TAG DAY 2021!

Hello Band Families,

Tag Day is a Fairfax County tradition.  In every high school, student groups are assigned a designated weekend where the students spill out into the neighborhoods created by the school boundary lines and ask for donations to support their activities.  The goal is to “Tag” each house with a request for a donation delivered via a doorbell ring by a friendly and smiling group of students.  Our band students go out in their marching uniform or other band spirit wear.  In the past students have had the opportunity to talk to the community about band activities, and make a personal ask for support.  

Last year, Annandale HS (and many other schools) did not do Tag Day, even virtually, due to covid lockdowns and health safety precautions.  The good news is this year the county has granted approval to have Tag Day!  As noted on our calendar our assigned weekend is THIS WEEKEND September 11-12.  With covid still a concern, we will have a modified presence in the neighborhood.  This year instead of knocking, students will leave an actual tag on the front doors of our neighbors so we’ll have social distancing and no personal contact with residents.  We know we are late to confirm the date on the calendar, but we REALLY NEED ALL BAND STUDENTS (not just marching band) and MOST parents to support this year’s event.  Our fundraising efforts suffered greatly with no Tag Day last year, and we’re expecting additional costs this year for specialized clinicians/musicians that will work with all the students to help make up for the lost year of learning due to virtual school.

Tag Day is our #1 fundraiser for the total band program, usually around 65% of our income for the year.  With fewer students enrolled in band this year, we really need ALL of them to make this day a success.  Not only do we have Tags to hang on doors over the weekend, we will have a social media campaign for the kids to promote the effort and a personal request letter for the students to send to friends, family, grandma in Florida, and even give to the folks in your neighborhood.  We need to reach out into the community as much as we can.

As we’ve mentioned before, Band Booster funds (raised through Tag Day, concessions, etc.) go directly to support your students, covering costs that FCPS does not - uniform replacement and repair, instrument parts and repair, competitions, clinicians, and the like.  These funds help to prevent higher student fees, and support the Band’s standard of excellence that we’ve always had at AHS.

We need you!  Students in uniform (spirit wear if not a marcher), and Parent drivers.  The kids don’t get out in to the neighborhood by themselves and they need chaperones to ensure their safety.  Please join us Saturday, Sept 11, 9am-4pm, and Sunday, Sept 12, 10:30am-3:00pm.  Meet in the band room at the start time.  Parent drivers please sign up here so we get an idea of how many of you will be joining us.  If you change your mind last minute, or find yourself all of a sudden free to join us, just come on out.  NO NEED to sign up, we’re just looking for a guess at how many will be helping.  We're hoping for lots of you!

We need EVERY band student to help hand out tags in our neighborhoods. 

We need MANY adult volunteers to drive students to the neighborhoods, or runners to deliver additional materials, or to chaperone groups of students who are at a local shopping center for Tag Day.  

If you can only be with us part of the time, WE’LL TAKE IT!  Every bit helps!  We know this is late notice, and we REALLY appreciate your support.  

With Gratitude, and deep thanks for your continued support of your student!

Kristi Irvin & Rita Inkpen

2020-2022 Co-Presidents

Annandale Band Boosters