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gneissisnice wrote:Any teams concerned about snow tomorrow? Delays could potentially make us miss the Friday events, which would be very very bad. Hopefully it's not too bad, but if the snow is bad enough to warrant school cancellation, we're screwed because our transportation is through the district and not an outside bus company.

Unfortunately, my son's school was cancelled today due to snow and as a result, the principal has forbidden the team from traveling to the competition. The kids were also told they could not go and compete in their events, even if they arranged for their own travel. Does anyone know if they really wouldn't score teams if the school didn't 'officially' make it?

What a shame after all the time and money invested in preparing for States! And their still isn't even any snow accumulation on the roads...

Last minute predictions:

1. Columbia
2. Ward Melville
3. Great Neck South
4. Fayetteville Manlius
5. Syosset

EastStroudsburg13 wrote:I'll throw in predictions for fun, slightly altered from my previous ones.

1. Columbia
2. WM
3. FM
4. GNS
5. Mount Academy
6. Syosset
7. Niskayuna
8. Spackenkill
9. HHHE
10. Kellenberg

With consideration to Chaminade, Townsend Harris, and Stuyvesant

This is almost exactly my predictions, except I had Spackenkill and HHHE switched. And seconding John, where is the livestream? It's is one of the best times of the year!

MrShellfishBeach wrote:

gneissisnice wrote:Any teams concerned about snow tomorrow? Delays could potentially make us miss the Friday events, which would be very very bad. Hopefully it's not too bad, but if the snow is bad enough to warrant school cancellation, we're screwed because our transportation is through the district and not an outside bus company.

A similar thing happened a few years back. A lot of teams weren't able to make it Friday evening, so the events then were pushed to the first time slot on Saturday, and the other events were postponed an hour. I'd assume if it's bad enough, the same thing would happen.

Yep. My coach received this email:

"Students who missed their event(s) on Friday evening may make up their event(s) between 12:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in room SCA 101 on Saturday.

Students who show up at 3:30 p.m. will have until 4:30 p.m. to complete their event(s).

Students who missed impound(s) on Friday evening may impound their device(s) without penalty between 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning.

Saturday events will run as usual. No make ups will be available for missed event(s) Saturday morning and afternoon."

gmui wrote:

gneissisnice wrote:Any teams concerned about snow tomorrow? Delays could potentially make us miss the Friday events, which would be very very bad. Hopefully it's not too bad, but if the snow is bad enough to warrant school cancellation, we're screwed because our transportation is through the district and not an outside bus company.

Unfortunately, my son's school was cancelled today due to snow and as a result, the principal has forbidden the team from traveling to the competition. The kids were also told they could not go and compete in their events, even if they arranged for their own travel. Does anyone know if they really wouldn't score teams if the school didn't 'officially' make it?

What a shame after all the time and money invested in preparing for States! And their still isn't even any snow accumulation on the roads...

Never underestimate the power of angry parents. If you don't mind me asking, what school? I'd like to think that somehow, there's a solution. The district has its liability concerns, but there must be a workaround, even if it involves a caravan of volunteer parents driving the kids.

Last Minute Predictions:
1. Columbia
2. Ward Melville
3. Fayetteville-Manlius
4. Great Neck South
5. Mount Academy
6. Niskayuna
7. Spackenkill
8. Half Hollow Hills East
9. Syosset
10. Kellenberg

Good luck to everyone competing!

SPP SciO wrote:

gmui wrote:

gneissisnice wrote:Any teams concerned about snow tomorrow? Delays could potentially make us miss the Friday events, which would be very very bad. Hopefully it's not too bad, but if the snow is bad enough to warrant school cancellation, we're screwed because our transportation is through the district and not an outside bus company.

Unfortunately, my son's school was cancelled today due to snow and as a result, the principal has forbidden the team from traveling to the competition. The kids were also told they could not go and compete in their events, even if they arranged for their own travel. Does anyone know if they really wouldn't score teams if the school didn't 'officially' make it?

What a shame after all the time and money invested in preparing for States! And their still isn't even any snow accumulation on the roads...

Never underestimate the power of angry parents. If you don't mind me asking, what school? I'd like to think that somehow, there's a solution. The district has its liability concerns, but there must be a workaround, even if it involves a caravan of volunteer parents driving the kids.

Thanks for the advice. We're coming from Byram Hills in Westchester County - not a Science Olympiad powerhouse but the kids are definitely eager to compete. So far 10 kids committed to going with 5 parents volunteering to drive. The teacher's hands are tied so I've reached out to the principal and school superintendent - we'll see what they say...

gmui wrote:

SPP SciO wrote:

gmui wrote:
Unfortunately, my son's school was cancelled today due to snow and as a result, the principal has forbidden the team from traveling to the competition. The kids were also told they could not go and compete in their events, even if they arranged for their own travel. Does anyone know if they really wouldn't score teams if the school didn't 'officially' make it?

What a shame after all the time and money invested in preparing for States! And their still isn't even any snow accumulation on the roads...

Never underestimate the power of angry parents. If you don't mind me asking, what school? I'd like to think that somehow, there's a solution. The district has its liability concerns, but there must be a workaround, even if it involves a caravan of volunteer parents driving the kids.

Thanks for the advice. We're coming from Byram Hills in Westchester County - not a Science Olympiad powerhouse but the kids are definitely eager to compete. So far 10 kids committed to going with 5 parents volunteering to drive. The teacher's hands are tied so I've reached out to the principal and school superintendent - we'll see what they say...

So the principal called me and explained that they cancelled the bus and it's not their policy to get us another bus. They won't let us drive them and another school even offered to drive our team (but for whatever reason our school declined). So we're out of luck and of the 55 schools, we are the ONLY one that can't make it. What a shame for our kids and a disgrace to our school!

I just feel terrible for the team and my son. You guys all know how much effort it takes to prepare for these events (Material science, Rocks and Minerals) and I know how expensive it gets (Robot arm). He even won first place at his Regional in Rocks and Minerals and Robot Arm and I think he'd be a strong contender at States.

That's a real shame. While I understand the school's intentions, I don't think they realize just how important this is to the students that participate. If at all possible I still recommend trying for some form of parent caravan, especially if this is anyone's last year of competition. This is not something that should be denied by school bureaucracy.

EastStroudsburg13 wrote:That's a real shame. While I understand the school's intentions, I don't think they realize just how important this is to the students that participate. If at all possible I still recommend trying for some form of parent caravan, especially if this is anyone's last year of competition. This is not something that should be denied by school bureaucracy.

We had the whole team agreeing to go with more than enough parents driving. But the school won't give us permission to go and so the competition coordinator said we can't be allowed to compete without the school's approval.