News - Parent Student Update

[MSA Admin]

McKinney STEAM Academy & Mercenary Robotics

July 29, 2024

In this Email:

MSA: Fond Farewell

FRC: Communication Spaces

FTC: Communication Spaces, Photo Albums

FLL: Communication Spaces, Photo Albums

Please note Time sensitive action items

Please note No action needed but particularly noteworthy.

 

	McKinney STEAM Academy (MSA) Dear MSA Community, I wanted to let you know that August 10th will be my final day as admin at the MSA. It has been a truly rewarding experience working with such wonderful kids and supporting parents in staying informed about all the exciting developments at the MSA. While I’ll be stepping away from this role, I’m excited to continue being involved in a parental capacity with the FRC team. I look forward to seeing what the future holds and cheering on the Mercenaries from the sidelines! Warm regards, MSA Admin aka Christi Important Dates: Helpful Links: MSA Calendars
	FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION (FRC) 2024/2025 Fees (in full or first installment) are due now. Please see bottom of email for payment options. We could use a box or two of snacks to replenish the cupboard. The only requirements are they be individually wrapped and please avoid nuts. Parent FRC Chat: All parents have been invited. You can also access parent chat directly with the following link: https://chat.google.com/room/AAAA2xYI-tw?cls=7 (Note: If you get "permission denied" let us know and we'll re-add you.) Student onboarding should be completed. Have your student check their email for  “@McKinneySTEAMAcademy.org” login information. Software Training - Module 1 and the first section of Module 2 on August 17 and the remainder of Module 2 on August 31. There will be a self paced portion in between these dates. Module 1 is designed for all students and Module 2 is the continuation for those that would like to specialize in software. Information on what will be covered, what your student needs and how to prepare is on the website. NTX Save the Date: We’re still waiting for confirmation of details but this is what we know so far. STEM Gals AND North Texas Tournament of Robots (aka NTX) When: Sept 27-29, 2024 Where: Herman E Utley Middle School 1201 T L Townsend Dr, Rockwall, TX 75087 Event Website: https://www.ntxrobotics.com/ntxtournament This Week: Wednesday 6-9 Whole Team Meeting Saturday 1-5pm Whole Team Important Dates: Aug 10 John and Judy Gay Library Aug 17 Software Training Aug 31 Software Training Sept 27-29 North Texas Tournament of Robots (NTX) *Note date correction Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec - No Sat meetings (excepting NTX), only Wed meetings Helpful Links: MSA Calendars First in TX Livestreams: https://www.youtube.com/@FIRSTinTexas/streams
	FIRST TECH CHALLENGE (FTC) 2024/2025 Fees (in full or first installment) are due now. Please see bottom of email for payment options. Start Dates: We are waiting on city inspection of the new space. This is affecting some teams' start dates. Please check your team’s chat space for updates. Parent Chats: Parents should have received invitations to the following parent chats. (Note: If you get "permission denied" let us know and we'll re-add you.) All FTC Parent Chat https://chat.google.com/room/AAAAMgASk3c?cls=7 Team NewFTC https://chat.google.com/room/AAAAL_IrB6A?cls=7 Team 26295 https://chat.google.com/room/AAAAdqt5v3U?cls=7 Team 20166 https://chat.google.com/room/AAAAroFuC_0?cls=7 Team 21743 https://chat.google.com/room/AAAAWm8G8Ak?cls=7 Team 18121 https://chat.google.com/room/AAAAxBK18OM?cls=7 Team 17011 https://chat.google.com/room/AAAACAsALpU?cls=7 Team 20195 https://chat.google.com/room/AAAAT4LPiJw?cls=7 Student Team Chats: Students will need to be logged in with their @mckinneysteamacademy.org credentials to view student chats. All FTC students should have gotten emails with these details by now. 2024/25 Photo albums have been created for all teams. We encourage you to share photos of your child’s team for use on newsletters and the website. Team NewFTC24 https://photos.app.goo.gl/jQbszYRPrXvJCjd49  Team 26295 https://photos.app.goo.gl/NvrE7NYHR9QbrwzL8  Team 20166 https://photos.app.goo.gl/V6ydqTXXNbzq5dfM9  Team 21743 https://photos.app.goo.gl/8NcJorytzAE2dFQ4A  Team 18121 https://photos.app.goo.gl/D7jJmAVQ9A4CHo8h6  Team 17011https://photos.app.goo.gl/XeTXdYCBVpi6xcrZ9  Team 20195 https://photos.app.goo.gl/zYcsjdanGapsSUcTA Thank you Stella for getting us started with great photos! Student onboarding should be completed. Have your student check their email for  “@McKinneySTEAMAcademy.org” login information. This Week: Tuesday 6-8pm: 26295 Coach Dan Thursday 6-9pm: 17011 Coach Charlie Thursday 6-9pm: 18121 Coach Eric Important Dates: Sept 7 10am - 2pm - FTC Game Release & Launch Party - All teams Helpful Links: MSA Calendars First in TX Livestreams: https://www.youtube.com/@FIRSTinTexas/streams Game Manual 0 FTC engineering design process Game Manual 1 FIRST Standard Game Manual Game Manual 2 is the season specific rules, and available in September.
	FIRST LEGO LEAGUE (FLL) 2024/2025 Fees (in full or first installment) are due now. Please see bottom of email for payment options. Parent FLL Communication Space has been created. Parent emails have been invited but you can also access it here:  https://chat.google.com/room/AAAA38EYWcM?cls=7 (Note: If you get "permission denied" let us know and we'll re-add you.) 2024/25 FLL Photo Albums have been created. Please add photos of your child’s team for use in newsletters and on the website! 2024/25 FLL 50491 https://photos.app.goo.gl/G7kU4v6TqxWgUQCcA  2024/25 FLL 51620 https://photos.app.goo.gl/nZqph55VLag3Z19p7  2024/25 FLL 54586 https://photos.app.goo.gl/AVDLtcxs6GwmzhwC8  2024/25 FLL 60680 https://photos.app.goo.gl/q592xSmJQqKUA4wk6  2024/25 FLL 60892 https://photos.app.goo.gl/cE8bnBfa7GVHatPx7  2024/25 FLL 61002 https://photos.app.goo.gl/TXvDqz7Ar41WdaBGA  2024/25 FLL 61724 https://photos.app.goo.gl/vJczB3R3AtGRqmo1A  2024/25 FLL NEW FLL #1 https://photos.app.goo.gl/db8Q5kTtxdzLSwQR6  This Week: July 30, 6-8pm 50491 Coach Dipti Important Dates: Aug 6 - FLL Game Release & Party at the MSA 6-8pm Helpful Links: MSA Calendars

 

Helpful links:
MSA Website: https://www.mckinneysteamacademy.org/
ALL Team Calendars: https://www.mckinneysteamacademy.org/current-members/calendar
FIRST in Texas: https://firstintexas.org/
FIRST Inspires (global): https://www.firstinspires.org/

Payments and Donations:

You can bring in a check made out to "DMS ABC". Payment can be Zelled to “fin...@mckinneysteamacademy.org” or, from within your banking app, you can use the QR code below.

When prompted for a “Reason” please enter “FLL/FTC/FRC - STUDENT NAME”.

Note that you will see “Dowell Middle School Academic Booster” as this was our original 501(c)3 enrollment and we are currently working through the paperwork to get it updated after expansion.