Can the teams affected by TJ exams lobby to have the exam dates changed? On Mon, Dec 5, 2011 at 4:28 PM, Purna Alla <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > Thanks for the clarification Mark. I thought there must some very strong > reasons for current schedule although had no privy to the underlying > reasons until explained. > > Btw, I had awesome time as Judge this year. Thanks for the mentoring by > Sam and You. I wanted to send her a thank you note, unfortunately I could > not locate her email ID! :( > > Purna > > On Mon, Dec 5, 2011 at 4:17 PM, Mark Allen <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > >> >> All; >> >> The VA/DC FLL Championship Tournament happens only with the amazing >> support of James Madison University and the student volunteers. The >> tournament and activities are largely planned, organized, and staffed by a >> leadership class in the fall semester and the success of this tournament >> relies on this effort (VA/DC is simply too big not to have this level of >> organization). We've discussed moving the tournament back one week but we >> run into the end of the semester and final exams so this is simply not >> possible. The timing constraints for moving this to a spring semester >> class have been examined and it is not possible. The issues and >> interferences with FRC after the first of the year have also been discussed >> and would further complicate the issue. We have the gracious support of >> JMU and TJ to work together in a way that every year has allowed students >> to complete the TJ exams and participate in the VA/DC FLL Championship. As >> reinforcement of this, every member (according to the team) of our Division >> II Champion's Award winning team this year took the TJ test. This issue >> has been reviewed thoroughly by the leadership of the VA/DC FLL >> Organization on multiple occasions and the compromise worked out which >> allows students to participate in both is still believed to be the best and >> perhaps only option that allows us to continue to service the loyal FLLers >> in the VA/DC region. >> >> Best regards, >> Mark Allen >> VA/DC Championship Head Judge >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Nagesh Chintada <[log in to unmask]> >> To: VADCFLL-L <[log in to unmask]> >> Sent: Mon, Dec 5, 2011 2:03 pm >> Subject: Re: [VADCFLL-L] Thank you! >> >> Desh >> You bring up a great question about TJ exams. Your team's situation >> regarding TJ Exam is unfortunately not unique. There is a high correlation >> between teams that compete in FLL and team members that want to go to TJ, >> both strong in S.T.E.M. >> >> My team members who will be in the 8th grade next year are already >> turned off at the prospect of TJ exam coinciding with FLL Championships, >> and they are not sure if they want to come back to FLL next year as a team >> due to the extra pressure this scheduling conflict creates.This is a >> dilemma many teams face and is not unique to one team, since I know some >> other kids who had similar issues. >> >> *I would like to request VADCFLL to consider moving the competition a >> week after the TJ Exams are done. I am sure this will help more DivII teams >> show up and compete more fully.* >> >> If there are more parents interested in such a change, I could setup a >> separate list for that discussion. Please send me an email directly >> [log in to unmask] if that makes sense, instead of sending to >> this list , to avoid spamming everyone else who may not be as interested in >> the issue. >> >> Thank you >> Nagesh >> >> On Mon, Dec 5, 2011 at 1:47 PM, Desh Deshmukh <[log in to unmask]>wrote: >> >>> Entire weekend was amazing, probably better atmosphere then the >>> Nationals and seeing so many amazing displays. costumes and game >>> performances under one roof. Congratulations to all and recording 207 score >>> Team 3070, Vienna Robotics and to X-Bots for 201. >>> >>> While the kids were competing, there was another game (Scheduling) was >>> played in the pit area to find next available time slot. Every ten minutes >>> 12 table slots would fill within a second. Hopefully the Harrisonburg HS >>> Key club volunteers in the Pita area do a small write-up. >>> >>> My team had good number of visitors drop in and asking questions to team >>> and few wanted to know about our RFID (Radio Frequency Identification >>> Device) sensor solution for keeping Milk Ud Safe - from the farm to table. >>> Few individuals wanted to know the design specifics, which I can >>> communicate privately. We are extending the project research for the Global >>> Innovation award keeping Milk Cartons in the School cafeteria and homes >>> safe from spoilage. Team had fun creating a RAP Milikway musical and >>> sharing solution with many Safety experts including the ShenandoahPride Dairy Plant (supplier of the Milk Cartons to the Schools in the >>> Northern Virginia). >>> >>> Expect Unexpected. >>> >>> Few suggestions for the teams taking (TJ exam next year) and scheduling >>> time session which may have caused my entire team to forfeit >>> participating as we didn't reach till 2.45 PM on Saturday. If I would >>> not have known Nick personally and giving him a heads-up and his >>> graciousness saved our weekend. First TJ entrance exam started late at >>> various NOVA centers (crowding) and second traffic was backed up for miles >>> due to a car in flames on I-66 before Front Royal. Few team members from my >>> team barely made on time for our first judging session. Our situationwas unique but a advise to communicate early with the tournament officials >>> and plan. >>> >>> Start planning for 2012 challenge - "Senior Solutions" >>> >>> http://firstlegoleague.org/challenge/2012seniorsolutions >>> >>> Good Luck >>> >>> Desh Deshmukh >>> Coach >>> BGiRO Milkiway >>> *From:* Nagesh Chintada <[log in to unmask]> >>> *To:* [log in to unmask] >>> *Sent:* Monday, December 5, 2011 10:06 AM >>> *Subject:* [VADCFLL-L] Thank you! >>> >>> Team X-BOTS would like to thank the VADCFLL Championship tournament >>> organizers as well as the judges, referees and all the volunteers who put >>> in a tremendous effort to make the VADCFLL Championships such an awesome >>> event every year. >>> >>> Congratulations to all the teams who competed so hard while being such >>> gracious professionals. FLL has been a great learning experience for us, >>> and I hope it's the same for all of the teams that come to the tournament. >>> It was great to see so many teams from our schools in Northern Virginia at >>> Rocky Run and Greenbriar West participate and win. Thanks to the judges for >>> recognizing the amazing score of 201 in Robot Performance from team X-BOTS. >>> >>> Hi fives to everyone >>> -- >>> Nagesh Chintada >>> Coach >>> Team X-BOTS >>> >>> >>> To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your settings, please visit >>> https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or >>> leave the list". >>> VADCFLL administrative announcements are sent via >>> VADCFLL-ANNOUNCEMENTS-L. Visit >>> https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-announcements-l.html to >>> subscribe. >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> -- >> Nagesh Chintada >> >> >> ------------------------------ >> To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your settings, please visit >> https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or >> leave the list". >> VADCFLL administrative announcements are sent via >> VADCFLL-ANNOUNCEMENTS-L. Visit >> https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-announcements-l.html to >> subscribe. >> ------------------------------ >> To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your settings, please visit >> https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or >> leave the list". >> VADCFLL administrative announcements are sent via >> VADCFLL-ANNOUNCEMENTS-L. Visit >> https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-announcements-l.html to >> subscribe. > > > > > -- > Venkata P. Alla > www.PurnaBlog.com > AIM: purnarupa > Gtalk: PurnaAlla > Facebook: PurnaAlla > Twitter: PurnaAlla > LinkedIN: PurnaAlla > ------------------------------ > To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your settings, please visit > https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or > leave the list". > VADCFLL administrative announcements are sent via VADCFLL-ANNOUNCEMENTS-L. > Visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-announcements-l.html to > subscribe. -- To UNSUBSCRIBE or CHANGE your settings, please visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-l.html and select "Join or leave the list". -- VADCFLL administrative announcements are sent via VADCFLL-ANNOUNCEMENTS-L. Visit https://listserv.jmu.edu/archives/vadcfll-ANNOUNCEMENTS-l.html to subscribe.