Hello Future FAQs – Girls Build

What is Hello Future? Is this different than the Girls Build Summit?

Hello Future is an expansion of our previous one-day Girls Build Summit hosted by LA Promise Fund once a year. As Girls Build grew, we realized we could be doing more. This year, the LA Promise Fund is partnering with YoMo’s Science + Tech Festival to present Hello Future 2019. Building off our Girls Build Summit, Hello Future was created to address the pipeline problem with STEM.

Each day of Hello Future will be divided into morning and afternoon programs; both morning programs will have a Girls Build focus on young women from public middle and high schools in LA County.

Wednesday, 10/23 Morning Program Info:

Location: Microsoft Theater at LA Live

Time: 9am – 1:30pm / Doors open at 9am

Program: In partnership with Girls Build, join us to experience an exciting and interactive morning of programs designed to engage young women in conversations around tech and other STEM careers. Wednesday’s program will include:

• 10k Young People of Color in Attendance
• 200+ Middle & High Schools Participating
• Keynotes from Inspiring Speakers about STEM
• Panels on Relevant & Exciting STEM-related topics

Thursday, October 24th Morning Program Info:

Location: Kentia Hall at the Los Angeles Convention Center

Time: 9am – 1:30pm / Doors open at 9am

Program: In partnership with Girls Build and YoMo Los Angeles, join us for a unique career fair designed to inspire students and address the pipeline problem with STEM Careers. Students will have access to:

• Interactive & immersive experiences with the latest new technology
• Connections & career advice from leaders at tech & STEM companies across LA
• Personalized resume feedback, tips & tricks
• 1:1 mock interview practice
• Exclusive in-person access to internships and job opportunities!
• As was the case in previous years, these morning programs will only be open to girls from public middle and high schools in LA County. The afternoon programs will only be open to 18-24 year old young adults, and will not be open to public middle and high schools.

What is the Girls Build Challenge / Application? Is it different than Hello Future?

Yes, the Girls Build Challenge is a year-round program and open by application only at the beginning of the school year to teams of middle and high school girls around the nation. The application opens on August 27th, 2019 and closes at 11:59pm on September 29th, 2019. The link to the application page can be found here.

Questions about eligibility?

Which students can we bring?

This event is for middle and high school students who identify as female only. Chaperones can be male or female.

Can we bring boys?

No. This event is for girls only – any student that identifies as female is welcome to attend.

Do I need to be a Girls Build team to attend?

No, you do not have to be a Girls Build team to attend either day of this event.

What schools can sign up for Hello Future?

Any public middle school or high school in Los Angeles County can sign up to attend.

Can my school attend both days of Hello Future?

Yes, schools are encouraged to register for the morning programs on both days. Please note that there is a separate registration process for both days. To attend both days, your school must register for each day separately. Registration for one day does not mean you are registered for the other day.

Can my school attend the afternoon programs of Hello Future?

No, the afternoon programs will only be open to young adults ages 18-24, and middle and high schools are not eligible to attend.

How many students can we bring?

Schools can bring up to 100 people, or two buses comprised of 40-50 people for each day. This includes students, teachers, and chaperones. So please be mindful and make sure to collaborate with your colleagues to avoid duplicate registrations from your school. Please see below for information on transportation assistance for each day.

Questions about registration?

How do I register my school to attend?

Please note that procedures vary between Wednesday 10/23 and Thursday 10/24, so please read the below instructions below carefully. You will likely need to seek your school’s and principal’s permission to attend both days of this 2-day experience.

Wednesday 10/23:

The application to attend Day 1 is now closed. Applicants, please check your inbox for an official notification from LA Promise Fund informing you of next steps. 

Thursday 10/24:

1. Registration access codes have been assigned to your school. In this document, please find your:
   1. School Name
   2. School Registration Code
   3. Adult Registration Code (will be used for ALL of your adult chaperone registrations, including yourself; good for 10 registrations)
2. Once you are ready, please READ ALL OF THE REGISTRATION MANUAL BEFORE registering.
3. Use this link to register on Eventbrite.
4. Once you have completed both the school AND adult registration processes for all of your chaperones, your school is confirmed to attend. 

I moved schools since last year. Can I use the code that I received to register my new school?
No, each school is assigned its own unique code. If you are interested in registering your new school, please contact scarlettp@lapromisefund.org.

I’m trying to register my school in the Thursday 10/24 AM Program, but my code isn’t working. 

Each school is assigned one code, but multiple representatives from your school may have been contacted about this opportunity. If the code isn’t working, it means that another representative from your school has already used the code to register your school.

How do I know if my school is confirmed to attend? Will I get a confirmation? 

Wednesday 10/23: You will be notified via email if your school has been confirmed. 

Thursday 10/24: Once you have completed both the school AND adult registration processes for all of your chaperones, your school is confirmed to attend.  The main trip contact should receive an email confirmation and tickets from Eventbrite immediately after completing registration. Please refer to this guide for more information.

Questions about transportation?

**UPDATE**  Thanks to LAUSD’s generous support, transportation costs will now be covered for LAUSD schools for both days of Hello Future. For all non-LAUSD schools (this includes LAUSD-approved charter schools), bus transportation will now be reimbursed for both days of Hello Future.

Are you supplying buses?

Please note that because this is a 2-day field trip experience, we have instituted new procedures about transportation to Hello Future. Please also note that procedures vary between LAUSD schools v. Non-LAUSD schools so please read the below instructions below carefully.

A. Transportation Information for LAUSD schools
If you are LAUSD, you still need to go to your local districts to inform them you are attending – but this field trip is pre-approved at the central level and you should be cleared.

Wednesday 10/23:
If you are a part of LAUSD, you still need to go to your local districts to inform them you are attending – but this field trip is to a pre-approved district location. You still need to get approval from your principal and local district. Schools are allowed to bring a maximum of 100 people and a maximum of two buses. Each bus must take between 40 and 50 people. LA Promise Fund will be working with LAUSD Transportation to secure buses for your school. Once your application to attend has been approved, we will provide you with the bus information and pick-up and drop-off times so you can process all the field trip paperwork necessary for the trip.

If you are bringing less than 40 people, we recommend taking public transportation or setting up a carpool for private rides. We will also reimburse for public transportation and parking. Please save your receipts and email a copy to girlsbuild@lapromisefund.org by November 30, 2019.

Thursday 10/24:
UPDATE: LAUSD has generously agreed to reimburse the LA Promise Fund to cover bus transportation costs for LAUSD schools attending Hello Future on Thursday 10/24. If you are a part of LAUSD, you still need to go to your local districts to inform them you are attending – but this field trip is to a pre-approved district location. You still need to get approval from your principal and local district. Each LAUSD school will be allotted a maximum of two buses, bringing a maximum of 100 people (including students and chaperones). Once your school’s registration on Eventbrite is complete, we will provide the trip primary contact with more bus information. Your school will be responsible for processing all the field trip paperwork necessary for this trip.

B. Transportation Information for Non-LAUSD, Other Districts, & Charter schools

Wednesday 10/23:
Schools are allowed to bring a maximum of 100 people. We will reimburse up to $400 per bus, at a maximum of 2 buses. Each bus must take between 40 and 50 people. Your school is responsible for booking/reserving your own bus(es). In order to be reimbursed for bus transportation, you must provide an invoice and W-9 to girlsbuild@lapromisefund.org by November 30, 2019.

If you are bringing less than 40 people, we recommend taking Metro or setting up a carpool for private rides. We will also reimburse for public transportation and parking. Please save your receipts and email a copy to girlsbuild@lapromisefund.org by November 30, 2019.

Thursday 10/24: 
UPDATE: LA Promise Fund will now be able to provide transportation for all public, non-LAUSD schools. Schools are allowed to bring a maximum of 100 people. We will reimburse up to $400 per bus, at a maximum of 2 buses. Each bus must take between 40 and 50 people. Your school is responsible for booking/reserving your own bus(es). In order to be reimbursed for bus transportation, you must provide an invoice and W-9 to girlsbuild@lapromisefund.org by November 30, 2019.

Questions about the day of the event?

Can I bring my bag/backpack into the venue?

Wednesday 10/23: Microsoft Theater
Most standard-sized bags will be denied entry. This includes backpacks, large purses, tote bags, etc. Wallets and small, clutch/wristlet-sized bags holding essential items are allowed, but will be subject to a security screening prior to entry. Because this will significantly delay your entry into the event, we highly recommend that no bags be brought into the venue. Microsoft Theater and LA Promise Fund cannot hold bags or items, and is not responsible for and lost, stolen, or damaged personal belongings that are brought into the venue.

Thursday 10/24: Los Angeles Convention Center
Most standard-sized bags will be denied entry. This includes backpacks, large purses, tote bags, etc. Wallets and small, clutch/wristlet-sized bags holding essential items are allowed, but will be subject to a security screening prior to entry. Because this will significantly delay your entry into the event, we highly recommend that no bags be brought into the venue. Los Angeles Convention Center and LA Promise Fund cannot hold bags or items, and is not responsible for and lost, stolen, or damaged personal belongings that are brought into the venue.

Can my school arrive late/leave early?

Wednesday 10/23:
No, schools must arrive on time and leave at the end of the program.

Thursday 10/24:
No, schools must arrive on time and leave at the end of the program.

This is an early dismissal day for my school, can we still attend?

Yes, you can still attend the day, but will have to work out logistics to get students home. On Wednesday 10/23, you will not be able to leave the event any earlier than 1pm.

Is lunch provided?

Wednesday 10/23:
Yes! The lunch options will be meat or vegetarian sandwiches.

Thursday 10/24:
Lunch will not be provided by LA Promise Fund. We suggest that you coordinate with your school and/or district to provide FRL meals, if necessary.

Will there be a vegan option for lunch?

The lunch options for Wednesday, 10/23 will be meat or vegetarian sandwiches. We will not be able to offer a purely vegan option. We recommend that students who are vegan or have specific gluten or wheat allergies bring their own food for the day.

Can I adjust my number of participants attending later?

It’s possible. If you get cancellations, we recommend that you find other attendees to fill those spots. If you need more seats than the number you originally requested, those extra seats will be placed on a waitlist and we will do our best to accommodate. Please remember that there is a maximum of 100 attendees allowed per school, per day.

Is the venue and/or transportation handicap-accessible?

Yes, the venue is handicap-accessible. Handicap-accessible transportation can also be arranged. Please be sure to include this information in your registration.

My school is an LAUSD-approved charter school – should I mark myself as charter or LAUSD in the registration process? And will I need to book my own bus?

Even if you are an LAUSD-approved charter school, you are considered a Charter School for Hello Future, and you will need to book your own bus.

Hmm…my question isn’t addressed in the FAQ.

For all Girls Build schools and other public middle and high schools interested in attending the morning programs, please contact Scarlett Park at scarlettp@lapromisefund.org! For all questions regarding the afternoon programs and other general inquiries regarding Hello Future, please contact hellofuture@lapromisefund.org.