CutTime Emails

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

What a Weekend we had! A sweep of all categories and a FIRST PLACE run! We have posted another video on a private drive, so anyone who couldn’t make it can see the show! ❤️ https://drive.google.com/file/d/14UvyALNdZRtWtmotgk5ps1CCj82hauq8/view?usp=sharing Remember, no open social media posts that include the music performed (pictures are fine), but we can share these videos on private groups and Google drives. 🏴🎷

What a Weekend we have coming up with Carnival of Bands. We’ve been talking about it. It’s been on your calendar. If you haven’t picked a job, or food signup yet, here’s your chance! This is our biggest, most involved event, so please if you can make some time, we could use your help.

Attached is the schedule for the kids from the Directors, and if your kid is signing up through school for a volunteer shift, please make sure to check with them what time their shift starts. There will be plenty of food trucks on site, so they can always grab a meal on campus if you send them with a little cash. They are also welcome to bring a sack lunch and pop that in their band locker will they are hungry. We’ve seen it all!

Click on the below SignUp Genius to pick a job, get your shift time, and know where and when we need you. There is a second SignUp Genius for all food donations that will fill our hospitality rooms for the bus/truck drivers, directors, and judges. If you absolutely cannot be there next Saturday for a shift, please be one of the people who helps fill the hospitality room needs.

Here is what we need parents to know:

We’ve had two parents step up with golf carts for us. If you have a 4-8 seater that we could borrow for the day, please call Will and I. We use them to bring families back and forth from our spectator parking at Schmucker. If you or someone you know is willing and able to lend/bring us a golf cart, please email Meghan Pozywio and Will Meyers - pozytivelyknit@gmail.com and meyers.6.11@me.com

For any new families, a couple of important notes -

All Penn Parking Lots are utilized for COB contest bands with their buses and trailers, and for Band Warm Up space. These lots will be blocked off starting at 6am.

There is NO Parking onsite at Penn during COB. All Volunteers will park with the spectators at Schmucker and Pennway and River Valley Church across the street.

There will be no car access to the main grounds around Penn. Do NOT drop your student volunteer off at Penn, please pull through the Schmucker Parking Lot and drop them off there, they will walk across the street.

This is an All Hands On Deck day, we NEED you all to grab a job, or pick up supplies and drop them off after a practice this week.

ALL VOLUNTEERS will Check in with our Volunteer Check In Table located at Door C. Do NOT attempt to report to your job location first, you NEED to pick up your volunteer badge first. So please arrive on campus and to Door C 15 minutes before your shift time.

Penn will perform their show as an exhibition piece LAST in the day, right before awards. Please understand, this is a day for us to volunteer, not to watch our show. If you have a job early in the day, feel free to come back later to see the kids, after your shift. But if you pick the late shift, you may be volunteering during their performance, and that is OK and to be expected.

If you have any questions, please reach out to myself, Will Meyers, or Sherrie Hoy, as we are the event coordinators. Click below to sign up.

Volunteer

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054EADAC2CA4F49-65996560-volunteer

Donate Food

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054EADAC2CA4F49-66014348-carnival

October 3rd will be a Rehearsal Day! Rehearsal will begin at 8:30, and end at 3:30 so kids can get ready for the Homecoming Dance. 🎷🏴🥁

Senior Night will be a quick turn around into BOA Indy. Kids will report as normal, perform for halftime, and the LOAD THE TRUCK and LEAVE. We will not stay through the whole game, as for BOA we will be back to school and on buses before the crack of dawn. We want to give them every opportunity to sleep, and please send them on the bus with a blanket and pillow and they can sleep more on the way to Indy. Full Schedule to come next week, when we have finished with this week’s big event.

Booster meetings are once a month, on the third Monday, at 7pm in Music C. The next one will be October 19th. We hope to see you then. 📋📝

From our Fearless Chaperone Leads:

There are still a couple of spots open on a few weekends for more Chaperones, including one spot this weekend. If you wanted to sign up, but have not, there is still room for you. If you have any questions please let us know. 🚌🚌 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C45A8AB2CA6FE3-64518983-2026

Saturday, September 26th - Penn Carnival of Bands

Friday, October 2nd - Home Football Game vs Elkhart - Homecoming

Saturday, October 3rd - Extra Rehearsal 8:30am - 3:30pm

Friday, October 9th - Extra Rehearsal 3:45 - 6:30

Saturday, October 10th - ISSMA Regional Competition Day - Carroll

Friday, October 16th - Home Football Game vs St Joe - Senior Night

Saturday, October 17th - BOA Super Regional Competition Day - Lucas Oil Stadium

Monday, October 19th - Booster Meeting 7PM

Saturday, October 24th - ISSMA Semi-State Competition Day - Ben Davis

See on Saturday! It’s going to be a beautiful, busy day!

Meghan, Sherri, Will

Sunday, September 20, 2026

WOW! 🎉 These kids did a FANTASTIC job at Concord last night! A sweep of all categories - way to play a great hand of Rock, Paper, Scissors BTW - and a FIRST PLACE run! We have posted another video on a private drive, so anyone who couldn’t make it can see the show! And it happened again, a gasp at the opening, and I heard verbal compliments from the Carroll parents around me on the solos and choreo!! ❤️ https://drive.google.com/file/d/14UvyALNdZRtWtmotgk5ps1CCj82hauq8/view?usp=sharing Remember, no open social media posts that include the music performed (pictures are fine), but we can share these videos on private groups and Google drives. 🏴🎷

Now on to Business! Carnival of Bands. We’ve been talking about it. It’s been on your calendar. Today is the day of volunteer job selection! 🎪🥁🏴

For any new families, a couple of important notes - 🎺

All Penn Parking Lots are utilized for COB contest bands with their buses and trailers, and for Band Warm Up space. These lots will be blocked off starting at 6am. 🫷🚌

There is NO Parking onsite at Penn during COB. All Volunteers will park with the spectators at Schmucker and Pennway and River Valley Church across the street.

This is an All Hands On Deck day, we NEED you all to grab a job, or pick up supplies and drop them off after a practice this week.

If you have any questions, please reach out to myself, Will Meyers, or Sherrie Hoy, as we are the event coordinators. 📋

Click below to sign up. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Volunteer

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054EADAC2CA4F49-65996560-volunteer

Donate Food

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054EADAC2CA4F49-66014348-carnival

See you on Saturday!!

Meghan, Sherri, Will 🖤💛🎷🖤💛

Sunday, September 13, 2026

Oh My Gracious! The kids did a GREAT job at Competition last night! Second place is great, especially when you look at what bands attend the competition. Carroll is always good, so kids, be proud of what you did yesterday! Thank you Cassie for posting a great recording, did anyone else hear the entire audience GASP at that opening? ❤️ https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tQn9M9MQjMCAe3T4hp0t8D5pSLuiBfqg/view?usp=drivesdk Remember, no open social media posts that include the music performed (pictures are fine), but we can share these videos on private groups and Google drives. 🏴🎷

This weekend is another home game, then Picture Day and a competition, this time at Concord. Make sure Compression wear is clean and ready, and that all the students are wearing PLAIN BLACK compression wear. Their red show shirts are thin, and the unders make a difference. 🎺📸

Our Invitational - The Penn Carnival of Bands - is coming up on September 26th, so this week we will send out the sign ups for that day. COB will get some dedicated communications, and the day is really an All-Hands-On-Deck kind of day. Please mark your calendar and be ready to jump in somewhere, somehow. We NEED You!🎺🥁🎪

There have been many questions about spirit wear… this last run was A LOT. Please have patience… as soon as we have everything organized, Brenda - our Spirit Wear Queen - will let you know when and where to find her for pick up. Keep your eyes on the the Band App for any official news/dates/times. 👚🩳

Here is what we need from you, the parents, now:

For Carnival of Bands, we are still looking for a couple of GOLF CARTS. We’ve had two parents step up with options for us. If you have a 4-8 seater that we could borrow for the day, please contact Will and I. We use them to bring families back and forth from our spectator parking at Schmucker. If you or someone you know is willing and able to lend/bring us a golf cart, please email Meghan Pozywio and Will Meyers - pozytivelyknit@gmail.com and meyers.6.11@me.com

This Friday we will need help with Parking and Raffle/Blanket sales during the Penn vs Marian game. Game starts at 7pm, so we will be arriving to school at 5:30 to set up for parking and sales. Click here for the Sign-Up Genius, and if you are part of the Guard or Drum Major sections - this is your week to step up, jump in, and volunteer. But as always, if you just love to volunteer, we will never turn you away, no matter what section you/your kid are part of. If you are able, we’d love to have you! 🚗

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054EADAC2CA4F49-65824347-football

Concord Invitational is Saturday, that is ALSO our Picture Day for all official PMK photos. Penn doors open at 8am, students will dress in full uniform and start photos at 8:30, full band and section photos start at 9am. Students will have a break from 11am to Noon for lunch, they will change out of uniform for break. Rehearsal starts at Noon, Dinner at 4:30, and on the Buss at 6:05pm. Join us at Concord to cheer on your PMK. Be ready to pick your kid up around 11:15pm - ish. See the attachment for the full day’s schedule. (Always ish - never exact - keep an eye on the Band App, we will share updates and ETAs there each weekend) 🏴🎷

I have advanced tickets for the Concord Invitational available for $10 each, and any tickets sold in advance our Boosters get to keep half the proceeds! (We do the same for them for Carnival of Bands.) So text me, email me, find me after practice; let me know how many tickets you need, I am happy to hold a couple aside for you. 425-503-6850. Cash or check made out to Penn Band Boosters are best. 🎟️

From our Fearless Chaperone Leads:

From our Feed the Band Moms, I have a note for you here:

We are in need of a few donations in order to provide the band, guard, and staff with a healthy meal before they head off to Elkhart for the Concord Competition! We will be serving hamburgers/cheeseburgers, chips, apples, oranges, & a dessert. 🍔🍔

Please drop off your donations at either Door C or near football field on Tuesday or Thursday evening (9/15 and 9/17) after practice. Look for a note in Band App as to where we will be.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054EADAC2CA4F49-65240615-concord

Then, we will need your help on Saturday to feed them before the Concord Invitational. Join us in feeding the band before they head out to competition at Concord We will meet in the Penn Cafeteria where we will set up, serve the band, guard, and staff, then tear down and clean up. 🍴🍔

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054EADAC2CA4F49-65830725-feed#/

This Thursday we will have pick up for our Mums, and I will need some help throughout the day to make this go smoothly. So far I have ONE volunteer…I promise I don’t bite. 😁 If you could find it in your heart and in your schedule to come and give me a hand, I just need a few people - and I set it in short shifts starting at 9am. Sign up for the day, or just come for a few hours. I appreciate any time you can give. 🌼🌸

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054EADAC2CA4F49-65574524-mums

October 3rd was on our calendar as a TBD - Directors have determined it will be a Rehearsal Day! Be on the lookout for call/release times, we need to get those from the directors, who are aware that this is also the day of the Homecoming Dance. 🎷🏴🥁

Booster meetings are once a month, on the third Monday, at 7pm in Music C. The next one will be September 21st. We hope to see you then. That is the Monday before Carnival of Bands! Be ready to go on this one, we’ll cover a lot very quickly. 📋📝

Friday, September 18th - Home Football Game vs Marian

Saturday, September 19th - Picture Day and Competition Day - Concord

Monday, September 21st - Booster Meeting 7PM

Saturday, September 26th - Penn Carnival of Bands

Friday, October 2nd - Home Football Game vs Elkhart - Homecoming

Saturday, October 3rd - Extra Rehearsal

Friday, October 9th - Extra Rehearsal 3:45 - 6:30

Saturday, October 10th - ISSMA Regional Competition Day - Carroll

Friday, October 16th - Home Football Game vs St Joe - Senior Night

Saturday, October 17th - BOA Super Regional Competition Day - Lucas Oil Stadium

Monday, October 19th - Booster Meeting 7PM

Saturday, October 24th - ISSMA Semi-State Competition Day - Ben Davis

Lastly: There are reasons that the travel team asked that we “not keep the directors waiting”. Yes, last night was frustrating… for parents in cars and for students on buses. We apologize. The semi was late, and there is no going home until the truck is unloaded, all instruments back in the Band Room, uniforms in the Uniform Room. We don’t let the kids go until the truck is unloaded because it is all hands on deck to get that many pieces inside. And though YOU may always be on time, we have seen MANY past occasions where chaperones and directors are waiting an hour+ for the last parents to arrive. We want to try not to have them wait on us, as they have been working for 14-18 hours on an average competition day. They are also tired and they want to go home too. But until the last student is with a parent, at least two adults have to stay. So, as to last night’s ETA request and then later than planned departure, please give grace to the staff, the drivers, and to the volunteers that give their time to your students. It takes a village, and if the village is quick to anger, it’s a lot less fun. (Last night the directors didn’t leave till after 12:30, so kindness is reminded, patience and flexibility are requested.) ❤️🏴❤️🥁❤️🚌

Thank you for your attention, and remember to complete those Mums orders! ❤️🌺

Have a lovely day!

Meghan

425-503-6850

pozytivelyknit@gmail.com

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Notes from the Veep - Football, Goshen, and Mums

Who else had a beautiful and relaxing Labor Day weekend? I made a point of letting myself take a little time just for me, because the next few weekends, we will get none of that. 😉

OK, so this Friday is a home game. This Saturday is Goshen Invitational. Make sure Compression wear is clean and ready. Try to let them get as much rest as possible; we know it’s a quick turn around from a home game to competition, but I promise you, no matter the schedule, they will LOVE it! It’s hectic, it’s busy, it’s exciting, and it’s all about BAND! 🎺

Our Invitational - The Penn Carnival of Bands - is coming up on September 26th, so keep your eyes peeled for more notes and sign ups for that day. It will get some dedicated communications, and the day is really an All-Hands-On-Deck kind of day. Please mark your calendar and be ready to jump in somewhere, somehow. 🎺🥁🎪

Here is what we need from you, the parents, now:

For Carnival of Bands, if you have a GOLF CART that you’ve let us borrow for the day… our usual source is completely booked for an Elkhart RV event. We use them to bring families back and forth from our spectator parking at Schmucker. If you or someone you know is willing and able to lend/bring us a golf cart, please email Meghan Pozywio and Will Meyers - pozytivelyknit@gmail.com and meyers.6.11@me.com

Friday we will need help with Parking and Raffle/Blanket sales. Game starts at 7pm, so we will be arriving to school around 5-5:30 to set up for parking and sales. Click here for the Sign-Up Genius, and if you are part of the Saxophone/Baritone sections - this is your week to step up, jump in, and volunteer. But as always, if you just love to volunteer, we will never turn you away, no matter what section you/your kid is part of. If you are able, we’d love to have you! 🚗

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054EADAC2CA4F49-65668467-football

Goshen Invitational is Saturday. Penn doors open at 11am, and rehearsal starts at Noon. Competition days are long days, so take a look at the schedule we shared late in the week, it is also attached here. Join us in Goshen to cheer on your PMK. Be ready to pick your kid up around 11:15pm - ish. (Always ish - never exact - keep an eye on the Band App, we will share updates and ETAs there each weekend) 🏴🎷

I have advanced tickets for the Goshen Invitational available for $10 each, and any tickets sold in advance our Boosters get to keep half the proceeds! (We do the same for them for Carnival of Bands.) So text me, email me, find me after practice; let me know how many tickets you need. Cash or check made out to Penn Band Boosters will be great. 🎟️

From our Fearless Chaperone Leads:

Jenny and Megan would like to have a meeting for anyone who has signed up to be a chaperone for any week. This meeting will be on Thursday, Sept. 10 from 7-8, come to the ESC lobby (inside Door C).

PLUS - There are still a couple of spots open on a few weekends for more Chaperones. If you wanted to sign up, but have not, there is still room for you. If you have any questions please let us know. 🚌🚌 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C45A8AB2CA6FE3-64518983-2026

There are still a few spots open to give to our Feed the Band crew so that their first meal, Saturday before Goshen, is a good one!

From our Feed the Band Moms, I have a note for you here:

We are so excited to kick off our first competition next week with the “Circle’s End” Show!! We are asking for your help to supply food for your PMK students so they can enjoy a meal before their competition! Please review the following list of items and sign up if you are able. Kindly bring all donations Tuesday, September 8 or Thursday, September 10, after practice. Thank you for your help! 🌭🌮 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054EADAC2CA4F49-65233075-goshen

The week after Goshen, we will have pick up for our Mums. Thursday, September 17th, and I will need some help throughout the day to make this go smoothly. If you could find it in your schedule to come and give me a hand, I just need a few people - and I set it in short shifts. Sign up for the day, or just come for a few hours. I appreciate any time you can give. 🌼🌸

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054EADAC2CA4F49-65574524-mums

Friday, September 11th - Home Football Game vs SB Washington

Saturday, September 12th - Competition Day - Goshen

Friday, September 18th - Home Football Game vs Marian

Saturday, September 19th - Picture Day and Competition Day - Concord

Monday, September 21st - Booster Meeting 7PM

Saturday, September 26th - Penn Carnival of Bands

Friday, October 2nd - Home Football Game vs Elkhart - Homecoming

Saturday, October 3rd - Extra Rehearsal

Friday, October 9th - Extra Rehearsal 3:45 - 6:30

Saturday, October 10th - ISSMA Regional Competition Day - Carroll

Friday, October 16th - Home Football Game vs St Joe - Senior Night

Saturday, October 17th - BOA Super Regional Competition Day - Lucas Oil Stadium

Monday, October 19th - Booster Meeting 7PM

Saturday, October 24th - ISSMA Semi-State Competition Day - Ben Davis

Thank you for your attention, and remember to complete those Mums orders! ❤️🌺

Have a lovely day!

Meghan

425-503-6850

pozytivelyknit@gmail.com

Friday, September 4, 2026

Good Evening all you Beautiful Band Parents!

OMG, you would not believe the last 24 hours I have had. I am sorry, I had planned to send this yesterday, and then earlier today, and you know what … life happened! 🤪 So … we have a schedule now for next weekend’s Goshen Competition. I have the schedule attached for you, but since this is the first one for our Freshmen, here are a few details/notes about a competition day.

🏈 🏴 We will have our PHM Friday Night Lights on the 11th, they will again likely be at Penn until 10pm, or a little after. Then kids are due at school for rehearsal on Saturday morning. Doors open at 11am, and rehearsal begins at Noon. If your section has any competition day prep to do, your student/their section leaders will let you know. 🎺

🌮 Students will eat dinner at school (thank you Feed the Band crew) before leaving for Goshen at 6pm. All students will travel to competition together on the bus.

Family and friends are encouraged to drive out to Goshen and see the competition. Watch as many bands as you like, it is so interesting to see each one progress throughout the season. Tickets are $10 at the door at Goshen.

🚌 Students will ride home from competition on the bus, unless you decide to wait around for them. No student will leave the competition until after the awards ceremony is done. If you would like your student to ride home with you, you must meet your student AT THEIR BUS and SIGN THEM OUT with the chaperones. For students who ride back on the bus, we will be at Penn a little after 11pm, and students will unload a few things, and meet you outside Door C once they have cleaned up the bus/unpacked the trailer/put away their instrument.

🌭 From our Feed the Band Moms, I have a note for you here:

We are so excited to kick off our first competition next week with the “Circle’s End” Show!! We are asking for your help to supply food for your PMK students so they can enjoy a meal before their competition! Please review the following list of items and signnup if you are able. Kindly bring all donations Tuesday, September 8 or Thursday, Septmber 10, after practice. Thank you for your help!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054EADAC2CA4F49-65233075-goshen

🎟️ As we are good friends with Goshen’s Crimson Marching Band, we have a reciprocal fundraiser for competitions. They mailed us an advanced set of tickets, and you may come and find me after practice any night this week. I can sell you a few tickets in advance for $10 each, and our Boosters get to keep half, their boosters get the other half of the proceeds. Then we do the same for them for Carnival of Bands. 😉 So text me, email me, find me after practice; let me know how many tickets you need. Cash or check made out to Penn Band Boosters will be great. 🎟️

Special Notes/Announcements for this day:

Parents: Parking at Goshen 🚗

GOSHEN HS IS LOCATED ON THE EAST SIDE OF GOSHEN ON US 33

401 Lincolnway East, Goshen IN

Spectator Parking is VERY Limited at Goshen High School. Watch our normal communication lines for spectator parking information prior to September 12th.

Departure procedure 🚌

The default for each student is to ride back to Penn on the buses to help with the storage of equipment.

A student that is leaving with their parent or guardian must go together (both students and guardians present) to find their bus chaperone at their bus after awards. No student will be permitted to leave before awards are finished.

Any student who is leaving the show with a different parent or guardian other than their own must have their own guardian send Mr. Landoll an email with the details prior to contest day. We are not equipped to handle this as a “game-time decision” - this must be set up in advance. Any student whose guardian is not present AND whose guardian did not email Mr. Landoll before contest day will ride the bus back to Penn.

Student Conduct reminders 😇

We are representing Penn High School while in uniform

Students are not permitted to leave the general stadium area before or after the performance

We should accept all competitive results with grace and humility

Please if you have any questions, ask us, ask your section parents, ask an older student. We’ve all been where you are, we know your worries. 😉

Have a wonderful night! (Sorry it’s so late… again … best laid plans of mice and men … ) 😉

Meghan

425-503-6850

Sunday, August 30, 2026

First full week of school down, only 35 more to go, not that my kids are counting or anything. 😉

Now is the time we get ourselves ready for competitions. Make sure your kid has their compression wear and tall black socks clean each week, and a set of comfy clothes to wear over the compression wear on the bus. Remember, NO Jewelry can be showing on the field, so if it’s something they can leave at home, please encourage your student to do so. Lots of the kids wear pajamas on the bus, take a blanket/pillow on longer rides (Indianapolis and such) and bring a backpack of snacks, drinks, hair brush, deodorant, and other such general toiletries. Our first two competitions are Goshen and Concord, so they might not need the blanket/pillow, but everything else is essential, always. 🚌

Here is what we need from you, the parents:

After school rehearsals will run their weekly schedule throughout the season: Monday 6-9pm, Tuesday 3:45-6:30 Winds & Percussion - 6-9pm for Guard , Thursday 6-9pm. If you are a snack parent, double check your sign-ups and the appropriate ending time/place! 🕖🧀🍎

MUMS Fundraiser is due in TOMORROW! Hopefully you have reached out to family, friends, coworkers and gotten a few orders. Gather funds upfront, and place a single order as a family. I will be at the end of rehearsal tomorrow night if you wish to bring a check, or you can send a Zeffy payment (preferred) using the link at the bottom of the main order form here: https://forms.gle/urHubLq2CD9xbffV9 Orders must be submitted and PAID via the form by TOMORROW, August 31st. 😁🌼 Pick up will be at St Marks Church on Bittersweet, Thursday, September the 17th. We will be sitting outside, at their front pavilion, with all your orders organized by family.

Speaking of organized orders… I could use a handful of - wait for it…. Volunteers to help me receive and set out all the orders that morning, and man pick-up throughout the day. If you are willing and able to help out on Thursday, September 17th, please let me know. I will also send out a Sign-Up Genius this week for that event. 🌼🌺

Volunteer requests will continue throughout the season. These will come from a variety of committees, so watch your CutTime, BandApp, and Facebook for links from Feed the Band, Uniforms, Parking/Sales, etc! Be ready to step up with food donations, and small time commitments. Make sure you have filled out the PHM background check and watched the Anti-bullying video too! https://www.phmschools.org/parents/get-involved/volunteer-information/ ** **

We need a few more Chaperones for Competition days! This is such a fun volunteer job! You ride with the students on the busses to competition , you get to chat with them, learn about them, laugh with them, and support them in all outcomes. We need two people per bus, and we have a couple of weeks that are lacking. Those who filled out the volunteer interest form and checked Chaperone, have already had a chance to sign up. If you were unsure, but you have your volunteer background check in, give this spot a try! I guarantee you’ll have fun with us! Click here to sign-up: 🚌❤️🥁**** https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C45A8AB2CA6FE3-64518983-2026 ** **

Our fundraising continues throughout the season! Next home football is Sept 11th, and we will ask the Saxophone and Baritone parents to try to give their time for parking on that one. (though if you are available, we’ll never turn away a volunteer) 🚗🛻🚙! After that one, we’ll ask the Guard and Drum Major parents to try and jump in for the Penn vs Marian game on Sept 18th. But again, if you have fun volunteering, and you want to sign up, you are more than welcome, no matter which section is on for the week! 😉❤️📝

Bling Wear store is still open! For Bling Wear the next order will be Due Sept 4th and delivered on Sept 25th: https://bleacherblingsportswear.weebly.com/ 👚✨

Want to make sure you get all the reminders and all the dates and times right? Subscribe to the PMK Google Calendar. We do our best to keep this up to date, and with the help of the lovely Amanda Hammond the rehearsals, game days, and competitions have all been added! 📅 Click here to Subscribe:

https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=ZTYwMDUyNmFkYTAzMzljMTYzZjE3MWZmY2JmMDM1OTY0OGVlZTc3OTA0Y2VlNjQ2YjVkNTIyYTc3NTI5ZTExOUBncm91cC5jYWxlbmRhci5nb29nbGUuY29t

Friday, September 11th - Home Football Game vs SB Washington

Saturday, September 12th - Competition Day - Goshen

Friday, September 18th - Home Football Game vs Marian

Saturday, September 19th - Picture Day and Competition Day - Concord

Monday, September 21st - Booster Meeting 7PM

Saturday, September 26th - Penn Carnival of Bands

Friday, October 2nd - Home Football Game vs Elkhart - Homecoming

Saturday, October 3rd - Extra Rehearsal

Friday, October 9th - Extra Rehearsal 3:45 - 6:30

Saturday, October 10th - ISSMA Regional Competition Day - Carroll

Friday, October 16th - Home Football Game vs St Joe - Senior Night

Saturday, October 17th - BOA Super Regional Competition Day - Lucas Oil Stadium

Monday, October 19th - Booster Meeting 7PM

Saturday, October 24th - ISSMA Semi-State Competition Day - Ben Davis

Thank you for your attention, and remember to complete those Mums orders! ❤️🌺

Have a lovely day!

Meghan

425-503-6850

pozytivelyknit@gmail.com

Sunday, August 23, 2026

Wow! What a WEEK! Is anyone else Exhausted!?!? 🥱

Penn’s first Friday Night Lights at Freed Field was a TON of fun! Penn won the game and PMK absolutely CRUSHED the Halftime show!! Parents, friends, and general football attendees all commented on how amazing that looked. Wait till the next home game, when more of this show is ready!!

Then, the kids rehearsed all day Saturday, and hosted family and friends for Community Preview Night for the “first” (thanks weather delay) run through of the show so far. ELECTRIC! Plus, we closed our Phone-a-Thon for a grand total of $44,000!! CRUSHED IT! Thanks to our in-house app by the amazing Will Myers - We Get To Keep All That With the Band! 💰

Here is what we need from you, the parents, now:

After school rehearsals start a normal weekly schedule this week. Monday 6-9pm, Tuesday 3:45-6:30 Winds & Percussion - Guard is 6-9pm, Thursday 6-9pm. If you are a snack parent, be ready to start checking for the appropriate time! Many students may ask to stay after school, and it’s ok; lots of them do stay, it’s a good group, they’ll be safe. Send your kid with money for Culvers or Subway… that is where most of them end up going. 🕖🍔

This Saturday is a Rehearsal Day. Full Ensemble rehearsal will run from 10am-5pm, but WAIT… Percussion - just for YOU the directors have arranged for a great guest clinician to work with our drumline. We invite and strongly encourage all members of the battery to come for extra clinic time, which will begin at 9:00am. 🥁🥁🥁 ALSO - Saturday’s Lunch time will be staggered. ALL percussionists (including the front ensemble) will have lunch from 12:30-1:30pm. Lunch for brass, woodwinds, and guard will be 1-2pm.

The fundraising continues! This week we collected parking, sold blankets and 50/50 raffle tickets at the game. We will continue each of these at all home football games, so come find us, or better yet, lend a hand! Next home football is Sept 11th, and we will ask the Saxophone and Baritone parents to try to give their time for parking on that one. (though if you are available, we’ll never turn away a volunteer) 🚗🛻🚙!

MUMS!!! We are fundraising all over the place, people! The Mums we get are HUGE! An 8” pot usually translates to a 15” plant once received! And for just $10? You’ve got to be kidding me! 😁🌼 Take the attached order sheet to work, family, friends. Gather funds upfront, place a single order as a family, and bring a check to Meghan, or send a Zeffy payment (preferred) using the link at the bottom of the main order form. https://forms.gle/urHubLq2CD9xbffV9 Orders must be submitted via the form by August 31st. 😁🌼 Pick up will be at St Marks Church on Bittersweet, Thursday, September the 17th. We will be sitting outside, at their front pavilion, with all your orders organized by family.

Speaking of organizing orders… I could use a handful of - wait for it…. Volunteers to help me receive and set out all the orders that morning, and man pick-up throughout the day. If you are willing and able to help out on Thursday, September 17th, please let me know. I will also send out a Sign-Up Genius in a week or so for that event. 🌼🌺

Bling Wear and Spirit Wear stores are still open! Please take a look at both, grab the gear you love the most and support your kiddo by showing up to competition in their colors! 👚✨

For Spirit Wear - Pretty please remember to click the “select student section” item. It’s an item for $0 that just tells us what section your student is in. Store closes midnight, August 27th!! https://www.paigeslettering.com/penn-marching-band

For Bling Wear the next order will be Due Sept 4th and delivered on Sept 25th: https://bleacherblingsportswear.weebly.com/

If you ordered a Shout Out ad for the Carnival of Bands program, that is due to Teresa Hes THIS TUESDAY, August 25th! No more lollygagging. If you don’t get them to her, yours won’t be in the program. Same with Business Ads. If you purchased or sold an ad to a local business, make sure those get in on time. There are only two days left to submit! 🤹‍♀️🎺

https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=ZTYwMDUyNmFkYTAzMzljMTYzZjE3MWZmY2JmMDM1OTY0OGVlZTc3OTA0Y2VlNjQ2YjVkNTIyYTc3NTI5ZTExOUBncm91cC5jYWxlbmRhci5nb29nbGUuY29t

Booster Meetings are once a month, on the third Monday, at 7pm in Music C. The next one will be September 21st. We hope to see you then. That is the Monday before Carnival of Bands! Eeek! 📋📝

Saturday, August 29th - Extra Rehearsal 10am-5pm (Battery 9am-5pm)

Friday, September 11th - Home Football Game vs SB Washington

Saturday, September 12th - Competition Day - Goshen

Friday, September 18th - Home Football Game vs Marian

Saturday, September 19th - Picture Day and Competition Day - Concord

Monday, September 21st - Booster Meeting 7PM

Saturday, September 26th - Penn Carnival of Bands

Friday, October 2nd - Home Football Game vs Elkhart - Homecoming

Saturday, October 3rd - Extra Rehearsal

Friday, October 9th - Extra Rehearsal 3:45 - 6:30

Saturday, October 10th - ISSMA Regional Competition Day - Carroll

Friday, October 16th - Home Football Game vs St Joe - Senior Night

Saturday, October 17th - BOA Super Regional Competition Day - Lucas Oil Stadium

Monday, October 19th - Booster Meeting 7PM

Saturday, October 24th - ISSMA Semi-State Competition Day - Ben Davis

Thank you for sticking with me, I know it’s a lot, but once the season winds down, the notes become a LOT shorter! 😉😅

Have a lovely day!

Meghan

425-503-6850

pozytivelyknit@gmail.com

Tuesday, August 18, 2026

OK People, Here we go!

Band camp is done, school starts this week, and our kids have their first performance THIS FRIDAY! 😬 We will see them at Penn’s own Friday Night Lights, at Freed Field, the Penn vs Valparaiso game. The Halftime show is where it’s at people! Be there or be square… look at me, dating myself with a single turn of phrase!

Here is what we need from you, the parents, now:

School starts Wednesday (which is tomorrow, by the way!) so get those kids rested, and make sure they are eating right.

First after school rehearsal is this Thursday at 6-9pm, if you are a snack parent, be ready with snacks by 9:00! Remember, many of your students may ask to stay after school, and it’s ok. Lots of them do stay. They hang out, they play games, they walk to get food, they stay together. It’s a good group, they’ll be safe. But send your kid with money for Culvers or Subway… that where most of the kids end up going. 🕖🍔

We will be comin’ at you with volunteer requests left and right. They say it takes a village to raise a child - well it takes a city to support a band of 180 of those kids! Watch your emails, be ready to step up. If you don’t see the volunteer email coming through - did you complete the volunteer interest form? Here is the link that we brought to June Days and the Parent Potluck: 📋https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0GYUN98Ct-_z-PCclKIP6fKvjksD366Hl_DohEbhGIE7YEg/viewform

Make sure you also fill out the PHM background check and watch the Anti-bullying video too! All volunteers must… PHM has a 3 year cycle, so if you’ve had yours run in the last 3 years you should be good. Feel free to call the school to double check if you are uncertain if yours is still good.

https://www.phmschools.org/parents/get-involved/volunteer-information/

To get us started, here is the first Friday’s sign up genius for Parking and raffle sales. We will need help in raising money for the band via parking funds and this year’s 50/50 Raffle. This year we will be requesting specific sections at a time to help (though if you are available, we’ll never turn away a volunteer). This week we are asking the Flute and Clarinet parents to step up. 🚗🛻🚙

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054EADAC2CA4F49-65228554-football

Next football game is vs SB Washington - be ready Saxophone and Baritone parents, September 11th will be your game to help out!

We will also need some help for the uniform committee to dress these kids for the game and then put away uniforms after halftime. Be on the lookout for an email from Cassie (aka Uniform Goddess) if you have shown interest in the uniforms crew. 🖤💛

https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=ZTYwMDUyNmFkYTAzMzljMTYzZjE3MWZmY2JmMDM1OTY0OGVlZTc3OTA0Y2VlNjQ2YjVkNTIyYTc3NTI5ZTExOUBncm91cC5jYWxlbmRhci5nb29nbGUuY29t

Bling Wear and Spirit Wear stores are still open! Please take a look at both, grab the gear you love the most and support your kiddo by showing up to competition in their colors! 👚✨

For Spirit Wear - Pretty please remember to click the “select student section” item. It’s an item for $0 that just tells us what section your student is in. Store closes midnight on August 27th!! https://www.paigeslettering.com/penn-marching-band

For Bling Wear the next order will be Due Sept 4th and delivered on Sept 25th: https://bleacherblingsportswear.weebly.com/

MUMS!!! We are fundraising all over the place, people! These Mums we get are HUGE! An 8” pot usually translates to a 15” plant once received! And for just $10… you can’t beat it! Take the attached order sheet to work, family, friends. Gather their funds upfront, and bring a check to Meghan, or send a Zeffy payment (preferred) using the link at the bottom of the main order form. https://forms.gle/urHubLq2CD9xbffV9

Orders must be submitted via the form by August 31st. You can specify colors and everything! 😁🌼Pick up will be at St Marks church on Bittersweet, just north of Penn, past the railroad tracks, on Thursday, September the 17th. We will be sitting outside, at their front pavilion, with all your orders organized.

Speaking of organizing orders… I could use a handful of - wait for it…. Volunteers to help me receive and set out all the orders that morning. Varner’s will deliver to St Marks, we need to be there to receive, count and organize. If you are willing and able to help out on Thursday, September 17th, please let me know. I will send out another Sign-Up Genius in a week or two for that event. 🌼🌺

REMINDER - if you ordered (or were planning to order) a Shout Out ad for the Carnival of Bands program, that ad is due to Teresa Hes by August 25th. All graphics, photos, everything! No lollygagging on this one. If you don’t get them to her, yours won’t be in the program.

Same with Business Ads. If you wanted to purchase, or if you’ve sold an ad to a local business, get those in right away. There is still a little time, but really, it’s one week away! 🤹‍♀️🎺

October 3rd was on our calendar as a TBD - well, the directors have Determined it will be a Rehearsal Day! Be on the lookout for times, we need to get those from the directors, who are aware that this is also the day of the Homecoming Dance. 🎷🪈🥁

Thank you to all the parents who came to today’s Boosters meeting! We so appreciate your time, and we hope to see you at the next one. Booster Meetings are once a month, on the third Monday, at 7pm in Practice room C. So the next one will be September 21st. We hope to see even more of you at that meeting. We will discuss Carnival of Bands at length, so it should be an interesting one! 📋📝

Wednesday, August 19th - First day of School!

Friday, August 21st - First Home Football Game vs Valparaiso

Saturday, August 22nd - Extra Rehearsal

Saturday, August 29th - Extra Rehearsal

Friday, September 11th - Home Football Game vs SB Washington

Saturday, September 12th - Competition Day - Goshen

Friday, September 18th - Home Football Game vs Marian

Saturday, September 19th - Picture Day and Competition Day - Concord

Saturday, September 26th - Penn Carnival of Bands

Good golly gracious, I hope I didn’t forget anything! 😉😅

Have a lovely day!

Meghan

425-503-6850

pozytivelyknit@gmail.com

Sunday, August 9, 2026

Good Afternoon Band Family! 🎺🖤💛

How is everyone feeling this afternoon? Me… Great! Stung by a bee on the tip of my finger, but otherwise great. Except that with about every third letter it’s, ow… tap, tap, ow… tap, tap, ow! 🐝

As we have discussed, our Phone-a-Thon did very well, and it is STILL OPEN! We currently sit at $39,280 of a $40,000 goal! WOOHOO! Five days left to go, we will close the event on Thursday at Community night and read you all the total then. Let’s give one last good push - one last set of social media notices, texts, and calls to family and friends. See how far past that $40k goal we can take it. And please remember to thank your loved ones for their generosity! 💛🖤💰

We are also starting our Mums Sale now! 🌼🌺🏵️ Every fall we sell 8” potted mums in all the colors for just $10! Fantastic deal, and while the pots may be 8”, the plants themselves are SO much BIGGER than that! Attached here is an order form you can take to work, run to the neighbors, call your sisters, visit your mom, your aunt, your dad’s best buddy with that great fall garden… ask them if they’d like to buy Mums for their front porch or garden through you. These are plantable, and the do come back each year. They get a beautiful plant, and they get to help the Penn Marching Kingsmen.

$3 from each plant goes straight to your Kiddo’s band account, and can be applied to band fees, new marching shoes, forgotten socks, Winter Guard fees, etc. Have them pay cash or check up front, with checks made out to you. You will make ONE ORDER and ONE PAYMENT to the link here. https://forms.gle/cqNjZtPNJpn5b5Bh8

We will place one large order to Varners and have them all delivered on a September morning. We will set up, organize and sit out waiting for you. You may come with trucks and vans and flatbeds if you need them… but it will be for each of you to pick up your full order. Do not send your loved ones to pick up. You pick up, you deliver. The best part is, you get to see all their faces as they receive their Mums, which will be GORGEOUS! Promise. Varners grows beautiful flowers. This one is really fun! And it earns direct to your kid’s band account. 🌼🌺🏵️

This Wednesday - after Band Camp, be prepared for a delay in pick up. The kids will be having their annual Band Camp Water Balloon Fight in the parking lot! If you have a chance, grab a bag of water balloons and bring them at 5:00 for your kiddo and their section to come and gather. Coolers are great for this! Once all the balloons are broken, there will be an all band clean-up of the parking lot, and snacks, provided as usual by each section’s volunteer for that day. Come and watch, it’s really fun… but be careful not to get too close if you don’t want to be caught up in the melee! 💦🎈💧

This Thursday at 7:00pm is our annual Community Preview Night. Invite the grandparents, aunts and uncles, neighbors, all are welcome. We will get to see the progress the kiddos have made, as they will run as much of the show as they have ready for us! You will be stunned by the amount these kids have learned in just one month together. They will end band camp as usual at 5pm, and our Feed the Band team will have dinner for them. We do need help getting enough food/snacks for 180 kids, so if you could pick something up and bring it to our Feed the Band leaders, click here to make a food donation. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054EADAC2CA4F49-65067317-food

After dinner they will get ready for Community night. So, no need to pick them up right at 5:00, just come to Community night at 7:00. If you are available, we do have spots open to help Feed the Band, and you can sign up here. It’s exciting, you get to know the kids, chat with them, and absorb their energy each time. So sign up to help with dinner service if you are able! 🍕🍎🍪https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054EADAC2CA4F49-65075126-feed

Our Next Band Boosters Meeting will be Monday, August 17th at Penn, in Practice Room C. If you don’t know how to get there, it’s ok, we put out signs. Come and be a part of the decision making, the schedule setting, the fundraising, the committee leading… And again, you get to know more of the families and learn more from the directors. We keep the meetings to about an hour, and we generally get a LOT done in that time. We will always welcome your participation in the boosters meetings. Join us! 📋🕖✅

Senior Banner Pictures were Friday, August 7th

Did you and your Senior make it to Senior photo day? If not, the makeup day for senior banner pictures will take place Thursday, August 13th, during Community Preview Night. 📸

If you have specific questions, please reach out to:

Picture Questions: Sherrie Hoy

Band Uniform Questions: Cassie Tyler

Color Guard Uniform Questions: Nichole Schrock

Here are a few reminders of upcoming deadlines and events:

Round two of spirit wear is open! Take a look through, grab a shirt or a pair of comfy pants for you/your student. The jacket and backpack are both popular options with the students, and be sure to check for the availability to personalize with their name! https://www.paigeslettering.com/penn-marching-band 👚🧢🎒

Also - our Bling Wear site is still open, and the store will remain open through the early fall. https://bleacherblingsportswear.weebly.com/ If you want something with a little more flair, or glitter, if you have been waiting to order your Senior Mom shirt, now is the time! All orders placed before midnight on August 7th will be delivered by August 28th. All orders placed after August 7th will be delivered in the second batch on September 25th. All orders for this second batch will be due by midnight on September 4th and again delivered to Penn for pickup. ✨💖✨

Upcoming Schedule:

Band Camp Week 4: Aug 10-14, 8am-5pm

Wednesday**, August 12th at 5:00pm in the Parking Lot - Band Camp Water Balloon Free-for-All **

Thursday**, August 13th at 7:00pm at Freed Field (Penn) - Community Night Preview **

Monday, August 17th - 7:00pm - Practice room C - Band Boosters Meeting

Wednesday, August 19th - First day of School!

Friday, August 21st - First Home Football Game vs Valparaiso 🏈

Saturday, August 22nd - Extra Rehearsal

Saturday, August 29th - Extra Rehearsal

Friday, September 11th - Home Football Game vs SB Washington 🏈

Saturday, September 12th - Competition Day - Goshen 🏴🎺

Friday, September 18th - Home Football Game vs Marian 🏈

Saturday, September 19th - Picture Day and Competition Day - Concord 🏴🎺

Saturday, September 26th - Penn Carnival of Bands 🕖🤹‍♂️📋

After School Rehearsals:

Mondays - 6-9pm - Full Ensemble

Tuesdays - 3:34 - 6:30 - Winds/Percussion 6-9pm Color Guard

Thursdays - 6-9pm - Full Ensemble

As always, thank you for your time, and please let me know if you have any questions.

Have a lovely day! 🤍🖤💛

Meghan Pozywio

425-503-6850

pozytivelyknit@gmail.com

Sunday, August 2, 2026

Oops . . . Quick follow up, and my apologies that I did not have this information in advance, we are all human. 🤷‍♀️

This week, August 3-6, for Week 3 of Band Camp - Color Guard will continue on the 2pm-9pm schedule. They will move to 8am-5pm for week four only. Sorry for any confusion, but we do need to have all our Color Guard coaches at practice, and this is how scheduling allows us to get them all there. 😉

So the upcoming dates will look like this:

Band Camp Week 3: Aug 3-6, *(No Rehearsal Friday, Aug 7th) *

Winds and Percussion - 8am-5pm

Color Guard - 2pm - 9pm

Friday, August 7th - Noon - Senior Banner Pictures (applies to seniors only)

Band Camp Week 4: Aug 10-14, 8am-5pm - All sections

Thursday, August 13th at 7:00pm at Freed Field (Penn) - Community Night Preview

Monday, August 17th - 7:00pm - Practice room C - Band Boosters Meeting

Friday, August 21st - First home Football Game vs Valparaiso

Saturday, August 22nd - Extra Rehearsal

Saturday, August 29th - Extra Rehearsal

Thank you and again, sorry for any confusion!

Good Evening Band Family!

Wow! What a week! Is anyone else completely exhausted?!? The kids learned so much this week, and the show is already starting to come together. Props crew has been working tirelessly, and there are props for the show, built and ready for painting. I can’t wait to see all those stages on the field! We met up for a pot-luck and learned so much about committees and contest days. (we’ll find a way to shorten that next year, promise!) 😉

Then we held our fundraiser, and OMG, that was Quite and Event! As we have mentioned, last year’s takeaway was $37,000 to the band. That took us 2 weeks to earn. After 2 days, we are currently sitting at $34,000! Just a few more, and we will equal last year’s takeaway! The event will stay open through Community night at the end of next week. Send the link, post to your social media, call your family and friends, text reminders. Every little bit helps!

And remember, we get to keep everything this year, no payout to a third party. So as you check the fundraiser, and watch the numbers climb, our kids get to benefit from all that generosity from our loved ones.

📢 Important Update: Senior Banner Pictures

Date: Friday, August 7th

Report Time: 12:00 PM (Noon)

Please review the specific guidelines for your student’s section to ensure picture day runs smoothly:

🎷 Woodwinds, Brass & Percussion

●Compression Gear: Arrive wearing—or ready to put on—your compression wear. Please ensure you have your long-sleeve compression shirt.

●Hair: We will NOT be wearing shakos for these photos! Hair should be fully styled and photo-ready upon arrival.

●Jewelry: Please remove all jewelry

●Equipment:

-Woodwinds/Brass: Don’t forget your instrument!

-Percussion: Bring your mallets and/or drumsticks.

🚩 Color Guard

●Hair & Makeup: Arrive with hair and makeup styled as desired for your picture.

●Attire:

-Wear your Color Guard jacket with either your black parade t-shirt or a black tank top underneath.

-Wear black pants, yoga pants, or leggings. (Note: The photo crop will be mid-thigh and up).

-Items in Uniform Room: For those who spoke with Sarah last week, your items are in the band uniform room. Please wear your undergarments so you are able to change anywhere if needed.

●Equipment:

-Equipment choices are up to you.

Rifles/Sabres & Flags: All rifles/sabres—and Anna and Abbi, your flags—must be taken home Thursday after practice. Please bring them back to rehearsal on Monday.

●Important Locker Room Note: The dressing rooms and Guard closet will NOT be open the morning of August 7th.

📸 Parent Photos Opportunity & Makeup Date

●Parent Photos: Senior parents are welcome to come and snap a few pictures of their student while they are in full uniform!

●Unable to Attend? If your student cannot make it on Friday, August 7th, the makeup day for senior banner pictures will take place Thursday, August 13th, during Community Preview Night.

❓ Who to Contact with Questions

If you have specific questions, please reach out to the appropriate contact:

Picture Questions: Sherrie Hoy

Band Uniform Questions: Cassie Tyler

Color Guard Uniform Questions: Nichole Schrock

Here are a few reminders of upcoming deadlines and events:

Round two of spirit wear is open! Take a look through, grab a shirt or a pair of comfy pants for you/your student. The jacket and backpack are both popular options with the students, and be sure to check for the availability to personalize with their name! 👕🎒🧢 https://www.paigeslettering.com/penn-marching-band

Also - our ,Bling Wear site is now open, and the store will remain open through the early fall. https://bleacherblingsportswear.weebly.com/ If you want something with a little more flair, or glitter, if you have been waiting to order your Senior Mom shirt, now is the time! All orders placed before midnight on August 7th will be delivered by August 28th. Orders will be processed after the 7th, and delivered to Penn for pick up.

All orders placed after August 7th will be delivered in the second batch on September 25th. All orders for this second batch will be due by midnight on September 4th and again delivered to Penn for pickup. ✨💖

Remember the schedule changes this week:

Band Camp Week 3: Aug 3-6, 8am-5pm *(No Rehearsal Friday, Aug 7th) *

Friday, August 7th - Noon - Senior Banner Pictures (applies to seniors only)

Band Camp Week 4: Aug 10-14, 8am-5pm

Thursday, August 13th at 7:00pm at Freed Field (Penn) - Community Night Preview 🎵🎺🎷🥁 🏴🖤💛

Monday, August 17th - 7:00pm - Practice room C - Band Boosters Meeting

Friday, August 21st - First home Football Game vs Valparaiso

Saturday, August 22nd - Extra Rehearsal

Saturday, August 29th - Extra Rehearsal

I think that will cover it tonight. As always, thank you for your time, and please let me know if you have any questions.

Have a lovely night!

Meghan Pozywio

425-503-6850

pozytivelyknit@gmail.com

Friday, July 31, 2026

Good Evening Band Parents!

Our kids did such an AMAZING job today! For the hour that they made calls, during the “official’” event they raised $22,994 for the band! That is over the top, fantastic! And we still have the chance to raise more.

Our event goal for today was $25,000 and as of 8:00 this evening WE HIT OUR GOAL!! We are right now (9:00pm) over $27,500! The next benchmark would be to surpass last year’s total of $37,000 collected.

The number will continue to climb for the next two weeks. Tonight, tomorrow, check in with your family and friends, anyone that your kid had on their radar to call, and anyone they didn’t. Send out your kid’s link. https://kingsmen-phonathon.vercel.app/me Click here to download the app, and from there you can login as your kid, they have their number, they know how to get their link. Keep the energy up, and we have every opportunity to meet and beat our 2025 numbers.

And remember, because our fabulous band dad Will Myers, made this… we get to KEEP EVERYTHING our kids raise! Congratulate your kid, they did a WONDERFUL job, and we hope they had fun doing it!

Have a lovely night!

Meghan Pozywio

425-503-6850

pozytivelyknit@gmail.com

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Good Evening Band Parents!

If you have not yet heard through your kiddo, we have our first BIG fundraiser coming up this Friday, during camp. If you were part of marching band last year, you may remember the phone-a-thon we did where our students added names and numbers of friends and family to a private list, and for an hour out of their camp time, they called those people, and simply asked for donations to the band. It was a FANTASTIC fundraiser - after calls, a week with an online link sitting open, and social media shares the band walked away with $37,000! 💰💰💰

Here’s the rub - we hired a company to run the event, and had to pay them a percentage of our funds raised. So we could have had closer to $44K. As a team the Band Boosters talked it over, and one of our AMAZING Band Dads wrote an app, just for us, that we are using to repeat the event in house, without paying out thousands of dollars to a third party company. 🙌

THE PLAN - Friday evening, students will take a break from marching to sit in the air-conditioned cafeteria, and start making calls to their friends and family. Using the Penn-a-Thon app built for us by Will Myers, and a script we provided, they will make calls, send the link via text and email, and track donations. We will have a screen running to show our progress, a handful of parents available to help, and as students make calls they will earn treats, prizes, and money for the band! 📞🍭💲

Here’s how you can help:

Help your student find/load the names and phone numbers of family and friends into the app they received at camp. Mr Landoll showed them how to use it 📱

Psych your student up - making cold calls is tough, give them encouragement and remind them, all the calls are to people who know and love them ❤️

Send a quick text, email, message to your friends and family - give them a heads up to have their phone on them if possible on Friday evening, and that your student will be calling with a small request 👋

No donation is too small. With 180+ students - if each kid makes 10 calls, gets a average of just $25/call, they will have each raised $250 and THAT will put us over our total raised last year. Easy Peasy! And keep in mind, this year the band KEEPS 100% of what is raised! (Thank you Will Myers!!) Remember in your info from June days, the budget this year is $210,000; the bigger the dent we can make with each fundraiser, the more support we can offer the students and the bigger we can plan for the future. 😊

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your Boosters Board, or bring your questions to the Parent PotLuck on Thursday. We will gladly chat with you about the fundraiser. We hope to see you all at the PotLuck! 🤞😊

Have a lovely day!

Meghan

425-503-6850

pozytivelyknit@gmail.com

Sunday, July 26, 2026

Good Evening, Band Family!

Week one of Band camp is finished, and can I just say - WOW! I don’t know about yours, but my kid was SO excited to be marching, playing, and moving props! That is HUGE for week one of camp. We should all be very proud of the progress and dedication of these youngsters! 🎵❤🎼

Now to business:

Reminder that our Oil Change Fundraiser is tomorrow - Monday, July 27th, from 1pm-3pm. This will take place in the North Parking Lot, with several mobile units set to change your oil right on site. This event is sponsored by Campbell Ford in Niles. Just look for their vehicles as you bring your student to camp that day! 🚗🚙🚗

This week we will have the uniform committee in, getting all our kids fitted to their uniform for the show. You’re about to hear all about Bibbers, Shakos, and learn six different ways to keep your kid’s hair up tightly. Here are a few notes from our lead Uniform volunteer, Cassie:

Uniform Fitting Volunteers Needed! 🎺📏

(Fittings for woodwinds, brass, and percussion; this does not pertain to color guard)

We are gearing up for uniform fittings this week, and we need a few more hands on deck to make sure everything runs smoothly and quickly for all of our students! We still have several open volunteer slots, with a critical need for help on Monday and Tuesday afternoon from 2PM – 5PM. No prior experience with sewing or fittings is necessary—we will show you exactly what to do! Whether you can cover a full shift or even part of one, your time makes a massive difference in getting everyone fitted on schedule.

Thank you so much for your support and for helping our kids look their best this season! 👍

Also, if your student didn’t bring their compression wear yet, please make sure they bring it Monday!!! They won’t be fitted if they don’t have it.

• Deodorant

• Black long sleeve compression shirt

• Black under-armor type shorts and/or biker shorts

• Pair of Solid Black, tall socks (no logos or designs)

• If long hair, hair tie to secure hair on top of head (boys and girls)

Remember, returning students need to figure out if their shoes from last year fit. If not, they’ll be fitted in a new pair at fittings next week. $50 will be charged to the student’s Cuttime for new shoes. New students will be fitted for a pair of shoes. The first pair is free of charge.

Thank you, Cassie, for all that you do! 🖤💛

Next, we are getting ready for our Parent Potluck this Thursday the 30th at 6:30pm! This is your opportunity to share your favorite dish, bring your most burning questions, and mingle! We will also go over details for football games, contests, and other frequently asked questions. 🍽😋

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054EADAC2CA4F49-64861640-2026

Please use the sign-up to tell everyone what you are bringing in the appropriate category. You can bring more than one dish! Feel free to be lenient with your dish “category.” Make your dish for 10-20 people and bring your own serving utensils. We will provide plates, silverware and napkins. Please bring your own beverages. 🍗🥧

Thank you, Brenda Mitchell, for getting our first round of spirit wear organized and distributed this week! Round two of spirit wear is now open! Take a look through, grab a shirt or a pair of comfy pants for you/your student. The jacket and backpack are both popular options with the students, and be sure to check for the availability to personalize with their name! 🩳🎒

https://www.paigeslettering.com/penn-marching-band

All orders placed after August 7th will be delivered in the second batch on September 25th. All orders for this second batch will be due by midnight on September 4th and delivered to Penn for pickup by September 25th. ✨💖

**This week is going to be very busy: **

Band Camp Week 2: July 27-31, 2pm-9pm

Monday, July 27th, from 1pm-3pm in the north parking lot - Oil Change Fundraiser 🚗

Monday-Friday 2-9pm in the auditorium lobby - Uniform Fittings 📏

Thursday, July 30th at 6:30pm in the Penn Cafeteria - Annual PMK Parent Potluck 🍽

Band Camp Week 3: Aug 3-6, 8am-5pm *(No Rehearsal Friday, Aug 7th) *

Band Camp Week 4: Aug 10-14, 8am-5pm

Thursday, August 13th at 7:00pm at Freed Field (Penn) - Community Night Preview 🎺🥁🎷🎶

I think that will cover it tonight. As always, thank you for your time, and please let me know if you have any questions. 😁

Have a lovely night!

Meghan Pozywio

425-503-6850

pozytivelyknit@gmail.com

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

Good Evening Band Family!

Week one of Band camp is rolling, new rhythms are settling in, and the kids are doing GREAT! We see them learning to march, and hit their dots, and soon you’ll be hearing them play parts of the show as you come to pick up. If you’re there early, feel free to come watch the end of rehearsal, there are always several parents sharing experiences, tips, and stories. We’d love to have you join us! 🎵🤝

Now to business:

Thank you Brenda Mitchell for getting our first round of spirit wear organized and distributed this week! Round two of spirit wear is now open! Take a look through, grab a shirt or a pair of comfy pants for you/your student. The jacket and backpack are both popular options with the students, and be sure to check for the availability to personalize with their name! 🩳🎒

https://www.paigeslettering.com/penn-marching-band

We will soon have a link for Bling Wear (yay sparkles!), plus round three with the show gear and design winners opened mid-August, then the Christmas shop opens November 1st! 👕

Remember the upcoming Oil Change Fundraiser is Monday, July 27th, from 1pm-3pm. This will take place, tentatively, on the North Parking Lot, with several mobile units set to change your oil right on site. This event is sponsored by Campbell Ford in Niles. 🖤💛 Just look for their vehicles as you bring your student to camp that day!

Next, we are kicking off the marching band season with a Parent Potluck next Thursday the 30th! The very beginning of marching band can feel very overwhelming and a little lonely if you haven’t tapped into the community yet. This is your opportunity to share your favorite dish, bring your most burning questions, and mingle! We will also be going over the details of football games, contests, and other frequently asked questions. 🍽😋

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F054EADAC2CA4F49-64861640-2026

Also, next week July 27th-30th we will have the uniform committee in, getting all winds and percussion fitted. (Info on guard uniforms to come later.) If you are available to help out, there is a sign-up genius for uniform fittings next week. No experience necessary; we’ll teach you how to do it.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0D4CA9AC2BA7FB6-64813052-pmkuniform#/

There are cardboard boxes in the band room labeled with each section’s name. Please start bringing in your “fitting gear” no later than Friday, July 24th. Bring the following in a Ziplock bag labeled with your kid’s name and section:

• Deodorant

• Black long-sleeve compression shirt

• Black under-armor type shorts and/or biker shorts

• Solid Black, tall socks (no logos or designs)

• If long hair, hair tie to secure hair on top of head (boys and girls)

Returning students need to figure out if their shoes from last year fit. If not, they’ll be fitted in a new pair at fittings next week. $50 will be charged to the student’s Cuttime for new shoes. We only order shoes once during the season, so returners must know if they need to order new shoes prior to fittings. New students will be fitted for a pair of shoes. The first pair is free of charge.

Thank you, Cassie, for all that you do! 🖤💛

I think that is all we will cover tonight. Thank you for your time, and please let me know if you have any questions. I try to get to them as quickly as I can, and if I don’t have an answer, I will at least connect in someone who may. 😁

Have a lovely night!

Meghan Pozywio

425-503-6850

pozytivelyknit@gmail.com

Sunday, July 19, 2026

Good afternoon, Band Families!

Band Camp Starts Tomorrow!! I hope you are all ready, with snacks, giant water bottles, healthy/filling lunches, and sunscreen!! Have your kid set out tonight all the things they will need; it helps to be overprepared. 🕶

Reminder to wear/bring - athletic shorts, t-shirt, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, good socks, and comfortable, supportive shoes - they will do a LOT of walking. 👟 Absolutely NO sandals/crocs/boots, or jeans - we want these kids comfortable in the heat. 🚫👡

Have you turned in your kid’s physical on Aktivate… the link is in last week’s email. By now you should have that in, and the admin team has (hopefully) verified your form and approved your kid’s participation.

Also, have you given us your volunteer interest form AND background check? These need to be in so we can connect you to a committee if you are able to help out your kid/band, and to keep our kids safe with all of us! 🦺 Please let us know if you need the links again to the form or background check.

This week we will also have the uniform committee in, getting all our kids fitted to their uniform for the show. You’re about to hear all about Bibbers, Shakos, and learn six different ways to keep your kid’s hair up tightly.

If you are available to help out, there is a sign-up genius for uniform fittings this week. No experience necessary, we’ll teach you how to do it. 📏

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0D4CA9AC2BA7FB6-64813052-pmkuniform#/

Here are a few notes from our lead Uniform volunteer, Cassie:

The Uniform Committee will be fitting the Marching Band into their uniforms on July 27th-30th. There will be cardboard boxes in the band room labeled with each section’s name. Please start bringing in your “fitting gear” on Monday, July 20th, and no later than Friday, July 24th. Do NOT forget to label your bag!

Please bring the following in a Ziplock bag labeled with your kid’s name and section:

• deodorant

• black long sleeve compression shirt (once uniform shirts show up, students may switch to short sleeve compression shirt if they prefer)

• Black under-armor type shorts and/or biker shorts

• Pair of Solid Black, tall socks (no logos or designs)

• If long hair, hair tie to secure hair on top of head (boys and girls)

The uniforms are form-fitted, so for a proper fit, the students need close-fitting underclothes. They will wear these under their uniforms all season.

Thank you, Cassie, for all that you do! 🖤💛

If you’ve asked for volunteer information, those committee leads will be reaching out to you as needed and when appropriate for each committee. Again, if you have time this week to help out with uniform fittings, please click on the above sign-up genius link. We’d be so grateful for a little more help.

Band Camp Week 1: July 20-24, 2pm-9pm

Monday-Friday 2-9pm in the auditorium lobby - Uniform Fittings

Band Camp Week 2: July 27-31, 2pm-9pm

Monday, July 27th, from 1pm-3pm in the north parking lot - Oil Change Fundraiser

Thursday, July 30th at 6:30pm in the Penn Cafeteria - Annual PMK Parent Potluck

Band Camp Week 3: Aug 3-6, 8am-5pm *(No Rehearsal Friday, Aug 7th) *

Band Camp Week 4: Aug 10-14, 8am-5pm

Thursday, August 13th at 7:00pm at Freed Field (Penn) - Community Night Preview

That’s all we’re going to review today. Reach out to your boosters, your section parents, committee leads, or friends who’ve done this a time or two if you have any questions. We are all here for you! Band is a family, and we are so glad to have you as a part of it!

Meghan Pozywio

425-503-6850

pozytivelyknit@gmail.com

Tuesday, July 14, 2026

“This one time, at band camp” is not just an iconic line from a 90’s movie, but it is what you are about to start hearing - non-stop - from your teen over the next few years… or the rest of their lives, that’s certainly possible.

Band Camp creates memories. Band Camp builds character. Band Camp cements lasting friendships. And Band Camp begins NEXT WEEK! 🤪 Starting Monday your kid will be out in the heat, standing on the asphalt, learning where their dots are, sweating like crazy, and loving every minute of it!

Band Camp Week 1: July 20-24, 2pm-9pm

Band Camp Week 2: July 27-31, 2pm-9pm

Band Camp Week 3: Aug 3-6, 8am-5pm *(No Rehearsal Friday, Aug 7th) *

Band Camp Week 4: Aug 10-14, 8am-5pm

Just a few items/reminders as you check off the list of things they need for camp:

* Have you completed your student’s registration on Aktivate (formerly Register-My-Athlete) if you have not signed in yet, click here for the PHM page explaining ALL extracurricular activities that sign up through Aktivate https://penn.phmschools.org/athletics/register-my-athlete/ Be sure you upload the Pre-Participation Physical that was sent to all parents and in the Band App in June. These MUST be signed by your Dr. and into the system prior to the start of Band Camp.

Have your student bring to Band Camp:

Sunscreen

Hat

Sunglasses

Deodorant - just trust me

Hair Ties

Wear Comfortable, supportive Shoes - NO FLIP FLOPS or SANDALS!

Wear Shorts, but NOT Jean Shorts (denim) 🥵

After one day in jean shorts, your kid will be extra sweaty, smelly, and about as prickly as a cactus 😬🌵

Pack a Large, Healthy Lunch daily - Extras if you can, some kids eat a LOT

Send the LARGEST Water Bottle you can find - the bigger the better

64oz or even a full Gallon (128oz) is best!

Insulated keeps the water colder longer - yes, they are more expensive, but it is worth the cost to keep them hydrated and cooled down 🧊

Thursday, July 30th at 6:30pm in the Penn Cafeteria we will host the Annual PMK Parent Potluck! Be on the lookout for a Pot Luck sign up to come your way via SignUp Genius. We’d love to see as many families there as we can get! This is another opportunity to get to know your Section Parents, meet a few more band families, and even arrange some carpools through the season! There will also be another chance to learn about a few of the committees we have and find ways you can help keep PMK running smoothly. Sign up, make a dish, enjoy some delicious food, and meet your Band Boosters Board and committee coordinators.

At the end of Band Camp, there is a Community Preview night, where we get to celebrate the start of the season, and see how far the kids have come in the first four weeks. Please join us for the Family and Community Preview Show: Thursday, August 13th at 7:00pm

We have set up an Oil Change Fundraiser for Monday, July 27th, from 1pm-3pm. This will take place, tentatively, on the North Parking Lot, with several mobile units set to change your oil right on site. This event is sponsored by Campbell Ford in Niles. Just look for their vehicles as you bring your student to camp that day!

Prices are great: $55 for a semi-synthetic oil, and $75 for a full synthetic oil change. Penn Bands will get money for every car serviced, and a bonus for every 50 cars we get. PLUS - anyone who does not want to wait in line for an oil change can purchase a coupon at the same price, good for 3 months! So take time to care for the vehicle that you rely on to get from point A to point B, and help the band at the same time. Tell your friends and families - all are welcome to the PMK Oil Change Fundraiser!

Once school starts the band will have regular rehearsals three days a week after school:

Mondays: 6:00-9:00pm (Full Ensemble)

Tuesdays: 3:45-6:30pm (Winds & Percussion only)

Tuesdays: 6:00-9:00pm (Color Guard Only)

Thursdays: 6:00-9:00pm (Full Ensemble)

Freshmen Parents - many of the students will stay after school on Mondays and Thursdays, get some homework done, walk to Subway or Culvers for food, and hang out around the band room till rehearsal. If your student asks about joining them, this is totally normal, and if you’re up for it, I guarantee your kid is ready. (I had the same thoughts last year… my kid survived, thrived, and got good grades in all his classes!)

Carnival of Bands, our annual marching band competition, is a BIG event and another great fundraiser for the band. 💰

Each year we offer families the opportunity to celebrate (embarrass 😉) their students through Shout Out “Ads” that can be purchased to be printed in the program. Attached is a form that must be filled out if you are purchasing an ad. It explains the options, pricing and directions on how to submit. You can submit payment via this Zeffy link. Be sure to choose “Other” and leave the contribution blank so you are not charged extra fees.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/pmk-carnival-of-bands-shout-out-ad

Business ads are also included in the program. 20% of the ad sale goes to the student selling the business ad, so this is a good way for kids to earn money towards their band fees. Take this to your place of business, your cousin’s law firm, your next door neighbor’s auto body shop, your best friend’s restaurant, and ask if they will support the PMK by purchasing an ad. These forms are also attached.

You should be seeing regular emails from me over the next few months with info and reminders, and generally an Upcoming Events calendar at the bottom. Hopefully you find them informative and amusing, even if at times they can get a little long… 😉

Have a lovely night and let me know if you have questions! We’re here for you!

Meghan Pozywio

425-503-6850

pozytivelyknit@gmail.com

Monday, June 1, 2026

Good Morning, PMK Parents!

Just a couple of notes from your Band Boosters as we end one year and begin another. 🎓 📚

June days are upon us! This week, Tues, Wed, Thurs from 6-9pm our students will be learning to march, meeting their sections, getting their music, and making memories for a whole new marching band season. Be ready for the stories to begin…

We will have the Parent Meeting at 7pm on Thursday, June 4, in the Auditorium. This meeting is VERY IMPORTANT. We will go over schedules and volunteer opportunities, meet your section parents (think room mom, but for band), see spirit wear, and give you lots of information. We are excited to see you there. 🙋‍♂️

One of the things we will go over is the Band App that Mr Landoll mentioned in his email yesterday. This will be our best method of communication with students and families. To join the parent group, please click this link:

https://band.us/n/abaebeC5gbq6D

We will also have this available via QR codes during the June Days meeting. 🎼

Another thing we will discuss is that all the kids will need to complete a physical exam before the start of band camp on July 20. This physical will need to be uploaded to the Aktivate database. There is a form to complete, Mr Landoll sent it in April, and we will have it again for you. It would be a good idea to reach out to your GP this week and make an appointment. Just tell them you need an Athletics Physical for school, and that you will have a form for them to sign, and they will know what you need. 🩺

Our Mattress Fundraiser is this coming Saturday, June 6th, from 10am-5pm in the Penn Cafeteria. Please help us spread the word. You can use this Facebook event page link or the attached PDF. 🛏 https://www.facebook.com/events/1417426139670220\

Can’t wait to see/meet you all on Thursday! ❤🎶

Meghan Pozywio

425-503-6850

Pozytivelyknit@gmail.com

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