MID-WINTER BREAK will be from Thursday, February 13 thru Monday, February 17 (in observance of President's Day). School resumes on Tuesday, February 18. Have a great break!
Calendar
School & LWSD
LWSD Community Feedback Wanted
LWSD is looking for community feedback and input on planning for future facilities to accommodate growth in our district to share with our Facility Advisory Committee (FAC). FAC is using an online feedback tool called Thoughtexchange to gather community input for this question: What are the most important perspectives to consider as we plan for future facilities to accommodate growth in our district? Submit your feedback now through Wednesday, February 12.
PTSA
Adventure and Fun in River City, Iowa!
CONGRATULATIONS to the cast and crew of "The Music Man, Jr"! Your performances and sets had us cheering and wanting more. You worked hard and it showed! Thank you to all the parents for the time and energy you gave to support our students. We know we couldn't have done it without any of you.

And to our amazing producer, Danielle Koberstein: Bravo! Your passion and commitment to making a great show held us together and kept us moving. THANK YOU!
6th Grade Musical Information
Does your 6th grader like to act, sing or dance, whether or not they've been on stage before? Do they want to gain more confidence, try out something new, and have fun with their peers? Then, RMS PTSA Drama would like to invite them to be in our next musical - "The Lion King, Jr", to be performed on Saturday, May 16. Please mark these very important dates on your calendar:
  • Monday, March 2, 6:30-8:00 PM at RMS, Commons: *MANDATORY* Parent Information Meeting for Cast and Crew participation (Parent attendance is required, to validate student registration.)
  • March 9-13: Registration opens
  • Wednesday, March 18: Auditions, after school

6th-8th graders are welcome to sign-up as part of our crew, too. We need you!

For questions or more information, please email Rose Mayeda, 6th grade musical producer .
RMS Spelling Bee Results
The RMS Spelling Bee concluded on Saturday, February 1. We saw strong participation with 16 students qualifying for the finals. We hope to see the participants back next year! The winner will go on to represent our school at the King-Snohomish County Regional Spelling Bee. Folks are welcome to attend the event, which will be hosted at the Seattle Town Hall, February 29 at 2:00 PM. Click here for more details .

Thank you to our volunteers (Anita Deshpande and Sangeetha Subramanian), teachers and PTSA administrators who helped make the event a success. A special thanks to Ms. Kernish who was “sine qua non” (that’s bee-speak for ‘someone who is absolutely necessary’). She was not just a contributor, but a partner in helping this be a success. In addition to conducting the preliminary written test and being the pronouncer in the finals, she worked with the Spelling Bee organizers in planning and spreading the word about this event. Thank you, again!  
PTSA Membership
Have you joined the RMS PTSA, for this year? Members receive benefits and discounts from state and national PTA such as: 30% off Great Wolf Lodge; 20-70% off movies, hotels, shows, and concerts through Tickets at Work (10% extra savings if you sign up now); printing discount at both FedEx Office and Office Depot/Office Max; discount for car rental at Budget and Avis.

 Join online now!  Add your voice to the voices of others, at RMS, in support of every child. There’s room for you in PTSA!
Coffee with the Principal, Feb. 11 (Repeat)
Join us for a 30-minute check-in for "Coffee with the Principal" on Tuesday, February 11 at 9:30 AM at RMS. Parents can chat with the principal, Jeff DeGallier, and other parents about various school topics while enjoying coffee. Please check in at the attendance office and get a visitor badge upon arrival.
Green Tip: Heating in Winter
Brr, it's cold outside but don't let the cold temperatures sway you from being GREEN. Here are some easy green tips to help save energy and money!

  • Set your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit or lower in the day time and 10-12 degrees lower at night
  • Remember to set your thermostat 10-12 degrees lower when you are on vacation (like on Mid-winter or Spring Break)
  • Set your thermostat to a constant temperature for at least 8 hours. Constantly raising or lowering throughout the day can actually cost more
  • If you can, place the thermostat on an interior wall or where people spend the most time. Avoid above air vents, near doors or windows
  • Upgrade your thermostat to programmable thermostat
ASB
Shopping at Amazon for Valentine's Day? (Repeat)
Are you thinking of buying your loved ones something special for Valentine's Day? If you shop at Amazon, don't forget that by purchasing your gift items through this special Amazon link , you would be gifting the Associated Student Body (ASB) as well!
Community
Family Science Days Coming to Seattle
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is hosting a free public event, February 15-16 from 11:00 AM-4:00 PM at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Seattle, with inspiring lectures and interactive booths appropriate for K-12 youths and their families. The theme of this year’s event, “Envisioning Tomorrow’s Earth,” is well-suited to this hub of tech and innovation, where new ideas have long found fertile ground. Sensory Friendly Hour available on Sunday, February 16 from 11:00 AM-12:00 PM. Click here for more information .
Free Teen Movie Night (Repeat)
Join City of Redmond Parks and Recreation for a free teen movie night on Friday, February 14 from 6:30-9:00 PM to watch the Tom Hanks classic " That Thing You Do "! The movie room at the Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village is reserved for teens ages 13-18 every second Friday of the month. Popcorn, snacks, and sodas are available for purchase. Register for free ahead of time to reserve your seat. View the flyer .
WSPTA Essay Contest
This statewide essay contest explores the important and varied influencers in the lives and education of children – from the children’s perspective. The essay contest is a platform for students to share their appreciation. The contest is open to all students in grades K-12. The application deadline is Sunday, March 1. Find guidelines, application forms and more on the WSPTA Essay Contest website .
Science Saturdays
Join the KCLS Sammamish Library to learn about science and technology on Saturdays in February and March at 11:30 AM. For middle and high school ages. View the Science Saturdays Flyer for more information.
Parent Education Events
Parenting a Middle Schooler Webinar Monday, February 10, 7:30 PM Join Balance in Mind for their next webinar about how to raise tweens and teens in today's modern world with founder of Teen Wise, Sheri Gazitt, M.A. Click here to register for this webinar .

FLASH/HIV Parent Information Night Tuesday, February 11, 7:00-8:00 PM at LWRC Attend this district presentation to preview the materials. For more information, visit the LWSD FLASH/HIV webpage .

"How to motivate your kids - by figuring out who they are" Thursday, February 27, 6:30-8:00 PM in the RMS Commons. Presented by Speaker Barbie Young. Learn about different personality types and what does and does not work in motivating them.
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.