Official Handbook

SOUTH SUBURBAN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

OFFICIAL HANDBOOK 2013-2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS 2

Forward/Participation...... 1 Purpose and Use of Handbook...... 1 Governance of the Association...... 2 Leadership Rotation Schedule ...... 2 Conference Schools…………………………………………………………2 Amendments to Handbook...... 3 Philosophy of the Association...... 3 Student Code of Conduct…………………………………………………...3 Conference Athletic Events...... 4 Contest Manager...... 4 Code of Ethics for The Coaches...... 5 Physical Examination Required...... 6 Eligibility for Participation‚...... 7 Trophies, Medallions and Ribbons...... 8 Cross Country Conference Rules...... 9 Basketball Conference Rules...... 10 Chess Conference Rules...... 12 Volleyball Conference Rules...... 13 Track and Field Conference Rules...... 14 Art Exhibits...... 15 Cheerleading Clinic...... 15 Instrumental Music...... 16 Speech Festival...... 18 Student Council...... 20 Vocal Music Festival...... 20 NJHS Workshop…………………………………………………………….21

SOUTH SUBURBAN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION

FORWARD

The South Suburban Junior High School Association is composed of ten schools, in ten school districts. In any organization that large and diverse, many of the problems experienced will be simply problems of inaccurate, inefficient, or inappropriate communication. This handbook is provided for the use of all South Suburban Junior High School Association activity sponsors, coaches, and administrators, in hopes that permanent and properly communicated guidelines will establish, within the conference, a desired continuity and uniformity of understanding and interpretation.

PARTICIPATION

The strength of the South Suburban Junior High School Association lies in the full participation of each member school in all conference activities. While recognizing that local circumstances may periodically impact on an individual school's ability to participate, it is an expectation that all member districts will exercise all possible options to bring about full participation in all SSJHSA seasons and/or events.

PURPOSE AND USE OF HANDBOOK

1. The purpose of this handbook is to formalize a basic structure for the operations of the Association. 2. Copies of the handbook should be widely circulated among member schools' activity sponsors and coaches. 3. Organizational structures, rules, and regulations found herein should be used to plan and implement conference activities. The handbook will serve as the final authority in cases of disagreement. 4. If the handbook is silent on a particular athletic issue, the rules and regulations of the Illinois Elementary School Association will be utilized for decision making. 5. The handbook will be reviewed in its entirety every four years.

GOVERNANCE OF THE ASSOCIATION

The Association shall be governed by policies established by the collective member Superintendents and organized and administered by the collective member school representatives.

While final authority for decision making shall be vested in the Superintendents, the representatives of the member schools shall be responsible for the day to day operation of the Association, and shall recommend changes consistent with the needs of the students, the philosophy of the Association, and the laws of the State of Illinois and the nation.

Officers for the Association shall be president, treasurer, and secretary. The current leadership positions are:

Leadership Positions

President Columbia Central Treasurer Parker Secretary Forest Trail & James Hart School

CONFERENCE SCHOOLS

1. Brookwood Junior High School 2. Colin Powell Middle School 3. Columbia Central School 4. Crete-Monee Middle School 5. Forest Trail Junior High 6. James Hart School 7. O.W. Huth Junior High 8. Parker Junior High 9. Memorial Junior High 10. Washington Junior High

AMENDMENTS TO HANDBOOK

Suggested changes for the handbook will be considered each spring. School representatives, activity sponsors, or groups within the Association may present proposals for the following year to the SSJHSA Board no later than April 1. Changes will not be considered during any other time. It shall be the responsibility of the current President of the Board to print and distribute copies of all approved amendments to member schools.

PHILOSOPHY OF THE ASSOCIATION

The SSJHSA recognizes that an adolescent is in the process of becoming; no longer a child; and, not yet an adult. To provide for the needs of emerging adolescents, the SSJHSA will provide opportunities for growth outside the student's own school. These opportunities and activities will be governed by the following guidelines:

1. Students will be afforded the widest opportunities for participation in all activities. 2. The prime concern of a student's participation in conference activities is the enhancement of his or her social and emotional growth. 3. While recognizing that certain activities are by nature competitive, teamwork and participation, not winning for its own sake, shall be emphasized.

a. Maximum rotation of students to participate in athletic events is encouraged. b. In the event that there is a conflict between "official" rules and the conference philosophy, the latter shall take precedence. c. Performing arts events will remain non-competitive.

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT All students participating in activities shall be governed by IESA rule 2.091: It is the clear obligation of students, school staff, boards of education, and all other official representatives of member schools in all interscholastic relationships to practice and promote the highest principles of sportsmanship and the ethics of competition, and it is the obligation of the member school to maintain proper crowd control at all interscholastic activities. The Association shall have no responsibility for crowd control nor for the actions of school representatives. The Board of Directors shall have full authority to penalize any member school, any of whose representatives or spectators may be adjudged upon competent evidence to have violated these obligations. Furthermore, the SSJHSA will follow IESA rule 5.101 for any player ejected from a contest: Any player ejected from a contest for unsportsmanlike conduct shall be ineligible for the next interscholastic contest at that level of competition, and all other interscholastic contests at any level in the interim, in addition to other penalties the IESA or school may assess. Any player ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct a second time in any activity during the school year, shall be ineligible for all remaining interscholastic contests the day of the ejection and the next two interscholastic contests at the level at which the ejection occurred in addition to other penalties the IESA or the school may assess.

CONFERENCE ATHLETIC EVENTS

If a strike cancels an athletic contest, the athletic contest will not be rescheduled. A victory is awarded to the non-striking school that is supposed to play. A defeat is administered to the striking school. If a strike cancels a non-athletic event, the principals will discuss the event and make all necessary decisions.

CONTEST MANAGER

Besides the coaches and officials who are responsible for the conduct of the teams and play in general, the management of the site where a contest is played is charged to the host school. The host school representative, or contest manager, is in all cases the building Principal and/or his appointed delegate.

Responsibilities of the contest manager are to provide:

1. A proper environment in which to play; this includes proper lighting, playing equipment, scoring and timing devices, and personnel to insure the proper usage of the devices. 2. A secure environment in which coaches, officials, members of the teams and spectators can participate in a contest with the assurance that they are secure from rowdiness, vulgarity, and other demonstrations of unsportsmanlike behavior. 3. The authority to resolve immediate situations and the responsibility to follow up situations that are unusual or interfere with the orderly conduct of the event.

The contest manager shall not supersede coaches or officials in the orderly progress of a contest but shall, in situations that have become disorderly, assume control and restore order.

CODE OF ETHICS FOR THE COACHES

The coach has the main responsibility for good sportsmanship in the school and community. He is the leader and sets the pattern for the understanding of the sport and all behaviors concerned with it. In order for good sportsmanship to be the guiding principle in athletics for the team, student body, community, and press, he must know what good sportsmanship is and teach it practically to all. As the coach goes, so goes the community. The coach should:

1. At every opportunity urge the student body to be polite, courteous, and fair to the visiting team. Game assemblies, classes, informal meetings, and community gatherings should be used for this type of education. 2. Always display good sportsmanship, losing or winning. Never "boo" or make a scene, or make a, "fool of himself/ herself." 3. Maintain poise and self-control at all times, especially at the games. 4. Teach his team to play fairly, not with "dirty" tactics. Games should be played hard but not at a Win at all Cost level. 5. Be a good host to the visiting team, coach, and crowd. Treat them fairly and with respect as guests in your school. 6. Discipline, and if necessary, dismiss players who disregard good sportsmanship. 7. Educate the players to the fact that it is unsportsmanlike to yell intimidating remarks at the visiting team or officials. 8. Have a good relationship with the press in order to promote the right interpretation of the game happenings. 9. Treat the officials with courtesy and respect. 10. Respect the officials' judgement and interpretation of the rules. 11. Let the officials control the game and put their efforts on controlling their own team. 12. Shake hands with the officials and opposing coach before and after the game.

THE COACH SHOULD NOT

1. Protest the decisions and actions of the officials pertaining to the game during and after the contest, except in the privacy of the coaches' or officials' quarters. 2. Create bad feelings, or misunderstandings, by giving intimidating statements to players, the public, or to the press. Reprimand a player in view of spectators or team members when he comes out of a game. 3. Should never humiliate the other team by pouring it on once the victory is assured. In other words, put your second string in to hold the winning score down. In basketball when the mercy rule is declared by the game officials all pressing by both teams shall stop.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION REQUIRED

The SSJHSA will follow the guidelines of the IESA. All physical exams are good for 395 days from the date on the physical.

NOTE: Once a physical is on file, the student may participate in all conference activities for the remainder of that school year.

ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION 3.050-----AGE QUALIFICATIONS

1. Age and Grade level requirements- a. For all seventh grade athletic activities sponsored by a member school, a student shall be eligible through age fourteen (14). If a student in a seventh grade athletic activity becomes fifteen (15) from the beginning date of practice in an activity as determined by the IESA standardized calendar through the final event in the seventh grade state tournament series in girls basketball, boys basketball, or girls volleyball, he/she is not eligible to participate in that activity. For boys and girls track, the final date of eligibility shall be governed by the member school's size classification. b. For all athletic activities sponsored by a member school, other than activities designated as seventh grade activities as noted above, a student shall be eligible through age fifteen (15). If a student in an athletic activity becomes sixteen (16) from the beginning date of practice in an activity as determined by the IESA standardized calendar through the final event in the state tournament series in that activity, he/she is not eligible to participate in that activity. For boys and girls track, the final date of eligibility shall be governed by the member school's size classification. c. Sixth grade participation will be left up to the discretion of the school. Sixth grade students are able to participate. d. A student shall be permitted to try-out only for those activities for which he/she is eligible by age.

2. Students may play up a grade level unless eligibility rule #1 applies. No student may play down a grade level.

3. It shall be the decision of each school as to whether a student is allowed to participate on multiple teams of the same sport, concurrently.

TROPHIES, MEDALLIONS AND RIBBONS

All trophies/plaques, medallions and ribbons shall be purchased through the SSJHSA designee for the respective activities

Trophies/Plaques

All trophies/plaques are permanent trophies, to be retired at the end of each year, and shall remain with the winning team. In the event that two schools have the same records for first place, an identical trophy/plaque will be provided to both schools. Trophies/plaques will be awarded for the following sports: Scholastic Bowl, Boys' and Girls' Cross Country, Boys' and Girls' Basketball, Boys' and Girls' Volleyball, Chess and Boys' and Girls' Track.

Medals and Ribbons

Art/Choir : Students participating in the SSJHSA Fine Arst Festival will receive a ribbon for earning a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place rating for Best in Show or Most creative. All choirs will receive a plaque for participating in the festival.

Track: Medals will be awarded to the 1st place finishers in each event at each grade level in the area of track - for both boys and girls. Athletes finishing in 2nd through 6th shall receive ribbons.

Cross Country: Medals will be awarded to all 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers at the conference meet. 4th through 10th place finishers will be awarded a ribbon at the conference meet. Requests for trophies, medallions and ribbons shall be presented to the SSJHSA designee at least thirty (30) days prior to their actual need (culmination of the season, conference meet, etc.). The SSJHSA designee and only the SSJHSA designee may purchase trophies, medallions and ribbons and only the SSJHSA designee may submit bills for payment for SSJHSA.

Note: Additional events may be staged to honor athletes in Cross-country, volleyball and basketball. End of the season tournaments will be staged in boys and girls volleyball and basketball.

CROSS COUNTRY CONFERENCE RULES 1. The start date and length of each season will be determined according to IESA regulations. 2. Meets will begin at 3:30 pm or at the discretion of the administration of the school involved in the game, agreed upon, and approved by the visiting school. Each host location must provide restroom facilities. Port-a-johns are the minimum expectation for this purpose. 3. Due to the nature of this sport, unlimited participation of boys and girls is allowed. Sixth grade students are allowed to participate on the seventh grade team. 4. Seventh grade boys and girls teams will run together, but be scored separately in the first race, and eighth grade boys and girls teams will run together, but be scored separately in the second race. 5. The length of the junior high cross country course shall be as near as possible to 2 miles. The course should be walked or thoroughly explained to all participants before the race. 6. No special uniforms are required. For scoring purposes, only the first five runners from each school are to be counted at both grade levels, with boys and girls being scored separately. However, count ten for awards. A. Running Schedule: Seventh grade girls will run first; then seventh grade boys; then eighth grade girls; and eighth grade boys last. B. Course: The surface of the course may be grass, dirt, or asphalt. The course is 2 miles long. Shoes must be worn. A course map will be provided by the host school; also student guides may be provided if desired by conference schools. C. Scoring: Each coach will instruct his runners to be sure to receive a place stick in the finish chute. The coach will place sticks in the envelope, fill out the envelope, and return to scorer's table immediately after each race. D. Finish Line: The finish of the face will be at the neck (narrow part) of the chute. Each runner must pass through the chute under his own power and take his placement stick. No help will be allowed. No pacing or coaching will be allowed during the running of a race, or a runner will be disqualified. E. Scoring Procedures: There will be a maximum of seven (7) runners allowed at each grade level for each boys' and girls' team. Only five (5) runners will be scored from each school, but the other two runners will be considered in team placements. F. Entry List: Each coach must submit their seven (7) runners of each team to the meet directors by indicated time. Runners may be substituted or scratched at the pre-meet coaches' meeting to be held. G. Eligibility: An eligibility list certifying the age of each contestant must be exchanged with each member school prior to the conference meet. H. Conference School Responsibilities: Each school will be asked to provide one coach to be a course field judge in the interest of participant safety and fairness. This person will have a student assistant provided by the host school to run information back to the finish line judge at the close of each race. These judges will be used instead of flags to keep runners on course. I. Bus Information: (Example) Please have your bus drivers park on the gravel parking lots next to the tennis courts to avoid traffic congestion. J. Game Committee: All final rule interpretations will be made by the game committee. The game committee shall be appointed by the sponsoring school.

BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL CONFERENCE RU LES

1. The start date and length of each season will be determined according to IESA regulations. 2. Conference games will consist of four six-minute quarters with regulation clock as Illinois Elementary School Association rules. 3. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players at all times, at all games. 4. Each home school shall be responsible for supplying timers and score-keepers for the entire game at each grade level, both of whom are adults. Home school coaches are not expected to keep time or score. 5. Minimum of ten (10) minutes for warm-up and ten (10) minutes between halves. 6. Game balls should be with a leather cover. 7. Scholastic eligibility is left to the discretion of the individual school. 8. Teams will be organized at the seventh and eighth grade levels. Players will be allowed to play a total of five quarters per day. Students may play on multiple grade level teams on the same day. Sixth graders are allowed to participate on the seventh grade team. 9. Games will begin at 3:30 pm or at the discretion of the administration of the school involved in the game, agreed upon, and approved by the visiting school. 10. Student spectators and cheerleaders of the visiting school are to be discouraged from attending away games due to lack of space. 11. The ball for the girls' season will be the size in use at the high school level as per IESA rules. 12. A pool of officials will be available for the conference at a rate of $67.00 per set of games and a rating card will be filled out on each official after every game by the coaches. 13. Scores must be put in to Athletics 2000 by 9:00 am the day following the contest. Both the home and visiting school are responsible for entering the scores. 14. A locker room key for visiting team (coaches) is to be provided. 15. IESA rules will determine the length of the season and the number of games each team is allowed to play. 16. A student may play on multiple teams (decision of individual school and individual student). 17. A mercy rule has been adopted for all SSJHSA and IESA regular season contests and tournaments. The mercy rule is not used during the IESA state tournament. The following guidelines for the administration of the mercy rule shall be used: a. A running clock shall be utilized during the fourth quarter in contests with a 30 point differential in score. b. Once the clock begins running continuously because of the point differential, it is to remain running for the rest of the contest, even if the point differential drops under the 30 point barrier during the fourth quarter. c. If a contest should begin its fourth quarter with a 30 point differential in score or greater, the entire fourthquarter will be played with a running clock. The running clock shall not be used prior to the fourth quarter of any contest. d. If, while using the running clock because of the point differential and the trailing team somehow tied the contest at the end of regulation, any and all subsequent overtime periods would be played using the continuous clock. e. The running clock would only be stopped once it starts for the following: 1. A team timeout, 2. To replace a disqualified player,

3. To administer a technical foul, 4. To attend to an injured player, 5. Any other situation of concern to an official. 18. There will be an end of the season tournament for all conference teams. It must be completed prior to the start of IESA Regional competition. 19. Any conference all-star games will be conducted after the completion of the IESA State Series and prior to the end of season date as mandated by the IESA.

CHESS CONFERENCE RULES

1. Teams will follow the girls' basketball schedule with sponsors scheduling within the framework. Each school should attempt to schedule a home and away match with each participating school. 2. Matches will begin at 3:30 pm or at the discretion of the administration of the school involved in the game, agreed upon, and approved by the visiting school. 3. Teams may schedule matches with non-conference schools. 4. There will be sixth, seventh, and eighth grade teams in each school. Each school will attempt to have eleven (11) members on a team. 5. All rules of the United States Chess Federation will be observed. 6. Touch Move - Touch Take, will be the rule of play. 7. If the piece is released, the play is over. 8. To straighten pieces on the board, a player must say, "adjust." 9. Ties will be broken by reverting back to Board One. The winning player at Board One determines the winner of the match in the event of a tie. If Board One ties, the determination of a winner moves to Board Two, and so on. 10. There will be a first place conference trophy for the sixth, seventh, and eighth grade teams winning the conference tournament. In the event of a tie at the conference tournament, duplicate trophies will be awarded. 11. All questions about play will be resolved by the sponsors present. 12. Sponsors will have an organizational meeting prior to the season to review and/or revise the rules for chess. 13. If both schools agree beforehand, 6th graders may attend dual meets but must compete against other 6th graders. Only scores of 7th and 8th grade matches will be used for determining the winner of the meet.

VOLLEYBALL CONFERENCE RULES

1. The start date and length of each season will be determined according to IESA regulations. 2. Matches will begin at 3:30 pm or at the discretion of the administration of the school involved in the game, agreed upon, and approved by the visiting school. 3. Teams will be organized at the seventh and eighth grade levels. Players will be allowed to play a total of three games per day. Students may play on multiple grade level teams on the same day. Sixth graders are allowed to participate on the seventh grade team. 4. Game balls shall be regulation leather volleyballs. 5. Paid officials are the responsibility of each school. Officials will be paid $57.00 for each set of games. 6. All conference schools have the option of purchasing uniforms. 7. Student spectators from the visiting school are to be discouraged from attending away games because of space limitations. 8. Per the IESA the girl’s volleyball net will be 7' 0" at the pole with a taut net. The boy’s net will be 7' 4 1/4". 9. Pre-game warm-ups will be timed according to the current IESA rules. 10. All games final score shall be 25 points – Rally Scoring, but must win by two (2) points. A point will be given to a team during every serve, you don’t have to serve to receive the point. Balls are playable when they hit the net, even on the serve. 11. Per the IESA rulebook, the Libero position will not be used. 12. Coaches are responsible for the conduct of their players at all times. 13. Scholastic eligibility will be defined by the IESA Eligibility Policy for sports that are IESA. Eligibility for non-IESA sports will be up to the individual schools 14. Scores must be put in to Athletics 2000 by 9:00 am the day following the contest. Both the home and visiting school are responsible for entering the scores. 15. The winner of the match is the school who wins two out of three games. If a school wins the first two consecutive games, a third game will be played to fifteen. 16. There will be an end of the season tournament for all conference teams. It must be completed prior to the start of IESA Regional competition. 17. Any conference all-star games will be conducted after the completion of the IESA State Series and prior to the end of season date as mandated by the IESA. 18. Level of Play in the conference tournament shall be defined according to the IESA Tournament Policy.

TRACK AND FIELD CONFERENCE RULES

1. The start date and length of each season will be determined according to IESA regulations. 2. Conference meets will be scheduled between schools by the school representatives at their February Board Meeting. Each school will endeavor to provide dates and times at their local high school for the schedule of dual and or tri meets. When necessary Quad meets may be scheduled. 3. Meets will begin at 3:30 pm or at the discretion of the administration of the school involved in the game, agreed upon, and approved by the visiting school. 4. Sixth graders are allowed to participate, but must compete at only one grade level. 5. The conference track meet should be scheduled in May prior to the IESA Sectional Meet. 6. The SSJHSA will provide funds for an official starter for each conference track meet. 7. All schools will submit lists for each team giving providing the names of each student running in each event. Scratches and replacements for relay teams only, will be allowed at the scratch meeting held on the day of the meet. Conference meet entries may utilize an online assignment site such as Sydex. 8. Field Events (Boys and Girls) A. Shot Put-eight pound B. Discus-girls size (rubber) C. Long Jump D. High Jump 8. Running events and their order at the conference meet (Boys and Girls) A. 110 meter low hurdles (heats) – girls/boys B. 100 meter dash (heats)- girls/boys C. 1600m Run- girls/boys D. 4 X 200m Relay- girls/boys E. 4 X 100m Relay- girls/boys F. 400m Dash- girls/boys G. 200m Dash- girls/boys H. 800m Run- girls/boys I. 4 X 400m Relay- girls/boys 9. Scoring of team points at conference meet: Place Team and Relay Points 1st 10 2nd 8 3rd 6 4th 4 5th 2 6th 1 The scoring should be subject to change in accordance with the IESA rules, which are based on the number of schools in the conference meet. 10. Students can participate in four events, three of which may be running events. Current IESA rules will always apply. 11. All rules not covered by conference will be rules on by the IESA track rules.

12. During the conference track meet, times will be taken for all places. All preliminary heats should be timed. Participating schools will be limited to two participants per event for each grade level. 13. A starter and timer will be assigned for the conference meet. He/She will be compensated at $200 per day.

CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES (NON-ATHLETIC)

ART EXHIBITS

1. PURPOSE:

The primary goal of any art program must be the development of the whole child. Much of our educational system deals with only cognitive function - especially at the middle or junior high level. Therefore, it is incumbent on the visual arts to develop the affective and productive domain through the art process.

2. PROGRAMS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF GOALS

A. Exhibit of conference art work. B. Teacher observation, exchanging ideas.

GROUP EXHIBIT

Each school will contribute student works of art to be exhibited. The art exhibit will be paired with the choir festival.

CHEERLEADING CLINIC

1. The SSJHSA will establish a date for the clinic. 2. The sponsoring school will invite a high school team of cheerleaders to demonstrate various skills and routines at the clinic. 3. An organizational meeting will be held prior to the clinic date. 4. No competition will be involved in any manner. Rather, the goal of the clinic is to share ideas and view new routines leading to the development of enthusiasm and inspiration in respective conference cheerleading teams. 5. Suggested format for clinic: A. Arrival, Registration, and Warm-up B. Welcome Cheer - Welcome and announcement of order of performance C. Combination Cheers - All Schools Individually 1) 7th Grade - all schools 2) 8th Grade - all schools D. Discussion 1) Sideline cheers 2) Floor cheers 3) Practice clinics 4) Methods of trying out 5) Anything else of interest E. Demonstration by guest high school cheerleaders F. Stunts, tumbling, and other skills exchange

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

1. PURPOSE:

The statement of philosophy for the South Suburban Junior High School Association makes a very strong commitment to providing opportunities for the largest number of students to participate in its sponsored activities. To this end, the Instrumental Music Festival has been organized so that each member band and orchestra unit can have an opportunity to perform before a clinician and the general public. It is expected that all unit members from each school will be involved in the performance. The program as sponsored is a festival and as such no awards or ratings are given.

2. HOST SCHOOL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The host school will be responsible for providing the member schools with a packet outlining the details of the festival and schedule of performances as suggested by the topics below. The host school should also organize and conduct an organizational meeting which may result in additions to this program.

3. PROGRAM :

To be determined by host school.

4. TIME SCHEDULE:

To be determined by the school.

5. ARRIVAL SCHEDULE:

Each of the four groups which are scheduled to participate during the sessions should plan to arrive just prior to the beginning of their session and to stay for the full length of the performances as a matter of courtesy. Home rooms will be provided so that, as you arrive, your students will have a place to store coats and instrument cases before performing. Arrival time will be determined by the host school.

6. HOME ROOM ASSIGNMENTS:

As needed. Determined by the host school.

7. UNIFORMS :

Each student is to wear his uniform during the day's activities. Facilities for changing clothes will not be made available by host school.

8. STUDENT BEHAVIOR:

Each director is responsible for the behavior of the members from their school. We do not expect problems.

9. CHAPERONES:

Each band and orchestra director is to furnish their own chaperons in sufficient numbers to assist in adequately supervising their organization's membership.

10. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:

In the hope of providing an opportunity for each group to participate before a large audience, parents are urged to attend the festival. Notices home to parents, news releases, or individual invitations are suggested as ways to inform the public.

11. FESTIVAL OFFICE:

A festival office will be provided by the host school. Programs should be provided by the host school.

12. SEATING DURING THE PERFORMANCE:

To be determined by host school.

14. COST OF GUEST ADJUDICATOR

The conference has set aside $300 for the cost of each guest adjudicator. If the host school spends over that amount they will assume responsibility for the additional cost.

SPEECH AND THEATER ARTS FESTIVAL

1. PURPOSE A. To provide students experience in speech and dramatic arts performance. B. To provide a goal for participation in the school program.

2. ORGANIZATION OF THE FESTIVAL A. Responsibilities of the host school - 1. To schedule the events and the order of student participation 2. To provide performance and home room facilities 3. To provide judges and timers 4. To provide participating sponsors with all pertinent information B. Responsibilities of participating schools - 1. To submit a typed list of entrants and the activities in which they will participate by the announced deadline 2. To notify host school sponsor at earliest possible date of any additions, deletions, or substitutions to their list of entrants at least two weeks prior to the date of the festival 3. To supervise the behavior of their own students while at the host school

3. STRUCTURE OF THE FESTIVAL:

A. Participation 1. Each school may enter thirty (5 students x five events + 5 for duet acting) students. Each school may have up to five (5) entries in each of five (5) events. 2. Students are limited to participation in only one event. B. Events 1. Poetry reading (serious or humorous) a. A podium will be available for use b. May be memorized c. Time limit is 1 - 3 minutes d. A student's program may consist of a single long poem or a unified series of shorter poems. e. The works may be original or published 2. Monologue Acting (serious or humorous) a Must be memorized b Time limit is 3 - 7 minutes c Selections may present one character only d Selections may be published or student written material e No props or costumes allowed, although a chair may be used 3. Oral Interpretation (serious or humorous) a. A podium will be available for use b. Reading must be performed with a text present c. Time limit: 3 – 7 minutes d. Text may be a children's story, a short story, or a cutting from a play e. Text may present more than one character f. Text must be published material

4. Duet Acting (serious or humorous) a. Must be memorized b. Time limit is 3 „ 7 minutes c. The selection must be published material which provide balance parts for two actors d. No props or costumes e. Two chairs and one table will be available for use 5. Original Oratory a. A podium will be available for use b. The speech should be 3 - 5 minutes and performed from memory or from note c. The speech may be informational or persuasive in nature d. Use of audio/visual aids is prohibited e. The speech must be written by the student performer ...... C. Miscellaneous Guidelines 1. Each student must begin his/her performance by stating a. His/her name b. Selection title c. Selection Author 2. Students are not to mention the name of their school 3. Any introduction beyond this should be optional. 4. A student may be prompted a maximum of three (3) times during the presentation of memorized materials without penalty 5. The student has a margin of one (1) minute to either direction of the stated time limit before he is penalized 6. No one may enter a performance room once a round has begun. 7. No one may leave a performance room once a round has begun.

D. Judges 1. There will be one judge present for each event 2. Every attempt will be made to obtain the services of qualified judges 3. Judges will be sent an informational packet 4. Judges will be paid for their services. $75 per judge provided by SSJHSA. 5. Students will be rated as, "superior," "excellent," or "good" and judges will provide comments to explain the rating assigned E. Timekeepers 1. The host school will provide a timekeeper/room monitor for each performance 2. The timekeeper will record each student's performance time and will stop any performance that goes beyond one minute overtime. 3. Time statistics will be included with each school's critique forms. 4. At the end of each round, timekeepers will collect judges' critiques and return them, with time sheets, to Festival headquarters.

STUDENT COUNCIL

1. The Principals shall establish a conference date and select a host school to sponsor the Student Council event. 2. An organizational meeting shall be called of the host school well in advance of the conference date for purposes of planning. 3. The main purpose of the event shall be to share ideas among conference schools. 4. In addition to the Student Council conference event, schools are highly encouraged to invite officers from other schools to visit their school and observe Student Council meetings and other activities. Arrangements for such visits are to be worked out by the individual schools. 5. The budget for the Student Council event is $1000. If the host school spends more than the allotted amount they will assume responsibility for the additional cost.

VOCAL MUSIC FESTIVAL

1. PURPOSE OF THE CHORAL MUSICAL FESTIVAL:

A. To provide students experience in choral performance. B. To provide students the opportunity to hear the choral groups from the other conference schools. C. To provide students experience in large groups. D. To provide students experience in working with a prominent guest.

2. ORGANIZATION OF THE FESTIVAL

A. Responsibilities for the host school: 1. To set a meeting for preliminary planning with the vocal directors in the conference. 2. To select the guest clinician and provide them with all information. 3. To provide all the participating schools with the pertinent information of: arrival times, rehearsal times, room assignments, music for performance in large group. 4. To schedule the order of participation. B. Responsibilities of participating schools: 1. Directors to attend preliminary planning meeting. 2. To provide their own group with music for the group performance. 3. To submit a list of entrants with addresses and telephone numbers. 4. To arrive on scheduled time and go to practice room on schedule. 5. To provide host with list of numbers that each school will perform individually. 6. To supervise the behavior of their own students while at the host school.

3. STRUCTURE OF THE FESTIVAL A. Participation: 1. Each school should enter their top performance choir (not ensemble). 2. Each school should perform two numbers of their choice. B. Schedule of Events:

1. Each school arrives and goes to its assigned home room. 2. Students will assemble in performance area in the proper order. 3. Program will be presented for the pubic in the order set by host school.

4. ARRIVAL SCHEDULE

Each of the four groups which are scheduled to participate during the sessions should plan to arrive just prior to the beginning of their session and to stay for the full length of the performances as a matter of courtesy. Home rooms will be provided so that, as you arrive, your students will have a place to store coats and instrument cases before performing. Arrival time will be determined by the host school.

5. COST OF FESTIVAL

The conference has set aside $600 (choir and art festival) for the cost of the guest clinician, accompanist, and other costs associated with the festival. If the host school spends over that amount they will assume responsibility for the additional cost.

NJHS Workshop

4. The Principals shall establish a conference date and select a host school to sponsor the NJHS Workshop event. 5. An organizational meeting shall be called by the host school well in advance of the conference date for purposes of planning. 6. The main purpose of the event shall be to share ideas among conference schools. 7. In addition to the NJHS conference event, schools are highly encouraged to invite officers from other schools to visit their school and observe NJHS meetings and other activities. Arrangements for such visits are to be worked out by the individual schools. 8. The budget for the NJHS event is $400. If the host school spends more than the allotted amount they will assume responsibility for the additional cost.