A. ParentSquare: Primary Mode of Contact - quickest way to reach Mr. W.

• This Week In Band: Every Monday, I will send out an e-mail with quick updates and reminders for the week ahead in CMS Band classes.

• Performance Information: I get performance/travel itinerary information to parents and students as soon as I have information from hosting sites, usually 2 weeks before the performance.

• Booster Meeting Reminders- CMS Boosters meet every 2nd Monday of the month at 6:30pm!

• Performance Reminders- Performance checklists and schedules will be sent out two weeks prior to the scheduled performance.

B. PHONE: 707-435-5800 (x 3624) - I rarely hear my phone when we are making music in class, so feel free to leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible!

C. E-MAIL: benw@fsusd.org

D. GOOGLE CLASSROOM:

Google Classroom will be updated continuously with the most up-to-date information. Please join your student’s classroom to stay informed and up to date on the latest news!

0- Jazz Band: https://classroom.google.com/c/NzAzMDIxODYxNDk1?cjc=ro6uirc

1- Beginning Band https://classroom.google.com/c/NzAzMDIyMzA4Njgz?cjc=ledsm7t

2- Pageantry: https://classroom.google.com/c/NzAzMDIyMzAwNjc1?cjc=cktcinj

4- Advanced Band https://classroom.google.com/c/NzAzMDIyMjc5MTc5?cjc=zmbcbu3

5- Beginning Band https://classroom.google.com/c/NzAzMDIxNDg3MTMy?cjc=wvwlqqn

Parents/Guardians: Follow the link to your student’s class for all of the most up-to-date information.

E. AERIES: Attendance, grades, IEPs*, 504 plans*

*I try my best to be at as many IEP and 504 meetings as possible, however I miss many due to zero period and after-school rehearsals. If your student has an IEP or 504 plan and you would like to meet with me outside of our scheduled meetings, please don’t hesitate to reach out! I want to ensure that I am giving your students supports to achieve their goals and am teaching in a way that is conducive to your needs.

I will do my best to respond within 24-48 hours to any e-mails or voicemails that I receive!

F. Office Hours: I will be available after school on Wednesdays until 3:30pm for students and parents to meet. I am also available some evenings by appointment on Google Meet. Students may request a lunch meeting to accomplish a specific musical purpose. A minimum of two students must be involved in a lunchtime meeting/sectional/rehearsal, unless there are other groups practicing at the same time.

1st Period Beginning Band Calendar

5th Period Beginning Band Calendar

Advanced Band Calendar

Pageantry Calendar

Jazz Band Calendar

Marching Band/Drumline Calendar

All students interested in being part of the CMS Cougar Band Leadership team will be invited to fill out an application via Google Form and subsequently invited to participate in an interview process. Student leadership requires students to go above and beyond the expectations of a band member, and will be involved with such tasks as organizing the music library, helping with fundraisers, getting their teams ready for competitions, and filling water jugs for rehearsals outside on hot days.

Leadership applicants can be a member of any of the CMS Cougar Bands.

Specific leadership roles and applications announced mid-September.

Crystal Middle School provides all instruments for students. Families may choose to rent or purchase instruments for their student if they wish. Reach out to Mr. Wilkinson for information on appropriate instruments to purchase. All students and parents/guardians borrowing an instrument from CMS must sign and return the Instrument Loan Agreement by 9/21/24. They can be submitted in the black box at the front of the classroom.

All members traveling with the Crystal Cougar Band organization will strictly adhere to FSUSD and CMS school rules and policies, local and federal laws, and will be upstanding members of society who represent themselves, the CMS Cougar Band, Crystal Middle School, and Suisun City. Band members are expected to travel with pride and respect, leaving each location we visit better and cleaner than we found it.

Each student will be assigned a locker to store their instrument during school hours. Students are responsible for keeping only their instruments in their locker. Binders can be kept in the music storage cabinet in the front of the classroom. Students are responsible for their instrument and are encouraged to bring them home when possible.