ADVOCACY PROGRAMS SUPPORTED BY THE SHS BAND BOOSTERS
The SHS Band Boosters are proud to support several Advocacy Programs for the band program each year. In addition to our Caring Closet, which ensures all students who need concert dress have the opportunity to get what they need confidentially and without cost, there is also ongoing advocacy in Hearing Conservation and a charitable drive each year.
The following are our current advocacy programs:
HEARING CONSERVATION
Working closely with the Hillsborough County School District, the University of South Florida, Sickles High School, and local audiologists, the Hearing Conservation program was started in 2017 as part of a trend to help educate student musicians about one of their most valued resources; their hearing. The program consists of student education, parent education, free ear plugs for students, and voluntary hearing testing for students in the Spring. The goal of the program is to raise awareness for hearing conservation and to prevent hearing loss.
FOR MORE INFORMATON contact Ann Herrmann annherr1997@yahoo.com or Caroline Goodrich cgoodric@tampabay.rr.com
SHOE COLLECTION
2019-2020 will bring a fundraising partnership with the Florida based organization Shoes for Heart, a socially responsible way to dispose of shoes to micro-entrepreneurs throughout the globe. In impoverished countries, hundreds of thousands of people decide to become micro-entrepreneurs, that is, small business owners bettering themselves through commerce. Collecting gently worn, used, and new shoes, you help to provide inventory for these micro-entrepreneurs to sell in their local communities for commerce and a profit. The vast majority of businesses in developing countries are small family-owned businesses, and through it, people create their own paths out of poverty.
1. Most people do not know that shoes and clothing can be repurposed.
2. 85% of consumer textiles end up in landfills, which is extremely harmful to the environment.
3. Consumers are the primary reason for textiles ending up in landfills.
4. 70 percent of the global population uses repurposed shoes and clothing.
Learn more here about Why Shoes? https://shoeswithheart.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/F2OGroupWhyShoes.pdf
In the past we have collected clothing for the homeless, coats for those in need during colder weather, and more.
LOCAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Sickles Bands responds to requests for performances and musicians as our schedule permits. We have performed at senior living facilities, elementary and middle schools, Citrus Park Mall, Veteran’s for Foreign Wars (VFW) facilities, as well as to a variety of events for our school including commencement, pep rallies, award ceremonies, sporting events, and special occasions. When we can, we will, and bring smiles to many, one song at a time. Contact us with your community event request.
COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERISM
Sickles band students are known for their willingness to pitch in and help. It is part of our band tradition and in keeping with the umbrella commitment of the school at large. Volunteer hours completed on behalf of a band outreach program will usually count towards your graduation requirements, Bright Futures, and Tri-M requirements. See Mr. Griffiths for clarification and approvals. See Mr. Gray for Tri-M hours approvals as they select a list of qualified types of hours in advance.
Volunteer hours available through the band will be posted in the band room and/or announced by Mr. Griffis. They may include but not be limited to sign up performances at school and in the community, acting as stagehands for visiting school performances, working in concessions, distributing fundraising information, assisting Booster projects, moving equipment, and much more.
BAND CARING CLOSET
Our Wall of Sound Uniform Room maintains a Band Caring Closet year round; with marching/concert dress items should your student be in need of those. We have donated/used marching band uniform pieces as well as concert dress: black dresses, pants, shoes, dress shirts, and tuxedo pieces. If you are a senior or any student that may have gently used and outgrown items, please consider donating them to the Band Caring Closet so all students have what they need to perform. All items must be clean, in reusable condition, and if applicable, on hangers. Mark size if not readily discernable. Donation items accepted year round. Please – no bags of clothing. Always contact us so we may help you attain what you need. Every student deserves to have what they need to perform and we are here to assist you.
FOR MORE INFORMATON contact Nicole Byrnes at jbnb01@verizon.net
MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH
The Sickles High School Band program wholeheartedly supports the promotion of national Music In Our Schools Month each March through the National Association for Music Education. At Sickles, our activities during this month may vary from year to year and may include educational opportunities, fundraising, special events, community outreach, and more. In 2019 and 2020, the band room was the site of a Section vs. Section Penny Wars; a competitive student fundraising event to purchase much needed new instruments and equipment for the band.