Summer’s last week is here and the Grizzly den is waking up! Whether you’re a brand-new 6th grade family or an old hand heading into 8t h, this first edition is about how to plug in: join your PTSA, meet the board that’s running it, sign up for fall sports, find a volunteer role that fits. We’ve packed the first-week school logistics into one quick digest up top. Welcome back!

At a glance:

• 🐻 Join RMS PTSA: Membership Drive Is Open!
• 👋 Meet Your 2026-27 PTSA Board
• 🏫 Aug 25: Family Open House, 6-7 PM (Grade 6 + families new to 7th/8th)
• 💻 Aug 27: Student Schedules Post to Skyward, 3 PM
• 🕸️ Aug 28: WEB Orientation for 6th Graders, 9 AM - 12 PM
• 🎒 Aug 31: First Day of School!
• 💉 Aug 31: Immunizations & Health Forms Due
• 🗳️ Sep 7: Redmond Budget Questionnaire Closes
• 👟 Sep 8: Fall Sports FinalForms Deadline
• 🍂 Sep 14 - Nov 6: Fall Sports Season
• 📝 Sep 15: Skyward Directory Opt-Out Deadline
• ➗ Math Club Seeking Co-Chairs
• 🎺 Band Boosters Want You
• 🗺️ District News: Boundary Review & Device Policy
• 💪 Volunteer Opportunities

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.

The quick version of the first week. RMS and the district send the full details. This is your checklist.

• Aug 25: Family Open House, 6:00-7:00 PM. For Grade 6 families and anyone new to RMS in 7th or 8th. Meet staff, tour the building. Questions: RMS Main Office, 425-936-2440.
• Before Aug 31, open Skyward and do these four things: (1) view your student’s schedule, posted Aug 27 at 3:00 PM; (2) verify phone numbers (and their order), emails, and emergency contacts; (3) complete the Nurse Alert form, which the district asks all families to sign, including a checkbox if your child has no condition; (4) by Sep 15, set your directory opt-out if you want your student’s information withheld (renew annually). Skyward Family Access · new to Skyward? Guide to Parent Logins · FERPA details
• Aug 28: WEB Orientation for incoming 6th graders, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM. Where Everybody Belongs: 8th grade WEB Leaders guide our newest Grizzlies through the morning, and that mentorship keeps going all year. Details
• Aug 31: First day of school! Grade 6 meets in the gym at 7:50 AM; grades 7 and 8 go straight to their Grizzly Time classroom. Printed schedules handed out on arrival.
• Bell schedules, including the special Aug 31-Sep 4 first-week grid: RMS Daily Bell Schedules
• Aug 31: immunizations and health forms due. Book now, because clinics fill fast, and note that rising 7th graders need Tdap given after age 10 (RCW 28A.210.080). Check your records (MyIR) · WA requirements & where to get shots · Life-threatening conditions / IHP
• Free and reduced meal applications opened Aug 17. Reapply every year. Apply online or use the paper application and email F-RMealapp@lwsd.org.
• Welcome, Mr. Goldberg! Steve Goldberg joins RMS as Associate Principal this year following Ms. Swiftney’s retirement. We’re glad to have you, and we wish Ms. Swiftney a wonderful next chapter.

New to RMS? ParentSquare · Skyward Family Access · Daily Bell Schedules

RMS posts the full details on ParentSquare. Watch your inbox.

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

Welcome to all our new Grizzly families, and welcome back to our returning ones! Our first ask of the year is also our easiest: join the RMS PTSA. Membership is what powers Math Club, Science Team, Drama, Spelling Bee, Reflections, staff appreciation, family events, and the grants and programs that make RMS a warmer place for every student.

Joining takes about five minutes. Sign up online, tell us what you’re interested in, and you’re done.

This is the one we hear most. Becoming a member does not sign you up for anything. Plenty of our members simply add their name, pay the dues, and let their membership do the work. If you do want to help out, wonderful (there’s a box for that), but a membership is just a membership.

• Read 10 Myths About Joining the PTSA
• Read about the benefits and discounts that come with being a PTSA member

RMS families have donated membership scholarships for families and staff facing financial challenges. They hope you’ll join! Scholarships are first-come, first-served with no application process. Simply choose the “Scholarship” product during the Join process.

Employer matching can double your dues and gifts; see the Bear Paw Fund section for details.

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.

Questions? Email board@rmsptsa.org.

A big thank-you to the parents and guardians who stepped up to lead your PTSA this year. Say hello if you see them at Open House!

Registration for RMS athletics is open now for 2026-27. Sign up through FinalForms before the Tuesday, September 8 deadline. The fall season runs September 14 through November 6.

• Tryout sports: boys tennis, boys basketball, girls basketball (24 athletes each), girls soccer (40 athletes)
• Cross country (boys and girls): the non-tryout fall sport

Payment isn’t due at registration. Athletic fees are paid after tryouts, once your athlete makes a team, through online payments or the ASB office. Scholarships are available: contact rcady@lwsd.org. Sports physicals are required (good for two years) and must be on file before participation; clinics fill up fast, so book now.

Transportation change this year. Rising costs mean RMS ASB will no longer bus every sport:

• Buses run for: cross country, wrestling, track, soccer
• Families drive to away games for: basketball, tennis, badminton, volleyball

RMS will ask for parent volunteers to help coordinate carpools so every student can compete. If you can help drive or organize, say yes when the call goes out.

• RMS Athletics | LWSD Middle School Athletic Calendar
• Questions? Athletic Director Rathan Mahendran, rmahendran@lwsd.org

Math Club is looking for a few co-chairs to help plan activities and coordinate the club. If you’re interested in getting involved and can contribute some time and ideas, please reach out to mathclubchair@rmsptsa.org. We’d love to have you join the team!

The RMS Band Boosters Committee, part of the Redmond Band Boosters, is looking for more parent involvement. It’s a small crew right now, and new voices from every grade are very welcome. If you’d like to support our band program this year, reach out!

Heading to RHS with a 9th grader? Contact karenh@redmondmustangboosters.org about high school booster positions.

Boundary and enrollment review begins this fall. LWSD starts a comprehensive review of attendance boundaries, school capacity, and facilities this fall, with many chances for families to weigh in. Any approved changes take effect in September 2028. Watch the school board study session

Personal devices in class. LWSD’s Administrative Policy 3245 is in effect this year: personal phones, laptops, smartwatches, earbuds and other wearables must be stored during instructional time. Read the full policy

“Your Voice, Your Budget: What Are Your Priorities for Redmond?” The city is building its 2027-2028 biennial budget and wants community input. It takes about five minutes, and it’s open through Monday, September 7.

• Take the questionnaire
• Questions? communications@redmond.gov or 425-556-2126

It’s early in the school year, but the good stuff comes fast, and to be ready for it you need to be LWSD-Volunteer-Approved. This is for the safety of our students and staff; approval status is verified before every event.

The online application takes 5-8 minutes and all you need is some personal info and an electronic copy or photo of your ID. Approval can take a week or more to come through, and it’s valid for two years. If you need to apply for the first time or renew, please do it now.

• Start or renew your LWSD volunteer application
• Volunteering in LWSD: application process, checking whether your approval is still valid, and other district opportunities
• Find RMS PTSA opportunities

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.