Handbook

Rules and Regulations

 

The Student Handbook for the PMEHS Marching Band

 

Phone # 839-7121 ext. 80535 (EHS Band Room) and ext. 50435 (SIS Band Room)

 

The purpose of this handbook is to establish a common ground of procedures and expectations from which all individual members can best accomplish their own musical goals, as well as the musical goals of the organization. These policies were designed to encompass the overall interests and goals of the Marching Band and to establish order, personal responsibility, and efficiency to the entire Band and to each member.

 

As we are a school organization, all rules of behavior and conduct are in effect as issued by PMEHS and SIS in their respective student handbooks.

 

Attendance

 

Since the Band functions as a single unit and not a group of individuals, Band performances are diminished by even a single absence. Hence, you are required to be at all band rehearsals and performances. It is the member's responsibility to notify one of the Directors IN ADVANCE with a note or phone call from the parent or guardian. Each request will be evaluated individually.

 

Forged excuses will be referred to the Principal's office for disciplinary action.

 

Fall schedules have been distributed. These will be periodically updated. Time management is an important part of the band experience. Any unexcused absence from a performance will result in immediate dismissal. It is up to the discretion of the Band Director as to the acceptability of the excuse. Some un-acceptable absence reasons are college visitations (which should be scheduled around rehearsal and performance schedules), public music concerts of any kind (regardless of whether it's Kelly Clarkson, Barney, Carrie Underwood,  Justin Timberlake, 4 Cuties a lip syncin', Usher, or the Blue Band), college games, sports, banquets, and exchange student parties.

 

Unexcused absences from rehearsals will result in dismissal or other punitive measures. This will be considered on a case by case basis by the Band Director.

 

Travel

 

We travel to events together and we return together. If a parent wishes to make other arrangements, it must be done in writing, IN ADVANCE. The only exception is at the conclusion of an event the parent must make personal contact with one of the Directors to verify that they are in attendance and will take responsibility for their child. Otherwise, students will ride the bus. School law states that simply signing a note allowing a student to go with someone else will not hold up in court. Driving yourself, traveling with a friend, non-immediate family member, boyfriend, girlfriend or neighbor is unacceptable. When in doubt, call the band office.

 

 

A few more guidelines:

 

1. Only Band members (no friends, family, alumni, etc.) may sit in the band section, ride the bus or handle

equipment unless approved by the director. No one may leave the stands alone or without permission.

 

2. Bus conduct will be exemplary at all times. The bus driver's instructions/restrictions must be followed.  Each bus will have (2) two chaperones at all times in accordance to school policy.  

 

3. Only personal radios, tape or CD players with headphones will be permitted.

 

4. You must be seated at all times. Do not kneel or stand on the seats or sit on the back of the seats. They won't drive if you’re not seated.

 

5.

 

6. Wear the correct designated clothing under your uniform (see uniform and uniform maintenance). Appropriate attire is needed for uniformity and for changing into the uniform on the bus.  Black socks and block t-shirts are required with official uniform.  Black socks, black slacks and black t-shirts will be required for the “summer uniform” of polo shirts.   

 

7. The buses shall be kept clean. All riders are responsible and no one may go home until it is dean in accordance to the senior bus captain and chaperone.

 

Pick up and Return:

 

Returning times after football games and competitions are subject to changes that are beyond the Staff's control. The usual return time for an away football game is 11 :30 pm. Home football games are typically completed by 10:00 pm. The Band Staff is not responsible for the football schedule. Questions/concerns should be referred to Mr. Bailey, Athletic Director at X 80401.

 

For every event, the times of departure and arrival are posted on the white board in the band room and every student will receive a typed itinerary. STUDENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR NOTIFYING THEIR PARENTS OF THIS ARRIVAL TIME. Competition times are often subject to last minute changes. Travel times will often vary depending on road conditions and bus drivers. Parents are expected to pick up their children within 30 minutes of the estimated arrival time. If the estimated time has changed, students will call on a cell phone with notification of a new arrival time.   Phones available for student use are the hall pay phone, and band office.   Please look for an updated schedule on the outside door of the school when dropping students off.

 

Protocol for football games

 

1. No one will play their instrument unless instructed to do so.

 

2. Everyone will have their own music and lyre with them.

 

3. Recently graduated Band members may not distract, socialize, or sit with the band or color guard, unless permitted by the band staff. All others will be escorted from the game by Se*Gong*y.

 

4. Even though it's "stand music," you will perform with the highest musical standards. Correct breath support, posture and embouchure will be used at all times.

 

5. No one may leave the stands without permission from the Staff. Away games require an escort to the lav for safety reasons.

 

6. The Drum Major and senior members will be allowed to greet the "opposing" band at home games.  We must be capable of playing at any time. Too many students out of the stands will detract from the music.

 

7. Following halftime performance, members must return to the bleachers with 1 (one) minute left in the third (3^rd) quarter.  Failure to promptly return from the 3^rd quarter break will result in denial of that privilege in the future.

 

8. Adjustments can be made by the Directors due to special circumstances.

 

Uniform and Uniform Maintenance

 

Only shorts, black shirt, Thermal underwear or spandex will be worn under the uniform in cold weather. Jeans, sweatshirts and sweat pants are un-acceptable (too bulky). Band uniforms typically cost $350.00 to replace. You are expected to return the uniform in the same condition it was issued.

 

The official summer uniform is black pants, band shoes, red golf shirt, and red baseball cap.  The red baseball cap will be yours to keep; the red polo shirts will be collected after every event.  This summer uniform will also be your touring uniform on the trip in the spring.  In cold weather, long sleeve black turtle necks are to be worn underneath the shirts. Invest in a nice pair of black dress pants that are washable (Dockers). You'll be able to wear them many times in the future for a variety of concerts.

 

Uniform Jacket and Pants- All uniforms will be hung neatly on the hanger in garment bags and placed in the lockers in the back of the band room.

 

Pants will be folded along the crease.  It may be necessary to hang the uniforms/rain coats on band room chairs to allow them to dry.  If this is the case, each band member will report to the band room the next school day morning to hang up their uniform.

 

You are issued a clean uniform at the beginning of the season and you will return a clean uniform at the end.   A fee of approximately $14.00 will be collected from you at the beginning of the year.  This will cover two dry cleanings, one in the middle of the year and one at the end of the year.  If the uniform needs to be cleaned at any other point it is your responsibility to clean it.  Under no circumstances should any part of the uniform be washed at home in the washing machine.

 

Special care must be taken not to touch the ground or other objects with the new uniform jacket. When changing in the lav or on the bus, DO NOT allow any part of the uniform to touch the floor. They will collect dust (and whatever else is in there).

 

When the hats (shakos) are not being worn they must remain in the appropriate hat box, not left out.  These are new hats and must last for a while!!  The hats must be worn correctly with the emblem to the front DO NOT WEAR YOUR HAT BACKWARDS AS IT WILL START TO DISFORM THE HAT!!

 

Uniforms will be hung neatly in the garment bag on the trailer going to and from every away event.  All hats must be in their appropriate boxes.

 

Once issued a rain coat, it will remain on the hanger in the assigned room it until you are instructed to wear it.  Rain coats will not be kept with your uniform in the lockers.  REMEMBER YOUR RAINCOAT NUMBER WHEN ISSUED TO YOU.

 

Shoes- You are responsible for keeping them clean. NO SHOE POLISH. The material will be treated with leather cleaner only, which will be available in the band room. Any unnapproved polish will result in cracks and the need for you to buy another pair. All shoes will be stored in the bottom of the designated lockers in the back of the bandroom.  If you are in need of new shoes, it is your responsibility to order them.  You can order them at anytime of the year at www.pmeastmusic.com under ensemble accessories.  They will be delivered to the school in a matter of days.  I would also recommend transporting your shoes in a Wal-Mart or some other type of bag and wrap it on your hanger.  Shoes have been put in the garment bag and they begin to ruin the garment bag and or the uniform.  The only exception would be if you have a zippered compartment on the back of your garment bag made specifically for shoes.  

 

Gloves- The first pair of gloves will be supplied by the boosters.  If you need a second pair for what ever reason you will need to purchase a new pair from the boosters or Mr. Eick.  Keep these gloves in your hat box as not to lose them.

 

Socks- The Band wears black socks only. Keep an extra pair in your garment bag.

 

Guard - Flesh tone panty hose or in accordance with the show.

 

Hats- Are stored in the Hat box only ... not in garment bags.

 

Hair- Hair may not cover the collar. All hair (male or female) must be put up into the hat.  While wearing the summer uniform, hair will be put up in a pony tail and pulled through the back of the baseball cap.

 

Bring extra hair bands and allow extra time before each performance.  Guard - In accordance with the show.

 

Jewelry- Absolutely NO JEWELRY can be worn, including class rings, earrings, eye rings, or nose rings. Watches must be taken off and placed in your pocket or given to a chaperone.

 

Make up- No Fingernail polish.  Guard -- in accordance with the show.  No make-up for Band

members. No temporary tattoos or facial piercing are permitted.

 

Every part of the uniform must be neat and clean in appearance. Members should look as good from one foot away as from 100 feet away. How you look is the first indication of the commitment, pride, discipline, and talent that the audience will see and hear.

 

Following a rainy event, all uniforms/rain coats and guard equipment will be hung up as directed. Cases must be left open and instruments dried off. The following school day morning, you will put your instrument/equipment and uniforms/rain coats away BEFORE 1^st PERIOD. You will also help put other's equipment away and assist the Directors.

 

Equipment - All equipment will be stored in designated areas.  All students will/should help load and unload trucks, trailers, etc. You are responsible for your instrument and other equipment getting to and from the performance. Guard - All members will keep their equipment in their bags and the bags will be neatly stored in the "drum room" or on the trailer. Just tossing your stuff in the corner is not acceptable. Bags must be long enough to hold all equipment and close at the end.

 

 -Students eligible to donate blood are restricted to do so on the day of a football game or rehearsal. The physical demands of playing in class, rehearsing after school, and then being on your feet until 10 pm are too much for a 17 or 18 year old who's given blood.  If you are a donator, give blood on a non-rehearsal day.

 

Food/Feed the Kids-Every Friday before we travel or before home football games the boosters will do a “food run” for students.  The beginning of each week there will be a menu as to what is available and where food will be ordered from.  Place your order and give money for your order to your section leader or who ever is designated to take the orders in your section.  By the end of rehearsal your food will be in the school waiting for you.  Should you choose not to take advantage of this program you may bring your own dinner.

 

Due to the fresh, new carpet in the band room; there will not be any eating in the band room.   

     

 

Attributes of an Outstanding Marching Band member

 

The following is a partial list of those things that define the best in student behavior, attitude, discipline and service to the community ... or simply, a Pocono Mountain East HS Marching Band Member. An outstanding Marching Band member exhibits:

 

1. Pride in band membership. Pride in Band ownership and the responsibilities involved.

 

2. Daily individual practice.

 

3. Proper care and maintenance of all school and personal equipment, and the band room.

 

4. Total concentration during rehearsals.

 

5. The ability to accept constructive criticism in order to grow and adapt to changing situations.

 

6. Complete and careful preparation of music, drill and routines.

 

7. Punctuality.

 

8. A helpful, cooperative and respectful attitude toward other band members and staff.

 

9. Patience with themselves and others.

 

10. A sense of humor and the ability to laugh at oneself.

 

11. Volunteerism- i.e. involvement in Booster activities.

 

12. The time management skills to maintain high academic achievement through out the year.