JOIN US TODAY

Members of Charger Robotics simultaneously belong to three different organizations and must fulfill the requirements of all three.

These requirements are outlined in detail below.

Complete the following 10 steps to join.

Note: All Hamilton School District and Charger Robotics Requirements are due on Thursday, October 28, 2021.

Failure to turn in these forms by this deadline may prevent you from participating in team activities.

Requirements from the Hamilton School District

Requirements from Charger Robotics

Requirements from the FIRST organization

HAMILTON SCHOOL DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS

Charger Robotics is classified as a "Category 'A', Competitive, Non-Athletic Extra-Curricular Activity". Therefore, most of the procedures required for other competitive activities (e.g. sports and athletics) must be followed, with exception to those forms and procedures relating specifically to physical ability and athletic performance.

Charger Robotics is NOT classified as a "Club" or "Special Interest Activity".

1

Complete the Emergency Card.

Fill out each field on the Emergency Card and submit it to the Advisors.

Students will not be allowed to operate machinery, robots, or use power tools unless this sheet has been submitted to Advisors.

2

View the Parent/Player Presentation.

Watch the 2021-22 Mandatory Parent Player/Participant Video.

Make sure to enter Parent's Name and Participant's Name in the boxes below the video, and click the checkbox acknowledging that you viewed the presentation and understand the policies that were outlined.

3

Sign the Co-Curricular Contract.

Review the 2021-22 Co-Curricular Handbook.

Sign the 2021-22 Co-Curricular Contract.

Note that the WIAA Physical Form, the Concussion Verification Form, and the Froedtert Consent for Athletic Training Services are not required for Charger Robotics.

Signed contracts should be turned in to the Advisors.

4

Pay the Activity Fee.

This $75.00 user fee applies only to students at Hamilton High School (Grades 9 - 12).

Fees can be paid online via infinite campus, or submitted via check with "Activity Fee - Robotics" written in the Memo Line.

Any un-paid fees from the previous year must also be paid in order to participate.

CHARGER ROBOTICS REQUIREMENTS

There are two basic requirements to be a member of Charger Robotics: Help to achieve program goals, and communicate with us.

Note that there may be additional requirements to participate in specific activities, events, or travel. Advisors will outline these requirements (including academics, attendance, travel fees, etc.) prior to these events.

5

Sign the Code of Conduct & Release.

Sign the last page of the Charger Robotics Code of Conduct.

Signed forms should be submitted to Advisors.

6

Join our Email Group.

Team Advisors will send out important information and announcements via email, as well as periodic status updates and requests.

To join our Student Email Group

Send a blank email to ChargerRobotics_Students+Subscribe@GoogleGroups.com

To join our Parent & Guardian Email Group

Send a blank email to ChargerRobotics_Guardians+Subscribe@GoogleGroups.com

7

Join our Remind101.

Team Advisors will send reminders and time-critical texts via the Remind App. This is most helpful to receive updates during important events, demonstrations, or competitions.

To join our Remind101

Text "Robog" to 81010 or Click the Remind101 link.

FIRST REQUIREMENTS

The majority of activities undertaken by Charger Robotics align to a specific FIRST program.

FIRST requires its participants to create a log-in on their website, and sign a few acknowledgment and consent forms.

8

Create a log-in.

Go to firstinspires.org and click "Sign Up" or "Log In" in the upper right.

9

Join the FTC/FRC team.

You will be assigned an FTC or FRC team. Advisors will send you an invitation via email and the FIRST portal. You will need to click the link to "accept".

This must be done every year!

10

Sign the Consent & Release Form.

From the my.firstinspires.org/Dashboard/, click the arrow in the upper right corner. There should be a notification near "acknowledgment forms".

This must be done every year!

COVID-19 INFORMATION

Charger Robotics will follow administrative recommendations accepted by the Hamilton School Board.

In-person, hands-on activities will remain the primary focus of our programs.

Self-monitor for any symptoms and follow hygiene best practices.

STAY HOME IF YOU'RE SICK.

WEAR A MASK (BY CHOICE).

WASH YOUR HANDS (AGAIN).

AVOID UNNECESSARY CONTACT.

FTC & FRC Advisors

Dave Woods (Lead Advisor) and Morgan Swartzendruber (Co-Advisor) are both graduates of Hamilton High School and are Charger Robotics Alumni.

Both were able to practice and grow their skills while on the team and now seek to pay-it-forward and inspire the next generation.

There may be times when you need to contact Morgan and Dave.

Dave Woods

Lead Advisor - Charger Robotics

414-791-3283

davetherobotman@gmail.com

Morgan Swartzendruber

Co-Advisor - Charger Robotics

262-993-9027

morganswartz010@yahoo.com

Advisors

Advisors expect the following from Students and Parents:

Arrival to meetings on time and ready to participate.
Notification of any and all schedule conflicts that may occur, well in advance (e.g. other sports/commitments, vacations, travel plans, etc.)
Communicate special concerns regarding coaching/mentoring expectations (e.g. Practice requirements)
Positive support for the HHS Co-Curricular Code of Conduct, Charger Robotics Code of Conduct, and FIRST Core Values.
Positive support for all team members, mentors, and Advisors.
Exhibit Gracious Professionalism, good sportsmanship, and appropriate language.
A great work ethic at practice and in games.
If the student has a concern, parents and guardians should encourage their son/daughter to speak with a mentor or Advisor.

Appropriate concerns you can address with Advisors:

The treatment of the student, mentally and physically
Ways to help the student improve their performance and skill
Concerns about the student's behavior at school/meetings/competitions
Ideas for future demonstration events and business partnerships

Areas that are not appropriate for parents to discuss with Advisors:

The make-up of the team and the decision as to who has what roles on a particular team
Other members of the team, other parents, other mentors
Program strategic direction

Problem Escalation Process

The proper method to address a concern is to:

Have the student speak with Morgan and Dave.
The parent(s) contact Morgan and Dave and ask to schedule a discussion (evenings work best for us).
If concerns are not resolved during the discussion, a follow-up conference can be organized with Mike Gosz (Athletic & Activities Director).
If concerns are not resolved during this discussion, a follow-up conference will be set up by the Rebecca Newcomer (Hamilton High School Principal), who will moderate the conference.

In each of these scenarios, efforts will be taken to ensure that the conversation take place in a non-threatening environment, and that both parties are allowed to speak in an uninterrupted manner.

Charger Robotics is a competitive, non-athletic extra-curricular activity. We follow the Hamilton High School Athletic Department Parent/Athlete Coach Expectations.

Locations and Times for Practices

Meeting times for the 2021-2022 season are planned to be as follows.

Students who are unable to make a meeting must inform Advisors (ideally before the prior meeting ends), or the absence will be considered unexcused. Students can contact advisors via Remind101, email, Discord, or verbally in-person.

Three unexcused absences may result in loss of leadership position, inability to travel to competition events, and/or dismissal from Charger Robotics.

October - December

FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) will meet on Tuesday evenings from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8:00am to 12:00pm at Hamilton High School.

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) will meet on Thursday evenings from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at Hamilton High School.

January - May

FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) will meet on Tuesday evenings from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.

FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) will meet on Thursday evenings from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8:00am to 12:00pm at Hamilton High School. Additional meeting time on Tuesday evenings from 6:00pm to 9:00pm may be granted pending approval from Advisors and mentors.

Competitions

Charger Robotics plans to run operate in-person and attend in-person events.

FIRST Tech Challenge - Qualifier Event

Single-day competition events held over a weekend
Typically within a 2-hour driving distance
Transportation via School Bus
$100 travel fee

FIRST Tech Challenge - State Championship

Single-day or Two-day competition held over a weekend
Hosted by Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, WI.

Transportation via School Bus
$100 travel fee

FIRST Robotics Competition - WI Regional Event

Thursday through Saturday event
Held in Milwaukee, WI.
Transportation via School Bus.
$150 travel fee

FIRST Robotics Competition - Travel Regional Event

Tuesday through Sunday event (including travel)
Location TBD
Transportation via Coach Bus
Hotel (typically 4 students to a room)
Team meal & social event provided on Friday
$200 to $400 travel fee

FIRST World Championship

Tuesday through Sunday event (including travel)
Held in Detroit, MI.

Transportation via Coach Bus.
Hotel (typically 4 students to a room)
Team meal & social activity provided on Friday
~$400 travel fee

Students and mentors are expected to cover their own food & souvenir purchases while attending competition events with exception to pre-planned team social events, meals, and similar activities.

Alternatives to Travel Fees

Charger Robotics' operating philosophy is not to profit from our members paying dues and fees. Every reasonable effort is - and will continue to be - made to reduce the program cost to families.

Travel Fees will only be paid by members intending to travel to the event. This helps the team cover the rest of their costs related to:

Hotel room rates
Transportation (i.e. Coach Bus) costs
Team meal on Friday
Etc.

Get others to pay your travel fees for you!

Charger Robotics provides opportunities for families to reduce their individual travel costs by over-achieving on individual fundraising targets. It is recommended that students utilize these opportunities when possible.

Mini-Regional Raffle Tickets

This is our primary fundraiser at Charger Robotics. Tickets are sold in two options: $3.00 for 1 ticket, or $10.00 for 4 tickets (i.e. $2.50 per ticket), and include grand prizes including cash, laptops, large 4k TV's, and more.

Participants will have $2.00 removed from their travel fee for every Mini-Regional Raffle Ticket sold.

Example: A student sells a total of 100 raffle tickets to friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers. The student submits completed ticket stubs and collected money to Charger Robotics Advisors. Advisors reduce that student's travel fee by $200.

Don't buy raffle tickets with the sole aim to reduce travel fees. Buying $250 in tickets only reduces your travel fee by $200. Unless you're trying to win the Raffle prizes, it makes more sense to pay the travel fee out of pocket.

Sponsorship Rewards <--NEW FOR 2021-2022!!!

Participants who are instrumental in facilitating a financial sponsorship of Charger Robotics (as determined by Advisors) from local businesses, universities, industry partners, or other qualifying charitable organizations will have travel fees reduced by 20% of the sponsorship level.

Example: A student coordinates their activities with Charger Robotics Advisors and convinces a neighbor to get their employer to donate $2,750.00 to Charger Robotics. Advisors reduce that student's travel fee by $550.

Note: Fundraisers and sponsorships reduce travel fees for the current season. Once travel fees are reduced to zero, any additional funds generated will be used to cover Charger Robotics operating expenses and offset costs of strategic projects and initiatives.

Note: Travel Fees will NOT be reimbursed to families if they find the trip unsatisfactory, or if they are sent home early.

Requirements for Lettering

Yes - students are able to earn Freshmen, Junior Varsity, and Varsity Letters through Charger Robotics.

Charger Robotics is a Category A, Competitive, Non-Athletic Extra-Curricular Activity.

FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) "Sport Modes" both apply.

Throughout the year, Charger Robotics Advisors will collect data and make observations regarding student participation, performance, contributions, and attitude to determine how Letters will be awarded. Assessments will be based on a combination of factors, including:

STEM and Entrepreneurial talents demonstrated
Rate of improvement (including soft-skills)
Alignment, adherence, and promotion of HHS, FIRST, and Charger Robotics Codes of Conduct and Core Values
Commitment and dedication to the program
Attendance and engagement in Charger Robotics Fundraisers, Events, and Activities
Individual contribution and impact to the team and their peers