11TH ANNUAL CALIFORNIA MIDDLE SCHOOL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

    21-23 May 2021

    DEADLINE
    11 May 2021
    ELIGIBILITY
    ​Open to 5th-8th graders
    PLATFORM
    Online through
    forensicstournament.net and 8x8

    Information

    ​Greetings to all middle school speech and debate clubs and schools!

    California Middle School Forensics is proud to announce the 11th annual California State Championship.  This tournament is meant to encourage a healthy competition at the state level and provide an opportunity to sharpen competitive speeches before the national tournament.
    Since the COVID-19 pandemic has affected our entire community, we have decided to continue with the tournament on the scheduled date/times.  However, we have made a few changes.
    1. The tournament will be held entirely online.  Please see the Best Practices Guide for additional information regarding the preparation for Internet preparation. This guide will have suggestions and policies regarding specific events. Due to the unusual nature of the circumstances, we may need to adjust this invitation or the best practices document.  Please be patient with us; often times, we have ideas that seem like they will work, and then we need to change our minds because we have found stronger alternatives.  
    2. Throughout the entire tournament, we will have a live help room for anyone having trouble.  The URL will be https://8x8.vc/CMSFHelp
    3. All competitors will be required to have a parental guardian onscreen for the duration of the round or provide a waiver.  The waiver is available when registering students for the tournament.

    The tournament will be held on May 21-23rd, 2021!


    Rules/Event Descriptions:
    All events will follow CMSF rules.  For full list of event descriptions, tournament procedures, and round design, please go to SCJFL.org and click on the RULES & BY-LAWS.  Please note: some tournament procedures in the by-laws are unique to this state tournament only.  Such rules and procedures are marked as “CMSF,” but in the absence of such indications, all other SCJFL rules will apply.  If you have any questions about rules or procedures, please feel free to reach out through the e-mail below.

    Please note that we have included a Best Practices Guide for your reference. The tournament will use this guide for all online tournaments and tab decisions.

    Postings: 
    Postings will be sent to each student by email before the round begins. 

    Awards:
    All competitors advancing to an elimination round shall be awarded for doing so. The tournament shall award school sweepstakes awards for the top three overall schools.  Points shall be calculated in accordance to the CMSF rules and by-laws.
    After the tournament, we will ship the trophies to each school.  Please be patient with us as we get awards to students, but we will make sure that each student who earns an awards receives it.
    The awards ceremony will be streamed onto YouTube for those who would like to watch. We will send a link to all participants on Sunday, May 23rd, just before the awards ceremony begins.

    Eligibility:
    Students from 5th grade - 8th grade are permitted to compete at this tournament.

    Special Rules:
    In keeping with the CMSF by-laws, we would like to call your attention to a few items that may be different from other tournaments.
    • No publication requirements for interpretation events. While students may not write pieces themselves unless the event requires it, they are allowed to use literature from any source, published or non-published.
    • Internet access is permitted for Extemp and all debate events.  Students should not use this access to confer with coaches or other direct outside sources, but may use the Internet to access articles and case files.
    • SPAR times are the following: (2 prep) Pro 2; Con 2; Cross 4; Pro 2; Con 2.
    • Performative plagiarism, as outlined on in the CMSF Rules & By-laws, prevents the “copying the performance of other performers.”  Please review this section of the rules for all students entered in interpretation events. 
    • This tournament will not break brackets for debate outrounds.

    Wellness and Scheduling:
    We have designed the schedule for this tournament with great care.  While we have tried to provide students with the opportunity to compete in as many events as possible, this comes at a potential risk.  We ask that students carefully consider the schedule before deciding to enter multiple events.  The tournament will not delay rounds for students who did not attend a round on time.  Furthermore, students who insist on doing both speech and debate events may risk missing lunch breaks.

    Judges:
    One of our biggest concerns is that we do not run late.  We require each judge to have a reliable Internet connection and use a laptop or desktop computer to evaluate the round.  While tablets and mobile devices are possible, we do not encourage the usage for judges since they will be managing the eBallot and the video screen at the same time.  We recommend that judges open the eBallot on one tab and the video on another.  Judges should be able to toggle between the two easily.  Alternatively, judges can open a new window for the video and position it to the side of the eBallot so that they can view both at the same time.

    Events:
    • Pattern A (Students may not enter events in pattern D)
    - Lincoln-Douglas Debate (Resolved: TBA on May 1st, 2021)
    Lincoln-Douglas will all be randomly assigned for the first two rounds and then power-matched for the remaining preliminary rounds. All elimination rounds will be standard bracket rounds. ​
    • Pattern B (may enter no more than two from the following):
    Humorous Interpretation (10 min. maximum)
    Original Oratory (no visual aids allowed, 10 min. maximum)
    Impromptu (7 min. bank)
    Round 1 - Concrete nouns
    Round 2 - Abstract nouns
    Round 3 - Proverbs 
    Quarterfinal Round - Quotations
    Semifinal Round - Quotations
    Final Round - Quotations
    • Pattern C (may enter no more than two from the following except for Extemp where you can't enter in any other events in this pattern):
    Dramatic Interpretation (10 min. maximum)
    Declamation (10 min. maximum)
    Informative (visual aids are allowed, 10 min. maximum)
    Extemporaneous Speaking (30 min. of prep / 7 min. maximum) - not allowed to enter in another event in this pattern
    Topic areas (in no particular order):
      The Americas
      US Economy
      Middle East
      Domestic News
      Science & Technology
    • Pattern D (Students may not enter events in pattern A)
    - Congress - Congress docket is available at the tournament registration page: TBA
    • Pattern E 
    *SPAR (Topics will be provided at the tournament) 
    **Please note that the semifinals of SPAR will occur at the same time as finals of pattern B, and the finals of SPAR will happen at the same time as the finals of pattern C
    ​***SPAR rounds are paired and run similar to an IE event.  Please see the CMSF Rules & By-laws for more specific information.

    Fines:
    $20 per change for changes made after the May 11 deadline
    $50 No-show fee per competitor (event fees will not be refunded after deadline)
    $200 dropped judge fee after May 18 (per day)
    $20 No-show judge fee (first offense);
    $40 No-show judge fee (second offense);
    ​$50 No-show judge fee (each subsequent offense).*

    *Ballots will be sent to judges approximately 10 minutes before the beginning of each round.  Those who do not receive a ballot but are scheduled to judge that round will be sent a standby notice.  Standby judges should go to 8x8.vc/CMSFstandby and wait for their name to be called.  If a judge is put on standby but does not accept a ballot when their name is called in the judge standby room, that judge will be deemed as a no-show, and penalty fees will apply.

    Coaches’ Meeting:
    We will host a coaches’ meeting for all schools on Saturday, May 29th (virtual room to be announced).  This meeting will not occur during the tournament due to time constraints.  The purpose of the meeting is to ask for community guidance and direction.  We will also hold elections during this meeting.  In accordance with our by-laws, the meeting will be audio recorded and then distributed to members after the competition.  We encourage each school to send a representative to the meeting to give voice to your school’s concerns and thoughts.

    Throughout the entire tournament, we will have a live help room for anyone having trouble.  The URL will be https://8x8.vc/CMSFHelp

    ​Entry Price

    LD only $90
    LD and one speech $105
    LD and two speech $120
    LD and three speech $135

    Congress only $65
    Congress and one speech $80
    Congress and two speech $95
    Congress and three speech $110

    ​SPAR only $65
    SPAR and one speech $80
    SPAR and two speech $95
    SPAR and three speech $110

    If you are not providing a judge, you will pay an additional $110 fee.

    Registration will not be complete until payment is received.
     
    NOTE: We will charge set up fees if we have to create tabroom.com accounts for judges. It is recommended you do so on your own.

    Schedule (ALL)

    Schedule (BY PATTERN)
    Full Combined Schedule*:
    *Specific schedule for each pattern can be found to the right of the combined schedule.
    Pattern A is LD debate.
    Pattern B and C are speech events.
    Pattern D is Congress (this is for students in the Basis Independent Fremont program speech and debate only)
    Patter E is SPAR (this is for students in the GSA educational classes only)


    Friday: May 21st, 2021
    8:00 a.m. Round 1 Pattern A (PF, LD)/ Pattern D ( Cong)
    10:00 a.m. Round 1 Pattern E (SPAR)
    11:30 p.m. Lunch break
    12:00 p.m. Round 2 Pattern A (PF, LD)
    1:30 p.m. Round 2 Pattern E (SPAR)
    3:00 p.m. Round 3 Pattern A (PF, LD) / Round 2 Pattern D (Cong)
    4:30 p.m. Round 3 Pattern E (SPAR)
    6:00 p.m. Round 4 Pattern A (PF, LD)
    7:30 p.m. Quarterfinals Pattern E (SPAR)

    ​
    Saturday: May 22nd, 2021
    8:00 a.m. Round 1 Pattern B (HI, OO, Imp)
    9:30 a.m. Round 2 Pattern B (HI, OO, Imp)
    11:00 a.m. Round 5 Pattern A (PF, LD) /  Round 3 Pattern D (Cong)
    11:00 a.m. IE Lunch break
    12:30 p.m. Debate/Congress lunch break
    1:00 p.m. Round 3 Pattern B (HI, OO, Imp)
    2:30 p.m. Double-Octafinals Pattern A (PF, LD) / Semifinal Pattern D (Cong)
    4:00 p.m.  Semifinals Pattern B (HI, OO, Imp) 
    6:00 p.m. Octafinals Pattern A (PF, LD) / Finals (Congress)
    7:30 p.m. Finals Pattern B (HI, OO, Imp) / Semifinals Pattern E (SPAR)


    Sunday: May 23rd, 2021
    8:00 a.m. Round 1 Pattern C (DI, Dec, Info, Ext)
    9:30 a.m. Round 2 Pattern C (DI, Dec, Info, Ext)
    11:00 a.m. Round 3 Pattern C (DI, Dec, Info, Ext) 
    11:00 a.m.  Debate lunch break
    12:00 p.m. Quarterfinals Pattern A (PF, LD)
    12:00 p.m. IE Lunch break
    1:30 p.m. Semifinals Pattern C (DI, Dec, Info, Ext)
    3:30 p.m. Semifinals Pattern A (PF, LD)
    5:00 p.m. Finals Pattern C (DI, Dec, Info, Ext) /  Finals Pattern E (SPAR) / Finals Pattern A (PF, LD)
    8:30 p.m. Awards
    ​Pattern A debate schedule: PF/LD
    ​    (Students may not enter events in pattern D)
    Lincoln-Douglas and will all be randomly assigned for the first two rounds and then power-matched for the remaining preliminary rounds.  All elimination rounds will be standard bracket rounds.

    Friday: May 21st, 2021
    8:00 a.m. Round 1 Pattern A (PF, LD)
    12:00 p.m. Round 2 Pattern A (PF, LD)
    3:00 p.m. Round 3 Pattern A (PF, LD)
    6:00 p.m. Round 4 Pattern A (PF, LD)

    Saturday: May 22nd, 2021
    11:00 a.m. Rd. 5 Pattern A (PF, LD)
    12:30 p.m. Debate lunch
    2:30 p.m. Double-octas Pattern A (PF, LD)
    6:00 p.m. Octafinals Pattern A (PF, LD)

    Sunday: May 23rd, 2021
    11:00 a.m.  Debate lunch break
    12:00 p.m. Pattern A Quarterfinals (PF, LD)
    3:30 p.m. Semifinals Pattern A (PF, LD)
    5:00 p.m. Finals Pattern A (PF, LD)
    8:30 p.m. Awards

    Pattern B schedule:
    *maximum choose 2 from the following: HI, OO, IMP

    Saturday: May 22nd, 2021
    8:00 a.m. Round 1 B (HI, OO, Imp)
    9:30 a.m. Round 2 B (HI, OO, Imp)
    11:00 a.m. IE Lunch break
    1:00 p.m. Round 3 B (HI, OO, Imp)
    4:00 p.m. Semifinals Pattern B (HI, OO) / Quarterfinals  (Imp)
    7:30 p.m. Finals Pattern B (HI, OO) / Semifinals  (Imp)

    Sunday: May 23rd, 2021
    5:00 p.m. Finals Pattern B (Imp)
    8:30 p.m. Awards

    Pattern C schedule:
    *maximum choose 1 for EXTEMP or 2 from the following: DI, DEC/OI, INFO

    Sunday: May 23rd, 2021
    7:30 a.m. Extemp Draw
    8:00 a.m. Rd. 1 Pattern C (DI, Dec, Ext, Info) 
    9:30 a.m. Rd. 2 Pattern C (DI, Dec, Ext, Info)
    11:00 a.m. Rd. 3 Pattern C (DI, Dec, Ext, Info)
    12:00 p.m. IE Lunch break
    1:30 p.m. Semifinals Pattern C (DI, Dec, Info, Ext)
    5:00 p.m. Finals C (DI, Dec, Info, Ext)
    8:30 p.m. Awards

    Pattern D - Congress schedule:
    (Students may not enter events in pattern A)

    Friday: May 21st, 2021
    8:00 a.m. Round 1 Pattern D (Cong)
    3:00 p.m. Round 2 Pattern D (Cong)

    Saturday: May 22nd, 2021
    11:00 a.m. Round 3 Pattern D (Cong)
    12:30 p.m. Congress Lunch 
    2:30 p.m. Semifinals (Cong)
    6:00 p.m. Final Round (Cong)


    Pattern E - SPAR schedule:
    *SPAR (Topics will be provided at the tournament) 
    **SPAR rounds are paired and run similar to an IE event.  Please see the CMSF Rules & By-laws for more specific information.
    ***Please note that the semifinals of SPAR will occur at the same time as finals of pattern B, and the finals of SPAR will happen at the same time as the finals of pattern C

    Friday: May 21st, 2021
    10:00 a.m. Round 1 Pattern E (SPAR)
    11:30 p.m. Lunch break
    1:30 p.m. Round 2 Pattern E (SPAR)
    4:30 p.m. Round 3 Pattern E (SPAR)
    7:30 p.m. Quarterfinals Pattern E (SPAR)

    Saturday: May 22nd, 2021
    7:30 p.m. Semifinals Pattern E (SPAR)

    Sunday: May 23rd, 2021
    5:00 p.m. Finals Pattern E (SPAR)
    8:30 p.m. Awards (earlier if possible)

    Drop Fee

    Changes or drops after February 22nd will be charged a $10 nuisance fee. Drop requests should be made to Victor and Nadia.

    Please do not drop out last minute to avoid being charged these fees.

    Contact Info

    Victor Rivas Umana
    Contact email:  vrivasumana@tgsastaff.com
    Nadia Budiman 
    Contact email: nbudiman@tgsastaff.com
    Or info@tgsastaff.com

    Registration Form

    ​
    STUDENT INFORMATION
    PARENT CONTACT INFORMATION
    Your email address will be the one included when we send the logistics email.
    EVENT SELECTION
    Make sure you have checked the double-entry policies if there are any. We are not responsible for schedule conflicts.
    *Some elimination rounds happen at the same time even if the preliminary rounds do not. So if you make it to both, you'll need to choose one to forfeit.
    **Please note that the semifinals of SPAR will occur at the same time as finals of pattern B.
    ***Finals for Pattern A, C, E also happen at the same time.
    ​JUDGE PROVISION
    First time judging? Click here to learn how to do it!
    Or watch our Youtube playlist here.
    Next, we found this judging guideline from the platform that we will be using.
    Also, if you are using eBallots for the first time, check out how they work on this link here.
    TERMS AND CONDITIONS

We would love to have you visit soon at one of our open houses.
Check our home page for the schedule!

School year Hours

M-F: 3:45 pm - 8:30 pm 
Sun: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Telephone

510-270-8480
510-470-0531
​510-890-6665

Email (preferred)

For more info email us at: info@tgsastaff.com

Locations

Fremont: 200 Brown Rd #201, Fremont, CA 94539

Radiant Kidz(Cupertino): 991 Saratoga Ave #140, San Jose, CA 95129 

Morning Light Education: 6690 Amador Plaza Rd, Suite 230, Dublin, CA

Aborn Institute: 2804 Riedel Road, San Jose, CA 95135 

Loving Tree Academy: 36601 Newark Blvd, #83, Newark, CA 94560