Ontario Teams in Jeopardy for 2012/2013?

[rhinobot]

I am on one of the teams affected by the strike. There is a way to get around it, by breaking away from the school itself. We are supported by the township now. We know of at least one other team in Ontario that did this (break from the school). But as many of you have said it is a huge blow to the teams that cannot participate this year as FIRST is losing some great teams.

[Fairan]

The teachers from Catholic school boards in Toronto and York Region from Ontario aren't on strike, and quite a few teams come from those school boards, so they'll be some of us at least. I'm also aware of some teams with teachers on strike are trying to merge/team up with Catholic schools in order to participate in FRC.

[Undertones]

Does anybody know what is happening with team 188? They were registered for Western Canada and they disappeared off the roster. They don't seem to be registered for GTR east, or GTR west. I am confused and hoping they are still participating in FRC this season.

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by Undertones

Does anybody know what is happening with team 188? They were registered for Western Canada and they disappeared off the roster. They don't seem to be registered for GTR east, or GTR west. I am confused and hoping they are still participating in FRC this season.

I didn't see them at kickoff, and they are gone from all their events. Seems like we have lost a perenial powerhouse this year.

See this post.

[Tem1514 Mentor]

188 due to the teacher unrest has DROPPED out of FRC this season.

[PayneTrain]

Originally Posted by Tem1514 Mentor

188 due to the teacher unrest has DROPPED out of FRC this season.

I have the utmost respect for teachers and unions, but seeing that the government the students and their families live under are disenfranchising kids from opportunities like FRC is really disappointing.

The creation of no win situations really stink.

[Shankar M]

Originally Posted by Undertones

Does anybody know what is happening with team 188?

I've been invovled with 188 for the last eight years, but I am only an alumnus and am not aware of a lot of the finer administrative details associated with where the team stands this year - so take from my post what you will.

The last official position I had heard from a teacher on the team was that 188 was cancelling its three registrations (GTR-E, Waterloo, Western Canada). This was done because of the uncertainty associated with the labour strife and the potential for losing all money spent on event registrations if the labour issues continue beyond the build season.

Where things go from here remains up in the air.

That said, some of the senior students have taken it upon themselves to try and make the most of the situation and run a mock season. They plan to deconstruct the game, discuss design direction, and potentially even conceptually design a robot that would succeed at competing in this year's challenge. In doing so, they hope to expose some of the newer students to the timeline of an FRC season in addition to teaching them transferable skills with value beyond the mock season experience. If things do somehow work out in time, perhaps they will even be prepared to jump right in to building the real thing.

[moogboy]

Now that the season has started, has anyone taken note of which teams are not participating this year? I'd like to pay tribute to them somehow over the course of the season...Not sure how yet but they must not be forgotten and I refuse to be silent about their lost season.

[wireties]

FIRST Team 1296 hopes our Ontarian colleagues find some way to stay in and compete. Many great robots and even more great concepts/designs come out of Canada. What an ordeal and how unfortunate...

[Gregor]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/...rticle7106051/

Latest development.

[fox46]

This is very sad news. I will certainly miss seeing 188 in competition this year.

The pattern seems to be that the teams who have strong parent and sponsor support (offsite build facilities particularily) have been the most successful in breaking away from their schools and forming "community" groups. Those who rely primarily on teacher and staff support from their schools, particularily for administrative and organizational duties seem to be dissappearing without a trace in most cases. Even my old team which hasn't missed a competition since my high school friends and I started it 13 years ago has dropped out. It kills me to see the growth of FIRST that has occurred in Ontario over the last decade cut so drastically over a labour action where nobody wins.

The Liberals will file an application Thursday morning with the Ontario Labour Relations Board, seeking to block the illegal strike

This same action effectively stopped Air Canada flight attendants from striking last year so I see no reason why the government won't succeed with the teachers.

[rsegrest]

FIRST Team 1296 hopes our Ontarian colleagues find some way to stay in and compete. Many great robots and even more great concepts/designs come out of Canada. What an ordeal and how unfortunate...



Here here and we agree completely....

Team 2582