Hempfield band sub sales on hold as officials weed through pandemic orders

A popular fundraiser in the Hempfield community and a major fundraiser for the high school marching band is on hold, waiting for approval from school leaders.

Sub sales have been suspended after Hempfield Area officials said proposed health and safety plans to make the subs did not adhere to Gov. Tom Wolf’s order limiting the number of people who can gather indoors to 25 people, Superintendent Tammy Wolicki said.

“(It’s) the (governor’s) rule of 25 for a gathering that’s hampering us,” band Director Brian Tychinski said, noting a few hundred students, staff and parents are typically needed to assemble the subs.

Members of the Hempfield Band Parent Association presented school officials with other possibilities to allow sub sales to continue, but “challenges exist with those as well,” Wolicki said. Tychinski said officials considered having a company make the subs, but those plans were not pursued because of the cost and required length of contract.

So far this year, five sub sales have been canceled because of stay-at-home orders and gathering limits. Band members were able to complete three sales, which raised a small amount of money for a planned trip to Hawaii. With the potential lack of funding, Tychinski said they might have to scale back that trip.

Band officials are considering a trip to Nashville as an alternative to Hawaii. That trip still would require board approval and is dependent on travel restrictions. Social distancing regulations also make logistics of the trip more complicated, and require additional charter buses and hotel rooms.

“We’re looking at a place where we can just do a performance, maybe several performances, and give the kids some kind of trip to get something in,” Tychinski said. “In a lot of ways I feel bad for these seniors, because last year’s seniors lost a quarter, but these kids could lose maybe their whole year.”

Students have been able to participate in practices and a few events thanks to health and safety plans created by band leaders and district officials.

Those plans, approved by the school board in August, have a small section regarding sub sales. Food safety preparation guidelines must be followed, masks must be worn while preparing subs, and, when feasible, social distancing guidelines should be followed. Temperatures must be taken prior to the sale. The plans do not mention gathering limits.

“While I’d love to see us find a solution, the district has been really good to work with this summer under such difficult circumstances, and I do respect that they have more to consider than just our group,” Tychinski said.