Jaguar Tales
January 27, 2024
Hello, Jaguar Family!
Despite the heavy rain and the headaches that can bring to our usual routine, there is a lot to celebrate this week! Cedar Valley Jags are making themselves known all across the district and the state. Please join us in celebrating the many successes shared below.
Have a great weekend! Go Jags!
Larissa Ortiz
Cedar Valley Middle School Principal
Larissa_ortiz@roundrockisd.org
512-428-2307
TAME Club Awards at the Regional Competition
Engineering Mindset Award - Kevin L. (6th Grade)
1st Place in Overall Team Award - John J. (6th Grade) and Varenyaa S. (7th Grade)
2nd Place in Overall Team Award - Katie R. (8th Grade)
3rd Place in Overall Team Award - Avani M (6th Grade) and Krishn B. (8th Grade)
4th Place in Overall Team Award - Will F. (8th Grade) and Dhani G. (8th Grade)
TAME is led by their sponsor, Mrs. Sur.
Nice job, Jags!
Future Cities Competition Results
On Saturday, January 20, 2024, the Future City Club students competed in the Regional Future City Club competition held in Houston. Cedar Valley was the only RRISD campus to compete against 22 other teams from around the state.This year we had an overwhelming amount of CeVMS student interest in participating with our club and therefore split students into two teams who each created their own futuristic cities, Shangri-La and Serenity. Teams consisted of 6th, 7th and 8th graders in which some knew one another and others who did not. These two teams spent months collaborating, planning, and developing an essay submission filled with science and engineering factors establishing why their futuristic cities were a place to live and thrive. A model showcasing their city and its innovative, clean energy sources were also designed using primarily recycled materials and a budget of $100. Seven selected presenters from our two teams and their families made their way to Houston on Friday right after school in order to prepare for the competition on Saturday at the NASA Johnson Space Gilruth center. This year’s challenge, Electrify Your Future, asked teams to design a 100% electrically powered city with energy generated from sources that keep their citizens and the environment healthy and safe. Part of the competition required the students to present to and answer questions from judges including a county commissioner, young engineer of the year, and our state’s engineer of the year.
Shangri-La won 2nd place overall and Serenity received recognition for Best Space!
The following students all had a role in making this year’s submissions successful: Jonathan L., Hasith G. , Caton B., Aarav S., Nathan J., Amber C., Amulya B., Rishi P., Asher C., Arnav D., John J., Akhil P., Rohan K., Sehun P., Weston M., and Karshin K.
Congratulations on these accomplishments!
Future Cities is led by their sponsor, Mrs. Taylor, who also traveled with the teams to Houston.
2024 Cedar Valley MS Spelling Bee Results
The 2024 Cedar Valley MS Spelling Bee was held on January 11th. Seventeen students successfully moved from the online preliminary round to the in-person rounds. After 66 rounds and 505 words, the following students were the school spelling bee winners:
1st - Akshera V.
2nd - Anvi R.
Both Akshera and Anvi advanced to the Austin Regional Spelling Bee! Congratulations!
2024 Academic UIL Results
Over 600 middles schoolers from Round Rock ISD participated in the Middle School UIL A+ Academic Meet. A huge CONGRATULATIONS to the team for bringing home a second place finish! Nice work!
Cedar Valley Results:
Oral Reading 7th grade, 5th place: Anshika Y.
Calculator Applications 6th grade, 5th place: Advaith R.
Calculator Applications 7th grade, 2nd place: Arushman K.
Impromptu Speaking 7th grade, 3rd place: Shreya P.
Impromptu Speaking 8th grade, 1st place: Kanishk L. and 4th place: Aashka C.
Ready Writing 7th grade, 4th place: Prajna H. and 5th place: Zoya S.
Dictionary Skills 6th grade, 1st place: Emily W., 2nd place: Ethan K., and 4th place: Advaiyt S.
Dictionary Skills 7th grade, 2nd place: Amurtha M. and 5th place: Dhanya K.
Dictionary Skills 8th grade, 1st place: Sisira M. and 5th place: Parinitha T.
Listening Skills 6th grade, 4th place: Shiv A.
Listening Skills 7th grade, 1st place: Vihaan P. and 6th place: Arjun S.
Listening Skills 8th grade, 2nd place: Saanvi S.
Chess 6th grade, 4th place: YangYang S. and 6th place: Srikar P.
Chess 7th grade, 4th place: Esha P.
Chess 8th grade, 1st place: Krish M., 2nd place: Zain A., and 5th place: Isshaan C.
Number Sense 6th grade, 2nd place: Atri J. and 4th place: Anton N.
Number Sense 7th grade, 6th place: Jennifer Z.
Number Sense 8th grade, 6th place: Soham S.
Maps, Graphs, and Charts 6th grade, 3rd place: Reyansh V.
Maps, Graphs, and Charts 8th grade, 3rd place: Owen D. and 4th place: Arshia S.
Spelling 6th grade, 1st place: Emily W., 5th place: Prakruti R., and 6th place: Joy L.
Spelling 7th grade, 4th place: Parthini T. and 6th place: Aumkar H.
Social Studies 6th grade, 2nd place: Ayaan S.
Social Studies 7th grade, 4th place: Pranjana H.
Social Studies 8th grade, 4th place: Joshua S.
Science 6th Grade, 2nd place: Aashrita K., 4th place: Leo Y., and 6th place: Kushal S.
Science 7th grade, 1st place: Matthew W., 2nd place: Ananya M.
Science 8th grade, 6th place: Rithwik D.
Elite Section of the Austin Monthly January Classic Chess Results
Cedar Valley 8th Grader Rahul M. finished in first place in the Elite Section of the Austin Monthly January Classic on Saturday, January 13, 2024. His fellow CeVMS chess team member, Arjun P. tied for fourth. Way to represent CeVMS!
Thank you, PTA!
A hearty and warm thanks to the Cedar Valley PTA for providing a SOUPER BOWL appreciation lunch for our staff! Everything was delicious and we appreciate the support!
Valentines Deliveries
Cedar Valley will not be accepting Valentine's Day deliveries. Please ask caring family members and friends to have valentines delivered to each student's home. Thank you for your understanding.
Rising 6th Grader Information
Do you know a rising 6th grader? A sibling? A neighbor? This information is for all future Jags. Please spread the word!
(This information is for RISING 6th graders. More information will be shared soon regarding rising 7th and 8th graders soon. Stay tuned.)
We are looking forward to your family joining our Cedar Valley Middle School community next year! As we prepare for the 2024-2025 school year, we have several important events to share with you.
Please mark these dates on your calendar:
Tuesday, February 6th, sixth grade Advanced Academic and Middle School Transition Information Night will be held at Patsy Sommer from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 7th, sixth grade Advanced Academic and Middle School Transition Information Night will be held at Great Oaks from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Thursday, February 8th, sixth grade Advanced Academic and Middle School Transition Information Night will be held at Brushy Creek from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Monday, February 12th, Fifth Grade Parent Night and Elective showcase will be held at Cedar Valley from 4:00-6:00 p.m. This night is designed specifically for us to answer any questions you may have about course offerings as your child transitions to middle school as well as explore elective options offered in sixth grade. The fair will begin in the CeVMS commons followed by a Q&A style meeting in the cafeteria from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Friday, February 16th, the choice sheet link will be emailed to all incoming CeVMS sixth grade students via their RRISD student email account. Parents and students can log in to their student’s email account to complete the choice sheet electronically. View the RRISD middle school course catalog here.
Friday, February 23rd, course selections are due and the choice sheet link will be closed.
Jag Camp and parent meeting will be held before the first day of school to provide all students an opportunity to become familiar with Cedar Valley before school starts. We look forward to you joining the Jaguar Family!
NJHS Walk4Wishes Carnival: Feb. 24, 10:00-1:00
CeVMS YEARBOOK 2023 - 2024
All the things you need to know about ordering the Cedar Valley yearbook and portraits this year are noted below. You can always find the most up to date information here.
We will begin dropping little hints at the theme and look of this year’s book between now and the distribution day in May. The first hint is…it will be a SENSational book!
Ordering a Yearbook
Yearbooks are currently available for purchase and have been selling fast! Click here to order your Jaguar Yearbook. The only way to guarantee a copy is to pre-order online! Seriously, don’t wait until it is too late! The last day to order a yearbook with personalization on it (your name, activity/sports icons, etc…) is Friday, January 26th!
8th Grade Student Recognition Ads
Don’t forget about those special pages in the back of the yearbook full of adorable pictures and sweet words from parents. Click HERE then scroll down to Recognition Ads to create and order your ad. This is a great way to congratulate and honor your child as you send them off to high school!
FINAL deadline to purchase and create the recognition ads is February 8th. We were able to get the company to add four more pages due to high demand, but space is running out fast. Please don’t wait until it’s too late!
Photos Needed of Wonderful Winter Vacation
The yearbook staff designed a super creative spread to show off all the wonderful places our Jags traveled to over the winter break. If you have photos from travels beyond Texas during December and January, please email them to Kathleen_Johnston@roundrockisd.org in JPEG format no later than Friday, February 16th. Please include the following info in your email:
Student’s Name
Grade
Travel Destination
Any fun details you wish to add (optional)
Blasts from the Past
If you missed your chance to purchase a 2022 or 2023 yearbook, you are in luck. The yearbook staff is selling some extra books ordered over the summer that were never claimed. The 2022 book is $10 and the 2023 book is $25 (half off)! Supplies are limited, so click HERE if you would like to reserve one of these amazing books.
If you have any questions, please contact Cedar Valley’s Yearbook advisor, Kathleen Johnston at Kathleen_Johnston@roundrockisd.org.
Upcoming Ambassador Chats
*UPDATED STAAR Testing Dates - Spring 2024*
**Please notes have been updated since they were last shared on Jan. 1. Please update your calendars accordingly.**
Our students will be taking the state-mandated STAAR tests this Spring. We kindly ask that our families avoid scheduling appointments on the days when their students are testing. Also please note, campus visitors will be limited on these days.
April 16 - ELA STAAR - Grades 6, 7, and 8
April 22 - Social Studies STAAR -Grade 8 only
April 23 - Science STAAR - Grade 8 only
April 26 - Math STAAR - Grades 6, 7, and 8 (includes Algebra 1 EOC)
More information about the STAAR tests can be found here.
If you have campus-specific questions about the STAAR test, please contact the campus testing coordinator, Jennifer_Bingham@roundrockisd.org.
AVANT Test for Placement and Credit (Language Testing)
Language testing is available for students to earn credits toward their graduation requirements in Languages Other Than English (LOTE).
Students at CeVMS should contact Ms. Liz Guidry (7th grade counselor) for a permission form to register for the Spring testing date of March 22, 2024. The completed permission form is due by March 8, 2024.
Arrival and Dismissal Safety
1. Please use the designated drop off lanes for arrival and pick up.
2. If you choose to drop off and/or pick up along the street, we ask that everyone use the crosswalk. Do not cross in the middle of the street.
3. If you drop off and/or pick up on Cornerwood near the staff and visitor parking lot, students should use the crosswalk within the parking lot. We have seen students dart out in the middle of the parking lot, in front of moving cars. This is very dangerous.
Everyone plays a role in ensuring student safety. Please help us out!
When to Keep Your Child Home From School
We are seeing increased cases of stomach symptoms this week. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Texas Department of State Health Services, and RRISD recommend that students be kept home from school if any of the following conditions exist:
Signs of severe illness, including fever, irritability, difficulty breathing, crying that doesn’t stop with the usual comforting, or extreme sleepiness.
Diarrhea or stools that contain blood or mucus.
Vomiting two or more times in 24 hours, unless a physician feels the cause of vomiting is not an infectious disease, writes a note the student is in no danger of becoming dehydrated.
Mouth sores and drooling until a physician or the health authority does not feel the condition is infectious.
Fever, rash, or a change in behavior, until a physician has determined that the problem is not caused by an infectious disease.
Fever: Students with a temperature of 100ËšF or above will be sent home. To prevent the spread of a contagious disease, ill students must be symptom-free and fever-free without the use of temperature reducing medications for 24 hours before returning to school.
Prohibited Items
New Yard Signs Are Here!
Our new yard signs have arrived! They can be purchased on our campus e-store. Simply make the purchase online under the student's name and have your student bring their proof of purchase and their ID to the main office to pick it up.
Cost: $10 (includes tax) + $1.50 processing fee
Includes the sign and the yard stake
Volunteers Needed!
One of the best ways to show your student that education is important to you is by volunteering at their school. There are lots of different ways to contribute your time, support and resources.
Please fill out the Volunteer Interest Form below to help us match your interests with the school's needs (such as Staff Appreciation, Dances, Pet Clinic, etc).
This does NOT commit you to anything other than possibly receiving emails when we need help in your areas of interest.
Expectations for Students at RRISD Events
Be Safe:
- Stay SEATED in the bleachers unless going to the restroom or concession stand.
- Items prohibited on campus are prohibited at games.
- Unsafe behavior such as horseplay, fighting, and running could result in being removed from the event.
Be Responsible:
- Follow guidelines for food & drinks.
- Throw away all trash before leaving the stands/gym.
- Call for a ride at the end of halftime. If a student is picked up after 15 minutes of the game ending, it may result in loss of privilege to attend the next game/ event.
These expectations apply to all RRISD extracurricular events. We hold high expectations for students as a spectator at Cedar Valley, but even higher ones when you are visiting another gym or stadium in Round Rock ISD.
Please be aware that students may be asked to leave the event if these expectations are not met. This will also result in losing privileges to attend other events for the school year.
Jag Lobby Reminders
In order to help things run smoothly, we ask that you please remember the following...
Lunch Cart: If you are dropping off a lunchbox for your student you may leave it on our lunch cart in the Jag Lobby. The cut off is 10:45 am, at which point the cart is taken to the cafeteria for students to collect their lunch during their lunch period. After this time students have to be called from class, causing a disruption to the teacher, classroom, and student's instructional time.
Deliveries: From 11:00am-2:00pm we are unable to deliver to classrooms. Any items dropped off during these hours cannot be delivered until 7th period.
Outside food: Fast food/restaurant food is discouraged as it creates a conflict with our supplier contracts.
Student pick up cut off time: Please take note that the latest we can call for students is 3:15 pm. After this time, we are preparing for after school dismissal.
Attendance Policies & Procedures For All Student Absences
- Students should bring their absence notes to the Attendance Office(in Jag Lobby) when they return to school from their absence(s).
- It is not necessary to call the school and report an absence.
- Students can communicate with their teachers and keep up with their assignments through Schoology.
- Absence notes are required to the Attendance Office no later than 2 days of return from absence.
- Absence notes should be from the parent/guardian and/or a medical provider if seen stating the student's name, specific date(s) missed, and reason for the absence.
- Late notes are still required to avoid possible truancy, but will remain coded as unexcused.
- Emails are not accepted as parent/guardian notes in middle or high school.
- However, we will take scanned medical notes.
- RRISD excuses student sickness and death in the immediate family.
- Please do not contact or send attendance notes for student absences to the teachers or school nurse.
- Filling out district covid reporting is recommended, but does not act as a campus absence note.
Please direct all attendance correspondence to the Attendance Office:
Dana Harrison
E-mail: dana_harrison@roundrockisd.org
Phone: 512-428-2305
Upcoming Events
All events at Cedar Valley can be found on the Cedar Valley Master Calendar.
Did you know that you can add the Cedar Valley Master Calendar to your calendar? Simply click on this link to access it and add it to your calendar!
Join PTA Today!
Visit our Cedar Valley PTA Online Store to purchase your annual PTA membership, make donations, and purchase your Cedar Valley merchandise at our one stop shop!
Cedar Valley Middle School
Vision: Fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners
Website: https://cedarvalley.roundrockisd.org/
Location: 8139 Racine Trail, Austin, TX, USA
Phone: 512-428-2300
Facebook: facebook.com/rrisd.cedarvalley
Twitter: @cevmsjags
We are here to help:
Front Office Staff
Administrative Associate - Principal's Office: Ms. Jannina Johnson, 512-428-2316
Administrative Assistant - Assistant Principals' Office: Ms. Allison Chappelle, 512-428-2303
Administrative Assistant - Counseling Office: Ms. Marilyn Beal, 512-428-2348
Attendance: Ms. Dana Harrison, 512-428-2305
Receptionist: Ms. Allison Samuelson, 512-428-2301
Registrar: Ms. Vicky Escruceria, 512-428-2315
Counselors
8th Grade Counselor: Ms. Gabrielle Kerr
7th Grade Counselor:Ms. Elizabeth Guidry
6th Grade Counselor: Ms. Heather Mills
Administration
Principal: Ms. Larissa Ortiz8th Grade Assistant Principal: Ms. Jennifer Bingham
7th Grade Assistant Principal: Mr. Andrew Carroll
6th Grade Assistant Principal: Ms. Sherrin Gorman