🛫 Squadron Briefings

Your weekly updates from Directors, Booster Leadership and support teams:

Flight Deck – A message from Mr. Ary, Head Band Director

Summer Band is off to a good start! The students are learning and getting in a lot of repetitions. The initial stages of learning can be slow and tedious, but once that foundation is set learning happens much faster and becomes more enjoyable each day. If your student comes home discouraged, remind them that the first few days of 6th grade band wasn't very fun either but it became more fun each day.

If your student's physical is missing or incomplete, Mr. Guzman has been emailing you. Please take care of that this week or else we will have to send your student home per KISD and UIL requirements. 

Next week we are going to start making decisions on who will earn a position in our marching show. Besides musical abilities, visual abilities, and good attitudes, we have to consider who has turned in their financial commitment form and who is current on their fees. Please make sure your commitment form is uploaded to the link on the front page of the commitment form and that you are current on your fees.

Our schedule through Monday, July 28 has not changed. Monday afternoon we will be packing up and moving out of MPJH. Hopefully Tuesday we'll be moving back into our band hall at THS. Sunday evening I should receive an update on whether our campus passes inspection and our campus will reopen next week. If we can't move into the band hall on Tuesday, we will still have to move out of MPJH on Monday and we will still have our outdoor rehearsals at THS. I'll send out an update via Remind as soon as I know more. 

Thank you!

Mike Ary

Director of Bands

From Mr. Guzman, Assistant Band Director:

Please double-check your email (I even sent some messages on BoosterHub Chat) if you are missing a physical for your student. Very soon, students without an updated physical on file will not be allowed to participate.

Please don’t assume everything is good to go, even if RankOne shows your student as “cleared,” any physical dated in 2024 is now expired.

I understand this can be confusing. RankOne operates on a two-year cycle because of UIL rules, but Katy ISD requires a new physical every year.

Another common mistake is uploading the physical to the Athletics side only, and not the Fine Arts side. These two systems do not communicate with each other, so you must upload it to both if your student participates in Fine Arts.

If you have any questions or need help, please email me at PatrickAGuzman@katyisd.org.

Thank you!

Patrick Guzman

Assistant Band Director

NOTE: Required forms such as physicals, the commitment form, etc can be found on our Summer Band page: https://jetband.org/about/11349

A Message from Booster President Liz Johnson

We are off to an amazing start this year, and it was so wonderful to see so many of you at our first Coffee Chat on Monday morning! Thank you to everyone who showed up — your presence makes a difference.

💙 Finding Your Place in the JET Band Family

With such a large and vibrant band program, it’s easy to wonder how to connect and get involved. These small socials and events are a great way to plug in, and we truly love getting to know each of you.

🛠️ Volunteer Opportunities Are Opening Up!

Over the next few weeks, several committees will begin planning for upcoming events.

Our Committee Chairs are actively looking for help and co-chairs, and if you expressed interest in volunteering during BoosterHub registration, you’ll soon be receiving emails from our Board and Committee Leads if you have not already done so. We need lots of hands and will gladly take any hour you can give — we promise to help you find something that fits your interests and availability! The following Volunteer Lists have been activated: JET Fuel, Fundraising, MUMS and many more are about to be! So be sure to check your emails.

🎉 It Takes a Village to Power the JET Band & Color Guard

From events to fundraising, logistics to spirit wear — it takes a lot to make this program run smoothly. Your involvement helps us create unforgettable experiences for our students.

📣 Want to Get Involved?

Learn more in our Volunteer Section below for upcoming events and ways to help out!

Let’s keep the momentum going and make this season one to remember! 💙

Cadence Command – Mr. Fruge, Percussion Director & Ken Hix- Percussion Parent Liaison

Our Percussion Jersey is now live! Just a reminder this is required gear and there is a deadline to purchase of July 30th. Link to Order: https://jetband.org/store/11134/27391

The Spin Zone – Mr. House, Color Guard Director & Tabitha Sone, Color Guard Liaison

Color Guard Members & Families –

Have you checked to make sure all your gear has been ordered? By now, all required and recommended items should be purchased. If you have any questions or need assistance with placing an order, please don’t hesitate to contact me at guard@jetband.org  

Also, are you following us on Instagram? Stay connected and get the latest updates, reminders, and behind-the-scenes fun by following our official Color Guard page: @JET_MUSTANG_GUARD

Volunteer Coordinator Update

Big THANKS to all our Volunteers this week! We already have parents showing up with Popsicles and JET Fuel. Special thanks to all our JET Fuel Volunteers who worked today and helped us manage the food challenges. Candy sends you all a BIG Thank You!

Calling All Parent Volunteers!

We’ve got plenty of exciting opportunities for you to jump in and support the program—and your help makes a huge difference! Check out the latest volunteer openings using the link below. New shifts and roles will continue to appear as event dates and times get finalized, so keep checking back!

• March-A-Thon – August 16
• Volunteer spots are now open, and additional roles with JET Fuel and the Loading Crew will be added soon!
• Preview Night – August 8
• We’re looking for support with donations and event prep to help make this a fun and memorable night for everyone.
• Shoe Sizing – Tuesday, July 29 2–4 PM
• We need a few helping hands to assist students during their shoe fitting session.
• Whether you’ve got just a couple hours or can stay for the whole day, there’s a place for you to make an impact. A
• Volunteer Link:  https://app.boosterhub.com/volunteer
• As a reminder, Katy ISD requires all volunteers—whether serving on or off campus, during or outside school hours—to renew/create their registration each school year through the Raptor security system.
• To stay active or become active as a volunteer for the upcoming school year, please take a moment to renew your registration by clicking the link below:
• English: https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/NzAxOmVuLVVT
• Spanish:https://apps.raptortech.com/Apply/NzAxOmVzLVVT
• NOTE: If you sign up to volunteer but do not register you will not be able to attend the event.

MarchAThon Update

March-A-Thon 2025 Is Kicking Off!

Get ready for the biggest and boldest fundraiser of the year! Tomorrow, July 24, we roll out March-A-Thon 2025 to our amazing students—complete with our official route map and everything they need to get started.

Right after our kickoff meeting, a brand-new March-A-Thon Page will launch on Booster Hub. Navigate to the top bar and click the second dropdown: March-A-Thon 101. It’s your go-to guide for everything:

• How to set up your personal fundraising link
• Tips to secure sponsorships
• All the ways to donate and support the event

This fundraiser powers our entire program—and it’s all hands on deck! Let’s rally together and make this year’s March-A-Thon our most successful ever. 

Gear Orders: Shoe Sizing Update

👟 JET Band Shoe Sizing Update & Final Fitting Day

We’ve completed most of our shoe sizing for freshmen and students needing new shoes this past Monday — thank you to everyone who participated! If you need to know your students size, here is the Link to the Students shoe sizes.

📌 Next Sizing Opportunity: Tuesday, July 29

During student sectional times in the afternoon, we’ll hold one final sizing session.

📍 Anyone highlighted in YELLOW on the tracking sheet still needs to be sized.

📝 Important Notes:

• All students received a paper with their shoe size, and we’ve also tracked it digitally. See Here
• No orders will be placed until every student has had the opportunity to try on shoes.
• We strongly recommend that all students try on shoes before purchasing — proper fit is essential for performance and comfort.

🛒 Order Deadline: July 30

We will place one large group order on July 30.

After this date, families will need to order directly from the vendor, and shipping is approximately $25 per pair when ordered individually.

🔁 Need to Change Your Size?

If a student needs to adjust their size after trying on shoes:

• Email our Treasurer to cancel your order.
• You’ll be able to place a new order with the correct size

Learn more about our Gear on our Gear Guide: https://jetband.org/about/11740

JET Band & Color Guard Uniform Fittings- MANDATORY FOR ALL STUDENTS

Scheduled Time:

🕐 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM daily and please make sure students arrive on time

📅 Uniform Fitting Dates by Class:

• August 4 – Seniors
• August 5 – Juniors
• August 6 – Sophomores
• August 7 – Freshmen
• August 8 – Makeup Day

If you missed your scheduled day, the Makeup Day on August 8 is your final opportunity to be fitted.

Friendly Reminders: Band & Color Guard Dues

💰 June & July Payments

• June and July payments are now late.
• August Payments are due August 1st.
• All families should have paid $425 at this time
• Update: We have extended the deadline for late dues to July 25th. Starting July 26th, late fees will automatically apply. You’ll notice the payment amounts in the Store will reflect this increase. June Payments will now be $250 and July will be $225.

We know payment reminders aren’t the most exciting—but timely dues are essential to keeping everything running smoothly for our students. Thank you for staying on top of it!

📝 Financial Aid & Payment Plans

Need more time or a payment plan? Please reach out!

Communication is key—contact a director or email: 📧 President@jetband.org

💳 How to Pay

• Pay through the BoosterHub App under the Store.
• To view your payment history, go to Tools → Accounting in the app.
• By now, everyone should have paid at least $425, unless you’ve arranged a payment plan.

Thank you for your attention and continued support!

🎺🔥 JET Family Barbecue & Preview Night 🔥🎺

It’s More Than a Team Dinner — It’s a Celebration!

Come celebrate a night of music, community, and smoky-good eats with the JET Band and Color Guard! We’re thrilled to welcome all families to the JET Family Barbecue & Preview Night — a chance to support our program, connect with each other, and cheer on our hardworking students.

📅 Date: August 8

📍 Location: Taylor High School Football Field

🕖 Showtime: 7:00 PM sharp- Arrive early for great seats and good parking!

🎶 Sneak Peek Performance: “Beautifully Broken”

Get a first look at this year’s show and see how far our students have come since Day 1 of Summer Band. It’s a teaser performance that hints at the incredible season ahead!

🏆 Special Recognitions & Section Awards

Our Directors and Section Leaders will be presenting Section Awards and other special recognitions to celebrate the dedication, growth, and spirit of our students. You won’t want to miss these proud moments!

🍽️ Dinner Details

Join us after the show in the Freshman Commons for a community dinner featuring Rudy’s BBQ — available by pre-purchase only through the Booster Store:

👉 Order Your Meal Here: Booster Store

Can’t stay? No problem — take your meal to go!

🍰 Desserts & Drinks: Donations Needed!

We’re asking each section to sign up for donations of desserts and drinks. By securing these items via donation, we can save more dollars for the program!

✅ Each section has a minimum number of contributors — please help ensure your section is fully covered to guarantee success!

🙋‍♀️ Volunteer Opportunities

We’re also looking for volunteers to help with:

• Serving and setup
• Running a small raffle (Fundraising volunteers, we’d love your help!)

❄️ Cool Treats & Community Fun

Kona Ice will be onsite for a refreshing treat (available for purchase).

🎉 We’ll also have surprises and special recognitions in store for our students and families!

💙 Support the Program

This event is a must-see and must-attend kickoff to the season! Your support through meal purchases, donations, and volunteer time helps our program thrive.

Let’s celebrate the JET Band and Color Guard, connect as a community, and kick off the season with pride and applause! 💙🥁🎷

🎉 JET Band & Color Guard Spirit Night 🎶

Location: Tutti Frutti

Date: July 29 | 4–8 PM

Come cool off and celebrate our first Spirit Night of the year! Join us at Tutti Frutti after summer band practice on Monday, July 29 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM.

🍦 Enjoy a sweet treat and support the band and color guard—Tutti Frutti will donate a portion of the proceeds to our program. Just make sure to mention JET Band and Color Guard at checkout!

✅ Head over after practice

✅ Bring your friends and family

✅ Help us spread the word!

We can’t wait to see you there!

Thank you Tutti Frutti for your support!

Just Tuning in? Time to Catch up!

Go see our most recent Blasts in our News section to get caught up and get more details on everything we have shared. Every Blast to date is posted. Go back and re-read if needed!

• July 17th Blast
• July 9th Blast
• July 2 Blast:
• June 26th Blast
• June 18th Blast

Upcoming Events and Save the Dates

Check the calendar for sectionals and section events and also the Directors Calendar for Practices, Games and Competitions!

July 29th- Spirit Night 4-8 PM

July 30th- All Gear Orders Due!

July 7th- Taylor HS FISH Camp for all incoming Freshman

August 8th- JET Family BBQ & PREVIEW Night for Friends and Family for our show Beautifully Broken! Save the date but more information to come!