Coaches

Welcome, Southwest District Coaches!

TWO-HOUR LATE START

The IHSSA District Large Group Contest will now begin at 10:00am.  We will run WITHOUT spoken comments, so expect Centers to run early throughout the day.  Please call 712-310-9064 or email toyea@shencsd.com with any inquiries!

WELCOME!  We are excited to have you and your students join us on Saturday, January 20, for District Large Group Contest!  We're working hard to help ensure the day goes smoothly, and we've put in a special order for fair weather, too!

Important Coach Information

If any of your contest entries involve the use of look-alike weapons or look-alike alcohol or tobacco products, please read our Weapons Policy & Alcohol/Tobacco Policy.  If your entries do use any of these items, please be aware that you need to notify the contest manager immediately by email (toyea@shencsd.com) or phone (712-310-9064).

Our auditorium will serve as contest Center 1.  Use of this space constitutes some special rules and regulations mainly because our drama department has already begun construction of the set for our upcoming musical.  All One Act Plays and some Musical Theatre performances will be scheduled in Center 1.  If this includes any of your school's performances, please read through these specific Center 1 (Auditorium) guidelines.

NEW THIS YEAR!  Shenandoah will be a TEST SITE for the uploading of recorded entries:  Short Film, Radio Broadcasting, and Television Newscasting.  You should have received information on this from Stacy Hansen, but for our contest, you will have the option to upload Unlisted YouTube entries that will be loaded by the Center's Room Chair.  There may be some technology kinks to work out, so please be patient, but we hope you'll give this a shot!  Here's the form to use to submit your entries!

Please remind your students, parents, and other guests about contest etiquette.  Our halls are rather narrow and can get noisy, so we ask for everyone's cooperation in helping control voice levels, especially near Centers.

Photography or taking of videos is prohibitted in Centers without the express permission of Stacy in the executive office.  Please communicate this to parents and team supporters.  Prior permission can be gained by emailing Stacy (stacy@ihssa.org), and room chairs will be aware that a printed or digital version of the permission email will suffice to allow them to record!

If you need more information about preparing spectators, please check out the FAQ page of this website, or feel free to use this helpful video:  HOW TO: Prepare Spectators.

We'd also appreciate your help in making sure that any trash and extra items are picked up in the gym before you head home.  Extra trash cans will be placed in the gym to assist with this.

As always, cell phones need to be turned off or completely silenced in all Centers.

Arrivals

The school building will be open at 7:00 A.M. on the morning of contest, and all Centers will start at 8:00 A.M.  We should be finishing up for the day around 4:00 P.M.

When you arrive, please check in at the high school office.  Remember, also, that the office is a no-performer zone.  Coaches only!

Please have students enter through the cafeteria/gym entrance at the east end of the school building.  Students can utilize the gym when not performing, but please leave video game systems, musical instruments, sporting equipment, etc. at home (or on the bus).  Busses may use the fire lane for unloading or loading then park at the south end of the parking lot (furthest from the building).

Suggested donation for spectators is $3.00.  Programs can be purchased for an additional $2.00.  Please communicate this ahead of time to your parents/guardians/attendees.  All proceeds benefit the Shenandoah Speech team.

Also, remember to clearly communicate to parents/guardians/attendees the expectations of contest regarding cell phones, noise around Centers, not entering Centers with closed doors, photography/videotaping, and any other Contest etiquette.  

Ratings

Ratings will be posted in both the gym and the entry vestibule by the HS office.  You can pick up ballots in the HS office after all of your ratings have been posted.  If you plan to leave contest before all ratings have been posted, please drop off a heavily-stamped envelope before heading home!

Concessions

Food will be available at the concession stand located across from the gym throughout the day.  Check out the menu options!

Please make use of our concession stand and encourage students, parents, and spectators to do the same.  As we all know, it's one of the reasons we can afford to host.

Please note that all food should remain in the cafeteria, and please try to have students clean up after themselves!  Additionally, outside food should not be brought into the building (coolers, fast food, etc.).

Schedule

Please call or email me if you're having any trouble determining your school codes.

The schedule will be posted here on the website by January 15, at the latest; I plan to send an email once it is officially posted.  Remember, if you have any changes (drops, substitutes, title/author, etc.) you should use the IHSSA Change Form to communicate those. We will have a computer set up in the office if you need to make changes the day of contest.  Be sure your comment sheets for the day are correct and adequately reflect changes.

Please remind students and parents that Centers are likely to run ahead of schedule due to drops.  It's best to be early (about 33 minutes)!

Accommodations

There is a bus drivers' and coaches' lounge provided in Room 618 (in the northeast section of the building).  Please stop in for snacks, beverages, or a quiet moment to yourself as needed!

As a reminder, if you have events that require use of a computer, projector, speakers, or other equipment, it is your responsibility to supply them.  If you sent your Radio Broadcasting, Television News, or Short Film entries through the pre-arranged Google Form, they'll be ready to go for you.  Students are still able to ask for a sound or equipment check to ensure all work properly.  These Centers will also have carts and extension cords available for those who may need them.

Don't forget your comment sheets!  If you do find yourself in need, however, please see our team in  the high school office, and they can help out.

Sturdy chairs are provided for all performance areas where the are necessary.  We'll also provide tables and easels where necessary.  Remind students that they should absolutely move these things out of the performance space if they don't want or intend to use them; this could include relocating them to the hallway to make space.  You can see most Center images and details here.  

Most of our volunteers will be wearing yellow "Don't Panic" t-shirts; if you need something, please ask a volunteer.  You can also let our team in the office know if there is a problem or something that needs attention.

If you need access to a medical professional or an administrator, our team in the office will be your contact for this as well.  You can call the office by dialing 5001 or 5002 on ANY school phone.

Weather

Any weather-related information will be available on KMA radio (or their website - look for Cancellations), but we won't need to worry about that!  Blue skies and moderate temperatures have been ordered!  If there is a need for a make-up contest, the scheduled date is Wednesday, January 25.  This would be an afternoon/evening competition, without spoken comments from judges.

If you have other questions, see our FAQ page, or contact me - info below!

We're looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday, January 20th.  We welcome you all with open arms!  It will be a great day for Speech in Iowa!

Amy Toye, District LG Contest Manager

toyea@shencsd.com

School: 712-246-4727

Cell:  712-310-9064