Dear Future Robotics Families, It Is Time Again to Search for Students to Join

Dear future robotics families,

It is time again to search for students to join the First Lego League Challenge team. Coaches will be looking for 10 students who will be in 4th, 5th, or 6th grade at EJE for the 2021/2022 school year. Tentatively, meetings will be Monday and Tuesday evenings. Competition will likely be held in November or December. We may have meetings until the competition date.

Attached is the application information for the next season. Please do not return the actual paper with the essay and parent information on it. I request you take a photo or scan and either message it to me or email the form back. It can also be uploaded and sent in a message to Mrs. Rebandt through Schoology. If this is not possible, please communicate with me and we will arrange a way to get the information back. Please have information and the written paragraph expressing the students interest turned in by May 21.

Thank you,

Melissa Waldron [email protected] 517-914-5216 (ok to text as well)

FIRST LEGO LEAGUE (FLL)

We are ready to start the fourth season of FLL Challenge at EJE. This program is the start of a series of robotics teams already held through East Jackson Schools. First Lego League Challenge (FLL) will have students in fourth, fifth, and sixth grades. The next progression will be First Tech Challenge (FTC) for seventh and eighth graders. Finally, First Robotics Competition (FRC) which is in ninth through twelfth graders.

FLL uses the Lego Mindstorm build kit and programming. Each year a game is created by FIRST. This year the theme is “FIRST Cargo Connect.” Details of the game will be available in August. Students will also do research on the theme of the year and create a display and a presentation.

Our East Jackson Elementary FLL team will be limited to ten members. This is the max per FIRST rules. Depending on interest and participation, more teams may be added in the future.

Because of the limit on team members and in order to get those most interested in joining the team, each interested student must agree to the code of conduct. Chosen students must agree to attend all practices as well as a competition in the fall. The season will run from early September through as late as December, depending on when the competition date falls. Meeting Dates will, tenatatively, be held on Mondays and Tuesdays. Meeting times are still to be determined. Meetings will either be one or one and a half hours. Exact times will be communicated with team members and families as soon as the mentors determine times. The competition will be held on a Saturday, also to be determined in the fall. This is an all-day event and students are expected to stay until the end of the event, including awards. Parents are expected to pick up students on time after practice and the competition. Violations will follow the same consequences as violations of the code of conduct.

Due to the potential interest of many students and the limit to the number of team members we are allowed to have, a short essay will be required. See attached.

If an interested student is not selected, the student will be put on a waiting list in the event a chosen student becomes unable to participate.

Additional information about FIRST can be found on www.firstinspires.org. By signing, students and parents/guardians have read and agreed to all information in the letter including making a dedication to participating on the team in the fall.

With this year being a little different, essays can be written on any paper or submitted electronically. Please include a line with parent and student signature/typed name stating agreement to rules. Essays written can be photographed or scanned and sent to Ms. Waldron via email. All typed submissions can be emailed to Ms. Waldron directly. The essays can also be submitted through Mrs. Rebandt’s Schoology.

Essay prompt is on the following page.

Thank you,

Melissa Waldron EJE FLL Coach, [email protected]

Describe in a paragraph your interest for joining the First Lego League Team.

------

By signing, you agree to the code of conduct and to be an active member of East Jackson Elementary First Lego League team.

Student printed name and home room Parent or guardian printed name

______

Student signature Parent signature

______

Parent/Guardian contact information: Home Phone:______Cell Number:______Email:______

EAST JACKSON ELEMENTARY FIRST LEGO LEAGUE Challenge (FLL) HANDBOOK 2021-2022 Team #38458 E.J.E.C.T.

(East Jackson Elementary Computer Technicians)

Edited on 5/8/2018, 8/20/2018, 4/15/19, 9/10/20, 4/28/21

What is FIRST? FIRST stands for “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology”. What do we do? We design and build a really cool robot to compete against other robots in a game that is different every year. It is more than just building a robot; our team operates like a small business. We have different “subteams”, which are small groups that handle everything from programming, building, strategy, research and fundraising. There is a place for everyone on our team. Mission Statement: Our mission is to challenge and inspire students in the East Jackson Community to learn about and appreciate the fields of science, technology, engineering, math, and business through participation in FIRST Lego League. Students and adults will follow the FIRST Core Values: ● Discovery: W e explor e new skills and ideas. ● Innovation: W e use cr eativity and persistence t o solv e pr oblems. ● Impact: W e apply what we learn t o impr ove our world. ● Inclusion: W e r espect each other and embr ace our diff erences. ● Teamwork: W e ar e str onger when we work t ogether. ● Fun: W e enjo y and celebr ate what we do!

Cooperation involves learning from teammates. It is teaching teammates. It is learning from Mentors. And it is managing and being managed. Cooperation means competing always, but assisting and enabling others when you can. Team Mentors: Team mentors are adults that help the team achieve its goals through training and assistance throughout the year. Mentors will assist team members with strategy, programming, building, and research. Mentorship requirements: Be registered as a volunteer and complete a background check through FIRST YPP. Be approved by the coaches. Display kindness, patience, professionalism & appreciation for diversity. Follow all SAFETY RULES for every situation. Have positive interactions with students and coaches that are in line with team goals. Communication and Resources Coach – Melissa Waldron Email: [email protected] www.firstinspires.org www.firstinmichigan.org

Student Expectations

1.Students in EJ FLL should be actively involved with the team. Students will put a priority on their grades over any team need. Grades are important. 2. All student team members will be required to register with FIRST and also complete emergency health related forms in order to attend any team events. 3. Academics - Students must keep all grades at a minimum of C.

CODE OF CONDUCT

1. Students will display “Gracious Professionalism” at all times and promote the ideals of FIRST. 2. Students will abide by all rules outlined in the East Jackson Student handbook at all times. This would include dress code standards, and bullying or harassment, and technology use. 3. Students are expected to behave in a courteous and cooperative manner. 4. Students are expected to be respectful of others and behave in a way that protects the health and safety of themselves and others. 5. Students shall be respectful of the facilities, tools, and all equipment and materials being used by the team. 6. Students shall not use profane, obscene or vulgar language toward any adult or student team member. 7. Students visiting or working at corporate sites are guests of the corporation and must be courteous and respectful. While at the corporate site, students are expected to follow the general safety rules posted at the site. 8. Students/parents are expected to keep current with team activities by checking email, and/or phone text and calls frequently. 9. Students are expected to show up on time. 10. Electronic devices are only allowed with prior permission from a mentor. 11. Students must help clean up after each meeting.

All disciplinary actions are determined by team mentors, they may include suspension from team activities, ineligibility to travel with the team or removal from the team. Code of Conduct Violation Consequences: 1st Offense: Verbal warning. 2nd Offense: Written warning. 3rd Offense: Team Suspension. 4th Offense : Cut from the Team* * Severe violations may result in the student being immediately removed from the team

Safety Students are to obey all safety procedures according to FIRST standards.

Students will refrain from horseplay during all meetings and competitions. All tools and building pieces will be used in the manner intended.

Students will remain in the view of authorized adults or mentors at all times during meetings and competitions.

Students will abide by any and all covid regulations as proposed by the school or community if this still applies in the fall.

Students will only be released to adults on the student contact sheet. For student safety, ID’s of unknown adults will be checked. If a student needs to be picked up by an adult not on the provided contact sheet a written note must be provided containing the full name of the adult picking up the student, Parent/Guardian phone number, and signature.