Everything is moving fast - Stay informed

SHAKO DAY - WOW!!! - SHAKO DAY was incredibly successful thanks to all the parents, students and community members who contributed their time and money.  The fundraiser brought in over $6000 for the marching band!!!  The students did a great job representing the band despite the heat.  We are fortunate to have such a supportive community for our Marching Blue Devils.  Kudos to all!!!

GREAT VOLUNTEERS - Thank you to ALL the volunteers who made everything work so smoothly this past weekend:  pit crew, water carriers, bus chaperones, Shako Day chaperones, photographers, and all the volunteer work.  It certainly takes a lot to get 134 suited up band members where they need to go while still having a good time.  But we did it!  TWICE!!  Thanks to all the parents who came and cheered on the band during their first competition of the season!!  They did a great job and we're SO proud of them!!
 
REMINDER -- BANDS OF AMERICA REGIONAL COMPETITION, DELAWARE, OCTOBER 7 -NOTE: This is a one-day trip.  The band will NOT be staying overnight.  The address of the competition is Delaware Stadium at the University of Delaware, 625 Marvin Dr., Newark, DE 19713.    TICKETS FOR THE BOA REGIONAL CAN BE PURCHASED HERE:   Band competitions are ticketed events so remember to bring money if you do not purchase tickets in advance.  
Please visit the calendar on the WHS Bands web site for all practice dates and times.
 
FOOTBALL GAME against Watchung Hills on 9/28 - 4 pm kick-off.  Schedule TBA.

FUNDRAISINGDUE NOW - MUMS - Once again we are holding our annual Mum sale!  This is a chance to order beautiful 8-9 inch mums to decorate your home for the fall.  Each potted plant is $8.00.  Orders are due TODAY, September 20th.  Plants will be available for pick-up at Edison School at pick-up the afternoon of October 4th.  
Order Forms (sent via fundraising packet last week and email 9/17) can be returned through the mailbox in the band room or to Heather Bryant 1365 Grandview Ave.
PLEASE MARK ENVELOPE MUM ORDER FORM.  If returning through band class, please email us so we can confirm receipt: hlbryant@comcast.net.
 
REMINDER - SPIRIT WEAR orders due September 22nd -  If you missed out on the online spiritwear sale with Varsity Central, you can still order a compression shirt, track jacket and Westfield Marching Band flags via a paper order form.  The BPA needs to order a minimum of 12 (for each item) so don't wait to place your order!!  See the attachment for the order form.  Ordering for these items is open through 9/22 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.  It's a great way to show your Blue Devil spirit!!  Please note - this is the only time we will be selling merchandise this season, so don't miss out!
 
POMPOMS - We have more pompoms if you didn't get a chance to purchase them last week.   They are a fun way to show your support for the band.  The kids love to see parent support!  If you are interested in pompoms, please email Jenn Useloff at jlu624@yahoo.com or Seth Brown at whsnjbpa@gmail.com.
 
FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES - There are many excellent fundraising opportunities including the annual mum sale, chocolate bars and more.  Some directly benefit the BPA while others are an opportunity to put funds in your child's individual Charms account to offset the cost of marching band fees.  A complete fundraising packet with all our fundraisers was sent out last week via email.  If you did not receive it or have any questions, please email Jenn Useloff at jlu624@yahoo.com or Seth Brown at whsnjbpa@gmail.com. 

DUE SOON - GERTRUDE HAWK CHOCOLATE BARS - Gertrude Hawk chocolate bars are a great way for your student to put money in their Charms account to be used for marching band expenses.  More information can be found in the fund-raising packet.  Orders are due Friday, September 29th.  

YANKEE CANDLE SALE - Catalogs to arrive late September.  Orders may be placed from October 4th - 18th.  

Want to make a donation to WHS Bands?  CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION!!
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 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).

HOSPITALITY3rd Quarter Snack - Thursday, September 28th -
Brass and Drumline sections are responsible for providing snack for this game.  Parents of students in these sections will receive an email with more details and instructions for signing up from the Hospitality Committee this week.

VOLUNTEERINGLooking to volunteer to be a part of this fine well-oiled machine? Check out the links below and donate time where you can. Thank you!!
 
BUS CHAPERONES - CHAPERONES ARE STILL NEEDED!!  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.  Now seeking volunteers for Sat., 10/14 Rutgers football game/Hillsborough Competition and Sat., 10/21 East Brunswick Competition.  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.
 
Follow the WHS Bands on Social Media and the Web!  FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM @WHSBANDSFRIENDSFAMILYANDALUMNI  Check the Band Website for regularly updated information:  www.westfieldhsbands.org