Frequently Asked Questions
General
What skills will I learn through speech and debate?
Round Rock HS and Round Rock ISD have a history of success in speech and debate competitions, and you will learn a great deal by being a part of our program. This co-curricular activity helps develop skills in presentation, research, problem-solving, writing, critical thinking, social/political awareness, and more. Students who participate in speech and debate learn to confront the challenges associated with speaking on difficult globally significant issues. More than anything, former students treasure the lifelong relationships they build through participation.
How much time outside of school does participation require?
While being in the program requires some work outside of school, your success will correlate to your event choices and your commitment to speech and debate. Some students will choose to work 3-4 hours a week outside of class, while some will choose to work 20, 30, or even more.
Can I participate in speech and debate along with other extracurricular activities?
Yes, and you are encouraged to do so.
Can I participate in speech and debate without being enrolled in a debate class?
Yes, but this is strongly discouraged. Due to the rigorous expectations of our program, enrolled in the class will significantly benefit you and your success.
Can I take a debate class without participating in debate tournaments?
Yes. Participation at tournaments is a part of your grade, thus if you choose to opt-out you will be responsible for an alternative set of assignments. Tournament participation is the ultimate test of learning. This is actual practice. So, I discourage the alternative path, but it is available.
What if I can’t afford to pay for tournament attendance?
Money should not be a barrier to your success in this program. Students and parents are encouraged to discuss any issues with the coach throughout the year, if necessary. Students who are given financial exceptions will be expected to truly support fundraising opportunities.
What are my fees spent on?
Fees paid to the team help pay for tournament participation (entry fees, judge fees, team fees), local ground transportation (when provided), transportation/housing/coach travel (only when you are traveling out of town), and part-time assistant coaching, when possible, or additional resources.
Local Tournaments
How do we get to local tournaments?
For some tournaments, we will take a school SUV or van and will meet at a predetermined location for departure. For most local tournaments, parents will be responsible for transportation, and the district will not assume responsibility for students arriving to tournaments. You may wish to coordinate a carpool. Each itinerary will include the address and arrival instructions for the tournament. Many times, dropping off students at a tournament coincides with the release of school, so it is important to note the entry locations for each tournament and to plan for high traffic.
What happens if I miss school?
Students are responsible for communicating with teachers at least 5-7 school days in advance of a tournament. Students are responsible for completing all assignments, tests, and projects due during tournament absence in a timely manner and in advance when possible. Students should attend school the day after returning from a tournament, when applicable. Students who are absent for any class on the day of a tournament (other than those excused by the head coach) will not be allowed to compete at that tournament and will owe any applicable drop fees, unless the absence has been otherwise excused by a Teacher or Administrator.
What if I can’t make it to a tournament after I sign up?
Fees for dropping from a tournament typically increase as the tournament approaches, sometimes up to triple the original entry fee for dropping on the day of the tournament. Please be considerate to the team, your partner (if applicable), coaches, parents, and volunteers when dropping a tournament.
Where will competition rounds be held?
Each tournament will offer a centralized gathering point for students for all schools. Typically, a cafeteria or auditorium serves this purpose. Ideally, all competition rounds will be held in one classroom building or buildings very close together.
How are students supervised at tournaments?
A coach or parent chaperone will be present for all tournaments. Different tournaments present different demands. Sometimes, I will be required to judge. When I am not present with students in a central gathering place, I can be found judging around or in the tabulation room – the central administrative location for the tournament. I will be available and will respond in a timely manner to text messages via Remind 101. Students are expected to walk in groups or with an adult escort throughout the duration of the tournament. Students are not permitted to leave the tournament site without coach permission, an adult escort, or in extreme emergencies.
What can parents do when chaperoning a tournament?
Parents help us ensure the comfort and safety of our students while at tournaments. Parents will accompany students in the cafeteria or other central gathering place. In the event a situation arises requiring an urgent errand or other need, parents may be asked to help. We also welcome pre-arranged snacks, meals, or other provisions for our students as what parents provide is typically far better for our students than tournament food.
What is the schedule for each tournament?
The coach and/or team officers will communicate a competition schedule for each day in the itinerary for the tournament. Arrival time will be designated in the tournament itinerary. Tournament efficiency varies with each host, and the schedule we provide is therefore tentative. Unforeseen circumstances, tabulation errors, and other delays may cause tournaments to become off-schedule.
When will my child be finished each day?
Students must participate in rounds in which they are scheduled to compete. An individual student’s progress varies greatly. Some students may be able to check out at the completion of preliminary (seeding) rounds, and some may compete through the final round in their event. We will remain together as a squad and attend awards ceremonies whenever possible. Parents may check out a student should an emergency situation arise requiring a student to depart the tournament. Otherwise, the attending coach will try to predict when students will be finished, and this information will be published in each tournament itinerary.
What arrangements are made for food at local tournaments?
Food is available for purchase at every tournament we attend. Students should bring cash for tournament concessions or restaurant orders. Students will not be permitted to leave campus for food except with a parent or coach escort. In the rare case when a restaurant is immediately adjacent to campus, students may be allowed to travel in groups with coach permission. Students are encouraged to make healthy choices, to avoid greasy/fatty foods, chocolate, and dairy, and to drink plenty of water.
How do I know when to retrieve my child from a tournament?
Most local tournaments last two days (Friday-Saturday) for debaters and Saturday only for IE participants and Congressional Debaters. Some local tournaments will be Saturday only, for all competitors. Tournament schedules are always subject to change/delay. Human error and unanticipated events may cause tournament schedules to become unreliable, thus check for updates frequently and especially on the day of competition. When a day ends with a preliminary (seeding) round (usually Friday of local tournaments), students will make contact with a parent immediately prior to the beginning of the last round. Students will be available an hour to an hour and a half after the start of their last debate on these days. When in elimination rounds (usually late Saturday at local tournaments), students will make contact after elimination from the tournament. Coaches or chaperones will never leave a student alone at a tournament and will wait as long as necessary for a ride to arrive.
What are the checkout procedures from local tournaments?
Students are required to sign out with a coach or adult chaperone. Students may be picked up at their drop-off location, the main entrance, or other designated areas. It is critical that students follow proper checkout procedures as we must know when students have left the tournament.
Travel Tournaments
How is transportation arranged?
When departing from campus by SUV or van, students will assemble in a designated location prior to timely departure. When departing by plane, parents are asked to arrange for transportation of their student to the airport where we will assemble at a designated check-in location. Either the school or the Booster Club will arrange for ground transportation in our destination city and will provide details with each travel itinerary.
What are the dates for travel tournaments?
Dates can be found on the tournament calendar distributed to parents and students at the beginning of the year and at the top of the itinerary for each tournament. Travel dates may differ from competition dates as we may have to arrive the day before and/or leave the morning after a tournament’s conclusion, depending on the tournament schedule.
Where can I find details about the tournament?
The coaching staff will include in the itinerary a complete competition schedule for each day. If you are interested in following tournament pairings and other event-specific information, you may often find tournament information at the Joy of Tournaments website, www.joyoftournaments.com or the alternate www.tabroom.com in some cases. Some tournaments offer the opportunity to see tournament pairings live using the Joy of Tournaments “Warm Room” tab on tournament webpages, Twitter, or other outlets specific to each tournament. While we will record round-by-round progress and ask students to keep you updated, some parents may wish to see who their child is debating each round and sometimes ballots or other results, when available.
Will my child be wandering across a college campus alone at night?
No. All students are required to walk in pairs, in larger groups, or with a coach. All students are required to be in contact with designated coaches and chaperones before and after rounds. Students may only go to designated locations with coach permission, in pairs or groups, and that permission will only be given when appropriate (for example, to go to a debate round or to get food).
Are meals provided?
Students can purchase snacks and meals at the tournament concession stand or at approved eateries that are located on or directly adjacent to campus (rules for traveling around campus and communication with coaches apply here as well). Students will have to pay for meals that the team eats together after the conclusion of the tournament for the day. There are times where some meals may be provided. Examples include a complimentary breakfast at the hotel or the occasional complimentary meal at a tournament (these are rare). Students are encouraged to bring healthy snacks with them to tournaments.
Is the hotel safe?
The coaching staff will go to great lengths to ensure students are safe and comfortable at tournaments. We will always stay at well-rated and safe hotels.