My email

If you ever need to send me an attachment for anything, use my school email.

The subject line of your email should tell me your name.

Here’s my email:

kristin_katsu@mail.nobl.k12.in.us

Speech Team Practices!!! Butler is coming!!

Speech team practices are mandatory this week.  Come to room 118 at 2:45 and experience true speech team life with Butler University Speech Team Members.

On Thursday we’ll get a chance to critique and support our representatives to the Connersville Meet this Saturday.

See you there!

Speech team Guidelines

1.    There will be sign up sheets posted in Miss Katsu’s room for each event.  When you and Miss Katsu decide on an event for you (and the material you will use – if it is an interp), you may sign up.  Signing is a commitment that you are going to do that event for the team this season.  Do not sign up if you do not intend to compete.  You and Miss Katsu can alter that as the season progresses, however.

2.    Entries for tournaments are usually due ten days before each tournament.  All judges need to be signed up by then in 118.  All team members should provide a judge at least once.

3.    If you can’t attend a tournament, list that date on your event sign up sheet (before the deadline) and tell Miss Katsu.  Do not send a message with another student.

4.    If you discover after the deadline and before the meet that you can no longer attend, you need to notify Miss Katsu AND find someone to do your events.  If we know in advance, we may be able to replace you without penalty.

5.    If you become ill the morning of the meet, try to come anyway; usually it is just nerves and sleepiness.  However, if you have a virus and/or a fever and cannot attend, a parent or guardian must call Miss Katsu and speak to her personally before the bus leaves.  Miss Katsu typically leaves home 40 minutes before the bus departs.

6.    If you fail to do #4 or #5, you cause a “drop.”  Drops cost the team points and trophies.  Anyone causing a drop will be charged a $5 fine for each event dropped and will face disciplinary action (including suspension and/or forfeiting letter possibilities).  Anyone who drops at a meet with entry fees and/or hotel costs will reimburse the moneys lost.

7.    You must practice with a coach at least once before every meet (1/2 hour).  You should also rehearse with a veteran at least once.  Sign in each rehearsal you attend and practice.

8.    Practices are every Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:00 – 4:30 pm.  (These are open times for all to rehearse.  You do not need to attend every Tuesday or Thursday; you just need to acquire adequate rehearsal time before each tournament.)  Appointments are also available before and after school and during some ALs, and you can always arrange for another time if you need to do so.

9.    You are responsible to practice and attend scheduled practices.  Do not skip a practice that you sign up for; Miss Katsu arranges her schedule around you.

10.    There will be team rehearsals before every meet that everyone is required to attend.  If you have a conflict with a team rehearsal, see Miss Katsu to arrange for another rehearsal time.

11.    If you don’t meet your practice requirements or the coaches don’t feel that you are prepared for competition, you may not compete, causing a drop.

12.    Check your folder in Miss Katsu’s room often, and listen to announcements.

13.    Those who follow these guidelines by having a positive attitude, rehearsing, being dedicated, and eventually succeeding, will earn spots on the state finalist and national qualifying team!

Winning is only a consequence of hard work and dedication.

Noble Speakers?

WHO: All students in all grades (9-12) are eligible to participate. You can participate in speech and debate while you are a member of another activity, including a sport.

WHEN: Competitions are on Saturdays from November to February with post-season in March.

WHERE: All tournaments are held at other schools. Because of the distance or to reward the team for hard work, an overnight may be scheduled.

ELIGIBILITY: You must maintain a 2.0 GPA or attend tutoring to be eligible to compete.

REHEARSALS: All Noble Speakers are required to rehearse and be ready for competition. Team rehearsals are scheduled well in advance (listed on tournament schedule) and should include the whole team. (See Miss Katsu for exceptions and arrange another rehearsal time.) Individual rehearsal times are scheduled throughout the week. You are required to meet with a coach at least once before every tournament (about ½ hour every two weeks). You should also work with an upperclassman at least once before every tournament. Extra rehearsals are at your discretion. Rehearsals are not for boy/girlfriends to hang around; only those students on the team can attend. Remember: if you do not rehearse, you will not compete.

CONDUCT: All regular school rules apply and will be enforced. You are representing NHS and the coaches and are expected to act like an adult. The NHS extracurricular Activity Code includes Speech team, so you will be required to participate in the drug-testing program.

EXPENSES: Most schools offer reasonably priced concessions at tournaments. Sometimes we will stop at a fast food restaurant on the way home.

ATTIRE: You should look and act as professional as possible when competing. Girls should wear conservative dresses or suits including hose and heals. Gentlemen should wear a suit or dress pants, shirt, and tie, preferable with a sport coat. Dark colors and mature styles are best for both men and women. Clothing can be located easily and cheaply, so let Miss Katsu know if you need help.

AWARDS: Individual ribbons are awarded for every event, and team awards are also given at each meet. You can earn membership in the National Forensic League, the lifetime speech and debate honor society, then work toward higher degrees in the NHL as you continue to compete, and you can earn a NHS varsity letter.

MAIL: Your “speech mail” will tell you the time and place of departure for the tournament, who is competing in what events, extra rehearsals for the week, as well as any other last minute information. Mail is usually available the Monday of the week of the tournament. Check for mail at Miss Katsu’s room. Share your mail with parents as it will also include information for them.

TRANSPORTATION: The bus for tournaments usually leaves from the NHS faculty/staff parking lot. If you are late, we will be gone. Wakeup calls are available. Make arrangements to have a ride when we return. IF you bring a cell phone, you will be able to tell your parents more specifically what time we will return. Otherwise, the approximate time will be on the mail. Transportation to and from rehearsals is your responsibility; however, there are often upperclassmen who can give rides.

FINALLY: This information should be followed without question. Coaches will make the final decision regarding violation of these guidelines. Offenses could result in a warning, fine, suspension, or dismissal from the team.

Speech Team

Noble Speakers is the new NHS speech team. We’re going to compete against the speech teams at Carmel, Fishers, and more!!!

Call-out meeting: Sept. 14 during AL in room 118 (503 at the FC)

Oct 3 1:05 – 2:30 First Practice

Tentative season schedule:

These are the dates of the IHSFA Speech Meets that NHS will most likely attend. It is understood that every student does not have to attend every activity. We will plan our official speech team calendar as a team on our first practice.
Nov 3 Leave 6am Return 4pm Connersville
Nov 10 Lv 6:45 Rt 3pm Southport
Dec 1 Lv 6:15 Rt 4pm IU East
Dec 8 Lv 6:15 Rt 4pm Kokomo
Dec 15 Possible HSE
Jan 12 Possible Anderson or Ball State
Jan 26 Lv 6am Rt 3pm FISHERS
Feb 9 Lv 6:15 Rt 4pm Lafayette Jefferson
Feb 23 LV 6:45 Rt 3pm Carmel
Mar 1 Lv 6:30 Rt 6pm SECTIONALS (Park Tudor)
Mar 8 Lv 6:40 Rt ??? DISTRICTS (FISHERS)
Mar 29 Lv 6:15 Rt ??? STATE SPEECH (?????)