Quarter 1 - Week 6

We've got an exciting week ahead of us as we have our first football game of the season! We're excited to cheer on the team as they look for their fourth straight win of the season!!

Monday - No School - Labor Day

Tuesday - Rehearsal - 6pm-9pm*

Wednesday - Color Guard Sectionals 5pm-7:30pm

Thursday -Rehearsal - 4pm-6pm**

Friday - Football! See schedule below!

Saturday - Off Weekend!

*Students are permitted to stay after school on Tuesday and Thursday. They may not leave campus with another student and they cannot DoorDash to campus.

** Middle School students joining should be on campus by 3:45pm and ready to begin rehearsal at 4:00pm.

We will be in FULL UNIFORM for the game against South Pointe on Friday!

Please begin to make sure that your student has appropriate undergarments for their uniform!

We continue to have a high number of absences, and it is limiting our ability to add new material and move the competitive show forward.

Rehearsals are required unless excused by a director and are part of each student’s grade. Every member is important, and absences or tardiness affect the progress of the entire band.

Please make rehearsal attendance, punctuality, and preparation a priority. Being present matters!

Unexcused absences can impact your student's participation on Friday night games and or Saturday competitions.

📅 Our current fundraiser is a Fill My Calendar — an easy, 100% online fundraiser that helps students earn money toward their band fees!

Every student received two yellow flyers and with a personalized link to share with friends and family. Supporters simply choose a day (or multiple days!) on the calendar and donate the amount of that date. For example, sponsoring the 10th = $10, the 20th = $20, and so on.

Students will receive 75% of the money they raise toward their band fees, while the remaining 25% supports the band program through the RHHS Band Boosters.

Example: If a student raises $400, they will earn $300 toward their band fees!

Students will bring home two yellow flyers! These have a QR code for getting donations in person as well as the URL/link to share with friends and family online or by text!

We need EVERYONE's help with this fundraiser to make a huge impact for the band!!

Congratulations to our Bearcats for their victor over the Hilton Head Seahawks, taking them to a 3-0 start to their season!

Good luck against South Pointe this week! Let's beat the Stallions!

Here's a few pictures from the Car Wash on Saturday! Thank you to everyone who made it a fun and enjoyable day!!

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ueQ7SEVn4hHmbWmE8IzdZnI1Tykz5rtz?usp=sharing

Our next BIG volunteer needs are:

September 11th - Football vs. South Pointe (Trailer Driver Needed with truck)

September 19th - Preview Day! (Prop Crew, Trailer Driver, Semi Driver, and Uniform Crew Needed)

September 26th - Boiling Springs Competition (Prop Crew, Trailer Driver, Semi Driver, and Uniform Crew Needed)

CLICK BELOW TO SIGN UP!!!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4CAFAB2EAAF8C34-64699535-volunteer

Student safety is a top priority for the band directors. With the hot temperatures and frequent summer storms, we closely monitor weather conditions throughout every rehearsal.

The district provides us with real-time weather data, including the Wet Bulb index, which takes into account temperature, humidity, wind, and other environmental factors. These readings help determine when we can safely rehearse outside, how often breaks should occur, and when conditions require us to move indoors.

During thunderstorms, we also receive real-time lightning alerts, and an audible weather siren is located near our band field. If lightning is detected within a 10-mile radius, students are brought inside and remain indoors until the area has been lightning-free for 30 consecutive minutes.

Students MUST have the appropriate attire for outdoor athletic activity. Students will not be able to attend rehearsals not dressed properly. This is for their safety. Any student not dressed appropriately will be sent home or will need a parent to being appropriate clothes.

Parents can help by making sure students bring:

• A full water jug
• A hat for sun protection
• Sunscreen
• Lightweight, appropriate clothing for outdoor athletic activity

Thank you for helping us keep our students prepared, hydrated, and safe while we continue working toward a great marching season!

Make sure you have bookmarked the RHHS Band Google Calendar!

This is a live calendar that is updated frequently throughout the season. We recommend checking it at the beginning of each week!

https://rockhillbod.com/rhhs-band-calendar/

This is a reminder that our first marching band fee payment date was due on August 25. If you have not paid that yet, please take care of that as soon as possible. The second payment date is September 25th.

Band Fee General Information

Band fees are an important source of funding for our program and help cover many of the expenses necessary to provide our students with a high-quality marching band experience. These costs include music and drill design, uniforms and costuming, transportation for our fleet of buses and equipment trucks, instruments, electronics, flags, equipment, and much more.

While many band programs in our area have continued to increase their participation fees, we are working hard to be fiscally responsible with our budget and keep RHHS band fees at the same level they have been for more than 20 years. To continue providing the band experience we want for our students, it is important that each band family make every effort to stay current with band fees.

At the same time, we want every student to have the opportunity to perform regardless of their family's financial circumstances.

To help make band fees more manageable for families, payments are spread across five months:

• August 25 – $100
• September 25 – $100
• October 25 – $100
• November 25 – $100
• December 18 – $100 or the remaining balance

Families are always welcome to pay fees earlier or pay a larger amount at any time. This schedule is simply provided to help distribute the cost throughout the fall.

School Policies on Band Fees

• Band fees are required for participation in marching band each year. All required fees must be paid in order for a student to participate.

  
  

• This is a new school policy and expectation outlined directly by our principal, Mr. King: Students with an outstanding band fee balance will not be permitted to participate in any additional band activities or events until their fees have been paid in full. This includes, but is not limited to, indoor percussion, winter guard, trips, and other program opportunities.

  
  

• All outstanding band fees must be paid in full prior to graduation. Students will not be cleared for graduation until all financial obligations to the band program have been satisfied.

How to Pay

The easiest way to make a payment is to visit www.rockhillbod.com, click Pay Fees, and then select Band Fees to School.

Payments may also be made directly to the RHHS bookkeeper by cash or check.

Students who have available credit in CutTime may also use those funds toward their band fees. To transfer CutTime credit, complete the Transfer Request Form, which can also be found at www.rockhillbod.com.

We also have several fundraisers planned throughout the fall that will allow students to earn money toward their band fees. Our Mattress Sale is the first of these opportunities, and additional information about future fundraisers will be shared as they approach.

Band Fee Waiver

The Rock Hill School District also recognizes that, even with fundraising opportunities, some families may need consideration for a reduction or waiver of marching band fees. Families who would like to request consideration may complete the online form here:

https://rock-hill.jotform.com/261644986755070

After the form is submitted, the request will be reviewed by the principal, and a determination will be sent to the email address provided on the application. Please note: Any reduction or waiver applies only to marching band fees and does not apply to Winter Guard or Indoor Percussion fees for the second semester.

Thank you for helping us continue to provide our students with an outstanding band experience while keeping participation as affordable and accessible as possible.

If you have any questions about band fees, fundraising, or the fee consideration process, please contact us at tholliday@rhmail.org or pguzewic@rhmail.org.

Any questions or concerns regarding a student’s fees, account balance, payments, or other financial obligations should be directed to Ms. Cook (RHHS Bookkeeper) at MLCook@rhmail.org.

Each year we co-host a marching band competition with the Northwestern HS Band called the Olde English Festival of Bands. This is one of our largest fundraisers of the year, bringing in close to $15k for the band program!

This year Olde English will be on October 17th at District 3 Stadium!

We need ALL parents to please keep this date open to be available to fill a volunteer shift! Our parent volunteer force is critical to making this a successful day!

Our Rock Hill High School Band Boosters play a vital role in making our program successful, and we'd love to have every band family involved!

Membership is completely FREE and is a great way to support our incredible students, connect with other band families, and help create an outstanding experience for everyone in our program. Whether you have a little time or a lot, there's a place for you.

Join today by completing our quick membership form: https://rock-hill.jotform.com/261164930750152.

Thank you for helping make the RHHS Band the best it can be!

Need to get in touch?

Mr. Holliday - Director of Bands - tholliday@rhmail.org

Mr. Guzewicz - Associate Band Director - pguzewic@rhmail.org

RHHS Band Office - 803-981-1179

Brice Mitchell - Booster President - rhbandpresident@gmail.com

TBD - Booster Vice President - rhbandvicepresident@gmail.com

Hilda Melendez - Senior Treasurer - rhbandtar@gmail.com

Alane Salazar - Junior Treasurer - rhbandtap@gmail.com

Stephanie Gruber - Secretary - rhbandsecretary@gmail.com

TBD - Ways and Means - rhbandwaysandmeans@gmail.com