1. Opening Procedures / Needed Materials:
Please sign-in next to your student’s name (or add your student to the list).
Please take a copy of each of the following:
Permission Form
Private Transportation Form
Volunteer and Donation Form
Parent-Student Handbook
Writing utensil (preferably pen)

2. Meridian High School Speech and Debate Team
Parent Information Meeting
Mike Burtosky – Speech and Debate Coach

3. What is Speech and Debate:
How will participating in this extra-curricular benefit my student?
“Will it Be You” – National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA)
Participation in Speech and Debate will benefit your students by:
Developing their critical thinking / critical listening skills.
Building their confidence with public speaking.
Preparing them to participate in democratic society.
Acquiring good sportsman ship through participation in a competitive activity.

4. Permission Form (1):
“Catch-all” / “blanket” permission (you will be notified which tournaments your student signs up for).
Fill out information in Section II
Name of the student
At least one phone number
Allergies, medical conditions, etc.
Read and review – then sign and date.

5. Permission Form (2):
Front side – release of liability, authorization for emergency medical treatment.
Back side – agree to Parent / Student handbook, permission to attend tournaments, acknowledgement of transportation requirements.
Tournament list – dates and COSTS - curriculum required tournaments vs. extra-curricular tournaments.

6. Private Transportation Form:
Parents / students responsible for their own transportation to local tournaments (lack of funding).
Parent drives their own student, student drives themselves, NO FORM NECESSARY.
Form gives permission for a student to ride with another driver (parent / student).
Private transportation form
Letter of permission
Copy of drivers license
Copy of insurance (minimum coverage)

7. Volunteer Needs:
Judging – WE NEED JUDGES FOR TOURNAMENTS – largest avoidable expense. Waived fees for your student.
Travel Tournaments – judges and chaperones.
Snacks – non-perishable food items, water bottles, etc.
Fund-raising – TBD, let me know if you’re interested.

8. Donations to the Program:
ABSOLUTLEY NO OBLIGATION TO DONATE.
Your time is just as valuable as money.
Donations are tax deductible and matched by some employers.

9. Parent / Student Handbook:
Pg. 3 - Curriculum required tournaments, graded minimums.
Pg. 3 – Tournament fees
Pg. 4 – NSDA membership.
Pg Tournament schedule and fees.
Pg. 7-8 – Code of conduct and eligibility requirements.
Pg. 8-9 – Dress code.

10. Contact Information: or
Class website and speech and debate team website (working on update).
TBD – some kind of group text application / website.