Lewis & Clark High SchoolSpeech & Debate Team Handbook

GRADINGSincethisisaperformance-basedclass,studentswillbegradedheavilyupontheirperformanceofdailyassignedworkandclassparticipation.Eachstudentwillbescheduledforperformances/practiceroundsinadvanceandwillhaveampletimetoprepare.Tournamentjudges’sheetsandstudentreflectionswillbeusedasatoolforgrading.Attentiontostudent’stournamentrankingswillalsobegivenconsiderationtowardstheiroverallgrade.

Final grades will be based on Spokane School District Grading Scale:Percentage LetterGrade GradePoint93-100% A 490-92% A- 3.787-89% B+ 3.383-86% B 380-82% B- 2.777-79% C+ 2.373-76% C 270-72% C- 1.767-69% D+ 1.360-66% D 1Below60% F 0

Lewis&ClarkHighSchoolsendsoutgradereportseveryquarter/semester.Itisthestudent’sresponsibilitytoinformparents/guardiansofhisorhergrades.IndividualstudentprogresscanalsobetrackedthroughPowerSchool.Itisalwaysbeneficialwhenthereisinterestandencouragementathomeinstudent’sactivityandprogress.PleaserefertotheLEWIS&CLARKHIGHSCHOOLSTUDENT/PARENTHANDBOOK(fullversioncanbefoundatwww.lctigers.com) forimportantinformationregardingprocedures,schoolpolicies,andreportingdates.

HOMEWORKBecauseofthenatureoftheclassandthevariousareasstudentschoosetocompetein,homeworkwillbeaccordingtothecoachesandstudents’discretion.Forhomework,studentsareexpectedtoread,cutscriptsandpracticeonanindividualbasisandcometoclasspreparedtobecoachedandgraded.Furthermore,studentsareencouragedtosupporttheSpeechandDebateTeaminparticipatinginafterschoolactivitiesishighlyencouraged(fundraising,attendingcompetitions,participatinginBoosterClubactivities,etc.).

Provision for Improving GradesOpportunities designed to allow students to recover from a low or failing cumulative grade willbe allowed when all work required to date has been completed and the student hasdemonstrated a legitimate effort to meet all course requirements including attendance.Students should contact the teacher concerning recovery opportunities. Teachers will determine when and how students with extenuating circumstances may improve their grades. All recovery work must be completed ten school days prior to the end of the semester.

STUDENT COMMITMENT TO LCHS DEBATE (outside of debating)Student Expectations: (see Speech & Debate Class Syllabus for a complete set of novice and varsity student expectations and options.)

In Classroom:A. Full year class: meets 5x/weekB. 3-4 year academic course of study (though students may drop out after only 1 or 2 years)C. Types of debate: Lincoln-Douglas, Policy, Public Forum, and Congress

a. Outside of classroom case and bills preparation (Required):D. Debate practices: after school and homeworkE. Debate tournaments: weekends, including hosting LCHS Welcome to the Jungle TournamentF. Student fundraisers: to reach out to the Lewis & Clark HS and Debate Alumni communities, and to build student G. camaraderieH. Support (for Varsity students): mentor, coach and judge first- and second-year students

Outside of Classroom (Optional):A. Summer Camp: 2-7 weeks in duration

TIME AND EFFORT NEEDED TO SUCEED AT DEBATE In general, students can have an excellent debate experience and do very well in the course by devoting an hour or two of preparation after school once a week, plus attending tournaments, either debating at or supporting other LCHS students at a tournament. If a student chooses to be a champion at debate, then a greater time commitment is required. Because of their passion and ability, the most high-achieving debate students put in an extra hour or more per school night, and an additional afternoon of practice after school every week, plus attend the majority of the tournaments during the season. Varsity students also rotate providing research support for teammates during the week. Over the course of a student’s LCHS debate career, the workload increases year-by-year. Novices will spend the year learning their own basic skills and will not be expected to contribute to the general team's competitive work. Varsity work will generally be heaviest at the start of the year, especially in policy, and in the winter months. May and June are our "postseason" and have the lightest workload.

DEBATE RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS1) Research Resources

Novice students will be introduced in class to their topics and places (websites) to research their debate issues.All student teams are a part of a Google group, which they set up in class with the Debate Coach. They also have access to sample and research materials produced by the varsity members and debate coaches.

2) Mentoring ResourcesEach novice debater is assigned to a varsity team of mentors, arranged by the Debate Coach. Debaters should reach out to their mentors with questions about tournament preparation, practice opportunities, and more general questions about how debate works (strategy, debate theory, etc.). Mentors also set up, run and judge debate practice rounds for students.

3) Debate Summer CampsDebate summer camps offer students an opportunity for intensive instruction, research, skill-building and debate practice. Attending a summer camp is not required, but many serious debate students find it helpful. Both national and international students participate in debate summer camps. Some debate camps are local, where students have the option of commuting or boarding. Camps vary in duration from two to seven weeks. Camps involve lectures, labs (work with coaches in medium-size groups), practice debates/tournaments and specific skill development. Students are busy from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (or later) with their debate work, preparing their cases and working with other students. There is some free time over the weekends. It is an intense, stimulating experience for students and seen as an important learning opportunity for those who are serious about debate (particularly policy and LD debaters). Students return with invaluable knowledge and lasting friendships.

Typical camps that LCHS debaters have attended in recent years are:• Public Forum: Climb the Mountain at Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA, Pioneer Debate Camp at Lewis & Clark

College in Portland, OR• Lincoln-Douglas: Climb the Mountain at Whitman College• Policy: Gonzaga Debate Institute (GDI) at Gonzaga University

A good general website to go is Debate Central (http://debate-central.ncpa.org/) where you can go to specific camps to look up dates, price and other specific information. As a general rule, debate camps cost $750-$1500 per week. Local camps provide a commuter option, saving the cost of housing the student.

Please check with the Debate Coach for the right camp(s) for your child.

VOLUNTEER PARTICIPATION Students assist in fundraising efforts such as fall and spring car washes and alumni letter writing campaigns. These efforts are worked out between the Debate Coaches and the students. Parents should be aware that students will be asked to sell fundraising items to friends and neighbors, as well as participate in one or two Saturday car washes.

Use of LCHS Computers or TechnologyStudents should use all technology (regardless of who owns it) ethically and respectfully. Irresponsible and improper use of any district/school owned technology may result in fines as deemed appropriate by the district or school technology coordinators. Using district/school owned technology is a privilege that can be revoked.

AFTER SCHOOL PRACTICESPractice: Students will benefit greatly by attending practice and working with their teammates and coaches. It is during this time that arguments will be crafted, strategies will be developed, and skills will be honed. Students who are committed to being successful will attend weekly practices and any other meetings. If a student cannot attend an organized practice it is their responsibility to contact the appropriate coach so that coach does not plan for or expect that student to attend. The team will practice on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:45 to 4:30 pm (activity bus pass will be provided). Practice will be held in rooms 023 and 017.

STUDENT LEADERSHIPOur Captains are vital to the success of our program. These team members are responsible for assisting with practices, organizing team events, recruiting new members and promoting an atmosphere of positivity within the team. All team members should be able to look to the captains as examples of the very best aspects of our team.

As such, student leaders are expected to dedicate themselves to their roles and keep in mind the inclusive nature of our program. You have been chosen to lead, and it is expected that you will do so.

At any time a captain may be removed at the discretion of the coaches.

COMMUNICATIONItisessentialthatallparent(s)orguardian(s)stayinformedaboutteamactivities,paperworkdeadlines,registrationopportunities,etc.Mrs.Carpenter,Mrs.Gomes,andtheDebateLeadershipTeam willregularlydistributeinformationviaemail,website(tigersdebate.weebly.com)andRemind101.Youareexpectedtoprovidetheteamwithanemailaddressthatyoucheckregularly andaphonenumber– wewouldhateforachildtomissoutonanopportunitybecauseofamissedcommunication. ThereisaGoogleFormontheteamwebsitewhereyoucanprovidecontactinformation.

CODE OF CONDUCT AND APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR

All students must adhere to Spokane Public School System policies, High School Code of Conduct, and WIAA rules and regulations in addition to all state and federal laws, even when not involved in a speech or debate-related activity. At tournaments, while traveling, and while at hotels students must behave in a way that best represents our school. Regardless of the behavior of other programs, LCHS Speech and Debate will behave in a professional manner. In addition to the Spokane / WIAA Code of Conduct, curfews, host school rules, and any other coach mandated regulations must be followed. In order to make our expectations clear the coaching staff has created a “3 Strikes” policy that details what is expected and what will happen if a student chooses behaviors that go against those expectations.

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. Please report any such behavior to Mrs. Carpenter or, if she is not available, to school administration.

Students will demonstrate honorable conduct in and out of round. While we want to be competitive there is no reason to be overly aggressive, disrespectful, or argumentative beyond the scope of the round. Students are not to argue with judges at any time. Students are to let the coaches handle any conflicts during the course of a tournament – rudeness to judges and competitors alike will not be tolerated.

At award ceremonies, the LCHS will respectfully clap and congratulate all teams. When a LCHS student receives an award, we will decorously cheer and celebrate their success. Gloating-like behavior will not be tolerated. We do not want to be known as poor losers (hopefully loss will not be something we encounter often.)

LETTERINGEarning a Varsity Letter in SPEECH & DEBATE

In order to earn a varsity letter in forensics, students must You will be required to compete in a total of 15 events (this can include competing in the same event at different tournaments). Open Debate and 2 Individual Events. (not including Last Chance). See class syllabus for further requirements.

Students will NOT earn a Lewis & Clark Varsity letter if they do not finish the season. Students who quit or are removed from the team are ineligible to earn a letter, regardless if they met the above criteria. All final decisions will be made by the coaches.

FIVE MILE RULEAny discussion of our teammates and coaches, other teams, other coaches, judges, or hosts should be respectful. Additionally, if these conversations are negative in nature they should only happen on the bus once it is more than five miles away from the tournament. Additionally, LCHS students should never post disparaging remarks about anyone involved in the activity on the internet even if it is meant to remain private. Remember, it is rare that something stays truly private on the internet.

TOURNAMENTEXPECTATIONS

TOURNAMENT SIGN-UPThe tournament schedule will be posted online at our team website (tigersdebate.weebly.com) and outside both debate rooms. Sign-ups will open prior to the start of any given tournament when the tournament opens registration, and close no later than 1-week prior. Mrs. Carpenter will include via the team website a list of events offered and registration requirements for each tournament at the opening of the sign-up period. Students are to follow these instructions when signing up for any given tournament. ALL tournament sign-up needs to be done IN PERSON. At the end of the day the registration list will be posted outside of room 017 and 023. It is each team member’s responsibility to check registration to make sure they are signed-up for the correct tournament event(s).

Certain tournaments where long travel or hotel stays are required will likely have sign-up periods well in advance of most localized tournaments. Students and parents must be aware of strict deadlines for these tournaments, as transportation, hotels, etc. must be booked well in advance.

Failure to attend a tournament once registration is complete will result in a student fine for that tournament (which includes event fees, drop fees, as tournaments charge our team “drop” fees when students do not show up.)

TOURNAMENT ATTENDANCEWhen attending a tournament, the student must arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time. While at the tournament students are responsible to be on time for scheduled departures, events, or other obligations. If a student is not able to compete in a tournament due to absence they are responsible for the full cost of their participation in the tournament. If a student drops an event at the tournament, they are responsible for reimbursing the team for that even cost. Fines can be paid in person to the LCHS Business Office or online at www.lctigers.com, click the Online Payment icon (located on the right side of the screen). Additionally, no student may drop from a travel tournament once transportation, hotel room, etc. has been booked for that student barring exceptional extenuating circumstances. These drops must be discussed with Mrs. Carpenter and the student’s parent(s). Having a test or project due is not an extenuating circumstance; all students are responsible for ensuring they can balance academics and participation before signing up for a tournament.

ACADEMICS AND TOURNAMENTSAll students must be passing ALL of their classes in order to participate in each tournament! WIAA states that students can be failing a least one class, however, the Speech & Debates coaches will enforce that students need to be passing a D or better in every class.

DRESS CODEStudents are expected to dress professionally at all tournaments. Students and parents should view speechanddebate.org for examples of professional tournament attire as well as the team website under GALLERY to view past team photos. The following should be avoided in tournament dress:• Open-toed shoes• “Stiletto” style heels, or other shoes that may be difficult to walk or perform in• Low-cut tops• Too short items (fist length is WAY too short at a tournament)• Any “novelty” item, such as a tie covered in sports team logos • Ill-fitting clothing in general which may be uncomfortable to speak or perform in

Additionally, all hair should be worn in a professional manner and should not obstruct the team member’s face.

All team members are expected to remain in tournament dress throughout the duration of the tournament or until they have been eliminated from competition. Team members receiving awards must be in tournament dress. No team member will be allowed on-stage at any tournament in casual attire (even if this means you don’t go up to get your award).

If you are unclear as to what constitutes appropriate attire please speak to Mrs. Carpenter before packing/attending a tournament. Students should always err on the side of caution as they will not be allowed to compete if dressed inappropriately. If finances prevent a student from obtaining the requested competition attire please speak with Mrs. Carpenter and/or Mrs. Gomes as soon as possible.

BEHAVIORAll team members are governed by rules and regulations of Spokane Schools and Lewis & Clark High School AT ALL TIMES. LCHS student are expected to remain with the team at all times during tournaments. Every student is expected to respect coaches and/or chaperones and their decisions, including overnight room assignments and curfews. Failure to remain with the team or abide by decisions made could result in a student being sent home from the tournament. If a student violates any LCHS or Spokane School District policies while at a tournament, all information regarding alleged violations will be submitted to school officials for action as may be warranted.

Cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, or any other illegal substances of any kind cannot and will not be permitted. Any student found to have used and/or be in possession of such substances will be subject to discipline by the school system and/or police. In addition, any student found to have used and/or be in possession of such substances while in attendance at a tournament will be immediately sent home at their parent or guardian's expense. No student who violates this policy will be allowed to participate in any further Speech and Debate activities during the given school year.

LCHS SPEECH AND DEBATE “3 STRIKES POLICY”

1. What is a strike? A strike, initially, is a verbal identification from the coaching staff to the student of a choice(s) they have made that is/are not conducive to success in speech and debate.

2. How is a strike received?Strikes can be given to a student by the coaching staff if a student chooses to take any of the following actions:

Making Sexist/Racist/Homophobic/ or other malicious comments to a member of the coaching staff,

another team member, or another member of the speech/debate community.

Failure to complete an evidence assignment or other required activity.

Showing disrespect to TRHS coaching staff or other adults in the speech/debate community (this includes your

judges).

Taking actions that prevent your partner or our team from being competitively successful.

After a student receives a strike, the coaching staff will send a follow-up email to the student outlining the reason(s) why the strike was given, the number of strikes that the student has received to date, and a request that the student sign the follow-up email at the next practice or meeting for record keeping purposes.

3. What happens if a student receives 3 strikes?If a student receives 3 strikes from the coaching staff prior to a tournament, that student will not be allowed to register for the next tournament that the student can attend.

4. What happens if a student receives more than 3 strikes? Strikes are cumulative and do not reset for the entire season. Each additional strike received after the third strike causes the student to not be registered for the next tournament that the student can attend. On the 7th strike, the coaching staff will meet with the student and their parent/guardian to discuss the student’s options and see if another speech/debate event is right for them.

5. Can a student appeal a strike?It is the goal of the coaching staff to be as fair and reasonable as possible when enforcing these new guidelines. If the student feels that a strike was received in error, they may approach the coaching staff and ask for a private meeting to discuss the matter, and at that time a decision will be made to see if any exception will be allowed to this policy.

Final note: The coaching staff reserves the right to change this policy, with advance notice to students, and assign an appropriate amount of strikes to any choice made by the student that amounts to egregious and outrageous behavior up to an including being expelled from the team.

SHARING OF COMPETITIVE MATERIAL & ROUND SCOUTINGCompetitive material (including but not limited to evidence and cuttings) should not be used as part of any bargaining agreement with any other team. While we as a team will disclose arguments and citations we will not trade or give full texts to opposing teams. Doing so is not fair to your teammates. Jumping evidence in round is the only exception to this rule – and should be done with caution and discretion. See a coach if you have any questions or concerns.

Policy debate has disclosure and evidence policies unique to that activity. If asked by an opponent, affirmative teams should always disclose their 1AC, plan, and advantages. The exception to this policy is if the 1AC being read has never been read by anyone on our squad. In such a circumstance, the appropriate answer to the opposing team is “We’re breaking a new affirmative.” Once that affirmative has been run it should be uploaded to the Case Wiki as soon as possible. Additionally, in round evidence must be clearly marked while reading if you skip lines. If a LCHS team is caught clipping evidence, or is found to have read fraudulent evidence, they will lose the privilege of competing at the next tournament.

Round scouting can be a valuable resource when done fairly and appropriately. At tournaments where round scouting is not allowed/discouraged we will follow the rules of the tournament. At tournaments where it is permissible it is at the coaches’ discretion as to how our team operates/scouts/obtains information about teams in rounds in which we are not competing. Again, see a coach if you have any questions or concerns.

What other teams do is up to their coaches. So, what if they know what we are running? We are talented enough to win rounds regardless.

JUDGINGSuccessful Speech and Debate tournaments are the sum of many parts working in harmony to provide a great experience for our students. The single most important of these parts – the one that no tournament can exist without – is a pool of volunteer judges.

Judging is fun! It is truly the best way to experience up-close what your child is dedicating many of their Saturdays and countless after school hours to. The wide range of events guarantees that you will be able to find something that interests you. Many parents who judge when their child is getting started with their speech career end up joining our “Friday/Saturday family” often. We hope you’ll be one of them!

It is expected that as part of taking an active role in your child’s involvement in Speech and Debate that you will volunteer to judge at one or more tournaments at which your child competes this year. As each new tournament registration opens, you will also receive a call or email for volunteers to judge. It is VITAL that you keep in mind that if we are not able to meet our judge quota for a tournament, we will be forced to limit entries and deny participation to some students. This is unacceptable.

With that in mind, it is the suggestion of the coaches that parent(s) or guardian(s) follow this quota for volunteering:

One (1) tournament judged for every three (3) tournaments attended.

Parent(s) or guardian(s) whose students compete on travel trips should give special consideration to judging these events. If a parent/guardian/other responsible adult is unable to judge at any point during the year, a judge fee will be assessed of $25 for every three tournaments the student participated in without a judge because we are charged these fees when we are short judges. Fees will be turned in as financial obligations if not cleared up before the end of the school term.

Parent and Guardian Support Teams

In order for our team to continue to grow parents and guardian support is incredibly important. There are three areas in particular that parent support is highly beneficial – tournament running, seeking financial sponsorship, and assisting in judging and chaperoning.As a result we have three support teams parents may join: • Concession Support Team

o Helps to plan, organize, and staff tournament concession stands as a fundraiser for our team.

• Financial Sponsorship Support Team

o Works to secure outside sponsorship and financial support for our team.

• Judging and Chaperoning Support team

o Judges and provides chaperone assistance to coaching staff.

These teams are new for the 2016-2017 season, and it is the hope of the coaching staff that these support teams will help the team to be respected and supported by the community and to be open to all interested students regardless of their financial situation.

LCHS DEBATE FORMSThe following forms will be needed for you to sign and/or fill out throughout the year:ü Debate Expectations These will be handed

out by the Debate Coach and explained in the class syllabus at the start of the school year and need to be promptly returned by students.

ü Field Trip/ Transportation Permission Form is to be completed at the beginning of the year in order for a student to travel to a debate tournament, typically completed three weeks in advance of the first tournament.

ü Media Form to be completed at the beginning of the year. So, we can take pictures of all of your accomplishments throughout the season.

ü Health Form (including emergency contacts) is to be completed once at the start of the year. It will be scanned by the main office secretary and made available to the lead chaperon for every trip, used in case a student needs medical attention.

SchoolYear BoosterMeetings

DebateParent/StudentEvents

Tournaments FundraisingSocialEvents

September FallMeeting ParentWelcomeMeeting(weekdayeve@LCHS)

(PrepIEs) Carwashes,student,alumnifundraisers,etc.,areTBD.RetreatIceCreamSocial

October SilentAuction FallPotluck,beforethe1sttournament,atLCHSJudgeClinic

(PrepDebate) ReachOuttoLocalBusinesses(i.e.Men’sWarehouse–ties)

November (JudgeTourney) VikingInvitationalBearBrawl

CouponBooklet

December (JudgeTourney) FelineFrenzy HolidayPartyJanuary (JudgeTourney) ConwayClassic

WelcometotheJungleSouthsideInvitational

Cookies&CocoaParty

February (JudgeTourney) ThomasS.FoleyLastChance

PrepforStatePizzaParty

March GolfInvitational

StateIndividualEventsStateDebate

Teambuilding

April Teambuilding

May Teambuilding

June Banquet

LCHS DEBATE’S ANNUAL PARENT/STUDENT CALENDARThis is a general calendar of LCHS Debate events for the school year. The exact dates of the annual schedule will be set at the beginning of each school year. Look for that information at Debate Parent Night and Back to School Night. Please be sure that BOOSTER has your contact information so that you can keep abreast of the latest information. (You can use the form on the last page of this guidebook to provide that information.)

SUCCESS IN SCHOOL & SUCCESS IN ROUNDSpeech and Debate are educational life shaping activities. But they are secondary to one’s curricular education that is provided during the school day. The Speech and Debate team is expected to maintain academic eligibility as determined by the Spokane School District and Lewis & Clark High School (LCHS) administration. In round, we will always be striving for “one team more, one round further.”We should never rest on victories but continually work to achieve new personal bests.

The members and coaching staff of LCHS Speech and Debate team will at all times strive to demonstrate the highest ethical standards. Regardless where they are --if they are on LCHS campus, on another school’s campus, at a hotel, or even what is considered outside the normal school day -- our team will be expected to be examples of positive character. At all times, the LCHS team and its staff are to conduct themselves in a respectful, responsible, safe, and honorable manner. Our team should be ethically above reproach and it is our responsibility to hold each other accountable in pursuit of such a goal.

ETHI

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Contact InformationNatasha CarpenterCoach Public Forum / Policy / Informative IEsTournament registration & fees/ Judges(509) 354-6939natashac@spokaneschools.org

Maegan GomesCoach: Congress / Lincoln-Douglas / Interpretative IEsTeam Gear / Fundraising / Special Events(509) 354-6919maegang@spokaneschools.org

Marybeth Smith / Principal(509) 354-7000

Michelle Grafos / Athletic & Activities Director(509) 354-

Lewis & Clark High School(509) 354-7000www.lctigers.com

Team Information Class/Team Website:

www.tigersdebate.weebly.com

REMIND101:Text the phone number 81010 the (@LCSPEE)

TEAM UNITYRegardless of one’s in-round success, each member of this team is an important and valuable part of the LCHS Speech and Debate team. Each member deserves the respect and support of their teammates. Younger members of the team represent the future of our team and should be encouraged at all times. Additionally, each event is meaningful and educational and therefore as a team and as individuals we will not disparage any competitive speech or debate event. Furthermore, deception, selfishness, arrogance, and unbecoming conduct will not be tolerated on any level and will result in proportional consequences.

The Honor Code - Members of the LCHS Speech and Debate Team agree that…

"As a member of the National Speech & Debate Association, I pledge to uphold the highest standards of integrity,

humility, respect, leadership and service in the pursuit of excellence."

Integrity: An honor society member obeys the highest ethical standards and adheres to the rules of the organization.

Members recognize that integrity is central to earning the trust, respect, and support of one's peers. Integrity

encompasses the highest regard for honesty, civility, justice, and fairness.

Humility: A member does not regard him or herself more highly than others. Regardless of a person's level of success,

he or she always looks beyond oneself to appreciate the inherent value of others.

Respect: A member respects individual differences and fosters diversity. He or she promotes tolerance, inclusion, and

empowerment for people from a variety of backgrounds.

Leadership: A member influences others to take positive action toward productive change. Members commit to

thoughtful and responsible leadership that promotes the other core values in the Code of Honor.

Service: A member exercises the talents he or she has been given to provide service to his or her peers, community,

and the activity. At all times a member is prepared to work constructively to improve the lives of others.

SIGN & DATE BELOW:

_________________________________________ __________________

Student Signature Date

_________________________________________ __________________

Parent Signature Date