Elkins Band and Guard Family,

A huge thank you to our amazing Jazz Band for performing at this weekend’s “Shoes and Tunes” shoe drive! We truly appreciate their time and talent.  Thank you as well to everyone who stopped by to donate shoes and enjoy the performance. Thanks to your generosity, we filled 5 bags this weekend (25 shoes per bag!), bringing us to a total of 16 bags. Our goal is 25 bags by December 2nd, and we’re well on our way!  Please keep the momentum going—continue donating shoes and spread the word to friends and family. Donations can be dropped off anytime at the Band Hall.

Marching uniforms were due back on Monday, November 17th. If your student has not yet returned their clean uniform (students keep their Metalmorphisis uniform shirt), it is now considered late. A $100 late fee will be assessed to cover the cost of the bibber and garment bag, and this fee will be invoiced through BoosterHub.  Please note that students will not receive their concert uniform until their marching uniform has been returned. 

Please take a moment to read through this week’s updates. We hope you and your family enjoy a wonderful and restful Thanksgiving next week!

In this week’s newsletter:

• Monday, December 1^st. – Spirit Night at Chick Fil A
• Tuesday, December 2^nd – Volunteer appreciation event (EHS Band Hall)
• Thursday, December 4^th – Holiday Concert, Booster General Body Meeting, Cocoa and Cookies
• Volunteer Needs: December 4^th - Holiday Concert Hot Cocoa Bar (Elkins Commons)
• Winter Wonderful Mary Kay Fundraiser through December 12^th
• Concert Uniform Fittings
• RaiseRight Fundraising

Monday, December 1^st Spirit Night at Chick Fil A

Join us for Chick-fil-A Spirit Night (6124 Highway 6 South, Missouri City TX 77459)—because honestly, who wants to cook after the first day back to school and work?  Grab dinner for the family and help support the Elkins Band & Guard at the same time!

If you’re dining inside the restaurant, please make sure your receipt is placed in the Spirit Night receipt box located at the front counter.If you’re going through the drive-thru, just let a team member know you’re participating, and they’ll make sure your receipt makes it into the box for you.  For those using the mobile app, simply select the option indicating you’re supporting our Spirit Night at checkout—no printed receipt needed!

Tuesday, December 2^nd Volunteer Appreciation Event

We made it through another marching season! The board and directors are thankful for all the sweat, tears, money, and time you put into making it one of the best in the band program's history. Come celebrate with us after the December Booster Club Meeting! We will serve some light bites and drinks.  Please RSVP here:   https://band.us/band/97297969/post/109

Thursday, December 4^th Holiday Concert, General Body Meeting, Cocoa and Cookies

Join us for this year’s Holiday Concert on December 4th from 6:30–8:30 PM!  We’ll also be holding our first General Body Meeting during the concert.  To make the evening extra special, we’ll be serving hot cocoa and holiday cookies for everyone to enjoy.  We’d love your help to make the night a success — please sign up to volunteer:  https://elkinsband.boosterhub.com/calendar/10321#

Volunteer Needs

We still have a few events till we break for the holidays where we need volunteer support.  Please check out these opportunities on the Booster Volunteer Calendar:  https://elkinsband.boosterhub.com/calendar/10321#

• December 4^th Hot Cocoa Bar - During this year's Holiday Concert, we will provide cookies and hot cocoa during intermission!  The Booster Club will purchase the regular hot cocoa packets, but we need your help with the rest! Please donate items for the cookie spread and hot cocoa bar. We also need volunteers to help set up, serve cookies, and clean up.

Winter Wonderful Fundraiser through December 12^th

Support the Elkins Band & Guard this holiday season by shopping our Winter Wonderful Fundraiser!  Visit https://www.marykay.com/zetino now through December 12 to browse a variety of great gifts. When checking out, please enter your student’s name or section in the comments field so they receive credit. Plus, orders of $75 or more qualify for free shipping! All proceeds directly benefit our program—thank you for your continued support and happy shopping!

Concert Uniform Fittings start this week

We will start concert uniform fittings this week.  Boys will be fitted for concert black pants and a coat. Girls will be fitted for a long black concert dress. Please keep in mind that the pants, coat, and dresses are the property of FBISD. Any damage or loss to these garments will be the responsibility of each student's family to replace.

In some cases, alterations may need to be done, and we will let your student know during their fitting.  Alterations are the responsibility of each student's family and are due back within 1 week of their fitting.  

Guidelines for alterations:  

• NO FABRIC can be cut from the garments 
• DO NOT use hem tape - it damages the fabric.  
• Alterations must be made in matching BLACK thread. 
• Be sure to have your students wear the black dress shoes they will wear with the uniform when being measured for alterations. 
• You can use any tailor or alterations shop of your choice, or you can choose to do them yourself.  Any alterations that do not meet standards will be sent home and we will require you to redo them.  We recommend using Brite Touch Cleaners 4680 Highway 6, Sugar Land, TX 77478, next door to Bagel Express
• Dresses should be hemmed to the middle of the ankle bone & no higher.
• Dress Pants should be hemmed to the top of dress shoes
• Coat Sleeves should be hemmed to the bottom of the wrist bone

Girls will need to have long KNEE-length solid black dress socks or solid black tights as well as closed-toed back dress shoes.  Formal black flats are highly recommended.  We highly discourage heels that are above 2 inches.

Boys will need to purchase a long-sleeved button-down SOLID BLACK shirt (no patterns) and a solid black necktie to wear with the Black Coat & Pants.  Please see the examples below.  As well as Long Black Dress Socks & Black Dress Shoes.

• Men’s Black Shirt:  https://a.co/d/08uBQPX
• Men’s Black Tie:  https://a.co/d/8RQVCyT

Fundraising: RaiseRight

Help us earn more for our organization by buying gift cards, eating at local restaurants, and shopping online through RaiseRight.  Start your holiday shopping early! On November 20 and 21, get a sneak peek at over 175 RaiseRight bonuses on the mobile app. Find out more.

Not a part of RaiseRight yet? Join now: Registration Link

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions that may pop up. The board is here to help!  

It’s a great day to be a Knight!

Zia Anklesaria

EHS Band and Guard Booster Secretary