I am from a smallish town in southeast Michigan. I been involved on my school’s FIRST team in 2003-2004 I had dificulites with them, not liking the engineers. It is not just me. All but one teacher in the past 7 years has quit the team. The last teacher wants to quit but doesn’t want the team to be discontinued. In the 2004 fall I was the MVP for our OCCRA team. I love robotics and went without it for the FIRST 2005 season, only volunteering at the West Michigan Regional. The event manager loved me and my dedication, and for the most part made me his assistant for that regional. I made many friends in the FIRST community. Including an amazing team (66). I became very good friends with them and have joined their team. Do any other teams have students that come from different schools? They are 45 minutes away, but everything is alright between me and them, it has been worked out. My parents are divorced. My mom thinks they are great, and will drive me sometimes if she can, so I don’t have to drive myself being a new driver. My dad says it is like a football team you can pick and choose where you go. He has seen my robot once in 3 seasons and never went to a competition. He is going to the school board for both districts trying to prevent students from joining different teams. (What about the homeschool kids, or people that don’t have a team) I know my situation is different, but I need help. Please post if you have any ideas or opinions, I just need to know what to do. I can’t stand not being on a FIRST team again. Or e-mail me at Countrygirl523@aol.com Thank you.
Well… let’s see. I moved from the Sherrard Community School District in the summer of 2002, after my rookie season on 648. I was hooked so much that I came back because it is the only team in the Quad Cities. It isn’t quite 45 minutes away but I do go to a whole different school (or did, just graduated.) I had no problems with being accepted back, but the team has closed its doors to other schools now unless they bring a teacher with. Ugh! I was a special case with my family. I don’t know if this helped or not. (Probably not) But good luck.
You asked about homeschooled kids. At least two teams in FIRST are homeschooled–330 and 1315(?). 330 operates out of Hope Chapel Academy, which is a homeschooling group. I don’t know how 1315 operates. 330 has recently expanded criteria for being on the team, so we have one team member who is not homeschooled, but he didn’t have to change schools or anything.
In your case, I’d try and talk to your dad before he brings the case to the school districts and explain why you don’t want to stay with your previous team, and that FIRST isn’t football. If he still goes to the districts, try explaining the case to them.
This also sounds like a case that multi-school teams could help with. 294 is made up of two schools in two different districts. I’m pretty sure they aren’t the only ones. This type of team could probably explain inter-district relations better than a homeschooler like me could.
There are many teams which are comprised of students from more than one high school. Each team has its own rules about who they will accept and who they won’t - some teams will only accept students from high schools who do not already have a team.
A part of me thinks maybe you need to seek out ways you can better work with the team from your present high school. In the workplace you will not always have supervisors or co-workers that you get along with, but you have to learn how to work with them just the same.
If you feel you must join the other team, ask to meet with the team leaders to clarify their team’s rule on this issue. You don’t want to create any animosity with your new teammates. And then let your old team know that you are moving to the new team, and why. But do it in a manner that can help the old team improve. You don’t want to be the cause of any bad feelings between the two teams.
Ahh your story sounds very familiar to me.
My Senior year in HS I chose to leave team 247 because I couldn’t get along with the teacher. I was able to join Team 470 (Alpha Omega, 66’s Sister Team). I also had to drive the roughly 45 miles each day from Berkley to Ypsilanti for participation in the build season. In the height of Michigan Winter no less.
Trust me, if you are so dedicated as to drive 45 miles each way and then work hard, the team leaders will notice it and it will pay off.
It’s payoff for me was a high showing of respect from the mentors (I was awarded the “Gracious Professionalism” award unanimous decision by them at the annual team banquet. I was also awarded an internship to ComauPICO (Team 247 and a few others sponsor) when I met with one of the Engineers there at Nationals.
All in all, it was a great experience for me. Team 66 has a lot of good people and I think you’ll be happy there.
I currently in talks to join with another team who is closer to me and close to my work as well. I work out in Utica, MI which is about 80 miles from Ypsilanti (Team 470), so working with them this year is just too impractical.
My team (1317) is technically all homeschooled. I was homeschooled up until 8th grade, so I got invited, but I actually attend a public school.
Don’t know if that helps any. 
–EDIT–
Oh, and many of the guys/gals on the team come from a good distance away (forced because we’re pretty widely distributed).
Thank you very much, I think this will be a lot of help to show i am not trying to get special privileges. I knew I was not the only person in this situation. I appreciate you taking your time to tell me your story.
**I would like help too! **
Well, I happen to be in a similar situation. There are some issues between me and some people on my school team [1559]. And I also feel lost on this team because the leadership is very weak, and well no one wants to do things even when I try to get something going. I love them to pieces and had an awesome Rookie season with them, but I had the privilage to work with another team, who I get along with very well, and they really understand me, and I am just very happy spending time with them. Part of me wants to stay in 1559 because I feel I should be dedicated to my school, but at the same time I want to make myslef happy. I mean, I love making others happy, but you cant make others happy unless you are happy yourself. So that makes me want to be with the other team because I know that I will enjoy myself and enjoy the program more. So its a hard decision and I am not sure exactly what to do. There are pros and cons to either choice I make.
Thanks
-Ashley