OUT TODAY - ITS THE LAST WEEK!

Student Accounts

Student accounts have been assigned appropriate fees in Cut Time.  Uniform direct charges, student performance fees, and spring trip balances (if applicable) are all live and assigned in the accounts.  You may begin paying down your student account balances.

These may not be the only fees assigned during the year - Jazz uniforms are forthcoming and any replacement/penalty fees may yet be assigned, if applicable.  The account balance is always available in Cut Time.

Don't forget, Cut Time provides the opportunity to "Share" the costs of these fees, if desired, with family or friends who might be willing to help out.  Use the share costs capability in Cut Time to take advantage of this capability.

One note - Cut Time automatically charges card processing fees.  We do not have the capability to turn this off.  While we prefer payment in Cut Time, as it simplifies the process and ensures the correct amount is assigned to the correct account, we understand that you may opt to pay by check to avoid those processing fees (NO CASH PAYMENTS PLEASE).  Know that if you choose to do this, it may take 1-2 weeks for those payments to be received and credited to your accounts.  Should you decide to do so, please make sure you make the check out to Eldorado Band Boosters, you denote somewhere the student name and that it is for their student account, and either drop it in the gray safe next to Mr. Sayre's office, or mail to us at:

Eldorado Band Boosters
PO Box 14424
Albuquerque, NM 87191-4424

If you have any questions regarding fees assigned, or if you believe the fees are incorrect, please let us know.

Volunteer Opportunities

Here are the current active signups available.  You can also always see any open volunteering opportunities on the Volunteering page.

• Hydration Volunteers: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080F4BA4AD23A4FE3-50748878-hydration#/ 

• Football Game Chaperones: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D48ADAA2DA1FB6-football#/ (UNSUPERVISED CLEARANCE REQUIRED)

Have a great week!

Go Eagles!

JD

Now, a word from Mr. Sayre...

Hello Eagle Band!

Happy Labor Day Weekend!  This is a 4 day school week but it is also our homecoming week so there are a bunch of things to prepare for.  Also, you did a fantastic job at the car wash.  I love the car wash because it gives the band an opportunity to work together on something other than their marching performance.  

Some important information about what's going on in your band classes:

Playing Tests in Google Classroom: We have had 2 memorization tests that were due in Google Classroom.  These playing tests are invaluable to our success because they offer the chance for students to demonstrate mastery of the performance material and gives the band directors a chance to evaluate what each student is contributing to the performance. Parents/guardians- you should check to see if your students have turned in their assignment.  If the memorization assignment is a zero then the student has not turned it in.  Students that have not completed this assignment will not perform or have a marching spot for the 3rd movement until the assignment is completed.  Also, if students are having trouble uploading they should first load the recording into Google Drive then attach it to the assignment.  

Game on Friday (Homecoming): We will wear our spaghetti shirts.  Call time is 4:30 PM in the band room.  If you need to stay after school please bring something to eat.  

Some Eagle Band Accolades for this Week!

Most Improved Member: Laney Pimantel in Color Guard

Outstanding Member: Lucas Hind in the Mello section

Outstanding Section: Tuba Section! Great work at the car wash

Here is the plan for the week.  As usual the plan may change based on how we progress as a group.  

Please continue to report absences using the ABSENCE REQUEST and DOCUMENTATION form.  

Go Eagles!

Mr. Sayre