It's a brand new quarter and a brand new
newsletter!
And it's more exciting than a hatful of buttermilk
.
Summer Time
We hope you are having a wonderful summer. While you are having fun in the sun, we have been busy preparing for next season. There is a lot of news
to share- Address Changes, 2017-18 Season Info, Events Calendar, Sponsor News,
and more- whew
!!
So hold on to your watershoes-
a
nd keep reading for these topics
and more.
And please pass this newsletter on to teams, parents and students.
(a web link is at the top of this email- the "click here")
To subscribe to the newsletter, just fill out this form.
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FIRST Chesapeake is Moving
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As of September 1st, FIRST Chesapeake/ VirginiaFIRST will have a new address.
We will be located in the same complex, but our mailing address and phone number will be different.
To be sure that we receive your registration fees, donations, and correspondence in a timely fashion, please update your address book to:
VirginiaFIRST / FIRST Chesapeake
8161 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Suite I
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Phone 804.572.8454
Please note, the suite designation is the letter I as in "ice," not a number
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FTC Workshop Sponsored by ECPI University
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FIRST Chesapeake is super excited to announce our new partnership with
ECPI University. With ECPI's network of campuses located conveniently throughout the Commonwealth (plus the Carolinas), this partnership will contribute greatly towards our goal of bringing more workshops closer to our geographically diverse teams.
ECPI University will host TWO workshops this year at their Richmond (Innsbrook) and Manassas locations on September 9. The FTC Workshops Sponsored by ECPI University will be LIVE in both locations, and will be mirror images of each other. The workshops will feature a full day of sessions. We will all watch the game reveal together at NOON and get a chance to see the new field on site, too. (ECPI has also agreed to be our Title Sponsor for the FTC Virginia State Championship in February. 'More on that to soon.)
Click here to learn more. Workshop details and registration information coming soon. Watch your email for instructions.
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Even though summer is in full swing, many of our teams are already looking to the Fall for team-hosted FRC events. Between September 23rd and November 4th, there will be
four FRC Off-Season events. Off-Season events give teams the chance to test their skills using the previous season's challenge, introduce new team members to the program, and compete for bragging rights.
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Need Stuff? Great Deals at FIRST Chesapeake Yard Sale
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FIRST Chesapeake Command Central is moving to a new location - and with all moves - we have stuff that needs new homes. Come out to our offices at 8177 Mechanicsville Turnpike on
Friday, August 25th from noon until 4pm and Saturday, August 26th from 9am to 1pm for great deals on everything from office furniture to robot parts. (Cash or check only). More info will be posted on Facebook and the web site in the next few weeks.
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 Newport News Shipbuilding
Funding is available for teams in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.
Teams must be located in the counties of Gloucester, Isle of Wight, James City, Mathews, Surry, York or the cities of Chesapeake, Franklin, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, or Williamsburg.
This grant places a special emphasis on FTC teams that need assistance with registration fees and/or travel/lodging expenses. Funding levels will not exceed $1,000 and must be used for expenses associated with the 2017-2018 FTC competition season.
Application available here. Deadline: September 1, 2017
This grant places special emphasis on rookie and 2nd year teams, particularly those in rural and under-served areas and those with a high percentage of students on free and reduced lunch programs. Funds must be used for direct expenses associated with the 2017-2018 FTC competition season.
Application available here. Deadline: September 18, 2017
NOTE: Be sure to check FIRST Headquarters' grants link regularly for time-sensitive funding opportunities.
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Here are some upcoming FIRST and STEM-related events. Click through the links
for more information or visit the
FIRST Chesapeake calendar
.
NOTE: Our
website
and event pages are being
updated (to be completed early August). You may notice we currently have less hyperlinks in the calendar than usual.
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Aug 7- Registration Opens. FTC Workshop Sponsored by ECPI University. Register here beginning August 7th.
- Oct 21- FRC IROC (Haymarket, VA)
- Nov 4- FTC Central Qualifier (Cosby High School, Midlothian, VA) *NEW DATE AND LOCATION*
- Nov 11- FTC North Central Qualifier (Orange County High School, Orange, VA)
- Dec 2- FTC NoVA Qualifier (Battlefield High School, Haymarket, VA)
- Dec 9- FTC Southwest Qualifier (SWCC, Cedar Bluff, VA)
- Dec 16- FTC Shenandoah Qualifier (UVA Slaughter Center, Charlottesville, VA)
- Jan 6, 2018- FTC Eastern Qualifier (Heritage High School, Newport News, VA) *NEW LOCATION*
- Jan 6, 2018- FRC Kickoff (Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA)
- Jan 13, 2018- FTC South Central Qualifier (Virginia Episcopal School, Lynchburg, VA) *NEW EVENT*
- Feb 3, 2018- FTC Virginia State Championship Sponsored by ECPI University (Location TBD)
- Mar 2-4, 2018- FRC CHS District Northern VA Event (Battlefield High School, Haymarket, VA)
- Mar 9-11, 2018- FRC CHS District Greater DC Event (Hayfield Secondary School, Alexandria, VA)
- Mar 9-11, 2018- FRC CHS District Central VA Event (Deep Run High School, Glen Allen, VA)
- Mar 16-18, 2018- FRC CHS District Hampton Roads Event (Churchland High School, Portsmouth, VA)
- Mar 16-18, 2018- FRC CHS District Southern MD Event (Oxon Hill High School, Oxon Hill, MD)
- Mar 23-25, 2018- FRC CHS District Central MD Event (South River High School, Edgewater, MD)
- Mar 23-25, 2018- FRC CHS District Southwest VA Event (Blacksburg High School, Blacksburg, VA)
- Mar 29-31, 2018- FRC Snow make-up, if needed (TBD)
- Apr 4-7, 2018- FIRST Chesapeake District Championship (Location TBD)
Learn more about volunteering with FIRST Chesapeake here.
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All
FIRST
programs team registrations and payments officially opened on May 11th. The earlier you register for the 2017-18 season and submit necessary paperwork (like YPP screenings), the better!
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Looking for current FIRST Chesapeake news, information and announcements?
Some recent topics:
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FIRST Chesapeake/VirginiaFIRST would like to express its heartfelt appreciation to some of our longtime staff who are moving on this summer. Combined, these incredible individuals have dedicated well over 40 years to bringing FIRST programs to tens of thousands of young people in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.
FIRST Chesapeake Director of FRC Programs, Denise Lewis, and FIRST Chesapeake Director of Community Engagement, Dee Tomczak, have decided to stretch their wings and explore new opportunities. FIRST Chesapeake Director of FRC Programs, Brian Walinski, is taking some time to relax and enjoy his place on the River with his wife. FIRST Chesapeake Alumni Coordinator, Julie Miller, has taken a position with Housing Families First, a rehousing and support-based non-profit in Richmond. FIRST Senior Mentor Don Brobst will be taking some much-deserved time off and FIRST Senior Mentor Dana Aucoin has been appointed to the position of Education Implementation Specialist at FIRST Headquarters.
We would also like to say thank you to the Americorps VISTAs, Christina Lee and Alison Palmer, who have helped make a difference in the lives of so many young people this year.
It has been an honor to work with these extraordinary individuals and we wish them the best.
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We are streamlining our social media accounts- they soon will be only "FIRST Chesapeake" in name, but will cover both FIRST Chesapeake District FRC and Virginia FTC events.
Keep up with all things VirginiaFIRST and FIRST Chesapeake by liking and or following all our social media accounts!
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Support
FIRST Chesapeake / Virginia
FIRST!
Fundraising that's easy and free to you!
When prompted to select a charitable organization,
please select
Funds raised through this program will be earmarked for emergency team support. The more who sign up, the more teams we can help.
Our latest disbursement was again 50% larger than before!! Keep signing up! THANK YOU
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Hear
