School Closure: All LWSD schools are closed through Friday, April 24. Visit the LWSD Coronavirus (COVID-19) website for more information.
Calendar
School & LWSD
LWSD School Closure - UPDATED
LWSD has been working to provide the following supports, as we continue to navigate the evolving and complex situation with COVID-19 and school closures:

CHILDCARE : The initial survey has closed. However, if you still need care, you can complete the LWSD Childcare Interest Survey Space is limited, and priority will be given to families who are health care workers or first responders.

MEALS: Grab and Go meals for any child 18 years-old and under are available for free, at six middle school sites, including RMS. The district will be offering breakfast and lunch that can be picked up at the same time. Visit the LWSD Meals website to preorder (2:00 PM-8:00 AM) and for more information.

**Pantry Packs - Recipients can still get their pack each Friday from 10:30 AM-12 noon at RMS. If you are in need, please email Jeff DeGallier, RMS Interim Principal or for more information and current updates, visit the Pantry Packs website.

EDUCATION: Educational resources with supports for non-graded, at-home learning is available at the LWSD Remote Learning Resources website . Teachers also began contacting students and families, last week, to provide resources, via email, PowerSchool Learning or OneNote.

**Wifi Hot Spots - The district is working on obtaining wifi hot spots for secondary students in our district who do not have this option at home. Please complete this survey, if you are in need of one: Secondary (6-12) School Technology Request Form

QUICK LINKS FOR EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES:

For all up-to-date information from the district, please visit the LWSD Coronavirus (COVID-19) website .
RMS PTSA
Publication of Bear Tracks Paused
Due to the LWSD school closure, Bear Tracks will not be published for the next three weeks, March 29, April 5, April 12. We will resume publishing Bear Tracks on Sunday, April 19.

In the meantime, any urgent and important news will be communicated in Special Editions if needed. Please note that this new schedule may be modified at any time as new developments arise. We appreciate your understanding and let us know if you have any questions or comments by emailing Bear Tracks editors, Neeta Check and Rose Mayeda, at  weekly@rmsptsa.org .
RMS Student Wins State PTSA Reflections Award
Washington State PTSA 2019-2020 Reflections winners include an RMS student who was recognized with an Award of Merit for their visual arts entry. Congratulations to all our state competitors! If you or your student would like to learn more about the National PTSA Reflections contest, email  reflections@rmsptsa.org . The 2020-2021 Reflections theme is, “I Matter Because”.
PTSA 2020-2021 Budget Team
How should PTSA spend our money? The PTSA is beginning the budget process for 2020-2021. Contact  treasurer@rmsptsa.org  if you would like to give input into the budget. We have room for you to join our budget team. We are also accepting requests for consideration of new or updated items to the PTSA budget.
PTSA Programs During School Closure (Repeat)
International Night : STATUS TBA Originally scheduled on Tuesday, April 21, the event will be postponed or cancelled due to the LWSD school closure. Details will be announced soon.

Math Club: NO MEETINGS After school Math Club activities will not take place during the LWSD school closure.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding any PTSA programs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to board@rmsptsa.org .
Nominations for 2020-21 PTSA Board (Repeat)
The RMS PTSA Nominating Committee is seeking members for the Board of Directors for 2020–2021. The elected board consists of the following positions: President, Secretary, Treasurer, VP Volunteers, VP Communications, and VP Family and Community Engagement. The board also consists of three appointed positions: Membership, Advocacy and Director of Staff Support. All positions except Treasurer may be held by two people.

To nominate, please complete the PTSA Online Nomination Form by Monday, March 30. To be eligible, the nominee must be a member of any Washington PT(S)A 15 days before the election on Tuesday, April 28. We welcome self-nominations as well as nominations of others, and suggestions for next year’s three appointed positions. If you have any questions, please contact nomcomm@rmsptsa.org .
Volunteers Needed for Service Awards Committee (Repeat)
The RMS PTSA is seeking volunteers for the Awards Committee. As a committee member, you will solicit nominations, evaluate and select recipients for the Golden Acorn , Outstanding Educator and Golden Grizzly Service Awards. You will be working with a school staff representative who will help with staff nominations for the Outstanding Educator award. Please email president@rmsptsa.org if you are interested in participating in this committee.
ASB
Submit Entries for the NEW RMS Art Magazine! (Repeat)
Submit entries for the RMS art magazine! Students will be able to submit a variety of arts including: essays, pictures of artwork, photos of sculptures, short stories, and more! View all magazine guidelines . Students can submit online using  this form  which can only be accessed with a student login. This form is also located on the Library PowerSchool page.
Community
City of Redmond COVID-19 Response and Updates
To slow the spread of COVID- 19 (Coronavirus), the City of Redmond is closing all facilities, and canceling activities, rentals, events, sports leagues, and field reservations through April 30, 2020:

  • City Hall will be closed.
  • Playgrounds are now officially closed.
  • Permitted use of sports fields have been canceled.
  • Picnic Shelters are open for use on a first-come first-serve basis only.
  • Parks and Trails are open. All park restrooms are being sanitized daily by City staff. Please follow guidelines for social distancing in public parks and trails.
  • Community Centers, Anderson Park Cabins and Farrel-McWhirter Park Barnyard are closed.
  • Activities, programs and classes are cancelled. View FAQ

For full details, please view any of these City of Redmond resources:


Please note that Redmond Police, Fire and other critical City services are fully operational at this time.
Office of the Education Ombuds Survey & Webinar
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 .

Or, join the upcoming interactive webinar on April 7 at 11 am to share your ideas with OEO Director Carrie Basas.  RSVP for the webinar here .
LWSF 'Reach For Success' Grants (Repeat)
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 15 at 5:00PM. View Flyer or View Application Site
RHS PTSA Seeks Volunteers for Next Year (Repeat)
The Redmond High School PTSA Nominating committee is seeking current or future PTSA members to fill leadership positions for next year. Please review all volunteer job positions and their descriptions . Individuals interested in nominating themselves or another for an elected office or other position for 2020-2021 should contact the nominating committee at nominations@redmondhsptsa.org for more information.
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 .
Educational Events
Due to school closure and district-wide event cancellations, please confirm status before attending any listed event. Bear Tracks will track event changes as best as possible.

Mental Health Talks in Spanish March 9-30, 6:00-8:00 PM, RHS View Flyer
MARCH 23, 30 STATUS UNKNOWN

 Safety & E-Prep Night A fun and educational event for all LWSD families to learn how to be prepared for emergencies and to learn about safety. For questions please contact eprep@lwptsa.net .
POSTPONED, DATE TBA

Adulting 101 for High Schoolers Saturday, March 28 - POSTPONED, DATE TBA
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.