Speech Team Parents
Parents play a vital role in the Speech Team. In particular, parents are needed to judge at tournaments. At every tournament we attend, we must provide 1 judge for every 5 entries. Without parent judges, we will not be able to compete.
We don't know how many judges we will need for any tournament until we know how many students are competing. Students usually must sign up on the Monday prior to any Saturday tournament. On Tuesday morning, we will email parents to see if they can judge. You can sign up to judge any tournament by emailing Mr. Sheldon; we will then confirm in the days before the tournament. No parent is expect to judge a tournament where their own child is not attending.
In order to judge, all parents need to have undergone a CORI check. This is required by both Bancroft and the Massachusetts Speech and Debate League. To do so, you must fill out the proper forms in the main office at Bancroft; please bring your driver's license. The whole process takes about 5 minutes. Once the CORI check is done, it is valid for 3 years.
Many first time judges are concerned that they don't know how to judge. Keep in mind that the students know that they will be performing for experienced judges and new judges. It is their responsibility to be able to appeal to both. Judging is not hard, and most parents really enjoy it and look forward to doing it again. You will be very impressed by the performances that you see.
At every tournament, there is a judges' meeting to help explain the events. Mr. Sheldon can also give you a primer on the morning of the tournament. However, the best way to learn to judge is to come to the team's annual judge training. This usually occurs on a weekend afternoon in October or November. There are also many resources on this page and the rest of this website.
In particular, download the "How to Judge" handout below.
Speech can be one of the most rewarding activities your child can pursue To borrow a paragraph from the Newton South Speech Team's website: "Keep in mind that your child has chosen to participate in a rewarding activity that will enhance communication skills for life. You may think that high school is the time to let go of your children and stay out of their lives. Nothing could be further from the truth. Teens need parents who show they care about their interests. Even if you child is pushing you away, telling you that you don’t need to be involved, most are glad when parents help. The Bancroft Speech Team is a way to meet your child’s friends and their parents, something that is difficult to do once students get to high school." (Thanks to Newton South for letting us copy this!)
We don't know how many judges we will need for any tournament until we know how many students are competing. Students usually must sign up on the Monday prior to any Saturday tournament. On Tuesday morning, we will email parents to see if they can judge. You can sign up to judge any tournament by emailing Mr. Sheldon; we will then confirm in the days before the tournament. No parent is expect to judge a tournament where their own child is not attending.
In order to judge, all parents need to have undergone a CORI check. This is required by both Bancroft and the Massachusetts Speech and Debate League. To do so, you must fill out the proper forms in the main office at Bancroft; please bring your driver's license. The whole process takes about 5 minutes. Once the CORI check is done, it is valid for 3 years.
Many first time judges are concerned that they don't know how to judge. Keep in mind that the students know that they will be performing for experienced judges and new judges. It is their responsibility to be able to appeal to both. Judging is not hard, and most parents really enjoy it and look forward to doing it again. You will be very impressed by the performances that you see.
At every tournament, there is a judges' meeting to help explain the events. Mr. Sheldon can also give you a primer on the morning of the tournament. However, the best way to learn to judge is to come to the team's annual judge training. This usually occurs on a weekend afternoon in October or November. There are also many resources on this page and the rest of this website.
In particular, download the "How to Judge" handout below.
Speech can be one of the most rewarding activities your child can pursue To borrow a paragraph from the Newton South Speech Team's website: "Keep in mind that your child has chosen to participate in a rewarding activity that will enhance communication skills for life. You may think that high school is the time to let go of your children and stay out of their lives. Nothing could be further from the truth. Teens need parents who show they care about their interests. Even if you child is pushing you away, telling you that you don’t need to be involved, most are glad when parents help. The Bancroft Speech Team is a way to meet your child’s friends and their parents, something that is difficult to do once students get to high school." (Thanks to Newton South for letting us copy this!)
RESOURCES FOR JUDGES
• How To Judge handout
• Video explaining the use of Online Electronic Ballots
• The Newton South Speech Team has created several training videos for judges. You can see them here.
• Video explaining the use of Online Electronic Ballots
• The Newton South Speech Team has created several training videos for judges. You can see them here.