Jaguar Tales
February 4, 2024
Hello, Jaguar Family!
We hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. We are looking forward to another great week ahead. Please be sure to review the testing information below for Feb. 9.
Have a great weekend! Go Jags!
Larissa Ortiz
Cedar Valley Middle School Principal
Larissa_ortiz@roundrockisd.org
512-428-2307
Theatre 3 Spring Performance
AMC 8 Results
The AMC 8 is a 25-question, 40-minute, multiple-choice examination in middle school mathematics designed to promote the development of problem-solving skills. The AMC 8 provides an opportunity for middle school students to develop positive attitudes towards analytical thinking and mathematics that can assist in future careers. Students apply classroom skills to unique problem-solving challenges in a low-stress and friendly environment.
Here are the top place holders at CeVMS:
1st Place winners: Score of 19
Anton N., 6th Grade
Jennifer Z., 7th Grade
2nd Place winners: Score of 18
Atri J., 6th Grade
Anvi R., 8th Grade
3rd Place winners: Score of 17
Andrew C., 8th Grade
Asher C., 8th Grade
Lina K., 8th Grade
Kushal S., 6th Grade
Congratulations, Jags!
Pedestrian Safety
We have seen an increase in unsafe pedestrian behavior. Parents, we kindly ask that you talk with your students about what it means to be safe and alert if they are going to walk to and from school. Most importantly, students are required to use the crosswalks near school grounds. Many drivers are not expecting pedestrians to cross the busy streets outside of the controlled crosswalk. We have seen some close calls in recent weeks and all of these are avoidable. Let's all work together to spread the word about safety.
School-Wide Testing - Feb. 9
On Friday, February 9, all students will be testing. Our 7th and 8th grade students will participate in a STAAR EOC Stand-Alone Field Test. Cedar Valley has been chosen to participate for grades 7-8 and is a TEA requirement. The purpose of the test is to gather data to improve future tests and to familiarize students with the testing platform used in the Spring. This test is a PRACTICE test and will mirror the exact same testing environment used in the Spring for the STAAR exams. Our 6th grade students will be taking the ELA STAAR interim on the same day. We will be in campus testing mode for periods 1-3 with their advisory teacher.
Please review the following information as it will help your students prepare for test day. Please make sure to bring your school-issued Chromebook fully charged as one is required for testing.
If your student receives an oral administration accommodation, they may bring their own plug-in headphones or earbuds. Blue-tooth headphones are NOT allowed, they must plug into their Chromebook.
Before test day, ensure your RRISD Chromebook is in good working order. If students need to exchange a damaged/malfunctioning device, bring it to the ITS for an update/reset/exchange. Again, on test day, bring your assigned Chromebook fully charged. Any device problems on test day may cause delays, plan ahead!
What to Expect:
* Testing will begin at 8:45 with your advisory teacher.
* You will be expected to turn off your phone, iphone, ipods and turn it into a designated area in the room for the duration of the test. Any smart watches will need to be removed and turned in. Backpacks are to remain at the front of the room away from student desks.
* Testing will begin at 8:45. Students will test until the end of 3rd period and will not be dismissed until then. If a student completes the test before that time, they may read a book. Electronics will NOT be returned until testing is complete. Students will then be excused from class. Students will follow their regular schedule after the end of 3rd period for the remainder of the day.
Questions? Email Jennifer Bingham, Testing Coordinator at jennifer_bingham@roundrockisd.org
TAG Testing - Feb 7 & 8
Students who are signed up to be TAG tested, will be tested this week during the school day. Testing will begin at 8:15am on 2/7 and at 8:30am on 2/8.
For questions about the TAG testing, please contact Heather_mills@roundrockisd.org.
Boys Track Try-Out Schedule
Parent Input Requested: Upcoming Parent Sessions
As part of our effort to build and maintain partnerships with our families, we are requesting parent input. We would like to host periodic parent sessions with the principal. Please help us determine which topics matter most to you by completing this short survey. Thank you!
We are looking to host our first parent session during the evening of the first week of March. Date and exact time to be determined.
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!
Rising 7th and 8th Grader Information
This information is for our rising 7th and 8th graders (current 6th and 7th graders). Below are important dates for students and parents.
Feb. 15 Incoming 7th Grade Parent Mtg 5:30pm - 6:15pm, Cedar Valley Cafeteria
Feb. 15 Incoming 8th Grade Parent Mtg 6:30pm - 7:15pm, Cedar Valley Cafeteria
Feb. 16 Choice Sheets incoming 7th/8th handed out in PE
Feb. 23 Choice Sheets due to school counselors - Online Only
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.
Valentine Social - Feb. 16, 4-6pm
(click the image or link below to volunteer!)
All-School Valentine Social
Friday, February 16th, 4-6pm
(sponsored by FAC)
Wristbands go on sale Wed. 2/14/2024, during Lunch!
We need Volunteers and Donations to make this all-school party successful.
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!
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 NEXT THURSDAY, February 8th. We were able to get the company to add 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.
February is Black History Month (Click on the image below for more info.)
Central Texas Comic Con - Feb. 17 (Click the image below for more info.)
Student Holiday - Feb. 19, 2024 - No school
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