Nation Ford Marching Band News
Weekly Update December 6 - December 12
Nation Ford Band Booster Club
Email: nafobandpres22@gmail.com
Website: www.nationfordband.com
Location: 1400 A O Jones Blvd, Fort Mill, SC, USA
Phone: (803)835-0000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/65289988312/
"Be clear about your goal, but be flexible about the process of achieving it."
- Brian Tracy
DIRECTOR'S CORNER
FROM MR. LINKOUS
The Nation Ford Band had a very successful recording session this past Saturday - the students have done such an amazing job this year!
Given the numerous obstacles that we have all had to navigate this year, I think everyone will be very proud and impressed with the final product that our students have put together.
After consulting with our administration, we have determined that we can offer a very limited opportunity for families to view our 2020 production "LEGACY." We understand that this is a very last minute opportunity, but given the current environment and trends, we felt that it was imperative to verify we could offer viewing opportunities in a safe and responsible manner. I am personally grateful that we are able to even offer this opportunity.
There are 4 performance times to view the production (2 on Monday and 2 on Tuesday @ 5:15 and 6:00pm). Please see the Sign-up link in this newsletter to sign up for an opportunity. Each student's family is allowed 2 spots and will be seated together (masks are mandatory). Families are allowed to attend 1 performance only. All performances will also be recorded. Recordings from audience viewers are not allowed.
REMAINING REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
MONDAY, DECEMBER 7 (B Day) FULL BAND REHEARSAL/RECORDING 4:00PM (A Day students report by 4:00pm) FULL UNIFORM
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8 (A Day) FULL BAND REHEARSAL/RECORDING 4:00PM (B Day students report by 4:00pm) FULL UNIFORM
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10 (A Day) FULL BAND REHEARSAL/RECORDING 4:00PM (B Day students report by 4:00pm) FULL UNIFORM (TENTATIVE)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 FULL BAND REHEARSAL & RECORDING 9:00AM-5:00PM - FINAL SESSION FULL UNIFORM (TENTATIVE)
FOR REHEARSALS
*ALL STUDENTS must wear athletic attire that allows you to move freely such as shorts, t-shirts, workout pants, etc. at rehearsals (no jeans). Please bring your clean NF Band issued neck gaiter buff. (The replaceable filters are very reasonably priced on Amazon.)
*ALL STUDENTS must wear athletic shoes and a brimmed hat - No Exceptions! (Please do not bring a red hat.)
*1-Gallon Water Jug filled with ONLY WATER (and ice, if needed)
*Students may bring snacks to keep in their bags (Please note snacks are to be consumed only at designated times and only with permission from a director or staff member)
PER DISTRICT POLICY
If your student has forgotten something at home, nothing may be dropped off at the school this year. Please make sure your have your instrument and mouthpiece when you leave your house!
Sign Up to see LEGACY Live!!!
Our Team Members during the Detroit Lions game on 11/22
Panthers v. Denver Broncos
Fun in the Stand!
PANTHERS STAND FUNDRAISER
Our next game is SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13. We need THREE (3) more parents to sign up.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d49ada82aabfbc43-sunday4
We also have an opportunity for TWO STUDENTS to work the Hydration Station filling one time use cups for fans!
***GET EXCITED!!!*** For the month of December, we will pay a 10 point INCENTIVE to every person who works for every game you work! That's almost double what you would normally earn. Sign up early so we can maximize our income to the Band! There are only 4 more opportunities left this years!
All of the SignUpGenius links for the remainder of the year are linked below. If you can work, please sign up now. When we submit our Roster before the deadline, we earn an Early Bird BONUS for our band! We have been offered a Hydration Station to work with 2 extra volunteers. This will be a premium for our band and we will receive a higher payout at the end of the season! Students may work this position!
NOTE: The Panthers are VERY strict about social distancing in the stadium, and we have space in the stand as well. We have no physical contact with the fans, we do not handle any money, nor are we within close distance for any length of time. All fans and workers are screened and temperatures are taken before admittance to the Stadium.
The best part of this fundraiser is WIFM! What is that, you ask? What's In It For Me!! YOU will earn POINTS! Points can be cashed in toward band fees and hopefully in the future, trips! As a reminder:
Per Student (includes multiple family members per student)
Work 1-5 games = 15 points per game ($30)
Work 6-10 games = 17.5 points per games ($35)
Work 11+ games = 20 points ($40)
If you are not sure what is entailed by working the Panthers Stand please reach out to Carl & Shawna Lee Irish at nafobandpanthers@gmail.com or Staci Hawkins at Hawkinssl@zhi.com.
Please remember, the fundraising we do this year will benefit your student next year and the following year. Our Concession Stand at Panthers Stadium has been one of our largest fundraisers in the past! We need Freshman and Sophomore parents to step up because the upper classmen parents have worked especially hard in previous years to ensure that your students have the superior band program that they have moved into. Next year, when band fees are double what they are this year, it will also be nice to have points banked to cash in. It only works though if everyone helps out.
GOOD NEWS!! All training will be ONLINE. Only 4 pages need to be signed and scanned to me this year.
** UPDATE ** ALL WHO WORK ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR CLOSED TOED TENNIS SHOES WITH A GOOD GRIP! THIS IS A CHANGE FROM THE PREVIOUS REQUIREMENT!!
We will need to carpool as the whole stand needs to enter at the same time. This will be organized after sign-up.
Please reach out to Carl and Shawna Lee Irish at nafobandpanthers@gmail.com with any questions.
Sunday, Dec 13 Denver Broncos 1:00 pm
Saturday, Dec19 ACC Championship Game 4:00pm
Wednesday, Dec 30 Duke’s Mayo Bowl 12:00pm
Sunday, Jan 3 New Orleans Saints 1:00 pm
BUTTER BRAIDS AND FRESH FRUIT
Thank you to everyone who came out to help unload, sort, fondle, stack, organize, distribute, load cars, and help out with this amazing sale! You are appreciated!
Choices
Pick up Orders December 15
Don't Forget!
SPIRIT NIGHTS
PLEASE SHARE OUR SPIRIT NIGHTS WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS!
SPIRIT NIGHT WITH NAILED IT!
ORDER BY TONIGHT!!!
Order your Take & Make Design or your Hand Finished Retail item with Nailed It at this website until Sunday, December 6th. Follow the instructions. Closer to pick-up on December 15 we will send out a SignUpGenius for DIY Night in the Large Band Room for any parents who would like to socially distance at tables to work on our projects together. Masks will be required per FMSD. Don't forget! Order one for you and one as a gift for a friend!
If you know of a restaurant who would like to host a Spirit Night, please contact Stephanie Whitcher at sdwhitcher@comporium.net or Shawna Lee Irish at irish1011@hotmail.com.
Winter Guard Auditions
Winter Caps
2020 Legacy Ornaments
Store
BAND STORE
Band Store will be open on MONDAY and TUESDAY this week before and after all LEGACY performances in the Commons! Come see us! We will have all of our swag, extra Silipints for sale, winter hats, ball caps, jackets and extra show shirts for sale!
Our Band Store carries fun items to allow you to show your support for your Nation Ford Band student. We have hats, car magnets, PopSockets, puravida Spirit Bracelets and other items that will allow you to show that you are part of the band! We will have the Silipint cups in soon as well!
VOLUNTEERS
If you are planning on chaperoning or volunteering to work with the students, you must have a Secure Volunteer card. This is a card issued through the Fort Mill School District that performs as a background check to clear you to work directly with the students. It takes 5 minutes to fill out online and submit. The district will then be in touch with you regarding passing the verification process. In turn, they will send us a list of cleared parents to help with the students. If you have one from the middle school, it is still valid -- be sure to check the expiration date on the card so it doesn't expire. The application is on the band website under Participate! Be a Secure Volunteer!
Once you have filled out the form, please email Mr. Linkous to let him know to look for it.
** THIS IS NOT REQUIRED TO WORK AT THE PANTHERS STADIUM **
AMAZON SMILES
Please use smile.amazon.com when you shop on Amazon. This site uses your same user name and password as the Amazon site, however it gives a percentage of all purchases back to the band. You will need to choose Fort Mill District Band Booster Club Inc in order to support the band. We are doing very well with this since many are shopping online!
HARRIS TEETER e-VIC
Nation Ford High School Band has teamed up with Harris Teeter E-Vic program as an easy way to help raise funds for our band program. Please go to the Harris Teeter website and under “Together in Education” click the green tab to "link your school". Link your card to Nation Ford HS Marching Band and you are set. Note: If you did this last year, you need to do this again this year. E-Vic linking is only good for 1 year at a time. Please, everyone link your E-Vic card as this is an easy and effortless way to help raise funds for the band.
Our official name for linking purposes is “Nation Ford HS Marching Band"
School Code is 3956
PUBLIX PARTNERS
To support Nation Ford Band, sign up for Publix Partners through your Publix.com account (if you don't already have one) and select your desired school. Then, enter your phone number at checkout each time you make an eligible purchase.
To enroll: Log in or sign up through www.Publix.com. Once signed in, drop down under "Welcome, (your name)" to access “Go To My Account.” Go to “My Publix Partner” and select a school. Type Nation Ford, and you will be able to select Nationford High School Band, Fort Mill, SC. Every time you shop, enter your phone number (linked to your account) to give credit to the band. Family and friends who shop at Publix in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia can sign up for Publix Partners.
Please note, you need to re-enroll every year!
CROSSWINDS INSURANCE REFERRAL
Renado Robinson at Crosswinds Insurance has a great referral program to benefit the band program. For each referral sent to Crosswinds Insurance that sets up a new insurance policy, Crosswinds Insurance will donate $10 to the band on a monthly basis and will also send a $10 gift card to the referring person. This insurance company can beat the price of most other companies as they are an independent insurance representative. Please take advantage of this if you are looking for insurance!
Click on UPDATE INFO in Charms to make sure all info is correct
Click on FINANCES in Charms to see your Balance
Click on POINT SYSTEM in Charms to see if you have Points to redeem
BAND FEES
ALL PAYMENTS SHOULD BE PAID AT THIS TIME.
BAND FEE: $425 (reduced to $400 if paid in full by Oct. 16)
Payment 1: Sept 18 $250 (PAST DUE)
Payment 2: Oct 16 $100 (Total Dues $400 if paid in full by this date) (PAST DUE)
Payment 3: Nov 20 $75 (PAST DUE)
Please visit our website for more information on Band Fees. https://www.nationfordband.com/fees-payments
** We appreciate everyone who has communicated with us regarding challenges with band fee payments. Please reach out to Mr. Linkous at any time with questions. We will always work very hard to help families in need. Band fees are very crucial this season, considering this year’s limited fundraising opportunities, while still trying to provide a great experience for our students with quality instructors in front of them. **
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Dorothy Shiakallis at nafobandpres22@gmail.com, Nicky Ludolph our Charms Secretary at nafocharms@gmail.com, or our Executive Secretary, Bob Hessler, at nafoband@gmail.com.
It is important that everyone pay the $100 Activity Fee which is assessed by the FMSD. This fee insures that the district will continue to supplement our staff expenses AND provide transportation once field trips resume (Region Band, All-state Band, Concert Performance Assessment, Winter Guard, Percussion Ensemble, etc).
WAYS TO GET INFORMATION AND STAY IN TOUCH
Next meeting: January
WORKING CALENDAR
All information that is listed on this schedule is EXTREMELY SUBJECT TO CHANGE. We appreciate your patience and understanding with this process. ALL PAYMENT DATES ARE FIRM.
Regardless of the fact that a student may be either an A day or B day student, please keep in mind that rehearsals marked as either A day or B day may need to be altered on a future date.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 7 (B Day) FULL BAND REHEARSAL/RECORDING 4:00PM - 6:30PM
(A Day students report by 4:00pm)
Family Shows 5:15pm/6:00pm
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8 (A Day) FULL BAND REHEARSAL/RECORDING 4:00PM - 6:30PM (B Day students report by 4:00pm)
Family Shows 5:15pm/6:00pm
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10 (A Day) FULL BAND REHEARSAL/RECORDING 4:00PM - 6:30PM (B Day students report by 4:00pm) TENTATIVE
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12 FULL BAND REHEARSAL & RECORDING 9:00AM-5:00PM - FINAL SESSION TENTATIVE