FAQs about Parent Involvement
Q: Why do I need a CORI check in order to volunteer to work with the Speech & Debate Team and how do I get one done?
A: Massachusetts State Law requires that all people 18 years old or older who work or volunteer in schools have a CORI check done every 3 years. Stop off in the main office at Newton South during school hours (8:30 am - 4:30 pm) and ask for the form to fill out. You will need to have a photo ID with you. The whole process takes about 5 minutes.
Q: I'd like to help out by driving to/from Massachusetts tournaments. What do I need to do?
A: The Newton Public Schools requires that all drivers submit the following documents in order to be allowed to drive other people's children to/from tournaments:
(1) Application to be a volunteer driver
(2) Copy of your valid driver's license
(3) Copy of the registration for the vehicle you will drive
(4) Copy of your current automobile insurance.
Q: Why don’t we use a bus to get to tournaments?
A: A bus is expensive. Since we need parents to judge anyway, it works to have parents drive. Also, a noisy car with 4 students is quieter than a bus with 40 students, and you get to know the students better. If you can judge, but don’t want to drive, we can request drivers who will just drop off and pick up.
Q: Why do parents have to judge? Why don’t we hire judges just like the athletic department hires referees?
A: Most tournaments do not have judges available to hire. We depend upon parent judges and recent alumni who give back to the team to volunteer to make it possible for our students to compete. Even when tournaments do allow for the opportunity to hire judges, it is quite expensive to do so.
Q: What if I don’t feel qualified to judge?
A: Get trained! The best way to learn to judge is to do it. You won’t be alone. Most schools rely on parent judges. Everyone is nervous starting out. Aside from a few basic rules that are printed on every ballot, there is no right or wrong. It comes down to which student performances you like or don’t like. This year there are judge trainings scheduled on:
Q: What if my English language skills are weak?
A: Again, you will not be the only parent in this situation. Judging may actually help you to improve your own skills; however, if you still don’t feel comfortable, we need for you to volunteer in other ways.
Q: What if I work Saturdays or have other Saturday obligations?
A: If at all possible, please try to arrange your schedule to judge at enough tournaments to support your child's participation. If that is impossible, please volunteer in other ways. (Your child will still be responsible for finding a judge to support his/her entry, however.)
A: Massachusetts State Law requires that all people 18 years old or older who work or volunteer in schools have a CORI check done every 3 years. Stop off in the main office at Newton South during school hours (8:30 am - 4:30 pm) and ask for the form to fill out. You will need to have a photo ID with you. The whole process takes about 5 minutes.
Q: I'd like to help out by driving to/from Massachusetts tournaments. What do I need to do?
A: The Newton Public Schools requires that all drivers submit the following documents in order to be allowed to drive other people's children to/from tournaments:
(1) Application to be a volunteer driver
(2) Copy of your valid driver's license
(3) Copy of the registration for the vehicle you will drive
(4) Copy of your current automobile insurance.
Q: Why don’t we use a bus to get to tournaments?
A: A bus is expensive. Since we need parents to judge anyway, it works to have parents drive. Also, a noisy car with 4 students is quieter than a bus with 40 students, and you get to know the students better. If you can judge, but don’t want to drive, we can request drivers who will just drop off and pick up.
Q: Why do parents have to judge? Why don’t we hire judges just like the athletic department hires referees?
A: Most tournaments do not have judges available to hire. We depend upon parent judges and recent alumni who give back to the team to volunteer to make it possible for our students to compete. Even when tournaments do allow for the opportunity to hire judges, it is quite expensive to do so.
Q: What if I don’t feel qualified to judge?
A: Get trained! The best way to learn to judge is to do it. You won’t be alone. Most schools rely on parent judges. Everyone is nervous starting out. Aside from a few basic rules that are printed on every ballot, there is no right or wrong. It comes down to which student performances you like or don’t like. This year there are judge trainings scheduled on:
Q: What if my English language skills are weak?
A: Again, you will not be the only parent in this situation. Judging may actually help you to improve your own skills; however, if you still don’t feel comfortable, we need for you to volunteer in other ways.
Q: What if I work Saturdays or have other Saturday obligations?
A: If at all possible, please try to arrange your schedule to judge at enough tournaments to support your child's participation. If that is impossible, please volunteer in other ways. (Your child will still be responsible for finding a judge to support his/her entry, however.)
