Notes to Principals/Administration

[Cooley744]

Wow, I think this is a GREAT idea! Our school's principal is just starting to realize just how important robotics is, and how great FIRST is. A letter would definitely push things along. In return, I'd be glad to write a letter for another team. My team is 744 Shark Attack. We attended the FL regional this year and won 2nd Place. We also won the Industrial Safety Award. Unfortunately, it is hard for some to see just how important safety is to the FIRST community, and how important safety can be in general. A kind letter would be much appreciated. If you need more information about my team, our team website is www.sharkattack744.com

To the attn: Principal Ray Kochis

5601 North Federal Highway
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308

Thanks so much!

[AndyH]

Here is the letter we used for Panther (1108). It isn't perfect, but I hope it expresses what we want administrators to see.

April 6, 2009

Superintendent Dr. Rod Allen
1115 East 303rd
Paola, Kansas 66071

Dear Dr. Allen,

I am writing this letter on behalf of the Robotics Team for the Rockwood School District in Wildwood, MO. We would like to share with you our experiences with your Robotics Team - Panther Robotics Team #1108.

We have had two opportunities to compete with your team this year in Kansas City and in St. Louis. In both of those competitions, your team was an excellent example of what our team seeks to be. In FIRST Robotics, the concept of "gracious professionalism" is key. It requires that students compete while still encouraging and supporting one another. Panther Robotics exhibits "gracious professionalism" time and time again. They are quick to help other teams, and model excellent character traits in addition to building a very strong robot.

Many of our students were attending their first robotics event, and they left very inspired by your team. While we are, of course, impressed by the Chairman's Award win, which is the highest honor in FIRST, we are more impressed by each and every one of the individuals who make up Panther Robotics. The level of sportsmanship and maturity they displayed would be difficult to achieve by adults. The fact that teenagers handled themselves with such grace and character is a testament to the principles encouraged by your team and your district.

Thank you for being the type of district that creates an environment where students like these can thrive. These students will be the engineers and scientists of the future. Because of their experience with Panther Robotics, they will have the skills they need to work collaboratively with other bright minds to solve the problems society faces.

Sincerely,


Paige Hereford

[LLM]

Thank you, Paige!

I am attaching (I think...) a short letter we are sending for Sab-BOT-age. I think almost anyone could edit a bit and use for almost any team and/or award. A similar one is going out for 2468 and 744.

I will also attach the one we wrote for your team. It is more detailed simply because we have competed with you and know more about your team. It will not mail until tomorrow, so if you see an error, just let me know. (It's state assessment week, so I am a bit frazzled.)

Linda

Sab-BOT-age Robotics.doc

Rockwood School District.doc

[Siri]

Hello Shark Attack! Team 1640 is on your letter as well.

Thank you Team 1108 for sending a letter to Ms. Jane Bertone! We'd still like letters to go to the following if any teams are interested:
Attn: Mr. Norman Long at 126 Wallace Ave, Downingtown, PA 19335
Attn: Mr. Paul Hurley at 50 Devon Drive, Exton, PA 19341
Attn: Mr. John Nodecker at 445 Manor Ave, Downingtown, PA 19335

The following is Team 1640's letter for 1108:
Dr. Allen:
FIRST Robotics Team 1640 is writing this letter to commend your district’s robotics team, Team 1108 Panthers. Though we have never played with them directly, their reputation and record precede them. FIRST is a huge organization filled with hardworking albeit little-known teams, but not many are as successful as the Panthers.
Very few teams have done as much as quickly. Over the past six years, the Panthers have consistently outdone fifty to sixty other hardworking teams to win seventeen regional and championship awards. Though those include several regional and division game awards, in FIRST, winning doesn’t stop on the competition field—in fact, it doesn’t even start there. The Panthers exemplify this ethos, capturing awards as diverse as safety, web design, entrepreneurship, and engineering creativity and quality, not to mention the coveted Chairman’s Award. The Chairman’s is the most prestigious award in FIRST, honoring a team’s sustained success in inspiring respect for science and technology. Team 1640 congratulates the Panthers on their accomplishments and hope to play with them at the Championship next year!

[emersont49]

One of the problems we have always faced in getting the word out has been a lack of understanding about FRC. It's hard to understand an activity that has so many opportunities for success and excellence.

One of our most important metrics is the effect we, as a team, have on others and their teams. These letters will give us a way to express that to the administrators that support and fund our activities.

[JudyVandy]

This is one of the best ideas I've seen (read, heard, etc.) in a long time.

We need to let the 'power people' in the schools know of our impact on other teams and on FIRST in general. We can't really blow our own horns here, but a bit of assistance from our colleagues would be a definite asset.

Again, great idea!!!

[Siri]

2468, should you letter go to Principle Rawlings at Westlake HS? Please check this address:
Principal Linda Rawlings
4100 Westbank Dr.
Austin, TX 78746

Mrs. Rawlings:
FIRST Robotics Team 1640 is writing this letter to commend your district’s robotics team, Team 2468, Chap Robotics. Though we have never played with them directly, their reputation and record precede them, winning three awards in just their first two years. They garnered both the Highest Rookie Seed and Rookie All-Star Awards in Texas in 2008, both very prestigious awards in FIRST. Your team not only won against the other newcomers, but also showed the older teams their worth and potential. Moreover, it took them only one more year to beat the fifty other regional teams for the Xerox Creativity Award, the top regional creative achievement. You must be very proud of them!

Through their success in FIRST, Chap Robotics has already exemplified teamwork, dedication, creativity, and organization, not to mention technical prowess. We congratulate you and your students on these achievements and look forward to working with them in the future. They are an impressive team, and I am sure leaders throughout engineering, business, and education will look forward to working with their graduates soon as well.

Please tell your students how much we value their commitment and achievement in making their schools, communities, and FIRST look good!

Edited to add Rockwood's letter, sorry about that. Not as long as 1108's, though.
Dr. Larson:
FIRST Robotics Team 1640 is writing this letter to commend your district’s robotics team, Team 1098. Though we have never played with them directly, their reputation and record precede them, especially when their mentor Tim Emerson won the Woodie Flowers Award for outstanding mentors. Their unique engineering style in creating a “superbird” articulated chassis this year is also very impressive. In addition, many teams appreciate all the programming help they provided at the St. Louis and Kansas City Regional. FIRST is all about volunteerism, creativity, and cooperation, and Team 1098 exemplifies all three. You must be very proud of them!

We congratulate you and your students on these achievements and look forward to working with them in the future. They are an impressive team, and I am sure leaders throughout engineering, business, and education will appreciate working with their graduates soon as well.

Please tell your students how much we value their commitment and achievement in making their schools, communities, and FIRST look good!

[Cooley744]

Thanks so much for the letters guys. Sorry I didn't reply back sooner It's greatly appreciated.

[Siri]

I've been told that I have confused one of the teams (presumably 2468) with 2458. I've held back the letter for Mrs. Rawlings (see copy above) until that it's cleared up. Everyone else's letter has been mailed and should arrive shortly. Sorry for any confusion or delay!

[smurfgirl]

Hi Andy,

I think you're absolutely right that school administration does not understand the meaning or the context of the awards FIRST gives out. If they have never been to an event, and no one has explained it to them, where would they have the understanding that the Chairman's Award is not just an award, it is the highest recognition and honor a team can achieve in the form of an award. It's a great idea to spread this knowledge to schools and the general public! I think that each team should take the time to explain this to their school administrators, as well as to invite them to see the competition (if there are any regionals within reasonable traveling distance). The competitions are so much fun, and the school administrators will get a chance to see the hard work of their students, and to get a better picture of what is going on. Good luck with your initiative!

[AndyH]

I would love to recognize teams who participated in the Kansas City or St. Louis regionals with us by sending letters to administration. If you think that might help your team, please post contact information here.

Other regionals, let's do the same!