Weekly Update

Hey, Team!

How are we starting Quarter 2?! This year is flying. Can't believe it... some updates. 

1. Snap Raise started today! This is the EASIEST fundraiser and safest way to receive donations. The website is completely updated with FAQ's, How to sign-up, etc. Our school has fundraised over $500,000 dollars through fundraising with this group. Students made their accounts in class- if you want to participate, add those emails/numbers ASAP. People who participate often receive hundreds of dollars towards their account. Questions? Email afhschoralboosters@gmail.com
   
   

2. Disney: Our second payment of $600 is the largest one and due 11/20/26! We do not have our final payment total yet, but it will be between $250 and 400 dollars. We will send that as soon as we know, but that is not due until February 19th.
   
   

3. Fundraising: There are tons of options for families- check out the website with details. You can fundraise now for future events. We announced earlier this month that our Spring Trip for 2028 will be Hawai'i!
   
   

4. Grades: Grades should be updated by the end of the week. Concerns? Email swanamaker2@wcpss.net
   
   

5. Booster Meeting: We have our next Booster Meeting Monday, November 2nd from 6:30-7:30pm. Come find an easy way to get involved and keep this program growing!

NCMEA Families: 

1. Our concert is so soon! We have one more after school rehearsal from 2:30-3:30pm on November 6th. The event is all day from Nov 9th . Students are coming to school like normal bringing their uniform. Lunch is provided. It is going to be a great day. We perform at 2:00pm at Centenary United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem. If you can make it, I would make the trip- it will be such a special event! 

NC Honors Chorus: 

1. Wednesday is the mandatory rehearsal at Enloe from 3:30-5:30pm! The event is next Saturday and Sunday. Refer to the document with all the details. 

Have a great rest of the week!

Sam Wanamaker

Hi, All!

I can't believe we are finishing week 7... time is flying too fast and I am just having the best time with this group of students. We have a lot happening, check out these updates! Click and dive into things that apply to you and your family. 

ALL FAMILIES: 

1. Butter Braids: This fundraiser ends TOMORROW! Send out those final reminders and last pushes! 

2. Disney Trip: At this point, all chaperones and students have been confirmed! We are looking forward to a great experience in the spring! I will send out more information to families soon with updates and details. As soon as our flights and hotels are finalized, we should have our Final payment estimate for everyone. In the meantime- the website tab will be updated as information is added. 

3. Uniforms: Student uniform fittings were started today- we will finalize fittings next week! Most students who were measured took a photo of them in their size, please make sure this looks good for you and your family. If we do not hear from you- I will assume you have no issues with what we order for them!

4. Booster Meeting: Thank you to our parents who came to our first booster meeting of the year! Our next meeting is Monday, 11/2/26. Hope to see even more of you there!

5. Fundraisers: Check the fundraising page for info on Debbie's Apples and Lenovo. Some other great offers to try and contribute towards your trip!

1st and 3rd Period Parents!

6. Camp Oak Hill is NEXT FRIDAY! It is almost time! HERE is my list of students and chaperones, with dietary restrictions listed. If something does not look correct here, please let me know ASAP.

   1. Attached is the itinerary for the weekend. Looking forward to this! Let me know if there are questions. 

   2. We are in need of more donations! Please review our wishlist. Please place orders by Monday so we can organize for this event! We need the smores gear most importantly... what is camp without smores at the fire?!

   3. Chaperones: expect an email from me on Camp early next week.

7. Our ADV MIXED who have not missed rehearsals: we have our second rehearsal tomorrow with Dr. Adams from UNCG. I cannot wait to learn from her, it is going to be a great rehearsal. Remember that attendance is required to participate in NCMEA. 

8. NC Honors Chorus: I am attaching the updated document with chaperones and car order. Hope this helps keep people prepared and organized for the weekend. 

I think that is enough for this week. Happy Friday Eve!

Sam Wanamaker

Hey, Team,

Week 5- Here we go! Lots of updates to share, please read each topic. 

THIS WEEK

1. NC Honors Chorus Auditions are this Saturday. All information is attached in the PDF with a list of students participating. Review and contact me with concerns ASAP! 

FUNDRAISERS

2. Butter Braids are LIVE! If you want to participate in this fundraiser, please follow the instructions found on the website! 

3. Lenovo Events are also available for sign-up, check availability HERE and see what may work for your family.

4. We are adding one more fundraiser to the mix... Miss Debbie's Specialty Apples Fundraiser! More information to come next week.

ORLANDO

5. If your child is planning to participate in Orlando, the first payment/deposit is due on Friday, September 25th. You can use fundraiser money, CutTime, or pay by Check to AFHS Choral Boosters. I will reach out to parents interested in chaperoning after the first round of payments have been made to see how many adults are needed for this trip.  Questions about payment? Email afhschoralboosters@gmail.com

For 1st and 3rd Period Families: (Adv students for 1st semester 1st period students included the list attached, and all of 3rd period)

1. We have our first after school rehearsal this Friday from 2:30-3:30pm. This is required for all advanced students.

2. Camp Oak Hill payments are due this Friday as well. All charges have been made to CutTime based on those who confirmed are participating. I have attached the list of students/parents attending Camp and their dietary restrictions. If something does not appear correct, please let me know ASAP! Here is the wishlist for families participating in camp. We need smores items above all else if any are willing to contribute to this event!

3. Our photoshoot for our NCMEA Conference performance in November is next Wednesday, September 30th, during 3rd period. This applies to all advanced students. Students need to wear a mix of whites, blues, and beiges. For pants, these can be jeans or khakis, blue pants, etc. T-shirts should refrain from having graphics or words, but any textures and combos of blue and whites and tans are welcome. Dresses that are to the knee are also welcome. I am asking students to show me a picture of their outfits by this Friday the 25th so I can confirm what they have chosen is appropriate. If a child does not show me their outfit this week, and they show up in an outfit I feel is inappropriate or not in our color scheme for the photoshoot, they will not be included. I want that to be clear now, so there is no confusion. Please be on top of this. Questions? Let me know. 

I think that covers it all right now. Thanks for reading. Looking forward to a great week! 

Sam Wanamaker

Hey, Team!

So great to see so many of you last night. It is always so fun for the families to see how we get to our checkpoints at different concerts during the year. If you were impressed with their sound last night, just wait until December! Updates for ALL: 

1. I have attached a pdf of the informance slides. Thanks for your patience with the screen going blurry-we still can't fix it! 

2. Grades will be updated by the end of the week.

3. Butter braids Fundraiser Information is coming with details at the end of this week/early next week. 

4. Our Booster meeting is Tuesday, October 6th , from 6-7pm. Would love to have some parents join us!

1st and 3rd Period: 

1. We have our first after school rehearsal next Friday, September 25th from 2:30-3:30. We only have four after school rehearsals for our conference performance, this is a required rehearsal! Looking forward to making music together. 

Honors Chorus Auditioners: 

1. An email will come out later this week about next Saturday's logistics. For now, plan to arrive at school around normal school time and remember to wear appropriate audition attire. If your grandmother would have something to say about your outfit, you need to change! We will stop at the bakery like we do every year. 

Have a great week! See you all soon,

Mr. Wanamaker

Hey all,

We are needing to finalize numbers for our Annual Advanced Mixed Chorus Camp Trip. 1st and 3rd period students are all encouraged to attend. Every year, students without fail say it's the highlight of the season. 

If your student is planning on attending, I will talk with them the next two days in class and finalize. I am asking for families that do not plan on their child participating to email me back and let me know this week. If they are in advanced mixed, we ask that this be a priority for families without other commitments. I have attached an itinerary so families can see what we do that weekend. 

We will take care of students with allergies/dietary restrictions. 

The weekend is $90 dollars and that covers transportation, food, lodging, snacks, etc. (we can help financially, let us know if that is needed!)

It is not logged as an absence, but as "present off-site" for an educational opportunity. It will not affect exam exemptions. 

If you are a parent interested in chaperoning, let me know and I will also let you know how many slots are available after the final numbers are sent in this weekend. It is "roughing it" in some ways, but you with some amazing students and we do have a blast. 

Looking forward to giving detail and direction for the year in person on Monday at the Informance (6-7pm)

Best,

Sam Wanamaker 

Hi Team!

What a week- we took care of logistics in class: binders are (mostly) organized, music passed out, literacy books in full swing... we are starting off strong! What a gift it is to make music with the coolest students...

Some reminders/updates: 

1. Our Chorus Informance is Monday September 14th from 6-7pm.

   1. This will help new chorus families (and old) get all the information needed to be successful with chorus. 

   2. This event is required for all chorus students and families! This is our only required event for the fall, other than our Winter Concert in December. 

2. AFHS Chorus Leadership Teams have been decided! So thankful to these students for applying to help keep our program healthy and strong. Review the attachment for student positions. 

3. I have also attached a list of students who will represent AFHS Chorus to audition for our NC Honors Chorus. Students will need to pay the $25 registration fee to the boosters by next Thursday, September 10th if they are auditioning! Money can be paid via Check, Cash, or CutTime. 

Non-school related thoughts... How can you show up for yourself this weekend? Do you need some rest, or maybe dinner with a good friend? Perhaps going on a walk and touching some grass? Singing your favorite songs in the shower at full blast? Take care of yourself this weekend and do something to remember how cool it is that we are on this planet at the same time! (I suggest turning of social media for 24 hours... it is life changing!)

See you next week,

Sam Wanamaker

It feels like Christmas Eve at 7 years old. The amount of anticipation, mystery, and joy that surrounds this week is exactly how I feel about this year... it is time for the MAGIC and the first day was AWESOME! 

A few important things...

1. I sent home a packet for families- Green forms come back by Friday! First class to have them all in get a prize. First Period is ready to get them all in tomorrow... just saying. 

2. I have a contact form at the top of the first green page. Complete that asap so I can help get the year going. 

3. Our first event (Informance: Informal Performance) Is Monday Sep 14th from 6-7pm. This will help new chorus families (and old) get all the information needed to be successful with chorus. 

4. Email me if you have any questions- I can't wait to help and get to know our new families. 

Talk to you soon,

Mr. Wanamaker