8/23/13

Dear 2013-2014 DMS Parent/Guardian and Student:

Your DMS child has shown interest in the 2013 DMS Academic Bowl Team. I welcome 7th & 8th graders and look forward to a successful year as we compete against the best and brightest in the Tri-County (Henry, Fayette, Butts County and more) area at the Griffin Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA) competitions. Auditions must be held Wednesday, August 28, 2013 from 7:45-8:15a.m. and Thursday, August 29, 2013 from 4:30- 5:30p.m. For the audition process that will be held on Wednesday, a multiple-choice assessment over varied subject areas (i.e. math, language arts, the arts, poetry, mythology, etc.) will be administered and an Academic Bowl competition simulation will be created for Thursday. The team selection will be announced on WDMS news Friday, August 30, 2013 and the first practice will be Tuesday, September 3, 2013 from 4:30-5:30p.m.

The following are the requirements for the 2013 DMS Academic Bowl Team and should be carefully discussed and considered by student and parents/guardians before commitment is made to the audition process (in the case of team selection):

1)  A onetime yearly $20 fee should be paid by September 16, 2013. This fee will cover a portion of the state (Georgia Academic Team Association-GATA) registration fee, a portion of the Griffin RESA registration fee, & a portion of the cost for transportation to and from competitions. (The Academic Bowl team will host a talent show (time and date TBA) that will cover the balance of the remaining funds. More information will be discussed with the selected team members and parents).

2)  Each Academic Bowl team is only allowed to bring 10 students to a competition; therefore, only 12 students will be chosen for the 2012 DMS Academic Bowl Team (2 alternating students will be selected, but will not be able to travel to competition except in the absence of another member). Given this fact, it will be difficult for the team to be successful if students are not present at competitions. DMS Academic Team members can only miss one competition. In the case of an emergency, Dr. Prothro should be notified in writing (from a parent or guardian through email or a note), at least one week in advance of the absence (if possible); this will allow time for a team member replacement to be chosen. (Please see the attached Griffin RESA 2013 Academic Bowl Schedule).

*We have been invited to observe and participate in GATA competitions. Therefore, students

will be invited to travel with Dr. Prothro or meet Dr. Prothro at these out-of-county

competitions. These events will have separate permission slips that will need to be signed by a

parent or guardian per event if the student would like to attend. The events are not a

mandatory requirement for the team, but are strongly encouraged as a learning experience for

the students and as an aid for the growth and development of the DMS Academic Bowl team.

3)  Vincent Thomas “Vince" Lombardi said, “Perfect Practice makes Practice.” If we want to win, we have to practice. Therefore, it is highly imperative that students are present at practice. While I understand that things happen, that appointments cannot be avoided, and that students can only attend practices upon parent or guardian availability, it is crucial for students to be present for practice. If a student must miss a practice, it is essential that not more than one practice between competitions is missed and that parent notification is given to Dr. Prothro through writing (by email or note) in advance.

*Academic Bowl practices will be held twice a week and team members must attend all

practices. The week of a competition, extra practices may be necessary. For the first

competition, which is September 26, 2013, we will have to have extra practices, which the

selected team members and I will discuss, vote on, and solidify.

Practice Choice A: Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7:50-8:30

Practice Choice B: Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons from 4:30-5:30p.m.

*In practices, we will review bowl/competition rules and regulations, previous years’ PAGE,

GATA, and Griffin RESA Academic Bowl Questions, quiz bowl games (i.e. internet,

worksheets, technological applications, etc.), analyze videos/demos of academic competition,

etc.

4)  While I am grateful for students to be a part of the team, I would not like to stay past the pickup time for each practice. It is imperative that students are picked up at the established time for every practice. When leaving competition, I will have the students call the parents to give an estimated time of arrival. Competitions normally end by 6:30 or 7:00p.m. (normally J).

I am excited about the opportunity to work with the 2013 DMS Academic Bowl Team. I am looking forward to a successful and productive experience this school year. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me by e-mail or phone. You can contact me at 770-515-7500(w) or . Let’s work together to make this the best year ever!

Parents and students please only sign and return the portion below the dotted line if the student will participate in the 2013 DMS Academic Bowl Team’s audition process and is willing to commit to the requirements aforementioned if selected for the team.

Sincerely,

Precious Prothro, Ed. D.

DMS Academic Bowl Coach

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I, ______(parent/guardian), give permission to ______(student) this ______th day of ______2013 to commit to the 2013 DMS Academic Bowl Team’s audition process for Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at 7:45-8:15a.m. and Thursday, August 29, 2013 from 4:30-5:30p.m. I understand that I must provide a ride for my child by no later than 5:30p.m.for both audition days and I understand that the audition process is not an automatic placement on the 2013 DMS Academic Bowl Team. I also understand the requirements of the 2013 DMS Academic Bowl Team, and I permit my child to commit to the requirements of the team if he or she is selected as a member of the team.

I, ______(student), understand and commit this ______th day of ______2013 to the 2013 DMS Academic Bowl Team’s audition process for Wednesday, August 28, 2013 from 7:45-8:15a.m. and Thursday, August 29, 2013 from 4:30-5:30p.m from 4:30-5:30p.m. I commit to attend both audition days and to give my full cooperation and aptitude during the audition process. However, I understand that the audition process is not an automatic placement on the team, and if chosen, I may be chosen as an alternate for one or some competitions. I understand the requirements of the 2013 DMS Academic Bowl Team, and I will commit to the requirements of the team if I am selected for the team.

Griffin RESA’S 2013 Middle School

Academic Bowl

Competition Schedule

Date of Competition / Place of Competition
Thursday, September 26, 2013 / Rising Starr Middle School
183 Panther Path
Fayetteville, GA 30215
770-486-2721
Thursday, October 24, 2013 / Eagle’s Landing Middle School
295 Tunis Rd.
McDonough, GA 30253
770-914-2989
Thursday, November 7, 2013 / Whitewater Middle School
1533 Georgia 85
Fayetteville, GA 30215
770-460-3450
Thursday, November 21, 2013 / Clements Middle School
66 Jack Neely Rd.
Covington, GA 30016
770-784-2934
Thursday, December 12, 2013 / Stockbridge Middle School
533 Old Conyers Rd.
Stockbridge, GA 30281
770-474-5710