The Pride of the Drive

• March 16 - Booster Board Meeting
• March 19 - Senior Recognition Info Form deadline
• March 19 - Football at home vs. Riverside 6:30pm
• April 1 - Football at home vs. Jordan 6:30pm
• April 9 - Football at home vs. Cary 6:30pm
• April 14 - Let's Eat @ Tijuana Flats 5-8pm
• April 16th - Marching Band Family Night

MARCHING BAND WINDS: Tuesdays 3-5, Wednesdays 3-5, Thursdays 3-5

GUARD: Mondays 5:30-7:30, Tuesdays 5:30-7:30, Thursdays 3-5

PERCUSSION: Tuesdays 3-5, Thursdays 3-5, Fridays 3-5

*Practice times subject to change. Please rely on direct communication from leadership for the most up-to-date information on scheduling.

Due to the unusual nature of this year's marching season, all spring marching band students will be bringing their assigned uniform home this week! With distancing guidelines in place, it will be much easier and safer for band members to dress out for games before arriving on campus. Students should treat the uniform with extreme care and are responsible for returning all components in excellent condition at the end of the season.

Uniforms may need some attention prior to our first football game on Friday, March 19th. Please have your student try on the uniform and address any needs as soon as possible. Look for loose or missing buttons and check the length of pant legs and jacket sleeves. Alterations can be made, but DO NOT CUT any part of the uniform. Please refer to the detailed letter that went home with the uniform for specifics!

Questions? Contact Shayla Michaud or Janice Broniak at uniforms@athensdriveband.com.

With the absence of our usual events, we have two BONUS fundraising opportunities for families this spring - Flower Power and Happy Valley Soup. Both companies will return 50% of sales to the band program. Selling is safe and simple! No door knocking or phone calls. Just a few quick clicks and shares can earn credit for your band account.

Visit our web page HERE for company web links and all the details. Sale dates: March 15th - April 16th. Contact Martha Harris at vpwaysandmeans@athensdriveband.com.

Our first home football game is only two weeks away! Due to WCPSS restrictions, the concession stand will be closed. We plan to have water available for the marching band members during all home games. Please consider purchasing a case of bottled water for the band.

Donations will be accepted at school on Thursday, March 11th. You can drop your donation off at the band room doors before practice or at our booster meeting immediately after practice at 5pm. At all other times, students may drop donations outside Doc's office. Questions? Contact Michelle Major or Laurie Cockman at president@athensdriveband.com.

We are offering another opportunity to order Coco's Pimiento Cheese just in time for Easter! As always, your purchase supports this local business partner and a percentage of each purchase will be donated back to the band.

To place your order, please email deweys@athensdriveband.com. Choose from Coco's original, bacon, or jalapeno pimiento cheese OR chicken salad - $8 per container or 2 for $15. Take advantage of the deal and try two different flavors. Containers have a one month "best by" date. Orders will be available for pick up at Whisk in Waverly Place the week of April 1st. Customers will receive an email with specifics regarding pick up. Exact cash or Venmo payments accepted at pick up.

ORDER DEADLINE IS MARCH 28th!

Calling all Seniors & Senior Parents - please ensure you send in your photos for this year’s Senior Video Presentation (note this is different to the senior recognition request). Please send them to: seniorvideo@athensdriveband.com or contact me through this e-mail if you need more details or have any questions. Thank you in advance for your help to compile this treasure!

We will be individually recognizing our senior marching band members during the family performance in the football stadium on Friday, April 16th!

At the end of the performance, each senior will have their name, instrument, future plans and attending family announced. They will be recognized on the field and those attending with them will be asked to stand where they are. We also plan to have a photographer available afterward for group pictures.

We are currently gathering information about each of our seniors for use at the ceremony and in a printed program. ALL of our marching band seniors are invited to submit information whether they are participating in the spring season or not. Please complete this brief information form and submit a photo of your graduate by Friday, March 19th. Note: Photos can be uploaded directly into the form at the end of the questionnaire.

https://form.jotform.com/210478513793966

Contact Jonell Williams with any questions at seniorrecognition@athensdriveband.com or 919-449-4110 (call or text).

As a celebration of this year's senior band members, we are starting a weekly feature called "Senior Spotlights". Students who would like to participate (ALL seniors who have been part of band are invited) can click HERE to provide a photo and answer a brief questionnaire. Features will appear in this newsletter and on band social media. We can't wait to see who turns up in the spotlight!

Want to help the Athens Drive Band Program and support local businesses?

Step 1: Sign up for R City Rocks by texting JOIN to adbb@rcityrocks.com.

Step 2: Shop or dine at your favorite R City Rocks participating retailers.

Step 3: Text your receipts to adbb@rcityrocks.com within two weeks of purchase and the band receives 5% of those purchases!

For a complete list of participating retailers in the Triangle, visit the R City Rocks website at https://www.rcityrocks.com/the-triangle/athens-drive-band-boosters.

Over the years, Athens Drive band members have had numerous outstanding musical achievements. We love celebrating these successes! If your student has achieved a band related honor this year, contact our web team at website@athensdriveband.com.

Please include the following in your submission:

• email subject line STUDENT ACCOLADES
• student's first and last name
• student's grade and instrument
• achievement and other relevant information
• photo (optional)

If you would like to chaperone, please be sure to email Mr. Coats in the Athens Drive office at dcoats@wcpss.net to update your WCPSS volunteer registration (school entry not required). Once you are registered, you can sign up to chaperone an after school practice here:

https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/1542082/false#/invitation

Please register and sign up! Chaperoning is a fun way to meet the kids and be part of our band program. As always, feel free to reach out to our chaperone chairs, Zofia and Adrienne, with any questions - chaperones@athensdriveband.com.

Shopping for your groceries can also benefit the band! Physical gift cards are available for Lowes Foods (6% savings to student's account) and Food Lion (5% savings to student's account). Please text Zofia Pruchnik at 919-720-2066 to purchase.

We still have coffee for purchase! Please email us at deweys@athensdriveband.com if you'd like to buy any at the post-season price of $10 per bag. All varieties are available: Morning Jo (medium breakfast blend), No Fun Jo (medium decaf), Colombia Jo (medium roast), New York Jo (med-dark roast), and Wild Jo (dark roast).

Email: president@athensdriveband.com
Website: www.athensdriveband.com
Location: PO Box 293, Cary, NC 27512
Phone: 9192334050
Facebook: facebook.com/athensdriveband/
Twitter: @athensdriveband