Spring Into Action

Spring is in the air and there's so much happening at RMS -- from cultural celebrations to music festivals to the halfway mark on our fundraising goal!

 

At a glance:

  • 🌱 Spring Support Drive -- We're Halfway to $10,000!
  • 🎵 Music Honor Groups -- Band & Jazz Update!
  • 🎨 Reflections Winners Advance to Nationals!
  • 🍕 Mar 26: Dine Out at MOD Pizza to support RMS PTSA
  • 🎵 Mar 27: District Band Festival
  • 🎓 Mar 31: Student Board Rep Applications Deadline
  • 📋 Apr 3: Family Panorama Survey Deadline
  • 🎵 Apr 4: Solo & Ensemble Festival
  • 🚫 Apr 13-17: Spring Break
  • 📣 Apr 21: PTSA General Meeting @ 6:30 PM in Library
  • 🌍 Apr 28: Multicultural Night @ 7 PM -- Save the Date!
  • 📝 May 7-19: SBA/WCAS Spring Testing
  • ☑️ Serve on Next Year's PTSA Board!
  • 💪 Volunteer Opportunities
  • 🌇 Community Events
  • 🐻 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.

Spring Support Drive -- We're Halfway There!

Great news -- our Spring Support Drive has crossed the halfway mark! As of this week, we've raised $5,015 from 47 families -- that's 50% of our $10,000 goal. Thank you to everyone who has contributed so far!

 

The funds support:

  • Classroom supplies
  • Students with food insecurities
  • Teacher Grants
  • Staff Appreciation
  • Music programs

 

Every contribution makes a huge difference. Help us reach $10,000!

 

Don't forget -- if your employer offers corporate matching, you can double your donation! RMS PTSA is a 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are tax-deductible.

Music Honor Groups -- Band & Jazz Update

In our last edition, we celebrated the RMS students named to state-level music honor groups -- but we missed our incredible band and jazz musicians! The district's initial announcement omitted the band selections. Here are the students who also earned this honor:

 

Jr. All State Band:
Richard Woodyear, Insha Javed Shoaib, Forrest Dahl, Ryan Lee, William Qin, Evan Kneale, Tycho Baty, Jane Kang, Arjun Kartikeyan, Shubh Srivastava, Rishabh Kalyana Sundaram

 

Jr. All State Jazz:
Forrest Dahl, William Qin, Ryan Lee

 

That brings our total to over 40 RMS students named to state-level music honor groups this year -- an outstanding achievement! Congratulations to all.

Reflections Winners Advance to Nationals!

Congratulations to our talented Reflections artists! Three RMS students won at the Washington State level of the National PTA Reflections competition: Lily C. (Visual Arts -- Outstanding Interpretation), Miso K. (Visual Arts -- Award of Excellence), and Vaishnavi H. (Film Production -- Award of Merit). Anika M. also earned an Award of Excellence at the LWPTSA Council level for Visual Arts.

 

We are especially excited to share that Lily C. has advanced to the National level -- an incredible achievement!

 

Learn more about the RMS Reflections program.

Dine Out for RMS PTSA

Two chances to eat out and support our school this month! A portion of proceeds goes directly to PTSA programs.

 

  • Wednesday, March 26 -- MOD Pizza
  • Monday, March 31 -- Chipotle

 

See the flyers below for details:

MOD Pizza Fundraiser Flyer
Chipotle Fundraiser Flyer

RMS Band -- Concerts & Upcoming Events

Our band students have been busy! Concert videos from the March 11 and March 17 performances are available for families:

 

Thank you to parent volunteer Hunter Barcello and the RHS community for filming!

 

Upcoming:

  • Friday, March 27: District Band Festival (field trip)
  • Saturday, April 4: Solo & Ensemble Festival -- many RMS band students are registered to compete

Your Voice Matters -- Surveys & Applications

Family Panorama Survey (closes April 3): LWSD wants to hear from you! Share your feedback on school safety, culture, and satisfaction. Take the survey

 

Student Board Rep (deadline March 31): 8th graders can apply to become a student representative to the LWSD School Board -- a great leadership opportunity! Learn more and apply

Multicultural Night -- April 28

Save the date! RMS Multicultural Night is Monday, April 28 at 7:00 PM. Join us for an evening celebrating the diverse cultures in our school community. More details and sign-up information are on the event flyer below.

 

Want to volunteer or share your culture? Sign up here

 

Questions? Contact Ruth Gutierrez at FACE (Family and Community Engagement).

Multicultural Night Flyer

SBA/WCAS Spring Testing -- May 7-19

Mark your calendars! Students in grades 6-8 will take the Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) in math and English language arts this spring. 8th graders will also take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS).

 

Testing Schedule:

  • May 7-8: Practice Testing
  • May 11-12: ELA
  • May 14-15: Math
  • May 19: WCAS (8th grade only)

 

Full bell schedules are available at rms.lwsd.org. For practice tests and resources, visit the WCAP Portal.

Serve on Next Year's PTSA Board!

The RMS PTSA is looking for volunteers to serve on the 2026-2027 PTSA Board! If you, or someone you know, has a passion for helping students succeed, please volunteer for a position or submit a recommendation. No experience is necessary -- existing board members will help support anyone who steps up!

 

All recommendations are confidential. For more information on any position, email the Nominating Committee at nomcomm@rmsptsa.org -- they can walk you through the specifics and time commitment.

Volunteer Opportunities

Awards Committee

The PTSA Awards Committee recognizes outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to our school community. Help us identify and celebrate deserving students, staff, and volunteers. Sign up to join

Card Crafting at the Library -- March 27

The library at lunchtime is a bustling place! Come help at the card crafting tables this Friday, March 27 at lunchtime.

 

Sign up on SignUpGenius

More Ways to Help

Browse all volunteer opportunities | Not yet approved as an LWSD volunteer? Apply here

Community Events

Belize Spring Break 2027 -- Final Info Meeting

Join RMS teacher Ms. Hattie Midboe for the final Zoom informational meeting about the Belize Spring Break 2027 trip! She'll cover the itinerary, travel logistics, and payment plan/scholarship options.

Belize Spring Break 2027 Flyer

Jr Mustangs Football & Cheer Info Night -- March 26

Interested in football or cheer for the 2026-27 school year? The virtual info night is this Thursday!

RHS Cheer Tryout Clinics -- Apr 7-9

Learn cheerleading basics and practice choreography with current RHS Varsity Cheerleaders -- free for 8th graders heading to RHS!

  • Dates: April 7-9, 2026
  • Time: 5:30-7:00 PM
  • Location: Redmond High School Auxiliary Gym
  • Cost: Free
  • Bring: Athletic clothes, hair tie, water bottle

LWSD Sustainability Fair -- April 24

Students are invited to present projects, exhibits, or ideas at the Lake Washington PTSA Council's District-Wide Sustainability Fair! Register to present by April 10.

  • Date: April 24, 2026, 6:00-8:00 PM
  • Location: LWSD Resource Center
  • Presentation registration deadline: April 10
  • Organizer: Lake Washington PTSA Council
LWSD Sustainability Fair Flyer

Guardian Ambassador Program

Guardian Ambassador Program Flyer

Free Parent Workshops

SEL for Parents -- Free workshop series on family relationships. Remaining sessions: Mar 26, Apr 2, Apr 9 (10 AM - Noon). Register

 

PEPS Parents of Teens -- Free virtual events: Apr 2 (Executive Function & the Adolescent Brain) and May 14 (Adolescent Nutrition). Learn more

Join RMS PTSA

Help us fulfill our mission by signing up for PTSA membership, indicating your volunteer interest, and more, all online. Many companies also offer employee matching programs. If you or your spouse work for one of these generous employers, you may be able to DOUBLE your donations. Companies that participate in this program include: Boeing, Expedia, Hornell Anderson Design, Microsoft, Starbucks, UBS, United Way, Wells Fargo

 

Not sure whether you'd like to become a member?
• Read 10 Myths About Joining the PTSA
• Read about the benefits and discounts that come with being a PTSA Member!

 

RMS PTSA is a 501(c)(3) organization. Membership fees and donations are tax deductible.

Our mission is to support, engage, and advocate for our students, staff, and community. We are dedicated to creating a welcoming and accessible academic community through our programs, activities, and financial support.

 

Scholarships for Membership
RMS families have donated membership scholarships for families and staff facing financial challenges. They hope you'll join! Scholarships are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis with NO APPLICATION PROCESS. Simply choose the "Scholarship" product during the "Join" process.

Donate to the Bear Paw Fund

Did you know that anyone can donate directly to our "Bear Paw Fund"? You, your family, friends, and neighbors can all donate to help our students; membership to the RMS PTSA is not required. Please share the link below! Thank you to all those who have donated already this year to the RMS PTSA!

Direct Donation Link: https://rmsptsa.org/Page/PTSA/Donate


Corporate/Employer Matching DOUBLE your donations too if your company offers employer matching! Don't forget to go to your company's giving website and report your RMS PTSA donation.

Bear Tracks

Email beartracks@rmsptsa.org and ask to be subscribed!

 

Do you know families or friends that might benefit from receiving the Bear Tracks Newsletter? Simply send us their name and email address and we'll get them signed up. Bi-weekly Bear Tracks has loads of timely information about RMS, PTSA, and ways that you can participate.

 

Do you have an idea for an article? Submit it here!

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.

Redmond Middle School PTSA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All rights reserved.