What to Expect on Game Day

With our first game approaching soon, Sept. 3rd, I thought some of the new band parents would like some information regarding a typical game night and others might like a refresher!  

Students will attend school all day (including a pep rally last period). After school they will go out to practice for about an hour, come inside and be given an amount of time to dress (band/CG uniform) and eat dinner (provided by Hospitality crew). The students will then go thru a check off of equipment with their section leader. It would be a good idea BEFORE Fri. to get your new students to lay out their "equipment" and visually see that they have everything that they will be checked off for. If it's left at home...........your student will be calling YOU. They will not be allowed to board the bus for the game unless they have ALL their equipment (t-shirt, instrument, music, flip folder, water bottle, rain coat, garment bag, black shoes & socks, etc.). If they are missing any equipment they need to take care of this immediately -- Fri. will be to late!!!! 

If they are cleared at check off with all equipment they will be given permission to board the buses. We will travel to the stadium and the students will unload the trailer and move to the stands. If you've never seen 240 plus people move out together......you should watch this!!! Students will have a specific spot to sit during the game. They are not allowed to move about the stands, talk to spectators and visit. They are there to do a job......1st half of the game they are mentally preparing for the half time show. During 2nd quarter they will move to the warm up area of the field and begin warm up for the performance. 

Half time performance. They return to the stands where cold drinks will be waiting for them to replenish fluids and sugar. 2nd half of the game is a little more relaxed in that they play more, receive a visit from officers of the visiting band etc. Bathroom breaks are done w/ a chaperone and in a group in the 2nd half of the game. We ask parents NOT to bring concession stand food to the students or to visit with them during the game. You can well imagine how it would affect the group if 200 parents wanted to come over and talk to their student. No Concession stand food is allowed and will be taken up by the directors, drum majors, chaperones.

The band area in the stadium will be roped off and only band, staff, chaperones and sometimes past band students will be allowed in this area. Note only are visitors and passer-bys very distracting to the band and the directors, there is a massive amount of expensive equipment and personal belongings in this area that I don't think any of us want to be responsible for replacing! If you need to get a message to your student, pass car keys, etc. flag down a chaperone and they will be happy to do it for you.  At the end of the game students proceed either to the buses or the trailer to load up and return to CPHS. It is always late for us!!!! We are the last ones (usually) to leave the stadium -- the lights usually get turned off on us before we leave! Returning back to CPHS also requires some extra time. Students have to take off their uniform, hang and place correctly on the racks (lack of responsibility here will earn a student community service hours to give); and unload the trailer and help bring in equipment. The video tape of the half-time show will be shown in the band hall. If you have not seen this process, it is worth hanging around the band hall to witness at least once. It is amazing how the students all work together to accomplish this task. Only after everything is done will the video tape be turned on. Each game night they will see the progress that all of there hard work has accomplished and they are so motivated to make it better each time. Parents are welcome and encouraged to join in the festivities! 

It will be a late night! Home games around 11:30 pm; away games.......well Later! Please be flexible here and remember your student is part of a great program and is joining in on the fun and camaraderie and will be "up" this night. Go to the game, become involved, be supportive and your child (and you) will reap the benefits. If you do not plan on hanging around the band hall after a game or contest, I would have your student call for pick up.....all return times are "guesstimates."

If for any reason your student will not be returning to CPHS on the bus, please send a note to school so it can be noted on the bus roster. Remind your student to remove all of their belongings from the bus upon arrival at the stadium since we will not have access to the bus until after the game. A parent/legal guardian must show proof of identification to chaperone and the chaperone will have you sign student out on bus roster. If there is no note on roster that student is leaving early or if someone other than the parent/legal guardian, permission will be needed from a director. This rule is for your child's safety so please respect the process and be patient with chaperones. 

FYI: On Monday's the students receive the weekly announcement sheet! This announcement sheet is a very important and informative piece of information. It includes the schedule for the week, reminders, report times, etc. I encourage you to get your hand's on that announcement sheet. If it somehow does not get home with your child, it is usually posted on the web site by Tuesday. 

Please feel free to ask questions, we sometimes forget that we have new people that don't know the routine! Remember, flexibility is the key!