CHIPOTLE GIVE BACK NIGHT – NOV 20

Make dinner a selfless act by joining us for a fundraiser to support the Charger Band!  Head over to the Chipotle in Webster on Monday, November 20th between 5:00pm and 9:00pm. Bring in the flyer, show it on your smartphone, or tell the cashier you’re supporting the cause to make sure that 50% of the proceeds will be donated to Clear Springs High School Charger Band Boosters! [Chipotle Flyer]

Monday, November 20, 2017
5:00 – 9:00pm
Only at the Webster location:
304 West Bay Area Blvd. Suite 600

50%, y’all! Please spread the word!

CONCERT UNIFORM FITTINGS NOV 14

Concert uniform fittings & check-out will take place during class on Tuesday, November 14.  Bring your garment bag to keep your uniform nice and cozy till you get home. Uniform hems may need to be adjusted.  Please DO NOT CUT them if they are too long. A simple whip stitch hem will work for both men’s pants and ladies’ dresses.  See the links below for a video on how to hem concert blacks, and another good video that will show you how to “catch stitch” pants and preserve the crease. Required uniform items that will need to be provided from home are included below.

For our concerts you will need the following items:

Boys:
  1. Long black socks
  2. Black dress shoes (black marching shoes are also acceptable)
  3. White tuxedo shirt
  4. Black bow tie
  5. Black Cummerbund
  6. Tuxedo pants (school owned)
  7. Tuxedo jacket (school owned)
Girls:
  1. Black closed toed shoes with 1 inch or less heel
  2. Concert dress (school owned)

No jewelry is to be worn and any hair ties must be black.

HEMMING THE CONCERT BLACK UNIFORM

BAND PANT HEMMING

FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS HEADS-UP

As we approach the final game of the regular season, it is time to look ahead to the playoffs.  In Texas, four teams from each football district advance to the playoffs.  The teams are then divided into Division I and Division II based on their enrollment numbers.  The two schools with the highest enrollment compete in Division I while the other two compete in Division II.  This means that there will be two champions for Class 6A. Based on the current standings, Clear Springs will be in the playoffs.

What does all of this mean to the band?  We are required to go to all football games including the playoffs.  Plan on an additional football game the weekend of November 17-18.  The game site and kickoff time will be determined when all of the districts solidify their playoff spots.  It is possible we will not know a day or location of the game until Monday, November 13.  If we win, we will repeat this scenario until we lose or until we win the state championship.

GAME 9 VS. LAKE

Schedule/Location:
Friday, November 10

Veterans Day
Intermediate Night

3:00 Rehearsal
4:00 Load Truck/Eat Dinner/Change into Full Uniform
5:30 Inspection in the Band Hall
5:45 Depart CSHS
6:00 Arrive Challenger Columbia Stadium
7:00 Kickoff – Halftime Salute to Veterans
10:00 Depart Challenger Columbia Stadium
10:20 Arrive CSHS
11:00 Band Hall closes/last student picked up

Challenger Columbia Stadium (map)
1955 W Nasa Blvd, Webster, TX 77598

Please make sure that you read the game day checklist below BEFORE Friday to avoid confusion and delay.

  • Game Day Checklist (FULL UNIFORM) – read this to make sure you have everything.  Students missing items will either be required to purchase a new item or will be sent home.
  • Game Day Preparation, Procedures, & Expectations – read this so that you know what to and not to do. (e.g. – do not eat in the stands except for our 3rd quarter snacks or you will be suspended from the remaining football games.)

BAND DUES DUE DEC 1

Band dues are assessed annually to cover additional costs such as clinicians, marching techs, software subscriptions for everyone, miscellaneous equipment, generator fuel, etc.  We are very fortunate that the district has provided more funding for our program in recent years. That funding has eased the financial burden placed on our booster club, but it doesn’t completely cover the items above which are necessary for a program to be successful.

Originally this was to be paid through Skyward, however we have switched back to Charms due to some unclear issues on our end.  Band dues in the amount of $200 have been added to the fixed payments in Charms. If you already paid this through Skyward, please email Mr. Williams with a copy of the receipt or proof of payment so that the payment can be reflected in Charms.

It is our goal for the future to lower the dues or to eliminate them altogether. This will be achieved by bringing in more money with our fundraisers, taking advantage of the Kroger and Amazon give-backs (see the Fundraising page and articles), employee matching programs, and corporate donations.

Finally, if you were impacted by Harvey and these dues are a hardship for you, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Williams for them to be waived.  We will work with you. In addition, if anyone cannot pay the full amount by December 1, you may make partial payments.

You may pay cash, check (made out to CSHS Band), or credit card (via Charms). Cash and checks should be placed in the band hall safe.

GAME 8 @ FRIENDSWOOD

Schedule/Location:
Friday, November 3

3:00 Rehearsal
4:00 Load Truck/Eat Dinner/Change into full uniform
5:00 Inspection in the Band Hall
5:20 Depart CSHS
6:00 Arrive Henry Winston Stadium
7:00 Kickoff
10:00 Depart Henry Winston Stadium
10:40 Arrive CSHS
11:15 Band Hall closes/last student picked up

Henry Winston Stadium (map)
702 Greenbriar Ave, Friendswood, TX 77546

Friends, Fans & Family

Parking at Friendswood HS is very limited. Friendswood ISD offers a park and ride that is very convenient.

  • Park at Friendswood Junior High, 1000 Manison Parkway
  • Ride bus to stadium
  • Bus picks you up at the same spot as drop off
  • Buses run from 6:00 PM until 1 hour after game completion
  • Buses continually run throughout the game

Students, please make sure that you read the game day checklist below BEFORE Friday to avoid confusion and delay.

  • Game Day Checklist (FULL UNIFORM) – read this to make sure you have everything.  Students missing items will either be required to purchase a new item or will be sent home.
  • Game Day Preparation, Procedures, & Expectations – read this so that you know what to and not to do. (e.g. – do not eat in the stands except for our 3rd quarter snacks or you will be suspended from the remaining football games.)

CHARGERS HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS

The 2017 Charger ornaments are in and ready to be added to your collection! Every year we feature a glass ornament in a rotating assortment of CSHS colors. This year’s ornament is glossy black with the Charger Horse Head in white, blue, and silver above the year in silver. Supplies are limited so visit the Booster Club Store on the Charger Band website to order yours today!

FREE MONEY FROM AMAZON!

Have you made your holiday shopping list yet?  If you are among the many people who will be doing your holiday shopping on-line with Amazon this year, please read on to learn how you can shop and support the band at the same time!

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the Clear Springs Charger Band every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection, and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your Charger Band. Tens of millions of products on AmazonSmile are eligible for donations. You will see eligible products marked “Eligible for AmazonSmile donation” on their product detail pages.

To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. You may also want to add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile. Or better yet, use the link on our website! See more on that below.

You can use the same account on Amazon.com and AmazonSmile. Your shopping cart, Wish List, wedding or baby registry, and other account settings are also the same. On your first visit to AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), you need to select Clear Springs Charger Band Boosters to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping.

Don’t have an Amazon account? Amazon Associates is another very easy way to support the Clear Springs Charger Band.  All you have to do whenever you will be purchasing anything from Amazon is access Amazon through our website by clicking the big Amazon box in the right sidebar and then make your purchases.  The band can earn up to 10% in referral fees depending on the item category at no cost to you.  And don’t worry, Amazon will not disclose any personal information to us.  If you are not seeing the Amazon link, make sure that you do not have any ad blocker software running that may be blocking it.

Since June, we have been able to raise over $500 through this program. Our goal is $1,000 for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2018. We can blow this goal out of the water if everyone will go to Amazon through the band website. Remember the more we can bring in with fundraisers such as this, the more we can do for our kids and the more we can lower next year’s band fees.

Please share this link and information with your friends and family and encourage them to show their support by accessing Amazon through our website whenever they will be shopping on Amazon. Also, please take a moment and use the share buttons below to share this through Facebook, Twitter, or email.

 

SMARTMUSIC

SmartMusic is interactive music learning software which we use for both practice and assessment.  For technical reasons, we have not used it for the past couple of years.  Since then, SmartMusic has undergone a major overhaul and is now available in an online platform.  The great thing about this is that the students can access it via their school-issued device without having to download the software.

Currently we are testing it out with Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band brass and woodwinds.  Once we’ve worked out the bugs, we will have Concert Band begin using it.

Our long-term goal is to assess the students on their scales, technical proficiency, and sightreading ability.  We also anticipate assessing the students on their UIL concert music this spring and our marching show next summer.

We ask for your patience as we implement this new/updated technology.

SHSU MARCHING BAND FESTIVAL

Saturday, October 28

The band has worked hard and put together a fabulous show. They will conclude this year’s marching competition season at the Sam Houston State School of Music Marching Band Festival in Bowers Stadium on the Sam Houston State University campus in Huntsville, Texas.

Schedule/Location:

9:00 Report to Band Hall
9:30 Depart CSHS
12:30 Warm-up
1:15 Perform
1:30 Return to buses/load truck/change clothes
2:15 Return to stands to watch bands
4:15 Sam Houston State Band Performance
4:30 Prelim Results
5:00 Dinner @ Truck
7:00 Finals
10:00 Finals ends
10:30 Depart Huntsville
1:00 Arrive CSHS
1:30 All students picked up

Bowers Stadium
620 Bowers Blvd, Huntsville, TX  (map)

We will be wearing our Full Uniform for the contest. Please use the Contest Day Checklist.

Contest Day Checklist – This is what you need for the contest.

Notes:

Students need to use the restrooms before we depart for the contest as there may not be an opportunity to use the restroom until after our performance.

Dinner will be provided following the prelims portion of the contest.  Students should pack a sack lunch or plan on eating concession food until then.  They should also eat a good breakfast before arriving.

As of today (Tuesday, October 24), the predicted high for Saturday is 59 with a low in the mid-30’s.  Students should plan accordingly.  Black thermal gear may be worn under the uniform.  Sweatpants and anything bulky may not.  In the stands, students may wear whatever they want to stay warm, however they may not share blankets in the stands or on the buses.

Parents and Friends:
Please come and support the band and encourage any other friends/family to come to the contest as it is always more enjoyable for the students to perform at a contest with a large cheering section made up of family and friends. Family and friends can show their support by cheering louder than any other band’s supporters. We should hear an especially loud cheer both when they announce our band at the beginning of our performance and at the conclusion of our performance. Applause is also needed after solos, section features, and big musical or visual moments. This is not like concert season. A lot of applause is highly encouraged.

For information about ticket pricing and other details, please visit the contest website below:

SHSU SCHOOL OF MUSIC MARCHING BAND FESTIVAL

GAME 7 VS. BROOK

Schedule/Location:
Friday, October 27

Pink Out Game
Apollo Dedication

3:30 Rehearsal
4:30 Load Truck/Eat Dinner/Change into full uniform
5:15 Chaperones Check-in Outside Band Hall
5:30 Inspection in the Band Hall
5:45 Depart CSHS
6:00 Arrive Challenger Columbia Stadium
7:00 Kickoff
10:00 Depart Challenger Columbia Stadium
10:20 Arrive CSHS
11:00 Band Hall closes/last student picked up

Challenger Columbia Stadium (map)
1955 W Nasa Blvd, Webster, TX 77598

Please make sure that you read the game day checklist below BEFORE Friday to avoid confusion and delay.

  • Game Day Checklist (FULL UNIFORM) – read this to make sure you have everything.  Students missing items will either be required to purchase a new item or will be sent home.
  • Game Day Preparation, Procedures, & Expectations – read this so that you know what to and not to do. (e.g. – do not eat in the stands except for our 3rd quarter snacks or you will be suspended from the remaining football games.)

LETTER JACKETS

Students who believe they are eligible for a letter jacket must download and print the letter jacket form from CHARMS, fill it out completely and turn it in to Mr. Williams by Friday, October 27. Students whose forms are turned in on time and have the eligible number of points will be given an order packet the following week.  When you receive the order packet, the band office is no longer involved in the ordering process until the jackets are delivered 6-8 weeks later. For more details about letter jackets and qualifications, see the Awards section in the Band Handbook.

Students earn a letter jacket through their participation in band through a participation-based points system as follows….
• District Band 5 points
• Region Band/Orchestra 10 points
• UIL Solo Division 1 (Class 1) 3 points
• UIL Solo Division 1 (Class 2) 2 points
• UIL Ensemble Division 1 (Class 1) 2 points
• One completed year of band 10 points
• Once completed semester of Colorguard/Winterguard 5 points

A student may receive only one major award for combined activities during his or her four years in high school and no more than one award per year for participation in the same organization. Should a student receive a letter jacket from another activity prior to becoming eligible for one in band, he or she will only receive a letter that can be added to the jacket they already have. Most students add patches to their jackets from various events. You may want to purchase patches at the various events in which we participate throughout the year and save them for when your child earns a jacket.

VLIS ALUMNI GAME

Head over to Victory Lakes on October 25th and meet with the future band members and tell them about the Charger band during the VLIS Alumni Game. Kickoff is 4:45pm against Seabrook.

Music is available in the VLIS Alumni folder at Charms.

GAME 6 @ FALLS

Schedule/Location:
Friday, October 20

3:30 Rehearsal
4:30 Load Truck/Eat Dinner/Change into full uniform
5:30 Inspection in the Band Hall
5:45 Depart CSHS 6:00 Arrive Challenger Columbia Stadium
7:00 Kickoff
10:00 Depart Challenger Columbia Stadium
10:20 Arrive CSHS
11:00 Band Hall closes/last student picked up

Challenger Columbia Stadium (map)
1955 W Nasa Blvd, Webster, TX 77598

Please make sure that you read the game day checklist below BEFORE Friday to avoid confusion and delay.

  • Game Day Checklist (FULL UNIFORM) – read this to make sure you have everything.  Students missing items will either be required to purchase a new item or will be sent home.
  • Game Day Preparation, Procedures, & Expectations – read this so that you know what to and not to do. (e.g. – do not eat in the stands except for our 3rd quarter snacks or you will be suspended from the remaining football games.)

UIL REGION 17 MARCHING CONTEST

Tuesday, October 24

Due to impending inclement weather in the area predicted for Saturday, the UIL Region Marching Contest has been moved to TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24. The competitive marching season is quickly coming to a close.  This contest is similar to concert UIL in that there will be 3 Judges that give a rating of between 1 and 5 (1 being superior).

Schedule/Location:
3:40 – Rehearsal
4:20 – Load truck/eat dinner/dress in full uniform
5:00 – Depart CSHS
5:30 – Arrive Challenger Columbia Stadium
6:10 – Warm-up
7:15 – Perform
7:30 – Load truck
8:00 – Depart stadium
8:30 – Arrive CSHS
9:15 – All students picked u
 

Challenger Columbia Stadium
1955 W Nasa Blvd, Webster, TX (map)We will be wearing our Full Uniform for the contest.  Please use the Contest Day Checklist.

Parents and Friends:

Please come and support the band and encourage any other friends/family to come to the contest as it is always more enjoyable for the students to perform at a contest with a large cheering section made up of  family and friends.   Family and friends can show their support by cheering louder than any other band’s supporters.  We should hear an especially loud cheer both when they announce our band at the beginning of our performance and at the conclusion of our performance.  Applause is also needed after solos, section features, and big musical or visual moments.  This is not like concert season.  A lot of applause is highly encouraged. UIL rules prohibit balloons and air horns.  Please leave them at home or in the car.

No admission fee is charged.  

 

CHILIS GIVE BACK NIGHT – OCTOBER 23

Let Chili’s do the cooking while you support the Clear Springs High School Band at the same time!

Our Chili’s give back event is next week.  With each flyer presented on Monday, October 23rd, Chili’s will donate 15% of the sale.  Please print out the attached flyer and take it with you to Chili’s 646 location to support our Charger Band.  The fun lasts from 11am-11pm on Monday.

Our give back nights last year were a huge success.  Let’s make this one even better with a big turnout!  If you work in an office or have friends and family who might enjoy eating out for a cause, please print and distribute as many flyers as you want.  Thank you for supporting our Charger band!!!

Chili’s Flyer

Monday, October 23
11am-11pm
2845 Gulf Fwy S
League City, TX 77573-6781
(this is the one by FM 646)

This is a very easy way to raise some funds.  Let’s try and make this as successful as possible by not only participating but also by printing out extra flyers and giving them to friends, relatives, and/or co-workers.

Please remember to present the flyer when paying for your meal!!

NEW DATE: CCISD PRE-UIL MARCHING CONTEST

The CCISD Pre-UIL Marching Contest has been rescheduled!

Location/Schedule:
Monday, October 16

3:00 rehearse on parking lot
4:00 load truck/dinner/dress
5:20 depart CSHS
5:35 unload at Challenger
6:05 warm up
6:45 perform
7:00 load trucks
7:30 depart stadium
7:45 arrive CSHS/unload truck(s)
8:30 last student picked up

Challenger Columbia Stadium
1955 W Nasa Blvd, Webster, TX 77598 (map)

The evening’s performance schedule is as follows:

6:45 PM – Clear Springs
7:00 PM – Clear Falls
7:15 PM – Clear Creek
7:30 PM – Clear Brook
7:45 PM – Clear Lake

There is no admission fee! Please come and support the band and encourage any other friends/family to come as it is always more enjoyable for the students to perform at a contest with a large cheering section. Family and friends can show their support by cheering louder than any other band’s supporters. We should hear an especially loud cheer both when they announce our band at the beginning of our performance and at the conclusion of our performance. Applause is also needed after solos, section features, and big musical or visual moments. This is not like concert season. A lot of applause is highly encouraged.

PARENT SURVIVAL GUIDE – ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility – FAQs

As the end of the 6 week grading period nears, we wanted to share some frequently asked questions from the Parent Survival Guide.

In the early 1980’s, the Texas Legislature enacted a law requiring students to be passing all classes in order to participate in extracurricular activities. This law, also known as “No Pass, No Play” has led to a lot of confusion over the years.  While revisions have been made and rules have been clarified to eliminate any gray areas, it still can be very confusing.   The University Interscholastic League is the governing body over extracurricular activities in Texas.  In conjunction with the Texas Education Agency and local school districts, an eligibility calendar is created.  This lists the dates for grade checks and when someone loses or regains eligibility.

What are Grade Checks?

Grade checks are conducted every three weeks in CCISD. The first two in a grading period are called Progress Reports and the last one is called a Report Card.  The Report Card is the official grade of record that ends up on a student’s transcript.

What is considered failing?

Any grade that is below a 70 is considered failing.

When is eligibility determined?

This depends on your child’s grades. Everyone’s grades are checked at the end of the sixth week of school.  This is because many districts across the state are on a six-week grading period instead of the nine week period we have in CCISD.  Grades are checked again at the end of the each grading period.

What happens if my child is passing all his or her classes at the sixth week Progress Report/Grade Check?

Nothing. They remain eligible throughout the next Grading Period.  Students passing all classes on a Report Card are not affected by grade checks that coincide with a Progress Report.

What happens if my child fails one or more classes at the sixth week Progress Report/Grade Check?

If your child fails at the sixth week Progress Report, they lose eligibility at the end of week 7.

What happens at the end of the first grading period?

All student grades are checked. When we check grades on the Report Card at the end of the grading period, he or she must be passing all classes in order regain eligibility.  If your child fails any course on the Report Card, he or she is suspended from all extracurricular activities until the next Grade Check/Progress Report.

If my child fails a course, aren’t they eligible again when their grade is brought up to passing again?

No! Students who fail must sit out until the next grade check.

Why do students lose eligibility the week after a Grade Check and not immediately?

The state has allowed a one-week grace period for any errors to be cleared up before a student is required to sit out of an activity. Errors include making a keystroke mistake such as entering a 10 instead of 100.  It also allows time for late work (due to absences) to be graded and recorded.

When a student regains his or her eligibility, do they regain it immediately?

No. They still have to wait a week before they are again eligible.

How do advanced courses count toward No Pass/No Play?

The State of Texas allows for certain AP, PAP, and other advanced courses to be exempt from No Pass/No Play. CCISD has stricter requirements.  Students in these courses must pass with a 70 or above.  Students who fail with a grade in the 60-69 range are allowed a one-time waiver that exempts them from the No Pass/No Play requirement.  This waiver can only be used at the end of each grading period.  If the grade is 59 or below, the waiver cannot be used.   If the student fails more than one course, the student is not eligible to use the waiver.  If the student uses the waiver on a course failed during the first grading period, the student has no more waivers to use for the rest of the school year.

How do we get the waiver?

Your child must pick up the form from the principal’s office. The form must then be signed by you, a band director, and an administrator and turned back in to the principal’s office.  The campus administration monitors these forms; therefore, they are not available on CHARMS or in the band office.

Where can I find a list of advanced courses that are eligible for the waiver?

The list is available at ccisd.net and it appears in the Course Selection Catalog.

What happens to students who fail a semester exam, fail a course for the semester, or fail the STAAR test?

Nothing. All eligibility is determined by the Grading Period.

If my child fails the fourth nine weeks, is he or she ineligible for the first three weeks of the following school year?

No. Eligibility rules do not carry over from one year to the next.

How do I keep up with all of this?

We put the eligibility dates on the band calendar. You can also access it at ccisd.net.

What is the best way to deal with No Pass/No Play?

Pass all classes.

GAME 5 [HOMECOMING] & CHANNELVIEW MARCHING CONTEST

Saturday, ROCKtober 14th will be another busy day for the Charger Band!  We will have our Homecoming football game followed by the Channelview ISD Marching Band Festival that evening.

Schedule/Locations:

10:00 AM – Rehearse
11:00 AM – Load Truck
11:30 AM – Depart wearing Summer Uniform/Load Full Uniform on Bus in Garment Bag
1:00 PM – Kickoff
4:00 PM – Dinner at Stadium; Change into Full Uniform

Challenger Columbia Stadium (map)
1955 W Nasa Blvd, Webster, TX 77598

5:00 PM – Depart Challenger Columbia Stadium
6:30 PM – Warm-up
7:15 PM – Perform
8:30 PM – Awards
9:00 PM – Depart Maddry Stadium
9:45 PM – Arrive CSHS/Unload Truck
10:15 PM – All students picked up

Ray Maddry Stadium (map)
828 Sheldon Rd, Channelview, TX 77530

We will be wearing the Summer Uniform for the football game and our Full Uniform for the contest.  Please use both Game Day Checklist (Summer Uniform) and Contest Day Checklist:

Notes:
  • At the game there will be no restroom breaks until after we are settled into the stands.  Everyone should use the restroom before we depart before and after the game.
  • Students need to use the restrooms before we depart for the contest as their will not be an opportunity to use the restroom until after our performance.

Please come and support the band and encourage any other friends/family to come to the contest as it is always more enjoyable for the students to perform at a contest with a large cheering section made up of  family and friends.   Family and friends can show their support by cheering louder than any other band’s supporters.  We should hear an especially loud cheer both when they announce our band at the beginning of our performance and at the conclusion of our performance.  Applause is also needed after solos, section features, and big musical or visual moments.  This is not like concert season.  A lot of applause is highly encouraged.

Admission is $5 per person over the age of 6 (under 6 is free).
Spectator parking is free and available off of Sheldon Rd.  Additional parking will be provided across the street in the Early Childhood Center parking lot.  The spectator entrance is located at the south end of the stadium.

HOMECOMING PARADE

The Clear Springs High School Homecoming Parade  will be Wednesday, October 11th, at 6:00pm.  The procession will begin at Creekside Intermediate and proceed down Palomino to Clear Springs and will be followed by a community pep rally at the grass field by the tennis courts.  Students will have 30 minutes after the pep rally to get their things put away in the band hall before the band hall will be closed for the evening.

Wednesday, October 11th
5:00 – Meet at Band Hall
5:30 – Line-up at Creekside
6:00 – Parade begins
6:30 – Pep Rally
7:30 – All students picked up

What to wear:
  • Blue Band Shirt
  • Athletic or Khaki Shorts
  • Athletic Shoes