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I would like to add that if you combine art or music related program goals to the e-sports machines, they are a lot easier of a sell to teachers, admins, and boards .... and they should have multiple uses .... as high spec machines can be used for rendering 3D models, 3D printing, drawing / video, computer science / programming, Adobe suite instruction, etc ... for example at Proctor Jr Sr HS we have a lab of 12 machines that have drawing tablets connected to them and the gaming equipment is perfect for multiple curricular uses - podcasting, video production, and intensive resource programs that typically cannot be run on low-spec hardware. Plus, we typically have a Rocket League team going and kids in school playing Fortnite in their free time alongside kids drawing anime on tablets overseen by the art department.With ESSER still in play, it is a much easier sell to roll many different uses / departments into building high spec machines outside of the e-sports angle. One of my goals fo this year is to build a similar lab in all our High Schools and possibly Rutland Town School for middle school level activities.However, gaming is still seen overall as a negative and the opinion of many of our communities is we "should be moving kids away from gaming and being on their computers all the time". Changing this narrative before "the ask" is crucial, especially when you are building 3k+ each machines, plus furniture and accessories.Best,GregGregory ConnorsChief Technology OfficerGreater Rutland County Supervisory Union100 West Way Mall Drive - Unit 2West Rutland, VT 05777802.775.4342 x 2110 - Office802.733.4190 - Mobile
Hi Robert,I'm going to reply here in case others have the same questions. PlayVS actually has some good resources hidden deeper into their pages. Here are a few direct links:I think the first step is getting administration involved. Our program was initiated by students talking to our principal about how they felt underserved since athletics and performing arts all have after school programs. Thankfully, our principal is super supportive and actually took the first steps with talking to PlayVS to get it rolling. We have full administration support from our superintendent, principal, and our AD, as well as our faculty, staff and student body. We started our program using only equipment that we already had in one of our computer labs, which were definitely not designed for gaming (they had AMD processors with integrated graphics in an ultra small form factor). Our principal ended up purchasing 2 Nintendo Switch setups just so we had some on hand but, in all honesty, those only ever get used if someone forgets to bring their own in. We've since expanded the lab to include actual gaming computers (not super high end units but very sufficient for the titles we play).Here's a couple photos of our lab and streaming booth.I am very interested in getting an e-Sports program set up in Enosburg and Richford! I would love to talk some more about the setup, logistics, and more of beginning a program here! Feel free to email me privately if you have some information, pointers, and resources you could spare!As the school that probably has the longest running program with them in the state, I'll offer up my 2 cents. PlayVS as a platform has grown in the last 2 years. They are actually pretty responsive to coach input and are working to add more titles to their active roster. Towards the end of last season they picked up a new CEO and with that change of leadership came a change in operations. Here's a snippet from their press release:I'm hoping that the removal of competition fees will spur more schools to enroll in the program. The game titles PlayVS and the VPA settled on for the 'varsity' programs are Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Nintendo Switch), Rocket League (PC), and League of Legends (PC). Neither of the PC titles require dedicated gaming computers to run and most people that would play Smash already own the game and their own Switch so the hardware setup cost can be negligible (at least to get a program started). Once it's started, the benefits can be pretty amazing as you're engaging a group of students that may not necessarily participate in any other after school activity.As we conclude the Fall 2023 season and head into the new year, we are excited to share a new chapter in PlayVS history driven by our vision of making esports available to everyone.Beginning this Spring 2024 season, PlayVS will remove competition fees, enabling high schools to play in the highest tier of state and regional competition across the most popular gaming titles at no cost.Counting CVU, there are only 2 schools signed up for Smash and 3 schools signed up for Rocket League. We can't find enough students to field a League of Legends team so I can't check to see if any other schools are signed up for that. Unless we can get 10-12 schools signed up, the league switches from Vermont only to a regional league. Some titles become a Northeast Region and some become an Eastern Region so you end up competing against US and Canadian schools throughout the Eastern time zone.If anyone is interested in getting something going, please feel free to reach out to me here or offline. This has been an amazing addition to our programs and I would love to see it grow within the state.Nick ClarkNetwork AdministratorCVU Esports CoachChamplain Valley School DistrictChamplain Valley Union High SchoolAny thoughts on how this partnership between VPA and PlayVS in VT for E-Sports is working out?--Caleb ClarkTech support and training, Windham Southeast Supervisory Union802-451-3532“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place." - G. B. Shaw-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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