It's March, and it's almost Spring Break!

 

We continue to keep our Stoneman Douglas family close in our thoughts and actions.

 

As we build the skills in our students that will help them fulfill the promise of #neveragain, it's time for our next AST on Wednesday, March 14th, 2018 at Flanagan High School (thanks Susan McGraw and Flanagan Students/Parents)! 

 

Please follow the instructions on this page to register your entries. Remember, each school may only initially enter FIVE students in all events except Congress, in which you can enter TEN. 

 

Registration for NEW ENTRIES will close on Monday, March 12th at 5pm. Waitlisted students will be released then. Changes (drops or name changes) can be made until 12pm on Wednesday, March 14th. Any hidden drops will result in your school being fined $25 per drop. You will be able to make your own changes until 12pm on that Wednesday. Any changes after that, please text Megan West: 940.206.3806 or Justin Weaver: 954.790.8160 the school name, student who is dropping, and her/his event. 

 

All competitors should arrive between 2:00-2:30.  Entrance is on the west side of the school for cars and buses. Do not enter from Taft Street.  Schools who need to arrive early due to bus sharing should email Susan McGraw at falcondebatecoach@gmail.com and she will make special arrangements to accommodate your arrival. From I-75 you will exit on Pines going East.  Turn left on 129 Avenue and turn right just past the middle school to stay on 129 Avenue.  Turn right into the parking lot at the second entrance. From Pines Blvd you will go West past Flamingo and turn right on 129 Ave.  Take first right just past the middle school to stay on 129 Avenue.  Turn right into the parking lot at the second entrance.

 

All judges will report directly to the auditorium upon arrival.  Competitors will report to the cafeteria.  Coaches MUST check in at the tab room in the back of the media center (even if you don't have drops or changes) then join and supervise their teams in the cafeteria. After the Flanagan bell rings, judges will be released to the Media Center. 

 

For PF, the MARCH topic will be used - Resolved: On balance, the current Authorization for Use of Military Force gives too much power to the president.

 

For LD, the MARCH/APRIL topic will be used - Resolved: The United States ought to provide a universal basic income.

 

For Policy Debate, the 2017-18 topic will be used - Resolved: The United States federal government should substantially increase its funding and/or regulation of elementary and/or secondary education in the United States. In addition, at the ASTs all teams MUST use the Novice Policy Packet. Instructions for accessing the packet were emailed directly to all coaches.

 

Extemp topic areas will be "School Safety" and "International Populist Movements", and Impromptu topic areas will be "Spring" and "Irish-Americans".

 

Congress legislation for the spring semester has been emailed directly to all coaches. The spring legislation packet has designations for which bills will be debated in which months, with 4 bills per month. Per usual, chambers might not debate all 4 bills if time does not allow. 

 

More information may be sent out as the tournament approaches. Please let your mentor know if you have any questions about the process.

 

*REMINDER FOR PRIVATE AND CHARTER SCHOOLS: Please remember to bring your $250 made out to the Broward Education Foundation. If you need an invoice, please contact Megan West. 

(vr)