Public Speaking Contest 2016 Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register?
You can register online here.

My child told their teacher they are participating.  Do I still need to register them?

Yes. Although this event is supported by VTT, RJDS and VHA, registration is handled by Jewish Federation. We do have students from other schools participating, and we need to keep one central database of participants to ensure a successful event.

Can my child participate in both the speech contest and the writing contest?
Yes. However, they cannot submit the same entry for both contests. They must be two separate pieces of work on two separate topics.

How long should my child’s speech be?
Your child’s speech should not be longer than three minutes.  

When should I arrive?
Please plan to arrive by 6:45 p.m., as the contest will begin promptly at 7:00 p.m. Upon arrival, check the posted lists for your room assignment. Please proceed to your room and check in with the moderator. There will also be a staffed information table in case you have any questions.  

How many students are in a group?
Depending on the number of competitors, group size generally ranges from 8-18 kids.  

Can I leave my child’s assigned room in the middle of the competition?
Out of respect to fellow participants in your group, please remain in your assigned room/group until all students have completed their speeches. We understand that sometimes you do have a good reason for leaving before the competition is finished. If that is the case, we ask that you please try to leave quickly, quietly, and only between speeches.

I have more than one child participating. Will I be able to hear both of them speak?
We do our best to ensure that you will be able to hear all of your children by staggering their presentation times. We ask that if you need to hear more than one child, then try to sit in a space that will allow you to easily exit the room. We also ask that you not leave in the middle of anyone’s presentation, but rather between speeches.

My child’s group is done speaking but the other groups aren’t done yet. What do I do now?
If your group finishes earlier than the others, you will have the opportunity to enjoy some snacks, catch up with old friends, and perhaps make some new ones. We ask that you not gather in the hallway, but rather in the auditorium, so as not to disturb those students who are still presenting their speeches. Once all of the votes have been tallied, the closing ceremony will commence, winners will be announced, and prizes will be distributed.

What should my child wear?
If your child is a student at VTT, RJDS or VHA, the school may request that you wear your school uniform to this event. Please check with your school. If your child is at a different school, we suggest that they dress in a respectful manner. While they need not wear dress clothes, we suggest avoiding gym pants, sweats, or t-shirts with slogans or that promote commercial items (video games, certain toys or companies etc.).

When does the evening end?
The evening usually ends around 9:00 p.m.

I hope you find these FAQs helpful.  Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Lissa Weinberger
Manager of Jewish Education and Identity Initiatives
Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver
lweinberger@jewishvancouver.com
604.257.5104