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Middle School Advisers:
I am getting a number of similar questions regarding middle school competitive events, awards and State Leadership Conference attendance. Hopefully, the following will clarify some points. Remember, all of the middle school event guidelines which outline the PA and National procedures are in the MS Competitive Events Policy Handbook, 23-24 MS Competitive Events Policy Handbook. Specifics and instructions related to the items below either have been shared or will be as we get closer to when they are needed. Please review those items for additional details.
Middle School Competitive Events:
· In Pennsylvania, the middle school competitors do not come together to compete in person.
· We do not have MS region competitions. The first level of MS competition is considered the state level.
· Competitors must be shown as members in Blue Panda in order for them to be registered for a competitive event.
· MS competitive event registration closes at 11:59 pm on January 24.
· Online objective tests are administered under the direct supervision of school staff at the student’s school (except for virtual and cyber school members and a region or two that does hold a region event). There are 50 multiple choice questions. The test period is 45 minutes. (NOTE: Business Ethics is an exception. See those event guidelines for details.)
· Production/school site tests are administered under the direct supervision of school staff at the student’s school (except for virtual and cyber school members and a region or two that does hold a region event). The test period is 45 minutes. Competitors will have several jobs/documents to prepare.
· The testing window for objective and production tests is March 1-31.
· The “jobs” completed during production/school sites tests must be uploaded to Blue Panda by 11:59 pm on April 1.
· Since MS competitors do not compete in person, presentations that would otherwise be given in front of judges are recorded. The videos are then uploaded as assets in Blue Panda by 11: 59 pm on February 28.
· Any other materials/assets that must be evaluated by judges must be uploaded in Blue Panda by 11:59 pm on February 28.
· Anticipate that there could also be school delays and closures. Remember to plan for days school is not in session for spring and/or Easter breaks.
Middle School Awards and Recognition:
· MS members and chaperones are welcome to attend the Opening Session of the SLC the evening of Monday, April 8 to see the MS finalists announced. There may be ticket requirements to enter the Giant Center, but the total SLC registration fee will not need to be paid to attend just that session.
· As soon as the MS results are finalized (end of March/beginning of April, I need to wait until everyone has tested or the testing window closes), I will notify advisers that have top 5 finalists.
· Those finalists and their chaperones will be invited to attend the Opening Session of the SLC the evening of Monday, April 8. There may be ticket requirement to enter the Giant Center, but the total SLC registration fee will not need to be paid to attend just that session.
· I will meet with the finalists in attendance off stage before the session begins to give them the medals or plaques they have earned.
· Finalists will wait off stage while the top 5 in each MS event is scrolled on the big screen.
· Finalists will be called to the stage as a group to receive group recognition.
· Finalists may leave once they are recognized or stay for the rest of the session.
· All competitors who complete their events will receive a Certificate of Participation from PA FBLA.
· The top 5 in all events will receive a medal.
· Competitors not able to receive their certificates or medals in person will receive their items through other methods. I will contact advisers to make those arrangements.
· The top 4 competitors in events labeled as National FBLA events are eligible to compete at the National Leadership Conference. To do so, they must follow the NLC procedures and deadlines used by PA FBLA and National FBLA. There is a quick turnaround time to meet the deadlines. You may want to discuss NLC attendance with your administration, members and parents ahead of time.
· Competitors in events labeled as PA Only do not advance to the NLC.
State Leadership Conference Attendance:
· This is the second year that the PA FBLA Board has permitted middle school members to attend the State Leadership Conference. Attendance is not required.
· MS members are not competing at the SLC. Their competitions will be completed by then.
· They may attend the SLC for other aspects of the conference: general sessions, workshops, exhibits, social activities, etc.
· Middle school attendees MUST follow the same registration and lodging procedures, deadlines, code of conduct and payments as the HS participants. Check email messages from Bruce Boncal and Janet Skiles and the PA FBLA website, State Leadership Conference Information - April 08-10, 2024 - PA FBLA, for that information.
· SLC registration and lodging closes at 11:59 pm on February 3.
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