Many of you have had pieces for months; some since last spring. Now is the time to do something with them. We all know that the f/s play next weekend will prevent many novices from going to Huntley (too bad!), but everyone else should plan to go. And everyone should be planning to participate in the LFHS tournament on 11/22 and all of the days of prep that week leading up to it.
I have sat down with several of the team leaders this week and discussed what has gone wrong, and we agree that, though the schedule difficulties are at the core of things, the true problem is that too many of our forensicators have not been seeing this as a team. This is not a drop-in center where you come if you want to. This is not a practice-optional party group. It is a team, and we are all working together to try to make each other stronger. We have always had that dynamic in the past and we have to get back to it now.
To that end, we will be altering the practice schedule and expectations beginning this week.
On Mondays, all four coaches will be available for practice and immediate feedback from the previous weekend's tournament. Mr. Pulio can only stay on Monday until 4:30, so it is imperative to see him right away.
On Tuesdays, we will have a required full team meeting. In this meeting, we will discuss the previous weekend, set up the schedule for the next two tournaments, and take care of any odds and ends that need doing. Following this, we will have showcases in which team members perform their pieces for feedback from all of their teammates. After 4:30, we'll break; some will leave, and some will practice with each other or with me or team leaders. I am the sole coach available on Tuesdays.
On Wednesdays, cluster leaders will catch up with anyone who, for legitimate reasons, missed Tuesday's meeting. We will have more showcases for those who are there, and we will also be practicing. All four coaches are again available on Wednesdays.
On Thursdays, the roster for that weekend's tournament will be finalized. Cluster leaders will catch up with members of their groups to determine what needs to be done and who needs work. Ferges, Eccleston and I are available for practice.
On Friday, only Pulio and I are available for practice, and we will prioritize those who are going to the next day's tournament. If there is any additional available time, others may be able to work with us.
Let me eliminate a couple of rumors right now:
- No event is easy! There are no events where you can just waltz on without practice and perform. Some are, it is true, harder than others. But all require you to preactice with coaches.
- Coaches do not bite. Not that I know of anyway. Actually, now that I think of it, I should just speak for myself. Pulio is a bit weird, and I've never been 100% sure about those Frecclestons... But I don't bite. I haven't bitten anyone in...gosh...must be six or seven whole weeks now!
- Your cluster leader is not the only person you can turn to! Some of you are extremely hesitant to approach someone else if your cluster leader is missing. Guess what? They have issues too! There are days when they can't be here, just as there are days when you can't. So talk to someone else! They won't bite either. (No promises about Jeff Nickels.)
- Coaches specialize, but we can all help with anything. I spent all day Friday working with Prose and Verse. Mr. Ferges worked with OC on Thursday. We actually like variety. Call us crazy!
Our own tournament is coming up: the Ferry Forensics Festival on 11/22. It's going to take a whole lot of work to put it on. The cluster leaders are working on organizing the musicals theme, so if you have any interesting and fun ideas that they might like to play with in implementing it throughout the school and the festival, see your cluster leader. We will need all hands on deck on Friday, Nov 21 from 3:30 until at least 9:00. We'll order pizza for a team dinner. Put it on your calendars!!!
Monday is the start of our new 4N6 schedule. See you then!!!
--kt
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