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Inclement Weather Alert: 11/21/24 Cyclone Bomb

by | Nov 21, 2024 | FTC

In response to the Bomb Cyclone weather event that impacted much of western Washington on Wednesday, November 20th, we are currently gathering information about FTC League event venues that may be struggling to regain electricity.

This situation could impact whether certain league events in western Washington can proceed as scheduled for the weekend of November 23rd and 24th. 

We aim to inform participating teams as soon as possible regarding the status of their league events. You can track your event status via the report below. 

*If you are using a mobile phone, please view in landscape mode for better readability.

PLEASE NOTE: Events outside western Washington or the Bomb Cyclone-affected region should be assumed to proceed as scheduled unless otherwise notified.

The safety of our teams and volunteers is our top priority at FIRST Washington. Given the geographic diversity of our region and the variability of weather conditions, we trust our event hosts to make informed decisions about whether to proceed with an event, in alignment with their school district’s policies. 

Coaches are encouraged to assess weather conditions in their area, prioritize the safety of their participants, and follow their school district’s policies (if applicable) when deciding whether to attend a scheduled event. 

Please note that we cannot guarantee a make-up event if an event is cancelled due to inclement weather. Additionally, if a team chooses not to attend their scheduled event, no alternative event will be offered. 

Here is what we have done to make communication as easy as possible: 

  1. We have added an Inclement Weather report so you can quickly check the status of your event. 
  2. FIRST Washington will email all assigned teams about any event changes as soon as we are made aware. 
  3. FIRST Washington will also email all assigned volunteers about any event changes as soon as we are made aware.

We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we navigate these weather challenges. Thank you for prioritizing safety and making it a top priority for all participants, volunteers, and staff.  

November Coches Chat

If you missed our coaches chat, you can access the recording and slides here! 

Recording and Slides

FTC Into the Deep Blog: Volume 11

by | Nov 15, 2024 | FTC, Newsletter

Next FTC Coaches Chat is Tuesday, November 19 at 7:00 pm 

Our next coaches chat is scheduled for Tuesday, November 15 at 7:00 pm.  Coaches chats are an opportunity for use to share important information with all of you as well as help you connect with other coaches.  We recommend each team have one coach attend.  Click here for meeting link.

We will be focusing on the Interleague events during this meeting.

There are no upcoming events at this time.

Dean’s List Nominations are Due December 15th 

We will once again be having remote Dean’s List Interviews in January (More info on the Interview window will be sent to coaches after nominations close in December)

Lead and Alternate Coaches can nominate their students from their firstinspires dashboard until December 15th.

Don’t wait until the last minute, get your nominations in today.

Nomination Guide

Event Results

Since all leagues have now had their first event, I wanted to point out where to go to see event results and rankings.  You can find them here:  https://ftc-events.firstinspires.org/#allevents 

Go to the week your event was held and select your league for results. 

Volunteer with FTC or FLL!

We have 27 FTC and FLL Challenge events in December alone, and we need over 1,400 volunteers to run them! Please organize your team to register today! Volunteering at FLL and FTC events is NUMBER ONE way your team can support FIRST growth in your community, and you’ll have a blast doing it! 

For coaches and mentors, Judging (at events your team is NOT competing at) is a great way to learn about the judging process.

And for FTC students, volunteering in any role is a great way to work towards any service hour requirements for graduation.

If there is an FLL or FTC event in your school district and your team isn’t already supporting it, please consider mobilizing your team to help out! We understand this time of year is busy, but many of our FLL and FTC hosts depend on FRC teams to help fulfill volunteer roles.

You can always reach out to us if you want more guidence about how to help out. Email Mara Kealey at marak@firstwa.org.

Volunteer Roles Needed: (both programs)

  • Referees
  • Judges
  • Queuers
  • Field Resetters
  • Scorekeepers
How to Register
There are no upcoming events at this time.
There are no upcoming events at this time.

Important Dates & Deadlines

  • February 1:  FTC State

FRC Reefscape Blog: Volume 9

by | Nov 14, 2024 | FRC, Newsletter

PLEASE NOTE: We are working with FIRST to get our PO applied but it is being held up by some grants on FIRST Inspires end.  I know many of you are concerned because you can not currently access FIRST Choice.  You should be able to access FIRST Choice next week once FIRST is able to apply our PO to all team accounts.

Invoices Will Go Out Next Week! 

Now that FIRST event & kickoff registration is closed, we are in the process of finalizing FIRST, FIRST Washinton and ORTOP grants.  Invoices should go out next week to the contact listed on the PNW Registration form. 

***New this year, MySite fees will be included on the invoice this year o if your team chose MySite for kickoff, expect to see that added to your invoice. 

Invoices should be secured by December 8.  Because of how winter break falls this year, it is critical that you secure your registration before you go on break or you may not receive your kickoff kit. 

 

OSPI Checks will be Mailed the end of this Week 

For all Washington State Public Schools, your OSPI checks should get mailed out the end of this week to the contact listed on your application. 

Next FRC Coaches Chat, Thursday November 21 at 7:00 pm

Our next coaches chat is scheduled for Thursday, November 21 at 7:00 pm.

Coaches chats are an opportunity for use to share important information with all of you as well as help you connect with other coaches.  We recommend each team have one coach attend.

 

There are no upcoming events at this time.

Volunteer with FTC or FLL!

We have 27 FTC and FLL Challenge events in December alone, and we need over 1,400 volunteers to run them! Please organize your team to register today! Volunteering at FLL and FTC events is NUMBER ONE way your team can support FIRST growth in your community, and you’ll have a blast doing it! 

For coaches and mentors, Judging or Refereeing is a great local team netoworking opportunity. And for FRC Students, volunteering in any role is a great way to work towards any service hour requirements for graduation.

If there is an FLL or FTC event in your school district and your team isn’t already supporting it, please consider mobilizing your team to help out! We understand this time of year is busy, but many of our FLL and FTC hosts depend on FRC teams to help fulfill volunteer roles. 

You can always reach out to us if you want more guidence about how to help out. Email Mara Kealey at marak@firstwa.org.

Volunteer Roles Needed: (both programs)

  • Referees
  • Judges
  • Queuers
  • Field Resetters
  • Scorekeepers
How to Register
There are no upcoming events at this time.
There are no upcoming events at this time.

Important Dates

  • November 21:  FRC Coaches Chat 
  • November 22:  FRC Invoices sent to designated contact 
  • December 6:  FRC Invoices secured 
  • December 14:  Bunnybots Oregon & Washington 
  • December 19:  FRC Coaches Chat 
  • January 4:  FRC Kickoff!! (Remember, FIRST Washington registration must be secured to pick up your kit!) 

FLL Submerged Blog: Volume 12

by | Nov 12, 2024 | FLL, FLL Challenge, FLL Explore

In this weeks Blog-

Challenge-

Waitlist update

Payment deadline

Are you event ready?

 

Explore- 

Invoices going out weekly 

Event registration live

Event assignments coming soon!  

Coaches Chat this Thursday 7pm!

 

Make sure you read the entire blog!

Season Info

Waitlist Update!

I appreciate all of you patience!

I will be moving all the teams I am able to off of the waitlist this week. I have quite a few- so I will not be emailing everyone. YOu will receive an email from me if-

  • I was unable to accommodate you at all
  • I was able to accommodate you, but not at the location you chose

I will be doing the same thing with teams that asked to switch days- I have already moved most that have asked, there are a few more left to do.

All moves should be done by Friday!

 

Payment Deadline!

All teams planning to participate in the FLL Challange SUBMERGED season Qualifier events must be paid by this Friday, 11/15!

 

Are you Event Ready?

If you want to check the status of your team-

Green– All set, Event Ready!

Yellow- Unpaid Invoice, not event ready.

Red– No FIRST Washington registration, no paid invoice, not event ready.

Challenge Event Ready Status
Challenge Assignments
Waitlist
Day Switch

I am not finished moving teams or making assignments- if you asked for a change and your assignment is the same- I am still working on it. If I am unable to accommodate your request, I will email you to let you know! 🙂

-We are a very small staff, and most, if not all, things are done manually. It takes some time for you to pay, accounting to process it, and them to tell me. I get updates once a day, so if you have paid and don’t see your team listed PLEASE DON’T EMAIL ACCOUNTING. You just slow the process down 🙂

480+ invoices have gone out- if you have filled out the FIRST Washington registration one was most likely send to you! Check your spam/junk folder and look for an email from “Aplos”

FLL Challenge Coaches Chat

Join us for this Thursday’s Coaches Chat!

We will be talking about-

  • Events!

Additional Coaches Chat dates- December 3rd, January 14th

 

 

Meeting link- https://firstwa.org/event/fll-coaches-chat-4/2024-11-14/ 

For robot game questions- join us for next months Kevin’s Robot Corner on December 5th! You can also email Kevin at fllheadreferee@firstwa.org

Explore

Event Registration!

 

If you are interested in attending an FLL Explore event-

You have to have-

  • Registered and paid FIRST Inspires
  • Registered with FIRST Washington
  • Paid your teams $50 FIRST Washington invoice.
  • Filled out the event registration form

After all of those things have been completed, you will be confirmed in one of your 2 event choices.

 

I will be posting a list of confirmed teams next week. Right now there are very few teams that have filled out the FIRST Washington registration

Explore Event Registration

FLL Explore Events!

 

December:

  • Bellevue- December 14th
  • Snohomish- December 7th
  • Spokane- December 7th

    March:

    • Snohomish- March 1st
    • Yakima- March 15th
    • Sammamish- March 8th
    • Bonney Lake- March 15th

    Useful Contacts-

    Program Manager- Jacqueline Grimm jacqueg@firstwa.org

    Coach Advisor- Heather Bioren- heatherb@firstwa.org

    FLL Head Referee- Kevin Torrico- fllheadreferee@firstwa.org 

    Accounting- accounting@firstwa.org

     

     

    More From FLL

    FLL Submerged Blog: Volume 11

    by | Nov 5, 2024 | FLL, FLL Challenge, FLL Explore

    In this weeks Blog-

    Challenge-

    Event Assignments!-

    List updated!

     FIRST Washington registration closed!

     

    Explore- 

    First round of invoices have gone out! 

    Event registration! 

    Kevin’s Robot Corner this Thursday!!

     

    Make sure you read the entire blog!

    Season Info

    FIRST Washington Registration-

     

    Challenge-

     

    • We currently have 480 FLL Challenge teams registered with FIRST Washington
    • We currently only have 303 teams that have paid their FIRST Washington invoice!
    • Every team that wants to participate has to secure their invoice to be eligible!- 480 invoices have gone out- if you have filled out the FIRST Washington registration one was most likely send to you! Check your spam/junk folder and look for an email from “Aplos”
    • Only those 303 have event assignments!

    Explore-

    • FIRST Washington registration is still open. 
    • Teams that have filled out this registration are being invoiced in batches about once a week. 
    • Teams will be confirmed in their event when all registrations are completed and the $50 FIRSTWA fee is paid. 
    Explore Registration

    Event Assignments!

    I appreciate all of you patience! This was a much bigger undertaking than we expected!

    The teams listed have been assigned events. If you do not see your team number on this list, that means you either –

    • Have not registered with FIRST Washington
    • Have not paid your FIRST Washington invoice
    • I have not been told you have paid your FIRST Washington invoice

    We are a very small staff, and most, if not all, things are done manually. It takes some time for you to pay, accounting to process it, and them to tell me. I get updates once a day, so if you have paid and don’t see your team listed PLEASE DON’T EMAIL ACCOUNTING. You just slow the process down 🙂

    480 invoices have gone out- if you have filled out the FIRST Washington registration one was most likely send to you! Check your spam/junk folder and look for an email from “Aplos”

    Assignment List Updated 11/4

    Switching to a different type of list. It is now posted on the website. 

    Challenge Assignments

    Event Waitlist form

    Below is a link to the event waitlist form. This is only to be used if you are wanting to switch locations of your event, not just the day you are assigned.

    The process of moving teams will not start until after 11/4- I have started moving teams where I can. Check on the list to see if your assignment has changed. 

    Waitlist

    Form to switch days only

    Below is a link to the form to switch the day you are assigned only (ie. Bellevue Saturday to Bellevue Sunday) at the same venue. This is not to be used if you are wanting to switch locations of your event.- I have started switching teams. Please check your assignment to confirm if you have been moved or not. 

    Day

    I am not finished moving teams or making assignments- if you asked for a change and your assignment is the same- I am still working on it. If I am unable to accomidate your request, I will email you to let you know! 🙂

    Kevin’s Robot Corner!

    This season our WA State Head Referee Kevin T will be hosting his own coaches meetings just for robot game questions!

    His next meeting is this Thursday November 7th at 7pm!

    This meeting is only for robot game questions. If you have other questions, please join us for the Coaches Chat next week!

    Explore

    Event Registration!

     

    If you are interested in attending an FLL Explore event-

    You have to have-

    • Registered and paid FIRST Inspires
    • Registered with FIRST Washington
    • Paid your teams $50 FIRST Washington invoice.
    • Filled out the event registration form

    After all of those things have been completed, you will be confirmed in one of your 2 event choices.

     

    I will be posting a list of confirmed teams next week. Right now there are very few teams that have filled out the FIRST Washington registration

    Explore Event Registration

    FLL Explore Events!

     

    December:

    • Bellevue- December 14th
    • Snohomish- December 7th
    • Spokane- December 7th

      March:

      • Snohomish- March 1st
      • Yakima- March 15th
      • Sammamish- March 8th
      • Bonney Lake- March 15th

      More From FLL