Parent/Guardian Expectations

As the guardian of a student on Team 4469, you are required to encourage your student in robotics whenever needed. You are also highly encouraged to get involved on the team as either a mentor or as a guardian volunteer. Guardian volunteers can serve in a few respects as listed below. Guardians that do not volunteer in a key role are expected to provide food for the team over the course of the build season.

Near the beginning of the school year, a guardian meeting will be held. It is expected that all guardians attend this meeting in order to gain a better understanding of what is required of them.

Fundraising

The team runs on an operating budget of around $40,000 per year. A large portion of this comes from the annual TJRPM auction. Guardian volunteers are needed to help procure items for the auction every March. Robotics is traditionally the single largest fundraising group at the auction thanks to hard work by guardian and student volunteers.

Food

During the build season, the team works after school until approximately 7 PM except for Fridays. On the weekends, the team works full days on Saturdays and half days on Sundays, sometimes going through dinner if needed. In order to keep the team working at its best, meals and snacks need to be provided by the guardians. A few key volunteers are needed to solicit and coordinate the bringing of food during the build season.

Chaperones

On overnight trips, chaperones are required. Guardians who wish to chaperone for travel trips should fill out any and all paperwork required by TJHS and FWPS before build season begins. The Business Team and its mentors will arrange travel accommodations and will coordinate guardians who will be chaperones for the trips.

Transportation

On all trips, transportation is vital to ensuring all team members can attend. For local competitions, carpools will be organized for any student needing transportation. On overnight trips, more drivers than chaperones will be needed. There is separate paperwork for all drivers to fill out as required by TJHS and FWPS. For travel to Worlds, plane flights will be organized, however drivers will be needed to attend in order to drive the students around during the week.