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FLL Submerged Blog: Volume 10

by | Oct 29, 2024 | FLL, FLL Challenge, FLL Explore

In this weeks Blog-

Event Assignments!

Event registration information! Please read!

 

Register with FIRST Washington! 

Registration closing the end of this week!

 

Explore invoices going out by the end of next week!

 

 

Make sure you read the entire blog!

Season Info

Note from the FIRST Washington staff-

When sending email asking questions about your team, please include your-

  • Team number
  • contact info

This way we can help you more efficiently 🙂

Also, please do not email Accounting for event and team related questions that do not pertain to finance, grants, booster accounts, etc. They are working hard to support over 1100 teams and do not have that information.

Thank you!

 

 

 

Get your team registered with FIRST and FIRST Washington ASAP! Challenge registration closing the end of this week!

 

  • We currently have 561 FLL Challenge teams registered with FIRST Inspires
  • We currently only have 479 teams registered with FIRST Washington- every team that wants to participate has to register with FIRST Washington! 
  • Only 220 teams have paid their FIRST Washington invoice and are eligible to attend events!
  • Only those 220 have event assignments!
Challenge Registration
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 🙂

Assignment List Updated 10/29

If you are an Everett or Federal Way Public School team and are on this list but do not have a date assigned, do not panic! I am waiting for an email from your Admin 🙂

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

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.

Day

FLL Challenge Event Registration

Overview-

  • Teams are assigned events based on location.
  • Once a team has paid their FIRST Washington fee and they have been assigned an event, if they would like to change events there will be an opt out form to fill out to request another event.
  • Teams will then be placed on a waitlist and moved into that event after all teams have been placed or after a certain date, whichever comes first, if there is still space.
  • If there is not space in the event they chose, they may move back into their original event, space permitting, or be assigned to an event with available space.

Challenge Registration- Details- Make sure you read!

  • Teams will no longer be filling out a registration survey- YAY
  • Teams will still need to be paid to see their placement- invoices just started going out this week to those that filled out the FIRST Washington registration. If you did not fill it out, you will not receive an invoice and will not be placed or able to participate until you do.
  • Teams will be assigned a home venue/event that is within 50 miles
  • The 50 miles is point to point distance, not driving distance
  • This is based on Venue Zipcode and Team Zipcode
  • Teams have the ability to opt out of their home event using the opt out form and go on a waitlist. Teams may only ask to opt out by filling out the form- no email communication will be accepted.
  • Waitlist teams are not guaranteed a spot in the event they choose, or a spot in the event they opted out of.
  • Waitlist teams are placed on a first come first served basis in the event they choose if there is available space, and will be notified after the placement window closes if there is space in the event they chose.
  • If there is not space- they can move back to their home event, space permitting, or move into an event with available space, but there is no guarantee an event with available space will be within 50 miles
  • Teams requesting to change the day of the week only and not the venue they are competing at will be handled differently. I do not have that process ironed out yet 🙂

FLL Explore Event Registration!

 

FLL Explore events are almost all finalized!

I will be sending out the registration next week to the teams that have filled out the FIRST Washington registration form. If you have not filled it out yet, it is required to participate in Washington. There is also a $50 fee. You will receive this invoice after November 1st. Teams are able to attend one event.

FLL Explore Events!

 

December:

  • Bellevue- December 14th or 15th
  • Snohomish- December 7th

    March:

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

    More From FLL

    FTC Into the Deep Blog: Volume 11

    by | Oct 23, 2024 | FTC

    Coaches Chat Recording

    The slides and recording from last weeks coaches chat have been posted here on firstwa.org.  If you missed the chat, make sure to watch the video, there is a lot of important information in there about inspection changes and more.   

    Click Here

    FTC Invoices Need to be Secured by FRIDAY

    Invoices have been sent to all FTC teams registered with FIRST Washington by 10-18.  As of yesterday, less than half of our teams have paid their invoice.  Make sure you get your invoice paid ASAP so it doesn’t affect your game play. 

    ***Important note***  If you are using booster account funds to pay your invoice – Send an email to accounting@firstwa.org Please include your team number along with your invoice.  We have 1000 teams that we support, your life will be much easier if you and your invoice will get taken care of faster if you list your team number. 

    League Meets Begin this Weekend

    By now, all lead and alternate contacts on your team should have received an email from your League coordinator.  If you have not yet received any communication, feel free to reach out to me and I will get you connected with your league coordinator.

    Many of you are probably not feeling ready for your first event.  This is completely normal!!  No team feels fully prepared for their first event.  Even if you don’t feel you are ready for your first event attend it anyway!!!  

    You will receive TONS of support from the veteran teams in your league and your students will leave the event with some great ideas and be inspired to work on the robot to prepare it for the next league meet.   

     If for some reason you are unable to attend your event, please email me (acollins@firstwa.org) and Kevin Emery (kemery@firstwa.org) so we can work with you to see uf we can help you overcome your challenge or let the league coordinator know.  

    There is nothing worse than hosting an event where you are missing a team and wondering if you should run the match schedule without that team or hold the event to wait for them so please communicate with us if you have any issue attending your first meet. 

    Use your Team Number and Program for any Communication

    For some reason, much the communication that we are receiving (by we, I mean programs, finance etc…) does not include your team number.  With 1000 teams in our eco-system, it is critical that you put your Program and team number on everything.  What does this include? 

    • Any communication to your program staff 
    • Any communication to your league coordinator 
    • Any communication to the finance staff (boosters@firstwa.org, accounting@firstwa.org  
    • Any funds entering your booster account whether by check, through benevity or other methods. 

    We want to give you the fastest, most timely service we can but when we have to spend time tracking down a team number from a name (either mentor, parent, coach or team name) it takes us extra time and may cause funds to be delayed getting into your account or even accidentally be put in the wrong account.  Help us help you by giving us the critical information we need to support you.   

    There are no upcoming events at this time.
    League Info

    Please Keep Gracious Professionalism at Heart

    As your team prepares for their first competition of the season, take a moment to remind your students to keep the spirit of Gracious Professionalism and the FIRST Core Values at the core of everything they do.

    This means competing with integrity, showing respect for others, and offering help when it’s needed, even to your opponents. Strive for excellence not just in your technical performance but also in how you collaborate, problem-solve, and treat every person participating in this competition. So, a few reminders –

    1. All match results are final. ***no amount of arguing or pestering will change them 😉
    2. There are no video replays of matches.
    3. Only students should visit the question box. If a coach/mentor wants to accompany a student as emotional support, that is totally fine! But the student should be asking the questions, NOT the adult. This is a learning opportunity for them, not an opportunity for adults to question match results.

    Remind your students and fellow adults that every single person running league competitions is a VOLUNTEER. Maybe you’re running late and you get frustrated with the person running team check in. Or the Head Referee makes a call you don’t personally agree with.

    Everyone running your competition is donating their time and talents to ensure your students have the best possible experience.

    As Gracious Professionalism teaches us – that doesn’t always mean things will be easy or you will agree with the outcome. But every experience is an opportunity to learn, and it is the responsibility of coaches and mentors to set a strong example for their students.

    Your team will have a better experience competing if the event your attending is well staffed, by well-trained, enthusiastic volunteers. But it becomes difficult to retain volunteeers if they are not treated with respect and kidness by students, or fellow adults.

    So, please be intentional with your team and take a moment to remind them of these tenants. Lets let this season be about more than just winning—make it about inspiring each other and having fun!

    Important Dates & Deadlines

    • February 1:  FTC State

    FLL Submerged Blog: Volume 9

    by | Oct 17, 2024 | FLL, FLL Challenge, FLL Explore

    In this weeks Blog-

    Register with FIRST Washington! 

    Event registration information! Please read! 

     

     

    Make sure you read the entire blog!

    Season Info

    Get your team registered with FIRST and FIRST Washington ASAP!

    • We currently have 556 FLL Challenge teams registered with FIRST Inspires
    • We currently only have 445 teams registered with FIRST Washington- every team that wants to participate has to register with FIRST Washington! 
    • Last year we had 391 teams participate with FIRST Washington
    • This year, we are expecting 500-550 teams to register with FIRST Washington

    What does this all mean?  We need you to register now!

    Registration for FLL Challenge with FIRST Washington will be closing at the end of October.

    List of Registered Teams
    Challenge Registration
    Explore Registration

    FLL Challenge Event Registration

    Overview-

    • Teams are assigned events based on location.
    • Once a team has paid their FIRST Washington fee and they have been assigned an event, if they would like to change events there will be an opt out form to fill out to request another event.
    • Teams will then be placed on a waitlist and moved into that event after all teams have been placed or after a certain date, whichever comes first, if there is still space.
    • If there is not space in the event they chose, they may move back into their original event, space permitting, or be assigned to an event with available space.

    Challenge Registration- Details- Make sure you read!

    • Teams will no longer be filling out a registration survey- YAY
    • Teams will still need to be paid to see their placement- invoices just started going out this week to those that filled out the FIRST Washington registration. If you did not fill it out, you will not receive an invoice and will not be placed or able to participate until you do.
    • Teams will be assigned a home venue/event that is within 50 miles
    • The 50 miles is point to point distance, not driving distance
    • This is based on Venue Zipcode and Team Zipcode
    • Teams have the ability to opt out of their home event using the opt out form and go on a waitlist. Teams may only ask to opt out by filling out the form- no email communication will be accepted.
    • Waitlist teams are not guaranteed a spot in the event they choose, or a spot in the event they opted out of.
    • Waitlist teams are placed on a first come first served basis in the event they choose if there is available space, and will be notified after the placement window closes if there is space in the event they chose.
    • If there is not space- they can move back to their home event, space permitting, or move into an event with available space, but there is no guarantee an event with available space will be within 50 miles
    • Teams requesting to change the day of the week only and not the venue they are competing at will be handled differently. I do not have that process ironed out yet 🙂

    FLL Explore Event Registration!

     

    FLL Explore events are almost all finalized!

    I will be sending out the registration next week to the teams that have filled out the FIRST Washington registration form. If you have not filled it out yet, it is required to participate in Washington. There is also a $50 fee. You will receive this invoice after November 1st. Teams are able to attend one event.

    FLL Explore Events!

     

    December:

    • Bellevue- December 14th or 15th
    • Snohomish- December 7th

      March:

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

      More From FLL

      FRC Reefscape Blog: Volume 8

      by | Oct 15, 2024 | FRC

      Attend the Coaches Chat, Thursday October 17 at 7:00 pm

      Our next coaches chat is scheduled for Thursday, October 17 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!

      All our Washington FTC events are live and accepting volunteer applications. Register today! 

      Volunteering at your local FTC events is a great way to support your local pipeline of future FRC students. 

      FTC leagues are looking for Scoring Referees, Penalty Referees, Lead Scorekeepers and more! 

      Judging starts at the Interleague level. Interested? Sign up today! 

      Register
      Event Schedule

      Next Preferencing window opens next Thursday, October 17 at 9 am Pacific

      Make sure you don’t change your lead contacts before the 2nd preferencing window closes unless you can get the new contact through YPP screening prior to preferencing.

      You can find detailed information on preferencing below.

      If you did not choose your home event during the first event preferencing window, you are no longer guaranteed space in that event. 

      Preferencing

      FRC Workshop: Hosted by SOTAbots 2557

      FRC #2557 The SOTAbots is hosting a free FRC Workshop on November 9. We welcome your team to attend and learn along with other teams from the PNW. This will be an opportunity to learn about technical information, FRC strategy, public relations, and several aspects of FIRST Robotics. Please consider attending the workshop and inviting other FIRST team members and mentors. 

      More detailed information about the workshop will be provided as the date approaches. Please reach out with any questions. 

      Please fill out the form below to confirm your team’s interest. 

      Join Us!

      Questions?  email SOTA Bots at – sotabots@gmail.com

      Important Dates

      • October 12 – 13:  WA Girls Gen Hosted by 2046 
      • October 17:  FRC Coaches Chat 
      • October 19:  Storm Surge hosted by 2811 & 9567 
      • October 17 – 24:  Second FRC preferencing window 
      • October 31:  Additional In District Registration opens 
      • November 12:  FRC Registration (Event & Kickoff) closes 
      • 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!) 

      FTC Into the Deep Blog: Volume 10

      by | Oct 15, 2024 | FTC

      Coaches Chat is TONIGHT

      Coaches chats are an opportunity for us 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 “more info” to join!

      There are no upcoming events at this time.

      FTC Invoices have been Sent

      The first round of invoices was sent to the contact listed on the FIRST Washington registration form last night.  Any team registered by October 1 received an invoice.  We will be working on getting a second batch out soon for those who registered late. 

      I do want to remind everyone that if you did not register by they grant deadline (September 27) then you were not considered for a grant so your invoice will be for the entire registration amount. 

      We have shifted the deadline to secure your FIRST Washington registration to October 25th since invoices went out later than planned. 

      Final League Assignments are Posted

      For some of you, events start in about 10 days.  To participate in events you must: 

      • Have your FIRST Washington registration secured 
      • Be registered with FIRST Inspires 
      • Be event ready which means you lead and alternate coaches must 
      • Have signed their consent forms 
      • Passed their youth protection screening 
      League Info

      Important Dates & Deadlines

      • February 1:  FTC State