American Computer Science League

Newsletter #2

February 2006

CONTEST #2

Once ACSL got the Sudoku program in the Intermediate Division right, Contest #2 went well. As this is being written, the northeastern part of the US has just been hit with a blizzard leaving 15 to 25 inches of snow. We expect that some scores will therefore be late.

ACSL WEB SITE

The scores for Contest #2 for both teams and individuals are posted on our web site www.acsl.org. . If you note a missing score, an incorrect score or a misspelled name, please contact ACSL and we will make the corrections.

APPEALS

There were a few appeals to the Bit String questions in both the Senior and Intermediate Divisions. Some compilers treat a string as having the first bit in location zero. Our questions and solutions assumed the first bit to be in location one. ACSL accepted the appeals submitted.

STUDENT PROGRAMS

Students, their parents and advisors like to see their student's programs posted to our web site. To insure that a program has a chance for selection, prior to submitting the code for those students who scored a 10, please insure that the following information is in the heading of the code:

· The student’s name

· The school name

· The student’s division

SCORESHEETS

Please use the ACSL scoresheet when submitting scores. Send it as an attached .doc file and not pasted into the body of the e-mail message. The uniformity of score sheets decreases the number of entry errors. Also, Starting with Contest #2 you need to record cumulative scores for both team scores and individual student scores on all scoresheets. The cumulative score acts as a double check that scores have been recorded accurately.

ALL-STAR CONTEST

The site of the 2006 ACSL Invitational All-Star Contest is Lakota East HS, Liberty Township, OH. The school is north of Cincinnati, OH. The contest date is Saturday, May 27th. ACSL has reserved rooms at several hotels near the school. As we have in some other years, we have selected a location that is holding a large soccer tournament as well as being close to a large theme park that is hosting its opening weekend. Therefore, instead of one hotel to host all the teams, several hotels will be needed. This year there are 4 hotels that are holding rooms for ACSL . To make reservations, please call Monday through Friday from 9am until 4pm EST, identify yourself as a participant in the American Computer Science League Contest, ask for the number of rooms you will need, request 2 beds in a room or 1 bed in the room. Guarantee the reservation with your credit card. Ask the hotel to either fax or email the confirmation to you. DO NOT accept the answer that this is not necessary. It is very necessary that you have written confirmation of the number and types of rooms you reserved for the exact nights you reserved. Last year, there was a big problem with 1 large group, they did not have written confirmation and when they arrived at the hotel, there was a mess. If the reservationist at the hotel either does not want to fax or email you or you don't get your confirmation in a day or so, contact ACSL immediately and ACSL will contact the hotel on your behalf, you must have a written confirmation.

Here is the list of hotels:

ECONOLODGE West Chester, holding only 15 rooms, most with 2 double beds. This hotel does not have an interior corridor to get to the rooms, all rooms have only an outside entrance which will make a difference to some of the teams.

The nightly rate is $59.95 plus taxes.

Reservations can be made by calling 1- 513-777-1978 Monday thru Friday, 9am to 3pm only.

HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS WEST CHESTER, holding 47 rooms, most with 2 QUEEN size beds, some KING beds. This hotel offers a deluxe continental breakfast daily, an INDOOR swimming pool and data ports in the rooms.

The nightly rate is $79.95 plus taxes.

Reservations can be made by calling 1-513-755-3900 Monday thru Friday, 9am to 3pm only.

HAMPTON INN MONROE holding 50 rooms, most 2 QUEEN size beds but some KING beds. This hotel offers a continental breakfast daily, an outdoor pool which probably will not be open then.

The nightly rate is $83.00 plus taxes.

Reservations can be made by calling 1-513-539-4400 Monday thru Friday, 9am to 4pm only.

STAYBRIDGE SUITES CINCINNATI NORTH is holding 26 assorted sized rooms. This hotel offers a breakfast buffet daily, internet access in all rooms, an indoor swimming pool, and kitchen facilities in the rooms.

A Studio Suite with a queen bed is $89.00. Holding 10 of these

A 1 Bedroom Suite with 2 double beds and a pull out sofa is $119.00. Holding 4 of these.

A 1 Bedroom Suite with a King size bed and a pull out sofa is $119.00. Holding 4 of these.

A 1 Bedroom Handicapped Suite with a Queen size bed and pull out sofa is $119.00. Holding 4 of these.

A 2 Bedroom suite with a Queen size bed in 1 bedroom and 2 Double beds in the second bedroom with a pull out sofa. Holding 10 of these.

Reservations can be made by calling 1 513-874-1900 Monday thru Friday, 9am to 4pm.

The All-Star Contest starts at 8:30 AM and ends at approximately 5:30 PM. Lunch is provided at the contest site. Breakfast is not available.

For the past 15 years ACSL has used the same travel agent to find the best group rates at hotels close to our Al-Star Contest sites. Elana Glinert has done an excellent job of getting ACSL the best prices available. The staff that runs ACSL has used Elana for personal travel also. If you are in need of a travel agent to assist in any of your All-Star Contest plans, we highly recommend her services. Elana can be contacted by e-mail:

travelbyelana@hotmail.com

ALL-STAR CONTEST COMPUTERS

The agreement with Lakota East HS only allows for a limited number of computers. The vast majority of those will go to the teams coming from Europe. Teams should plan to supply their own computers this year. Please start planning now to insure that your invited teams will have computers.

GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS

ACSL has grouped the teams in the various divisions into geographic regions. The purpose of the regions is to create more places where ACSL can award prizes. The highest scoring team in each region will be awarded a plaque. The highest scoring

student (s) in each region will also be awarded a plaque. In the event of ties, duplicate awards will be made. Most of the above awards will be presented at the All-Star Contest in May. Plaques will be mailed to those not present. The regions will be posted to the web site by Jan 15th.