St. Francis High School Academic Teams are groups that compete with other schools in academic events. No experience or background is necessary; however attendance requirements typically are more rigid than other clubs.
- Academic Decathlon:
All students are welcome to join and all can compete. On each team we need students with 3.75-4:00 averages, 3.00-3.74 averages, and 2.99 or below averages. Students will meet other teams from all over the Sacramento area. There are several exciting events planned to prepare for the major competition in February.
Contact Brian Briggs
- Extemporaneous Speaking:
This team is a current events orientated speech team participating in the Sacramento Valley Forensics Tournaments. Students will learn to address current issues such as global warming, the rise of China, poverty, gangs, education and the economy. Although an integral part of the speech team, these extemp speakers will prepare together as a separate squad of the team. No auditions required for extemp squad.
Contact Kay Gaines
- Mock Trial Team:
This team is coached by parents and alumnae with legal or justice system backgrounds. Students meet once-per-week after school until the competition in February. The students prepare to defend and to prosecute a case, serving as attorneys, witnesses, defendants, and court reporters and artists. Students will learn public speaking skills and to think on their feet. This is also the team that prepares real cases for juvenile offenders in Sacramento County who have agreed to be sentenced by a jury of their peers. Additional parent support is welcome.
Contact Rob Gold or Mary Agatstein
- Model United Nations Team:
This team works together to represent a nation member of the United Nations, write resolutions, and discuss key issues with students from other California schools in two-day Model United Nations conventions at UC Berkeley and UC Davis. Students meet once-per-week after school to prepare position papers and plan strategy.
Contact Brian Dodson
- Moot Court:
Moot Court increases youth understanding of the law and our judicial system. A legal professional "coach" helps participating youth prepare and argue an appellate level case before a panel of three judges. School teams are challenged to examine all aspects and both appellant and respondent sides of a case topic that is designed to be timely and responsive to student and community concerns and interests. Students learn to work as a team and develop their critical thinking, analytical, public speaking, leadership, and problem solving skills. They have an opportunity to interact with local leaders, including Appellate Justices, U.S. District Court and Superior Court Judges, and other area legal professionals.
Contact Pat Markham or Mary Agatstein
- Robotics Team:
This award-winning team, one of only a few all-girl teams in the United States, trains students in project engineering, electronics and pneumatics, metals, computer programming, animation and Web design, as well as public relations. The team meets once-a-week in the fall and more frequently in January and February during a six-week build period. Girls do not need any experience, just a love of adventure and a willingness to try something new. Students will compete with others from all over the US in one of the most respected and prestigious events offered to high school students. Parent coaching and support in crucial. Leave the Barbies behind - it's a whole new world out there and it's all yours!
Visit us at our team website, www.sfrobotics.com.
Email us: robotics@stfrancishs.org.
- Speech Team:
The Speech Team offers students training and experience in a variety of speech events such as dramatic and humorous interpretation, impromptu, and original oratory. Students will learn to overcome nervousness in public speaking, gain confidence, practice presentation skills and gain advantages for college and for life. Practices are held after school, once-a-week. Flexible scheduling and one-on-one help make this a good match for busy girls or those who are involved in other teams. If you love drama or just want to conquer the butterflies when you speak in public, this is for you! Tournaments are one Saturday a month, September through March. Students have some flexibility in tournament dates. Auditions are required. Parents commit to judging at two tournaments a year.
Contact Judy Myers
- Toastmasters:
Toastmasters is patterned after the international Toastmasters organization, which helps speakers organize their thoughts and present their information in an effective manner. Students will learn how to begin a speech in an interesting way, "read" their audience, use humor, present clear and concise information and convince others. All Troubies are expected to develop their leadership potential. To do so, you need speaking skills, whether you are in a class, an elected office for student body, class or club, Mock Election or creating a service project. Many academic teams such as Mock Trial, Moot Court, Academic Decathlon or Robotics also involve public speaking. Those who have speaking skills have a distinct advantage for acquiring leadership positions in high school, community organizations and college. Toastmasters helps build skills in a non-threatening, supportive and fun way. This club meets after school, from 3:15-4:30 PM, on every other Thursday beginning September 11, for 8 sessions. Join! You have nothing to lose except your butterflies.
Contact Joe Karkoski
- Mathletes:
This is a unique group of 10-14 St. Francis girls who compete with students from other high schools in solving math problems in after-school monthly competitions. The Mathletes have been organized and directed by math teacher Charles Schwing for many years. Parent help is needed for refreshments and transportation.
Contact Charles Schwing
Students are encouraged to submit an application to join a SFHS Academic Team.
- Submit your application to Kay Gaines, Director of Special Projects.
- You must meet the team participation requirements as indicated on the application.
- Address questions to Kay Gaines, 916-452-3461 ext. 114.
Membership Details
The Academic Team schedules run from late August through February or March. Dates and times for first meetings are announced during the first week of each school year and posted on the bulletin boards.
Like all teams, expertise is developed over a period of years, so the earlier one begins, the greater the payoff.
- New Members Welcome
We invite new team members from all class levels. Join one of the Academic Teams to learn new skills, experience team building, interact with students from other high schools, make new friends, build a resume for college admissions, and have a great time. No background or previous experience is required. You may be able to join more than one, depending upon competition times. Still unsure? Email Mrs. Gaines with your questions, or drop in and visit her in the main office.
- Membership and Responsibilities
Unlike many of the athletic teams, there are no tryouts and no cuts for most teams. However, team membership does commit the student to attending and participating in the weekly meetings and in the competitions just as an athletic team member would attend her sports practices and games.
- Academic Credit Earned
Participation on all academic teams other than Mathletes carries one academic credit per semester. The grade will be based on weekly attendance at team practices, preparation for and participation in competitions, and positive attitude (similar to a grade earned in a sport). This one credit "award" does not bump any other classes in which you are enrolled.
- Parent Help Expected
Parent support is expected in the areas of mentoring students and sharing expertise if possible, helping with competitions, or providing healthy snacks. Parents can donate time, food for meetings, expertise, transportation or supplies. Parents do earn parent service hours for support, and may help on a team other than the one her daughter joins. We will find a way to use parent talents and/or energy. Coaches organize parent meetings at the beginning of each year.
Why Join an Academic Team?
Benefits of Team Membership
- Development of skills and knowledge beyond the classroom.
- Team membership creates friendships, commitment, and "belonging".
- Full commitment over a period of two to four years adds to a student's resume for college. Most of these teams exist in some form in college. Many colleges offer scholarships in these areas.
- The Academic Teams provide special opportunities for new experiences and fun activities.
- These teams are designed to give students an opportunity to compete against teams from other high schools in our four-county area, just like athletic teams do.
- Team members:
- gain skills in cooperative planning and team support,
- meet motivated and positive students from other schools,
- develop the personal and "professional" skills so crucial to success in college and the business world, and
- enjoy the camaraderie of team membership.
FAQs
Parents of team members are reminded that they must have fingerprint clearance, driver forms, and diocesan code of conduct if working directly with students. Contact the Dean of Students or the front office for forms and information.
- May I join more than one team?
Membership on more than one team must be approved by the coaches.
- I have never belonged to an academic team. Will I be welcomed?
Definitely! Teams depend upon an influx of new members each year.
- If I am a freshman, should I wait a year before making a commitment?
The earlier you join, the more skillful you will become over your four years. If you wanted to play on a sport team, you would try-out as a freshman, not wait for a year or two. Think of academic teams in the same way.
- Would participating on an academic team help me get into college?
Colleges value students with specific skills such as public speaking, proven leadership, and commitment.
- How is my team membership recorded?
Coaches submit a progress grade each quarter of the year, with the culminating grade and one credit recorded on your transcript at the end of the year.
- If I join a team, can I drop out if I find that I don't have the time or interest to commit?
Keep in mind that these are teams, not clubs. Your commitment after an initial settling-in period during first quarter is to your team members (just as on an athletic team). You may drop out before October 15 without penalty (except Speech team for which you must audition and commit in August). After this deadline, your commitment is firm and if you drop out, your grade will be negatively affected. These are full-year teams.
- Do I have to have high grades to belong to an academic team?
You must have and maintain a 2.0 GPA (C average with no D's or F's).
- How often does a team meet?
Teams normally meet after school, once or twice weekly. During competitions, teams will practice more frequently. For most teams, competitions are held in January or February.
- Do I have to attend every practice from September through March?
Attendance is a part of your grade. Coaches will offer you some flexibility.
- How does membership on an academic team compare with membership on an athletic team?
Both teams compete with teams from other high schools; both are dependent upon the firm commitment of team members; both provide coaching that enhances skills; both offer students opportunities to make new friends, enjoy competitions, and learn to cooperate as a productive member of a team.
- How does membership on an academic team differ from membership on an athletic team?
Most academic teams do not meet every day, until immediately prior to competition. The academic team season extends from late August through February or March.
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