Nation Ford Marching Band News
Weekly Update October 18 - October 24
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/
“If you play music with passion and love and honesty, then it will nourish your soul, heal your wounds and make your life worth living. Music is its own reward.”
- Sting
DIRECTOR'S CORNER
FROM MR. LINKOUS
We have had a great week of practice. Students have worked very hard and starting to see the stage production take shape!
We are looking forward to our next performance at the home football game scheduled for Friday, October 30th. Rehearsal/performance schedules will be similar to our last home game performance.
AFTER SCHOOL PRACTICES COMING UP
Please see schedule at end of Newsletter.
Parents, please remember that rehearsal schedules are fluid and the word for the year is FLEXIBILITY! This information will be communicated to your students in class, and via Google Classroom. They are responsible for letting you know their schedule. Please be sure to ask your student about their personal schedule. Plan to have all day Saturday blocked out as the Directors decide between A and B practices, and Leadership will have meetings on Saturdays as well.
FOOTBALL GAMES
Our next and final football game is Friday, October 30. Make a note as this is a change of date!
We will play the National Anthem and pre-game, after which students will be dismissed to go home or return to the game if they have purchased tickets.
PICK-UP
**PLEASE REMEMBER THAT STUDENTS MUST BE PICKED UP IN THE CAR RIDER LINE.
The bus lanes and parking spots are enticing because they are close to the band room, but we've had some close calls with people driving around the round-a-bout as others are pulling out. Please keep our parents and students safe and do not try to pick up there. **
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)
*Wind Players: please bring a tuner and a metronome - you can find acceptable tuners that are affordable AMAZON LINK
You may also use an app with your smartphone.
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!
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
UPDATE!!!
The fees for the season have been adjusted to $425. The payment schedule is as follows:
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
If you have two students in the band program simultaneously, each student’s fees will be reduced to $375. If you have three or more students in the program at the same time, each student’s fees will be $350. If each student’s fees are paid in full by Oct. 16, the early bird discount will be applied to each student’s fees (reduced another $25 to $325 using the previous example).
** 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. **
A $75 Instrument Rental Fee is applied to the account of any student who uses a school owned instrument. If a student is required to play more than 1 school owned instrument, no additional charges will apply.
There are 3 different ways to pay your fees:
1) Check or cash—mailed or placed in the payment envelope in Mr. Woody’s office.
2) PayPal Individual Payments on the FEES/PAYMENTS tab on the Band website (there is a small fee incurred)
Found on band website: https://www.nationfordband.com/fees-payments
3) PayPal 6 months same as cash payments—subject to credit approval through PayPal.
All checks can be made payable to FMDBBC and mailed to the following address OR PLACED IN THE ENVELOPE IN MR. WOODY'S OFFICE:
FMDBBC
PO Box 611
Fort Mill, SC 29716
Whether paying by check or PayPal, please be sure your student’s name is included as well as listing NFHS.
If you would like to cash in points, they will not automatically debit to your account. You will need to email nafocharms@gmail.com and let Nicky know how many points you would like to redeem.
If you have already paid your band fees in full, or have a refund because of rolled over Disney Trip money, you may choose to keep that money in your account to cover part of your 2021-22 band fees or request a refund.
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).
PIT CREW
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 **
Our first NF Band Concession Team of 2020!
Panthers v. Cardinals 10/29
PANTHERS STAND FUNDRAISER
Our next game is the Thursday Night game on October 29 against the Falcons. Weeknight games are fun but late nights. If you are able to work, please sign up as soon as possible so we know what we are working with. We have received our stand assignment and NF Band needs to have a total of FIVE (5) volunteers. Arrival time is 4pm and kickoff is 8:20pm. We should not be terribly busy.
We will only have limited games to work this year, so PLEASE STEP UP AND WORK AT LEAST ONE GAME THIS SEASON! If we forfeit one game, we will lose our stand and all the fundraising opportunities that come with it.
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.
** NEW STAND RULE** All who work in the stadium must wear non-slip, closed toed footwear. All sneakers do not have non-slip soles. If you plan to work, please make sure you have appropriate footwear. Vans, Alegria, Dansko, and restaurant shoes are approved footwear, or you can purchase OVERSHOES on Amazon or HERE to wear over your existing shoes.
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.
HALLOWEEN
WE STILL NEED CANDY!!!
If your student has allergies they are responsible for checking their own candy.
Masks
Click on ONLINE STORE in Charms to see our entire online inventory
Store
BAND STORE
Show Shirts have been ordered. We will send an email and post on Facebook when they are in. We usually send them home with students after school. We will need a few volunteers to help sort this year! Stay tuned!
The Band Store will be open on Monday and Thursday this week outside the band room.
ALL PRE-ORDERS HAVE ARRIVED AND WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PICK-UP!
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 have a few polo shirts and jackets in stock that you can purchase. We will be available to swipe for Show Shirts and Silipint Cups.
We will still accept orders for jackets and polo shirts will place another order at the end of October.
SILIPINT SILICONE CUPS AND LIDS FUNDRAISER
Pre-orders are due by October 31. Get your pre-orders in for Christmas Gifs for family, friends and Adopted Teachers!!
Single Cups are $13
Ricochet Red w/Grey Logo
Bouncy Black w/Grey Logo
Radberry w/White Logo
Hippie Hops w/White Logo
Cups with Lid and Straw are $18
Ricochet Red w/Black Lid & Black Straw
Bouncy Black w/Black Lid & Black Straw
Radberry w/Clear Lid & Clear Straw
Hippie Hops w/Hippie Hops Lid & Blue Straw
BUTTER BRAIDS AND FRUIT
Students will be bringing order forms home this week, so get ready to sell! Butter Braids are sold on the order form only, but the Fresh Fruit has an e-commerce site so family and friends out of town can also order and select delivery!
The deadline for sales is NOVEMBER 6. This is a points earning fundraiser, so ask your student to see the incentive list!
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!
OCTOBER BOOSTER CLUB MEETING
If we exceed the room capacity we will offer a Google Meet option. In person meetings are very important to get to know one another and find out what's going on in Band.
WAYS TO GET INFORMATION AND STAY IN TOUCH
SPIRIT NIGHTS
PLEASE SHARE OUR SPIRIT NIGHTS WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS!
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29
CHIPOTLE AT CAROLINA PLACE FOOD COURT, PINEVILLE, NC
5PM - 8PM
11025 Carolina Place Pkwy, Ste FC-12, Pineville, NC 28134
You must show the flyer or say that you are with Nation Ford Band.
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.
WORKING CALENDAR
All information that is listed on this schedule is EXTREMELY SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Any dates listed that do not specify exact information will be filled in as soon as details and confirmations become available. Any changes will be updated as quickly as possible (and dated) so you may track the most recent information. 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. We are committed to avoiding this whenever possible; however, we are attempting to create something we have never done before. It is possible that unforeseen circumstances may require us to alter plans. We will always attempt to give at least 1-2 weeks notice before making any changes. We ask that students and families honor the M, T, TH, & Sat practice day model that has existed in every previous year so we can accomplish our goals.
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18 FIRST PAYMENT $250 (OVERDUE!)
FRIDAY OCTOBER 16 SECOND PAYMENT $100 (OVERDUE!)
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19 A-DAY BAND PRACTICE 4:00PM - 6:30PM
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20 B-DAY BAND PRACTICE 4:00PM - 6:30PM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22 B-DAY BAND PRACTICE 4:00PM - 6:30PM
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 BAND PRACTICE
- (A/B DAY BREAKDOWN OR FULL GROUP TBA) (9:00AM - 5:00PM)
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26 B-DAY BAND PRACTICE 4:00PM - 6:30PM
MONDAY, OCTOBER 26 OCTOBER BOOSTER CLUB MEETING 7:00PM
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27 A-DAY BAND PRACTICE 4:00PM - 6:30PM
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29 A-DAY BAND PRACTICE 4:00PM - 6:30PM
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 FOOTBALL (HOME) BAND PLAYS (PRACTICE AFTER SCHOOL)
Game Starts 7:30PM Vs. Indian Land
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31 BAND PRACTICE
- (A/B DAY BREAKDOWN OR FULL GROUP TBA) 9:00AM - 5:00PM
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2 A-DAY BAND PRACTICE 4:00PM - 6:30PM
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 OFF - NO PRACTICE (ELECTION DAY) NO SCHOOL
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5 A-DAY BAND PRACTICE 4:00PM - 6:30PM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6 BUTTER BRAID ORDERS DUE!
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7 BAND PRACTICE
- (A/B DAY BREAKDOWN OR FULL GROUP TBA) 9:00AM - 5:00PM
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9 A-DAY BAND PRACTICE 4:00PM - 6:30PM
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 B-DAY BAND PRACTICE 4:00PM - 6:30PM
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12 B-DAY BAND PRACTICE 4:00PM - 6:30PM
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14 BAND PRACTICE
- (A/B DAY BREAKDOWN OR FULL GROUP TBA) 9:00AM - 5:00PM
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20 THIRD PAYMENT $75 (Total Dues $425)
**POST-NOVEMBER 14TH PRACTICES AND RECORDING TBD**