The following agreement and guidelines apply for the current school term for all students participating on the Thomas County Central High School Mock Trial or Debate team.

Practice Guidelines

Meeting schedules and expectations will be determined by the coach with the input of team members. Practice is required to ensure an adequate level of performance in competition. Practice attendance may be required as a prerequisite for participation. Mock Trial Team practice should be regarded with the same priority as other high school sports and academic activities.

Online Training

Online materials and assignments may be provided to prepare students for competition and minimize group meetings. Although this an extracurricular program, students who do not participate in using preparatory materials or attending practice and meetings may not be eligible for participation in competition or other team events.

Permission Forms

For a student to be an official member of the mock trial or debate team and to depart for competition, the coach must have a signed copy of the Parental Permission Form and/or Liability Release in possession. This form will cover all mock trial or debate team practice, rehearsals, and competition for the school year. Failure to provide an authentic signed copy of the Parental Permission Form or Liability Release at the time requested by the coach may result in being dropped from the team.

Conduct

Students are expected to represent Thomas County Schools with pride. Students must respect and follow all school rules as specified in the School Handbook. Students should dress in business attire for competition. Smoking, alcohol and loitering in unsupervised areas during competitions or travel is prohibited. Curfews will be enforced. Strategy and dramatic performance must be approved by coaching staff before competition. Any infraction of these and/or other rules will necessitate a conference with administrators and/or parents. Serious offenses could result in a call to parents and a request that the student be ejected from the competition and sent home and/or restricted from team participation. Travel costs after an ejection from a competition will be the responsibility of the student and his/her parent(s). Other penalties may be administered by the school administration. Remember, we are a TEAM! Students should be respectful of themselves and others from our school and other schools.

Awards

All awards will become team and/or school property at the election of the coach. Individual speaker awards remain the property of the team for display in the awards cases for the remainder of the competition season, thereafter, these awards become the property of the winning student. Students should bring all awards to the coach on the Monday morning following the tournament for display and handling.

Agreement

I have read and understand the standards for participation in Mock Trial Team and/or Debate Team competition, and I agree to comply to all current rules and procedures.