Bear Tracks has now resumed its' regular publishing schedule on Sunday afternoons. If you have comments or suggestions, please email the editors at weekly@rmsptsa.org .
Calendar
School & LWSD
LWSD Remote Learning Begins April 20
Starting Monday, April 20, LWSD will be fully transitioned to curriculum-based remote learning and will continue until the end of the school year (June 19, 2020). The goal of remote learning is to provide new instruction, opportunity to practice skills, and to provide feedback on essential learning so students are ready to continue when school is back in session. Students can expect an email from each of their teachers by mid-day on Monday outlining the learning for the week. An email update was sent to RMS students with more information about the RMS Remote Learning program. You can also visit the LWSD COVID-19 Information website for more information.
LWSD Adopts Classroom Teams
As part of LWSD’s plan for Remote Learning, LWSD is moving forward with the implementation of Microsoft Classroom Teams for teachers to use with students. Classroom Teams is the student side of the Microsoft Teams platform. Teachers will communicate specific strategies for delivering content with students and families. Classroom Teams will be ready for teachers to start adding students to their sites on April 20.
RMS PTSA
Save the Date: Online PTSA Membership Meeting, June 2
Save the date for the last PTSA Membership Meeting of the year on Tuesday, June 2 at 7:00 PM, online, from the comfort of your own home! More information to access the online meeting will be provided soon.

Learn more about what the PTSA is doing for your students at RMS, vote on next year's executive board, and hear about how the COVID-19 response will affect the school and PTSA events. Want to get on the agenda? Email secretary@rmsptsa.org . We look forward to seeing everyone virtually!
2020-21 RMS PTSA Board Candidates
The following are the RMS PTSA Nominating Committee’s candidates for the 2020-2021 school year executive board. For the office of:

  • President: Open
  • Treasurer: Peggy Joanau
  • Secretary: Open 
  • VP Volunteers: Smita Sunil
  • Co-VP FACE: Patricia Narvaez
  • Co-VP FACE: Rie Takagi-Stewart 
  • VP Communications: Neeta Check

All current Lake Washington Council PTSA members are eligible to become board members and are invited to recommend themselves or anyone else for any position at the next RMS PTSA Membership Meeting. For information about a board position, please contact the Nominating Committee at nomcomm@rmsptsa.org .
Math Club Still Going Strong
The Math Club is still going strong through the end of the school year. We will be providing coaching sessions twice per week. Both sessions will be live streamed on our YouTube channel . They will then be archived and posted to this website later in the day for easy access on school laptops.

Wednesday sessions at 3:00 PM include detailed coverage of specific math topics, such as functions, coordinate geometry, and systems of equations. We also include community content, such as interviews with students about life at RHS and Tesla STEM, details on the upcoming online Mustang Math Tournament, and guidance from rising seniors who will be attending some of the world’s top universities in the fall. Friday sessions at 3:00 PM include step-by-step coverage of past exams, including those from recent Mathcounts, AMC, and regional math competitions. If you’ve got a really challenging problem, send it to us at RmsPtsaMathClub@gmail.com and we’ll cover it here.
Green Team: Celebrate Earth Day at Home!
Wednesday, April 22, 2020 will mark the 50th anniversary of Earth Day! Help celebrate Earth Day at home because small changes can collectively make a big difference! View RMS Green Team's tips during the COVID-19 pandemic on how to reduce food waste and clean in a environment-friendly way.
Community
OSPI Online Learning Guidelines
OSPI has released Guidelines For Continuous Learning while school facilities are closed to traditional in-person instruction. Please note the chart on page 21 of the guidance that outlines student commitment each day.
LWPTSA Special Education Group Online Meeting
LWPTSA Council Special Education Group is holding their April 2020 meeting and presentation online on Tuesday, April 21 at 7:00 PM. To access via GoToMeeting on computer, tablet, or smartphone, go to https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/262087173 . Persons needing accommodations or translations or who have questions about access may email us at specialeducation@lwptsa.net in advance of the meeting.
Educational Events
Balance in Mind's Parent Chat  Wednesdays, 7:30-8:15 PM Zoom Meeting. Discuss challenges with Remote Learning with other parents and a Youth Eastside Services counselor.  View Flyer
Office of the Education Ombuds Survey (Repeat)
OEO seeks your input on how OEO can best use its resources to support racial equity, inclusion, and positive outcomes for K-12 students. The survey is available in 10 languages, and takes about 1-2 minutes to complete. Survey links:  English , Spanish ,  Arabic ,  Chinese Simplified ,  Chinese Traditional , Korean, Russian , Somali , Tagalog , Vietnamese . The survey is open through  April 30, 2020 .
LWSF 'Reach For Success' Grants (Repeat)
Deadline Extended to April 30! LWSF offers grants to fun creative educational initiatives that enhance or expand LWSD's curriculum. Applications are now available for LWSF's 'Reach for Success' Grants and anyone can apply! Awarding up to $3,000, your proposed project can benefit an individual classroom, a specific grade level, or an entire school. Applications are due Wednesday, April 30 at 5:00 PM. View Flyer or View Application Site
LWPTSA Scholarships Available (Repeat)
The Lake Washington PTSA Council is pleased to roll out its 2020 Scholarship Program! LWPTSA Council has extended the submission deadline to May 1, 2020, 12:00 PM noon and is now accepting applications via email. Revised applications and instructions:  student applications  and  certificated staff applications . For more information, contact scholarships@lwptsa.net .
Bear Tracks weekly is produced by RMS PTSA as a benefit to the Redmond Middle School Community. Bear Tracks is edited by Neeta Check and Rose Mayeda. Please review the communication priorities and submit articles via the online submission form . Articles are due on Thursdays, by 5:00 PM for publication the following Sunday.