Tuesday Newsday - December 7 2021 ... (Sent via Google Group)

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Vince Frascella

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Dec 7, 2021, 10:22:48 PM12/7/21

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Greetings Newsletter Subscribers and FTCNJ Coaches

Here is our weekly update on our “Freight Frenzy” Season.
New information is shown in blue text. Hot items in Highlight!

Welcome to all of our new coaches/subscribers.

If you have any questions about you are reading, below, just drop us a line. Glad to explain.

HEADLINES:

HUGE THANKS to C.Y.WONG

After many years of dedicated service as Planning Committee member, League Judge Advisor, Referee, Scorekeeper, … C.Y. has advised us that she is moving on.

Her burgeoning responsibility with the Girl Scouts is consuming more and more of her time. Our loss is their gain. They are very fortunate.

Thank you so much, CY, for all of the wonderful support over so many years! Good luck in all that you do. We still hope to see you again in the future. Be well.

ELEVEN IN-PERSON MEETS COMPLETED TO DATE

Thanks to the hosts, volunteers and teams that contributed to another weekend of in-person FTC robotics here in New Jersey. Another week safely accomplished.

· On Saturday, “Beak n’ Bolts” (Team #11180) did a terrific job of hosting the first event at their West Caldwell Essex County Tech facility. First mid-Season Northern League Meet.

· On Sunday, perennial host the “Bravenators” (Team #9533) of Williamstown served as venue for the largest full-day Meet of the Season. 23 Southern League teams attended.

We are moving deeper into the Mid-Season now; Central-West and Northeast Edge League Meets are up next. Let’s keep going but keep our guard up. Social distance and masks.

FTC OUTREACH/EXHIBIT at AMERICAN DREAM MALL

Thanks to Fr. Lou and the teams of Don Bosco and Immaculate Heart Academy for the great job on December 4^th at the new Mall. (2^nd largest in the USA)

Many people visited the Exhibit to see robots, receive FIRST literature, and have their young ones “feed” ducks to the robots for scoring …to earn FIRST buttons. Great fun!

TECHNICAL VOLUNTEER HELP NEEDED IN SOUTHERN NJ

Thanks to the Enforcers who have stepped up last weekend to lend a hand. We need more adult technical volunteers in South Jersey. More here.

ON THE HORIZON:

Friday, December 10^th

FTCNJ STEM Girls “Initiative Teams” Zoom ß Second Friday of the Month. Discussion of Projects with Mentors

Saturday, December 11^th

Our second AM/PM Meet of the Season. This time hosted by Cruise Control at Grace Church in Randolph. 24 teams split between AM and PM sessions.

Sunday, December 12^th

Yet another brand new host, Scotch Plains-Fanwood hosting 22 teams in their large facility with multiple Pit Areas and Google Doc Queuing.

More detail on all of the above (and links) appear later in this document.

Quick Links:

Registration Status

REGISTRATION STATUS

Team Registration Status

A warm to our 20 New Teams! We are so glad to have you all with us.

It appears our final count will be 175 FIRST Tech Challenge New Jersey teams that have registered with FIRST.

§ Northern League : 39 Teams

§ Northeast Edge League : 45 Teams

§ Central West League : 44 Teams

§ Southern League : 47 Teams

League/Conference Assignments

Assignment to Conferences / Leagues are based on county of team registration. This information is posted on the FTCNJ website.

Newark Public School (NPS) Teams

We received sad news that 8 NPS team schools are not allowed to travel to Meets in 2021. If the situation changes, we will gladly have them join us in 2022.

Any impact should be limited to the Northern League’s February tournaments. Let’s hope the NPS teams can join us by then, precluding any change.

Northeast Edge League

It is also noteworthy that the growth of the Bergen County Conference (33 teams) has far outpaced its sister Northeast Conference (12 teams).

There is no impact on the full season’s League Meets, FTCNJ will offer a number of Bergen teams the opportunity to compete in the Northeast Conference L/T.

This will help to balance the Feb events (i.e., avoid having one League Tournament overloaded at ~33 teams while the other League Tournament has ~12 teams).

Of course, the Conferences will be re-computed at the start of next season to take into account this large population of Bergen teams. Kudos Bergen!

LEAGUE / SEASON OVERVIEW ….plus ULTIMATE GOAL SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

Here’s an Overview of the League Structure & Events from the Sept 18^th Kick Off. Skip the first 2 minutes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2zLmO5uz8Q

The first ½ of the ~20 minute video reviews last season highlights; the last ½ is a more detailed update of this season’s event.

COMMUNICATIONS

Coaches Caucus … (December 5^th) ß Accomplished

Thanks to all of the coaches who attended and made the December Coach Caucus a success.

Special thanks to Steve Wynne for his presentation on “Managing to Timelines” and to all of our other coaches who joined into the discussion.

COMPETITION NEWS

Technical Volunteers Needed in the South!

Our generous Northern FTA’s are repeatedly taking the long drive down south to support events.

FTC is a volunteer-driven program and we really need some of our southern teams to help out with Adult FTA volunteers.

All Coaches are asked to seriously consider having their technical mentor, or themselves, step in to lend a hand.

If such a person cannot step away from the team when they are competing, then please consider volunteering at a different day

Google Group Queuing

More and more of our venues are utilizing Google Group to assist with Queuing and to send other important event messages to teams.

Look for the QR code that is pre-printed on your Team’s Pit Sign or ask the host about it. Use your smart phone and stay well informed!

Information Packets

During this unique season, it is taking little bit longer to settle the details of events and participating teams.

Please expect our detailed Information Packets to be provided by the end of the day on the preceding Monday (as opposed to the preceding weekend).

This will allow a bit more time to lock down any last minute changes. Event planning is little more dynamic this season, for all.

Venue Address, participating Team List, Check-In Time, and any special COVID Protocols should already be posted on our FTCNJ website, though.

And, questions on critically needed information will be promptly answered as best we can.

Meet Results

While we are not having formal Closing Ceremonies at our Meets, a summary of results is available shortly after event completion.

Anyone can go to ftc-events.firstinspires.org to see as all event results from all regions.

Worlds Allocations for FTCNJ

Good news!! FIRST has just advised us that New Jersey’s FTC region will receive three advancements to the FTC World Championship.

Optional Practice Judging à Remote

In the continuing interest of safety, it has been decided that the “Practice Judging”, previously planned, will be done via Remote Judging.

Each of the four Leagues will be assigned a week in January when he optional “Practice Judging” will be available.

FTCNJ had good success with Remote Judging last season and will employ this approach to minimize headcount at coming events.

It is also good experience for students to be exposed to remote interviews via “Practice Judging”, then in-person interviews at Feb/Mar tournaments.

Specifics on the timing of Remote Judging (i.e., dates for each of the Leagues) to be provided in next week’s Newsletter.

State Championship – Sunday, March 6^th

The FTC New Jersey State Championship will be held at Morris Knolls High School, one week after our final League Tournament.

League Tournament

All League Tournaments will take place in February and all fully registered teams are automatically invited to their League/Conference tournament.

The attachment shows the locations and dates for all Leagues/Conferences.

Late-Season Meets (8) – in January

There will be two Meet opportunities for each League in January. Teams have a choice of a Saturday Meet or Sunday Meet.

The attachment shows the locations and dates of Late-Season Meets.

Mid-Season Meets (8) – in November / December

There will be two normal Meet opportunities in each League in the period of Nov 20 – Dec 19. Teams have a choice of a Saturday or Sunday Meet.

The attachment shows the locations and dates of Mid-Season Meets. We are halfway through already. Four more Mid-Season Meets to go!

Early-Season/Holiday Meets have completed, as of November 28^th

ATTENDANCE POLICY

In making this in-person season happen, it is FTCNJ’s intent to allow all team members to attend, plus two adults per team. We want to avoid team member caps.

Unless the host site has tighter headcount restrictions, that headcount plan it going to be the standard practice. It delivers some consistency, relative to adult attendees.

We are really trying to maintain in-person events and allow all team member students to attend throughout the season. COVID sensitive protocol has been promised to all.

While we understand that some teams have a number of additional, actively-involved adults, however, we need to set a consistent limit.

The general position is that all students on the team (maximum 15) are able to come in person, plus two adults to chaperone them.
(Coaches can serve as the two adult chaperones.)

Teams that have parents driving far to deliver students may be allowed to attend on an exception basis.
(Coach must request and justify. We expect GP in requesting such exceptions.)

Sorry that we are unable to allow extra adult supporters and spectators this year.
We will be livestreaming the events this year, with the high hopes of getting fully back to normal next season.

COMMON COVID PROTOCOL

1. Remember that Masks must be worn at all times at the event. This applies to all sites. Coaches please remind your students not to become complacent.

2. The decision of whether to provide lunch or snacks will vary from host to host. FTCNJ will advise teams of the decision within a week (or more) of the event.

When necessary, teams should be prepared bring their own lunches.
It would seem that most hosts will be selling pre-packaged snacks throughout the day, but FTCNJ will confirm on a site by site basis.

3. Upon arrival, we will checking temperatures of everyone and affixing wrist bands before people are allowed into the event.

We’ve seen that this can cause some clustering at Check-In.
We ask that only the coach initially approach Check-In and we will call the team members over when ready to test and wrist-band.

4. We need very accurate information on who is attending the event. Make sure that you mark your roster to clearly indicate which students are present.

You can also indicate the names of the two adults accompanying the students.
The adults would usually be the coaches, but can be their delegated alternate if both coaches are not coming.

5. Thanks to all for supplying the headcount information.
We will confirm on event-by-event basis but right now it appears that all students on the official team roster are welcome to attend events.

We ask that those not working on the robot spend most of the day in bleachers or chairs, watching the action, rather than clustering in the pits. Let’s spread out.

6. Events are being livestreamed on the FTCNJ YouTube Channel for friends and relatives to watch. Here is the link: youtube.com/firsttechchallengenj

At this time, we are not allowing spectators at the Early-Season Meets in light of COVID precautions and protocol.

7. All are asked to be conscientiously practicing social distancing throughout the day.

Assigned Pit Tables will be well spread out as much as possible. We are also re-positioning and managing Practice Fields to avoid clustering.

8. Certain events will utilize the AM/PM Approach as a way to reduce in-person headcount relative to venue capacity.

At this time, it is the December 11^th event at Grace Church Recreation Center, and January 8^th at Liberty Science Center that are AM/PM.

Half of the teams would complete their matches in the morning, then depart. The other half would compete their matches after lunch.

Elimination Matches are not required for Meets. Teams leave after accomplishing their 5 head-to-head official Matches.

Teams involved in an AM/PM event will be asked for their preference of morning or afternoon play.

REMOTE SESSIONS/ TRAINING VIDEO S

Training Videos:

Freight Frenzy Officiating Training

Once again this year, FIRST has engaged our very own League Head Referee Julia Berry to create these training videos.

As you can see below, it is a three-part series that Julia narrates with excellent technical support by her husband, our FTA Rob Berry.

Video 1 - Field and Game Elements

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG3Kb5KhRvw&t=25s

Video 2 - Scoring Referee Training

https://youtu.be/bb4akI3s5Cw

Video 3 - Electric Scoring Tablets and Paper Scoring

https://youtu.be/wHb5LaWzjVQ

FTCNJ STEM Girls

STEM GIRLS – GUEST SPEAKER/CAREERS SURVEY

If you are one of our opted-in female students, mentor/coaches or alum, please complete the survey that you’ve received.

Our Sub-Team (meeting this Friday!) is very interested in knowing the careers of most interest to our STEM GIRL population.

This information is being used to determine whom to solicit as future Special Guest Speakers.

Based upon early feedback, the STEM Girls are reaching out to female Computer Science professionals as December Guest Speakers.

STEM GIRLS – Initiative Teams Meeting (December 10^th)

The Project Teams are meeting with their adult mentors again on this Friday.

Here’s the Registration Link for Project Team mentors and their adult supporters. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMlcO-gpjMvH9R0sqHX3y_6OOeZvg3JcqHc

Looking forward to continuing great progress on their Initiatives.

FTCNJ News

Presentation on “Computer Science Education in Middle School and High School" … featuring FTCNJ Coach Kathy Effner

The Princeton Joint Chapter of the ACM / IEEE Computer Society will be hosting a Zoom presentation on "Computer Science Education in Middle School and High School".

It will feature teacher and FTC Coach Kathy Effner of Parsippany High School, Thursday, December 9, at 8:00 PM. All are welcome; no charge.

Pre-registration is required to receive the Zoom link: either by R.S.V.P. on Meetup.com, here: https://www.meetup.com/IEEE-Princeton-Central-Jersey-Section/events/282351220

or by e-mail to Prince...@gmail.com .

More information at the above Meetup.com link, or at http://princetonacm.acm.org/meetings/mtg2112.pdf

Photo Permission Waiver

Once again this year, FTCNJ is soliciting a state-level permission to allow person’s image to shown in FTC-related videos and stills.

If you are a student, or adult, whose image may be captured, FTC needs your permission to show/post it.
This is particularly important for mentoring teams and our volunteer instructors.

Here is a link to the very simple “Video Permission Request”. It is a easy Google Form that simply captures the authorization. bit.ly/FTCNJrelease

Thanks to all of those who helped us with this last year. Coaches with engaged students, please encourage them to address this.

Note, persons under the age of 18 need to have their parent or guardian complete the form.

FIRST NEWS ITEMS

FIRST^® Apps No Longer On Google Play

FIRST decided to remove all versions of the FIRST^® Tech Challenge control system software from the Play Store. This decision is due to Google Play security requirement changes that are causing us to no longer distribute versions 6.1 and later of the FIRST Tech Challenge control system software through the Play Store. Teams must use the REV Robotics Hardware Client software to manage their software on the Robot Controller/Control Hub and Driver Station devices, including the new Driver Hub. For more information, please read FIRST’s blog post.

Hopefully, this Communique has provided a lot of good information regarding the coming season. (New in blue! Hot in Yellow Highlight!)

Our next newsletter will be on December 14^th.

If you have any questions, comments, or needs as you read this newsletter, simply write back and I’ll be happy to assist.

Making that comment here, rather than embedding it throughout the long newsletter above.

Thanks again for the interest in FIRST Tech Challenge New Jersey and being part of our community

Thanks much, Vince Frascella

FIRST Tech Challenge New Jersey

2021-2022_Exec_Summary - Rev I.PDF

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