JAL PANTHER PRIDE BAND BUMPED !

VOICE YOUR OPINION
Click on the above music staff to view messageboard on this topic.
We're using an old, little used board at 'Jal Panther Band History'.....'Band Story Board'.
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS

PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE FOR NEW INFO...

Yes, you heard correctly. The Jal school board has decided to terminate the band program.
Late last night (March 18th) I received this email from Stean and Iona Kemp:

Subject: Emergency!!!!!!!!!!!!!!BAND----------------?????????????

Today, Saturday March 18,2000. Conformation from Bill Dyer. There will not be a band in/for Jal High School starting new School term 2000. Due to budget cuts the band was cut, no other program was cut. Sports are still strong. It is a big injusticeto the children of our Home town School. Music appreciation and the experience from belonging to a group cannot be replaced.Please contact Bill Dyer for the facts or talk to Rick Kerby, president of school board. Your influnce and connection thru the web system could make a difference. The Exes Association can be a big influnce, also we need to talk to the govenor for more budget. Jerry Dyer dropped the bomb at the last reunion meeting that there would not be a halftime show due to the fact that there would not be a marching band. Bill stated today that the whole band program is cut. we need to stand up and be heard........ spread the word.    csk

I quickly threw together a response, put both it and the Kemp's message in a Panther Tracks Newsletter, and sent it out to all you Jalites who subscribe to the electronic newsletter.
I'm repeating all this for those of you who are not signed up for the Panther Tracks.

This was my response:

I may be speaking out of turn here (I'll have more to say later...you can count on it) but how can we get $200,000 to refurbish a couple of city parks and not get money for a band program?

I won't say anymore right now...it wouldn't be wise; but if this upsets you as much as it does me, Stean's right...we need to stand up and be heard. The worst thing that ever happened was placing band 'after school' from 1959 through 1964.....until now. Hell, we raised $14,000 dollars recently...we can finance the band if need be. Sorry, I'd better stop for now. I invite all of you, however, to chime in. There's an un-used message board sitting on the band history page for collecting old band stories that no one seems to want to tell...LET'S USE IT NOW FOR THIS.....Go to the Table of Contents....Jal Panther Band History.....Jal Panther Band Story Board.......

LET'S FLOOD THIS BOARD WITH ALL THE COMMENTARY YOU CARE TO MAKE, EMAIL BILL DYER, RICK KERBY....SHOW THEM WE'LL SUPPORT THEM IN REVERSING THIS DECISION SOMEHOW...THEY'RE BOTH IN THE ADDRESS BOOK...THE WOOLWORTH LIBRARY...I NEED SOME HELP HERE...DON'T KNOW ABOUT THIS SORTA STUFF.....CONGRESSMEN, LEGISLATORS, ETC. LET'S MAKE A LIST OF WHO TO CONTACT AND THEN CONTACT THEM. I AWAIT YOUR SUGGESTIONS...I'M RAMBLING... you can email me, but I'd really prefer you use the band message board....we can pile all the messages there to show 'whomever' exactly what we think about this travesty! Right? Right!

Thanks for your cooperation, Jerry Phillips

At this point, I would like to hear from you... Please respond by clicking at the top of this page and placing your views on this 'special' messageboard......not our main messageboard, as it's getting rather full.

Negative, irate, indignant thoughts are welcomed...ha. (I, for one, am mad as hell)
But so are positive ones...please remember that...I'm sure this couldn't have been an
easy decision for the board to make...perhaps we can help to come up with a positive solution.

Thank you for your help and support of our music program, Jerry Phillips

SCHOOL SONG
JAL BLUE AND GOLD
By Dr. J. L. Burke, Jr.

To Jal we sing our song of praise.
Her colors we will proudly raise.
Her sons and daughters we shall stand,
To honor Jal throughout the land.

Though high school days will pass away,
Her gold shall never turn to gray.
Nor time nor change shall e'er destroy,
The royal blue we now enjoy.

So join us with resounding cheers.
Renew your hearts with courage strong,
And fight for Jal through all the years.
Go forward as we sing our song.

Stand, neighbors, listen to the band;
Then join us in our song of praise.
To Jal we pledge each heart and hand,
To make the most of high school days.

GOING.............GOING.............GONE ?

(copyright 1950)

NEW INFO:

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