Coaches' Letter

Our Panorama School District and student teams are looking forward to hosting the IHSSA Individual Events District Speech Contest February 29 for the first time, and we can't wait to welcome you to our school! Please read through the information below and feel free to share pertinent information with your students and families.


BEFORE Contest:

  • Please explore and use the website. Center information, parking info and more can be found here. The schedule will be posted about a week before contest.
  • When it comes out, check the schedule and make sure all of your events have a center and time designated. If you see a mistake or a missed special request, contact me immediately. Please do not ask for changes unless there was a special request mistake. With the special requests, double-entries, and avoiding judge conflicts of interest, it’s difficult to move things around without disrupting the whole house of cards. Additionally, there is a whole backside of the contest where entries are connected to pink cards - all sorted by contest center and order. DO LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS A CONCERN.
  • Bring one comment sheet for each entry. Copies will be available in the office for $.50 each in an emergency. AND bring a self-addressed (heavily) stamped envelope if you intend to leave before your comment sheets are ready to be picked up.
  • If you know about state contest special requests, be ready to contact Craig Ihnen with those no later than the Tuesday after district contest.
  • Be sure to inform your speech team and all parents/grandparents/neighbors/friends about what to expect in the contest environment.
  • Remind them of the $3 suggested donation at the door. Programs will be available for sale. Remind students and parents to be early to centers and to keep halls quiet.
  • Cell phones are to be turned off in centers. No photos or video without state office approval. Coach secures permission from Craig in state office BEFORE coming to contest.
  • Remember your own equipment for playing music (musical theater), or other audio-visual equipment if needed (i.e. Expository, Reviewing). We will provide a stool for storytelling, but you may bring your own.
  • Sign up for REMIND message in case of weather delay or for contest day coach announcements. Text this message: @IEdistPan to this number: 81010.


GETTING HERE:

Panorama High School is located at 701 W Main in Panora. Unloading will be at the main entrance on the on the east side of the school . At the end of the day, you may load out the where you came in . An additional entrance will be located on the west side of the building. The building will be open at 7:15 AM.

  • Buses park on the northwest side of the school in the gravel lot. NO buses should park in the concrete lots surrounding the building.
  • Coffee and breakfast items will be sold in the commons at 7:30. There will be a drivers lounge in room 100 with a newspaper and coffee.
  • Coaches, sign in in the main office when you get here. Also, bring any sub cards or let us know of any drops in your lineup.

Settling in:

The Middle School Gym is the place to store your team’s equipment, coats, etc.

  • Keep your camp tightly together to make room for all schools.
  • Tell students to not bring sleeping bags or valuables. The gym is to store stuff - but is not a lounge. Students should be out watching performances.
  • Please make sure your group picks up all of their belongings and trash at the end of the day.


Important Info for ALL

  • Tell everyone on your team your school CODE. You will find your school code on the schedule when it comes out. If you have trouble finding it, I will help. Put your school code on your team schedules and in every communication out to students and parents. Then have students and parents tell other spectators the school CODE.
  • No school apparel should be worn to contest. Performers will be disqualified if identifying school apparel is worn. It’s good to have parents and others dress incognito that day as well.
  • There will be a NURSE on site and available by reporting to the OFFICE.
  • NO food outside of the cafeteria commons area. Remind your students and parents to eat here. We have a selection of yummy food and treats. See food tab a few days before contest.
  • You must bring your own audio/visual equipment if you need it for Solo Musical Theater, Reviewing, or Expository Speaking.
  • Ratings will be posted during the breaks in the schedule in the cafeteria and hallway by the office.


At the end of the day

  • You may collect your comment sheets in the office after all of your ratings have been posted.
  • Make sure students have coats, water bottles, bags, etc. upon leaving.

Thanks so much for all of your hard work prepping your performers for individual contest! Understanding how contest works and sharing the info with your team will make things move very smoothly.

Let us know if you have any questions, and know I'll answer you as soon as possible. It’s difficult to teach a full schedule, coach our own events, and manage a contest. :)

See you February 29th!

Deb Arganbright Deb.Arganbright@panorama.k12.ia.us

Krista Gafkjen Krista.Gafkjen@panorama.k12.ia.us

Chris Helm Chris.Helm@panorama.k12.ia.us


And Panorama Speech Team & Staff