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Welcome FUTURE Grizzlies! A warm welcome to all the incoming 6th grade/new families that will join us next year at RMS and have started subscribing to Bear Tracks! While some of the information in this newsletter may not apply to your families until next year, we hope that you find it useful to see what you can expect in 2021-2022.

January 17, 2021

RMS Calendar       Grizzly Gram Archive

School & LWSD

No School on Monday, Jan. 18

There is no school on Monday, January 18, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. For all LWSD dates, please review the LWSD 2020-2021 Calendar.

There's also a change to the RMS Bell Schedule this week. Please view the RMS Daily Bell Schedule for January 18-22. You can also navigate to https://rms.lwsd.org and click on "Remote Learning Bell Schedule" to view the schedules.

Last Chance to Pre-Purchase RMS Yearbook

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This is your last chance to purchase your RMS 2020-2021 yearbook! Purchase ONLINE by January 21. Please log into online payments portal to pre-purchase and reserve your copy of the RMS yearbook. Please note, our entire order is based on presale numbers so we are not left with extra books that don't sell. No refunds. Questions, please contact Ms. Morris (kamorris@lwsd.org) or Ms. Poblete (spoblete@lwsd.org).

Deadline: January 21, 2021
Purchase online at 
https://payments.lwsd.org
Cost: $35

Recording from LWSD Live Update

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On Wednesday, January 6, 2021 LWSD Superintendent, Dr. Jon Holmen, hosted a live update about LWSD's Pathway Forward. You can view the recording of the live event on YouTube. This re-opening timeline graphic was presented during the live event. More information can be found on the LWSD Pathway Forward website located at https://www.lwsd.org/pathway-forward.

Missed Picture Day?

Did your student miss picture day? You can take and submit your student's profile picture from home and they will be included in the yearbook. RMS Yearbook editors have prepared a step-by-step video guide for how to take the best profile picture from home, along with additional do's and dont's of at home photography. These links and instructions are available in the RMS Grizzly Gram Newsletter sent on January 8, 2021.

Weather Events & Internet/Service Outages

Pacific Northwest weather can be unpredictable. Please take a few minutes to review the LWSD guidance on what to expect as students & teachers and from the district when there is a weather event or power outage during a school day.

Getting Ready for RHS 

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8th grade families, you can now visit the RHS counseling page for more information on high school registration and courses:

Parent Night/Future Freshman Presentation on YouTube
9th Grade Course Planner Worksheet
9th Grade Course Choice Handout
Course Catalog

You can also submit any questions by January 22, noon. All these links and more are available on the RHS Counseling webpage under "Course Registration" at https://rhs.lwsd.org/counseling/course-registration.

RMS PTSA

Donuts with Dana: January Meeting

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RMS PTSA presents "Donuts with Dana", a monthly, 30-minute virtual meeting with Principal Dana Greenberg, usually on the last Tuesday of the month, alternating between morning and evening times. Parents can chat with the principal, and other parents, about various school topics from the leisure of your own home. Bring your own donuts!

**Future Grizzlies Invited!**

Donuts with Dana: Tuesday, January 26 at 9:00 AM
Join Link on Teams:
https://tinyurl.com/Donuts-With-Dana

The PTSA Needs You for Nominating Committee! (Repeat)

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The RMS PTSA is looking for a few good people to be on the 2020-21 Nominating Committee

We're looking for three individuals to serve on our Nominating Committee, presenting a unified slate of candidates for next year's RMS PTSA Board of Directors. Take a chance, step-up, and make a difference!


The Nominating Committee is in charge of identifying and recruiting candidates for the incoming PTSA Board. This is a relatively simple, but very important task. Training and resources available. The committee plays an integral role in shaping of RMS PTSA. Being on the Nominating Committee doesn't take a lot of time and most communication is done through email. Any in-person meetings needed will be done online via MS Teams.

Is this an URGENT request?
Yes! The Nominating Committee has to be voted in at the next General Membership in early February so it is imperative that candidates come forward as soon as possible.

Who can be on the Nominating Committee? Anyone affiliated with RMS!
YOU!
Your spouse/partner
Your family members
Your friends
Your neighbors

How do I volunteer!
Please fill out this short Nominating Committee Interest Form to volunteer or get more info!

Community

Get Ahead with STEM4Change Classes

STEM4Change is a nonprofit organization run by Redmond High School seniors that provides FREE, online/in-person classes on STEM subjects (programming, math, biology, physics, and more) or homework help for students that want to get a head start in STEM. Courses are taught by instructors who have excelled in college-level classes of the subject that they teach or have extensive experience working in STEM fields. All skill levels are welcome; no experience is needed. Visit https://www.stem4change.us to learn more and register.

COVID-19 Reopening/Vaccine Update

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Gov. Jay Inslee announced “Healthy Washington — Roadmap to Recovery,” a COVID-19 phased recovery plan. Beginning on January 11, the state will follow a 2-phase regional recovery approach with every region beginning in Phase 1.

View article on Roadmap to Recovery
View larger graphic of phases

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released guidance for the next phase of COVID-19 vaccination. Please view the larger vaccine phases for Washington.


View update of vaccine distribution
View larger graphic of vaccine phases

For the latest Coronavirus news, visit https://coronavirus.wa.gov/news.

Questionnaire from City of Redmond

How do you prefer to get information from the city? The City’s goal is to always effectively inform and meaningfully involve the community via timely and transparent communication. Help them understand how you like to get information by taking a short questionnaire about the City’s communication tools.

Did you know?
You can sign up for City of Redmond topics through their subscription service. Visit the City of Redmond's subscription page to subscribe to topics such as traffic alerts, city news, and more.

Parent Education

Monthly LWPTSA Special Education Group Meeting Tuesday, January 19, 6:30-8:30 PM All parents are welcome. Visit Website

Monthly Lunch & Learn: College and Career Pathways Thursday, January 21, 12:00 PM Visit Website for meeting link.

Body Confidence and Healthy Eating Wednesday, January 20, 7:00 PM This is a LWSF Balance In Mind event. Please visit https://www.lwsf.org/youthmentalwellness for more information.


Self Care Series: The Power of the 22 Second Hug Friday, January 22, 5:00 PM. Online via GoToMeeting. Visit the LWPTSA Self Care Website for more information.

Talking Consent Wednesday, February 3, 7:00 PM This is a LWSF Balance In Mind event. Please visit https://www.lwsf.org/youthmentalwellness for more information.

Question Corner

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Question: When our kids were younger, we volunteered in the classroom. What is the best way to help and/or thank our children's teachers in middle school?

Answer: During regular in-school learning, middle school classrooms typically do not have volunteers. In the past, RMS has had volunteers to help out in the office and the library. The PTSA also provides numerous opportunities to volunteer at staff events such as the annual staff luncheon, health/vision screenings and more. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions and remote-learning, these events are not taking place this year. LWSD is also limiting staff in the building to a minimum (including administrators) and therefore there are fewer opportunities to help staff. When learning transitions back to in-school, these opportunities will increase. Please keep any eye out for articles advertising staff appreciation events in this Bear Tracks newsletter. 

During both in-school or remote-learning, a thank-you note is always appreciated by staff members. Students and parents/guardians can send thank-you's to staff members simply via email or mail thank-you cards to the staff member's name and send it to 10055 166th AVE NE, Redmond, WA 98052. Families also sometimes give gifts to teachers and staff. This is a possible option, however, please take into consideration the following LWSD guidelines:

There are times when parents, community, vendors, or contract service groups provide gifts of minimal value to a district employee. Gifts can be accepted following these guidelines:
  • Staff may accept gifts of minimal value.
  • A staff member shall not accept a gift that is greater than $50.
  • Gifts accepted can only be received if each party understands that no preferential treatment will be derived from the exchange
  • If, at any time, a staff member believes the accepted gift could be an exchange for preferential treatment, he/she is to return the gift and report the situation to his/her immediate supervisor.
Do you have a question? Submit it now!
Bear Tracks Newsletter is produced by RMS PTSA as a benefit to the Redmond Middle School Community. Bear Tracks is edited by Neeta C. Please submit articles via the Bear Tracks Online Submission Form. Articles are due on Thursdays, by 5:00 PM for publication the following Sundays. If you have any questions, please email beartracks@rmsptsa.org.
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Redmond Middle School PTSA 2.8.80
10055 166TH AVE NE, Redmond, WA, 98052, United States of America
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