Week of August 17th, 2026

OTHS Bands Newsletter

Week of August 17th, 2026

  

• TRAP SHOOTING!!! Please make sure you are taking pictures of your timecards with your name – OTHS and the hours you work each day so when we get the final timesheet to reconcile, we can compare.
• Parent Pick up information link for those wanting to pick their students up after certain events out of town for marching season (link to the direct google form found within this document or later in the newsletter):
  • https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mGUlXWy3ihuRiu8jNLSQE1UzLpCld9vOxzVemsHWfGw/edit?usp=sharin

LONDON TRIP INFO: for those that could not attend the Friends and Family meeting here is a link to the PDF for the information shared at the meeting.

• https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pzf-WhVn_YQA6HkEMuX7gD86zlxd9_I8/view?usp=sharing

Parent Meeting Locations, Dates and Time

2026 – All Meetings are at 6:30 PM in the MPR unless otherwise noted.

• Aug 19 Parent Booster Meeting 6:30pm MPR – MEMC meeting following booster meeting for anyone interested in learning more and key workers. (7:30-8:30p.m.)
• Aug. 21 – Football Game
• Aug 25 – Dine to Donate – Texas Roadhouse
• Aug. 29 – Mattress Fundraiser

*Stay tuned for more information on upcoming meetings!

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Upcoming Events/Important Dates

• Aug. 19 – Parent/Booster Meeting – Those interested in learning more about MEMC and key workers please stay after the booster meeting.
• Aug 29 – Mattress Fundraiser (watch for more info soon)

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Director’s Notes

Moving forward the newsletter will post on Mondays each week on the OTHSbands website. https://othsband.com/

Website Member Hub – top righthand corner

Log-in information:

Username: bandmember

Password: 25OTHSband26

The math question will change every time

Congrats to all students on their first week of the 26-27 school year!

Here are the events for the week of Monday, August 17

Monday, August 17 = In class:  Concert Band Music/Part 3/ILMEA Discussion/Pre-Assessments begin

Marching Band Practice 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Tuesday, August 18 = in class:  Concert Band Music/Pre-Assessments

*Illinois Music Honor Society Meetings – 7:40am or 3:05pm – Smiley Music students that are interested in this club

Open House

OTHS Parent Connects Open House Night is scheduled for Tuesday, August 18 from 5:30pm-7:30pm at both OTHS Smiley and Milburn campuses.  See below for details of the event:

Parent Connects Night includes presentations from the Counseling Department, an Activity Fair to showcase OTHS clubs and activities, and an Open House Meet & Greet to give parents and teachers the opportunity to meet.

MILBURN SCHEDULE

5:30pm-7:00pm – Activity Fair

6:00pm-6:30pm – Grade Level Presentation – Freshmen

6:30pm-7:30pm – Open House Meet & Greet

SMILEY SCHEDULE

5:30pm-6:00pm – Dual Credit Presentation

6:00pm-6:30pm – Grade Level Presentations – Sophomores, Juniors, & Seniors

6:30pm-7:30pm – Open House Meet & Greet

SESSION INFORMATION

• Activity Fair – 60+ OTHS clubs and activities will be on display in the Milburn Cafeteria for parents to browse and see what OTHS offers.
• Dual Credit Presentation – OTHS School Counselors will present three programs offered at OTHS that allow students to earn college credit while enrolled in high school coursework.
• Grade Level Presentations – OTHS School Counselors and Social Workers will share important information relevant to each specific grade level.
  • Locations:
  • Freshmen – Milburn Auditorium
  • Sophomores – Smiley Multi-Purpose Room
  • Juniors – Smiley Panther Center
  • Senior Financial Aid – Smiley IMC
• Open House Meet & Greet – OTHS teachers will be available in their classrooms to meet, greet, exchange contact information, and briefly share information about the classes they teach.

Wednesday, August 19 =In Class:  Concert Band Music/Part 3/Pregame Music/Pre-Assessments

Marching Band Practice 5:30pm – 8:30pm

(There will be a check presentation at the end of rehearsal at 8:30pm for students and families in the audience)

Band Booster Meeting 6:30pm-7:30pm (MPR). Rehearsal Viewing will be open after the meeting.

MEMC Key Worker Meeting – 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm (MPR)

Thursday, August 20 = In Class:  Marching Band Music/Pregame Music/Pre-Assessments

Marching Band Practice – 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm

Friday, August 21 = Panther Connects Day – ½ Day Schedule

ILMEA Jazz Audition Clinic 3:15pm – 4:15pm (Band Room) – cancelled due to the half day schedule – this will be rescheduled

Friday, August 21 = Football Game 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm; Leadership arrive by 4:30pm, Members arrive by 5pm.  We will determine uniform by the weather as we get closer to the date.

Saturday, August 22 = Marching Band Practice Camp 9:00 am – 1:00 pm – this is a change due to the percussion festival

Saturday, August 22 = Midwest Marching Percussion Festival – Timberland High School 12:30 pm – 8:45 pm – percussion members have been given this schedule.

*We are quickly working on syncing all band calendars.  We know there are some discrepancies between all of our calendars as we have discovered as we work through each digital calendar.  Everything will be resolved mid-week.  

*The Student Schedule for MEMC – September 12 will be posed next week.  The OTHS Marching Panthers will be performing twice on the day.

NOTE: For all marching band rehearsals – members should arrive on campus 10 minutes early. Leadership should arrive 20 minutes early.

Information will be going out Wednesday, Aug. 12th regarding add sales for MEMC. These will be paper handouts the students will bring home. The syllabus for all band classes will be sent out through Skyward and posted on the website member hub.

*The Band App will continue to be our fastest way to update Band Camp info.

ABSCENCES: If you need to report an absence from band camp, please email OTHSband@oths.us

Upcoming Dates for Fall 2026 

Non Marching Band Dates

Date	Event
August 21	ILMEA Jazz Audition Clinic
August 19	Booster Meeting
August 28	Yard Sale Set Up
August 29	Yard Sale
August 29	Mattress Sale
September 9	General Membership Meeting
September 12	MEMC
October 30	Band Concert – Featuring Carol Brittin Chambers
November 6	Craft Fair
November 7	Craft Fair/ILMEA Jazz
November 8	Craft Fair
November 21	ILMEA District Festival
December 4,5,6	Madrigals
December 9	Christmas in O’Fallon
December 11	Band Dance

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Halpin Music

We’re excited to continue our partnership with Halpin Music, who will periodically bring their instrument repair truck right to our school this year.

This is a great opportunity for our band students to get their instruments repaired without ever leaving campus!

Students – Fill out this form to participate: https://halpinmusic.com/serv…/oths-instrument-repair-plan/

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Student Accounts

Regular Information:

Thank you to everyone who has made on time payments! We appreciate you!
1. RaiseRight credits from July are now in accounts. 

2. Simply Sheets credits are now in accounts. 
3. For families on payment plans, please continue to review due dates in CutTime. If your financial situation has changed, please feel free to reach out to me to modify your plan. 

If you have any questions, please contact me at pantherbandstudentacct@gmail.com.
Payment Options:
1. Gold drop box in the band room — label envelope with student’s name
2. Venmo: @ofallonbandtreasurer (last 4 digits: 1152)
3. Mail: Katie Stump, 704 E. 3rd St., O’Fallon, IL 62269
Cash payments: Call or text me (Katie) at 618-402-9914 to arrange a hand-off

If you have any questions, please contact me at pantherbandstudentacct@gmail.com.
Payment Options:
1. Gold drop box in the band room — label envelope with student’s name
2. Venmo: @ofallonbandtreasurer (last 4 digits: 1152)
3. Mail: Katie Stump, 704 E. 3rd St., O’Fallon, IL 62269
Cash payments: Call or text me (Katie) at 618-402-9914 to arrange a hand-off. 

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Boutique

Panther Band Gear Store

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New Fundraising OppORTUNITIES

Perfect Pastries coming Aug 12-26th

Perfect Pastries Fundraiser

Start date: 8/12

End date: 8/26

Delivery/Pick up date: 9/9 at Smiley Campus either before or after band rehearsal 

Hard copy order forms will be available after rehearsal on 8/12. Weather permitting they can be picked up at the football field entrance/exit or the main entrance if rehearsal is inside. 

To order online scan the QR code on the order form to set up a student account. 

For any hard copy order forms, money must be collected and turned in at the end of the fundraiser. Checks need to be made payable to O’Fallon Panther Band Boosters.

*If you have hard copy order forms/money to turn in please e-mail casiemonto@yahoo.com 

Delivery will be made on 9/9 and all orders must be picked up that evening either before or after rehearsal at the Smiley Campus. 

The percentage each seller receives depends on the amount the band sells as a whole. Past years the students have received around 40%

*Note: Online orders will incur a small convenience fee that will be charged to the buyer during checkout* 

Questions? E-mail: casiemonto@yahoo.com

Perfect Pastries Order Form

General Fundraising

Dine to Donate

Mark your calendars now for the Band Fundraiser Dine to Donate Nights (a percent of the total sales will go back to the band. More info will be provided as it gets closer to each event): 

• Aug 18: Sake
• Aug 25: Texas Roadhouse
• Sep 15: Benny’s Pizza

Continued Fundraising

Soda Cans

We collect them! They must be tied in garbage bags and dropped off in the back of smiley near the dumpsters.

Goodshop

Similar to amazonsmile but you can pick your stores to use. Follow the link to sign-up!

Does your company match gifts?

Does your company/business do match gifts? We currently have a family enrolled in a gift matching program through CarMax where if you donate time or money CarMax will match the monetary gift or hours given. So, CarMax pays $15 an hour for every hour that they volunteer up to $5000 a year for matching donations, if we donate an amount of money CarMax will match that also up to a certain amount. Check with your company and see what they offer. Every little bit helps!

Raise Right Gift Card Program

For any questions you can contact Stephanie Pierce at 618-406-7960 or email at marchingpanthersraiseright@gmail.com

                   RaiseRight Gift Card Program                  ;
EARN FUNDS THAT GO DIRECTLY BACK TO YOUR STUDENT
  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  

Sign-up for Marching Panther Earnings >> Click Here

Enrollment Code  DBAAECD217989
*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Questions? Email Stephanie Pierce @ marchingpanthersraiseright@gmail.com

It’s As Easy As >>>>>

>  Purchasing Gift Cards for your daily/regular purchases and earning from 1-20% back

>  Family Members can sign-up also to add to your students account earnings

Watch these videos to learn more: The #1 Online Fundraiser | RaiseRight6 Everyday Ways to Earn with Gift Cards | RaiseRight

Physical Gift Card Orders Are Due:
15th of Every Month

TIP #1 – Order Gifts Card throughout the month to take full advantage of bonuses.
        There is no limit to your number of orders you place in a month.

TIP #2 – Download the RaiseRight App to buy eGift cards in real time as you make purchases. {Going out to eat? Wait until you get your ticket and buy the eGift card to cover the meal PLUS tip….Buying supplies for a project at Home Depot or Lowes? Buy an eGift at the checkout….Military Family shopping at Old Navy? Request the discount AND buy an eGift card to cover the cost of your purchase – big savings!)

TIP #3 – Questions on how you can make the most of your earnings? Call the Raise Right Coordinator, Stephanie Pierce 618-406-7960 or email me at marchingpanthersraiseright@gmail.com .

*****Did you know that you can earn 5% at restaurants nearby using your RaiseRight app? You do not have to have an e-card, just select “New! Discover” in the lower right hand corner of the RaiseRight app page. Select “Find a restaurant” and simply link a credit or debit card, no convenience fees apply! Your student earns 5% off the purchase, and purchases can be made throughout the United States, not just locally. See each restaurant individually to see what days they participate.*****

If ordering physical gift cards, please do not use Milburn campus this summer, only Smiley.

*****We highly encourage you not to purchase physical gift cards, but instead purchase E-cards. There is an $11.00 shipping charge to ship physical gift cards, and that is evenly split between RaiseRight participants who order that month. This greatly reduces or even negates your student’s profit for cards that you ordered.*****

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Important Links and Reminders

Link to the Visual Calendar

Click here to view

Link for FamilyID

Reminders

link to the visual calendar

Medical Records

Parents please add updates to your student’s medical records for permission to give over the counter medication’s if needed during a rehearsal or competition.

*Nurse (Physicals) Bandphysicals@oths.us

Student Pick-Up Event Form

Student Pick-Up Event Form

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSef084SX4sq5BpNf1k14bdaaypLiia8_YxfXNV6k1F18IUTfg/viewform?usp=header

This link can be used for any event which has parent pick-up

Pictures

Log into SmugMug to access band photos

Password (case-sensitive): Tarp

Spiritwear

O-Band Store – spirit wear not offered in our boutique

Varsity Spirit Wear Items
PIN=BAND (case sensitive) Unable to access your My Varsity account? CLICK HERE to RESET your password using your existing email.

Miscellaneous

Amazon Wish List Items

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Communication Sources

CutTime

Website Link

Amanda Partl is our POC for this program.

You can email her at: ampartl2010@gmail.com

**All absences need to be emailed to Dr. G at OTHSBand@oths.us from a parent/guardian email address with absence in the subject line.  This is a temporary solution. Stay tuned for further information.  

Band Website

Website Link

Member Hub
Password: 25OTHSband26

Choose Current Families for: FamilyID Link / Student Music / Etc.

Band App

Get the App

Used to communicate quick messages.

Absences

**All absences need to be emailed to Dr. G at OTHSBand@oths.us from a parent/guardian email address with absence in the subject line.

This is a temporary solution. Stay tuned for further information.

Facebook

🎶 Join Our Band Booster Parent Facebook Group!

Band Booster Parents, we’d love for you to join our Band Booster Facebook Group — it’s a great space to:

• Get up-to-date information on events and rehearsals
• Ask questions and connect with other band parents
• Stay in the loop on volunteer opportunities and updates

Important Reminder:

When requesting to join, please make sure to answer all the security questions. For the safety and privacy of our students and families, we’re unable to approve requests without completed answers — they’ll be automatically declined.

We’re excited to have you involved and connected — it truly takes a village, and this group helps us stay strong and organized.

Click here to request to join

Thank you for your support! Enjoy your summer – it’s almost Marching Band Season.

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Band Together Leads

Incoming and current families of ALL bands: listed below are your Band Together Leads. They are a great source of information, and you should connect with them for all your band questions. Also, if you haven’t joined our Parent Booster Facebook page, you can access that HERE. We ask that you please answer the security questions to gain access.

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Upcoming Volunteer Events

*Stay tuned for more Volunteer Events

Additional Volunteers Needed

Parents with Medical Background

Notes from our Medical Team:

If you have basic CPR training, any medical certification such as nurse, AED training, EMT, medic, physician, etc and want to be on the medical team, please contact Karen Holzum at karen-nurse@hotmail.com.

Please list your name, number and medical background certification. She needs to start scheduling her medical team for our first competition of the year on September 13.

ILMEA Audition Information

ILMEA Sign-Up Link

Here is the link to sign up to be eligible for video submission for ILMEA.

Sign up must be completed by Aug. 29th.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-bEVu8tCW4btC_yFvb8exgchiVrENnCn5LcEH9oa80RfyCg/viewform?usp=header

Band /Wind Orchestra Auditions 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e278fMkE76s2TwD64sGwU9TC3wO0zFYnQgC_pNi6rdk/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.jr45jk2g9x2n

Jazz Auditions

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10SG2sTNhFbvowdnwimp6aJ_cZtvzFIoWrDu5gGHJ1vs/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.jr45jk2g9x2n

Composition Contest

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1t1iuJdchnKfdMhLj3c5sCAbTwNKQn6grOyLGRvWm1Dc/edit?tab=t.0

FMES – students interested in music education

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a8b48df32601edf3b51de66/t/5b4e6abb03ce641364bebe95/1531865787798/2019+FMES+Instructions.pdf