Please review the links below for more information:
Tabroom - This is the major tournament registration site for HS Speech and Debate activities. Look here for more opportunities.
Bettendorf Speech/Debate Team Team Guidelines 2020 – 2021
Team Information
The Bettendorf Speech/Debate Team was founded on April 18th, 1968. Since the beginning, Bettendorf has been a member of the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA). The NSDA is the oldest and largest interscholastic forensic organization in the world, with more than 120,000 high school and middle school students, representing nearly 3,000 high school and middle schools.
Starting in the 2005 – 2006 school year, the head coach of the Bettendorf Speech/Debate Team has been Mr. Rankin. Under his direction, the team has continued to expand and encompasses a variety of Speech/Debate events. Bettendorf has qualified to the NSDA Nationals tournament each year, with a total of 81 qualifying since 2005. In 2017, Bettendorf set an all-time school record, qualifying 14 students to attend the NSDA Nationals tournament. Last year, Bettendorf won the District Sweepstakes award, our 7th year in a row winning this award. In 2016, Owen Weber became the first student in over 12 years to finish in the top 6 of an event and was on stage at the Nationals Awards Ceremony. We hope to continue our tradition of excellence and welcome you to our program.
Tournament Procedures
Update coming soon.
✓ Tournament Sign-ups
Students sign up to attend tournaments in Room D105. The Speech/Debate board will have each tournament we plan on attending for the year ready for sign-up. Students need to sign their name, partner’s name (if applicable), and signify what event they are participating in. Each tournament will include information regarding the date of the event and any tournament fees associated with the event.
In addition, each tournament will signify a “drop” deadline, if students have signed up, but can no longer attend. If a student “drops” before the deadline, no fees will be assessed. If a student “drops” after the deadline, the student will still be required to pay any tournament fees associated for the event.
✓ Practice
Practice is essential for our team to remain competitive and successful. We ask each member to check their schedule and practice 2 times a week. We are flexible and know that students are involved in a number of different activities. We want them to continue that level of involvement and will do our part
to accommodate. Communication is key though and each student is responsible for communicating any issues with the appropriate coach.
Our current planned schedule includes:
Mr. Rankin – Any event, but focused on LD, Extemp, and PF
Mr. VanTieghem – Focused on PF, Extemp, and Congress
Mrs. VanTieghem – Focused on DI, Duo, HI, OO, and Info
Please note: we are flexible. We also may be able to work some practice times into our “PRIDE Time” blocks, if students are finding difficult with outside school time. Regardless, it is essential students follow deadlines/guidelines in order to prepare for tournaments. A student cannot be successful without proper preparation. A student who is not practicing will not be allowed to attend tournaments. It is essential students remain in contact with their coach in order to ensure clear and open lines of communication.
✓ Tournament Fee Breakdown
Update coming soon.
Travel Guidelines
✓ Dress Code
During tournaments, students should be dressed for success. We expect each student to dress formally for each tournament. Each student should bring an adequate amount of clothing for each day of competition and will be allowed to store any necessary items in the Speech/Debate storage room prior to departure on the tournament date. Any items brought to the tournament are the responsibility of the student. By signing below, you agree to relieve Bettendorf High School against any claims for damages and/or compensation arising from or out of actions by your daughter/son during the forensic event and
travel to and from such event. Generally speaking, we encourage students to only bring what they need and to pack light – space is limited depending on our type of transportation for a particular tournament. Most tournaments, students will not need to bring more than one bag or suitcase to an event.
✓ Lodging
Update coming soon.
✓ Transportation
Transportation to tournaments will be through a variety of means: school, rental, parent, and/or coach vehicle. By signing this form, you agree to relieve Bettendorf High School against any claims for damages and/or compensation arising from or out of actions of your daughter/son during the forensic event and travel to and from such event. If a situation arises where the coach finds it necessary your child needs to be sent home, the school administration will be contacted. If they agree, the parent of the child will be notified to transport the student home at the parents’/guardians’ expense.
✓ Independent Travel
In addition to our regular tournament schedule, Junior and Senior level students have the ability to attend additional Speech/Debate events which are beyond our ability to attend due to budget and travel constraints. If a student wishes to attend additional events, Mr. Rankin must be notified within a sufficient time frame for registration. Beyond registration, all costs associated with the tournament (entry, judge, transportation, lodging, and any additional fees) are the responsibility of the student.
✓ Online Resources
The following sites can provide additional information regarding different facets of the Speech/Debate community at large.
a. National Speech and Debate Association – http://www.speechdebate.org/ - This site offers
information on the NSDA as a whole. A great deal of information can be found here, regarding the history of the program, research for current topics, and more.
b. Tab Room - https://www.tabroom.com - This site is where we will register for the vast majority of tournaments. In addition, students/parents can sign up for accounts and be told when their next round of competition is and see results from a particular tournament.
✓ Team Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact any of us at any time.
School E-Mail: jrankin@bettendorf.k12.ia.us