We've been at this new year long enough to know it's the best one yet.

 

At a glance:

• ⭐ 1/19: No School, Martin Luther King Jr Day
• 📣 1/20: RMS PTSA Meeting @ 6:30 PM, RMS Library
• 🧠 1/23: LWPTSA Reflections Open House @ 5 - 7 PM, LWSD Resource Center
• ☑️ Volunteers Needed: Nominating Committee
• 🎗 Volunteers Needed: PTSA Awards Committee!
• 🏆 Introducing Quiz Bowl
• 🐝 Spelling Bee Competition is Back
• 👛 Help Us Fund What Families Care About
• 🏫 RMS PTSA Endorses the 2026 LWSD Levies
• 💪 Volunteer Opportunities
• 🐻 Join RMS PTSA

As always remember to check out our PTSA website rmsptsa.org and RMS Facebook page for the latest news, programs, and information. Send email inquiries to board@rmsptsa.org. And now... on to the good stuff!

🇲🇽 Lea las traducciones al español de este boletín en nuestro sitio web en los archivos.

We’re excited to share that five of our ten entries have won at the LWPTSA district level and are advancing to the state competition! Visit our website for full results.

 

https://rmsptsa.org/Page/Programs/Reflections

Next Steps:

• Artwork Collection: January 16 (details sent via individual emails to the participants)
• Open House: January 23 – come celebrate and view the artwork! (see below)

Thank you for supporting our talented students!

Our RMS PTSA is seeking members to serve on the Nominating Committee, one of the most important committees in PTA. This committee plays a key role in shaping the future of our PTSA by identifying and recruiting qualified candidates for elected PTA leadership positions.

Committee members work confidentially to review nominations, interview candidates, and present a written report naming nominees for elected PTA offices.

Who Can Serve?

According to WSPTA Uniform Bylaws, the Nominating Committee:

• Consists of three PTSA members, elected by the membership
• Members must have been part of the PTSA for at least 15 days
• Members may serve up to two consecutive one-year terms
• Members are eligible to be nominated for PTA office

Ideal candidates are familiar with the PTSA’s goals, value confidentiality, demonstrate sound judgment, and reflect the diversity of our school community.

Serving on the Nominating Committee is a meaningful way to support strong leadership and make a lasting impact.

👉 Interested members are encouraged to volunteer or nominate themselves.

Email mistyc@rmsptsa.org if interested or simply ...

Sign Up at http://rmsptsa.org/Packet/Volunteer

Join the Redmond Middle School PTSA Awards Committee!

Help us recognize the amazing volunteers and educators who make RMS shine! The PTSA Awards Committee supports awards like the Golden Acorn and Outstanding Educator Awards.

Responsibilities include:

• Collaborating with PTSA presidents and VP Volunteers to identify top candidates.
• Gathering nominations from staff, students, families, and the board.
• Updating and sending out the nomination form via newsletter and social media.
• Planning the end-of-year awards event, including ordering plaques, flowers, and refreshments.
• Presenting awards and sharing winners in the PTSA newsletter and website.

The committee reports to the VP of Volunteers and plays a key role in celebrating the RMS community.

Sign Up at http://rmsptsa.org/Packet/Volunteer

What is the Quiz Bowl

 

Quiz bowl is an extracurricular competitive mind-sport that encourages a deep and broad engagement with various topics, often going beyond the generally expected grade-level knowledge.

 

Think of it as academic team competition - where you're flexing your knowledge!

 

Two Teams Battle: Two teams go head-to-head, competing to answer questions across every academic subject you can imagine, and then some!

 

The Buzzer is Your Bat: The entire game revolves around a buzzer. The first person to buzz in with the correct answer earns points for their team.

 

Subjects Covered: History, Science, Literature, Math, Geography, Fine Arts (Art & Music), Mythology, and Current Events

Why should you Join

 

You’ll learn incredibly interesting facts and make connections between subjects you never knew existed.

 

Broadened Knowledge Base: Students are exposed to questions across a wide range of academic subjects, including history, literature, science, fine arts, social studies, current events and mathematics. This encourages curiosity and a thirst for knowledge in areas they might not otherwise explore.

 

Enhanced Study Skills: Preparation for competitions promotes strong study habits, quick recall, and memorization skills. Students learn to absorb and retain information more effectively.

 

Interdisciplinary Connections: The questions often require students to make connections between different disciplines, promoting a holistic understanding rather than seeing subjects in isolation.

 

Quick Thinking and Memory: The fast-paced, buzzer-based format sharpens quick thinking and the ability to retrieve information under pressure.

 

Find Your People: Connect with other students who love intellectual challenges and learning as much as you do.

Key Tournaments

1. NAQT - NAQT runs what are considered the most competitive national championships for middle school, high school, and college quiz bowl. Winning an NAQT title is a significant accomplishment that garners recognition amongst the quizzing community and at colleges. (https://www.naqt.com/)
   
   
2. IAC - International Academic Competitions is an organization dedicated to giving students around the world the chance to compete in engaging, challenging, and exciting tournaments that are focused on history, geography, science, and other academic disciplines. IAC was founded by 19 time Jeopardy Champion David Madden in 2010 (https://www.iacompetitions.com/)

Next Steps

• Join the Quiz Bowl club - as individuals or as teams.
• Meet periodically for PTSA initiated practice events.
• Register for tournaments as individuals/teams to play against local/regional and
  national teams.
  • IAC - First step is an Online ORQE (ORQE)
  • NAQT - Team based regionals. Online.
    • Online events are primarily hosted by the Texas Quiz Bowl Alliance. Tournaments are hosted mid-month, every month (Schedule)
• Registration fees for these events are not borne by the PTSA and should be taken care by individual players/teams.

Parent Volunteers Needed

 

1. We cannot do without your support
2. Parent Volunteers needed for the following activities - time commitment varies
   1. Scoring RMS Quiz Bowl events/tests
   2. Reading questions for school based Quiz Bowl Events
   3. Coaching Quiz Bowl Teams as teams grow and the need arises.
3. Please reach out to quiz@rmsptsa.org to discuss your interests and support
4. Note that all volunteers must become RMS PTSA members, if not already AND be LWSD Volunteer Approved.

We are excited to announce that the Spelling Bee is back!

 

Students are invited to register and participate in this exciting opportunity to enhance their vocabulary and spelling skills.

 

Registration is now open: https://rmsptsa.org/Page/Programs/SpellingBee

From safety tools and family education nights to clubs like Spelling Bee and Quiz Bowl, PTSA fundraising is what makes many of these programs possible.

 

If you’re able, please consider:

• Making a gift to RMS PTSA this month
• Checking if your employer offers matching donations
• Supporting PTSA events and campaigns throughout the year

Your support helps us:

• Strengthen safety and emergency preparedness
• Fund enrichment clubs and student programs
• Provide grants for classroom materials and staff needs

Lake Washington School District will have two replacement levies on the February 10, 2026 ballot:

 

Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) Levy (Proposition 1)– Renews funding for day-to-day district operations, including programs like Special Education, multilingual learning, early learning, and highly capable services, as well as staff such as counselors, nurses, and mental health professionals who help keep students healthy, safe, and supported.

 

School Technology & Capital Projects Levy (Proposition 2)– Renews funding for classroom technology, curriculum-related tech tools, and building needs such as HVAC, electrical systems, and other facility improvements that keep schools warm, safe, and functional.

These measures are renewals, not new levies—they continue locally approved funding that helps bridge the gap between what the state funds and what our community expects from its schools.

 

At our recent PTSA membership meeting, Redmond Middle School PTSA voted to endorse both 2026 LWSD replacement levies.  As a PTSA, we support measures that maintain critical programs, staffing, and safe, well-maintained learning environments for students across the district.

 

Learn More & Get Involved

If you’d like to dig deeper into what each levy supports, here are good starting points:

• LWSD 2026 Levies Overview– District summary of both measures, including programs funded and projected costs.
• School Funding & Finance Friday – Articles that explain how state, federal, and local dollars work together (and where levies fit in).
• King County Elections – Ballot Measures-  Official ballot measure descriptions and explanatory statements. 

Ways to engage as a family:

• Read the district’s levy information together and talk with your student about what they see and use at school.
• Attend any levy information nights or Q&A sessions hosted by LWSD, LWPTSA Council, or community groups.
• Share official levy information links with neighbors and caregivers who might not be plugged into school communications.

We encourage every eligible voter in our community to learn about the measures and participate in the February election in whatever way feels right for them.

Start Here: https://rmsptsa.org/Packet/Join

Bear Tracks Newsletter is produced by RMS PTSA as a benefit to the Redmond Middle School Community. Bear Tracks is edited by Neil C. Obremski. Please submit articles via the Bear Tracks Online Submission Form. Articles are due on Thursdays, by 5:00 PM for publication the following Sunday. Direct all inquiries to beartracks@rmsptsa.org.