The Centennial Band maintains several ways to get your band information: the band website, online calendar, band handbook, CHARMS email system, etc. Often, when info is really important, we will email it out to the band. Unfortunately, email is sometimes an unreliable system to deliver important news. Common problems include CHS Band email being blocked as spam, typos in email addresses listed in CHARMS, addresses not being kept up to date in CHARMS, etc. Each time we send out an eNewsletter, we typically get 20-30 bounced back messages which are never received by parents.

Other more inherent problems with email notification exist as well. Email isn't great for last minute changes or updates. Many people tell us that they don't check their email once a day. Furthermore, students are relying less on email and more on text messaging than ever.

So, we have started the new SMS (Text Messaging) Headlines Feed. Whenever important info needs to be distributed, last minute changes arise, or important deadlines come up, we will send out an SMS to everyone enrolled in the Headlines Feed. Here are some examples of how we will use the new system.

• Marching Rehearsal has been cancelled due to weather.
• Reminder: Band Registration this Saturday.
• Buses will be late. Inspection time has changed to 5:00pm.
• It is 11:00pm and we are just leaving the stadium. Estimated return time to CHS is now 11:45pm.
• The band has arrived back at the band hall. Students is ready to be picked up.
• The May eNewsletter was just sent out with important information. If you don't receive it, please email Mr. Linley

Interested? Here is how to set it up!

1. Go to www.twitter.com and set up a free account.
2. Once you are logged in, click on "Take Twitter with you - Set up your mobile phone" in the box on the right side of the screen.
3. Follow the instructions to set up your phone. Make sure you enter your phone number preceeded by a + and 1 (ex. +14696335630).
4. Once your phone is set up, go to www.twitter.com/chsband
5. Click the box that says "Follow"
6. Click on the box that says "Following - Device Updates Off" and change the selection to "on"

And you are all set! From now on you will receive Text Message Notifications from the CHS Band. If you want to stop receiving messages from the band, simply reply to any message with OFF.

Note: Be sure to check with your cell provider to make sure text messages are covered in your phone's service plan.