April 26, 2020
School & LWSD
LWSD Remote Learning: Grading Update Snapshot
The state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) released new guidance and direction about grading. LWSD is working to provide guidance and decisions in a timely manner while making sure it is following the new OSPI direction.

Grades: Elementary School
The OSPI guidance allows for the use of grading and reporting systems developed at the district level for grades K-5. At the elementary level teachers will be reporting which content areas have been taught and whether work has been submitted by students for these content areas.

Grades: Middle School
The OSPI guidance allows for the use of grading and reporting systems developed at the district level for grades 6-8. LWSD will be reviewing this guidance over the next few days with a goal to finalize plans for grades 6-8 by April 30. This will likely continue to be a Pass (P) /No Pass (P) for semester grades.

Grades: High School
OSPI has developed new rules for grading at the high school level. High school courses (including high school courses taken at the middle level) will be required to include letter grades or an Incomplete (I). In addition, Pass (P), Fail (F), and No Credit (N) grades may not be assigned for high school courses (with the exception of some cases for Special Education), and student grades that were assigned prior to closure may not be lowered.

Please view the LWSD Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information website for the complete update.
KG/New Student Registration Now Online
New student and Kindergarten registration now available online. Families may now register one or more of their new students online using Skyward, the district’s student information system. Please see the LWSD Registration website for forms and information for registration.
RMS PTSA
Show Your Appreciation to RMS Staff!
Staff Appreciation Week is coming up in just one week (May 4-8) and the teachers have told us that they miss their students so the RMS PTSA wants to put together a video for them and we need your help!

Please take a 10-15 second video , photo and/or written message of your student sharing one or more of the following:
  • What or who they miss the most
  • What they have been doing
  • What they are most looking forward to when they return

Email the video, photo and/or message to staffappreciation@rmsptsa.org by Sunday, May 3, 5:00 PM to be included.

The video will be shared on the internal LWSD OneDrive used by the RMS staff. By sending a video, photo or message, you are consenting to public sharing of the video, photo or message. If you prefer your child to NOT be in the public video, you can send your message directly (privately) to teachers/staff of your choice during Staff Appreciation Week.
Online PTSA Membership Meeting, June 2 (Repeat)
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, approve the 2020-21 budget, 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 (Repeat)
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 Joanou
  • 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 .
Community
When To Use the Emergency Room
The Washington State Department of Health has a message about not delaying emergency services and medical care if it's needed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please view the Washington DOH's full article for guidance and more information.
King County Library Online Services
The King County Library System is increasing its investment in eBooks and audiobooks in response to the COVID-19 crisis, allowing greater choices and online access to items at a time when residents are confined to their homes due to public health mandates. Please visit the KCLS COVID-19 Info webpage for more information about electronic items and how to access them.
Need Help with Energy Bills?
Hopelink's Energy Assistance Program gives you money toward your heating and electricity bills. You do not need to be behind on payments to qualify. For more information, please view the flyer or visit hopelink.org/energy .
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 .
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 (Repeat)
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.