1. River Valley Speech Springfield & Sleepy Eye Schools
Parent/Student Meeting
December 14, 2012

2. River Valley Speech Head coach – Mrs. Brianna Jensen
Assistant coaches – Mrs. Cheryl Neidt
Mrs. Darcy Hoyt
Coop agreement - Springfield & Sleepy Eye Schools
48 members this year
Increased opportunities for all schools
Build new friendships
FUN!

3. State History Sleepy Eye Schools Springfield School
2010 – 3rd place – Extemp. Speaking
th place – Original Oratory
Springfield School
2010 – 1st & 2nd place – Duo, Storytelling participant
2011 – 6th place - Great Speeches, Drama participant, Great Speeches participant
2012 – 6th place – Storytelling, 2nd place - Duo

4. Eligibility Speech follows the MSHSL rules of eligibility
Academic
Behavior
***River Valley Speech members also expected to
follow their school’s specific rules pertaining to
eligibility

5. Practices Once weekly with coach 25-30 minutes long
Be on time, ready to work
“Speech” notebook
Illness or snow day – reschedule
*Practice on your own outside of school*

6. Practices Can’t make your practice time? Tell coach AHEAD of time
or in person
Be respectful of traveling coaches
2 unexcused absences (no shows) = off the team!
Jan. 21 – Drop date!
Try to talk to your coach in person and let her know or in advance.

7. Team Communication E-mail Facebook group Webpage
Access through “Springfield Public School”
***All three will contain the same information/updates
***Re responsible - Check daily!

8. Tournaments When are tournaments?
Varsity (gr. 7-12)- Saturdays (Feb-Mar)
Attend as many as possible
Jr. High (gr. 7-9) - midweek, after school
Attend all JH tournaments
Some HS tournaments
Speech is a spectator sport!

9. Tournaments How long do they last? All day Bring lunch or money
Team rides bus
Exception – verbal & written parent permission
Bring lunch or money
They last most of the day. The bus will generally leave by 7:15am and will return sometime in the late afternoon.

10. Tournaments Signing up for tourneys Tourney day - sick or emergency?
Students sign up if attending
Mrs. Neidt’s room
Mrs. Jensen
Registration due – 1 week prior to tourney
Tourney day - sick or emergency?
Notify coach
No shows – pay entry fee
We know that students cannot make every Saturday tournement. Therefore, instead of guessing who can and can’t come---students sign up for the ones they can attend.

11. Clothing and Appearance
Speakers are often judged as much by
how they look as by what they have to
say…
JH speakers vs. HS speakers
***You never get a second chance to make a first impression!***

12. Men’s Suits
Suits: Choose a conservative style, dark colors: black, dark gray, charcoal, olive or navy.
Shirts: comfortable, good fir, colared
Ties: Colors should work back into your suit or work well with your shirt. Patterns should not be distracting or silly. Should end at belt line - no higher, no lower!
Shoes: Black, dress shoes
Belts,Socks: Belt should match shoes. Socks should match shoes.

13. Men’s Suits

14. Men’s Dress Shirts

15. Women’s Suits

16. Women’s Dress Clothes
Jackets or Sweaters: Choose a conservative style jacket or sweater in a solid, basic color.
Skirts or Pants:
Buy the skirt or pant that goes with the jacket if possible.
Again a solid, dark color is best.
No short skirts!!! Skirts should be no higher than 1" above the knees. 
Shirts:
Use this as an opportunity to add a touch of color under your suit. (Remember that blouses are an inexpensive way to change the look of an outfit).
Be sure the blouse is not too low cut!!!
Shoes:
Stick with a medium (2" - 2.5") heel or flats. Stay away from boots and really thick, clunky heels.
Black, brown, or neutral colors for shoes.
Stockings:
Always wear stockings and keep extras on hand. Nylons
should either be “bare” in color or should match your suit color.
Jewelry:
Keep jewelry choices conservative - it should compliment or
accent your attire, not overpower it or distract from it

17. Shoes

18. Accessories

19. Clothing & Accessories
*Do not have to break the bank! $$$
*Could wear same outfit every tournament!

20. What NOT To Do Both Ladies Gentlemen Clothes too tight OR too loose
Distracting jewelry
Hair in your eyes/face
Ladies
Open-toed shoes
Low-cut shirts
Short skirts
Wacky/bright fingernail polish
Gentlemen
Distracting neck ties
Light colored socks with a dark suit
Facial hair

21. Tournament Etiquette
*Tournament etiquette explained further in handbook – please read on your own!
*Etiquette will also be discussed on the bus ride to tournements.

22. ANY
QUESTIONS ?

23. ***Students please stay for a few minutes for team photos!***
THANK YOU!