If you are new to this email this is the place where you will find all of the Washington specificFIRSTLEGO League information. Coaches and team administrators in theFIRSTsystem for the CITY SHAPER season will be added weekly. Starting this season, every email from me will be numbered. That number lets you know which update it is, if you miss an update youcan find it on our website.

I have 6 items for you today-

1. Congratulations to all teams!

2. Semifinal Information

3. Qualifier Results Online

4. Eastern Washington State Championships

5. Volunteer Recruitment for Events

6. FIRST Washington Judging Updates for this Season

Congratulations to the teams that attended the Qualifier events!

I hope all teams had fun! If you competed the second weekend and have feedback on the paperwork change for teams, please feel free to email me your thoughts-jacqueg@firstwa.org

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Semifinal Information and Assignments

Teams advancing to a semifinal event will be assigned to a semifinal based on geographic location. I am sorry for the delay in getting this to you, but I was waiting on final confirmation of my last venue. I understand schools need to have this in before break to schedule buses so I am working as fast as I can. I am planning to have this posted on the website tomorrow.

There is no additional cost to attend the semifinal or state tournaments.

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Qualifier Tournament Results Online

The Award results from all of the Qualifiers will be posted online at the www.firstwa.orgwebsite.The results are posted at the link below.http://firstwa.org/Team-Resources/FIRST-LEGO-League-Team-Resources/FLL-Award-Results-2019-2020

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Eastern Washington State Championships

Teams advancing to the Eastern Washington State Championship are posted here-https://firstwa.org/Team-Resources/FIRST-LEGO-League-Team-Resources/Events/FLL-Eastern-WA-State-Championships

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Volunteer Requirement for Events

We are still in need of volunteers for the Semifinals and the State Championships.

Each team is expected to recruit or provide at least one adult volunteer to work a full day at a FIRST LEGO League Qualifier event this season. We need you!

Consider this:

· In Washington, we have over 700 FLL teams!

· Each event requires approximately 55 volunteers (for a 1 day commitment)

· Washington hosts 23 events over the first 2 weekends in December and 6 events in January

· That means there areOVER 1,200 volunteer rolls that need to be filled

· We are in need of adult volunteers, but we especially need adult judges! (20-30 per event approximately)

· Pleasereach out to your mentors/parents/teachers/neighbors/community and help us fill all of these rolls.

· This is the best way for coaches to learn about the judging process.

· We want to inspire these young students to be technology leaders!

Recruited volunteers should go to the FIRST website, www.firstinspires.org and create an account or log in. Volunteers will complete the process for background screening and should select the event where they want to volunteer.

Volunteers with an affiliation to your team should work at an event where the team is not competing. When you fill out your event registration, coaches will be asked to provide the name of your volunteer for this season. Start recruiting now!

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FIRST Washington Judging Updates for this Season

This season you need to be aware of some changes to the judging process.

We will no longer have tables in the Robot Design judging rooms. Instead we will have a large laminated print out of the mat for teams to write on if they want to show the judges the paths their robots take. I also highly recommend teams print out copies of their code to show the judges. You should still plan to bring your robots and attachments to show the judges. A Robot Design Executive Summary is required at all levels this season, using either this worksheet- https://firstwa.org/Portals/0/FLL_Files/2019%20Season/RDES-CityShaper.pdf?ver=2019-11-12-130930-540 or your own format. A prepared presentation is not expected.

Core Values posters will not be required at any level of competition in Washington.

Teams should be aware of changes FIRST HQ made to the Champion’s Award and advancement criteria this season. To review all of the FIRST LEGO League frequently asked judging questions- http://www.firstlegoleague.org/sites/default/files/into-orbit/judging-faq.pdf

Upcoming Events/Dates

· January 18&19: Semifinals

· January 18: Eastern State Championships

· January 26: Western State Championships

Useful Contacts

· National Team Registration, Youth Protection, Student Registration, Challenge Information:firstlegoleague@firstinspires.orgorwww.firstinspires.org

· Tournament Registration & Participation, Local Information, Facebook:Jacque Grimm,jacqueg@firstwa.org

· Robot Game Questions: WA Regional Head Referee, Kevin Torrico,fllheadreferee@firstwa.org

· FIRSTGame Questions:fllrobotgame@firstinspires.org

· Fundraising, Grants, Advocacy:FIRSTWashington President, Erin McCallum,erin@firstwa.org

· Booster Accounts (setup or using funds), Invoices and Payments:FIRSTWashington Accounting,accounting@firstwa.org

Important Links

· Event Pages: https://firstwa.org/Team-Resources/FIRST-LEGO-League-Team-Resources/Events

· Past Coach Communications:https://firstwa.org/Team-Resources/FIRST-LEGO-League-Team-Resources/Communications-Questions-2019-20-Season

· City Shaper Challenge:https://www.firstinspires.org/resource-library/fll/challenge-and-resources

· FIRST Steps:http://info.firstinspires.org/fll-first-steps-request

· Youth Registration Overview: https://www.firstinspires.org/resource-library/youth-team-member-consent-and-release-form

Jacqueline Grimm

Program Supervisor,

FIRSTLEGO League andFIRSTLEGO League Jr.

FIRST Washington

p: (253) 210-0466