Band Booster President's Message

Welcome to the 2008-2009 Westfield Band Program!

My name is Debbie Falatko, and I am the president of the Westfield High School Band Boosters for 2008-2009. This is my first email for the new school year, so my email address list may not be accurate. Please let me know if you received this email in error, received it twice, or are aware of someone who should have received it and did not (please email me their name and email address). Thanks!

Band Kick-off Meeting

Our band kick-off meeting is Sunday (tomorrow), August 10 at 6PM in the school auditorium. This meeting is for all band program parents/guardians and students, regardless of whether your student is in marching band or color guard. At this meeting Mr. Panoff and our parent volunteers will provide information and news regarding our plans for this year’s band program. We will also collect your completed band registration packets and band fees. You can download the registration packet online at http://www.westfieldband.org/registration/documents.htm. The band registration packet consists of a eleven forms, including a registration checklist, most of which are required and some of which are optional. Forms can be (1) printed and completed by hand, or (2) completed electronically using the *fillable form feature and printed. Checks should be payable to “WHSBBO”, if you have not already paid via PayPal through the website.  If you cannot attend the meeting, please turn in your forms and fees to the “black box” in the band room as soon as possible. (The “black box” is literally a wooden black lock box that is mounted on the wall of the band room just inside the main door to the room.)

Free Ice Cream Sundae!

An ice cream social for students and parents immediately follows the band kick-off meeting and turn-in of forms/fees.

Stay Informed!

The Westfield Band Program is very active, so communication is always a challenge. We use a multi-media approach including verbal announcements during band rehearsals, our band booster website (http://www.westfieldband.org/index.html), and periodic emails from me. The website and our online band booster calendar (http://www.westfieldband.org/iCalendar.htm) are regularly updated as we add new dates, additional details, and call times. If you have questions, please start by checking these resources. If you still need help, feel free to email me, Mr. Panoff, our freshman band liaison, or any of our board of directors or committee chairpersons (contact information at http://www.westfieldband.org/aboutus/boardmembers.htm).

Band Fees

This year’s band fees are the same as last year. The band booster board of directors works hard to balance our desire to minimize the burden of band fees while also providing a quality band program that is among the best in the country. We are challenged by increasing travel/fuel costs and reduced resources provided by the school district. We recognize that band fees and trip expenses can be a significant challenge, which is why we provide many opportunities for fundraising. The band program is for everyone - please contact Mr. Panoff, our treasurer, or any of the board of directors in confidence if you require payment plans or other assistance.

Cookie Dough Sale!

Our first fundraiser of the year is a frozen cookie dough sale that begins at the band kick-off meeting. Orders and payments are due to the black box in the band room on September 5 (first Friday of school). Students/parents can pick up the cookie dough immediately after school on Thursday, September 18.

Uniforms

Marching band uniforms will be distributed during marching band camp at dates/times not yet scheduled. (We hope to implement a new bar code system that will speed distribution and check in, but we’re not quite ready yet.)  Note that this year marching band uniform and concert uniforms will not be distributed to students until their band fees have been paid.

Please Donate Envelopes

The music boosters very much appreciates any donations of plain, business size envelopes for use on Tag Day. Please drop off your donations at the kick-off meeting or on the floor under the black box in the band room. (Tag Day is a joint music department fundraiser on Saturday, September 20 to benefit the general operating budgets for the band, orchestra, chorus, and guitar booster organizations. Over 120 teams of four students and one parent driver will visit all residences in the Westfield school boundary to request contributions for the Westfield HS music programs.)

Debbie Falatko,

President, Band Booster Organization