Frequently Asked Questions
Missed classes due to pep rallies and competitions.
Game Nights
Do not park in front of the band room or in the lot where trailers must park. It is important that the lane in front of the band room be kept clear for returning buses after games and competitions.
General Game Details
General Game Details
- The band and color guard will perform at all home football games (usually 3 to 5 home games per year).
- BVSW "home" games are played at the Blue Valley High School stadium (6001 W 159th St).
- The band does not travel or play at away games, except possibly play-off games.
- Students will be expected to be at school with their full uniform after school. Mr. Lesando will communicate what to wear and specific time to be ready for each event. Sometimes students will be asked to be FULLY dressed upon arrival, sometimes just in bibs carrying jackets, sometimes in compression clothing.
- Students who will not be going home after school/before the game should bring something to eat for after school, unless other arrangements have been communicated.
- All band members will ride the bus from SW to the district stadium at BVH. The only exception to this rule is a student returning late from a BVSW sport.
- Students help load the trailers, so no additional help is needed from Roadies until the trailers arrive at BVHS.
- Upon arrival to BVH, Roadies unload equipment. Reload equipment after the halftime show is over, and return to BVSW after game.
- Students play the national anthem and alma mater before the game and then are required to sit in the band section during the game.
- Students perform their show at half time (and you cheer wildly!)
- Through a generous donation from Sonic, the students are provided with free water bottles during every game.
- During the 3rd quarter, students are allowed to visit the concession stand and visit with other students/family. (Chances are they will come to visit you for some cash as they will be hungry.)
- Parents should not bring food to the stands for their student until the third quarter
- Students return to their band section seats during 4th quarter.
- All band members will ride the bus back to SW from the district stadium at BVH to help unload equipment and clean buses.
- Students are released when everything is clean (most change back into street clothes before leaving band room). Don't forget backpacks, etc. if they haven't gone home yet.
- Students are usually released between 9:30pm-10:00pm, depending on the game.
Marching Competition Information
Do not park in front of the band room or in the lot where trailers must park in the lot. It is important that the lane in front of the band room be kept clear for returning buses after games and competitions.
General Details
The band generally travels to 4 out-of town competitions per marching season. Students are transported on school buses. For events that are very far, charter buses are rented. Students are usually required to be at school very early Saturday and will not return until very late Saturday night/early Sunday morning. Yes, even after a late football game the night before.
What to Wear Mr. Lesando will notify students what they should be wearing and what, if any, other shirts they should bring (show shirt or polo). All uniform items and instrument must be with the student upon arrival. Have them double check everything.
Traveling Money Students should eat or bring breakfast for the bus, but otherwise will be provided with all food and drinks for the day. Students may want to bring extra money for concessions or souvenirs.
Pick Up Details Students will be expected to stay until buses are clean and equipment is put away. As the timing on events is variable, please ask your student to text you when they are getting close to school for pickup. Do not park in front of the band room or in the lot where trailers must park in the lot. It is important that the lane in front of the band room be kept clear for returning buses after games and competitions.
Going to a Competition? Details will be sent by email or Remind to students and families. Families bring cash for the admission fee for spectators, and food. Information is also posted on midwestmarching.com, but please follow instruction from our Director and Boosters, as other websites may not get updated in time.
Please Note: We don't "parent" the students at competitions. We are raising adults so we keep an eye on them but don't hover. We are usually there if someone gets hurt, overheated, or there is a meltdown of some type (crisis management).
More Detail on Attending Competitions
Families attending a competition should bring lawn chairs and a cooler with food/drinks for themselves. Everyone is welcome to hang out at the camp site, however, the large white tents and blankets are reserved for students’ use. Students usually have hours to watch other bands perform, play cards, talk, listen to music, even sleep. The goal is for families to be there to cheer, give high-fives and celebrate with students. Families are also there to cheer, give high-fives and celebrate when they don't do as well. If you don't think your student wants you there, you might be surprised at their reaction.
Roadies typically leave BVSW before the student buses so that they can get set up at the camp site before the students arrive. Tents are set up and coolers are arranged. Equipment is set out for the students, along with their uniforms. Props are assembled and arranged for easy drop-off at the field.
Depending up on the timing, the Hospitality committee may serve the meal when the students arrive or may wait until the students are available to eat. This is communicated once the schedule is available for each competition.
Performance: students enter the field with a small, cold bottle of water provided by Hospitality committee. Roadies help students get the equipment and props to the field and set up for their performance. Everyone can watch the performance. After the performance, Roadies help students move equipment and props back to the camp site. Everyone waits for other bands to perform, and for standings to be posted. Standing will confirm which bands made the Finals and next performance time.
Finals performance: students enter field with water; Roadies help move equipment and props. After the final performance, Roadies help students move equipment and props back to the camp site. Some students take their instruments back to the camp site, then return quickly to the stands. Other students stay in the stands with their instruments, and everyone will wait for awards to be presented.
After awards, students return to buses and Roadies load the trailers for the return home. When the buses and trailers return to BVSW, students unload what they have carried onto the buses. Trailers are parked in the lot. Again, do not park in front of the band room or pull into the lot where the trailer must park.
General Details
The band generally travels to 4 out-of town competitions per marching season. Students are transported on school buses. For events that are very far, charter buses are rented. Students are usually required to be at school very early Saturday and will not return until very late Saturday night/early Sunday morning. Yes, even after a late football game the night before.
What to Wear Mr. Lesando will notify students what they should be wearing and what, if any, other shirts they should bring (show shirt or polo). All uniform items and instrument must be with the student upon arrival. Have them double check everything.
Traveling Money Students should eat or bring breakfast for the bus, but otherwise will be provided with all food and drinks for the day. Students may want to bring extra money for concessions or souvenirs.
Pick Up Details Students will be expected to stay until buses are clean and equipment is put away. As the timing on events is variable, please ask your student to text you when they are getting close to school for pickup. Do not park in front of the band room or in the lot where trailers must park in the lot. It is important that the lane in front of the band room be kept clear for returning buses after games and competitions.
Going to a Competition? Details will be sent by email or Remind to students and families. Families bring cash for the admission fee for spectators, and food. Information is also posted on midwestmarching.com, but please follow instruction from our Director and Boosters, as other websites may not get updated in time.
Please Note: We don't "parent" the students at competitions. We are raising adults so we keep an eye on them but don't hover. We are usually there if someone gets hurt, overheated, or there is a meltdown of some type (crisis management).
More Detail on Attending Competitions
Families attending a competition should bring lawn chairs and a cooler with food/drinks for themselves. Everyone is welcome to hang out at the camp site, however, the large white tents and blankets are reserved for students’ use. Students usually have hours to watch other bands perform, play cards, talk, listen to music, even sleep. The goal is for families to be there to cheer, give high-fives and celebrate with students. Families are also there to cheer, give high-fives and celebrate when they don't do as well. If you don't think your student wants you there, you might be surprised at their reaction.
Roadies typically leave BVSW before the student buses so that they can get set up at the camp site before the students arrive. Tents are set up and coolers are arranged. Equipment is set out for the students, along with their uniforms. Props are assembled and arranged for easy drop-off at the field.
Depending up on the timing, the Hospitality committee may serve the meal when the students arrive or may wait until the students are available to eat. This is communicated once the schedule is available for each competition.
Performance: students enter the field with a small, cold bottle of water provided by Hospitality committee. Roadies help students get the equipment and props to the field and set up for their performance. Everyone can watch the performance. After the performance, Roadies help students move equipment and props back to the camp site. Everyone waits for other bands to perform, and for standings to be posted. Standing will confirm which bands made the Finals and next performance time.
Finals performance: students enter field with water; Roadies help move equipment and props. After the final performance, Roadies help students move equipment and props back to the camp site. Some students take their instruments back to the camp site, then return quickly to the stands. Other students stay in the stands with their instruments, and everyone will wait for awards to be presented.
After awards, students return to buses and Roadies load the trailers for the return home. When the buses and trailers return to BVSW, students unload what they have carried onto the buses. Trailers are parked in the lot. Again, do not park in front of the band room or pull into the lot where the trailer must park.
What do Parents do for Band & Color Guard during marching season?
Everyone is needed for the season to run well. Even if you don't sign up for something, you can still help out when you attend activities. Whether a local game or any competition, all families are invited to attend and help with Hospitality, Roadies and Photos/Video. We post current sign ups on the Parents/Boosters page, or contact any of the volunteer coordinators, below.
Fundraising Help with different fundraising events throughout the year.
Hospitality Volunteers are responsible for food, snacks and drinks at competitions. They also coordinate snacks for band camp, a cookout for the last day of band camp, donut day at band camp, snacks for the pool party, water for the football games, pizza delivery for special events and anything else that comes up. Allergy requirements should be communicated so that all needs can be met.
Photo/Video Do you like to take pictures or shoot video? We would love to put your skills to use! Please contact [email protected] for more information.
Roadies are vital to our performances at games and competitions. They build large props, and move the equipment at football games and competitions. They also load up the water and food items whenever they are needed. Volunteer for as many or as few of the performances you want.
Uniforms/Clothing Uniform volunteers help in the summer with fittings and distribution of uniforms, polos and show shirts. We also need help during the year organizing uniforms.
Website This is a great way to support Band and Color Guard from the comfort of your home or office. Attention to detail is a must, and weekly updates are needed throughout the year. Even if you've never helped with a website, this one is easy. Contact [email protected] any time to take a look.
Fundraising Help with different fundraising events throughout the year.
Hospitality Volunteers are responsible for food, snacks and drinks at competitions. They also coordinate snacks for band camp, a cookout for the last day of band camp, donut day at band camp, snacks for the pool party, water for the football games, pizza delivery for special events and anything else that comes up. Allergy requirements should be communicated so that all needs can be met.
Photo/Video Do you like to take pictures or shoot video? We would love to put your skills to use! Please contact [email protected] for more information.
Roadies are vital to our performances at games and competitions. They build large props, and move the equipment at football games and competitions. They also load up the water and food items whenever they are needed. Volunteer for as many or as few of the performances you want.
Uniforms/Clothing Uniform volunteers help in the summer with fittings and distribution of uniforms, polos and show shirts. We also need help during the year organizing uniforms.
Website This is a great way to support Band and Color Guard from the comfort of your home or office. Attention to detail is a must, and weekly updates are needed throughout the year. Even if you've never helped with a website, this one is easy. Contact [email protected] any time to take a look.
Scrip
In a nutshell, Scrip is a way to earn money toward your student's band fees. Visit the SCRIP page to find out how to login and start fundraising with Scrip.