WHAT’S GNU?
Virginia
Odyssey
Into
Creativity
ExplorationS)
VA ODYSSEY OF THE MIND™
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------VOICES MESSENGER
WINTER 2005
Nancy Ragland, Assoc. Director Editor: Elaine Haley
5009 Ox Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030 voiceslistens@gmail.com
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FROM THE DESK OF THE ASSOCIATION DIRECTOR
Dear Virginia odyssey folks,
We’re off to a fast start this year. You might notice our newsletter has a new format. Thanks to Elaine Haley for taking on this job! There is a topic I want to talk about as we get started. Several years ago a new organization, called Destination Imagination, split off from Odyssey of the Mind. In the resulting law suit it was determined that no one may use the initials OM in any way in connection with Odyssey of the Mind. This will be a hard habit to break but we must adjust to this, as it is law. This means you may not use the initials OM on any printed material, T-shirts, pins or advertisements. You may use Odyssey of the Mind, Odyssey, or OotM. Perhaps we could use this as a fundraiser by having people put a nickel in a jar every time they slip up and say OM!
At our state board meeting it was determined that any team that wants to make their own pin or t-shirt needs to submit the design for review. These designs can be sent to me and we will review them promptly.
On a lighter note, some of the state directors were talking about ways to make OotM better known. As a result Lisa and I wrote a rap that teams might want to work with to tell people about Odyssey. Perhaps your team might want to give it a rhythm or tune and personalize it for their use!
OotM
Howdy folks, we’re OotM.
Creative ideas, we float “em
Lots of props, we tote “em.
Spontaneous solutions, we quote ‘em.
Over the top ideas, we wrote “em.
We’re OotM!
Have a great year! Nancy Ragland
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WELCOME TO A NEW SEASON OF CREATIVITY!
I have never talked to a team that said they had finished their long-term solution too early; in fact, they all say they wish they had just two extra weeks to work. Okay all you procrastinators set your calendar two weeks ahead, as of now, and get busy on those brilliant solutions. To help you get motivated, here’s the news from your region. If you don’t know what region you live in, check the map on va.odysseyofthemind.org
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Stephanie Downey is your regional director and you may reach her on the web at downeymr@earthlink.net. If you need to write to her use PO Box 163, Kenbridge, VA 23944 or you may call at 434-676-2172
Coaches Training 9:00 AM12/3/2005 Charlotte MS
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REGION 4 PIEDMONT
Piedmont directorship is shared between Brenda Hopkins, Stella Osborne, and Amy Pugh. You can reach Brenda at bhopkins@frco.k12.va.us or write to 25 Bernard Rd, Rocky Mount, VA, 24151. Her phone is 540-483-0364. Stella’s email is mocenigo@yahoo.com or phone 540-297-4411. Amy can be emailed at apugh@roanoke.k12.va.us or mail 316 Mary Ann Dr #10, Lynchburg VA. Phone is 540-843-1561.
REGION 6 PENINSULA
Dr Christine L. Hill is director of Peninsula region and you may contact her: christine.hill@nn.k12.va.us or Gifted Services, Newport News Public Schools, Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA 23606.You may phone 757-591-4566.
Coaches Training
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REGION 8 NOVA EAST
Nova East is the domain of Christine Hoska who may be emailed at cmhoska@yahoo.com. Mailing address is 5025 N. 25th Place, Arlington, VA 22207 or phone 703-237-1956
TOURNAMENT March 11, 2006 at Hayfield Secondary
Judges training 8:30 to 1 Feb 11, 2006 Mark Twain MS
Coaches Training 8:15 to 12:30 Nov 19, 2005 Mark Twain MS
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REGION 10 RAPPAHANNOCK
Heading up Rappahannock is JoAnn Marshall who may be reached at marshajb@lcps.k12.va.us or C/o Louisa County MS, PO Box 448, Mineral, VA 21117.
Coaches Training 3:30 to 5 Oct 20, 2005 Board Rm Hanover Co School Board
Or 10 to 11:30 AM Nov 8, 2005 Rural Point ES
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REGION 13 NOVA WEST
David and Sarah Tate manage Nova West and you may email them at director@vaodyssey13.org. If you must mail use 2181 Jamieson Ave #1911, Alexandria, VA 22314 or phone 703-567-1946
Coaches Training 9-3 11/12/2005 Langston Hughes MS
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Wrapping up the regions with style is Beth Jespersen njespers@starband.net Address there is 38134 Hunts End Place, Leesburg VA or call her at 540-338 3483
Judges Training Feb 11,2006 T&L TBA
WE CAN’T BE “OFFICIAL” WITHOUT YOUR HELP
On your long list of things to do please include recruiting for tournament judges. Ask your friends, relatives, teachers, coworkers, neighbors or anyone you know who enjoys working with students and would like to have the fun of watching them do amazing things up close and personal. Without their smiling faces, we have no way of getting that important feedback to teams. It is only a two day commitment, one for training and one for the event. Teachers will get a recommendation for continuing education units and everyone gets a free tee shirt! You should warn them that Odyssey is addictive and they may want to go on to judge at our Virginia state tournament or even World. To apply to judge at state, please contact Jim Bell at jbell@batten-bell.com or go to our state web site va.odysseyofthemind.org for application information. .
If you are considering judging at world you would need to have judged for two years at both a regional and state tournament and be certified for this year. You would need to pay for your own travel expenses to Iowa, but accommodations, food and tee shirts are all paid for when you arrive. If you want to be nominated for one of these coveted positions you may contact Nancy Ragland at nancy.ragland@fcps.edu before December 1.
AIMING FOR AMES
Ames is a quiet little town with manicured lawns and a propensity for white picket fences. The University dominates the town with its vast brick buildings set in broad green expanses. If you imagine Iowa as flat and sedate I think you will be surprised and pleased to find a gently rolling landscape and some extraordinary excitement, especially around May 24 - May 27, 2006 when the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals is in town. If you want to know if all the work you are doing is worth the effort, just ask a coach or team member who made it to world last year. It is an experience like no other to sit in that vast arena and see the brightest and most creative students from around the world march by in a riot of color, wild hats, and flashing lights. Picture yourself in that amazing parade by being one of the first or second place finalist, or a long term Ranatra Fusca winner at the:
Virginia State Finals Tournament
Saturday, April 8 2006
Woodside High School
13450 Woodside Lane
Newport News, VA
The meet fee for this tournament is $35, a slight increase over last year.
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WHAT DID THAT SAY?
1. Re-Read the Long Term Problem.
2. Re-Read the Program Guide.
If you do not find the answer, look at your question again. Does it say…
1. Q: The problem says we have to (fill in the blank), but we don’t know how. Can you help? A: Think some more, brainstorm, research; you can crack it.
2. Q: To solve this problem we have to use tools and I think my team is too young. What should I do? A: Ask your team to think of another way to solve
3. Q: Do you think (fill in the blank) would hurt the floor? A: Would you try it in your living room?
Still with me?
Okay, try to word your question something like “In section B. 8. c. it says…..”
Now you are ready to go to www.odysseyofthemind.com, pick the member area, and plug in your member number and zip code. Check the other clarifications first and see if someone else has asked the same question or one very similar.
If not, submit your question to the World problem captain and wait patiently for a reply. It usually does not take long, so have your team go ahead and work on areas they are more certain of till you hear the answer. If your reply is team specific, bring a copy of it to each tournament you attend, and give it to the staging area judge.
A FINAL WORD ON CLARIFICATIONS
Actually, it’s not the final word and won’t be until you compete in your last tournament. You must keep checking for new clarifications up until your last curtain call, be it at regional, state, or world. The one and only official place to check that is on the odyesseyofthemind.com website.
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WHAT’S GNU?
Actually a “gnu” is another name for the “wildebeest” and is pronounced “new” with a silent “g” like gnat. A gnat is an annoying little insect that can get in your eyes and mouth, causing you to run off the road and into a ditch when you’re riding your bike in the spring. Don’t let the “gnu” rules in the Odyssey of the Mind 2005-2006 PROGRAM GUIDE cause you to end up in a ditch! Remember, you cannot solve your long-term problem without referring to the PROGRAM RULES section of the guide. I’m not making this up. See your long-term problem, B.1. Read and heed!! This is a brief synopsis, to alert you.
Membership- Pg 16 & 18 – If you have multi-school teams, you can still only compete in ONE regional tournament. You can add members up to the limit of 7 at anytime without penalty.
Staging/Style- changes- PG 23, 24 & 30 – You must have at least 3 copies of style sheet to give to staging and they must see one membership sign. There is a new line on the staging form that states what has always been true. Free choice can be anything, as long as it is not being judged in the long term.
Zero scores Pg 22 & 36 – You may be able to get partial credit for some element of a category, even if you fail to complete the category. If the specific element is present, it is eligible for score, even if another portion was omitted.
Clarification Pg 25 – In some circumstances team specific ones may be distributed, but only if answer is “no”. If you get a clarification and then fail to do what it mentions, the judges will disregard. Make sure the clarification is about the solution.
Spontaneous Pg 27 – Judges will always use same three phrases (see pg) for unacceptable response, and team must respond another way.
Penalties Pg 40 & 45 – Teams will pay for floor damage and receive a penalty. Stain on carpet minus 25 and carpet tear minus 50. There WILL be a penalty for exceeding cost limit.
Before performance 29 & 38 – You can’t rehearse on the site on any competition day. Playbills you want the judge to have must be given to staging judge. No one may read any introduction prior to the performance, including the announcer or any other judge.
Original work Pg 39 – Duplicates are not considered team created. You must modify or combine other work to make something new.
Cost - Pg 47 – Portable chalkboards are now added to items exempt from cost.
Props and Stage sets –Pg 51 Read to find out the difference
While you’re reading the new rules, you might want to look over the old ones that you might have forgotten since last year. Did I mention that the wildebeest, or gnu, is a strange animal with a head like an ox, the mane of a horse and horns like a buffalo? See, you’re glad you read all the way to the end, or you wouldn’t have known.
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CALLING ALL ALUMS
VOICES is looking for all former team members who are out of school and still yearning for that warm creative Odyssey experience. We have a place for you as judges and volunteers. You’re very special and VOICES does not want to lose touch. If anyone knows of an alumnus out there please contact Leeza Beazlie at beazlielc@mindspring.com.
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SCHOLARSHIPS
Do you know a High School Junior or Senior who is a former Odyssey participant? They are eligible to apply for our Voices Scholarship to receive $500 per year for 4 years of college. Creativity, not financial need is the criterion. Details about the requirements and applications can be obtained from Joann Marshall marshajb@lcps.k12.va.us or C/o Louisa County MS, PO Box 448, Mineral, VA 21117