Parent Staff Alumni
Squad Strat & Solo Games
This unique group is intended to provide an opportunity for parents, teachers & former RCHS students to play together, against each other, and to play in friendly competition against our current student teams. To be eligible, you must be a parent of a current or former RCHS student, a current employee or teacher in the WUSD, or a former RCHS student.
*RCHS students in those who attended briefly but did not graduate. To establish your bona fides fill out your appropriate interest form above.
FAQs Parents Staff Alumni
Parents & Staff tend to have additional questions beyond the mechanics of playing, registering, paying, etc. Only a few of these FAQs are repeated on our FAQ page. These Gaming PTA FAQs are, in part, derived from questions commonly asked of Esports Leagues, Google internet searches, and parents of some non-RCHS students given to me via PM in Discord.
Do I have to "sign" any forms for my child to participate on the team at school?
No. ALL games are played at a students home, or site you approve of. If parents / guardians don't want their child to participate, they can limit participation from home, as they see fit. There are presently NO team or solo practices held at RCHS. HOWEVER, if we ever acquire access and material for an RCHS Homework Gaming Lab, parent / guardian consent would be required.
Why was my child / student suspended from the team for using an epithet, cursing, bullying, trolling, or other toxic behavior?
Students signed and/or agreed to and/or acknowledged an accord to which they are a party, saying they will NOT under ANY and ALL circumstances engage in toxic behavior, including, but not limited to, the use of epithets, cursing, bullying or trolling. Ignorance of an epithets origins, use, intent, acceptable audience, etc., are all excuses. The behavior must stop and there is no tolerance for this language. ANY equivocation makes all discipline in this regard pointless, which will result in our entire teams removal, without refund, from all League(s) with Non-toxic communication rules. When appropriate a single warning is given to the impacted team(s), as a whole.
Why did the league change our loss to a win / win to a loss?
This information should have been passed on by the IGL, Captain, Lead, Liaison, etc. Someone likely filled out a 'protest' form to ask to change the result. Rule violations, cheating, or forfeit, are some among many reasons for a possible change.
How much time should I play?
Playing should be playful!!! Play is NOT practice. Play should be fun. If it's not fun, you should stop. Practice can be work, but ultimately fun or satisfying. Unless you're doing this as a job (live streaming ad revenue or pro-gaming) 40 hours/week are too many hours. Frustration, upset, loss and some sadness occur in gaming, but these should be fleeting and/or ultimately result in a feeling of success.
How much should my student/child practice each week?
Practice for TEAM members is targeted at about 5-15 hours per week during a 10 week regular season. It is done with intent. We seek to build muscle memory, routines, coordinated moves, communication, and strategies (strats)... all of this is PLANNED, developed, and practiced. In-game tactics are practiced to test & implement stats. I am well aware that many amateurs practice for 40-60 hours / week, but UNLESS you know you're going to be on a competitive team earning money, you need to get a job.
Is this really a sport?
Yes. Students compete to win using strategy, muscle memory, and sustained mental focus - so, yup, definitely a sport, just less sweaty. Maybe AS sweaty as Archery. Click here for more.
This stuff is button mashing, really, right? I mean I can win at these games.
No, and no you can't. If you can, prove it - join the team and win prizes or stop whining. Also, stop trolling. Delete your account.
Do FPS games result in violence in real life?
No. This is one of the most common misconceptions out there. Many studies have attempted to find some kind of cause-and-effect link to these games, but none of the studies can find any conclusive links. The most recent research, again, concludes that there is no connection between real world violence and video games - ESPECIALLY competitive gaming.
Won't video games decrease my child's attention span?
No, not competitive video games. These require great amounts of sustained attention, engagement, and focus. Some games provide breaks between action to consider changes to tactics, akin to Tennis, or time to recall a set-play and talk with teammates just prior to the next play, like Football. Others don't have a mental break, and require intense sustained attention for up to 45 minutes, before a break. This is more akin to soccer (meh, sort of), off-road biking, competitive sailing, or cross-country skiing and running, inasmuch as all of the latter require complete attention due to changes occurring immediately in front of us for the duration of the event with no time to stop and re-think. All changes are happening simultaneous to the action.
Are video games therapy?
No, not competitive video games. There are some very specific therapies that have been and are being developed using video games, but we don't play these games in competitive league play.
What value do video games have?
Way to many to mention at the moment... I'll try updating this later. Try using a Google search.
How are you promoting equity?
I want to include as many members from our diverse student population as possible, while also attempting to close the economic gap for students with low incomes and/or parents with atypical work hours. Different types of games have been included in the HSEL which is the League we most commonly play in.
What is toxic gaming or toxic behavior?
Google search until I can get this filled in...
How can we control and eliminate the use of epithets and slurs, libel and slander?
Start with team talk - and typing - don't type epithets, slurs or foul language. IGL's and ALL students sign an accord, which reinforces some simple but effective means for abatement. Replacement curses - replacing the 's' word with 'sugar' for instance... but find your own... be creative! The most commonly heard are slurs for women, homosexuals, sexuality in general, and racial epithets. There's MUCH to unpack here, but suffice to say - without this club AND an explicit discussion with our students, this behavior tends to occur in a consequences free vacuum. Replacements for these words are suggested as part of a separate and intentional discussion with teams early in the year. Yes, it's that important.
I am concerned about how much my child plays video games - it seems to be too much. Can you be "addicted" to video games?
Yes, some psychologists agree that it is very possible to become addicted to handheld phones, social media, or even video games. If you are concerned you or your child are actually addicted to video games, you may click here to read a recent article. We should be asking the following question as our students play: While playing video games, are our students being social, developing relationships, using and developing success strategies, failing and then using introspection and analysis to attempt success? When some of these collapse, our brains reward center is likely no longer engaged. It has been my experience that many students want to quit at some point during a season. Much of this had to do with the structure of play, and the administration of matches, which used to be burdensome. This process is continually being changed in efforts to focus on play and genuine competition.
Donations
Click here to donate a thing --> equipment, laptop, headset, controller, chair, table, adapter, power strip, CAT6e+ cable, a computer lab, or cash... wait, we can't accept online donations from cards. Really, you say?! That's right, if you want to make a monetary donation by 'clicking' something, and pay electronically... uh, nope... I know, seems crazy. Don't give up though!
68% of our students are on free or reduced lunch. At least 30%+ of players missed games last year* because they didn't have access to a connection, console, pc and/or game from home. There are even more who never sign-up because they know their reality all to well. You and I know video games are fantastic, and we and our students love gaming. Think - if we can close the gap for our students in need, getting them access to laptops & PCs - word spreads! Imagine our students who need to get work done AND want to hang out and game... well, guess what? "Let me help you get started on the homework real quick, then let's get in here and game." Building, daily, or thrice weekly, that habit... homework, socializing, and then my reward - gaming.
Can you SERIOUSLY think of ANY OTHER THING that our students fail at - over and over and over and over again - but they keep coming back to it, willingly, trying over and over again to succeed!? SPORTS & MUSIC, right?! Students persevere! They engage with others and share experiences. With Esports, the HEART of team sports competition is laid bare --> strategic thinking, planning, tactics, communication, coordination, dynamism, leadership, and focus. Donate here to help us build our RCHS gaming lab. Donate here to get us some more computer resources. Sponsors click here. Donate here for other sports. Donate Esports uniform pieces here.
So, if you are streaming and collecting bits and money, and you want to donate to the school, don't make commitments without getting approval first, or just collect money without declaring the cause and send us some money via check or a wad of cash.
Video Game Addiction
According to the World Health Organization, Video Game addiction describes a condition "...in which people lose control of their gaming behavior, give priority to gaming over other interests and activities, and continue gaming despite negative consequences, such as impairments in their family relationships, social lives, work duties or other areas." See this article. Text has been copied below.
Video Game Addiction Becomes Official Mental Disorder in Controversial Decision by WHO
Video games can be highly engrossing, but can some people become ? The World Health Organization (WHO) says yes.
Recently, the WHO officially recognized "gaming disorder" as a mental health condition — adding the disorder to the , or the ICD-11, the organization's official diagnostic manual, according to CBS News.
Simply playing a lot of video games isn't enough to count as a disorder. Rather, the disorder occurs when gaming interferes with people's daily lives. According to the WHO, gaming disorder is a "pattern of persistent or recurrent gaming behavior" in which people lose control of their gaming behavior, give priority to gaming over other interests and activities, and continue gaming despite negative consequences, such as impairments in their family relationships, social lives, work duties or other areas.
A person typically needs to have symptoms for a year in order to be diagnosed with the disorder, WHO said.
The topic of video game addiction has been controversial. The (APA) did not include video game addiction in its most recent edition of the (DSM-5), published in 2013. At that time, the APA said there wasn't enough evidence to determine whether gaming disorder is a unique mental health condition, but recommended further research in the area.
The video game industry also opposes the classification. In a released on Saturday (May 25), the Entertainment Software Association and others in the industry called on the WHO to reverse its decision, saying "gaming disorder" is not based on sufficiently robust evidence to justify inclusion."
But some mental health experts are supportive of the classification. On Twitter, Dr. John Jiao, an emergency medicine doctor, said the diagnosis was "sorely needed."
"Otherwise people with real, legitimate video game addiction can often have trouble with insurance paying for their therapy, especially if they don't fit any other diagnosis," .
Dr. Shekhar Saxena, a mental health expert for WHO, noted that only a small minority of people who play video games will develop addiction problems, according to .
HSEL Frequently Asked Questions
Before asking any questions in #faq on the HSEL Discord, please look at the below questions and how-to videos (https://www.highschoolesportsleague.com/how-to/) which may answer your question. If you ask for help on a topic covered here you will get sent back to this channel.
Here are some frequently asked questions about the HSEL Discord server and other aspects of HSEL, answered by HSEL:
Q: Where can I find the list of games and supported consoles or game rule sets?
A: The games we currently offer and the platforms they are played on can be found here: https://www.highschoolesportsleague.com/rules/
Q: Are you considering adding game X?
A: We are always looking to expand our list of games, but we need to know that there is interest for it from many people before we consider adding it. You can help get your favorite game added to HSEL by filling out a game suggestion form here: https://www.highschoolesportsleague.com/game-suggestion/
Q: I have an issue with my match (after it was played), where can I get some assistance with that?
A: You can fill out a match dispute form here: https://www.highschoolesportsleague.com/match-disputes/ . A member of the HSEL support staff will get into contact with you as soon they are able to help you with your dispute. Please remember that you will need sufficient evidence to go along with your dispute (screenshots, video, in-game demos) or else it will be discarded.
Q: Where can I find the schedule?
A: The schedule for each season can be found on https://www.highschoolesportsleague.com/ under the tab "HSEL Majors". From there, select the season you are curious about and you are able to see all scheduling information.(edited)
Q: Where can I report my scores and find my next match?
A: On Varsity Esports, click on your profile icon, then select "My Tournaments". Select "View" on the tournament you are looking for, then look for the most recent match with your team's name that says "pending". There you can report your scores. If you are looking for your next match after you have just completed one and you are in a Swiss System tournament, you will have to wait until the next round is seeded. When rounds are seeded an announcement will be made in #announcements .
Q: How should I report my games? Based off of rounds won, games won, or kills?
A: All games, with the exception of CS:GO in the regular season should be reported in accordance with how many games were played in the series, e.g. in a League of Legends tie in the regular season the reported score would be 1-1 and in an Overwatch victory during the postseason where your team took 3 maps to your opponent's 0 the reported score would be 3-0. CS:GO in the regular season is reported by rounds won e.g. 16-11, but is reported by games won in the postseason. Forfeits should be reported as if your team won all games in the series and your opponents won none, e.g. 2-0 in League of Legends regular season. CS:GO would be reported as a 16-0 in this case.
Q: How can I get permission to spectate my team's matches?
A: To get permission to spectate your team's matches FOR THE PURPOSE OF STREAMING THEM LIVE OR RECORDING THEM FOR LATER PUBLIC RELEASE, you must be in compliance with rule 2.13 in the HSEL Tournament Rules and fill out the form here: https://goo.gl/forms/g9NgNaGWKRz8LhNb2 . Using unauthorized accounts to spectate or breaching rule 2.13 will result in your spectating permission being permanently revoked and your team may face further punishment. If you are interested in becoming an officially certified HSEL match broadcaster, check out the program here: https://www.highschoolesportsleague.com/broadcaster.
Q: How do I get into contact with my opponent to set up the match?
A: There are a number of ways that you can get into contact with your opponent for your next match. One way is by looking in our official Discord server. Those with the “Captains” role have the ability to access special captains-only chats where they can find some information posted by other team captains about their teams. In addition, it may also be possible to find a team if they follow a name format similar to (School Team Game) Username simply by using the @ symbol and attempting to look for them that way. Another way we recommend contacting your opponent is by email. There may be contact emails displayed on the match page on Varsity Esports, or you may find them on the individual player profiles by searching up your opponents’ club on https://www.varsityesports.com/clubs/, navigating to their roster page, and selecting “View” next to the player’s name. On the user profile you will also find in-game contact information, such as a username to add in-game. Adding a player in-game is also an acceptable form of contact. Once you get into contact with your opponent, from there you can set up the match. How to set up a match can be found on an individual game’s rules page at http://highschoolesportsleague.com/rules/. If you are unable to get into contact with your opponent regarding your match, please keep all records of attempted contact! You may be asked to prove that you attempted to contact your opponents in the event that you report a forfeit win or a match dispute arises regarding the matter.
Q: How can I get my game streamed?
A: Start out by contacting your opponents and either confirming that you are playing default time (best chance of getting streamed) or playing at a rescheduled time (lower chance of being streamed). Please mention to your opponents that you are putting in for your game to be streamed, so that they are not caught off guard by this on game day. Your opponents are prohibited from refusing the match to be streamed, as stated in rule 2.5.3. Next, fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeh7SCadykdLod6K4-HH5ZBQ6qt4GhdOc5hvpn9QiAvXt9UsA/viewform. If your game has been chosen to be streamed, you will be contacted by an HSEL broadcaster. Please provide the broadcaster information necessary to set up the game, such as your in-game name (for the broadcaster/casters to add), your opponents' in-game name, and any lobby information they may need to join the game. Please keep in mind that if your game is not chosen to be streamed, you will not be contacted about it.
