TMB Panther Speech Team
2015 Team Policy
Dan Wahl, Head Coach Website
www.tracyspeech.com
Mobile: (507) 626-4845 speech.tracy.k12.mn.us
Practice
· There is one all-team practice each Monday, 3:05-3:30 pm. This is for team building and for working on elocution and other public speaking skills. Breakout sessions follow, for anyone willing and able to work on their own material. This method improves the team, and accommodates the most people in the easiest way.
· In addition to the all-team practice, a half-hour practice with a coach is required each week. Coaches are very flexible with their schedules!
· Be sure to communicate if you need a schedule change. Excused absences are allowed, with the idea that you are rescheduling for a different time that week. No-shows are not acceptable. Nobody likes waiting for someone who doesn’t show up.
· Students are expected to practice independently at home.
Communication
· Team communication will take place primarily through the team’s website – www.tracyspeech.com – and through its Facebook page. Important notices, bus departure times, registration information, tournament results, and other pertinent information will be posted on the website.
· Email is the best way to reach Mr. Wahl.
Tournament Registration
· Tournament Planning Contracts must be signed prior to competing. Students are expected to compete in every tournament that they have registered for. Please check your calendar carefully!
· Illness or family emergencies are excusable reasons for withdrawing from a scheduled meet. Babysitting, missing the bus, shopping, feeling tired, not looking closely at schedule, etc… are not. Be responsible.
· Call or email a coach as soon as possible if you are unable to attend a tournament or practice.
Parents & Guardians, We Need Your Help!
· Please be prompt when transporting students to and from practice and competitions.
· Our team provides concessions for the SMSU tournament in Marshall on Saturday, March 21, and the Tracy junior high tournament on Thursday, February 19. These are major fundraising events for the speech team.
o All team members are expected to bring cookies or bars to sell.
o Parent volunteers are needed to work at the concession stands.
Regular Competition
· Invitational tournaments make up the majority of the speech season and usually take place on Saturdays.
· Most tournaments (also known as “meets”) have between 200-300 registered competitors in various categories. Speakers are divided into groups of eight or less representing different schools. The competitors give their presentations to a judge who ranks the speakers according to the quality of the performance.
· A tournament will usually offer three rounds of competition. Some meets select the top ranked competitors to compete in a final round.
· Ribbons, medals, and trophies are awarded to the outstanding speakers at the conclusion of the tournament.
· All tournaments are free and open to the public.
Junior High Competition
· Team members in grades 7-9 are eligible for junior high tournaments. These competitions take place on weeknights.
· Tracy will host one junior high tournament on Thursday, February 19. Team members in grades 10-12 are expected to help run the tournament.
Subsection Tournament
· Four speakers per category from each school are allowed to participate in the Subsection 11 Tournament. The top four speakers in each category at the subsection tournament will advance to the Section 3A Tournament. First and second alternates will also be designated.
· The schools in Subsection 11 are: Lakeview, Lincoln HI, Minneota, Murray County Central, Pipestone Area, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton, Tracy Area, Wabasso, and Westbrook-Walnut Grove.
· Everyone must compete at subsections.
Behavior
· Always have a positive attitude and display good character!
· Being negative or hurtful toward your teammates, other teams, judges, and other staff is unacceptable and will result in consequences, which may include missing a tournament or expulsion from the team.
· Be supportive of your teammates.
o If you are not competing in a final round, you are expected to either attend the final round of your category or watch and support a teammate.
o Cheer on your teammates and competitors during the award ceremony, whether you expect to win something or not.
o Remain appropriately dressed during the awards ceremony, even if you did not qualify for a final round.
· Be a Tigger, not an Eeyore! No whining or moping. :)
Publicity
· News stories that include the students’ names help us by promoting TMB’s speech program. We also use formal and informal photographs, as well as video. Publication sources include but are not limited to newspapers and websites. Efforts are made to use the material respectfully.
· The work that goes into promotion is extensive, and is made easier without having to sort preferences, but if you object to all or part of the use of names and/or images for promotion, you may sign a waiver specifying your wants.
Dress Code
· Advice: Look professional and classy -- not trendy. This includes hairstyle and hair color.
· Blazers/suits and dress shoes are STRONGLY encouraged for both men and women.
· The appearance of a speaker is a factor in the competitive situation and is also a reflection of the Panther Speech team.
o Clothing options for men:
· dress slacks
· button-down shirt with a tie
· dressy sweater or vest
o Clothing options for women:
· a dress
· dress slacks & blazer or blouse/dressy shirt/sweater
· a skirt & blouse/dressy shirt/sweater
o Do NOT Wear
§ flip-flops or tennis shoes
§ skirts above the knee
§ tank tops or sleeveless shirts
§ cargo pants
§ t-shirts
§ noisy/distracting jewelry
§ anything that you might play with unconsciously while performing
§ anything that violates Tracy Public School dress code
· If you have questions about the dress code, please see Mr. Wahl. You may not be allowed to compete in a tournament if you wear inappropriate clothing.
Fees and Expenses
· The fee for speech team participation is $50(or $25 for students on the free lunch program). Checks should be given to Jeanette Lerohl in the office. If this is the student’s 3rd fine arts activity, the fee is waived.
· Fees must be paid before the first tournament. Students who have not paid their fees will not compete!
· Students are responsible for buying or bringing their own food to tournaments. Concessions are usually available. For some of the tournaments, the school will provide a light lunch which we can bring along.
· All entry and registration fees are paid out of the speech team fund.
Lettering in Speech
To earn a speech letter, a student must meet all the following requirements:
· Attend regular practice sessions. Two unexcused absences will result in not receiving a letter.
· Follow MSHSL eligibility rules.
· Attend and participate in 6 regular tournaments (junior high meets excluded).
· Compete in a final round or place in the top 6 of any tournament.
· Compete in the subsection tournament.
· Consistently help with fundraisers, prepare for tournaments, work with coaches and support other team members, etc.
If unusual circumstances arise, the coaches reserve the right to use their discretion in regard to lettering.
Academics
· School policy is firm regarding academics and activities. Keep up with your studies!
· If you are failing a class at midterm, you cannot compete until you are passing.
· The speech team must register for tournaments a week ahead of time. We can only register students who are eligible to compete.
· Remember: Minnesota State High School League rules apply to speech just as with athletics. Do not jeopardize your participation by abusing rules regarding drugs, alcohol and tobacco. All TAPS eligibility policies also apply. Close attention should be given to your schoolwork so poor grades don’t hinder your chances to be part of the team.