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Seven Lakes Junior High Speech and Debate

Team Handbook
2015-2016

Sponsors: Ms. Wood and Mr. Smith

Principal: Dr. Medrano

Table of Contents
Eligibility..p. 3
Fees.p. 3-4
Supplies.p. 4
Code of Conduct.p. 5-6
Attendance.p. 6
Transportation.p. 7
Tournaments and Tournament Rubricp. 7-8
Food.p. 9
Permission Slip.p. 10

Eligibility
Defined
A student is considered academically eligible for UIL purposes if they are passing all of
their classes with at least an average of 70.
Process
Senate Bill 1 mandates that students who participate in extracurricular activities such as
contests and field trips must receive a grade of no less than 70 in each of their classes. Grades
will be checked at the end of each six weeks grading period. At that time, any student who fails a
class will not participate in any field trip or contest for the next three week period. After three
weeks, grades for these students will be checked again. If the student is passing ALL classes at
that time, they will become eligible at 2:35 pm the day that grades are checked. If all grades are
not passing at the three week progress report time, the student remains ineligible for the
remainder of the six weeks.
Tournaments
All tournaments will be subject to UIL Eligibility Guidelines.
Practices
An ineligible student may still participate in after-school practices prior to regaining their
eligibility at the progress report.

Fees
Supplies
Students are required to purchase individual supplies as outlined in the supply section
that follows. Students will also owe a non-refundable $10 group supply fee for the club. Students
must purchase their supplies prior to the deadline. If a student has difficulty obtaining supplies,
see Ms. Wood or Mr. Smith.
Shirts
A team shirt must be purchased through the approved vendor, and then worn to
subsequent practices.

Tournament Fees
All students will be required to pay the fees associated with their attendance at a
tournament. Entry fees per event range from $15-$30. Students will need to pay their entrance
fees prior to the deadline. Additionally, once the add/drop deadline has passed, students will not
be refunded their tournament fees due to non-attendance. The team will have to pay your
tournament fee if you cancel after add/drop. Some tournaments charge a drop fee. If the drop fee
is imposed, you will be responsible for paying it. Special circumstances do arise, and should be
discussed with the sponsors. Please keep this in mind when committing to a tournament.

Supplies
Debate
Debaters are responsible for locating the following supplies:

1 inch Binder for notes, cases, etc.

Legal Pad
Pen or Pencil
Timing device (phone, watch, etc.)

Speech
Speakers* are responsible for locating the following supplies:

9x7 small black binder (tournament rules)

Notebook paper
1 Package of notecards
Pen or Pencil
Timing device (phone, watch, etc.)

*Note: Extemporaneous speakers will also be responsible for assisting in the collection and filing of a team
current event collection. Subscriptions to papers/Time/Newsweek are not required, but might aid in this
effort.

All debaters and speakers should find a place that is suitable for storing their belongings.
As a big club, we will not have space for individuals to leave their binders or supplies in either
Mr. Smith or Ms. Woods classrooms. Group supplies will be stored in Mr. Smith or Ms.
Woods rooms. Ask for permission to utilize group materials, etc.
Individuals should maintain their supplies throughout the tournament season. If you run
out of a supply, kindly replace it so that you will be prepared for the next competition.

Code of Conduct
Defined
Organizations such as ours are judged by the way in which we are perceived by the
outside community. As members of the SLJH Speech and Debate squad, you are representing
this organization at practices, tournaments, in classrooms, and in the halls. Always conduct
yourself in a way that will positively reflect on the entire organization.

After-School Practice Conduct

You must use your time wisely and practice during the allotted Monday afternoon
practice, or by appointment at another time. Please remember that practice participation will be
integral to your tournament participation.
Students at practice should observe the following procedures:

Sign-in and out with your name, times, and what you are going to be
working on.
All members must have at least three documented practices on-file
preceding a tournament. Members must have performed in front of Mr.
Smith or Ms. Wood for rubric scoring before being considered for a
tournament.
Respect all deadlines. If you are supposed to perform before a given date
for rubric scoring, abide by that date!
Practice how you will perform.
Find a quiet place to practice. Respect others and do not disturb them.
Ask for help when the need arises.
Throw away trash!
Respect the area you are using.
Keep all of your cases, evidence, readings, etc. in your binder so that they
are not mistakenly thrown away.
Put your name on everything!

Tournament Conduct
As mentioned previously, members of the SLJH Speech and Debate team represent SLJH
and the community. Remember to follow and apply the iCARE creed, even when off-campus.
Students should adhere to the following guidelines at all tournaments:

Be on time to all rounds. Review and rehearse your materials prior to each
round.

You are at the tournament for a reason. Focus on the task at hand!
No use of vocal inhibitors prior to your round. For example, gum or
candy.
Appropriate language and manners are expected at all times.
Disrespect towards coaches, adults, judges, or other students will not be
tolerated.
Support your team. Attend other students events to support them and to
learn from them.

Consequences
Students who disregard or disobey the guidelines in this handbook, the directions of staff,
or school rules will be subject to disciplinary action. The SLJH Speech and Debate team will
utilize the following procedures for addressing rules infractions:

The fourth rule infraction will result in a conference with Ms. Wood
and/or Mr. Smith.
The tenth rule infraction will result in a suspension from the subsequent
tournament.
The fifteenth rule infraction will result in dismissal from the SLJH Speech
and Debate team.

Attendance
Practice Attendance
Practices will be held after-school in room T-23 or T-18. Members are expected to make
practice each week. If you cannot make practice, fill out the practice excuse form with your
name and explanation for missing practice. If you do not attend a practice prior to a tournament,
you will be dropped and owe drop fees.
Tournament Attendance
If you are selected to participate in a tournament, you will be able to sign-up for an entry
at the tournament. You must sign-up on the tournament sign-up sheet and present payment to
Mr. Smith or Ms. Wood no later than 3pm the day of the deadline. You may withdraw prior to
the deadline, but after the deadline you will owe drop fees, etc. Students must turn in their
tournament fees prior to the deadline!
If you miss a tournament without explanation, you will be dropped and will owe drop
fees. In addition, you will be suspended from the next tournament.
Finally, no students will be allowed to leave early from a tournament without permission.
We come and go to a tournament as a team.

Activity Conflicts
In the event that you have conflicts with other activities, you must have a conversation
with Ms. Wood or Mr. Smith regarding the possibility of participating in Speech and Debate. We
are happy to work with students who are participating in other teams or clubs. However, if you
are consistently dropping tournaments because of another commitment, then you may be asked
to free up tournament space for another student.

Transportation
After-School/Practice
Practice will end at 3:45 pm. All students should be picked up from practice outside the
front circle-drive of the school. Students should not be picked up in any other locations. Students
should communicate with a sponsor if they are waiting on a ride.

Tournament Bus Transportation

Students should arrive at the appropriate time for bus departure for a tournament. If you
are late, you will be left behind. Students will be picked up from the same location they were
dropped off at. Estimated departure times will be posted for each tournament. All students will
return on the bus, unless extenuating circumstances have been worked out prior to the event.
All students will need to abide by the rules and regulations established regarding
transportation for safety purposes!

Tournament Parent Transportation

The case may arise where bus transportation will not be provided to a tournament. In this
case, students will need to arrange transportation to and from the tournament site. It is the
responsibility of the student to ensure that he/she has a ride. Please communicate transportation
concerns to Mr. Smith or Ms. Wood.

Tournaments and Rubrics

Rubrics
Students will try out for each and every tournament he/she is interested in attending. The
calendar will include practice dates for rubric scoring presentations. Students will try out for
their selected events on the rubric scoring day, and will be scored by Ms. Wood and/or Mr.
Smith. Students may not appeal a rubric scored for an upcoming tournament. However, the
student may request further feedback to prepare for a subsequent tournament.

Students may be limited in the number of events they may represent SLJH at in a
tournament. In the event that a student qualifies for more than one event, but the tournament is
being limited to one event per student, then the student will be given the choice of the qualifying
events.

Tournament Dress
Students must dress professionally for all tournaments. As members of SLJH Speech and
Debate, you are representing the student body and your community. We want you to make a
positive impression on judges, audience members, and other schools.
Dress for Female Students

Ladies may wear a dark pant or dress suit. No tank style tops or midriff shirts
will be allowed. No jean style material is allowed at competition rounds.
Alternatively, ladies may wear dark dress pants and a collared shirt.
Nice shoes, of a neutral color, should be worn to competitions. No flip flops are
allowed at competition.
No distracting jewelry.
Hair should be well-groomed and out of the eyes.

Dress for Male Students

Gentlemen should wear a dark pant suit with a tie and collared shirt.
No jean style material is allowed at competition rounds.
Alternatively, gentlemen may wear khaki pants with a collared shirt and blazer.
Hair should be well-groomed and out of the eyes.
No distracting jewelry.

Violations of the above standards of dress will result in a discussion with Mr. Smith or Ms.
Wood. Students who continually violate the policy will be dealt with under the consequences
section of this handbook. If students have difficultly procuring the above dress, please contact Ms.
Wood or Mr. Smith in order to explore options.

Food
Students are responsible for bringing their own money to tournaments to purchase food
for lunch or snacking. Most tournaments offer some sort of concession stand, which sells snack
items and some sort of meal. Students are welcome to pack a lunch to tournaments as well. This
option is preferred as some tournaments might not have a meal option, and/or might run out of
food. Students should eat prior to leaving for a tournament. Students with dietary restrictions or
allergies should pack their own lunches to ensure that those needs are met. Students are NOT
permitted to leave a tournament to get food-even if the restaurant is across the street or they are
accompanied by an adult. Parents may, however, bring their child food if they wish. Students
should always plan to eat in-between their rounds. Eating should never result in a missed round.

10

Permission Slip

Parent/Student Contract
I, _____________________________, with my student ________________________,
do hereby agree to the following terms and conditions upon joining SLJH Speech and
Debate.
I understand that if my student is taking part in the club, after school practices will be
required over the following months. I understand that, unless otherwise stated,
practice will end at exactly the time specified on the calendar provided, and I will
be here promptly to pick up my student or make arrangements to have my
student picked up.
I understand that if my student should be academically ineligible during the course of
the season, he or she will be ineligible to participate at a tournament. During the period
of ineligibility, my student will be allowed to participate in practices, but cannot represent
SLJH at competition. I understand that it is my students responsibility, upon joining
SLJH Speech and Debate to participate in practices and continue to improve his/her
speaking skills. I understand that participation in tournaments will be based upon the
rubric provided to my child, and at the discretion of the coaches.
I understand that my child is responsible for attending all tournaments he/she has
agreed to attend. An excused absence requires no less than 24 hours notice and the
approval of the coach, emergency circumstances withstanding. Any absence beyond
the excused absence is considered unexcused, regardless of circumstances. Upon
using an unexcused absence, my student will be suspended or dismissed from the
tournament schedule, and may owe drop fees.
I understand that if my child breaks any team rules, he/she will receive an infraction.
Upon the 4th infraction, I understand my child will conference with either Mr. Smith or
Ms. Wood regarding their behavior. I understand that upon the 10th infraction, my child
may be suspended, for a length of time, from tournaments or practice at the discretion
of the coaches. Finally, I understand upon my childs 15th rule infraction, he/she will be
dismissed from the SLJH Speech and Debate team.

_____________________________________________ ___________________
Parent Signature
Date
Printed Name
_____________________________________________ ___________________
Student Signature
Date
Printed Name