The Deptford High School marching band was recognized for its championship win in the Tournament of Bands on Nov. 2.
The Deptford board of education recognized the township high-school’s marching band at its Nov. 12 meeting and also summarized its own recent family forum.
The band was honored for winning only its second Tournament of Bands Atlantic Coast Championship with a score of 94.55 at Hershey Park Stadium in Pennsylvania on Nov. 2 . The Spartans competed against marching bands from all over the northeastern U.S. this year and were also named to the Group 2A, their highest rated performance since winning a 2014 championship.
Band students, their instructors and their families were on hand for the board meeting, a group that numbered in the dozens and required that the session be held inside the township middle school to accommodate them.
“It’s with great pleasure to recognize the Deptford high school marching band for their accomplishment of northeast champions in group 2A in the Tournament of Bands.” said Superintendent Kevin Kanauss. “This score (94.55) officially promoted Deptford to open class competition and awarded them best music, to go along with their tournament championship.”
Both the names of the instructors and students who made the win possible were announced one by one, resulting in a standing ovation and certificates from the board recognizing their accomplishments. A brief recess followed.
Kanauss also summarized a recent family forum hosted by the board on Oct. 29 to hear from the community regarding school security improvements. Administrators were also in attendance at the session, the board’s first and the result of parents who have communication issues with the school district.
“We had a great talk and conversation with members of the community,” Kanauss explained. “It was very candid, very open, very honest. We were able to have some frank discussions with the community, and it was a great sit-down.
“I’d like to thank the administrators who participated in the event as well,” he added. “It was very well-received and we’re hoping to get a better turnout each time we have a meeting.”
The district has plans to add security vestibules at some schools to provide an additional layer of protection for students and staff. Kanauss also announced that the board will host another family forum at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday to focus on the mental health and well-being of students.
“Again,” said Kanauss, “it’s a sit-down conversation with members of the community to ask questions, ping-ponging off of thoughts and ideas from each other to take notes. It’s a great, casual conversation.”
The next board meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m.on Tuesday, Dec. 17.
