Tuesday Newsday - August 17 2021 ... (Sent via Google Group)
Vince Frascella
Greetings Newsletter Subscribers and FTCNJ Coaches
Here is our weekly update on our “Freight Frenzy” Season. New information is shown in blue text.
HEADLINE:
AUGUST IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS UPDATE
This Saturday, August 21st, the 5-Track Workshop will take place at Kean University in Union.
We thank our volunteer instructors and the teams that are helping as presenters and assistants.
Special thanks to Jim Novotny and Kean University for hosting their second August Workshop with FTCNJ.
There is limited space available and requests between now and noon on Thursday will be considered.
All FTCNJ coaches who have indicated a participating team this season have been sent the Workshop Registration Request.
Participants in the on-line Blocks or Java Debug training sessions (Aug 17th or 18th) should really try to attend
the associated in-person Code Debug Session provided at the Workshop.
Other tracks in the Workshops will include Basic Mechanical Design/Build-a-Bot, Ultimate Goal Robot
Design Tour, and a Coaches/Mentors/Parents Session.
Note – While the August 21st Workshop is definitely ON, the August 28th Workshop has been cancelled
due to too few participants registering for the southern NJ Workshop. Thanks, nonetheless, to the folks
at Williamstown (Brave-inators) for their willingness to host it.
Quick Links: Team Status
TEAM STATUS
Registration Status
Currently, 141 teams have either registered their team with FIRST or have advised FTCNJ that they are definitely planning to re-register.
Are you helping to recruit other teams or considering starting one yourself? If we can help in any way, please drop us a line. We want to grow FTCNJ!
Also, FTCNJ holding two Outreach events in September (09/25 in Newark and 09/26 in Egg Harbor).
Looking for teams to help and/or bring prospects with them. More detail in “Outreaches” , below.
Welcome New Teams!!
FTCNJ would like to give a warm welcome to the following new teams to our FTC community …
19476 JFI Somerset
19477 Bit by Bit Tenafly
19569 Robosapiens Metuchen
19719 EHT PAL TBD Egg Harbor Township
19722 Panthers Clifton
19735 HRNT Holmdel
19747 KABHOOM Edison
League/Conference Assignments
Here again are the current League and Conference assignment by county of team registration.
North East Edge League
Bergen Conference: All Bergen County
North East Conference: Hudson, Union Counties
Northern League
South Essex Conference: Essex County cities of Orange, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Newark, Maplewood
Far North Conference: Passaic, Sussex, Warren Counties, and Essex County cities of Nutley, Montclair, Caldwell, Livingston, West Orange
Central West League
Western Conference: Hunterdon, Morris Counties
Central Conference: Mercer, Somerset Counties
Southern League
Upper South Conference: Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean Counties
Deep South Conference: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Gloucester, Cumberland, Salem Counties
LEAGUE / SEASON OVERVIEW
Here is an excerpt from a recent “Coaches Caucus”. This video describes the structure of New Jersey’s Leagues and Conferences.
It also shares dates and some details about the Championship, League Tournaments and 3 official Meet Competition opportunities per team.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1noXO8QSZ0MkvDrdhDen8gM32bYOgcJyP/view?usp=sharing
COMMUNICATIONS
Coach Survey
Thanks very much to all of the Coaches who have responded to the June “Coaches Survey”. It is helping us to compile the new season information and solidify the plans.
If you are one of the coaches who has yet to respond PLEASE do so soon. https://forms.gle/Zd9V84WpzP3kjFT59
Coach Caucus
We thank all Coaches who attended the August 6th Caucus. Great discussion on Early Season Activities, Organizing, Recruiting and Training.
Special thanks to Kathy R, Jim C, Joe L, Marie A, and Rich M for leading the discussion topics. Recording and slides distributed, as usual.
The next Coaches Caucus is Sept 3rd (the first-Friday of the month) https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIscOmsrTguGdFFELRv6VaK7U1MpuDGt0tP
Gathering topics for the next Coach Caucus. The impending Game Reveal and a discussion of the new Driver Station Hub are planned.
New Coaches
Rookie Team Coaches, Coach Prospects and New Coaches on Veteran Teams were given a detailed heads-up about the coming training.
We want to continue to make a special effort to engage these new folks and give them a successful and enjoyable season.
If you are a new coach as not on our special distribution list, drop us a line. More communication is planned to help the new folks.
Another New Coaches Meeting will be held during the first week in September. It will focus on readiness for Game Reveal and start of the new Season.
Here is the link for the September 2nd New Coaches Meeting (7pm) https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAudOGorDMjHtQSXP69HdbpONoF90_hyonK
Captains Caucus ß Now September 16th!
For those unacquainted, the monthly student-led meeting is an opportunity for student Team Leaders / Captains to meet and share best practices.
Breakout Groups are used and various leadership challenges and great ideas are discussed and documented.
The Captains Caucus typically takes place on the 3rd Friday of the month, however it being held on Thursday, Sept 16th this time.
This change enables folks to have their Friday evening free on Sept 17th as it is the eve of the “Freight Frenzy” Game Reveal.
Here’s the link to the first Captains Caucus of the Freight Frenzy season: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEucuiqrTwuH9D_usFf2SuxXph5MyGliZ5u
COMPETITION NEWS
Per usual, coaches may select/register for their competitions on the Monday following Kick-Off in September using a system to be posted on the FTCNJ Website.
It is understood that all competitions are presently planned to be in-person events, but subject to change if pandemic conditions make it necessary.
We’ll keep everyone posted of any change, and all events will have a re-confirmation date 2 weeks prior to the event date.
The Season Calendar is updated on the FTCNJ Website to show event dates by League. http://www.newjerseyftc.com/season-calendar.html
Note: Though certain venues are not yet confirmed, we are showing the County in which the venue is pending … for preliminary information purposes.
State Championship – Sunday, March 6th
The FTC New Jersey State Championship will be held at Morris Knolls High School, one week after our final League Tournament.
FIRST has announced that the World Championship will be held in Detroit: April 27 - April 30, 2022
League Tournament Plans
All League Tournaments will take place in February and all fully registered teams are automatically invited to their League/Conference tournament.
Here are the latest plans. Locations shown, where confirmed.
Feb 5th...........Southern League / Upper South Conference……………….Timothy Christian School, Piscataway, NJ
Feb 6th…………Northeast Edge League / Northeast Conference………….Bayonne High School, Bayonne, NJ
Feb 12th………..Northern League / Southern Essex Conference……………Payne Tech, Newark, NJ
Feb 13th………..Central West League/ Central Conference………………….Pending Host Confirmation (Mercer County)
Feb 19th………..Central West League/ Western Conference………….……Pending Host Confirmation (Morris County)
Feb 20th………..Northern League / Far North Conference…………………...Livingston High School, Livingston, NJ
Feb 26th………..Northeast Edge League / Bergen Conference……………..Glen Rock High School, Glen Rock, NJ
Feb 27th………..Southern League/ Deep South Conference…………………North Burlington Middle School, Columbus, NJ
8 League Meets – in January
There will be two Meet opportunities for each League in January. Teams have a choice of a Saturday Meet (underlined) or Sunday Meet.
It is also intended that four of our January (Saturday) Meets (one in each League) will include “Practice Judging”, as a tune up for February’s official judging at League Tournaments
Jan 8th………..Northern League / Either Conference……………………………Liberty Science Center, Jersey City, NJ
Jan 9th………..Central West League / Either Conference……………….…….Pingry School (Basking Ridge or Bedminster Campus)
Jan 15th.……...Northeast Edge League / Either Conference…………………Pending Host Confirmation (Bergen County)
Jan 16th……….Southern League / Either Conference…………………………..Egg Harbor Twp PAL, Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Jan 22nd……….Central West League/ Either Conference………………………Chatham High School, Chatham, NJ
Jan 23rd……....Northern League / Either Conference…………………………..Blair Academy, Blairstown, NJ (Conditionally Confirmed)
Jan 29th……….Southern League / Either Conference…………………………..RW Johnson Barnabas Health Arena, Toms River, NJ
Jan 30th……….Northeast Edge League / Either Conference………………….Emerson High School, Emerson, NJ
8 League Meets – 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.
Four of our Nov/Dec (Sunday) Meets (one in each League) will include “Practice Judging”, as a tune up for February’s official judging at League Tournaments
Nov 20th………..Northeast Edge League / Either Conference………………….Pending Host Confirmation (Bergen County)
Nov 21st………..Central West League/ Either Conference………………….…..Pending Host Confirmation (TBD)
Dec 4th ………..Northern League / Either Conference…………….…….………Essex County Technical School, Caldwell, NJ
Dec 5th ………..Southern League / Either Conference……………………….….Pending Host Confirmation (Gloucester)
Dec 11th………..Central West League/ Either Conference………………………Pending Host Confirmation (Mercer)
Dec 12th………..Northeast Edge League / Either Conference…………….…..Host is Conditionally Confirmed in Union County (confirming in Sept)
Dec 18th………..Southern League / Either Conference…………………………..Clearview Regional High School, Mullica Hill, NJ
Dec 19th………..Northern League / Either Conference………………………….. Pending Host Confirmation (TBD)
8 Special Meets – 4 Early November Meets & 4 Holiday Meets (Halloween & Thanksgiving Weekend)
FTC NJ is continuing the tradition of offering each League one more special Meet opportunity. Many teams have taken advantage of this in past years.
The spooky Halloween Meets are always extra fun for those ready for the first competitions of the season. (October 30th / 31st)
The long four-day Thanksgiving weekend provides an opportunity for an additional official Meet on Saturday or Sunday.
Nov 06th ………..Southern League / Either Conference…………………………Pending Host Confirmation (Gloucester)
Nov 07th ………..Northern League / Either Conference……….…………..…..Pending Host Confirmation (Essex)
Nov 13th…….….Northeast Edge League / Either Conference……..…………Don Bosco Prep HS, Ramsey, NJ
Nov 14th………..Central-West League / Either Conference…………...…….. Pending Host Confirmation (TBD)
Oct 30th ………..Northern League / Either Conference…………………………Pending Host Confirmation (Sussex)
Oct 31st ………..Northeast Edge League / Either Conference……….….…..Pending Host Confirmation (Union)
Nov 27th……….Central-West League / Either Conference……………………Pending Host Confirmation (Morris)
Nov 28th………..Southern League / Either Conference………………….……..Girl Scouts ‘Program Activity Center’, Farmingdale, NJ
PRE-SEASON EVENTS (In-Person)
Practice Days & Post-Reveal Workshops
The FTCNJ tradition of October Practice Days will continue. Three are planned. Teams can bring non-functional robots for tinkering and help.
Training sessions planned at Practice Days ..but expanded over past years. Sign-up details In mid/late August …following venue confirmations.
Though all of three of the sites are not yet confirmed, we will open Practice Day registration this week for those interested in early sign-up.
The counties of pending venues are shown. Hopefully, the final confirmation will not vary from that. If it does, we’ll advise all registrants.
At a Practice Day, FTCNJ will have a physical field available for review. (Good to check it out and make sure yours is set up correctly)
We’ll review season planning and we’ll have one, or more, Head Referees available to talk about the “Freight Frenzy” Game.
There will be ‘pit tables’ available on which teams can tinker and get help in making their robot move for the first time, as needed.
Sites are providing a few classrooms for some in-season training in build, programming, CAD …. We know that some teams have later-joining members.
Practice Day Registration to open by Friday, August 20th Space limited at some locations due to social distancing/headcount constraints.
Oct 9th………...Northern NJ Teams (prioritized, others possible)……….Pending Host Confirmation (Bergen County)
Oct 16th………..Central NJ Teams (prioritized, others possible)……...….Pending Host Confirmation (Somerset County)
Oct 23rd………..Southern NJ Teams (prioritized, others possible)……….RW Johnson Barnabas Health Arena, Toms River, NJ.
Kick-Off / Game Reveal
Game Reveal will take place on Saturday, September 18th. FTCNJ will livestream a Remote Kick-Off event, similar to last year.
Thanks once again to RJ Controls for agreeing to host the virtual Kick-Off Event and livestream it to our teams and their supporters.
Those that watched last year, saw an FTCNJ Season Overview update (w/ Q&A) prior to the Game Reveal, then held a thorough Head Ref Q&A on the new Game after the Reveal.
We also showed the physical field on camera and provided construction tips and mistakes to avoid.
More information on connecting with the FTCNJ Remote Kick-Off to be provide in an upcoming Tuesday Newsletter.
REMOTE SESSIONS
Introduction to Java Session – August 18th (7pm)
This Java-focused track is for beginners with little or no experience. Register now, if interested.
Those that have done it before can come, of course, but they may find it basic.
OnBot Java will be used, though some folks may have loaded Android Studio.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0rc-2prT8qH9SP7pDbSe226we-0yEv2Ija
Overview of Judge Awards – August 31st (7pm)
Do you have new people on your team, or are you a new Coach? Here’s a great overview of FIRST Tech Challenge Judge Awards.
Our FTCNJ Judge Advisors will review the awards, the process, and how teams can best prepare for it.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0scuCvrDwqE9y6cAkQ5MShwmtuBNZkK1W5
Advanced Programming – September 1st (8pm) ß Correction to 8pm, from 7pm.
Some will recall weekly “Advanced Programming Sessions” hosted by FTA John McDonnell last Fall. We are bringing them back, by popular demand.
Similar to the Fall, we will be reaching out to some of the top teams, including Control Award Winners, to show some of their best stuff!
This will be regular 8pm Wednesday session for 6-8 weeks, while some creative and very successful coding shared by our great programmers.
The first session explains the approach, solicits topics of most interest, and provides useful info on Version Control, GitHub, and general advanced topics.
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwsdO2upj0jGNzTaHpr8n-3spZYoDI_gixw
OUTREACH EVENTS
As mentioned previously, FTCNJ is interested in holding two Outreach Scrimmages this year. These events are intended to engage prospective new teams.
If your team is doing outreach and helping another school to make the decision to start a team, this event can really help.
We’ll be providing an overview of FTC, get assistance from some great veteran teams, and give new folks a chance to drive a loaner robot. It’s all about helping new teams to start.
Now that our two sites are confirmed (Thanks, Enforcers … Thanks, Robo-Raptors), we will open Outreach Event Registration this week for those interested in early sign-up.
Are you looking to help FTC NJ grow? Want to strengthen your Connect activity/resume? Here’s a great opportunity. Come to an official Outreach and help spread the word!
Sep 25th………..Northern NJ ….. Bard High School Early College, Newark, NJ
Sep 26th………..Southern NJ ….. Egg Harbor Township PAL, Egg Harbor Township, NJ
Hopefully, this Communique has provided a lot of good information regarding the coming season. (New in blue!)
Our next newsletter will be on August 24th
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
Looking forward to seeing everyone soon.
More to come.
Thanks much, Vince Frascella
FIRST Tech Challenge New Jersey