The following is a copy of the Mardi Gras Packet which will be made available as soon as we have completed the fruit sale. This doucment is a total of 8 pages and also includes chaperone information and a detailed itinerary. for the trip.
TLHB
THE T.L. HANNA HIGH SCHOOL BAND
Dear Parents,
Please read the attached information carefully and return the completed permission slip immediately. It is essential that parents and students read and understand the information contained here. PLEASE take the time to go over everything carefully.
The cost of the trip is determined by the amount of fruit sold. The amount owed is shown on the sticker in the top right hand corner of this letter. The amount owed, and the permission form attached to this letter should be sent in to the band room. Students who sell $1,200.00 worth of fruit, and have cleared all band fees will not owe any money on the trip.
Those students who still owe Band Fees will be contacted. All monies owed must be cleared by December 12th, regardless if the student goes on the trip or not. . After this date, all outstanding bills are turned over to the Hanna book- keeper.
Please feel free to call the band room if you have any questions or if we
can be of help in any way.
BAS
PLEASE NOTE:
ü Permission slip and check for the trip (if applicable) must be sent to the band room no later than January 19th.
ü $1200.00 in fruit sales will pay for the student’s trip.
ü The trip cost is pro rated for students that have sold less than $1200.00.
ü All band fees must be cleared by December 19th.
Sincerely,
Richard C. Baskin
Director of Bands
T.L. Hanna High School
The T.L. Hanna Band and Mardi Gras
The Hanna Band first traveled to New Orleans in 1987 to participate in the REX parade on Fat Tuesday at the end of the Mardi Gras season. The success of the trip and its popularity with the students and parents soon gave the Hanna Band a reputation for being The Parade Band of the Mardi Gras festival. The Hanna Band gained a great deal of local and regional attention by winning the Grand Champion of the REX parade in 1987 and again in 1989 and the runner up award in 1991. The South Carolina State House of Representatives passed a resolution in 1989 honoring the Hanna Bands, and the REX organization issued a permanent invitation for the Hanna Band to participate. The Hanna Band Mardi Gras story was featured on local TV stations in Greenville and Spartanburg and a number of feature articles appeared in the Greenville, Anderson and New Orleans newspapers.
After 1991, the Band made a difficult but very positive decision to do way with trips in order to purchase much needed new uniforms, upgrade the equipment and hire summer instructors for the Marching Band. The investment paid off with great benefits for the band. At the same time, this decision meant the band had no opportunity to travel and showcase their talents. In 1996 the Hanna Band returned to New Orleans after an eight-year absence. The 1996 trip proved to be as memorable as ever, for the band was named 1st Runner Up in the REX parade. The band also went in 1999, 2002, 2004 and 2007 where it received the Grand Championship Trophy each time. Trips such as this are possible due to the hard work of many people over the years to put the Band on a sound financial footing while providing the best possible equipment and instruction. We are hoping that we can continue to improve our financial standing and provide outstanding trip opportunities for the students of the Hanna Bands.
These trips have always worked well for us and have provided many wonderful memories. We are confident that they will continue to provide positive experiences that will benefit both the band program and the individual students who participate, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
MARDI GRAS TRIP INFORMATION:
Departure Date and Time: Saturday, February 21st, 8:00 PM
Return Date and Time: Wednesday, February 25th 10:00 PM
TRANSPORTATION:
We have chartered with Champion Bus Service out of Greenville, SC
Accommodations:
Crowne Plaza
2929 Williams Blvd.
Kenner, La 70062
Phone: (504) 467 5611
DAYS MISSED FROM SCHOOL:
These days are counted as field trip days and do not count against the student. Students are encouraged to ask for assignments in advance. Teachers have been notified of this event and are more than willing to cooperate. These three days do not count against the students for any reason and they will be excused from Band Class at any time to make up work missed upon a teacher’s request. Please remember that Thursday, February 29th is not excused and will not be considered a legal absence for the students if they choose not to go to school. ALSO, IT IS ALWAYS THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIB ILITY TO MAKE UP WORK AT THE TEACHER’S CONVENIENCE. IT IS NOT THE TEACHER’S JOB TO FIND OUT WHAT NEEDS TO BE MADE UP. YOU MUST OPERATE ON THE TEACHER’S SCHEDULE, NOT THE STUDENT’S.
PERMISSION FORMS:
Medical Forms that were used for Football season will be used for the Mardi Gras trip. These forms must contain the correct and current insurance information, along with proper home and business phone number of both the mother and father. We always take at least two registered nurses along with us as a chaperones, and they will be available to assist students with any medication that they are presently taking. Please remember that these forms are absolutely mandatory. If the medical form that was used during the football season needs to be updated, please pick up one in the band room or download a copy off of the band web site. A general permission slip which is attached to this document, must be returned along with any money due.
In accord with District V policy, students are allowed to keep their medications. All luggage and their medications are checked and documented by the chaperones before students load the buses. Parents who wish chaperones to carry medications for their child should make this request in writing. The requested accommodations will be made.
LUGGAGE:
Students are allowed one suitcase and their uniform garment bag. Student should place their entire uniform, including shoes, in a garment bag. Students are encouraged to share items such as hair dryers with their roommates to save space. Expensive personal items such as jewelry should be left at home. Students may take light snack items on the bus. No boxes or portable stereos are allowed. Walkmans with headphones are permitted. All Luggage and carry on items are checked before loading the buses.
MEALS:
All meals are provided for with the exception of 2 lunches, 2 dinners, and 1 breakfast in route. Students will need money for these meals and incidentals only. All activities and tours are taken care of.
IDENTIFICATION:
Students who plan to use traveler’s checks are reminded that they will need some type of picture identification. Students who do not yet have a driver’s license will need to make arrangements for this, if they plan on using traveler’s checks.
Please understand that all regulations of the T.L. Hanna student handbook and policies of Anderson School District V are applicable for this event. Consumption of intoxicants or tobacco of any kind, regardless of the student’s age, will result in indefinite suspension from school and the student will be sent home at the parent’s expense.
We will be traveling to and from New Orleans during the night in order to save time for daytime activities, thus getting the most trip for the money. Our departure and arrival times are not definite due to some minor last minute adjustments to our itinerary. There will be very little change from the present information however.
ITENERARY:
A copy of our itinerary is attached to this information. All students will follow every item in the itinerary AS A GROUP. No students will be allowed to make their own “agenda” for any reason. No adults or parents of students who attend will be allowed to take their child from the group for any reason. No chaperones that are parents of students on the trip will be allowed to remove any student for the group, nor will any chaperones be allowed to leave the group for reasons that do not accommodate the group.
WEATHER CONSIDERATIONS:
We will make every attempt to get information regarding weather conditions in New Orleans a few days before our departure so the students can be prepared and pack accordingly. The weather is very unpredictable in New Orleans at this time of the year, but it is generally mild in the daytime and very cool at night. Students are encouraged to bring some type of rain gear.
BUS INFORMATION:
We do not allow “boxes” on buses nor will we allow any movies to be shown except for those brought by the chaperones. Please do not ask the driver or the bus chaperone to play anything in the tape deck or DVD/VCR.
CHAPERONES:
We generally take 12 to 14 chaperones not including the Band Directors. A list of these chaperones will be presented at the Booster Club Meeting. Those parents who have an interest should contact BAS for the necessary information. Chaperones do pay for their trip and are selected by the Band Director based on criteria attached with this information.
Chaperones accompany the students during all events during the trip. Students are divided into small groups, and each chaperone is responsible for a maximum of 12 students. These students stay with their chaperone at all times.
REHEARSALS:
We will have one full, after school band rehearsal for Mardi Gras on Wednesday February 18th. From 4:00 to 5:30. These rehearsals are mandatory for participation in the trip.
(No exceptions can or will be made concerning this)
CODE OF CONDUCT:
Students will be required to sign a form that outlines specifics in regard to behavior and procedures that are appropriate for trips of this nature. All parents and students are reminded that this is a school trip that is subject to all school and district discipline codes.
ITINERARY:
Saturday, February 21 2009
8:00 PM Arrive at T.L. Band Room for luggage check/loading
Sunday, February 22, 2009
08:00 AM Breakfast at Shoneys in Slidell
10:00 AM Arrive New Orleans – Riverwalk
3:00 PM Bus to Hotel – Check In Rooms
4:00 PM Bus to Piccidilly Cafeteria for Dinner
5:30 PM Bus to Watch Krew of Napoleon Parade
Bus to Hotel after Parade
Monday, February 23, 2009
7:30 AM Buffet Breakfast at the Hotel
8:30 AM Bus to Jackson Square to pick up guides
9:00 AM City Bus Tour
12:00 Noon Bus to Riverwalk Mall for shopping sightseeing and lunch on your own
TBA Swamp Tour
IMAX Theater and the New Orleans Aquarium on your own
(tickets for both included)
6:00 PM Board the Riverboat “Natchez” for dinner and cruise on the Mississippi River
9:00 PM Bus to the Hotel
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
7:00 AM Buffet Breakfast at the Hotel
8:00 AM Bus to Parade Staging Area
10:00 AM Krew of REX Parade and Competition
3:30 PM Bus to the hotel following parade
6:00 PM Bus to Dinner and Bowling
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
8:00 AM Buffet Breakfast at the Hotel
9:00 AM Pack – Load – Checkout of Hotel
10:00 AM Bus to Jackson Square for lunch on your own and last minute sightseeing
12:30 PM Leave for Home
TLHB
CHAPERONE INFORMATION
The selection of Chaperones has at times been an unnecessary point of contention with some. In order to minimize this, I have tried to provide some up-front information that will answer most questions.
Selection:
Selection is made by the Band Director with the Following Considerations:
Parents who have chaperoned in the fall (Number 1 consideration)
Parents who know the students
District V Employees
Medical Skills (Nurse)
Previous involvement with the Booster Club Activities
Couples who can go together
Parents of students who have special medical issues.
Please read the following information carefully:
Cost to chaperones will be $349.00 per person (2 or 3 to a room)
Chaperones will be assigned a certain number of “rooms” to check, and those students will be the responsibility of that chaperone.
Chaperones are responsible for staying with their assigned students at all times during the day. Chaperones must accompany the students at all times.
Chaperones will be responsible for checking rooms at nights and for waking up the students in the morning.
Chaperones will be responsible for checking the buses carefully and quickly at every stop.
In most cases, two chaperones will be teamed together on a bus, and will work as a team to their rooms, bus, etc.
Chaperones CANNOT administer any prescription medications to Students. (It’s the Law)
Chaperones will need to be willing to leave the group to go with a sick student to the hospital, if necessary.
Chaperones must agree not to leave the group for any reason, other than an emergency.
Chaperones must agree not to take any students (including their own child) away from the group activity or to areas that the group is not allowed or scheduled to go to.
Chaperones must agree not o leave the motel for any reason, other than an emergency.
Chaperones will not make the “own agenda” to sightsee, shop, or leave the group for any reason other than an emergency.
Chaperones are not within their rights to discipline or administer punishment to the students. They are however expected to instruct student to cease any and all inappropriate behavior such as curfew violations etc., and report them to the band directors.
It is not possible for us to allow chaperones to bring along other children who are not in the band.
We usually take around 14 to 16 parent chaperones.
If you agree to follow these procedures, as listed above, and wish to chaperone, please sign below. I will make the selections and notify those involved prior to Jan. 22nd.
Chaperone Selection is Made at the Sole Discretion of the Band Director.
Signature: _____________________________________________________________________________
Printed Name: _________________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________________
Phone Numbers: Home: ______________Cell: ________________Work:__________________________
Email: ________________________________________________________________________________
Students Name: __________________________________________Grade: _________________________
