Practice, Practice, Practice

Do you need some more sample questions? Here is a copy of last year's ciphering questions.

What's for Lunch?

After the popular questions, "When's the competition? Where's the competition location?" the next most frequently asked question is, "Will lunch be provided?"

While our fundraising is not where we planned and the increase in school participation (a good thing) is freaking out our coordinators, we don't want to diminish the overall experience of the students. Lunch will be served. Back by popular demand is pizza! Cheese and pepperoni pizza will be provided. These are big pizzas too, not the so called large 10" pizzas that we served at UCF. A mixture of bottled water and canned soft drinks will also be provided. We tried to go with a healthy lunch last year, but were just floored by the amount of fruit that was left untouched. So, there will be no fruit this year.

Schedule of Events

Here it is! The official schedule of events. If you've ever wondered why we do the raffle, I'll let you in on a secret...we need all the time we can get to compile the final scores. Yes, we have two computers running and a well experienced scoring room; but, with over 360 students that is a lot of tests to check and re-check.

One more reminder, parents are allowed only in the afternoon sessions and lunch is not provided for them unless they are listed as a coach or co-coach in your paperwork.

Photo Release Form

We are very fortunate to have a volunteer photographer the morning of competition. Don will take a picture of you and your team during registration. We will provide you with one framed picture that you can take home. It's just one more reason to stay for the afternoon fun.

Important things to remember include:
- Make sure that everyone is ready when you get in line.
- Bring your photo release forms.

- Smile.

Coaches Room Refreshments

We heard you lound and clear and at last night's meeting, the official decision was made. We will order more donuts for the scoring room and make sure that the volunteers don't get there first. Hot coffee (decaf and caffinated) will also be provided.

Krista and Carole will be your hosts the day of the competition. This year the coaches room is directly adjacent to the competition room. We also recommend that you bring something to pass the time: knitting, papers to grade, etc.

What will be in my bag this year?

The following items should be in the bag you receive at registration.

• T-shirts & Pencils
• Nametags (please wear in plain view)
• Certificates
• Copy of your Chapter Registration Form
• Evaluation Form
• Coach Information Update
• Program with Schedule of Events (2)
• Coupons for lunch

Nametags and certificates are made based on the names you provide. Please double check the spelling (we do too). The student name you provide should match the name that the student uses on their test. No nicknames please! Last year a student used a nickname on their test and created a half-hour delay in the scoring room.

Competition Day Information

Please read this post prior to registering the day of the event, as we want to make sure that everything runs smoothly. If you have an emergency the day of the competition, please contact Carole Forrest on her cellular phone (407) 832-8166.

Competition Details
• Saturday, February 28, 2009
• 8:30 AM – Registration opens
• Olympia High School (4301 S. Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando, Florida 32835); The main competition testing will be held in the cafeteria.
• A volunteer with fruit and juice will be located in the parking area to direct you to the walk leading to the registration and testing area.
• Calculators are allowed for certain parts of the competition. Please have your students bring theirs. Calculators cannot have a QWERTY-style keyboard, cannot make noise, and cannot have wireless capabilities. We will be checking calculators the morning of the event.

Registration
• Coach Only at the registration table.
• You must have all Mathletes present to register.
• Present your Purple Sheet at the registration table. (You will receive this on arrival)
• If you have no changes, please use the EXPRESS line.
• If you are making changes please use CHANGES line.
• You will receive your packets and bags filled with goodies at this time. We cannot guarantee certificates or nametags for students that were not registered prior to the January 16, 2009 deadline.
• After registration, please proceed to the photography area with your photo release forms.