2027 Commitment Letter

Note: The commitment letter will be completed and handed out to student by the end of September once fall plans have been more worked out. Below is an example from a prior season and will change. see the Student Expectations page for more details.

TEAM 2137 recognizes that students are involved with many different extracurricular activities throughout their high school career. Schoolwork and family always take priority. It is, however, necessary to capture commitment from each participant to ensure that all members are equally contributing to the team's success. Ultimately, it is the student's responsibility to decide what their commitment level is and what they want to get out of the robotics program.

Expectations to be a member of the team

• Each member must adhere to the TEAM 2137 Handbook and follow the OHS Code of Conduct at all times.
• Each student and their guardian must register with the FIRST® Organization prior to attending meetings with the team.
• Always display Gracious Professionalism: "…a way of doing things that encourages high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community… fierce competition and mutual gain are not separate notions."
• Declare a subgroup of interest to participate in while on the team. You have the option to change; however, mentors need to know your focus and interests so they can provide the best learning environment for you.
• Students must complete mandatory safety trainings in order to work in the room with the team. (Students in the OHS Mechatronics and Engineering classes already complete these trainings in class.)

Expectations to be eligible to travel with the team to competitions

• Commit to traveling with the entire team while at competitions. This includes arriving and departing events as a team, staying at the same hotel, and participating in all team activities. Students must stay until the end of each competition and help with the packing and departure process.
• Attendance:
  • Attend 50% or more of the fall team meetings and complete the mandatory safety training.
  • Attend 75% of build season meetings to help ensure the team can produce the robot, complete its awards submissions, and meet all competition-readiness requirements.
  • Missing a meeting for another school activity (sports, band, orchestra, etc.) does not count against your attendance percentage, as long as you inform the robotics coach ahead of time (more than a day's notice) so we may plan ahead.
• FIRST outreach and support for Oxford Robotics:
  • Fall season (September–December) — at least two of the following:
    • 8+ hours volunteering with a FIRST-sponsored FTC or FLL event where an Oxford Robotics team is competing.
    • Mentor an Oxford Robotics FTC or FLL team by meeting with them weekly for at least 6 weeks during their competition preparation, assisting coaches, mentoring students, and answering questions to help them prepare.
    • Support Team Botswana in preparing for their October competition by attending the weekly conference calls through September, answering questions, and communicating with the team over WhatsApp.
    • Support an outreach event, such as giving FTC students a tour of our facilities on their kickoff day, or joining the team to compete at an off-season event, or helping the team deliver an outreach event (marching in the homecoming parade, launching t-shirts at a football game, etc.).
  • Build season (January–March) — both of the following:
    • Volunteer to support the setup and operation of our annual Week 0 event in mid-to-late February.
    • Volunteer to support the running and delivery of Oxford Robotics' annual FLL Explore Expo at OELC in March.
• Fundraising and sponsor recruiting:
  • Fall season (September–December) — at least one of the following:
    • Participate in local sponsor recruiting by visiting and speaking to at least 5 potential sponsors (with mentor support).
    • Secure a new sponsor for our team on your own, with our team materials.
• Community outreach: Participate in at least two humanitarian outreach efforts throughout the season. Opportunities are provided as they become available — many are donations to a local food bank or other charitable organization. At least one opportunity will be achievable through attending a team meeting in the fall.
• Travel payment deadlines: Students are responsible for all travel and food expenses. All payments must be made in cash by the due dates — direct questions or concerns to the OHS Robotics Coach and/or Teacher Advisor. No student will be denied participation because of financial hardship.

If all requirements are met

If all requirements are met, students are granted permission to travel to off-campus events and competitions, receive excused absences for missed school days, use all participation hours for resumes and recommendations, apply for scholarships through FIRST® and other providers, and — per the TEAM 2137 Handbook rules — receive an OHS Robotics Varsity Letter.

Every effort will be made to accommodate any student who has a schedule conflict; however, expect to be asked to participate in alternative ways to benefit the team. Discuss exceptions and alternate activities with the OHS Robotics Coach and Teacher Advisor to identify suitable replacement activities.

Agreement

By signing below, the student and parent/guardian acknowledge that they have read and understood this commitment letter for the [SEASON] season and agree to the expectations above.