Announcements
Name Badges are ready
All students should have name badges printed (well, almost.) Some students still need their pictures taken. If you took pictures of a student but haven't yet uploaded them, please do so at this link as soon as possible. If your student needs a picture, feel free to submit one that you have taken yourself. It should be a good photo against a plain background. Grand Rapids students will be able to pick theirs up this Wednesday, and Kalamazoo students can pick theirs up the following Tuesday.
Grand Rapids Setup Help needed!
We need to pull the tables out of the Merge to set up the gym before class starts at 8:30. We really need a few families to come a bit early to help with that. Kids can definitely help out here!
Grand Rapids Digital Lunch Cards
We are rolling out a digital punch card system for lunches. You can purchase these on the WMHFA app by clicking on the menu and selecting Punch Cards. If you would like to help us continue to test this system, feel free to purchase a lunch card on your app!
Students will need to let the lunch person know that they have a digital ticket instead of a paper one. You will get a notification every time the card is "punched" and you'll be able to see how many punches are left at any time in the app.
No Ball-Throwing in the Hallways
Please keep balls still in the hallways. We want everyone to stay safe!
Free Concert Tickets!
Dr. Harrison is serving as the president of the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band. The board has approved complimentary tickets for all band students and their families, and this includes you! You can see their schedule at grsymphonicband.org/concerts--tickets. There is a link to click for student vouchers.
Calendar
We have finalized our schedule for the year, including concerts. You can find this information at any time on our website at wmhfa.org/calendar.
Upcoming Dates: (See all dates at https://www.wmhfa.org/calendar.html)
All students should have name badges printed (well, almost.) Some students still need their pictures taken. If you took pictures of a student but haven't yet uploaded them, please do so at this link as soon as possible. If your student needs a picture, feel free to submit one that you have taken yourself. It should be a good photo against a plain background. Grand Rapids students will be able to pick theirs up this Wednesday, and Kalamazoo students can pick theirs up the following Tuesday.
Grand Rapids Setup Help needed!
We need to pull the tables out of the Merge to set up the gym before class starts at 8:30. We really need a few families to come a bit early to help with that. Kids can definitely help out here!
Grand Rapids Digital Lunch Cards
We are rolling out a digital punch card system for lunches. You can purchase these on the WMHFA app by clicking on the menu and selecting Punch Cards. If you would like to help us continue to test this system, feel free to purchase a lunch card on your app!
Students will need to let the lunch person know that they have a digital ticket instead of a paper one. You will get a notification every time the card is "punched" and you'll be able to see how many punches are left at any time in the app.
No Ball-Throwing in the Hallways
Please keep balls still in the hallways. We want everyone to stay safe!
Free Concert Tickets!
Dr. Harrison is serving as the president of the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band. The board has approved complimentary tickets for all band students and their families, and this includes you! You can see their schedule at grsymphonicband.org/concerts--tickets. There is a link to click for student vouchers.
Calendar
We have finalized our schedule for the year, including concerts. You can find this information at any time on our website at wmhfa.org/calendar.
Upcoming Dates: (See all dates at https://www.wmhfa.org/calendar.html)
- September 5/6 - First day of classes
- October 17/18 - Picture Day
- October 18 & 25 - GR Concert Uniform fitting days
- October 31 & November 7 - KZ Concert Uniform fitting days
- November 1 - Big Band 1 performs at Breton Ridge at 3:30pm
- November 22 - Thanksgiving break (Grand Rapids only. Kalamazoo still meets on November 21.)
- November 28/29 - Picture Retake Day
- December 12 - Last day of class for Kalamazoo
- December 12 - Kalamazoo Christmas Concert at 7pm* (Comstock Auditorium, Kalamazoo)
- December 13 - Last day of class for Grand Rapids
- December 14 - Grand Rapids Choir/Colorguard Concert at 7pm* (Corinth Reformed Church, Byron Center)
- December 16 - Grand Rapids Orchestra/Handbell Concert at 10am* (Corinth Reformed Church, Byron Center)
- December 16 - Grand Rapids Band Concert at 2pm* (Corinth Reformed Church, Byron Center)
- January 9/10 - Classes resume
Reminders from Last Week
Concert Program Advertising
Earn 50% of every ad sale! – Deadline will for the Christmas concert program is November 16. Full, half, & quarter page and 2 line ads available for your favorite companies. Ads appear in both Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids concert programs. Stop by the desk to request a form, or visit wmhfa.org/advertising-options!
Kalamazoo Potluck
Thanks to everyone who participated in potluck and brought in supplies.
Supplies for this week: We could use some more spoons & napkins.
Eating Zones: ALL food is to be eaten ONLY in the Gym & the Social Hall room near the kitchen Please do not bring food to any other parts of the building. Also, please pick up, wipe surfaces, & return all blue trays to the kitchen by 12:30pm. Thank you for your help keeping our building clean & pleasant for everyone to use.
Grand Rapids Social Hall
Thank you for working with us as we adjust our social hall areas. Here are a few reminders:
We are seeing a lot of empty chairs with stuff spread out on the tables. This makes it difficult for people to find a place to sit. If you are heading to class, please collect your stuff and find a place to keep it instead of "saving" an entire table for an hour or so. We should have plenty of tables and chairs for everyone if we all plan to use a table only when we are actually at the table.
Also, hallways need to be kept clear. Please do not sit in the hallway or leave stuff along both sides of a hallway. Instruments and other items should only be stored in a single row along one side of a hallway, leaving the remainder of the hallway clear. This is important to maximize traffic flow and to provide for clear passageways in case of emergencies.
Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Youth Concert
One of our Kalamazoo families is inviting you all to attend the KSO Youth Orchestra Concert as a group on March 7, 2024. This is a free 50 minute concert at Miller Auditorium, located on Western Michigan University campus. If you are interested, please sign up at https://forms.gle/veBLdK9K8S9yx44T8
Earn 50% of every ad sale! – Deadline will for the Christmas concert program is November 16. Full, half, & quarter page and 2 line ads available for your favorite companies. Ads appear in both Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids concert programs. Stop by the desk to request a form, or visit wmhfa.org/advertising-options!
Kalamazoo Potluck
Thanks to everyone who participated in potluck and brought in supplies.
Supplies for this week: We could use some more spoons & napkins.
Eating Zones: ALL food is to be eaten ONLY in the Gym & the Social Hall room near the kitchen Please do not bring food to any other parts of the building. Also, please pick up, wipe surfaces, & return all blue trays to the kitchen by 12:30pm. Thank you for your help keeping our building clean & pleasant for everyone to use.
Grand Rapids Social Hall
Thank you for working with us as we adjust our social hall areas. Here are a few reminders:
We are seeing a lot of empty chairs with stuff spread out on the tables. This makes it difficult for people to find a place to sit. If you are heading to class, please collect your stuff and find a place to keep it instead of "saving" an entire table for an hour or so. We should have plenty of tables and chairs for everyone if we all plan to use a table only when we are actually at the table.
Also, hallways need to be kept clear. Please do not sit in the hallway or leave stuff along both sides of a hallway. Instruments and other items should only be stored in a single row along one side of a hallway, leaving the remainder of the hallway clear. This is important to maximize traffic flow and to provide for clear passageways in case of emergencies.
Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra Youth Concert
One of our Kalamazoo families is inviting you all to attend the KSO Youth Orchestra Concert as a group on March 7, 2024. This is a free 50 minute concert at Miller Auditorium, located on Western Michigan University campus. If you are interested, please sign up at https://forms.gle/veBLdK9K8S9yx44T8
Important Dates
See our Calendar.
Grand Rapids Symphonic Band Tickets
Dr. Harrison is a member of the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band. They have several performances throughout the year, and students and their families get free admission with a voucher. You can see the schedule and print a ticket voucher at their website at https://www.grsymphonicband.org/concerts--tickets.html.
Grand Rapids Symphonic Band Tickets
Dr. Harrison is a member of the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band. They have several performances throughout the year, and students and their families get free admission with a voucher. You can see the schedule and print a ticket voucher at their website at https://www.grsymphonicband.org/concerts--tickets.html.
Important Information
Weather Policy
Grand Rapids - Classes will be cancelled if Byron Center Public Schools are cancelled due to weather.
Kalamazoo - Classes will be cancelled if Schoolcraft Public Schools are cancelled due to weather.
Email, Text, and Facebook posts will be sent out shortly after 6am to announce any cancellation of classes. Notices will also be posted on local television and radio websites. Please Note: WMHFA families come from all over West Michigan, therefore the weather in one area may be fine while another area may have hazardous roads. If classes are not cancelled, please use your discretion in deciding to make the drive. We want everyone to arrive safely!
Text Messages
We have a texting service for important notifications. You can adjust your texting options in your parent portal.
Parents: Go to Dashboard > Billing & Payments > Contacts > Edit > Basic Info > Contact Info, click to enable Allow text messaging? and click Save.
Students: Go to Dashboard > View (student name) > Edit (pencil) > Basic Info, click to enable Allow text messaging? and click Save.
Absences
Missing Your Work Shift
While we do take attendance in class, it is helpful for our instructors to know if your student will be absent and why. Absences can be reported through your parent portal. Under the menu, select Absences and Makeups. Our teachers will receive an email automatically if you do this, so there is no need to email them individually!
Sickness Policy
You can check on your student's progress in class through the parent portal. We use the Absence feature to make notes about participation in class. You may notice your child has an absence for a day when you know they were actually there. However, if you look at the notes for that "absence" you will find more information. They may be marked as "IT" or "Insufficent Time." This means they didn't practice enough that week. You may find that their card wasn't signed by a parent ("NS" or "No Signature".) Or maybe they never turned their practice card in and were marked as "NC" or "No Card." If your child didn't get enough practice time but there was a valid reason, please write that in on the practice card and the room parents will note that on the record as well. Illnesses, vacations, or instruments in the shop would be examples of things that are valid reasons to not have enough practice time.
Extra Performances for Advanced Groups
Our more advanced groups often participate in extra performances apart from the concerts. We expect all of our students to participate in these performances as well as the concerts. Our ensembles work together as a group, and when one member is missing, it affects the performance of the whole group. While there will be times when a student needs to miss a performance, it should be rare and only for extenuating circumstances.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child's attendance at a performance, please talk to us about it. Communication is key if there will be a scheduling conflict.
Advanced Groups which may have extra performances include:
Drop Policy
As a reminder, if you need to drop a class, please notify us at office@wmhfa.org.
Requests for Refunds follows this schedule:
Dress Code
Please check over the dress code before coming to class. You can view that at https://www.wmhfa.org/dress-code.html. As a reminder, boys' hair needs to be no longer than collar-length, girls are not allowed to wear leggings or other tight pants, and no jeans are allowed. In a nutshell, students must dress to be neat, modest, and uniform.
WMHFA Mobile App
You can access your WMHFA account on your mobile device by downloading the WMHFA App from Google Play or the App Store. Search for WMHFA to find the app.
Hallway/Social Hall/Study Hall reminders
Fundraising Information
Concert Program Advertising
Earn 50% of every ad sale! – Deadline will be a few weeks before winter and spring concerts. Full, half, & quarter page and 2 line ads available for your favorite companies. Ads appear in both Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids concert programs. Stop by the desk to request a form, or visit wmhfa.org/advertising-options!
Scrip Table Hours:
Tuesdays @ LAMP Homeschool Center between 10 am - 1:30 pm
Wednesdays @ Corinth Reformed between 10 am - 1:30 pm
Summer Marching Band hours are at the Grand Rapids location:
Wednesdays, June and July
9:00 am - 10:30 am
Want to start Scrip now? Simply go to your computer, go to www.shopwithscrip.com,
click on "Join a Program" and enter our ONE TIME enrollment code 9D8AF44A1551
Create a profile and read and accept the terms. Start saving money!
Lunch Information
Grand Rapids Lunch
For your convenience, WMHFA makes a pizza lunch available every week for a very reasonable price.
Lunch may be purchased as follows:
$4 Meal Deal (Pizza, 2 sides, and beverage)
$1.50 per slice of pizza
$0.50 per side, snack, or beverage
A Ten Meal Punch Card may be purchased for $36
Kalamazoo Lunch
All families are invited to participate in Kalamazoo's Potluck Lunch. You can also choose to bring lunch for just your family as well. Participating families are asked to bring
1 main dish + 1 side dish each week they participate.
In addition, please bring one kitchen/table service item per semester to facilitate the potluck. See list in the Kitchen on Tues for needed items.
**Please note: ALL potluck items must be cooked/prepared beforehand. Electrical outlets & a microwave are available for food warming. NO REFRIGERATION is available at this time.
Yearbook Information
We Need Your Photos!
We'd love to get your candids from WMHFA to use in our Yearbook. These can be from the school year or from Marching Band. You can easily upload them here:
Grand Rapids Yearbook Photos
Kalamazoo Yearbook Photos
Marching Band Yearbook Photos
Grand Rapids - Classes will be cancelled if Byron Center Public Schools are cancelled due to weather.
Kalamazoo - Classes will be cancelled if Schoolcraft Public Schools are cancelled due to weather.
Email, Text, and Facebook posts will be sent out shortly after 6am to announce any cancellation of classes. Notices will also be posted on local television and radio websites. Please Note: WMHFA families come from all over West Michigan, therefore the weather in one area may be fine while another area may have hazardous roads. If classes are not cancelled, please use your discretion in deciding to make the drive. We want everyone to arrive safely!
Text Messages
We have a texting service for important notifications. You can adjust your texting options in your parent portal.
Parents: Go to Dashboard > Billing & Payments > Contacts > Edit > Basic Info > Contact Info, click to enable Allow text messaging? and click Save.
Students: Go to Dashboard > View (student name) > Edit (pencil) > Basic Info, click to enable Allow text messaging? and click Save.
Absences
Missing Your Work Shift
- All workers must sign in at the Information Center when you arrive to work your assignment. If you do not sign in, it will be assumed that you did not show up for your assignment and will not count towards your minimum time. Those who are working odd jobs or offsite will need to sign-in online. Go to https://forms.gle/6oYVaCW8kcLKXYD96 to record the hours you are working.
- Call if you are scheduled to work and are not able to make your scheduled assignment.
- KALAMAZOO WORKERS: Contact Sandy Rose at (269) 657-2186 to let her know. She will contact someone to fill in for you.
- GRAND RAPIDS WORKERS: TBD.
- Give at least a 24-hour notice if you are going to miss, unless it is an emergency or unexpected,
- Be aware that you may be called to fill in for someone during a semester you are not scheduled to work.
- There is a $20 charge for not calling in.
While we do take attendance in class, it is helpful for our instructors to know if your student will be absent and why. Absences can be reported through your parent portal. Under the menu, select Absences and Makeups. Our teachers will receive an email automatically if you do this, so there is no need to email them individually!
Sickness Policy
- If your child is sick, even with a cold, please keep them home.
- Wash hands frequently.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Don't touch other people's stuff.
You can check on your student's progress in class through the parent portal. We use the Absence feature to make notes about participation in class. You may notice your child has an absence for a day when you know they were actually there. However, if you look at the notes for that "absence" you will find more information. They may be marked as "IT" or "Insufficent Time." This means they didn't practice enough that week. You may find that their card wasn't signed by a parent ("NS" or "No Signature".) Or maybe they never turned their practice card in and were marked as "NC" or "No Card." If your child didn't get enough practice time but there was a valid reason, please write that in on the practice card and the room parents will note that on the record as well. Illnesses, vacations, or instruments in the shop would be examples of things that are valid reasons to not have enough practice time.
Extra Performances for Advanced Groups
Our more advanced groups often participate in extra performances apart from the concerts. We expect all of our students to participate in these performances as well as the concerts. Our ensembles work together as a group, and when one member is missing, it affects the performance of the whole group. While there will be times when a student needs to miss a performance, it should be rare and only for extenuating circumstances.
- Times when absences may be unavoidable - illness, family emergencies, major events that were scheduled prior to performance dates being published.
- Times when absences would not be excused - regular classes at another organization, schedules too busy, activities scheduled after the performance dates are published.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child's attendance at a performance, please talk to us about it. Communication is key if there will be a scheduling conflict.
Advanced Groups which may have extra performances include:
- Advanced Band
- Concert Band
- Big Band 1 and 2
- Brass, Woodwind, & Flute Ensembles
- Drumline
- Advanced Orchestra
- Symphony Orchestra
- Fiddles, Pops, & More
- Chamber Strings
- Middle School Choir
- Senior Choir
- Concert Choir
- Chorale
- Aurora Handbells
- Competition Guard
Drop Policy
As a reminder, if you need to drop a class, please notify us at office@wmhfa.org.
Requests for Refunds follows this schedule:
- 75% refunded after 9/13/23
- 50% refunded after 9/20/23
- 25% refunded after 9/27/23
- No refunds after 10/4/2023
Dress Code
Please check over the dress code before coming to class. You can view that at https://www.wmhfa.org/dress-code.html. As a reminder, boys' hair needs to be no longer than collar-length, girls are not allowed to wear leggings or other tight pants, and no jeans are allowed. In a nutshell, students must dress to be neat, modest, and uniform.
WMHFA Mobile App
You can access your WMHFA account on your mobile device by downloading the WMHFA App from Google Play or the App Store. Search for WMHFA to find the app.
Hallway/Social Hall/Study Hall reminders
- Students must be in Social Hall or Study Hall. No wandering, running, or sitting in the halls.
- Please keep the noise level down in the hallways and areas around classes and lessons.
- Food & drink only in designated areas. In Grand Rapids, this is the Gym, the Hub, and the Cafe. NO FOOD OR DRINK in the Worship Center!
- The nursery is only for parents with small children. Older children should be in the study hall or social hall.
- Students are not to use an empty classroom for group practicing without getting permission from the information desk. If permission is obtained, a parent must stay with the students at all times. Students are not to be in any area without adult supervision.
- No students are to be outside unsupervised. If you are supervising children outside, please keep them away from windows where lessons or classes are taking place.
Fundraising Information
Concert Program Advertising
Earn 50% of every ad sale! – Deadline will be a few weeks before winter and spring concerts. Full, half, & quarter page and 2 line ads available for your favorite companies. Ads appear in both Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids concert programs. Stop by the desk to request a form, or visit wmhfa.org/advertising-options!
Scrip Table Hours:
Tuesdays @ LAMP Homeschool Center between 10 am - 1:30 pm
Wednesdays @ Corinth Reformed between 10 am - 1:30 pm
Summer Marching Band hours are at the Grand Rapids location:
Wednesdays, June and July
9:00 am - 10:30 am
Want to start Scrip now? Simply go to your computer, go to www.shopwithscrip.com,
click on "Join a Program" and enter our ONE TIME enrollment code 9D8AF44A1551
Create a profile and read and accept the terms. Start saving money!
Lunch Information
Grand Rapids Lunch
For your convenience, WMHFA makes a pizza lunch available every week for a very reasonable price.
Lunch may be purchased as follows:
$4 Meal Deal (Pizza, 2 sides, and beverage)
$1.50 per slice of pizza
$0.50 per side, snack, or beverage
A Ten Meal Punch Card may be purchased for $36
Kalamazoo Lunch
All families are invited to participate in Kalamazoo's Potluck Lunch. You can also choose to bring lunch for just your family as well. Participating families are asked to bring
1 main dish + 1 side dish each week they participate.
In addition, please bring one kitchen/table service item per semester to facilitate the potluck. See list in the Kitchen on Tues for needed items.
**Please note: ALL potluck items must be cooked/prepared beforehand. Electrical outlets & a microwave are available for food warming. NO REFRIGERATION is available at this time.
Yearbook Information
We Need Your Photos!
We'd love to get your candids from WMHFA to use in our Yearbook. These can be from the school year or from Marching Band. You can easily upload them here:
Grand Rapids Yearbook Photos
Kalamazoo Yearbook Photos
Marching Band Yearbook Photos