I’ve been in my new office at UIL for a couple weeks now but still feel like someone who’s been moved to a new classroom after hoarding and saving materials for decades in the same places. Where would that document be saved? If we that document be saved? If we have that data from years past, where would it be fi led? If the answer to that coach’s question is not in the C&CR, do we have a written policy?
I’m quite certain David Trussell is going through the same thing in his new elementary and junior high offi ce and wondering if the organizational system he inherited is a refl ection of my intelligence or only of a personality quirk.
And some of you are probably still grumbling under your breath and trying to get organized after new fl ooring or air conditioning installation, asbestos removal, technology overhauls, new room assignments or even new teaching positions wrecked havoc in your traditional work space. I frequently recall my mother’s familiar counsel of, “This, too, shall pass.” And just like when I was a teenager, I want to respond with, “Yes, but I want it to pass now!”
Here’s hoping that most of you got off to a smooth start to the new school year and that the rest of us catch up and settle in quickly. We have recently mailed the UIL Academic Coordinator’s Manual to all high schools, so if you’re a coordinator and didn’t get one, check with your principal or the people who sort campus mail. If no one can locate it, email and let us know.
The package also contained a contact information form, and it’s critically important that we have an accurate email for the academic coordinator on your campus. If that information hasn’t changed from last year, there is no need to register again, but if you are a newly appointed coordinator (congratulations!) or if you have not been receiving emails from the UIL academic department, you need to complete the form online (under Useful Information for Coordinators on our Web site) or complete and fax the form to us. We will communicate with schools via email concerning any corrections to materials, clarifi cations, issues before the Legislative Council, etc.
It’s not a bad thing in this year of transition for League staff that we have very few rules changes for the 2005-06 contest year. Rule changes for all areas of UIL competition are summarized in Appendix V of the Constitution & Contest Rules, page 257 and posted on our Web site. Those for high school academic contests include prohibiting a student who is disqualifi ed for violation of a contest rule from advancing in that contest as a member of the team to the next level; allowing greater fl exibility in scoring the computer science contest; and the creation of a pilot theatrical design contest. The guide for this pilot contest is available on the one-act play section of our Web site.
We’ll be visiting with coordinators and coaches throughout the year to get your input on future rules or scheduling changes that might be need to be considered. I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet many academic coaches and coordinators at the Capital Conference in Austin this past July and to visit with folks that I’ve known for years through coaching or my tenure at UIL. I’m hoping to meet many more of you at one of our Student Activities Conferences this fall. The dates for those are printed on page 9 and additional information and the general schedule is available on our Web site. We will be posting programs with buildings, rooms and presenters as each site schedule is fi nalized.
These conferences are a great opportunity to get a head start on preparing for spring meet competition and to hear state contest directors discuss the specifi cs of most academic contests. You will have a chance to meet our two new state contest directors, Larry McCarty for the high school social studies contest and Ruben Rodriguez for ready writing.
Many speech and theatre sessions are presented by experienced coaches and directors, in addition to those conducted by the state directors, and some workshops include student performances. Mark the date of the closest conference on your school calendar, make necessary arrangements for transportation, see that coaches and potential competitors know what’s available, load up the bus and join us! It’s free and well worth your time. And if we’re lucky, by then the temperature will be less than 100 degrees.
I’m really looking forward to the year ahead, the challenges of continuing to provide quality, consistency and equitable competition, and the fun of working with wonderful people here in the offi ce and across the state. As a former UIL competitor (academics, theatre, athletics and music), coach, district coordinator and assistant UIL academic director, I have an enduring passion for the activities and competitions the League provides and tremendous respect for those of you who make such opportunities available to students. Feel free to contact me if you have questions or need assistance, and best wishes for a great academic year!