Volunteer Registration

Directions for Registering as a Volunteer at one of our Tournaments in Bedford!

JFLL Bedford Expo - December 13

FTC Bedford Qualifier - December 12-13

Bedford FRC District Tournament April 2, 2015 - April 4, 2015

Help Needed:

• Wednesday Set-up helpers are needed from 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM.  (FRC Event Only)
• Thursday 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM (FRC Event Only)
• Friday 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM  (FTC from 2:30 PM - 10 PM)
• Saturday 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM

A description of volunteer positions may help you decide what you want to do.  

•  Click Here for the FRC Volunteer Position Descriptions (High School Tournament)!
• Click Here for the FTC Volunteer Position Descriptions (Junior High Tournament)
• Click Here for JFLL Volunteer Position Descriptions (K - 3rd graders)

Register in VIMS (Volunteer Information Management System)  Tutorial

• Create an account, OR log in to your account HERE.  (If you create an account, you will need to create your profile, log out, then return to the page and log in again to move to the next step.) 
• Click on the "Apply for an Event" link.
• Select the program you want to volunteer for
• FRC - FIRST Robotics Competition - High School Tournament in April
• FTC - FIRST Tech Challenge - Junior High Tournament in December
• JFLL - Junior FIRST Lego League - K - 3rd Grade Expo in December
• Select Michigan in the drop down bar.
• Click "Find an Event" 
• Click "Select" for the:
•  MI FRC Bedford District &/or
• MI FTC Bedford Express District
• MI JFLL Bedford Express Expo
• Add up to 5 jobs you are interested in, in the order of interest, by clicking the "add" button after clicking on the job.  Please note, training is available for all positions.  Some positions require you to be available for the full tournament.  If you are only available part of the tournament, please select assign as needed, crowd control, and/or safety glasses.
• Check mark the days you are available to help.
• Type anything you want to let us know. 
• Click submit!  You are done!!! :)  

You will immediately get an email from FIRST stating you registered.  As we get closer to the event, you will receive emails from the volunteer coordinator outlining your assignment.  Please note that we do not assign volunteers until we get closer to tournament date.  This helps us cover all of our positions.  You will receive an email a week or two prior to the event.  Once you register, count on working!  

If you have questions about volunteering, please contact event coordinator, Debbie May, or Volunteer Coordinator, Sandy Smith. 

Now that you have signed up for our event, please consider working at the events we are competing in as well! :)   Follow the above procedures, but instead of Bedford pick WoodHaven, or Southfield.  You can also sign up to volunteer at states and worlds. Volunteering at Worlds is really fun.  You can sign up to work on field reset, and if our team makes it to worlds, you can request our field so you can see all of our matches.  

Give volunteering a try!  It is a great experience!

August 2014

For the most part, we are not active during August.  There are a couple of important events to put on your calendar.  Also, we would like to welcome our new leaders for the 2015 season.  Our leadership structure will look like this.  CLICK HERE!

If you scroll down to page two, which lists our leaders, you will see that we are still missing some leaders.  We are looking for several more leaders.  Veteran team members, please consider applying for one of these positions if you are interested.

• Culture Conductor:  Lead the Chairman's process, including the culture changing activities that make us strong Chairman candidates.  Lead the Culture team in producing a strong application and presentation for the Chairman's Award.  
• Safety Conductor:  Lead the team to be safe in all procedures.  Train in First Aid.  Keep our First Aid station in order, pack safety materials for the competitions, serve as safety captain at events, speaking to judges in our pit.  
• Strategy Conductor: Lead the strategy efforts for the team. Research scouting methods in the off-season, create our scouting system, train the scouters, lead strategy/scouting efforts at competitions,  contribute to the pick list brainstorming sessions, and possibly represent our team on the field during alliance selections.
• Apprentices(5):  Assist the House Leader with the management of your house. Keep track of the Plus/Delta charts for the house.  Seek Varsity status.  For any of you who are looking to get into a leadership role, this is a great first step.  

If you are interested in this position, please email Coach May by August 8.  Please include the position(s) you are interested in applying for in your email.  You will be contacted to set up an interview.  We plan to fill these positions quickly, so don't delay. :)

Our first Fundraiser will be on August 14, from 7 - 9 PM.  We will be having a Pamper Yourself (or someone you love) campaign to help earn money for your 2015 travels.  We will have Premiere Jewelry and Mary Kay Cosmetics representatives at the center to share their products with you.  Both consultants have agreed to donate 20% of their profit to the team.  So, grab your family and friends and head on over to the center for some fun.  Fliers are available here and may be shared. Start your travel fund off right, and plan to be here for this event.

Our important date document has been updated.  There is a change on a couple of dates due to Open Houses at the elementary schools.  Please review that document to keep on top of our season.

Important Dates

Important Dates

Week 1 of camp ends this week.  On Friday we will have a Lego pieces sorting party.  We will meet at the center at 7:00 PM and sort our LEGO kits and parts.  Following that, we will have a social event with some combination of SumoBots, Movies, Robot fun.   You must attend the sorting to be there for the social time.  Please respond on the Facebook page if you are attending.  

Week 2 of camp begins next week.  We are low on numbers for next week, so please help spread the word of our camp opportunity.  Information can be found HERE or on the bedfordrobotics.com website. 

FERMI SAFETY Day is Thursday, July 31.  At this point, we only have 3 team members, and 0 chaperones signed up.  Because it is a nuclear power, we must submit names before we attend.  If we do not get more help/participants, we will cancel this event.  DTE is a big sponsor of ours, and I would really like to do this for them.  It is a great chance for you to show our robot to some engineers, get a tour of Fermi, and have some robot fun with a couple of other local teams.   Please respond HERE if you can attend as a student or chaperone.  2014 graduates are welcome to attend with the team if you wish.  

I am working on a document with important upcoming dates.  It is a Google document and will be updated frequently, so please bookmark this and check it weekly.  You can find the document HERE.  

After summer camp, we will not be doing much until late August.  If you need to talk to any coaches about anything, please do so prior to August 1, as we will be unavailable most of August. 

Summer 2014

Have You Applied for our 2014-2015 Team?

We  have transitioned over to our 2014 Facebook page and 2014 email list.  If you have not applied, you may be left out of important communications.  Whether you are a student, a returning mentor, or a parent who would like to become a 2014 mentor, you need to fill out your application as soon as possible.  All applications can be found at www.bedfordrobotics.com.

Practice Schedule

 Our summer practice schedule can be found here. Please check back often, as new dates will be added.  Please double check meetings before heading to the center in case there has been any change.  Things change often in the summer.  

IRI - Indiana Robotics Invitational

ALL MONEY IS DUE Tuesday, July 8, by 8:00 PM. Outstanding money is past due, and needed immediately.  

The agenda can be found here.

Hotel and Ride list can be found here. 

Talent Show Information 

Scholarship Information - Deadline July 4

IRI Rule Changes

Silent Auction Information

Backpacks - Even if you are not going to IRI, we ask that you donate some school supplies/bookbags  that we can donate to this project.  We are required to donate one packed bookbag, but would like to donate more.  There is now a box by the admin desks to collect donations.

Be sure to bring money for food.  The hotel has a hot snack in the afternoon, and a hot breakfast.  You will be responsible for all other food.

The plan is to leave the center at 12:30 PM on Thursday afternoon.   Meet at the center by 12:15 to load.  We will head directly to the hotel, check in, unload, eat and then set up our pit.   Anticipated arrival home on Saturday will be between 10:30 and midnight.  

Practices for IRI are posted on the practice schedule.

Summer Camp

Please promote our summer camp program by posting on your wall about our summer camp.  Thanks to those that have already done so.  The link is:  www.bedfordrobotics.org/summer-camp.html

Please reserve these dates so that you can help with camp.  Camp training is necessary for group leaders.  Please be sure to attend training sessions if you would like to teach a group at camp.  We will need approximately 10 teachers each week.  Practice times are listed on the practice schedule.

School Board Recognition

I've just been notified that the school board would like to recognize the team for our 2014 accomplishments.
The board meeting is this Thursday, June 5th, at 7:00 PM in the cafeteria of Monroe Road Elementary School.  We will be taking our robot for a quick demo.

To prepare for the presentation, we will need to get our robot radio working wirelessly.  I am looking for a few people that can help load the equipment Thursday at 6:00.  Everyone else can meet at MRE at 6:45.  Please wear your BX red 2014 t-shirt, and your medals!

Week of May 26

• Thursdays:
• 5/29 No Practice
• 6/5 No Practice

 Special Meetings/Events: 

• Tuesday, May 27 - Information/Registration Night for 2014-2015 teams.  5:30 set up, 7:00 - 9:00 event.  We need BX students to run sales of t-shirts, explain programs, and demonstrate robots. 
• Tuesday, June 10 - JFLL, FLL, FTC Coach Meeting, 7:00 PM   - Any of you who are COACHING at team should plan on attending this meeting.  

Bedford Public Library Presentation

For those of you that still need a 2014 presentation, for those that want to get a 2015 presentation completed, of for those of you that would just like to participate, we will be doing a presentation at the library on July 8, 2014 at 6:00 PM for their summer reading program.     Please sign up with me if you wish to present.

Promotional materials will go out from the library with the following: We will meet at the center earlier that day to pack and prepare.  Time will be determined.  We will be taking bots from all levels.

More information to come.  

Bedford Library:

"F.I.R.S.T. Robotics -"Creating a World Where Science and Technology are Celebrated"  Presented by Bedford Public Schools Robotics Team Members &Coordinator. Come see and learn about  the cool and interesting things that are going on in our community  in the field of Robotics.

Updated May Dates

Here is what is happening this month:

• Thursdays:  7 - 9 PM - Team Meetings
• 5/22 Preparation for Information/Registration Night (8:00 - Meet with the Gandee family about making a robot mobility device for Braden) 
• 5/29 Prepare Center for summer
• 6/5 No Practice
• Special Meetings/Events: 
• Tuesday, May 20, 7:00 - 9:00 PM Coach/Mentor Training/Planning Session for students wanting to coach or mentor a 2014-2015 JFLL, FLL, or FTC team.
• Tuesday, May 27 - Information/Registration Night for 2014-2015 teams.  6:00 set up, 7:00 - 9:00 event.  We need BX students to run sales of t-shirts, explain programs, and demonstrate robots.  

Relay for Life - Google Express

Below is information from Mrs. Smith about our Relay Team.  Remember family, friends and relatives are all welcome on our team.  So, grab a friend and join us for a great day of raising money for a great cause! 

Relay is from 9 AM Saturday, May 17th thru 9 AM Sunday, May 18th. Set up for Relay will be at 5pm - 6pm on Friday, May 16th. The theme this year is Birthday Luau! It is the 10th year Bedford has done a Relay for Life event. Everyone is welcomed to participate in this event! If you haven't already signed up for the event, you can do so here: Google Express team page

Students that will be staying between the hours of 11pm-7am will need to turn in a permission form signed by a parent which can be found here.  Adults are considered 25 or over for this event.  Students staying over night must commit to walking and/or working the booth, and not just hanging out.  

We will need 1 chaperone 25 years or over per 5 students. To sign up to be a chaperone please add your name to the list at this link: This link also gives information of other areas we need assistance with or items we are still looking for to help this event run smoothly.

 To do list

Walking laps or working the booth have been split into half hour segments with the exception of the Team lap which will be at 4pm - 5pm.  For the team lap, we would ask all team members available to walk this lap with us.  We switch to our BX shirts for this lap.  It is a fun full team leap.  If you would like to sign up for a specific time, you can do so here:  Lap / Booth sign up sheet

Bedford Relay is trying to bring a little more fun to the event this year by having activities available for relayers to participate in. Bedford Express has volunteered to help out with a few of these. All materials will be provided, they just need assistance in running the activity. If you would like to join the fun by assisting in running one of these, you can sign up here:  Relay activity sheet

If there are any questions, please contact me atssmithmich@yahoo.com or Cheryl Sommers at casommers@bex.net
Thank you!
Sandy Smith

2014 Banquet

Our banquet will be held Thursday, May 8, 2014 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM.

Parents, family and friends are welcome to attend.

For our banquet, we offer a dessert bar.  We ask that each senior family bring one 2L of pop, and each other family bring 1 dessert to share.  Plasticwear, napkins, and plates will be provided.

A digital invitation that you can send to your family & friends is available here.

Team members should dress semi-casual.  It is requested that you wear something more formal than jeans and your team t-shirt.  If you have questions about what to wear, please speak with a veteran team member.

BX Scholarships

Scholarship Description  Please read this document carefully, as it has all of the instructions to submit.

Scholarship Submission Deadline:  7:00 PM on May 12.

Month of May

Here is what is happening this month:

• Thursdays:  7 - 9 PM - Team Meetings
• 5/1 Varsity Requirement Reviews (parents welcome to attend)
• 5/8 Banquet 
• 5/15 Preparation for Relay
• 5/22 Preparation for Information/Registration Night
• 5/29 Prepare Center for summer
• 6/5 TBD Please check back later
• Thursdays:  6 - 7 PM - Special Meetings for anyone interested
• 5/1 2015 Leadership Training - For anyone interested in being a leader or captain next year
• Special Meetings/Events: 
• Monday, May 5 - Relay for Life Planning Meeting 7 PM - 9 PM for parents, mentors, and/or students interested in designing our baton, decorating our booth, and/or planning our event.  Please meet with Mrs. Smith at the center if you are interested.  
• Tuesday, May 6 - Presentation Training 7 - 9 PM (You must attend if you plan to participate in any presentation)
• Thursday, May 8 - Presentation in Bowling Green to Retired Teachers with the attempt to try to get FIRST started in Bowling Green. (leave BHS at 10:30 AM, return around 2:30 PM)   Full:  Ankit, Parth, Blake, Danny, Kira, Brad, John, Ethan, Justin, Courtney
• Saturday - Sunday, May 17-18 - Relay for Life
• Tuesday, May 20, 7:00 - 9:00 PM Coach/Mentor Training/Planning Session for students wanting to coach or mentor a 2014-2015 JFLL, FLL, or FTC team.
• Tuesday, May 27 - Information/Registration Night for 2014-2015 teams.  6:00 set up, 7:00 - 9:00 event.  We need BX students to run sales of t-shirts, explain programs, and demonstrate robots.  

Championships

Please check out the Wednesday Workshops and see if anything interests you.  Drive team cannot do that, but the rest of you can on Wednesday, unless you sign up to volunteer, which is another option.  If you want to look at the classes, they are listed here

Sign up to volunteer here:  VIMS.

Championship Information

Galileo Field Information

NASA Webcast: 

Final Rooming List

Changes to Championship Entry

HOTEL INFORMATION:  Though our contract clearly states we have no drop date, our hotel has dropped our rooms.  I have been working on a resolution to this problem for pretty much the past 36 hours non-stop.  I do not see a bright outcome in the future with this hotel.  We are currently searching for a new hotel, and will post more information as soon as possible.   Please keep watch on here.   

9:26 PM - New hotel:   Country Inn and Suites  Nope ... That didn't work out.. still working

10:48 AM - New Hotel:  Wingate by Wyndham in St. Charles, MO.  This is about a half hour past St. Louis, and thankfully they just had a team cancel.  Thanks Sandy Smith for finding this.  Any parents who booked rooms in the Fairfield Inn to be with us are encouraged to get out of your room if you can, let them know what they did to us was wrong, and find a hotel closer to us.  Unfortunately, I think this hotel only has 1 room available on Saturday night, unless someone else cancels.  If you want to stay at the Fairfield, that is fine.  If you have a no cancel reservation, I would suggest calling Marriott Cares at 1-800-535-4028 and having them look up the issue under my first and last name, and explain you booked a room to be with us and that since they did not honor the group contract, you should get a full refund also.   Make sure you have a room before you cancel yours though.

Student Ambassador training:

• Wed, 3pm, Room 261 AND
• Thursday, 10am, Ferrara Theatre 
•  

Departure:  Meet at the center at 8:00 AM - Park on the north side of the curb (or in the parking lot) to unload so that there is space for the bus right along the curb by the doorway.   Put suitcases on the grass or sidewalk unless it is raining.  If raining, you can put them in the center.  We will depart as soon as we are loaded.

Return Home:  The bus is scheduled to arrive home at 8:30 PM on Sunday.  It is possible that we will arrive sooner.  If it looks like we can be home for dinner, we will skip our dinner stop and just head straight home.  Please be prepared to pick up your child between 6:00 and 10:00 PM on Sunday.  We will tweet our ETA throughout the day.  Follow us at @frc1023 to keep up to date, or like us at https://www.facebook.com/Bx1023 because the tweets show there as well. 

Week of 4/13

Thank you to Shannon Newton and Michelle Lajiness for organizing lunch for the team on Friday and Saturday.   This will certainly be a cheaper option we need to look into more for next year!

Congratulations on a job well done!  That was the first time Bedford Express has EVER seeded in the top 8 at states.   Here are some other stats about our season:

• Bedford finished states with the 7th highest Offensive Power Ranking(OPR) for the tournament
• Bedford is ranked  37th  out of 2732 teams in the world in OPR
• Bedford finished states with the 2nd highest assist total (behind 469 and tied with 1718)
• Bedford has advanced to states the past 5 years, and has qualified for worlds 4 of the past 5 years
• Our season record including states and play-off matches is 49:19
• We are one of 19 teams in the world that won 3 or more blue banners this year
• Blue banners are given for wins and/or Chairman's Awards
• 2 District Winner Blue Banners (Escanaba & Bedford Districts)
• 1 Chairman's Blue Banner (Escanaba District)
• Bedford Express is one of 38 teams in the world  that have won 2 or more districts or regionals this year
• The average score prior to the Championships held this week was 83, and after this week the average score went to 150.  
• Our district average was 140 and our state average was 206, including a match that our alliance scored 314 points, for our all-time high score.  

Next up... World Championship!   Can't wait to see what you all do there!  Here is what our schedule will be up until we leave.  

Monday (4/15):  6:00 - 9:00  Paint Shipping Crate (Thank you to Mr. Kraine & Mr. Kazmirski for making a new one for us), Robot repairs and fixes, strategy meeting, safety meeting, etc...  Anyone going to worlds should try to attend this meeting along with anyone willing to help paint or work on worlds stuff.     

Tuesday (4/15)  6:00 - 7:00  Finish any painting, repairs, etc.  

                         7:00 - 9:00 Parent/Student travel meeting - Travel Itinerary, Update Health Forms (please bring any insurance policy information that has been changed since September), Review of Rules for Long Distrance Travel, etc..

The next few practices fall on religious days for some of you.  None of them are required. If you have family time, or church to attend, please feel free.  If it is not a religious holiday for you, and you are going to worlds, we would like you at practice if you are able.  

Wednesday (4/16)  6:00 - 9:00 Prepare for Worlds..anyone that wants to help... drive team, pit crew if available.  More robot work, packing for worlds, etc

Thursday (4/17)  6:00 - 9:00  - Drive Team, Pit Crew.. please check back prior to attending Thursday as it may change.  

Friday (4/18)  TBD based on need...  

Saturday (4/19)  TBD based on need.. We hope to not practice on Friday and Saturday, but we may need to if the robot isn't working.   Optional around holiday activities.

Easter Sunday:  No practice

Monday (4/21)  TBD based on need

Tuesday (4/22) Leave for Worlds!  Event Information 

Sunday (4/27)  Return Home!

Week of April 6

I cannot even begin to thank everyone for all they did to make this weekend possible.  To all of you that helped, I want to say a huge thank you!!  Our planning committee has spent months preparing for this event, and I am so excited that everything went so smoothly!  Thank you all!  If you are interested in being on the 2015 event planning committee, please email me, and let me know. We will begin meeting once a month in May, and will bump up to twice a month in late fall, and weekly in January.

Thanks to everyone that helped out with the team during the event.  One of the hardest things about coordinating the event, is not being able to be with the team.  Thanks to all who stepped in to fill in and help out, especially Dianna, for taking care of so much during the event.

Another busy week for us this week too!  Here's what this week looks like:

Sunday, April 6:  No Practice

Monday, April 7:  Full Team Practice 6 - 9 PM

Tuesday, April 8:  Mandatory Travel Practice  7 - 9 PM

Wednesday, April 9:  Drive Team, Pit Crew, Chairman's team to EMU for states inspections.  Leaving after school.  Meet at the front of the junior high as quick as possible after school.

•  Check for rides here!
• States Information Page (Agenda, Directions)

Thursday, April 10:  Drive Team, Pit Crew, Chairman's team to EMU for states practice in AM, remaining team members join us at EMU after school.  Speak with your driver to verify where to meet.

Friday, April 11:  Full travel eligible team at EMU for states.  School Related ABS.  (If you are not on a ride list, you will not be on the excused list, so please get signed up for rides.)

Saturday, April 12:  Full team at EMU for states.

Sunday, April 13:  No Practice

Monday, April 14:  No Practice

Tuesday, April 15:  Mandatory Travel meeting for Worlds.  Parents should attend.  Only those attending worlds need attend.  7 - 9 PM

Bedford District FIRST Robotics Competition Links and Information

• Webcasts: 
•  Bedford 
• Code Red Robotics - Bedford District
• 1 Page Game Description
• Game Animation
• Ranking Points:  Teams are ranked first by qualifying scores.  Teams are awarded 2 points for every win and one point for every tie. Ties in ranking scores are ordered by a series of match scores beginning with Assists.  These subscores can be found on ranking pages. 
• Bedford District Public Agenda
• Bedford District Information and maps
• Bedford District Team List
• Bedford Ranks
• Bedford Match Scores
• FRC Spyder App - iphone  and Android Platform APP to follow FRC events. 
• Free
• Click Events
• Scroll to week 6
• Find the Bedford Event
• Favorite it so you can find it quickly
• See our match schedule times (available early Friday morning)
• See our live match results
• See our rankings
• Add your team to your "watchlist" and get results messaged to you 

Week of March 30

Sunday, March 30:  Practice 1 - 5 for those able to make it.

Monday, March 31:   Drive Practice 5-6.  Normal Practice 6 -9 - ALL Team members should attend.

Tuesday, April 1:   Drive Practice 5-6.  Normal Practice 6 -9 - ALL Team members should attend.

Wednesday, April 2:  3:00 Meet at the High School Aux. Gym.  Please wear a BX or Bedford Robotics Shirt.  Start unloading and laying down Tarps in the old gym first.  Next lay down tarps in the new gym.  We need to make sure that they are laid down tightly and that there are no bumps (tripping hazards) in the tarps before they are taped.  Adult help is appreciated if any parents are able.  After all tarps are down, we will begin setting up the rest of the event.  The more people we have on hand, the earlier we get done tonight.  I'd love to have tarps down, carpet down, Masonite down, pipe and drape up by the time the FIRST trailer arrives at 5:00 PM.  :)

Thursday, April 3:   Wear a BX shirt to school.  Meet after school in the new gym after school.  We will finish any set up at 3:00 PM. Teams will begin arriving at 4:00 PM.  Inspections and practice rounds run from 4 PM - 10 PM.

Friday, April 4:   Competition Date

Saturday, April 5:   Competition Date - Red Robin Dinner - Again, we will need as many people as possible to help tear down the event.  The faster we tear down, the sooner we get to leave for dinner.  :)  PLEASE plan to stay until the truck is loaded and leaving even if you do not want to join us at Red Robin.

NEXT WEEK:  

Sunday, April 6:  No Practice

Monday, April 7:  Full Team Practice 6 - 9 PM

Tuesday, April 8:  Mandatory Travel Practice  7 - 9 PM

Wednesday, April 9:  Drive Team, Pit Crew, Chairman's team to EMU for states inspections.

Thursday, April 10:  Drive Team, Pit Crew, Chairman's team to EMU for states practice in AM, remaining team members join us at EMU after school.

Friday, April 11:  Full travel eligible team at EMU for states.  School Related ABS.

Saturday, April 12:  Full team at EMU for states.

Sunday, April 13:  No Practice

Week of March 23

Sunday, March 23:  Practice from 1 - 4 - Drive practice, Chairman's Practice, Strategy Practice and update stats from week 4, Count Masonite, Inventory Tarps.  I am in need of 5-6 students and 1 adult to help inventory our tarps.  We will need to unroll them, measure them, and record them so that we can determine what we have, and what we need to purchase for our event.

Monday, March 24:  Drive Practice 5-6.  Normal Practice 6-9

Tuesday, March 25:  Drive Practice 5-6.  Normal Practice 6 -9

Wednesday, March 26: Drive Practice 5 - 6.   Normal Practice 6 - 9.  Tecumseh will be coming down to unlock at our field, and to get some help with things they are struggling with.  We will also be running some practice matches with them.

Thursday, March 27:   Drive Practice 5-6.  Mandatory Thursday Practice 6 -9

Friday, March 28:    Normal Practice 7 -10    UPDATED!!

Saturday, March 29:  UNLOCK - Bedford Event - 10 AM - ?

Sunday, March 30:  TBD

Coming Up: 

Monday, March 31:   Drive Practice 5-6.  Normal Practice 6 -9

Tuesday, April 1:   Drive Practice 5-6.  Normal Practice 6 -9

Wednesday, April 2:  3:00 Meet at the High School Gym.  Start unloading and laying down Tarps in the old gym first.  Next lay down tarps in the new gym.  We need to make sure that they are laid down tightly and that there are no bumps (tripping hazards) in the tarps before they are taped.  Adult help is appreciated if any parents are able.  After all tarps are down, we will begin setting up the rest of the event.  The more people we have on hand, the earlier we get done tonight.  I'd love to have tarps down, carpet down, masonite down, pipe and drape up by the time the FIRST trailer arrives at 5:00 PM.  :)

Thursday, April 3:   Wear a BX shirt to school.  Meet after school in the new gym after school.  We will finish any set up at 3:00 PM. Teams will begin arriving at 4:00 PM.  Inspections and practice rounds run from 4 PM - 10 PM.

Friday, April 4:   Competition Date

Saturday, April 5:   Competition Date - Red Robin Dinner - Again, we will need as many people as possible to help tear down the event.  The faster we tear down, the sooner we get to leave for dinner.  :)

Week of March 17

Week of March 17

Congratulations on a great job this weekend.  The team was great for the entire event!  Thanks for the top notch behavior and the enthusiastic cheering and attitudes.  I am so proud of you all!  

We will not be practicing this week until Thursday.  Here is what our week looks like.

Thursday:

• 6:00 - 9:00 Full team meeting - Clean up center, unpack from Escanaba, Debrief, brainstorm improvements for Bedford and states, get the practice bot working again. 

Friday:  

• 5:30 - 7:00 - Captains Meeting
• 7:00 - 10:00 - Drive Team, Pit Crew, Chairman's practice, Strategy Team, also anyone who has anything to work on!

Saturday:

• 10:00 - ?   Drive Team, Pit Crew, Chairman's, Strategy + anyone that wants to be there.  We will be leaving for lunch around noon (Possibly ordering in).  Bring money or lunch.  If we stay through dinner time, we will break for dinner in the 5-8 window.  

Sunday:  TBD

Escanaba

Escanaba Match List and Info

HOPEFULLY they will be webcasting the event at www.coderedrobotics/com Escanaba event!  If not, try thebluealliance.com  --events-- Escanaba
The matches start at 11.  If you don't see it right away, try back later..  Here is our match schedule(Times will vary, based on delays): 11:28 Match 5 Blue1, 12:03  Match 10 Red 2,  12:31 Match 14 Red 2,  2:48 M22, Red3, 2:48 M25 Red 2, 3:44 M33 Blue2, 4:26 M39 red2, 5:01 M44 Red3, 5:43 M50 Blue2... Then on Saturday 9:30 AM Matchc 55 Blue3, 10:19 M62 Blue1, and 11:22 M71 Red3... Alliance Selections at 11:30



Match results/ rankings/ schedules can be found here:   http://frclinks.frclinks.com/e/m/miesc/2014

Escanaba

We had a great trip up here!  Roads were dry, kids were great! We arrived around 2:45 am.

Escanaba Departure Update

At this point, the administration is not ready to approve our departure.  We will be delaying slightly.  Current plan is to meet at the center at 3:00.  Please check back before leaving your house as that may be pushed back more, or it may need to be cancelled completely for today.  :(

Hold tight, we still do not have approval.  The earliest we will be leaving is 4 PM. Do not leave your house until I tell you we are clear.  At this point, it isn't looking good.

** 3:00 Update** Just got off the phone with Mr. K.  He is calling to check on a few things, and then will be getting back to me.  HOPING to get out of here by 5.  More to come...

**3:40 Update**  GREEN LIGHT!  Mr. K. has contacted police along our route to check road conditions, and the bus company, and he has given us a green light for travel.  If you are uncomfortable with travel, let me know that you will not be attending.  Otherwise, I will look for you to arrive around 4:30.  The center should be plowed in the very near future, so don't get here before 4:15. :)    See you soon!

Week of March 2

Monday (3) practice with Dundee team 4-?
Pit crew requested. Juniors stay home to prepare for your tests as needed.  Everyone else take the day off unless you need to turn in travel payments or 400 for $20 money!!

Please check the email for information about this week and next! :)

Pizza Fundraiser

If you did not turn your order in, please email me at bxcoach1023@gmail.com tonight the 1-2 letter abbreviations and the number of kits.  I have already emailed our order in, but I an add to it as long as I have them by tonight.  I will be in an inservice tomorrow and unable to get email.   Thanks!

Week of Feb. 23

Week of Feb. 23

Reminder:  First House to get to their house goal in 400 for $20 will be awarded 20 points and a t-shirt closet t-shirt each.  Our goal is to have this completed by Tuesday!

Last call for food!  Our food orders for Center Line, Escanaba and Bedford will be sent in Monday.  Please be sure you have ordered any food you want for events!  

Sunday 2/23- Practice 1 - 3 for those able to attend.  Priorities:

• Drive Team Practice on twin
• Chairman's Team
• Presentation
• Props
• Video
• Publications
• Judges Packet
• Business Team 
• Business Plan
• Strategy Team
• Pit Scouting Forms
• Match Scouting Forms

The goal is to have everything that needs to be printed finished today so that it can be printed tomorrow. 

Monday 2/24 - Practice 6 - 9 for Drive team, Pit Crew, Chairman's team & anyone else that needs to finish anything for competition.

Tuesday 2/25 - Practice 6-9  (Mandatory from 7-9)  Parent Drivers please attend from 7-8 if possible.  Rookie parents encouraged to attend.  All parents welcome.  

• Travel Rules and procedures
• Ride verification
• Competition Information
• Top House in 400 for $20 wins 10 points today

Wednesday 2/26 - Practice 6-9

• Finalize Chairmans, Strategy & anything else that needs to be finished.  
• Drive Practice with twin
• Finish packing preperations
• Load the Trailer (8:30PM?)  

Thursday 2/27 -No Practice - Those travelling to Center Line should meet at SRE as quick as possible after school unless your driver tells you otherwise.  We hope to be on the road by 2:45.  You may want to bring your packed travel bag to the center on Wednesday and then just bring a small bag to school with you of things you need in the morning.   I am trying to arrange a 5 or 10 minute early dismissal for those travelling.  I will update Monday.  We will be eating at some point, so bring money for dinner.   

Friday 2/28- Your driver will let you know what time you are leaving the hotel or Bedford.  Most people that are just coming up on Friday will need to be at CenterLine by 9 AM.  This means you will be leaving Bedford between 7 and 7:30 AM.  Remember to sign in with me when you arrive.  

Saturday 3/1 - Final day of competition!  Please do not leave early.  We will stick around to help for 30 minutes after the event, then we will head to a team dinner.  It will be late, we all will be tired, but when it is our turn to host the event, you will see how important it is that others help! We will be eating at our traditional after competition hang out, Red Robin.  So that we can send someone over immediately to let them know we are on our way, please fill out this survey if you plan to attend the dinner.  It is our hope that all team members attend.  It is a great ending to competition, and no matter how we perform, we end on a good note!  

Sunday 3/2 - No practice - Rest and Relax! 

Lunch at Competition

Lunch at Escanaba

If you are attending the tournament at Escanaba, please order your lunches here!  

Lunch at Bedford

If you would like to order food for Bedford, please do so here.

Lunch at Center Line

Coming Soon!

Last Call for Uniforms & Spiritwear, Week of Feb. 17

Last Call for Uniforms & Spiritwear, Week of Feb. 17

We are putting in one more uniform order this week.  Please be sure you have ordered anything you want for the season as I do not plan to order any more after this order.  Please have either spiritwear or uniforms orders in by Wednesday.

• Uniform Order Form
• Spiritwear Order Form

400 for $20 Campaign - We have launched our 400 for $20 campaign to earn money to pay for the charter bus for Escanaba, and for other 2014 needs.  Our goal is for every team member to try to find at least 8 people to donate $20.  The flier can be picked up at the center, or shared on line.  The link to the flier is here. 

This week(No homework time this week, if you need help, bring it to practice):
Monday (17) 6:00 - 9:00 PM   Practice is being cancelled due to the weather

Tuesday (18)- Lock Day:  Practice will be 6 - Lock up.  

Wednesday (19) - Day off for everyone!

Thursday (20) - 6:00 - 9:00 Practice

Friday (21) - To Be Determined - More than likely Drive team and chairman's presentation team.

Saturday (22) Unlock Day with RoboCubs (1701).  10 AM - 

Last Call for Polo's or Track Suits

Last Call for Polo's or Track Suits

Please order by Saturday if you want one.  We will not be re-ordering either of these later.  It is too late to order any other uniform items.

Polo:  There will be 2 lines of printing under the dot:  FIRST Robotics and your name or position

Track Suit Jacket:  

Last Call for Fundraisers

Last Call for Fundraisers

If you are looking for a way to earn money for travel, the opportunities are ending soon.  Don't miss out on our last few fundraisers.

• Yankee Candles:  Order forms are at the center.  Orders are due March 6, 2014.  Late orders will have a late fee added on to their shipping by Yankee.  This is such an easy fundraiser, as the brand sells itself.  In each packet is an envelope with instructions on how to sell online.  Online sales are credited to you, but you don't have to collect money, or deliver product as it is all done directly through the site.   Grab your envelope and try.  This is a nearly 40% profit fundraiser.
• Little Caesars Pizza Kits:  Order forms are available beginning tonight.  Orders are due Feb. 22.  The shipping date got moved forward on this, so there is a short window for selling.  Be sure to get your forms tonight or tomorrow so you can get started.   Orders will be delivered on March 5.  I need one or two people to volunteer to pick our order up from Toledo Tech Acad. (old Devilbiss high school) at 2:30, and bring them to the center to pass out .  Please let me know if you can help out.  
• Kroger:  This is the last quarter of the year.  You will need to renew in April.  Be sure to get your Quarter 3 receipts turned in.  They should be up by now, or in the near future.  4th quarter come too late for travel for this season, but can be banked for future years.  
• Candy Bars:  There are still a very small number of boxes of candy left to sell.  Please sign one out soon if you want to sell it.
• Elder Beerman Booklets:   We are winding down our EB sale.  Please sign up to sell, or check out any booklets you want to sell on your own.  Sale ends Feb. 28.  
• McDonalds Cards:  Any unsold McDonald's cards need to be returned on Saturday.  This is a great fundraiser because we earn money for Ronald McDonald House ($1 per card) and money for your travel!  We need to return any unsold cards to the distributor very soon, so please get them sold or returned.   

When these sales wrap up, there will be no more fundraisers for this season.  Please remember to make all fundraising checks payable to BHS Robotics.  One check for your full order is greatly appreciated!   

Week of Feb. 9

Week of Feb. 9

This is our last full week of build season!   Make sure you have completed the number of hours needed for your desired level of participation and travel.  Build season officially ends a week from today on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

Travel documents have been submitted to Mr. Stalker.  If you have outstanding forms, you are not on the travel list.  I will be sending one more update to him on Friday.  If your forms are not in by then, you will not be attending competitions with us on school days.

Parents and mentors driving students:  I need your forms please.  We cannot get final approval for our trip until all of our chaperone forms are turned in.

As soon as I have all of the driver information turned in, I will be sending home ONE MORE form which must be signed and returned quickly.  Ideally, we will have these ready to hand out on Thursday.  If you can sign when you pick up, it will help us out greatly.  This is a huge deal with the change in procedures this year.

You can check if you have any outstanding forms HERE. Please get any missing forms to the center tonight. An "X" means that form is turned in.  A blacked out square means this is not a form you need to submit.  If you have questions, please see me tonight.

Here is what this week looks like:
Mon - Thurs.:  Homework time 5 - 6 PM, practice 6 - 9 PM.

Friday:  Pit Crew Practice 7 - 11 PM (probably later as students are able to stay)

Saturday:

• PICTURES:  Order forms can be printed from home, or picked up at the center.  Team picture at 11:00.  We hope to have everyone there for pictures, including mentors! :) 
• Pizza Lunch - Bring a few dollars for pizza
• UNVEILING:  2:00 - 4:00 Public event!  We hope to see all of you there 
• Dinner Break:  TBD
• Practice until midnight
• Lock - In - we will discuss on Thursday but we are looking at moving this to a weekend down the road.  

Sunday:  If the robot is ready, it will be used as a drive practice day.  Pit Crew should attend as able.  We anticipate being there 1-5, but this may be extended if we need more time.

Monday (President's Day) 2/17: It is possible that we may hold some practice for drive team and Chairman's presentation team during the day.  More info to come.  Regular practice will be 5-6 study, 6-11 practice. If time is needed, we may stay late so we are ready to lock up on Tuesday.  It depends on how the robot is going. More will be posted next weekend.

Tuesday (Lock Up Day)2/18:  Lock up time is midnight, and we will stay this late if need be.  Only those on drive team, or lead pit crew will stay that late, and only as parents permit.  Regular practice will be 5-6 for homework, and 6 - ? for practice.

Wednesday (2/19):  No Practice/homework time - Rest and Relax

Polo Shirts and Track Jackets

Polo Shirts and Track Suits

If you would like to order a polo or a track jacket &/or pants, please do so by Saturday.  The price of the Polo is $27.   They will look like the design below, however, they will say FIRST Robotics and then either your name or Parent or Mentor (1023 is already on the BX logo so we will not be putting it on the shirt under the circle like the picture.)

Uniform Order Form

Thursday, 2/6/13

Thursday, 2/6/13

We will be holding an optional team practice tonight from 6-9 pm.  No study session at 5.  It will be an optional practice though.  So, if you are not comfortable with attending, it is not required.

Please be sure you read the email and took care of everything in it.  Bring forms on Saturday if you are not attending today.

Feb 5 - Practice is Cancelled

Feb 5 - Practice is Cancelled

The district has cancelled all practices and events for tonight.  We will NOT be practicing.  The good news is, our robot came to life last night.  And, it moves very well.  It was exciting to watch!  So, as hard as a day off is at this point, we will be ok!   I am so proud of you all for your hard work and how much you have accomplished so far1   Enjoy a day off, introduce yourselves to your families again. :)

I will post info about a make up session.  It is not going to work in the hang out.  Thanks though.

  Parents who haven't attended a meeting yet.. I will be in a google hangout at 5 and 7 to try to get you all the information.  In order to get in the room, you must have a gmail account.  If you want to be invited, comment your gmail account (or email it to me) and the time you want to attend.  I can only have 9 people in at one time with me.  You do not need to have a video camera, but you will need a set of headphones or speakers to hear.  :)  Once you give me your info, I will send you directions.   Below are the basics.

Directions for Google Hangout:

1.  Create a gmail account if you do not have one.
2. Visit https://plus.google.com/‎ and create a Google Plus Account.
3. Visit www.google.com/hangouts/‎ and download required app for the hangout.
4. I will send you a link to join the hangout.  
5. When you get in the conference room, please disable your video feed (keeps the room moving better without lag) by clicking on the video camera icon at the top center of the page
6. You can also disable the sound by clicking on the Microphone.  Just make sure when you want to talk, you enable it. 
7. On the left menu (hover over the left side if you don't see it) click the blue/white chat bubble.  This will open a chat window on the right side of your window.
1. In this type of conference call, it is often best if you type your questions.
2. You can use this chat window to communicate to me if you don't have a microphone, or if you are having problems setting up your mic
8. If you do not have headphones, please mute your sound, or make sure background noise is limited.  When you don't have headphones, we hear everything that is said echo back because your mic pics it up
9. If you are having problems, ask you child to help you as many of them have done this for our hangouts.

Week of Feb. 2

Week of Feb. 2, 2014

Lots of important things that need to be done this weekend!!  If you have not done any of these, please get them done tonight!

• Uniform Orders - Deadline, Monday, Feb. 3 @ 3:00 PM
• 2014 Design - Front - Thank you Brandon for the great design!
• Backs will be similar to last year with updated sponsors.
• Spiritwear Orders - Deadline, Monday, Feb. 3 @ 3:00 PM
• 2013-2014 Design
• Fun Stuff Orders - Socks, Tutus, etc - Deadline, Sunday, Feb. 2 @ 5:00 PM

• Hotel Travel Information - Deadline, Sunday, Feb. 2 @ 5:00 PM

Here is a link to a document that has the updated important dates outside of our normal practices.  Please be sure to check it out!

• Important Dates  This has competition dates, and other important dates.

Parent Meetings:  All parents should attend ONE of the travel meetings scheduled this week!  Meetings will last an hour.

• Monday, Feb. 3 - 6:00 PM
• Tuesday, Feb. 4 - 6:00 PM
• Wednesday, Feb. 5 - 6:00 PM

2014 Uniforms!  Have you seen our new design?  Do you know a business is planning to sponsor us?  We need to have a commitment from them this week so they can get on our t-shirts.  Please touch base with me if you know of a sponsor that is not on the 2014 list, that is not on the list, please let me know immediately so that we don't miss anyone.   

• 2014 Sponsors to Date

Fundraiser Update:

• Yankee Candles:  Order Forms are here.  Sale ends March 6.  40%(minus shipping) Profit.  Please change the white paper to say make checks payable to BHS Robotics.  All fundraising should be made out that way.  Pick up your sales packet at the center.  Late fees are assessed by Yankee for any orders sent in late.  
• McDonald Cards:  We are halfway to our goal.  Please turn in money on Thursday for all cards sold.  This sale will be ending soon.
• Little Caesar Pizza Kits:  This sale will begin on Thursday, Feb. 13 and will be due early March.  
• Candy:  We have about 15 boxes left.  We will not be ordering more.  Please turn in any outstanding money. or return candy bars you are unable to sell.  

Practices:

• Sunday, Feb. 2:  Noon - ?
• Monday - Thursday:
• Study Time:  5:00 - 6:00
• Practice:  6:00 - 10:00
• Friday: GIRLS NIGHT!   Females ONLY unless Nick or I have asked you to attend.  
• 7:00 - midnight
• Saturday, Feb. 8:  10 AM - midnight 
• Lunch = Pascal
• TY to Tesla for last today's lunch!
• Sunday, Feb. 9:  noon - ?? 

12 days until Essays(Chairman's/Entrepreneurship/WF/Dean's List) must be submitted!!  14 days until unveiling!!!  17 days until we lock up!!!  27 days until our first competition!!!  Go Team!! 

Wednesday, Jan. 29

We will be practicing tonight from 6 - 9.  Please make sure you have no exposed skin when attending.  It is an optional practice.  There will be no homework time tonight.

Please Volunteer at our Events!!

Directions for Registering as a Volunteer at our Tournament

Bedford FRC District Tournament April 3, 2014 - April 5, 2014

Help Needed:

• Wednesday Set-up helpers are needed from 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM.  
• Thursday 4:00 PM - 11:00 PM
• Friday 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
• Saturday 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM

If you would like to help in our concession stand, you do not need to register in VIMS.  Concession workers should contact our concession chairs, Broderick Gin or Tanya Brothers, or sign up here.  

A description of volunteer positions may be found HERE!

Register in VIMS (Volunteer Information Management System)  Tutorial

• Create an account, OR log in to your account HERE.  (If you just created an account, you will need to create your profile, log out, then return to the page and log in again to move to the next step.) 
• Click on the "Apply for an Event" link.
• Select FRC - FIRST Robotics Competition
• Select Michigan in the drop down bar.
• Click "Find an Event" 
• Click "Select" for the MI FRC Bedford District
• Add up to 5 jobs you are interested in, in the order of interest, by clicking the "add" button after clicking on the job.  
• Check mark the days you are available to help.
• Type anything you want to let us know. 
• Click submit!  You are done!!! :)  

You will immediately get an email from FIRST stating you registered.  As we get closer to the event, you will receive emails from the volunteer coordinator outlining your assignment.  

If you have questions about volunteering, please contact event coordinator, Debbie May, or Volunteer Coordinator, Sandy Smith. 

Now that you have signed up for our event, please consider working at the events we are competing in as well! :)   Follow the above procedures, but instead of Bedford pick Center Line.  You can also sign up to volunteer at states and worlds. Volunteering at Worlds is really fun.  You can sign up to work on field reset, and if our team makes it to worlds, you can request our field so you can see all of our matches.  

Give volunteering a try!  It is a great experience!

Monday Practice

Practice is on for tonight, but the homework time from 5-6 is cancelled.  Regular practice will begin at 6 and run til 9 tonight.  It is optional.

Week of Jan. 26

Week of January 27

When grade cards are posted, please provide me with a copy of your grade card, including your current gpa.

Monday - Wednesday:  Homework/Tutoring Time:  5 - 6 PM, Main Practice: 6 - 9 PM

Thursday:  Mandatory Meeting Cancelled,  Those wishing to attend the School Board Committee of the Whole meeting should wear BX shirt (red preferred) and be in the media center at the high school by 6:15 pm.  If you plan to speak, please have something written down.  Be sure not to attack any other program.  Homework/Tutoring Time will also be canceled today.

Friday:  7:00 - 11:00 PM  -  Chairman's Friday - Any Chairman team member - We will be videotaping and working on the robot - Others needed on the video may be asked to attend part of this meeting

• Feb. 7:  Female Friday - Female team members 
• Feb. 14:  Pit Crew Friday - 2014 Pit Crew Practice 

Saturday:  10 AM - 11 PM

• Lunch - Tesla House
• Planning for next week's Lunch Pascal
• If you are staying through dinner, please bring money for dinner.  You are also welcome to go home for dinner and then come back.   After 2:00, feel free to come and go as you desire/are able.  

Sunday:  1 PM - 5 PM  

Drive Team, Chairman's Presentation Team, Pit Crew, Dean's List

A huge thank you to everyone that tried out for any of our key roles!  You all did a great job, and we are so proud of you all.

Congratulations to our 2014 Drive Team:

• Chassis Driver:  Brandon S.
• Manipulator Driver:  Parth P.
• Human Player/Back-up Driver:  Shelby H.

Congratulations to our 2014 Chairman's Presentation Team:

• Ethan B.
• Kira H.
• Stacee D.

Congratulations to our 2014 Pit Crew:  Main(In Training):  

• Pit Captain:  Conner T. (Parth P.)
• Build Captain:  Brandon S. (Matt S.)
• Electronics:  Conner T. (Stacee D.)
• Chairman's:  Dianna D.  (Erin J./Ethan B.)
• Safety:  Abby D. & Allison G.
• Machining:  Mark D.
• Programming:  Jeremy (Kira)
• Lead Strategist:  Taylor S. (Ankit)  
• Drive Team:  Brandon/Parth/Shelby

Congratulations to our Pit Crew Alternates:

• Electronics:  Shelby H./Allison G.
• Build:  Nick K./Danny B./Jacob W.
• Strategy:  Jason G./Brad H.

Congratulations to our 2014 Dean's List Nominees:

• Brandon S.
• Dianna D.

We know you all will represent our team so very well!  Thanks for your time and dedication!

Weather Delay - Saturday

Just heard from Mr. Stalker, and we are approved for an optional practice.  This means no one has to be there, it is up to you.  If you do not attend, it will not be held against you.  We will be at the center at 11:00 though so you all have time to dig out and get there safely.  

Rookie Friday is still on!

Practice is on tonight.  Rookie Friday begins at 7:00 and we will be there until 11:00 PM.   Stay as late as you wish.  Parts are in, so it should be an exciting night!  See you rookies there!  

Weather this weekend looks ify.  Be sure to check twitter or here for more information tomorrow.  

Pit Crew Application - Travel Hotels

We would like to start reserving hotel rooms for our events, and to do so, we need to know who will be staying in hotels and who will be on the pit crew.  So, there are two important forms that you fill out to be sure you get a room.

The lottery for a 3rd event happens on the 30th.  Any tournament will be a hotel stay.  The closest tournament open is 2.5 hours away, and the furthest is 8 hours away.

Center Line is a suburb of Detroit which requires a  commute north of the busy traffic zone.  For this reason, we choose to stay in a hotel there.  If you would prefer to drive back and forth, that is your option. It is about an 1.5 hour commute.   We will try to stay at the Warren Holiday Inn Express again this year.   The rate with tax will be between $90 and $100.  So, for now, count on a max of $25 per night per person in a 4 person room, or $33 per night per person in a 3 person room, etc.  We will look for hotels in this price range at the 3rd event as well.   States is close enough to commute as it is held at Eastern Michigan University and is under an hour away.

Please fill out this form to let us know whether to book a room for you or not.  PLEASE talk to your parents before filling out the form to make sure that they approve.  Also, if you are willing to chaperone our event and drive our team members to the event/hotel, please use this form to let us know.    HOTEL REQUEST FORM

Additionally, if you wish to be on the pit crew, please fill out the pit crew application.  We will be choosing the main pit crew soon.  Your application must be received by Saturday, January 25th to be considered for the pit crew.  If you do not fill it out, you will not be considered for this position.  PIT CREW APPLICATION

1/20/2014 - Tonight's Homework Session is Canceled

Tonight's (1/20/2014) homework session from 5PM to 6PM has been cancelled. Practice from 6PM to 9PM is still on for tonight. -NOPO

Week of January 19th

Week of January 19th

Practices will continue as follows:

M-TH:  

• 5:00 - 6:00 PM -Homework time.  Come to the center if you want to work on your homework before practice, or if you want to help tutor team mates that need help.
• 6:00 - 9:00 PM - Practice - Week 3 - As parts arrive we will begin building our robot.  

Fridays:  

Our captains decided to do something special with Fridays this year.  The goal of our Friday practices will be to allow some people that don't always get their hands on the robot as much, an opportunity to work with the robot.  Special groups will be invited to join the captains each Friday.  If you do not fit in the category, you should not attend on that Friday unless Nick or I speak with you directly.   Programmers, you should keep Fridays open as you may be needed on Fridays.  

• 7:00- 11:00 PM
• Friday Groups:  
• Jan. 24:  Rookie Friday - Any first year BX students
• Jan. 31: Chairman's Friday - Any Chairman team member - We will be videotaping and working on the robot - Others needed on the video may be asked to attend part of this meeting
• Feb. 7:  Female Friday - Female team members 
• Feb. 14:  Pit Crew Friday - 2014 Pit Crew Practice 

Saturday:  

• 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM -  (4-7 drive try out break - please read below)
• Lunch @ noon - This week Galileo will be providing lunch
• Lunch Schedule  -We are still looking for some parent helpers.  If you want to help with lunches for your team member's house, please let your house leader know.  
• Drive Team Try-Outs - Drive Team final 4 will have the drive portion of their try out on Saturday at 4:00 PM  At this time, we will clear the center of everyone except captains, mentors, coaches and drive team candidates.  The rest of you can take an extended dinner break, or relaxation break.  You are welcome to head back to the center after 7:00 PM.  
• Chairman Presentation Team Final Try-Outs - We will begin around 11:00 AM with your presentations.  Chairman's presentation candidates will be performing a mock Chairman's presentation in front of a panel of 10 team members, mentors and coaches.  

Sunday:  

• 1:00 - 5:00 PM - PENDING part delivery!!    Please check back on Saturday to see if we will be meeting.  Please remember, all Sunday practices are optional.  

Current Travel Fundraisers:

• Kroger - Be sure to get your quarter 2 print outs turned in if you have not already done so.  The new quarter begins Feb. 1.
• McDonalds Peelers -Please sign out 1 or 2 cards to try to sell them.   You earn $4.50 for each card you sell.  For every 10 you sell, you earn 1 free card to keep or to make the full $10 profit for selling it.  Remember that $1 of each sale goes to the Ronald McDonald House to provide living arrangements for parents and families of children that are hospitalized. 
• Elder Beerman Booklets- EB booklets will be available to pick up at the center on Thursday.  Please remember I can sign you up to sell at any time on any day.  Just email me a time/date and I will request it from Elder Beerman.  To sign up to sell at any of the dates I have already signed us up for, please click here.  To view who has already signed up, click here.  Here are the dates I have signed us up for based on what you all told me Saturday.  We need at least 1 adult per shift.  Adults volunteering will earn one share of the profit that day for their team members travel fund.  Please remember to wear your Bedford Express shirt at the sale.  This is required.  If you do not have one, there are some for sale at the center, or you can borrow from another team member until we do our 2014 order later this month.  
• Wed(1/22) 2:00-4:00
• Wed. (1/29) 4:00- 6:00
• Wed. ( 2/5):  4:00- 6:00
• Wed. (2/12):  4:00 - 6:00
• Wed. (2/19):  4:00- 6:00
• Wed. (2/26): 4:00 - 6:00
• Thurs. (2/27):  6:00 - 8:00 (This one will have to be covered by non-pit crew team members, as pit crew will be heading to competition at this time)

Volunteers Needed!!

A Message from our Volunteer Coordinator! 

Bedford Express will be hosting a FRC District competition on April 3rd - 5th,  2014. To make this a successful event, we need your help! For some positions, volunteers are needed early in order to receive proper training. We are in need of a minimum of 4 referees for the event. Below is the official description of a referee:

"Referees observe team matches, identify rule violations, and “call” them.
They calculate the official score of the matches and participate in deliberations
regarding contested calls. Referees work under the direction of the Head
Referee. They play a critical role in ensuring smooth flow of match play and
maintaining the pace of the even"

Anyone over the age of 18 can volunteer for this position (Parents, relatives, teachers, co-workers, neighbors etc).

There is a video to watch for training, a short training manual to keep on hand, and a online test that is required for certification.

Registering early for this position also gives the volunteer to learn more at the events BX will compete at. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions well before our event and have a better feel for the rules.

Volunteers interested in this position can email me at ssmithmich@gmail.com

Thank you for your consideration!

Sandy Smith

Volunteer Coordinator

ssmithmich@gmal.com

419.345.1209

Jan 10 - 12

Thanks to everyone that participated in our virtual meetings!   This has really helped keep us from falling behind when we were unable to meet in person.  Here is the adjusted schedule for the rest of the weekend.

Please watch for an email coming out shortly with some important information.

Friday:  7 - 11 PM - practice at the center for those that want to be there.   We will begin prototyping some design ideas tonight.   We will also be working on our Culture Changing Goals.

Saturday:  10AM - ?   Due to the loss of time, if we are being productive in our prototyping, we will stay possibly late into the evening.  Feel free to come and go as you are able.  The required time is 10 - 2.   Lunch is being provided by the Fermi (Parth's) House.  If you have not communicated with Parth on what you are bringing, please get a hold of him today.   Sub-committees will also begin meeting today between 10 and 2. Please see email for more info.

Sunday:  Depending on how things go, the progress we make, and where we are when we quit on Saturday, we may come in a bit on Sunday afternoon.  This will be posted via twitter (@frc1023) on Saturday night.  If we meet, it will be to continue working on our field build and prototyping.  

Thanks for your patience as we adjust for the weather!  :)   Remember, dress in layers.  A light pair of gloves, and a hat may be desired while working in the center on the weekends.