Tonight the WDMB will take its first steps of its 2020 season. We are excited to be able to meet our incoming members and reunite with our current members.

Drop off and pick up should be at Oakview Elementary School! Students may arrive no sooner than 5:50pm. All students will will have a temperature screening upon arrival. Please be patient with us as we establish our new procedures. 

​All members are reminded to read and follow our rehearsal guidelines. 

What do members need tonight?

1. Complete daily questionnaire (prior to every rehearsal)
2. Wear comfortable athletic clothing/Sneakers (no flops)
3. Face covering/mask
4. Water jug with water
5. Signed participation form
​6. Your instrument (wind players)

We want to create an exciting and safe environment for all members.
Please come prepared and with full knowledge of our social distancing guidelines.

​GO WDMB!

Dear WDMB parents and members,
 
The following information pertains to the West Deptford Marching Band summer rehearsals. While we are not an athletic team governed under the NJSIAA Phase I Guidelines, the WDMB is adopting their procedures as they are substantially helpful to us to keep students and staff safe.  We know that this is a great deal of information to digest and we ask that you read this information very carefully.  Please direct any questions to Mr. Kershaw. 
 
Practices are scheduled to begin on Tuesday, July 14th from 6:00pm-8:00pm and will be held every Tuesday and Thursday. All summer practices will be held at Oakview Elementary School on the surrounding fields, our usual summer home. Our full tentative summer schedule can be found here.

For many years all WDHS athletic sports have had a participation agreement they require before participation is allowed. The WDMB is now required to seek the same authorization agreement. Please download and sign this form. Bring it to our first meeting next week.

​Please be advised that the NJSIAA and/or the West Deptford High School Administration can alter these start/end guidelines at any point in time.  We will communicate all changes to you as soon as we receive them. The Covid-19 situation is changing daily and directives from the Governor of New Jersey, CDC, Department of Health, the Superintendent/Administration of West Deptford Schools and/or the Officials of the NJSIAA will dictate the direction of our off-season and in-season rehearsals and schedules.
 
Full rehearsal guidelines and procedures are detailed here:

Requirements for each rehearsal: 
Members should be transported to practice by and with only members of her immediate family.  While we cannot mandate, we strongly discourage carpooling at this time.
 
Members will have their temperature checked by a designated staff before exiting their vehicle at Oakview Elementary.  Members should be seated in the passenger side of the vehicle with the window down (unless the member is the driver).  Any member with a temperature reading of 100.4 or above will be excluded from practice. This is an NJSIAA requirement and is not up for debate or discussion.   If your child has a medical condition that causes his/her normal body temperature to exceed 100.4, please contact Mr. Kershaw for further directions.  Temperature checks will begin at 5:50pm.
 
Members are required to bring their own water jug (labeled with their name) filled with a recommended amount of 1 gallon to each rehearsal.  Members may not share water.  No water will be provided.
 
Members are required to wear a mask to each rehearsal, and it must be worn when not participating in aerobic activity.  We are recommending a "gaiter style" mask as the members will not have to put it down during the rehearsal, however, each member should choose what is comfortable for them.
 
Members are NOT permitted to chew gum during practice.
 
Prior to each rehearsal, all parents must complete and submit the Covid-19 Screening Questionnaire for their participating children.  This must be completed on the day of the practice rehearsal.  It cannot be completed in advance.  The Screening Questions can be found using this link: https://tinyurl.com/wdmbcovid1 
 
Please feel free to review the questions on this form now, but please do not submit the form before our first rehearsal on July 14th.
 
Parents are asked to remain in cars during the drop off/pick up process and are not permitted to remain on school grounds during practices.  Parents should not return for pickup until after 7:50pm.  We thank you in advance for your cooperation with drop off and pick up. 
 
Parents must provide the phone number where they can be reached on the Daily Screening Questions Form (https://tinyurl.com/wdmbcovid1) and must be available to come pick up their daughter/son in the event that she/he becomes ill or displays Covid-19 symptoms during practice.
 
The WDMB staff will be following all directives for proper social distancing, mask wearing, sanitizing of equipment, temperature checks, etc. Please refer to the rehearsal guidelines document for full details.
 
In the event of inclement weather and practice must be cancelled, we will communicate with parents and members via Remind.  Be sure you signup for our Remind groups (see graphic below). If unexpected inclement weather occurs during a practice rehearsal, parents may be called back early to pick up members as indoor shelter areas may not be available during Phase I.
 
Be sure you sign up for our Remind groups:

Restrooms will be available, but use will be limited to one member at a time.  Members are asked to plan accordingly!​​

We request the following cooperation from the parents:
If your participating child is not feeling well, please keep them home.
If your participating child has been exposed to Covid-19, please keep them home.
Please communicate with us if your participating child will not be attending practice that day (email is preferred).
Please be sure that your participating child brings a mask, needed equipment, and filled water bottle/jug to each rehearsal.
Please leave Oakview school grounds immediately after dropping of your participating child.
Please be reachable by cell phone during the times in which your participating child is with us.
Please be sure to Join our REMIND list: Graphic
 
We recognize that the comfort level for your child to participate in the Phase I practices will vary from family to family.  As you know, these are "unprecedented times" and we as a staff are navigating them as a staff for the first time.  We know that there will be changes to this plan and we will communicate with you as often as needed.  Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.
 
Thank you,
Mr. Kershaw
Director of Bands
West Deptford High School