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In-Person Band Opportunities

Dear Band Students and Parents,

 
The Hockinson School Board has approved a limited amount of OPTIONAL in-person athletics/extracurricular activities based on updated guidance from the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA).
 
The first thing I want to point out is that these in-person offerings are OPTIONAL for all students and coaches/advisors.  There can be no positive or negative effect on a student’s grade whether they choose to participate or not.  This is simply an opportunity for students to practice in-person with others in their band and get some assistance from me.
 
Since these offerings are extracurricular in nature, they can only be offered outside of normal school hours.  Coaches have been asked to start small and slow.  Therefore, I will be offering my time every TUESDAY and FRIDAY from 3:30 to 6:00pm.  Students and sections will sign up for times (use this form to sign up).
 
Back in August the school placed an order for musician’s masks and bell covers for all band students to be delivered in mid-September.  Recent research shows that playing wind instruments with musician’s masks and bell covers while observing all other common social distancing and hygiene recommendations mitigates the risk associated with playing a wind instrument.  Students will be issued a mask and bell cover which they will be responsible for on their first day of in-person sectionals.  Lost or damaged PPE will be issued a fine.
 
Below are the guidelines from the district we will have to work within.  All of this will be discussed in our Zoom meetings  These guidelines are non-negotiables to ensure all participants stay safe. Failure to adhere to these safety measures will result in immediate removal from the practice and could jeopardize future participation. We will not be engaging in discussions around these rules; if your child chooses to participate, they must follow the rules.
 

  • Students will be put into “pods” of no more than 6. For band purposes this will most likely be your sectionmates.

  • These pods should remain homogenous, meaning students cannot bounce from group to group.
  • Only one pod per facility at a time. For our purposes, our facilities include:
  • Main Band Room (max. 6)
  • Jazz Band room (max. 6)
  • Practice Rooms 1-3 (max. 1)
  • Practice Room 4 (max. 2)
  • Sections may also practice outdoors depending on weather, utilizing covered areas such as the stadium bleachers, main entryway to the building, and bus loop entryway. 1 group per space, no more than 6 to a group.
  • All students must complete and document a pre-practice screening and check in with the trainer before starting practice. This will happen in room 214. Use the exterior door next to the auditorium.

  • Any person with symptoms will not be allowed to participate until cleared by a health-care professional.

  • All practices can last no longer than 1 hour, excluding check-in time.

  • All students must wear masks – all wind players must also use bell covers.

  • Students must wash hands or use hand sanitizer upon arrival and prior to beginning any activity.

  • To minimize exposure, only students will be permitted on campus during workouts. Parents must leave campus or wait in their cars until practice concludes.

  • All individuals must observe proper social distancing spacing a minimum of 6 feet.

  • All chairs, music stands, and percussion equipment should be cleaned after each individual use and prior to the next group.

  • Water fountains are not to be used, everyone must have their own individual water bottle.

  • There should be no high-fives, fist bumps, handshakes, hugs or group celebrations.

  • Brass should empty their water keys directly into a garbage can or into a paper towel which is immediately thrown away.

  • Students should wear appropriate clothing which should be washed and cleaned after every practice.

  • A positive COVID test from a participating student will result in a suspension of activities for all band groups for a 2 week quarantine period.

  • Choosing not to participate in in-person practices cannot be held against a student.

Thanks,

—

Corey McEnry

Director of Bands
Hockinson High School
16819 NE 159th St.
Brush Prairie, WA 98606
(360) 448-6450 x5594

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