Welcome to the Team!

1. Welcome to the Team! Parent Orientation 2018/19

2. Overview of the Team • The 3 Tracks of our Team: • Speech • Debate • Oral Interpretation/Acting • We compete mostly in individual events, but we are all on the same Team. • We may be called the “speech team,” “debate team,” or “drama & debate team,” but we are actually COMPETING IN FORENSICS

3. What is Forensics? • While “CSI” has made forensic SCIENCE quite popular, speech forensics was actually here first! • Forensics comes from a Latin word meaning “before the forum” (in front of an audience) • In Roman times, persons charged with a crime would have to give speeches based on their side of the story. The one with the best argument and delivery style would win. • Science adapted the term because forensic science deals with the LEGAL aspects of findings, and their presentation of those facts in a courtroom setting. • So try saying you’re in “forensics” without having to explain the difference to people!

4. Why compete on the Team? • We spend many Friday nights and Saturdays at speech tournaments, so why do we do it? • Awesome and entertaining performances • A chance to share our opinions, ideas, and interpretations with others through performance • Increased self-esteem and confidence • The opportunity to earn membership in the National Forensic League Honor Society • The chance to win awards, travel, make friends and connections, and add to college applications

5. Governing Organizations • OSSAA Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association - 1918 • Sponsor of local tournaments and the State tournament • Must win 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, at a qualifying tournament to qualify for Regionals. Must do the same at Regionals to Qualify for State. • NFL • National Forensic League - 1925 • Sponsor of district tournaments and the National tournament • 25 points to become an NFL member (earned at TFA tournaments) • Earn advanced degrees • Gain advantage for college

6. Governing Organizations • OSSAA events: • LD and CX Debate • Student Congress • U.S. and Foreign Extemporaneous Speaking • Original Oratory & Standard Oratory • Humorous and Dramatic Interp • Duet Acting • Prose & Poetry (not nationals qualifying events) • NFL events: • LD and CX Debate • Public Forum Debate • Student Congress • U.S. and Foreign Extemp • Original Oratory • HI and DI • Duo Interp • National supplemental events include Expository, Prose, Poetry, Storytelling, & Impromptu

7. Tournament Attendance • Sign up for tournaments before the entry deadline • Check your schedule for potential conflicts before signing up for tournaments • Check with your parents before signing up • You are responsible for paying drop fees after the deadline! • Varsity & Debate must attend 2 tournaments per semester. Novice must attend 1 per semester. • You may sign up to observe at ONE tournament without competing • You MUST be prepared! You must show your Coach your event(s) before you can attend the tournament • Come with the attitude that you will do well. • When not competing, you should be watching rounds • You MUST be passing ALL of your classes to compete!

8. A Tournament Schedule Examples: Some tournaments are heldFriday AND Saturday(see sample >>)Others are held Saturdayonly

9. A Tournament Schedule Examples: Some tournaments are heldFriday AND SaturdayOthers are held Saturdayonly (see sample >>)

10. Dress to Impress! • Remember to dress for your PERFORMANCE, not for your style • Women’s dress code • Men’s dress code • No pajamas, jeans, sweats, etc. – competitors must remain in tournament clothes throughout the tourney • Exception – comfy shoes between rounds

11. Tournament Conduct • Be sure to keep in touch with your parents throughout the tournament, but let them know that CELL PHONES must be turned off during rounds • Be sure to give a copy of the tournament schedule to your parents • Stay flexible- depending on the success of the Team, we could be late or come home earlier. • Competitors are NEVER to leave the location campus. • Professional and mature behavior in the cafeteria, during rounds, in restrooms, and at the Awards ceremony is expected at ALL TIMES. • Unbecoming conduct could result in suspension from tournaments, calls to parents, etc.

12. Interp Material Guidelines • It is our policy to forbid profanity or offensive material for performance. • However, script content cannot be edited in advance, so students should read with caution and maturity • Other schools may not have this policy, so students should be cautioned that there may be offensive material performed at competitions. • Make good choices, and discuss anything questionable with your Coach ASAP.

13. Our Website • www.PCHSDramaDebate.weebly.com • Check here often! • Team announcements, results, photos, and upcoming events • Links include • Tournament calendar • Individual tournament schedules/invitations • Research links • Debate & Interp links • Student Congress links & Legislation • Speech links

14. Other Technology • Google Classroom • Team & Class networking site • Password protected • Remind • Team texting • *NEW* Parent Remind • Text @Pirental to 81010 • Tournament Remind • Text @pcotourn to 81010

15. Our Tournament • We need LOTS of adult Judges! • Please help us save our budget by judging • Resources are on our website! • To view the sign up, go to: www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F044EA9AC2FA1F49-parent

16. We will have other sign ups for parents to assist with costumes, sets, etc throughout the year. • Please check the website regularly and make sure you are on the parent remind.

17. Let’s have a Terrific Year! Coach Smith’s email: Dsmith@putnamcityschools.org Coach Smith’s cell phone: 405-613-9521