Kenosha Band Boosters, Inc.
Supporting Kenosha, Wis. Unified School District music programs.
Kenosha Band Boosters
Meeting Minutes for November 22, 2005
Attended by: Patty Mahoney, Janet Schoettler, Jay Labedz, Kathy Ripley, Carla Ebert, Marlene Tack, Janice Klopstein, John Whyte, Jackie Battersby, Paul Taylor, Tim Yontz, Kristie Weyrauch
President Patty Mahoney called the meeting to order and introductions were completed.
The President's message included a thank you to Marlene Tack for her years of service as treasurer of the Kenosha Band Boosters. She was presented with a wristwatch as a token of appreciation for all of her "time" toward the Boosters and Black Watch.
Approval of Minutes:
Meeting minutes from 10/25/05 were reviewed. Corrections were noted as follows:
Tremper: correct the spelling of Stolfe.
Fruit Sale: add 'second highest seller at each school gets 5%.'
Elementary: 5 sites for rehearsal; add Kathy Thorsen is directing at Bullen.
ITA: correct the spelling of Christi Kavanaugh.
Bradford: November misspelled.
A motion carried to accept the October minutes with the above corrections.
Open Discussion:
Patty asked Dr. Yontz to open the discussion regarding the proposed "Middle School Program of Study" and the affect on the band program. Dr. Yontz gave a brief discussion about the proposal and encouraged teachers to fill out the forms that have been provided as a means of communication and also to speak with their building principals about any concerns they may have. Parents asked Dr. Yontz the appropriate route to express their concerns and he suggested that they too speak with building principals.
(On a side note: Dr. Yontz stated it is okay for the Boosters to sell bottled water at Band-O-Rama even with the new floor in the Bradford Fieldhouse).
Dr. Yontz left the meeting due to another commitment.
Discussion continued regarding the proposed changes in the scheduling of electives at the middle school level. A written proposal was given to the teachers on 11/21 and 11/22/05. Under the new proposal, band, orchestra and choir would be held on an A/B alternate-day schedule. Lessons are being proposed for before school, after school or during advisory. The purpose of the change is to offer more elective choices to students and expand exposure to business and technology courses. However, there is concern about the ability to offer small group lessons if the changes go into effect.
Further discussion included concern about the affect on drawing new students to the program and retaining students if lesson support is not provided. It was felt that the changes may disadvantage those students who are already disadvantaged. There was a comment that lessons could be given during academic class time if approved by the building principal and reviewed on an individual basis. This may mean that only the already "good" students would get lessons. Directors expressed concern with the ability to reach all of the students during the proposed before school, after school, and/or advisory times.
Additional discussion and concern revolved around the committee that developed the proposal. It was reported that this committee consisted of only administrators. Teachers were given the proposal late in the week and asked to respond to the administrators by the next Monday. The Boosters decided that they would contact parents and ask them to call or write letters or emails to principals and administrators to state that the proposed Middle School Program of Study is not acceptable to the band parents. We are asking parents to express concern about the loss of crucial early music development time and lesson time. Comments were made about pointing out that this is a cut from the music time previously offered to 6th grade music students. Some boosters offered to write letters and Jay Labedz will send a letter to the Kenosha News.
School Reports:
Bradford: Symphonic band concert held on 11/16 at Reuther. All bands concert on 12/14. Six students participating in UW-M Honors Band. Twelve students participated in Belle City Brass Concert. Nick Taylor placed 2nd on snare at national Percussive Arts Competition.
Kenosha Beats: 3 rehearsals held to date. 20 students participating. They have a full battery. They may need to add more students to the front line.
Elementary: Lessons continue. Group site rehearsals begin in January. Car pools will be set up. The Band-O-Rama music has been chosen.
Lance: Their 1st concert is 12/6 and will include the full band and jazz band. They are starting work on their contest music and are setting up small ensembles.
Lincoln: They had a concert for 6th grade band, 7th/8th grade band and jazz band. They have a retreat to Camp Timberlee in December.
Mahone: They had a great time at the WSMA convention and it was a great learning experience; exhausting but fun.
ITA: Band and orchestra concert on 12/8. They have purchased tuxedos using fundraiser money and other funds. They have also purchased conga and bongo percussion.
Tremper: Concert on 11/16. Younger band's concert on 11/22. Attended the Lawrence Jazz festival on 11/12. Jazz Messengers performed at NAACP gathering on 11/19. Holiday concert planned for 12/7.
Financial Report:
A written report was received. The 990 annual report for non-profit organizations has been completed by Marlene Tack. The deposit for the Kemper Center for the 2006 Ice Cream Social has been sent. Insurance premium is due so some exploration will be done to gather quotes. The fruit sale checks are coming in. A motion carried to accept the financial report.
Clothing Sale:
No report.
Reuther Room:
White bucks have been donated to a third world country.
Website/Newsletter:
The fall newsletter went out to parents. The website is being updated to make it more user-friendly.
Fruit Sale:
Patty has received phone call orders from seniors due to the advertising in the Kenosha News. Orders seem to be low this year.
Band-O-Rama:
Nominations are needed for the awards. People are asked to submit nominations by December 9. Directors will be recognized for years of service as determined through Karen Curran of the KUSD Fine Arts Department. Patty needs volunteers to work on an awards committee. The flower sale needs a new chairperson. Sue Mack is willing to give the information about the flower sale to a new volunteer. A chairperson is also needed for the sale of bottled water.
Solo and Ensemble:
Volunteers will be arranged. We will need to clarify if the Band Boosters is providing the judges' luncheon.
Large Group Contest:
TBA. Some changes are anticipated.
Next meeting's agenda:
Rich Mich will report on the painting of the Black Watch truck.
We will invite Kathy Verzal to discuss the Jeff Verzal Memorial Concert.
The meeting adjourned.
Meeting Minutes for November 22, 2005
Attended by: Patty Mahoney, Janet Schoettler, Jay Labedz, Kathy Ripley, Carla Ebert, Marlene Tack, Janice Klopstein, John Whyte, Jackie Battersby, Paul Taylor, Tim Yontz, Kristie Weyrauch
President Patty Mahoney called the meeting to order and introductions were completed.
The President's message included a thank you to Marlene Tack for her years of service as treasurer of the Kenosha Band Boosters. She was presented with a wristwatch as a token of appreciation for all of her "time" toward the Boosters and Black Watch.
Approval of Minutes:
Meeting minutes from 10/25/05 were reviewed. Corrections were noted as follows:
Tremper: correct the spelling of Stolfe.
Fruit Sale: add 'second highest seller at each school gets 5%.'
Elementary: 5 sites for rehearsal; add Kathy Thorsen is directing at Bullen.
ITA: correct the spelling of Christi Kavanaugh.
Bradford: November misspelled.
A motion carried to accept the October minutes with the above corrections.
Open Discussion:
Patty asked Dr. Yontz to open the discussion regarding the proposed "Middle School Program of Study" and the affect on the band program. Dr. Yontz gave a brief discussion about the proposal and encouraged teachers to fill out the forms that have been provided as a means of communication and also to speak with their building principals about any concerns they may have. Parents asked Dr. Yontz the appropriate route to express their concerns and he suggested that they too speak with building principals.
(On a side note: Dr. Yontz stated it is okay for the Boosters to sell bottled water at Band-O-Rama even with the new floor in the Bradford Fieldhouse).
Dr. Yontz left the meeting due to another commitment.
Discussion continued regarding the proposed changes in the scheduling of electives at the middle school level. A written proposal was given to the teachers on 11/21 and 11/22/05. Under the new proposal, band, orchestra and choir would be held on an A/B alternate-day schedule. Lessons are being proposed for before school, after school or during advisory. The purpose of the change is to offer more elective choices to students and expand exposure to business and technology courses. However, there is concern about the ability to offer small group lessons if the changes go into effect.
Further discussion included concern about the affect on drawing new students to the program and retaining students if lesson support is not provided. It was felt that the changes may disadvantage those students who are already disadvantaged. There was a comment that lessons could be given during academic class time if approved by the building principal and reviewed on an individual basis. This may mean that only the already "good" students would get lessons. Directors expressed concern with the ability to reach all of the students during the proposed before school, after school, and/or advisory times.
Additional discussion and concern revolved around the committee that developed the proposal. It was reported that this committee consisted of only administrators. Teachers were given the proposal late in the week and asked to respond to the administrators by the next Monday. The Boosters decided that they would contact parents and ask them to call or write letters or emails to principals and administrators to state that the proposed Middle School Program of Study is not acceptable to the band parents. We are asking parents to express concern about the loss of crucial early music development time and lesson time. Comments were made about pointing out that this is a cut from the music time previously offered to 6th grade music students. Some boosters offered to write letters and Jay Labedz will send a letter to the Kenosha News.
School Reports:
Bradford: Symphonic band concert held on 11/16 at Reuther. All bands concert on 12/14. Six students participating in UW-M Honors Band. Twelve students participated in Belle City Brass Concert. Nick Taylor placed 2nd on snare at national Percussive Arts Competition.
Kenosha Beats: 3 rehearsals held to date. 20 students participating. They have a full battery. They may need to add more students to the front line.
Elementary: Lessons continue. Group site rehearsals begin in January. Car pools will be set up. The Band-O-Rama music has been chosen.
Lance: Their 1st concert is 12/6 and will include the full band and jazz band. They are starting work on their contest music and are setting up small ensembles.
Lincoln: They had a concert for 6th grade band, 7th/8th grade band and jazz band. They have a retreat to Camp Timberlee in December.
Mahone: They had a great time at the WSMA convention and it was a great learning experience; exhausting but fun.
ITA: Band and orchestra concert on 12/8. They have purchased tuxedos using fundraiser money and other funds. They have also purchased conga and bongo percussion.
Tremper: Concert on 11/16. Younger band's concert on 11/22. Attended the Lawrence Jazz festival on 11/12. Jazz Messengers performed at NAACP gathering on 11/19. Holiday concert planned for 12/7.
Financial Report:
A written report was received. The 990 annual report for non-profit organizations has been completed by Marlene Tack. The deposit for the Kemper Center for the 2006 Ice Cream Social has been sent. Insurance premium is due so some exploration will be done to gather quotes. The fruit sale checks are coming in. A motion carried to accept the financial report.
Clothing Sale:
No report.
Reuther Room:
White bucks have been donated to a third world country.
Website/Newsletter:
The fall newsletter went out to parents. The website is being updated to make it more user-friendly.
Fruit Sale:
Patty has received phone call orders from seniors due to the advertising in the Kenosha News. Orders seem to be low this year.
Band-O-Rama:
Nominations are needed for the awards. People are asked to submit nominations by December 9. Directors will be recognized for years of service as determined through Karen Curran of the KUSD Fine Arts Department. Patty needs volunteers to work on an awards committee. The flower sale needs a new chairperson. Sue Mack is willing to give the information about the flower sale to a new volunteer. A chairperson is also needed for the sale of bottled water.
Solo and Ensemble:
Volunteers will be arranged. We will need to clarify if the Band Boosters is providing the judges' luncheon.
Large Group Contest:
TBA. Some changes are anticipated.
Next meeting's agenda:
Rich Mich will report on the painting of the Black Watch truck.
We will invite Kathy Verzal to discuss the Jeff Verzal Memorial Concert.
The meeting adjourned.
* Next meeting
Click on asterisks for:
*What's New
*Home Page
*What We Do
* Breakfast with the Bands
* Band-O-Rama
Summer Bands:
2008 details coming this spring
* OrchestraFest 2006
*Welcome
5th grade &
new band students
*Membership
*Booster Apparel
*Volunteering
*Volunteer Opportunities
*Minutes
*Send us a Note (contact us)
*Buy/Sell
Instruments
Links:
* Kenosha Unified
School District
* Schools
* Elementary Bands
*What's New
*Home Page
*What We Do
* Breakfast with the Bands
* Band-O-Rama
Summer Bands:
2008 details coming this spring
* OrchestraFest 2006
*Welcome
5th grade &
new band students
*Membership
*Booster Apparel
*Volunteering
*Volunteer Opportunities
*Minutes
*Send us a Note (contact us)
*Buy/Sell
Instruments
Links:
* Kenosha Unified
School District
* Schools
* Elementary Bands
Suggestions? Comments? Contact web@kenoshabandboosters.org
(Please mention 'Band Boosters' in the subject line.)
(Please mention 'Band Boosters' in the subject line.)