Who are the members of the Westhill High School Band Parents Association (WHSBPAI)?

All parents/guardians of musicians and guard in the WHS Band and Marching Arts Programs (Marching Band, Indoor Percussion and Indoor Guard) are members of the Westhill High School Band Parents Association (WHSBPA).

What do the members of the WHSBPA Do? What is the Purpose of the WHSBPAI?

The Westhill Band and Guard programs - like all music and marching arts organizations throughout the United States - run on the backs of volunteerism. While the Directors and education team members work tirelessly to design, teach, detail, build, finance, and excecute each season and show for the students, it truly takes a village in order for a music department to run; Especially when that music department houses a nationally recognized marching arts organization. 

Members of the WHSBPA attend parent meetings, support their children by attending performances and competitions, and volunteer in various ways to assist in the production of a season's show. Volunteer opportunities are listed below.

What does the WHSBPAI Board Do?

The WHSBPA Board handles the business end of band matters, including budgets, expenses, inventories, communications and logistics. We are excited to kick off a great season, and we look forward to working with you all! Please do not hesitate to contact any of us if you have any questions or concerns.

Who are the 2024 Board members of the WHSBPAI?

• President:    Jason Sliss (Jeremy Sliss): plethora@optonline.net 

• Co-President: OPEN - Join us! Contact Us: whsbandparentassn@gmail.com 

• Treasurer:   Aida Palmer James Palmer): aidacpalmer@hotmail.com

• Co-Treasurer: OPEN - Join us! Contact Us: whsbandparentassn@gmail.com 

• Secretary: Naomi Marks (Xavier Marks): naomijmarks@gmail.com

• Co-Secretary: OPEN - Join us! Contact Us: whsbandparentassn@gmail.com

• Directors: Darling Calvillo (Azael & Darling Rojas Calvillo) darling19ale@msn.com 

DIRECTOR POSITIONS OPEN - Join us! Contact Us:       whsbandparentassn@gmail.com

Volunteer Opportunies

Competition Day Volunteers

All parents/guardians are expected to sign up and volunteer for percussion and/or guard competition days. The options are:

• Chaperone on the bus and at the competition site

• Drive the equipment trucks (see below for requirements)

Additionally, all parents/guardians are asked to help load and unload the truck before and after a competition.

Chaperoning

Two chaperones are usually assigned to each bus. At least one chaperone will have experience with the routine. Ms. Roberts provides chaperones with lists of students assigned to each bus.

Chaperones are responsible for:

• Loading the bus with an emergency bag and emergency information for each student

• Loading the bus with a foldable cart 

• Loading the bus with water and snacks

• Checking student backpacks before climbing on the bus

• Sharing phone numbers with other chaperones and Ms. Roberts

• Communicating with each other at time of arrival about responsibilities such as location of chaperones and distribution of water and snacks.

• Helping load equipment into the performance space as necessary

• Helping students with basic first aid as needed, such as dispensing bandages, period products, and pain relievers (trained first aid providers are usually at competition sites for more serious issues)

• Communicating with families about school arrival times after competition

• Collect the phone number of the bus driver for the day to facilitate pick up at the end of the competition. 

Other Volunteering Opportunities

There will be other opportunities to help during the year. In general, we always need people who can take on:

• Uniform fittings and sewing during Band Camp weeks

• Translating parent communications into Spanish

• Photography

• Prop Building

• Maintaining photo displays at school

• Fundraising 

• Bake sales at concerts

• Parade chaperoning

• Snacks/Water: Families will be asked to sign up to donate snacks and small water bottles for competition days (Signup Genius will be distributed via Band app) 

• Rides: Families often give rides home to other students after rehearsal and to/from competitions. Please ask any Band Parent Board Member if you are having transportation issues or you would like someone to share rides with.

Truck Drivers

We are in need of volunteers to drive the equipment trucks to and from competitions. An experienced parent driver can provide training. No special license is needed. If you are interested in driving a truck, please contact WHS BPA board member Jason Sliss at plethora@optonline.net 

Truck Unload

Families are asked to assist with unloading the trucks on marching band andpercussion competition nights.

• Truck arrival is usually 15-30 mins before the students return to school. There will be a Band app notification of estimated truck and bus arrival times, based on Ms. Roberts’s best estimation). 

• Unloading the trucks after the competition helps ensure the kids are released as soon as possible. Before anyone is dismissed, all equipment must be put away, the band room cleaned up and a quick wrap-up meeting held with Ms. Roberts.