1. Two unexcused practices will result in a student being dropped from the category. Alternates are available who will step in and take this place. Being more than five minutes late to practice is one tardy. Two tardies equal an unexcused absence. (At discretion of the coach in the event.)
2. For a practice to be excused, inform the coach in advance as soon as possible. It is NOT the responsibility of another student to inform the coach of your absence. Inform a coach in advance of your absence or it will be unexcused. The coach will determine whether an absence is excused. Do not leave a note or cross off your name the day of the practice.
3. Students must compete at WaMac contests in order to be eligible to compete at District contests! 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 for the entry fee and possible royalties. This amount could range from $8 to $80.
4. All students will ride the bus to and from contest. Any exception would need to be approved by Ms. Osborne before leaving school on Friday. If permission is given, a student must ride with a faculty member or his or her parent. Notes must be presented to Ms. Osborne before the bus leaves on Saturday. Most, if not all, exceptions would be made for another school activity on the same day. We are a TEAM and all students will be at contest the entire day to support each other from the first WD performance until the last WD performance has concluded.
5. Coaches have final approval on choice of topic or script.
6. At contest you will be expected to attend performances by members of our own team and those of other schools. Except for a short time before your own performance, you should be watching others.
7. A dress code will be enforced for contests. No blue jeans, denim overalls, sweats, pajama pants, or other very casual clothing is appropriate. Failure to follow this rule will result in the student being asked to go home to change if time permits before loading the bus or no participation at contest. You are expected to dress appropriately from the time you get on the bus to the time we arrive home. (Girls, whether or not short skirts or low cut tops are in style, they are not appropriate for contest. Spaghetti straps, sling tops, etc. are not appropriate. Choose your clothing with performance in mind.) This dress code is in effect during any speech activity where we are in public, including awards night, All State nights, and All State festivals.
8. Speech team members are responsible for receiving updates/announcements via the method outlined by their coach (school announcements, signs around school, Twitter, texts, etc.). Sometimes announcements aren’t read in class, schedules change at the last minute, or practice times are changed or canceled. If there is a message that concerns you and you don’t respond appropriately, it will be an unexcused practice (see rule 1).
9. If you are ill and unable to attend a contest, call Ms. Osborne at (319) 213-4029, the evening before or very early on contest day. Leave her a voice mail if she does not answer. 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. Students may take blankets, pillows, music equipment, etc. on the bus; however, please limit this to meets where we travel long distances. (Ames, etc.)
13. Academic eligibility policies require the coaches to check the grades of every speech team member periodically. In large group events, to be fair to the other members of your group, you may be dropped or moved to an alternate position prior to the end of the term if you are in danger of having a failing grade. This could be as early as December since the end of the term is right after Christmas break. Students must be passing EVERY class at the end of the term to be eligible. An incomplete (INC) could be considered a failing grade for our eligibility policies to be fair to all group members. Failure to maintain a passing grade at any time, will affect the student’s position on the speech team. Students carrying an incomplete from a previous term may be dropped from events.
14. Students participating in Individual Events should meet with their Individual coach in December in order to perform at contest. Students must also attend three practices to be eligible to perform at District Contest and beyond. Those who do not meet this requirement will be assessed for the cost of the registration fee for the contest.
15. To maintain the integrity of the WD speech program and the contests we attend, students and/or parents should never speak with a judge concerning a rating, and should never contact a host school to change a performance time. All communication should go through one of the speech coaches.
16. Any plans for an extended vacation or trip during the speech season should be discussed with Ms. Osborne WELL IN ADVANCE. It may not be possible to be a member of some groups and/or individual events with an extended trip. Informing Ms. Osborne early is your best bet to being a part of events of your choosing.
17. In the event that groups/individuals would be nominated for All State, bus accommodations will be made for the participants in these groups. Team members that wish to attend All State as a spectator MUST visit with Ms. Osborne before attending State. Spectating at All State is a privilege, not a right. Requests to spectate will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis, with past behavior at contests as one of the deciding factors. Participation/behavior at State will be considered.