Falcon

Speech and Debate

Handbook for

Students and Parents

2015 – 2016

Welcome Letter

August 24, 2015

GreetingsNew and Returning Students and Parents!

I am very excited about the coming year at Falcon Speech and Debate as we continue to grow in so many ways. Those of you who are returning already know what a phenomenal year we had in 2014-15, but for those who are just arriving, let me give you an overview here so that you will understand how truly unique and special this organization is:

  • For the first time we hosted the monthly, county-wide novice tournaments to boost and focus our fundraising while at the same time making a name for our school and our team throughout the county while, at the same time, teaching our team members how to step up as true leaders. The funds we earned through this endeavor enabled us to defray the costs on all travel tournaments and to help 17 of our team members to attend summer speech and debate camp.
  • We moved our annual Falcon Invitational Tournament to November bringing us double the attendance and triple the profit from the event.
  • Our team took off in competition both in the novice and the varsity squad and literally filled our little room with trophies, and for the very first time, we not only took the stage, but qualified to every national tournament including The Tournament of Champions in Lexington Kentucky, The Catholic Forensic League National Tournament in Ft. Lauderdale, and the National Speech and Debate Association National Tournament in Dallas Texas. In addition, we qualified to the Varsity State Tournament for the Florida Forensic League and made a significant showing at their Novice State tournament.
  • Our team was recognized by the National Speech and Debate Association as a member of their prestigious 100 club for programs in the top 10% in the nation and we finished in the top 3% of over 7800 total schools in terms of merit degrees earned by our team members.
  • Our travel tournaments last year included The Blue Key Speech and Debate Tournament at the University of Florida, The Princeton Classic at Princeton University in New Jersey, and The Harvard Speech and Debate Tournament in Boston.
  • Our newly formed Falcon Debate Booster Organization incorporated and completed the very challenging and expensive process of qualifying as a 501c3 non-profit corporation which will enable us to seek more and bigger corporate and private support for our team in the coming year. The boosters also ran the vending for our 8 after school tournaments and our annual Falcon Invitational Tournament raising enough money to hire two assistant coaches for the team and to donate two new printers and 10 tablets to us as well.
  • We ended our year with 90% of our team attaining or advancing their membership in the National Speech and Debate Association Honor Society.

If the details of this were too much…I will summarize by saying…

2014-15 WAS A YEAR OF PROFOUND ACCOMPLISHMENT AND ACHIEVEMENT!

Still, there is so much more to come in 2015-16. Over the summer, we moved to our new room which better fits our growing needs. It took a lot of begging over the years, but as soon as the administration had a place to give us, we got it. I cannot thank our administration enough for their constant and continued support for our endeavors. Although I have to run to catch them sometimes, they always come through for the kids.

We have 40 returning Varsity 1 and Varsity 2 team members this year, and 38 incoming Novice students to welcome to the team. What’s more, we are so pleased to announce that Pines Middle School, under the guidance of Mrs. Ivani McAleer, will be joining The Broward County Debate Initiative which will bring even more team members as those students move up to Flanagan… And, we will be lending support with student coaches throughout the year.

Additionally, we have some changes to our coaching staff which will be announce very soon. I am very excited at our plans and am just awaiting the final steps before announcing our two new assistant coaches to the team, the parents, and the speech and debate community.

Finally, we have once again been awarded the Broward County Forensic League monthly after school novice tournaments this year, we will also host our annual Falcon Invitational Tournament in November, and we will be adding one more travel tournament opportunity to last year’s list with the Barclay Forum Tournament at Emory University in Atlanta, GA in January.

So buckle in for the ride we call Falcon Speech and Debate. We need each and every one of you on board for the trip, and we will kick the journey off with our Fall Parent Meeting on Thursday, September 3rd at 7pm in the Flanagan Media Center. I so look forward to seeing all of you there.

Till Then…

Ms. McGraw

Proud Falcon Speech and Debate Coach

This year we have posted our policies in the handbook that follows here for your easy reference throughout the year. We will make every effort to follow the policies outlined therein and ask that all students, parents, and guardians familiarize themselves with the content so that they may do the same. Although our expectations are very high, we find the rewards have proven to match or exceed those of just about any other educational opportunity afforded to students anywhere. This is borne out in the data available and the distinguished list of former members world-wide as well as through the testament of our own program graduates.

Here at Falcon Speech and Debate, we believe that rules must be followed; however, as the program director, I recognize that special considerations are in order from time to time, and I reserve the right to make such considerations on a case by case basis. Please contact me directly and confidentiallyif your situation warrants such consideration… otherwise these rules, guidelines, and consequences will be in full force.

You may always call, text, email, or schedule a meeting directly with me.

Team Logistics

GENERAL RULES:

1. All students must adhere to School Board of Broward County policies. If the infraction happens during a time where the student is under the responsibility of the Falcon Speech and Debate Team, the coach will handle violation of any policies with appropriate school, district, and or law enforcement officials. Any policy violation may result in immediate probation, suspension, and or removal from the team in addition to normal disciplinary procedures.

2. Per SBBC policy, activities, included but not limited to, the use of tobacco and alcohol, gambling, harassment of another individual for any reason, theft, or acts of vandalism will not be permitted. Violation of these rules will result in suspension/removal from the team and/or discipline by the administration.

3. Respect for coaches and team members will be maintained at all times. Any activities that might create or contribute to a hostile or uncomfortable environment will not be tolerated.

4. No student will attend any tournament unaffiliated or affiliated with Falcon Speech and Debatethat is not present on the team schedule. A tournament may be added or subtracted from the team schedule, but this is at the discretion of the coaching staff. Students are also not permitted to make their own travel reservations to any team tournament regardless of extenuating circumstance (i.e. college visit) without prior approval from Ms. McGraw. This is due to SBBC Policy, travel logistics, finances, and most importantly, team reputation and unity.

PRACTICE REQUIREMENTS:

1.Students are expected to regularly attend after school squad practices to prepare for competition in tournaments. Each month, there will be a weekly practice schedule posted on falcondebate.com for each event. Students will be expected to attend a minimum of 2 event practices per month, and attendance and active participation in squad practice is grade. Failure to attend practices will result in the risk of being unable to attend local or national tournaments. If squad attendance is a hardship, be sure to discuss this with Ms. McGraw immediately.

2. All team members are required to come to practice prepared, and be respectful to their teammates and coaches during practice.

3. Students are responsible for their own transportation home from squad practice.

4. There will be a summer mandatory workshop for all returning team members. Team members who are unable to attend the summer workshop due to family commitments with be required to complete the alternate preparation and present it along with a note from their parents on the first day of school. Failure to attend the workshops or complete the alternate assignment will result in a failing grade for the assignment and the risk of being unable to attend local or national tournaments.

FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. All new and returning members will be required to pay $50 dues. These dues will be used to pay for t-shirts, supplies, team memberships, tournament travel for coaches, external coaching, and other team expenditures. If there is financial hardship, please contact Ms. McGraw to discuss fundraising, scholarship, or payment plan options.

2. Dues should be paid online at the Broward E-Store (accessible on the Flanagan High School site or the Falcon Speech and Debate website after September 1st) or via check made payable to Charles Flanagan High School as soon as possible.

3. For the second year, Falcon Speech and Debate will host the monthly novice after school tournaments as well as our own Falcon Invitational Tournament in November. All team members and their parents or adult representative are expected to take a turn at these primary fundraising activities as well as any other fundraising activities put forth by the team or its booster organization.

LOCAL TOURNAMENT PROCEDURES:

  1. Sign-ups for tournaments in the tri-county area will take place on the team web site where students can find deadlines and links to the electronic sign up. Students who do not sign up by deadline, will not be considered for a tournament, and students who sign-up will be obligated for the appropriate fee. Final tournament fielding will be based upon individual preparation and at the discretion of the coach. This year fees will be paid on line at the E-store, and there will be a set fee for all local tournaments. Team members unable to pay at the E-Store can make payment in cash or check (payable to Charles Flanagan High School) to the team treasurer or his designee before school, during lunch, or on Friday afternoons at “all call at squad practice. Fees must be paid before attending a tournament or a late charge of $5.00 per day will be incurred. Fees not paid by the Thursday following a tournament will be submitted to the school bookkeeper along with the accrued late fees as an obligation.
  2. Students should obtain parental permission before signing-up and paying for local tournaments, and arrangements can be made prior to the tournament to accommodate individual financial circumstances but not after the fact.

2. Specific information and instructions for each local tournament will be available on the team website. Students and parents are expected to visit this website for all information regarding meeting times, travel directions, and other specifics. Tournament specifics WILL NOT be sent home with students or electronically.

3. A SBBC Permission Slip will required for students to attend ANY tournament. One all-inclusive permission slip will be posted on the team web page. Students are expected to print, complete, obtain all signatures, and return to Ms. McGraw within the first two weeks of school. This permission slip will cover students for all local tournaments (within the tri-county area) that are currently posted on our tournament schedule. Permission slips for trips outside the tri-county area will be posted at falcondebate.com on the page for that travel tournament. Note: permission slips for all out of town trips require that the parent’s signatures be notarized.

4. Students/Parents are responsible for transporting students to and from tournaments in the tri-county area. Students should take responsibility to call parents before the beginning of awards or their last round to allow appropriate drive time to the competition to attempt to minimize delays in pickup. While I realize that no one wants to be kept waiting, it is incredibly inconsiderate to keep the coaches (who have given up 12 hours or more on a weekend for your child) waiting for you. Failure to pick up your child in a timely manner after tournaments may effect placement in future tournaments.

5. Promptness is key. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before scheduled time at any meeting place. Students’ tardiness jeopardizes other members of the team. Students arriving late for a tournament will be fined $25.00.

6.NO ONE will be permitted to leave a tournament until after the conclusion of his or her final round (on preliminary days) or awards (on the last day).If there is an extenuating circumstance,prior approval must be obtained directly from the coaches in charge.

7. Wear proper competition attire keeping in mind that your voice should always speak louder that your attire. For ladies, this means a dark or neutral suit and a white blouse. Heels are not to exceed 2” and flats are encouraged to wear in between rounds. Pantyhose/stockings/tights must be worn at all times, and jewelry should be kept to a minimum. Make-up (at least blush and mascara) is strongly suggested, but it must be business appropriate. For gentlemen, this means dark suit and tie or at least dark dress slacks, white dress shirt, and a tie. Dress shoes, dress socks, and a belt are required, and all shirts must be tucked-in. For both genders, hair must be “fixed” and out of your face/eyes. If you are unclear about what appropriate attire is, just ask Ms. McGraw or one of your captains or squad leaders. If this requirement is a financial hardship for your family, contact Ms. McGraw as there are resources to provide the required attire.

8. All tournament host rules must be followed. Specifically, if a student fails to show-up to a tournament in which they registered, she/he is responsible for any fees associated with said “drop.”

NATIONAL TOURNAMENT PROCEDURES:

1. Sign-ups for national tournaments must be done on and a $200 deposit must be submitted via the Broward E-Store (accessible on the Falcon Speech and Debate website and FHS websites) or check made-payable to Charles Flanagan High School no less than one month before the tournament (at a date stipulated by Ms. McGraw). After all deposits are paid the team will pay for all necessary travel expenses, and you will be notified of the remaining total (which will not exceed $400 without notification re-approval).

2. A “trip sheet” for each national tournament will be sent electronically the Monday prior to departure.

3. A Notarized SBBC Permission Slip is also required for students to attend any tournaments outside the tri-county area. These will be available on the tournament page at falcondebate.com and must be completed with all appropriate signatures and notary and submitted at least 24 hours before departure.

4. Students/Parents are responsible for transporting students to and fromthe airport.We always meet at the ticket counter of the airline we are flying. No one will go through security until everyone is accounted for or a member of the coaching staff approves for a group to proceed to the gate.For pick-up, please meet students at Baggage Claim. Parents are expected to arrive early, as the coaches are not required to stay with students.

5. Like at local tournaments, promptness is key. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before scheduled time at any meeting place (airport, hotel lobby, campus location, etc.) Students’ tardiness jeopardizes other members of the team.

6. Wear proper competition attire keeping in mind that your voice should always speak louder that your attire. For ladies, this means a dark or neutral suit and a white blouse. Heels are not to exceed 2” and flats are encouraged to wear in between rounds. Pantyhose/stockings/tights must be worn at all times, and jewelry should be kept to a minimum. Make-up (at least blush and mascara) is strongly suggested, but it must be business appropriate. For gentlemen, this means dark suit and tie or at least dark dress slacks, white dress shirt, and a tie. Dress shoes, dress socks, and a belt are required, and all shirts must be tucked-in. For both genders, hair must be “fixed” and out of your face/eyes. If you are unclear about what appropriate attire is, just ask Ms. McGraw or one of your captains or squad leaders. If this requirement is a financial hardship for your family, contact Ms. McGraw as there are resources to provide the required attire.