what you kids isn't tell you

NEW- UNIFORMS - Except for color guard, uniforms have been distributed. The uniforms should be left hanging in the garment bag. Mr. Vitale will send out uniform care instructions. There is no need to have them cleaned or ironed. Hats, socks, gloves and cuffs will be distributed after school begins. If your student is one of those without pants for their uniform, please be patient. The pants are on order and will arrive prior to our first competition.

BANDS OF AMERICA REGIONAL COMPETITION, DELAWARE, OCTOBER 7 -The $35 student fee is due Friday, September 8th. Please make payment by check payable to WHS Music. Please note your student's name in the memo section. Drum Majors will collect the checks.  If you would like to use money from your child's Charms account, please let Mr. Vitale or Mr. Sindorf know.  More details to follow.
 
NEW - PRACTICE SCHEDULE - After school practices begin Wednesday, September 6th from 3:30-6:30 at EIS practice field. There will also be a practice held that Thursday and Friday, same place and time. You can visit the calendar on the WHS Bands web site if you have practice schedule questions.
 
NEW - FIRST GAME - The first Blue Devils football game will be held 9/9.  Rehearsal will be held from 10 am - noon at the EIS practice field.  Students should pack a bag lunch.  The football game will be held from 1 - 4 pm.  GO BLUE DEVILS!!  The BPA will provide pizza dinner in the EIS cafeteria (students only), followed by rehearsal from 5 - 7 pm at the EIS practice field.  Students should wear their royal blue show shirt and khaki colored shorts and sneakers for the game.  Uniforms will not be worn for this performance.
 
NEW - SAVE THE DATE - The Marching Blue Devils have their first competition on Saturday, September 16 at the Scotch Plains High School. Want to chaperone? Check out the volunteer section below.FUNDRAISINGMANDATORY -- SHAKO DAY - Saturday, September 16 - This is our largest annual fundraiser.  Students are grouped and given a two-hour time slot and business location, and are asked to politely solicit donations from the public. Donations are placed in shakos (marching band hats). Hence, Shako Day! Details to follow. VOLUNTEERS are needed to check in on the kids and gather money for their safety.  If you would like to help and did not sign up via the Google form, contact Jenn Useloff (jlu624@yahoo.com) and Seth Brown (seth.brown@alliedbeverage.com) directly.
 
SPIRITWEAR - The spiritwear online sale through Varsity Central has been extended through September 9th.  These items should be delivered around September 25. CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT OUR WHS BPA MERCHANDISE STORE!   We are also selling a compression shirt, track jacket and Westfield Marching Band flags via a paper order form.  See the attachment for the order form.  Ordering for these items is open through September 22 and will be delivered around October 6.  Forms can be dropped off in the BPA mailbox in the WHS band room or at 1365 Grandview Ave.  If you have any merchandise questions, please contact Heather Bryant at hlbryant@comcast.net
Please note - this is the only time we will be selling merchandise this season, so don't miss out!
 
Want to make a donation to WHS Bands?  Visit http://www.westfieldhsbands.org/  and scroll down to the DONATE button.  A PayPal account has been set up to accept donations.  The WHS Band Parent Association is a 501-C3 non-profit organization and donations are tax deductible.  Check with your employer to see if they match donations.
 
INDIVIDUAL FUNDRAISERS - Looking to put more money in your student's CHARMs account? You can purchase grocery store gift cards from Shop Rite, Stop and Shop, ACME and Kings.  For every $100 gift card purchased, $5 goes into the student's account.  You can resell the card to friends/family or use it for your everyday shopping.  Gift cards can be purchased anytime throughout the year.  Contact Mary Beyert (mbeyert@comcast.net) or Sarah McGrail (s_mcgrail@hotmail.com) for more information about grocery cards and how your every day shopping can put money in your pocket!HOSPITALITYThanks to the Hospitality Committee for hosting bowling night!  It was a great event for parents and students!!
 
SAVE THE DATE - PARENT SOCIAL - Friday, September 8th hosted by The Cooks.  CLICK TO SEE DETAILS FOR THIS FUN EVENT!!
 
The Hospitality Committee will be hosting the first 3rd quarter snack of the season on Saturday, Sept. 9th.  If you are interested in joining the Hospitality Committee and haven't done so already,, please email Melanie at matpas@verizon.net and we'll add you to the list of volunteers who provide snack for the Marching Blue Devils and the visiting team's band at home games throughout the season.
 
NEW - VOLUNTEERINGLooking for volunteers! Check out the links below and donate time where you can. Thank you!!
 
SHAKO DAY - To make this day successful, we are looking for parents to watch over our students while they collect money from the public. And though we cannot guarantee it, we will make every effort to place you with your student.  If you would like to help and did not sign up via the Google form, contact Jenn Useloff (jlu624@yahoo.com) and Seth Brown (seth.brown@alliedbeverage.com) directly.
 
BUS CHAPERONES - This is your backstage ticket to a competition and away games. You get free transportation and entrance to watch our Marching Blue Devils compete and perform. Your responsibilities are riding with the students to and from the competition, assisting with water/snack distribution, giving a helping hand to students with their uniforms. Our first away game is Friday, September 15th, and our first competition is Saturday, September 16th.   CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER

Marching Band Calendar - Can't remember what time practice is?  Where or when the next game or competition will be?  Subscribe to our google calendar located on the homepage of the website: www.westfieldhsbands.org  Click the subscribe button in the lower right-hand corner of the calendar.

Newsletter Archive - can't locate a newsletter?  Now you can access it via the WHS Bands' website on the Band Parents' Association page.  Just go to the Leadership drop-down and hold your cursor over "Parent Association" and you will have an option to click on newsletters.

NEW - Follow the WHS Bands on Social Media and the Web!  FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM @WHSBANDSFRIENDSFAMILYANDALUMNI  Check the Band Website for regularly updated information:  www.westfieldbands.org  QUESTIONS??Though we try, we couldn't possible think of everything.   Feel free to email us at whsbandparents@gmail.com with your questions. We will get right back to you!