Week of 10/7

Week of October 7th

Thursday, October 10:  7:00 - 9:00 ROOKIE PARENT MEETING:  This is a mandatory parent meeting for new team members and at least one parent/adult.   Veteran families, if you missed last week's parent meeting, you need to attend this one!

Other than the captains, no veteran students should be attending practice on Thursday.   We will only be doing our parent meeting!   See you next week!

Elder Beerman Sign Up:  I will add this link to our links post, but here is the form if you would like to sign up to sell at Elder Beerman:  Elder Beerman Sign Up Link

To see available dates, visit the spreadsheet here:  Elder Beerman Dates (I hope to update this with adults who signed up at the parent meeting tonight)

Remember, you can sign up for ANY day as long as you have an adult to go with you.  I need at least a week's notice to get you signed up with Elder Beerman though.  So, if you pick a date we have not already reserved, please be sure to send in your request at least a week in advance.

Pizza Fundraiser:  The dates have been extended a little.  Orders are now due on Oct. 17.  I need a couple of parents to pick up our order at Toledo Tech Academy on Oct. 23 at 1:30.   Pizzas need to be picked up at the center at 3:00 on Oct. 23.   They are frozen, so prompt pick up is important.

Yankee Candle Fundraiser:  Forms for this are also available at the center.

ALL checks for fundraising should be made out to BHS ROBOTICS.  If you can have your customers write checks to you, and then you write one big check, it is very helpful for our book keeping. :)

See new families on Thursday!!

Week of 9/30

Week of Sept. 30  - Oct. 6

Thursday (10/3):

• 7 - 9 PM  - Full Team Practice
• 8 - 9 PM - VETERAN TEAM MEMBER PARENT MEETING - Mandatory meeting for parents of returning team members.  We will be meeting in the Admin. room of the center.  
• Fundraiser Kick Off: Please remember all fundraisers are optional.  Participate in what you want! :)
• Yankee Candles:  Order packets will be passed out at practice.  Sales dates are on the letter inside the packet.  Directions are on the letter to sell online if you prefer.  Or, you can post the fundraising catalog online and have them order through you.   Profit:  40% - shipping.  
• Little Caesars Pizza Kits:  Orders are due next Thursday.  Profit = $5 per item sold.  We will do this several more times this year.  We have limited forms, so please only take one if you will be selling this week. :)
• Parent Volunteers:  I am looking for a parent to help with the Yankee Fundraiser and the Little Caesars Fundraiser.  Responsibilities are listed below.  Please let me know if you would be willing to do either of these.  Know that I will help you with this!  Any help is appreciated, but I will not leave you on your own to do it. :)  If you are willing, please let me know so we can arrange a time to get you going on it.  
• Yankee Volunteer Responsibilities:  
• Check completion of forms when turned in, help fill in missing info and totals
• Help record total profit for each student
• Verify payment has been made prior to distributing candles
• Help distribute candles (they come shipped in boxes with individual orders - You do not need to sort orders, just help students verify their orders in the box are correct and undamaged)
• Pizza Volunteer Responsibilities:  
• Check completion of forms when turned in, fill in missing info and totals
• Total each item ordered into a master order form
• Pick up (or arrange for pick up) of the kits at Toledo Tech Academy
• Help distribute kits to students
• Verify payments submitted
• Record total profit for each student 

Saturday (10/5):  OPTIONAL team meeting for anyone on Square team, and any females wanting to train for the girl tournament.  10 AM - 1:00 PM  

Upcoming Events:  

Thursday (10/10):  NEW TEAM MEMBER PARENT MEETING - This meeting should be attended by rookie team members and at least one parent.  This is a mandatory meeting.  Captains should also attend.  All other veterans should take this week off! :)  

FUNDRAISING

Bedford Express requires each team member to fundraise money for the team and encourages team members to fundraise for their travel expenses.  We provide a number of opportunities for earning this money.  Please see below for current opportunities:

YEAR ROUND Fundraisers: 

Kroger:  By simply signing up for our team on your rewards card, and shopping at Kroger's, you can earn money for our team.  Details can be found here:  Kroger Rewards   Be careful when selecting our team that you get our team.  There is another team listed as Bedford Robotics, so make sure the one you select has our number or BEDFORD HIGH SCHOOL & Bedford Express.

SEASONAL Fundraisers: 

Yankee Candles:  We do 2 Yankee Candle sales.  One in the fall, and one in the winter.  The profit is 40% minus shipping.  The more orders we have, the lower the shipping. we pay.  Our first sale will kick off on Oct. 3 with orders being due on Oct. 24.  Delivery will be in time for Thanksgiving.

Little Casear Pizza Kits:  We do this one jointly with Team 279, Tech Fusion.  Order forms will be available on Saturday and the sale will end in 2 weeks.    We will do this one 2-3 times per year.  Profit is $5 per item sold.

Elder Beerman:  Community Days Booklets.  Each booklet sells for $5.  We keep the entire $5.  We can sign up to sell them in store to incoming customers.  NEW THIS YEAR:  $10 off coupons in the booklet may be used on Super Saver sales!  This is a great opportunity to make 100% profit.    We do one in the fall and one in the winter.

Restaurant days:  We have days where if you eat at a local restaurant they will donate a set amount to the team.

Concessions:  We run concessions at the center and at the tournaments we host.  Last year we made over $3,000 at our FRC concession stand.  This is a big job, and we need many volunteers to make this work.

If you have a fundraising idea, please let me know!  If you would be willing to help with one of the fundraisers, please let me know.

Robot Opportunities

Several teams have banded together to form an ALL GIRL off-season event this year.  It will be held on Nov. 14.  We will be taking interested girls up to this event.  It may require a Friday night stay.  I am still looking into this.  Here is some preliminary information:  All Girl Event Information

Boys, you do not have to be left out.  If you are interested in volunteering (FIRST Service hours) at this event, please email Marjie (Las Guerrillas)  and let her know.  She will be looking for set up people on Friday night, and for workers all day Saturday.     Her email is  Marjiejenkins@gmail.com

This event is being hosted by the Guerrillas, Bees, Bionic Barons & Truck Town Thunder.  ALL BX GIRLS should plan to attend this event.  It is a great opportunity for you!   We will be doing drive team practices and trainings for girls interested in driving at competition.  I would like to climb! :)

Clinton Bolinger (Enginerds) has invited us to their robot boot camp.  We will not be participating as a team, but if any team members are interested in attending let me know.  You can find out more information here:  http://www.team2337.com/robotbootcamp.html

Week of 9 -23

I am still looking for some team members to mentor JFLL, FLL or FTC teams.  If you would like to mentor, please let me know so I can connect you with a team.

Thursdays:  7:00 - 9:00 PM  Practice

Saturday 10:00 AM - ADOPT A ROAD Clean Up.  We will meet at Pizza Primo parking lot (Jackman and Sterns) at 10:00 AM.  We need adults and students to help with this.  Wear long pants, closed toed shoes and bring work gloves.  Adults and team members must watch the safety video before cleaning.  Please take a moment to review it even if you have already seen it.  Watch Safety Video Here!

After the clean up, we will eat lunch at Pizza Primo (bring money if you want to eat) and then head back to the center for those that would like to work on projects.   The more people we have cleaning, the faster it goes.  It would be great to have at least 6 adults and all 42 of you team members! :)   House points will be awarded to the house with the greatest participation.  Adults = 2 team members in the count!

Thursday, 10/3 ---- 8:00 - 9:00 PM   Returning Team Member/Returning Parents Mandatory Meeting    New team members can still attend (7:00 - 9:00) and work on projects during this meeting.

Thursday, 10/10-----7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. NEW TEAM MEMBER/NEW PARENT MANDATORY MEETING This is a mandatory meeting for any new team members.  Captains, Co-Captains & Leaders will also be attending this evening.  Other returning team members can take this night off. 

Saturday 12/14:  Bedford JFLL/FTC Tournament  -- Please keep this date open.  We will need parents and team members to help with this event.  If you would like to be on the planning committee for  this, please let me know.  We will begin meeting soon.

Saturday, 1/4:  BX Season Kick-Off date .. Please reserve this entire day for team activities.

Tuesday April 1 - Saturday April 5:  Bedford FRC District Tournament.  Please clear these dates of any commitments! :)

Updated Important Dates

Important Dates for Bedford Express FIRST Robotics Team 1023

Thursdays:  Practice 7:00 - 9:00 PM at the robotics center (1135 Smith Road)

Thursday, 10/3 ---- 8:00 - 9:00 PM   Returning Team Member/Returning Parents Mandatory Meeting    New team members can still attend (7:00 - 9:00) and work on projects during this meeting.

Thursday, 10/10-----7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. NEW TEAM MEMBER/NEW PARENT MANDATORY MEETING This is a mandatory meeting for any new team members.  Captains, Co-Captains & Leaders will also be attending this evening.  Other returning team members can take this night off. 

Saturday 12/14:  Bedford JFLL/FTC Tournament  -- Please keep this date open.  We will need parents and team members to help with this event.  If you would like to be on the planning committee for  this, please let me know.  We will begin meeting soon.

Saturday, 1/4:  BX Season Kick-Off date .. Please reserve this entire day for team activities.

2014 Season

Important Dates:

Tuesday, 9/3   JFLL & FLL Kick Off  7:00 - 9:00  Coaches meet at 6:00  Who should attend?  Anyone coaching a JFLL team or mentoring a FLL team, and/or anyone wanting to help with the kick-off.

Saturday, 9/7  FTC Kick Off  1:00 - 3:00 (probably later)  Who Should Attend?  Anyone mentoring a FTC team and/or anyone that would like to help rookie teams learn about FTC.

Week of 9/9:  JFLL, FLL, FTC teams begin practicing.  Those mentoring should begin attending team meetings this week.

Thursday 9/12:  OFFICIAL BX FIRST MEETING of the 2014 season.   BX will be meeting every Thursday from 7:00 - 9:00. Please keep your Thursdays free. :)

Thursday, 10/3 ---- 8:00 - 9:00 PM   Returning Team Member/Returning Parents Mandatory Meeting    New team members can still attend and work on projects during this meeting.   

Saturday 12/14:  Bedford JFLL/FTC Tournament  -- Please keep this date open.  We will need parents and team members to help with this event.  If you would like to be on the planning committee for  this, please let me know.  We will begin meeting soon.

Saturday, 1/4:  BX Season Kick-Off date .. Please reserve this entire day for team activities.