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BEAR TRACKS WEEKLY NEWS & UPDATES
Monday, February 13, 2017
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**NEW**
Links to Every Article in This Week's Bear Tracks
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From Principal Kelly Clapp
Contacting Classroom Teachers: When and How
Hopefully grades will not be a surprise for parents when they get them, but if you do have questions, we urge you to contact the teacher right away to get your question answered. Please don't wait until a small concern or problem becomes a big one. Students will be more successful if parents and school staff can partner to help students learn.
You need to communicate first with classroom teachers as opposed to the principals or counselors. As they are working directly on a daily basis with your student, they are more able to field questions about your student's individual progress and learning. They should be able to explain what standards are being taught, how they are assessed and how your student is performing on each assessment.
If you find you need further help or support in contacting a particular teacher, please feel free to
contact me
,
and I will either respond to your concern myself or forward it to the appropriate associate principal who may work with that teacher or team.
The best way to contact a teacher to ask your question or request a meeting is to send them an email. In general, most staff emails contain the person's first initial, last name and then @lwsd.org (e.g.
kclapp@lwsd.org). Also,
here is a link to the RMS website with staff voice mails and emails.
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UPCOMING EVENTS at RMS
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Thursday, February 16
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NO SCHOOL! It's Mid-Winter Break!
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Friday, February 17
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NO SCHOOL! It's Mid-Winter Break!
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Monday, February 20
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NO SCHOOL! It's President's Day!
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Show your School Spirit! Order your RMS Apparel Now
Families that want to order spirit gear can do so from 2/6 - 2/13 by clicking here.
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ACADEMIC NEWS
(Core classes, Band, Choir, Orchestra)
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THANK YOU FOR THE LEGOS and PUZZLES
Huge, huge THANK YOU's to the anonymous parent who dropped off a large, green tote of Legos!! The library staff and students would like to say thank you in person, so please drop by and let Ms. Metcalf know who you are. They'd also like to thank you for the puzzles that you and other parents have generously donated. The students spend many hours before school, during lunches and after school putting them together. We've even spied some staff detouring through the library to place a piece or two! :)
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No other Academic News this week. Tell your teachers to send updates! :)
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- YEARBOOK CLUB - No news this week
- SAFE SCHOOL AMBASSADORS - Please email or see Ms. Morris if you have questions about being involved.
- DR. WHO CLUB - No news this week
- CURRENT NJHS MEMBERS - No news this week. Email Ms. Morris with questions.
- LGBTQ+ CLUB - No news this week.
- D&D & OTHER GAMES CLUB - No news this week.
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RMS PTSA ACADEMIC TEAMS
(Math, Science, NatGeo)
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RMS Science Teams Excel at Regional Science Bowl
2 teams from RMS participated in BPA Regional Science Bowl held at university of Portland on Feb 4, 2017. 69 teams from WA and OR states participated in this fast-paced buzzer based competition.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Science Bowl® is a nationwide academic competition that tests students' knowledge in all areas of science and mathematics.
Teams face-off in a fast-paced question-and-answer format, being tested on a range of science disciplines including biology, chemistry, Earth science, physics, energy, and math.
The Department of Energy (DOE) created the National Science Bowl in 1991 to encourage students to excel in mathematics and science and to pursue careers in these fields. Approximately 265,000 students have participated in the National Science Bowl® throughout its 26-year history, and it is one of the nation's largest science competitions.
Many of the RMS Science team members have been practicing for this competition since summer of last year and their hard work was rewarded as both the Redmond teams performed exceptionally well during the initial round robin phase of the competition and were placed amongst the Top 16 teams that qualified for the double elimination round.
Competition becomes even more fierce at this stage and teams are under immense pressure as any team which loses 2 games gets eliminated.
Congratulations to RMS Team 1 for winning the trophy for the 3rd place. RMS Team 1 was represented by:
- Arnav Narula (Grade 8)
- Krish Jain (Grade 7)
- Raghav Narula (Grade 8)
- Sayan Bhatia (Grade 7) and
- Shrey Srivastava (Grade 8)
Raghav Narula was also awarded 2017 Science Bowl ALL STAR medal, which is awarded to students who answer the most toss up questions during the round robin stage.
Kudos to RMS Team 2 which was represented by:
- Aaryan Jain (Grade 7)
- Jay Dharmadhikari (Grade 7)
- Kinner Parikh (Grade 8)
- Paul Sebastian (Grade 8) and
- Sohil Bhatia (Grade 7)
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| Raghav Narula with 2017 All Star Medal at BPA Regional Science Bowl at the University of Portland in Oregon |
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RMS Science Team #1 with their 3rd Place Trophy from the 2017 BPA Science Bowl at the University of Portland, Oregon
Members: Arnav Narula (8th), Krish Jain (7th), Raghav Narula (8th), Sayan Bhatia (7th) and Shrey Srivastava (8th) |
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RMS Science Bowl Team #2 at the BPA Science Bowl at the University of Portland, Oregon. They're all smiles before this round.
Members: Aaryan Jain (7th), Jay Dharmadhikari (7th), Kinner Parikh (8th), Paul Sebastian (8th) and Sohil Bhatia (7th) |
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**NEW**
RMS Mathletes Progress to MathCounts State Tournament
10 Mathletes from RMS, who were selected based on their performance in the school exam, competed with 203 students from 22 schools at
Mathcounts Lake Washington Chapter competition held at Microsoft Conference Center on Feb 11, 2017. RMS was represented by Andrea Wu, Arnav Narula, Conor Kennedy, Julia Liu, Kirill Ustinov, Krish Jain, Raghav Narula, Siddhartha Yalamanchili, Shrey Srivastava and Shreyas Bhoir at this competition.
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| RMS MathCounts Mathletes, February 11, 2017 |
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Our Mathletes put up a strong performance at the competition. RMS's average score in the competition was 39 against the Competition average score of 35.
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RMS MathCounts Mathletes with their trophies.
February 11, 2017 |
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5 RMS students have progressed to the state competition which will be held March 18, 2017:
- Andrea Wu
- Arnav Narula
- Conor Kennedy
- Raghav Narula
- Shrey Srivastava
Congratulations to all the RMS Mathletes and best wishes to the students who will be competing at the Mathcounts state competition in March!
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E
XTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
(Drama)
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UPCOMING RMS SPORTING EVENTS
No sports scheduled this week.
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Sports and Activities in Redmond (Non-School Sponsored)
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Links to local
sports and activities for middle-school aged kids.
Redmond PTSA is providing these links only as a resource for our families, not as an endorsement of any particular site. If you know of any other local sports or activities for middle-school-aged kids,
please email us
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**NEW**
Expanding Your Horizons STEM Conference - March 25
For Middle School Girls Grades 6 - 8
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STUDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS RECAP
(Week of February 6 - February 10, 2017)
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SNOW: This is reminder that the lovely snow needs to remain on the ground. That means no throwing snow anywhere on our campus, at any objects or at any people.
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3rd SEASON SPORTS: Reminder to all athletes that 3rd season starts tomorrow. Please make sure that you are ready and have your rides arranged. All practices end at 4:30. Wrestlers please line up under the score board on the south end of the gym, Volleyball players please line up by the bleachers. If you have any questions, see Mr. Mahendran in portable 5.
- GLEE CLUB: Join our newest extra-curricular activity, the Glee Club, from 1:00 to 2:30. The Glee Club will sing songs you know from movies, TV, the radio, and YouTube. Never been in choir? No problem! Come join us at 1:00 in the choir room.
- NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY: Attention all 7th and 8th grade students. National Junior Honor Society will soon be accepting applications. If you are in good academic standing, and interested in learning how you can join NJHS, then you are invited to attend an interest meeting, held today during all lunches in room 153. Email Ms. Morris with questions.
- RHS REGISTRATION for 8th GRADERS: All 8th graders, reminder of 2 things for your RHS High School Registration: The green registration paper needs to be completed and brought to English class tomorrow, Thursday. Also, you will need to have your laptop charged and with you in English class Thursday to complete the process for 9th grade class registration.
- RMS SPIRIT WEAR: RMS Spirit Gear is now available. If you are interested in ordering t-shirts, sweatshirts or sweatpants please pick up a flyer at the ASB window. All RMS spirit gear orders must be placed online by Feb. 13th.
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ROHAN RAMMANOHAR: Congratulations to Rohan Rammanohar the winner of the RMS National Geographic Geography Bee.
- DR. WHO CLUB: will meet today in room 214.
- LGBTQ+ CLUB: will meet this Friday in room 214.
- OVERDUE BOOKS: Library friends-especially 8th grade library friends-our overdue number is climbing again and the majority of the overdue books are 8th grade project books. Please return or renew books immediately. Overdue notices went out in email on Monday. Please check your email to see if you are on the current list!
- LIBRARY CLOSURES: Attention! The library will be mostly closed for the next several days due to testing that will be going on in the library. If you do need to come down for computer help or to return overdue books, please enter the library as QUIETLY as possible! The Grizzly Way means showing respect for others--like the students who will be testing in the library.
- Be Kind, Be Honest, and Be Proud.
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VOLUNTEER NEEDED for 8th GRADE CELEBRATION
In a few months, 8th grade students will be celebrating the end of their middle school years. Your PTSA sponsors this party normally held in June.
We are looking for an 8th grade parent to become Chairperson. They will work together with Lisa Wheeler (the volunteer coordinator) and Michael Clark (Vice Principal of RMS) to organize the event.
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Volunteers Needed on March 9
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**NEW**
Staff Appreciation Volunteers Needed for May event
Calling all planners and doers! Do you have great ideas? Can you implement those great ideas?
If you can do either or both we need you!!
Please call or
email Meirav Yaaran to help start planning the staff appreciation week taking place on the first week of May.
Thank you in advance for your time and dedication!
Meirav
425.922.2286
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RMS PTSA Member Benefit
CIRQUE du SOLEIL - LUZIA
Cirque du Soleil returns to Marymoor Park, under the Big Top, with its newest creation, LUZIA opening Thursday, March 30. Take advantage of the Family Pack offer and get 20% off tickets on select show times (minimum: 3 tickets; maximum: 8 tickets).
LUZIA is a poetic and acrobatic ode to the rich and vibrant culture of Mexico. Like in a waking dream, LUZIA takes you to an imaginary Mexico, where light quenches the spirit and rain soothes the soul.
The tableaux of LUZIA weave an intricate, contemporary mosaic that awakens your senses and transports you to a place suspended between dreams and reality. To receive the purchase link, email RMS PTSA Membership here.
3/31
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Advocacy in Action - Take Action Now!
Are you looking for something easy to do that makes a difference? Is the health, well-being, and education of your kids important to you? This year is an historic opportunity to make a difference in our State of Washington, because many
very important changes to our education system
are being discussed, and very important state budget issues are being decided as our legislature tries to comply with the State Supreme Court 2018 deadline to fully fund basic education in line with the
McCleary decision
. Our opportunity has a short time frame and a deadline. If we miss it, we may not get another opportunity of this magnitude for a long while. Therefore, the time to speak up is now.
Find out how easy this is for you to do by
visiting here
.
2/17
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Special Needs PTSA Meeting - Feb 21 at 7:00 pm
Please join us for the next Special Needs PTSA meeting on February 21 at 7:00pm at the Resource Center. This month Sarah Gardner, a Behavior Specialist from Bellevue College will discuss
Building Self-Regulation and Self-Efficacy in Children and Youth with Disabilities
.
Is living a self-sufficient, fulfilling life simply a matter of learning activities of daily living and soft skills? Research suggests otherwise! How do we instill the bedrock of success in our children - ensuring that they have the emotional fortitude to face the problems that come their way? In this workshop, we'll take a look at the research behind motivation, learn how to effectively teach children to think for themselves, solve problems across settings, and, build frustration tolerance, cognitive flexibility, and self-efficacy. If you want more for your child, you'll want to join us!
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Spring Resource Fair at LW Institute of Technology
Saturday, March 18, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
All parents and students from the Lake Washington School District are invited to attend Lake Washington PTSA Council's Spring Resource Fair.
It will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2017, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.,
at the Lake Washington Institute of Technology,
11605 132nd Ave NE, Kirkland, WA 98034.
Admission is free.
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Upcoming Parent Education
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WA State Education Funding Proposals
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Every Student Succeeds Family Resources from OSPI
NOW IN NINE LANGUAGES
Title I: Federal Programs,
Title II: Teacher & Principal Quality, &
Title III: English Learners, as well as Equity and 21st Century Community Learning Centers.
These flyers were created to help readers understand the new federal education law-without first taking a course in legalese. They have been translated into Arabic, Korean, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Tagalog, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese. English-language flyers are available on the ESSA resource page 2/28
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104th WSPTA Annual Convention - April 28-30
This year's annual convention is April 28-30 at the Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference center. You can take the 545 bus from Redmond and catch the train to the airport to attend. Rooms are also available at the convention rate if you'd like to stay over. Convention is a wonderful experience where you can meet PTA members from around the state and learn about tools and resources available to your school.
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Featured National PTSA Benefit - Teensafe.com
Are you a member of RMS PTSA? If you answered "Yes", great! Then you're also a member of the Washington State PTA and National PTA. TeenSafe, a sponsor of the National PTA, is offering a 7-day free trial to all parents who sign up. TeenSafe provides iOS and Android smartphone monitoring without the need to jailbreak your child's iOS device. For more information visit
TeenSafe.com
2/28
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Redmond High School News and Events
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JUDGES NEEDED for WA State DECA - March 3 in Bellevue
JUDGES NEEDED.
WA State DECA is in desperate need of judges. Judge projects at home on your computer or at the event on March 3rd - Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue. RHS is responsible for the Sports and Entertainment Team Decision Making event, but there are many other events in need of judges. Register. Questions email: Grace Brady or Tom Bunnell
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HOST FAMILIES NEEDED THIS SPRING
Would you like to experience another culture without leaving home? Mitaka High School in Tokyo will be making their 2nd visit to RHS this upcoming Spring (March 25th-April 2nd) and we are searching for 6 more home stay families to host these students. Hosting a student from Japan is an excellent way to experience another culture. No Japanese language ability is necessary to host. Home stay families are compensated $200 from Educational Tour Centers for their participation in the program. For more information, check out this flyer . Questions? Email Mr. Kuyper, Japanese teacher
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You shop. Amazon gives!
Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. (
Redmond Middle School PTSA 2 8 80, of course!)
Support your charitable organization by starting your shopping at
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LAKE WASHINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
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UPCOMING Lake Washington School District EVENTS
No events posted this week
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A Message from Dr. Jon Holmen - Input Needed
Dear Lake Washington School District family:
Lake Washington School District is building three new schools in the Redmond area. Two new elementary schools will open in fall 2018. A new middle school will open in fall 2019. To determine student attendance for elementary and middle schools in Redmond, new school boundaries will be drawn.
A staff committee will work to determine new boundaries. The committee will use criteria to evaluate boundary options.
We value parent input. We invite you to take a survey to rank the importance of the criteria. Throughout the boundary process, parents will have several opportunities to provide feedback on possible boundary scenarios.
Thank you,
Dr. Jon Holmen
Associate Superintendent
Student and School Support Services
Lake Washington School District
2/28
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LWSD Athletic Survey
The Lake Washington School District is committed to offering quality athletic programs to our middle school students. The district seeks parent input regarding proposed adjustments to the middle school athletic program to better address capacity and equity issues. Parents can complete a brief survey and learn more by clicking here.
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Horace Mann Elementary is looking for students who are interested in volunteering (to get credits). Their Science Fair is coming up on March 2nd from 6-8pm. Shifts can begin at 3:30 and students can volunteer in two hour blocks. They are looking for students who can help set up the venue at Horace Mann. Duties include: unfolding tables and arranging them in order, signing participants in and helping with demos. Students can be from either Redmond Middle School or Redmond High School. Sign up to help here or if you have questions,
please email Horace Mann here
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CITY OF REDMOND EVENTS / ACTIVITIES
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City of Redmond Programs
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Teen Cooking
Thursdays, March 2-30
$236, 3:00-4:30pm
In this class, teens will make take-home family meals and learn some basic kitchen skills with a focus in knife skills and food safety. The course is taught by the Rainy Day Dinner Club and prioritizes local ingredients and scratch cooking.
Register here with
code #7313
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Introduction to Glass Blowing
Mondays, March 6- 27
$156 3:00-5:00pm
In this course, a professional glass artist will guide students through demonstrations and hands-on exercises. Each student will create an ornament, paperweight, bowl, and a seasonal piece.
Register here with code #7311
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Lake Washington Schools Foundation
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**NEW**
Helping Your Teen Navigate the College Process - Feb 28, 7 pm
This workshop will help parents understand the college process and learn how to help their child. Bring paper and a pen - be ready to take notes!
Tuesday, February 28th, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Location: LWSD Resource Center (16250 NE 74th Street, Redmond)
The college process has changed a lot over the years. Many teens and parents feel anxious and worry that they will make the wrong decision. This event will provide answers to parents' questions. Topics include:
* College application timeline
* How to create a college list
* Overview of paying for college
* What you need to know about highly selective (Ivy League) schools
* Standardized tests and how to prepare
* What parents can do to help their teen take control of the process
* The five parts of the college application
The workshop will be led by Mary Pat O'Neil of
True Fit College Counseling in Redmond.
Mary Pat is an independent college counselor who loves to help teens take control of the college process and lessen their stress. Both of her children attended Eastlake High School where Mary Pat was active in the PTSA. She founded Eastlake Angels in 2014 which provides support for students whose families are experiencing financial hardship.
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**NEW**
Send Your Teacher Some Love This Valentine's Day
- $25 - we'll recognize you and your teacher on the Lake Washington Schools Foundation website's Wall of Love
- $35 -you'll receive website recognition and we'll send a Valentine's card to your teacher
- $50 -you'll receive website recognition, and your teacher will receive a Valentine's card and special Valentine's pin for their lapel
Every teacher that is honored will receive an e-mail with a link to the Wall of Love.
Donations must be received by February 28th
. You may donate anonymously. Thank you for supporting our teachers!
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Save the Date - March 28 or 30
Thank you! We are on our way to reaching our Fall/Workplace Giving goal of $80,000 thanks to our generous community. Consider making a year end gift to support students.
Save A Date - Join
us at one of our two spring fundraising events, the Spring for Learning Luncheon, March 28th or Breakfast on March 30th at the Redmond Town Center Marriott hotel. Be sure to mark your calendar to support our school community. Interested in joining the team to help make these events a huge success?
* Serve as a table captain, a corporate partner or help recruit corporate partners
* Volunteer for the spring events committee
* Help recruit community members to the event
Please visit our
Volunteer page
on our website to sign up for these opportunities.
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Youth Eastside Services (YES)
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Redmond Area Events and Activities
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What's going on in the area?
Links to local websites with calendars and ideas
Redmond PTSA is providing these links only as a resource for our families, not as an endorsement of any particular site. If you know of a calendar or website featuring local events and activities suitable for families,
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SUBMIT YOUR NEWS TO BEAR TRACKS!
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THURSDAY is the Deadline for the next Bear Tracks edition!
Got something to say? Shout it from email inboxes with the RMS Bear Tracks newsletter!
The Bear Tracks newsletter accepts articles from parents, students and staff on a variety of subjects for our school and community,
to be published at the discretion of the editor
(Suzanne Weininger).
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