The Last Hurrah

It's the last hurrah, Grizzlies! The final weeks of school are packed with celebrations, competitions to be proud of, and important end-of-year info. From elections and socials to national championships -- let's close out this year on a high note!

 

At a glance:

  • 🏅 PTSA Awards -- Congratulations to This Year's Recipients!
  • 🏆 Quiz Bowl -- 21st in the Nation!
  • 🔬 State Science & Engineering Fair -- 8 RMS Students Place!
  • 🗳️ Jun 2: PTSA Elections -- Vote for Next Year's Board!
  • 🎉 Jun 5: Spring Social "A Night at Sea"
  • 📚 Jun 5: Library Books Due
  • 🌈 Jun 8-12: Final Spirit Week!
  • 🎵 Jun 9-10: Spring Concerts (Orchestra, Choir, Band)
  • 💻 Jun 11: Laptop Roll-In (8th Grade Mandatory)
  • 🎓 Jun 16: 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony
  • 📆 Jun 17: Last Day of School (Half Day)
  • 💪 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.

Congratulations to This Year's PTSA Award Recipients!

Thank you to everyone in our RMS PTSA community who submitted nominations and voted for this year's service awards. We are pleased to announce the recipients:

Outstanding Educator Award

Outstanding Educator Award: Sarah Bond and Tim Bartlett

Recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to enhance the educational outcomes of children and youth. This award may honor a teacher, specialist, assistant, support staff member, administrator, or community member whose work has had a meaningful impact on students.

Golden Acorn Award

Golden Acorn Award: Cindy Goulding

A Washington State PTA award presented to a school or community volunteer in recognition of their dedication and service to children and youth. This award honors exemplary volunteer service and the lasting difference volunteers make in our school community.

Golden Grizzly Award

Golden Grizzly Award: Ruth Gutierrez

A Redmond Middle School PTSA service award recognizing outstanding contributions to the RMS school community. It celebrates those who help make RMS a more supportive, welcoming, and connected place for students, staff, and families.

Please join us in congratulating Sarah, Tim, Cindy, and Ruth. We are grateful for their service, leadership, and heart -- the kind of work that often happens quietly, but never goes unnoticed.

PTSA Elections -- Vote for Next Year's Board!

This Tuesday! The RMS PTSA General Membership meeting is Tuesday, June 2 at 6:30 PM and we'll be electing next year's board. Here's the nominated slate:

 

Position Nominee(s)
President Kimble Luu / Amanda Howell (President & Co-President)
Secretary Misty Cavit
Treasurer Carolyn Bauduin / Yamile Wasslen (Treasurer & Co-Treasurer)
VP Communications Aditi Raman
VP Volunteers Cindy Goulding
VP Fundraising OPEN -- Interested? Reach out!
VP FACE Giselle Giosa
VP Enrichment Shilpi Sharma

 

VP Fundraising is still open! If you're interested in this role, please contact the Nominating Committee. All current PTSA members are eligible to become board members and are invited to recommend themselves or anyone else at or before the meeting.

Quiz Bowl -- 21st in the Nation!

Incredible news! The RMS Quiz Bowl team competed at the 2026 NAQT Middle School National Championship in Chicago on May 10-11 and finished 21st out of 192 teams nationally -- earning a team trophy and individual medals!

 

Team captain Sridhar Raamakrishnan received the All-Star award, placing 22nd out of 929 individual competitors. The team went 7-5, defeating the squad that ultimately finished 4th nationally. As the tournament recap noted, "nobody in the field should be pleased to see Redmond on their schedule."

 

Team members: Sridhar Raamakrishnan, Krit Kulkarni, Shiv Ram Narendrababu, Nikhil Karthik, William Qin

 

What makes this even more remarkable: Quiz Bowl was founded at RMS just this past September! Huge congratulations to the team and PTSA Advisor Mr. Mani.

State Science & Engineering Fair -- 8 RMS Students Place!

Congratulations to the eight RMS students who placed at the Washington State Science & Engineering Fair!

 

Student Grade Award
Arnav Agarwal 6th 1st Place + Thermo Fisher JIC
Kyra Sharma 7th 1st Place + Thermo Fisher JIC
Adithya Vikram 8th 1st Place + Thermo Fisher JIC
Akshara Kulkarni 6th 1st Place
Deepika Venkatraman 6th 1st Place
Aditya Karri 7th 2nd Place
Darsh Mehrotra 8th 2nd Place
Rehaan Dhrolia 7th 3rd Place

 

Three students -- Arnav, Kyra, and Adithya -- earned nominations to the prestigious Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge (JIC), a national competition for top middle school researchers.

Spring Social -- "A Night at Sea" -- June 5

Spring Social 2026 - A Night at Sea

The end-of-year social is almost here! Friday, June 5, 6:00-8:00 PM with the theme "A Night at Sea."

 

Activities include DJ dancing in the commons, sports in the gym, karaoke, party games, and a photo booth!

 

Tickets on sale during lunches Tuesday, June 2 through Friday, June 5:

  • $5 with ASB membership
  • $7 without ASB
  • $10 on Friday (buy early to save!)
  • Cash only, exact change. Pre-sale only -- no tickets at the door.

Students must show their Student ID card with purchased Social Sticker at the door. Plan to attend the full event; early pickup requires an authorized family member checking out with admin.

 

Concession sales support future ASB events. Questions? Contact kamorris@lwsd.org.

Final Spirit Week -- June 8-12

Spirit Week June 8-12

It's time to celebrate the end of the year in style! Join us for the final spirit week from Monday, June 8 through Friday, June 12. Check out the flyer for daily themes!

Library End of Year & Laptop Roll-In

Important end-of-year deadlines from the RMS Library:

  • June 5: All library books due
  • June 10: ELA Q4 Book Project books (6th grade), math textbooks, and class novels due
  • June 11: Laptop Roll-In Day

Laptop Roll-In (June 11):

  • 8th graders: Mandatory -- turn in your laptop (except summer school attendees)
  • 6th & 7th graders: Optional -- you're encouraged to keep your laptop for KCLS/Sora access over summer

Books not returned by June 11 will be marked "lost" with fines assigned.

Summer Reading

Get a head start on summer reading! Programs include:

  • UW "Real Dawgs Read" -- prizes include a beanie, drawstring bag, or stuffed animal
  • KCLS Summer Programs -- details available June 6
  • RMS Summer Reading Tracker -- one-page form available in the library

End of Year Important Dates

  • June 2 (Tuesday): PTSA Elections Meeting, 6:30 PM (Join via Teams)
  • June 5 (Friday): Spring Social 6-8 PM; Library books due
  • June 8-12: Final Spirit Week
  • June 9 (Tuesday): Orchestra Spring Concert, 7:00 PM, RMS Gym
  • June 10 (Wednesday): Choir Spring Concert, 5:30 PM, Commons; Band Spring Concert, 7:00 PM, Gym
  • June 11 (Thursday): Laptop Roll-In (8th grade mandatory)
  • June 12 (Friday): LWPTSA Legislative Community Night
  • June 15 (Monday): RHS Class of 2026 Graduation, 7:30 PM, Alaska Airlines Arena
  • June 16 (Tuesday): 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony, 6:00 PM, RMS Gym
  • June 17 (Wednesday): Last Day of School (Half Day)

Volunteer Opportunities

Spring Social Chaperones -- June 5

We need parent chaperones to help supervise at the End of Year Social on Friday, June 5. You must be an approved LWSD volunteer. Arrive at 5:30 PM. Anyone who can stay after to help with cleanup is greatly appreciated!

Mann Carnival Student Volunteers -- June 12

Horace Mann PTSA is looking for student volunteers for their Colt Family Fun Night on Friday, June 12, 6-8 PM. A great way for students to earn volunteer hours!

Band Boosters Committee -- Parents Welcome!

A new RMS Band Boosters Committee has formed as part of the Redmond Band Boosters. They're looking for more parent involvement -- currently a few 6th and 7th grade parents. If you're interested in supporting our band program, reach out!

 

Incoming 9th graders heading to RHS: contact karenh@redmondmustangboosters.org for high school booster positions.

Guardian Ambassador Program

Guardian Ambassador Program Flyer

More Ways to Help

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

Community Events

Free Python Classes -- June 1-5

SMART Hacks Foundation is offering free Python classes for kids, taught by industry professionals from Amazon & Salesforce. Three levels available: Python Fundamentals, Intermediate Python & Intro to ML, and Machine Learning & Advanced Python.

  • Dates: Monday-Friday, June 1-5
  • Cost: Free
  • Contact: +1 206 372 2503

LWPTSA Legislative Community Night -- June 12

Save the date! LWPTSA Advocacy is hosting a Legislative Community Night on Friday, June 12 at the LWSD Resource Center. Confirmed state legislators include Rep. Shelley Kloba (LD 1), Rep. My-Linh Thai (LD 41), and Rep. Osman Salahuddin (LD 48).

Teen Lounge at Redmond Community Center

The Teen Lounge at Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village is a free drop-in space for ages 12-18, Monday through Friday, 2:30-7:00 PM. Free snacks and themed daily activities!

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.