08/03/2026
To All,
This week marks the beginning of the 2026–2027 school year, and if band camp is any indication of what's ahead, we are in for an incredible season! I wanted to take a moment to express how grateful I am to begin this journey with each of you, reiterate a few expectations, and outline several protocols and procedures that will help our organization operate as a well-oiled machine.
Fundraising
First, let's talk fundraising.
After meeting with our Booster organization, we've determined that we're a bit behind on ticket sales. Students, please make every effort to sell or turn in your tickets this week. Remember, $5.00 from every ticket sold goes directly toward your band fees. This auction has the potential to generate significant support for our program, but it will only be successful if everyone does their part.
Our FanPledge fundraiser is also drawing to a close. At the moment, we are approximately $3,000 short of our goal. As a reminder, 70% of the money each student raises is deposited directly into their CutTime account. Make those calls and help us finish strong!
Attendance Expectations
Attendance is one of the most important factors in the success of our program. Below is a simplified overview of our attendance policy:
Excused Absence:
-Proper communication is made by the appropriate person to the appropriate director.
-The absence involves an emergency or an event that could not reasonably be rescheduled or avoided.
-Students will only be required to make up one-half of the time missed.
Unexcused Absence:
-No communication or improper communication is provided.
-The absence involves an event that could have been avoided or scheduled differently, including routine doctor's appointments or optional activities such as concerts, parties, or other social events.
-Students will be required to make up the full amount of time missed and may face additional consequences depending on the situation and at the discretion of the Director of Bands.
Activity Conflicts:
-The conflict involves another North Lamar ISD school organization. (Non-school-related activities do not qualify.)
-Students must submit an Activity Conflict Email in advance.
Please refer to the Band Code of Conduct for complete details regarding attendance policies.
Communication with Directors
I would also like to address communication with the band staff.
Please do not contact directors through the Band App. The Band App is intended to be a one-way communication platform for announcements and updates.
If you need to contact a member of the band staff, please use email.
Our goal is to respond professionally and within two business days. Please understand that responses should not be expected during weekends, as our staff members have family responsibilities and, in some cases, second jobs. During marching season, many of us work well over 60 hours each week, so I ask that everyone respect our personal time whenever possible.
If you have an emergency, I will respond as quickly as I can. If you have not received a response from me within 48 business hours, please don't hesitate to send a follow-up email. I receive an average of 50–60 emails every day from students, parents, boosters, administrators, teachers, coaches, vendors, show designers, and, unfortunately, plenty of spam. On rare occasions, an email has accidentally been deleted or overlooked.
Finally, I want to thank each and every one of you for an outstanding summer camp series.
Not only was our attendance among the best I have experienced in my career, but the work accomplished was exceptional. By the end of camp, we were able to march and perform our entire opener on the very first day. While we still have plenty of cleaning and refinement ahead of us, completing nearly one-seventh of the entire show in just three hours is an incredible accomplishment.
I am extremely proud of every student and excited to see what we achieve together this season.
Practice hard, stay hydrated, and let's make this an unforgettable year!
Austin Snow
Director of Bands
North Lamar ISD
[email protected]
