Farmington High School Speech and Debate Team Handbook Charter Member of the National Speech and Debate Association Member School of the New Mexico Speech and Debate Association Handbook 2016-2017
You are now part of a tradition in the making of speech and debate competition at Farmington High School. For decades, the Scorpions have been competing in the state of New Mexico and throughout the United Sates in speech and debate. We are a charter member of the National Speech and Debate Association, the oldest honor society for high school students, and a member of the New Mexico Athletic and Activities Association (NMAA). The team allows students to fulfill the goals set forward in its Mission Statement: The Farmington High School Speech and Debate Scorpions exist to promote critical thinking skills, communication skills, and teamwork through competition in Speech and Debate. We recognize the importance of using our skills in giving back to the community and our goal is to prepare students to be productive, engaged and socially aware citizens of a global society. The Farmington High School Speech and Debate Scorpions are dedicated to cultivating a community that welcomes diversity and inclusion of all students. This handbook is intended to provide students and parents with an overview of our debate program, its rules, policies, and procedures. While this book is largely aimed at students, parental involvement in our debate program is an integral component of our success at Farmington High. We urge students to get their parents involved and parents to take the initiative to get more involved. In our opinion, forensic competition is the most rewarding co-curricular opportunity provided by any school. That is particularly true when the students, parents, and teachers/coaches work together to maximize the experience. Please contact me at any time with questions or concerns. Melissa Brown mbrown@fms.k12.nm.us School: 505-324-0352 Cell: 406-241-3473 2
ETHICS AND STANDARDS Students who are part of the Farmington High School Speech and Debate Scorpions are also members of the National Speech and Debate Association; as such, they are expected to uphold the ideals placed upon members of the National Forensics League: National Speech and Debate Association Oath: o As a member of the National Speech and Debate Association, I pledge to uphold the highest standards of integrity, humility, respect, leadership, and service in the pursuit of excellence. National Speech and Debate Association Code of Honor: o Integrity: An NSDA member obeys the highest ethical standards and adheres to the rules of the League. NSDA 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. o Humility: An NSDA 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. o Respect: An NSDA member respects individual differences and fosters diversity. He or she promotes tolerance, inclusion, and empowerment for people from a variety of backgrounds. o Leadership: An NSDA member influences others to take positive action toward productive change. NSDA members commit to thoughtful and responsible leadership that promotes the other core values in the NFL Code of Honor. o Service: An NSDA member exercises the talents he or she has been given to provide service to his or her peers, community, and the League. At all times an NFL member is prepared to work constructively to improve the lives of others. BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS Because we affirm the NSDA s Code of Honor, and because we believe that being a Scorpion Speech and Debate team member is a privilege, we define the duties of each Scorpion as: 1. Being academically eligible in accordance with the FMS Extracurricular Activities Code and standards set by the Scorpion Speech and Debate team coach(es). 2. Developing a competence in one s chosen event(s) through committed practice. 3. Displaying a commitment to Scorpion Speech and Debate team activities, especially the Tres Rios Tournament held each February, and all fundraisers. 3
4. Understanding that Scorpion Speech and Debate students assume the responsibility of making key decisions affecting the organization while maintaining the peer-cooperative nature of Scorpion Speech and Debate, and recognizing that final authority resides with the coaches. 5. Treating everyone with respect and dignity - fellow Scorpion Speech and Debate team members, students from other schools, sponsors, all FMS/FHS staff members, and all coaches. This includes, but is not limited to, selection of appropriate language, speech topics, and behavior. 6. Developing a commitment to the growth of other speakers/debaters through an attitude of caring concern and honest appreciation for the efforts of speakers/debaters from all schools. 7. Accepting personal responsibility for keeping the FHS campus (and other locations when traveling) safe, clean, and protected. This includes respect for other people s property. 8. Thinking before acting and being prepared to accept the consequences of making poor choices. 9. Adhering to the terms of the Farmington Municipal Schools Extracurricular Activities Code, the Farmington High School Student Handbook, the Scorpion Speech and Debate team Handbook, and the codes of conduct of the New Mexico Activities Association and the National Speech and Debate Association. 10. Expecting to uphold the highest ethical standards whether in the classroom, on campus, in competition, or even when outside of what is considered the normal school day, meaning conducting oneself in a professional, respectful, honorable, mature manner at all times and in all places. 11. Understanding that unethical behavior by one person often reflects upon the entire group. An ethical reputation is difficult to earn and easy to lose. 12. Bringing any problems that arise with team members or others to the coach. 13. Remembering that when competing as a member of the Scorpion Speech and Debate team, you are representing yourself, your school, your family, and your coach. 14. Demonstrating good decision making when posting to social media sites, which includes words, phrases, graphics, pictures, or any other items that could be viewed as a negative representation of oneself. Any image of a Speech and Debate student partaking in drugs, alcohol, sexual acts, or any other offense as deemed so in the Student Handbook will be excused from the team. PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE - Hard work and self-discipline are essential to success on both an individual and team level. Talent is no substitute for dedication to a task and treating people with respect, whether they are on your team or from another school. 4
GRADES AND ATTITUDE - Your schoolwork outside of speech and debate is extremely important. Team members should strive to maintain high grades and good relationships with other teachers and administrators. You are responsible for any work missed when you attend a tournament. It is best to be proactive and make arrangements with your teachers in advance. Coaches will request grade reports before tournaments and each grade report must be signed by the parents/guardians of each Scorpion Speech and Debate team member. Students who have grades of D s and F s will not be allowed to compete. In order for a student to travel with C s for that quarter, he/she must obtain the signature of his/her parent and his/her teacher. SQUAD UNITY - Squad unity is an essential part of the Scorpion Speech and Debate team. In order to function as a member of the team, you must accept and work with other members. We also respect the property of the coaches, other members of the team, and other teachers who allow us to use their classrooms. Materials (supplies, research, etc.) should not be used without the express permission of their owner. Arrogance, selfishness, ingratitude and other boorish behaviors will not be tolerated and the coaches will intervene if required. Positive and constructive communication is essential, and offensive comments are unacceptable. EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE - Speech and Debate tournaments are designed to be educational experiences. We will win because we are prepared, work hard and learn from our mistakes. Sacrificing your integrity is not an acceptable way to win. Students should continue to work on improving their own skills no matter what their record is. All interpretation pieces, research materials, and argument construction must meet guidelines established by the coaches. GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP - The purpose of forensics is to promote education. Development of life skills is part of the process. Winning is desirable; however, losing is beneficial also as we pursue individual growth. Students should learn from mistakes made in each round. Scorpion Speech and Debate team members are to accept the criticism of judges graciously. Scorpion Speech and Debate team members are not to argue with the judge, whether or not the debater is satisfied with the decision. COSTS - Students must pay all costs associated with meals or personal items during tournaments. In addition, you will bear the cost of obtaining clothes that conform to the tournament dress standards. Tournament travels costs will be funded through school funds and fundraising efforts, so all students must participate in fundraisers. 5
COMPETITION AND TRAVEL - It is our philosophy that healthy levels of competition, whether at local, regional, or national competitions, are important to challenge students. The expectation of the coaching staff is that all students will compete at all levels of tournaments. TOURNAMENT ENTRY LIMITATIONS - Some tournaments limit the number of entries. The coaches (with officers input) will decide who represents our school at tournaments with limited entries. Because of the limitations on entries, it is a good idea not to postpone entering tournaments. In some cases, not all students who wish to compete in a given tournament will be able to compete in their chosen events. Participation in the New Mexico State Speech and Debate Tournament and the New Mexico District Tournament will be based on the following standards: Consistent participation throughout the school year in Scorpion Speech and Debate team practices. Consistent participation throughout the tournament season in tournaments. Willingness to assist your fellow Scorpion Speech and Debate team members in their preparation and to mentor novices in their speech and debate preparation throughout our school year. Consistent participation in fundraising activities throughout the school year. Win/loss record at tournaments during the regular tournament season. Class (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior). EXCUSED ABSENCES - All absences for tournaments are excused as per NMAA policy. Students must attend classes the day before a tournament and the day of the tournament until they are excused from classes. According to NMAA policy, if a student is absent the day before or the day of a tournament, he/she is not allowed to compete in the tournament. Students are limited to a total of 15 absences per semester for NMAA activities. DROPPED ENTRY - Tournaments have deadlines by which schools must enter, and tournaments also have deadlines for schools to drop entries without a financial penalty. If a student or team drops out of the tournament after the deadline, the school is assessed a fee for that drop. If a student drops out from a tournament after the deadline, he or she is responsible for paying all costs associated with that drop, including any forfeited entry fees, penalties or late charges, as well as hotel and transportation costs. This includes anyone who drops out due to unforeseen circumstances, school suspensions, or the coach s decision. Of course, in the case of 6
family emergencies (illness, deaths in the family, etc.) we will be sensitive to those situations. Fees and penalties for drops must be paid before entering any other tournaments. If a student who competes in a partnered event drops out from a tournament, he or she will also be responsible for paying the drop fees associated with his or her partner dropping from the tournament. Drop fees are assessed at $25 per individual event or $50 for a partnered event. RULES OF CONDUCT FOR OVERNIGHT TRIPS any person must follow the following conduct code on an overnight trip with Farmington High School: 1. I will accept the authority of my advisor/sponsor/coach and any other authorized adult in charge of this trip. 2. I will be courteous at all times and respect the rights of others. This will include my own team members, members and coaches of other teams, and other adults involved in the activity/hotel/bus. 3. I will adhere to any rules set by the hotel property and respect the rights of other guests of the hotel. 4. I will not purchase, possess, consume, or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs at any time. This includes mock cocktails. 5. I will not purchase or have in my possession at any time during the activity any form of tobacco. 6. I will not purchase or have in my possession any kind of fireworks/firearms. 7. I will be in my room with the lights out by the designated time set by my coach or adult chaperone. I will remember that there are other people present and will not interrupt their rest nor their enjoyment of the hotel stay by loud noise, music, running down the halls, etc. 8. I will be appropriately dressed and out of my room by the designated time each morning. 9. I will be on time and actively participate in all rounds that I am responsible for attending. 10. I will not leave the group unaccompanied. I will be with at least 2-3 members of the group at all times, including in the room. My coach or adult chaperone will know where I am at all times. 11. I will not allow any unassigned individuals in my room at any time. 12. I will not participate in any Public Display of Affection. Any infraction of these rules will not be tolerated and should any one of the rules be broken, school officials and parents will be called and arrangements will be made to send the student home immediately. If, for any reason, the student must return home 7
early, the student and/or his/her parents must assume any additional costs. These costs will include total repayment for attending the tournament. Additional disciplinary action may be taken once s/he returns to school. ANTI-HAZING - Hazing occurs when an act is committed against a student or a student is coerced into committing an act that creates a substantial risk of harm to the student or to any third party for the purpose of initiating or affiliating with any school activity or organization. Hazing includes, but is not limited to: 1. Any activity involving any risk of physical harm, including paddling, beating, whipping, branding, electric shock, sleep deprivation, exposure to weather, placement of harmful substances on the body, and participation in physically dangerous activities. 2. Any activity involving the consumption of alcohol, drugs, tobacco products, or any other food, liquid, or other substance that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of physical harm. 3. Any activity involving actions of a sexual nature or the simulation of actions of a sexual nature. 4. Any activity that subjects a student to any level of embarrassment, shame, or humiliation, or which creates a hostile, abusive, and intimidating environment for the student. 5. Any activity involving any violation of federal, state, or local law, or any violation of FHS, FMS, NMAA, or other athletic department policies and regulations. Athletes, coaches, advisors, or students are responsible to report violations of the above to the Athletic Director or any other member of the FHS administrative team. Athletes and team members who participate in improper behavior as described above are subject to suspension or removal from tournament or team event participation. 8
CONSEQUENCES FOR VIOLATIONS OF AFOREMENTIONED RULES, GUIDELEINES, AND/OR SCHOOL OR DISTRICT POLICY Violations of the by-laws and/or school/district policy will result in the following: First Offense: Student will be asked to leave event and Parent will be notified. Depending on the severity of the offense, a student may be suspended from the next tournament. Second Offense: Parent will be notified. Student will be required to have a conference with sponsor and FHS administration. Student will be suspended from the next Tournament. Third Offense: Student will be ineligible to participate in tournaments and any other school-affiliated speech and debate activities for one year from the date of infraction. Parent conference will be held with student, parent, sponsor, and high school administrator. Note: By-laws may not supersede school and/or district policies regarding violations. Additionally, penalties may vary at the sponsor s and the administration s discretion depending on the severity of the offense. **Any Scorpion Speech and Debate team member who has been suspended with an OSS for violating the FHS Student Handbook by Farmington High School will be terminated from competitive eligibility from the Scorpion Speech and Debate team. An OSS violation is deemed highly severe, and these types of behaviors will not be tolerated from any Speech and Debate competitor. 9
Farmington High School Speech and Debate team Handbook 2016 2017 Student Name Grade Parent Phone Parent Email Please initial in the blanks (parent and student) and sign the contract. We have read the entire information handbook for the Farmington High School Speech and Debate team. We understand and accept the requirements for being on the team. We also understand that failure to fulfill these requirements may result in forfeiture of tournament slots and possible suspension/dismissal from the team. I understand that any violation of the above rules will result in the stated consequences. Student Signature I understand and have discussed the responsibilities and commitments that my son/daughter has accepted as a member of the Farmington High School Speech and Debate team, and will assist and support him/her in meeting these commitments. Parent Signature Parent Signature 10