Team Rules

Speech Team Rules

Speech is a wonderful opportunity to have fun, gain skills, compete, and spend time with friends. There is something for you if you are ready to make a commitment. Before you decide if you want to participate, these are some things you need to know:

1. Unexcused absences from practices will result in a student being dropped from the category with coach’s discretion. We will have alternates who will step in and take your place. If you’re going to be gone, it must be excused by the coach.

2. For a practice to be excused, the coach should be informed as much in advance as possible. Do not make another student responsible for informing the coach of your absence. If the coach is not informed in advance the practice will be considered unexcused. It is up to the coaches to determine whether a reason is excusable. Do not leave a note or cross off your name the day of the practice.

3. Students who don’t perform at contest - either because they dropped after entry fees had been paid, or because they were dropped from a category making it impossible for a group to perform will be expected to reimburse the team/school for the entry fee. This amount could range from $8 to $25.

4. ALL students will ride the bus TO CONTEST. We are a team and supporting each other is expected. Please go see each other perform and also watch other schools. This is how we learn and get new ideas. You may ride home with your parent if your parent signs you out with a coach before you leave. You may ride home with another parent only if Mrs. Furland receives a note from your parent explaining whom you will be riding with. This must be turned in no later than the day before the contest. If a group or individual is chosen for All-State, performers will ride the bus to and from the event. Students MUST BE PRESENT at school the Friday before contest in order to be able to perform on Saturday!

5. Coaches have final approval on choice of topic or script. (This is seldom a problem.)

6. *Speech team members need to read the announcements every day. Members also need to check the fine arts bulletin board every day in case of any last minute changes. Sometimes schedules change at the last minute. If there is a message that concerns you and you don’t respond appropriately, it will be considered an unexcused practice (see rule 1).

7. Speech night: All groups will be expected to perform at this year’s speech night. We will set it up similar to a speech contest so that every group will have a chance to perform. This is part of your obligation as a speech member.

8. REHEARSALS: Without them, the team does not succeed at contest. We expect everyone to be at rehearsals. You need to schedule work and appointments at other times. Rehearsal time is for rehearsing. Be prepared and ready to practice. You should be working on your part at other times besides our scheduled rehearsal. The coaches will give their best at rehearsals, and we expect the same from you. We will try to videotape rehearsals before contest so we can view them together and discuss strengths and weaknesses.

9. If because of illness you are unable to attend a contest, call Mrs. Furland at 641-425-0725, the evening before or very early on contest day. DO NOT have a fellow team member relay your message to us when they arrive at school.

10. You will be given a copy of the rules for your category at one of the first practices. Read them and retain this information for contest. This is your responsibility.

11. Individuals and groups are responsible for their own equipment being loaded and unloaded for contest. Do not expect the coaches or other team members to do this for you.

12. A POSITIVE ATTITUDE is needed to participate. If you don’t want to be a part of a team, speech is not for you!

13. Grades are important as a speech team member. With the eligibility policy, if you are failing even ONE class, you will be out of speech, which will affect each group you are in. (see rule 3)

14. All school rules will be enforced at all rehearsals and performances.

15. Other performances for community groups or elementary classes are a possibility. We want to share our talent with others!

Learning, sharing, becoming more confident,

having fun, competing. . . That is what it is all about!!

Work hard! Your time and effort will show!