NHS Band & Guard
October 4, 2021
Peek at the Week for 10/4/2021
Monday 10/4:
- 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (5:45 arrival): Full Band and Guard Rehearsal
Wednesday 10/6:
- 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (5:45 arrival): Full Band and Guard Rehearsal
Thursday 10/7:
- 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (5:45 arrival): Sectionals: Drumline, Front Ensemble, Brass and Guard.
Saturday 10/9:
- 9:00 am - 8:15 pm (8:45 am arrival): USBands at Norwalk. (See full itinerary and event packet below.)
Saturday, 10/9: USBands at Norwalk
9:00 am - 1:00 pm (8:45 am arrival): Full Ensemble Rehearsal
- NHS Turf
- Drumline and Winds should bring instruments to the field in cases.
1:00 pm - 3:30 pm: Break
- Students may go home or remain at NHS.
3:30 pm: Return to NHS
- Wear hair up/show hair.
- Wear uniform pants, Everest show shirt, LONG black socks, and marching shoes.
- Bring remainder of uniform in garment bag
3:45 pm: Load buses
4:00 pm: Depart for Norwalk High School
- 23 Calvin Murphy Drive, Norwalk, CT 06851
4:45 pm: Arrive at Norwalk High School
6:45 pm*: Performance
7:15 pm*: Awards
8:15 pm*: Depart for NHS
- Students should call or text parents/guardians upon departure.
*Times are approximate and subject to change.
Would you like to join the Pit Crew at Norwalk High School on 10/9? Register here:
- We need Pit Crew for Oct. 9. Please click here to sign up for any or all parts of helping with Pit Crew on Saturday. No experience required! Just a willingness to help our kids have another awesome performance and work alongside some pretty awesome people.
Breaking News... National Memorial Day Parade!
Please read the following letter from Mr. Ovsiew and Ms. Hiscavich regarding an amazing opportunity for our Marching Band and Guard students and families! Additional information is attached to the bottom of this newsletter.
October 4, 2021
Dear Band and Guard Families:
We are writing to all of you to share the news of an amazing opportunity our program has been given. The Newtown Band and Guard has been invited to march in the 2022 National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC! In addition to the support of our school administration, the Newtown Board of Education has unanimously approved our trip. While you may still have questions, this letter is meant to provide you and your student with as much information as possible, so you can make an informed decision on your participation.
Who: All current members of the Band and Guard are invited to go on this trip. Information on parents and chaperones is below.
When: May 28 – 31, 2022 (4 days/3 nights). The Parade is on Memorial Day (May 30).
Where: Washington, DC and surrounding area. Students will have multiple opportunities to explore the National Mall and see the monuments and Museums of the Smithsonian. Our hotel and local rehearsal site will be in Virginia.
Estimated Cost: $750 – 900, if we are allowed four students per room; $900 – 1,000, if we are allowed two. This price includes the parade arrangements, transportation, lodging, two meals per day, a box lunch after the parade, tour guide, entrance to local sights, a parade t-shirt, basic trip insurance, and the cost of our “official” chaperones. Payments can be submitted by check made out to the NHSBPC.
The payment schedule is as follows:
- Due 10/20: $100 Deposit and Trip Commitment Form
- Due 11/15: $200
- Due 1/15: $200
- Due 2/15: $200
- Due 3/15: Remaining balance. Dependent on number of participants.
We do not want the cost of this trip factoring into anyone’s decision to participate. Therefore, the NHSBPC plans to make additional fundraising opportunities available throughout the winter and spring to help defray the cost for our students.
Students that need financial assistance can indicate so on the trip commitment form– see the “What’s Next?” section for a link to this form. Your information will be kept confidential.
Rehearsals: In preparation, the Band and Guard will be holding rehearsals in the weeks leading up to the parade. These rehearsals will focus on learning patriotic music and parade marching and routines. We will work around any sports conflicts. Details will be communicated as we approach the spring.
Chaperones: We are calling for 6 chaperones. The cost of the trip will be covered for these 6 chaperones. In addition to our chaperones, Mr. Ovsiew, Mr. Carley, Ms. Hiscavich, Dr. Longobucco, Mrs. Manning, and members of the marching band staff will be on this trip to ensure students’ safety.
We will have additional seats on the bus that parents can purchase. These parents will be on tour with us and follow the Band and Guard’s schedule.
COVID Protocols: Our tour company, MCI, takes the health of our Band and Guard members and families very seriously and requires us to follow all safety protocols, as determined by the CDC and local laws. Additionally, proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test will be required for all trip participants.
Insurance: In the case of sudden trip cancellation due to the pandemic, MCI will be able to secure 80% of trip cost. Individuals who purchase a premier insurance plan can apply for a refund of up to 75% of the remaining unrecovered cost. Additional insurance information, including the Cancel for any Reason option, and how to calculate your premium can be found in the documents attached.
What’s Next?
- Students interested in going on the trip should complete the Band and Guard Memorial Day Parade Student Commitment Form on Google Forms. As stated in the form, students should submit their deposit by 10/20.
- Parents interested in going on the trip should complete the Band and Guard Memorial Day Parade Parent Form on Google Forms. No parents should submit money until notified by the NHSBPC.
Continue to monitor your email for updates, including when we plan on hosting a Parade Information Meeting.
We understand that students and parents may have additional questions about this exciting opportunity. Please direct them to Mr. Ovsiew or Ms. Hiscavich.
Mr. Ovsiew
Director of Bands
Newtown High School
Ms. Hiscavich
Director of Visual and Performing Arts
Newtown Public Schools
Grasso Festival Update
Lyman Orchards Pie Fundraiser
Mmmmm....Pie! Our pie sale is a great way to earn band credits which can be applied to your Memorial Day Parade trip! And you earn approximately 40% of online sales, too. (Online sales from the "Simply Shipped" category are shipped directly to the purchases, so your family and friends don't need to be local to support the Band & Guard! Set up your Online Profile to establish your personal fundraising page, then send the link out to get more supporters involved.
- Keep selling those pies! This is a great way to raise funds toward the Memorial Day trip!
- Lyman Orchards Pie Fundraiser starts Monday Sept 27, 2021 and runs to Oct 18, 2021.
- The order form is attached below and is available in the Band Room.
- All pies come frozen, so have room in your freezer or deliver them the night of pick up.
- If someone does not want a pie see if they will donate a pie to the Faith Food Pantry. They do not have to pick which pie we will select the pie.
- Online fundraising is available at this link. This is a great way to sell to distant family and friends!
- If you have any questions please contact Dawn Roman-Weide, 203-837-6596 or dawn.roman.weide@gmail.com
Important Reminder about Absences
Emails:
Mr. Ovsiew: Ovsiewa@newtown.k12.ct.us
Mr. Carley: CarleyC@newtown.k12.ct.us
Tyler: tcamp392@gmail.com
Grace: gracemmckinley@gmail.com
Heads Up, Calendars Out
- October 9: US Bands at Norwalk
- October 16: GRASSO HOME SHOW
- October 17: Grasso Rain Date
- October 18, 7:45-8:45 pm: Parent meeting at NHS
- October 22: Friday night home football game
- October 23: US Bands at Bunnell
- October 27: Trunk or Treat after rehearsal
- October 30: New England States
- November 6: National Championships at Met Life Stadium
- November 8: Band and Guard Banquet
- November 12: Friday night home football game
- November 15: Pie Delivery/Pick-up
- November 15, 7:45-8:45 pm: Parent meeting at NHS
- December 20, 7:45-8:45 pm: Parent meeting at NHS
- January 24, 7:45-8:45 pm: Parent meeting at NHS
- February 28, 7:45-8:45 pm: Parent meeting at NHS
- March 21, 7:45-8:45 pm: Parent meeting at NHS
- April 18, 7:45-8:45 pm: Parent meeting at NHS
- May 16, 7:45-8:45 pm: Parent meeting at NHS
- May 28 - May 31: National Memorial Day Parade Trip
- June 20, 7:45-8:45 pm: Parent meeting at NHS
Have a Question?
There's always an answer... And, feel free to contact staff, your parent buddy, or any NHSBPC board member below:
- President: Dianna Pategas - 203-820-0407
- Vice President: Susan White - 203-470-7940
- Interim Treasurer: DJ Ledina - 203-240-6966
- Recording Secretary: Alenda Calderbank - 203-788-5444
- Corresponding Secretary: Bonnie Voegeli - 203-470-2321
Email: info@nhsbandguard.com
Website: http://newtownbandandguard.weebly.com/