FIRST Chesapeake is excited to announce an opportunity to shine the spotlight on the FIRST Chesapeake community and recognize some of our outstanding teams and individuals at the 2020 FIRST Chesapeake Cultural Awards. This virtual awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 30th at 7pm. Join us for an hour of fun, celebration and much-deserved appreciation.

To watch this livestreamed event, click here: https://www.twitch.tv/firstchesapeake/

Yesterday's FIRST Chesapeake Chats Sponsored by Newport News Shipbuilding mentioned many resources for teams and individuals. We are creating a Google Sheet that will list links to referenced sites and programs from yesterday's sessions and future sessions.

In addition, it will feature a tab of Outreach Opportunities and a tab for Outside Virtual Classes being offered by FIRST Chesapeake teams.

If you have material to share, please send to .

In the meantime, here are a few resources we want to pass along:

 

 

 

 

 

The next Town Hall Conference Call is scheduled for April 16th, 5:30pm.  FIRST Chesapeake will give an update about the season. 

 

Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1495062011

Or iPhone one-tap :
    US: +1(773)2319226,,1495062011# (US North)
           +1(469)4450100,,1495062011# (US South)
           +1(470)8692200,,1495062011# (US East)
           +1(623)4049000,,1495062011# (US West)
           +1(720)9027700,,1495062011# (US Central)
Or Telephone:
    Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): 
    US: +1(773)2319226 (US North)
           +1(469)4450100 (US South)
           +1(470)8692200 (US East)
           +1(623)4049000 (US West)
           +1(720)9027700 (US Central)
    Meeting ID: 149 506 2011

If you were unable to tune in live, here is the recording for the April 1st FIRST Chesapeake Town Hall Conference Call. https://youtu.be/d0e_sx-ffQI

 

Dear Friends of FIRST Chesapeake,
 
To be honest, we didn't know how our teams, volunteers, and supporters would respond to our live chats beginning this week. It shouldn't have come as a surprise, but we have been blown away by the enthusiasm to take part on this new virtual FIRST Chesapeake community.
 
So how do we continue to experience the camaraderie and joy of being a part of a FIRST Chesapeake program in the coming weeks?
 
Join us for a 30 minute FIRST Chesapeake Chat at 3pm and 3:30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning April 2nd. A schedule will be posted on our FIRST Chesapeake homepage and the FIRST Chesapeake Chats webpage.
 
Host two 30 minute sessions and receive a $200 stipend sponsored by Capital One and Showbest Fixture Corporation for your team. To learn more about how to sign up, click here.
 
We have been amazed by the creativity our teams have shown to stay engaged and connected in their communities. We have been humbled by the grace shown by our graduating seniors when faced with the suspension of the 2019-2020 season. We have been energized by the generous support we have received from our sponsors. Most of all, we have been lifted up, over and over, by the strength and commitment of our FIRST Chesapeake community. Here's a chance to share these experiences!
 
See you on the 2nd!
 

 

 

 

 

Dear Teams,
 
It has been a long and sometimes frustrating two weeks, but the way our teams have conducted themselves during this trying time has been amazing. Your maturity and gracious professionalism have really shown, and it's been so much appreciated by all of us at FIRST Chesapeake. Believe me, cancelling some events and postponing others was not an easy decision.
 
This communication is meant as an update. As always, if you have questions or need clarification, please reach out to your Team Advisory Committee or FIRST Chesapeake staff.
 
What Is FIRST HQ Saying About The Suspended Season?
FIRST HQ has suspended the season but has cancelled the World Championships in Detroit and Houston. There is a difference in the wording. Currently, the program is suspended through April, when HQ will re-evaluate the potential for resuming play in one form or another. However, the World Championships are cancelled, which means they will not be rescheduled.
 
What Does This Mean For FIRST Chesapeake Teams?
Currently if you go on the FIRST website, you'll see that CHS remaining events are listed as suspended. While HQ knows that we have cancelled the remaining local District events and rescheduled the (FRC) District Championship Sponsored by Newport News Shipbuilding to June 17th-20th, they assigned all events "suspended" until they can have one on one discussions with the program delivery partners.
 
Team refunds - Any team fees paid for the World Championship will be refunded. A FIRST HQ communication will go out to teams hopefully within the next few weeks. Team refunds for FRC teams who never got a chance to compete or have already paid for a District Championship are under review. FIRST's policy states no refunds, but the executive staff realize these are unique times and they are working to find a solution. The hope is that the season will resume (example, our District Championship in June) and teams will get at least one chance to play before the season ends.
 
Awards - FIRST is working on determining how awards such as Dean's List, Chairman, Engineering Innovation, etc. will be interviewed and recognized. They are asking for our patience.
 
Seniors - FIRST realizes that recognizing graduating seniors is very important to the teams and they are working on several options. They are also discussing how to recognize Volunteer of the Year and Woodie Flowers.
 
Rookie grants -  FIRST recognizes the unique position rookies have been in this season and are evaluating options regarding rookie grants for next season.
 
What Is The Rescheduled District Championship Sponsored by Newport News Shipbuilding Going to Look Like?
 
FIRST Chesapeake is planning to offer the same high energy experience as always, including an expanded Technology and Scholarship Row, free give-aways, team showcases, and more. Travel grants will also still be available to teams needing assistance.
 
Team Advancement - FIRST Chesapeake is waiting to schedule a discussion with FIRST HQ about how we will handle team advancement in the next few weeks. Ideally, we would like to total the scores of the 8 teams that played 2 events, double the scores of the 94 teams that played once, and open a lottery to the 24 teams that didn't get to compete at any local District events. Note that all of this is hypothetical until FIRST HQ has approved our proposal.
 
COVID-19 - Of course, the success of the District Championship depends upon the path the COVID-19 pandemic follows over the next few weeks. If the majority of teams are still under travel restrictions, FIRST and FIRST Chesapeake will need to re-evaluate the District Championship plans. Because of this, FIRST Chesapeake has asked FIRST HQ to consider pushing the event registration deadline back to May or June of this year.
 
What Is FIRST Chesapeake Planning?
FIRST Chesapeake is looking at a number of options to help keep teams engaged over the next few months:
  • Possible scrimmage for the 24 teams who were unable to play at a District event this season. More details to follow in late April/early May.
  • Weekly updates to teams via email and social media.
  • Mentor workshops Sponsored by Booz Allen Hamilton (free) are still planned for Richmond (May) and Blacksburg (June).
  • Off-Season Events - FIRST Chesapeake is willing to work with teams that may be interested in hosting off-season events in the Fall. More information to follow this summer.
  • Possible on-line webinars, panel discussions, and Q&A forums. See below for more information on how to get involved in this.
  • Town Hall update, April 1st, 5:30pm. Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1493160069

    Or iPhone one-tap :
        US: +1(773)2319226,,1493160069# 
               +1(623)4049000,,1493160069# 
    Or Telephone:
        Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): 
        US: +1(773)2319226 
               +1(623)4049000 
        Meeting ID: 149 316 0069
What Can My Team Do For Now?
  • Continue to work on your team's business or succession plan
  • Keeping in mind the CDC guidelines regarding limiting social contact and the guidelines of your school, think of ways that you may be able to help others in your community. (Does your local animal shelter need dog walkers? Can you pick up trash at a nearby park or green space?)
  • Contact your local Team Advisory Committee member about your team hosting an on-line webinar, open chat or panel discussion. They will gather your ideas and work with Ron Therrien, Director of Programs, to schedule and promote these sessions on FIRST Chesapeake's Ring Central conference line.
  • Let your local Team Advisory Committee member know what topics you may like to hear more about from FIRST Chesapeake staff. (examples, fundraising, creative conflict resolution, etc.)
  • Share your favorite experiences from the season with Samantha Ellis, FIRST Chesapeake Communications Manager, for posting on social media. We'd love to share a little sunshine over the next few weeks.
 
We are working very hard to keep the teams and our volunteers updated. We will be posting any updates regarding COVID 19 on our website here. Until then, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Team Advisory Committee or FIRST Chesapeake staff.
 
Wishing everyone good health.
 
Leighann Scott Boland
Executive Director
FIRST Chesapeake

Just a reminder that FIRST Chesapeake will hold a virtual Town Hall Meeting next week to bring you updates regarding the remainder of our season.

  • Wednesday, April 1st, 5:30pm
  • Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://meetings.ringcentral.com/j/1493160069 
  • Or iPhone one-tap: 
    • +1(773)2319226,,1493160069#
    • +1(623)4049000,,1493160069#
  • Or Telephone: Dial: 
    • +1(773)2319226
    • +1(623)4049000
  • Meeting ID: 149 316 0069
 
Thank you for your patience and understanding during these unprecedented times.

FIRST

 

Dear friends, colleagues & partners,

It is with deep disappointment that I share an update on the immediate suspension of the current  FIRST season and the cancellation of both Championship events. This decision has been made based on guidance from the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and state and local health officials, as well as the declaration of states of emergency across many states/countries, the ever-expanding travel restrictions for schools, and in light of developments over the past 24 hours.  The health and safety of our community is our top priority, so we have decided to suspend all season play across all Programs worldwide, effective immediately, including the cancellation of both FIRST Championship events. Please know that FIRST Championship registration fees will be refunded.

This difficult decision was grounded in FIRST’s commitment to put the health and safety of our community above all else. During this challenging time, we have been working closely with our program delivery partners (PDPs) and event organizers around the world to navigate and mitigate the risks to our community due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). As a result, many of our events in the United States and around the world have been canceled or postponed, including more than half of all future FIRST Robotics Competition events. We acknowledge and appreciate the thousands of teams, parents, mentors, coaches and volunteers who have poured their hearts and souls into this season, and we share your disappointment.

The mission of FIRST has always been to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders and innovators, and we continue to be deeply committed to this mission. We know that you will have questions, and we will provide answers in the following days and weeks as we navigate what has been an unprecedented time.

 

Sincerely,

Larry Cohen, President of FIRST

https://www.firstinspires.org/covid-19

  1. FIRST Chesapeake Programs UPDATE Regarding COVID-19
  2. COVID-19 Update from FIRST Chesapeake Board
  3. FRC Owings Mills Event Update
  4. Important Information- COVID-19 Update

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