Jaguar Tales
September 22, 2023
Hello, Jaguar Family!
As we wrap up a great week at Cedar Valley, please remember that Monday, Sept. 25 is a Staff Development Day for our staff. There is no school for students. We look forward to seeing them when school resumes on Tuesday, Sept. 26.
Have a great weekend!
Larissa Ortiz
Cedar Valley Middle School Principal
Larissa_ortiz@roundrockisd.org
512-428-2307
Evacuation Drill Conducted
The safety and well-being of our students and staff are our top priorities, and conducting regular drills is an essential part of our preparedness efforts. During the drills, students and staff practiced the procedures that would be followed in the event of a real emergency.
This week our students and staff practiced a Evacuation Drill. This drill is used to practice safely evacuating the building in the event of a hazard inside the building (ex: fire).
If you have any further questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Andrew_Carroll@roundrockisd.org.
6th Grade Science Students in Action
Jaguar Football!
The Jaguars won 3 out of 4 games against the Walsh Wildcats. Nice job, Jags!
- The 7B Jaguars won 28 to 0
- The 7A Jaguars won 20 to 14
- The 8B Jaguars won 18 to 12
- The 7A Jaguars lost 6 to 24
Lady Jaguar Volleyball!
Our Lady Jags Volleyball teams played Ridgeview MS Thursday night. All four teams brought home wins!
- 7A: 25-22, 11-25, 25-19
- 7B: 25-19, 25-22
- 8A: 25-12, 25-13
- 8B: 25-19, 25-11
Currently, all four teams are 3-0 in district! Way to go, Lady Jags!
Thank you, PTA!
Our fabulous PTA parents treated our staff to a pasta and salad lunch on Wednesday. It was not only delicious, but such a nice gesture of support. Having lunch taken care of is one less thing for our staff to think about during a busy school year. Thank you to everyone who contributed and volunteered. We sure felt the love!
Fall Dance - Sept. 29, 4-6pm
Dance Volunteers & Donations Needed
Our first all-school dance is Friday, September 29th from 4-6pm! We need your help and donations to make it a successful fundraiser for our choir and theater programs. Click here to donate snacks and here to volunteer. We appreciate your support!
Welcome, Mr. Saray!
Please help me welcome our newest Spanish teacher, Mr. Edwin Saray. He joined us on September 11 and has been doing an excellent job getting to know his students and jumping right into the content. He is part of Round Rock ISD's International Teacher Program. The district welcomed all teachers participating in the program with a dinner earlier this week. We are so fortunate to have Mr. Saray join our staff!
Mr. Saray grew up in Bogota, Colombia. He attended Uniagustiniana University for his Specialization in Pedagogy and La Salle University for his Master's Degree in Teaching. He enjoys being with his family and outdoor activities. He also likes playing soccer and cycling and trying all kinds of sports, traveling, and learning from different cultures. On his farm, he has two dogs Solita and Solin, and one cat, which is his favorite, Laureano.
He is excited to share his culture and be able to teach his students how to express themselves in Spanish and experience other cultures through this language.
Thank you, Mr. Alvarez
This week we celebrated Mr. Alvarez for National IT Professional Day. He joined our campus this year as our campus ITS and we are thrilled that he is a Jag. He is very helpful to our students and our staff. He does everything with a smile and a willing attitude! Thank you for everything you do!
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
PSAT Testing - Save the Date (8th Grade)
RRHS Homecoming Events (and food drive)
Please see the flyer below for upcoming Homecoming events at Round Rock High School. The entire community is invited to join in the festivities.
Wednesday, September 27, 2023:
Homecoming Parade: 5:30 pm
Homecoming Pep Rally: 6:30 pm
Please bring a canned food donation to the pep rally to benefit the Round Rock Serving Center if you can. Please be sure to let them know you are representing Cedar Valley with your donation. The middle school with the most donations will win Kona Ice for the whole school! We are competing against Walsh and Chisholm Trail. Let's bring home another win!
The Just for Jags Direct Donation Campaign started Monday, September 18th and is a major fundraising effort for PTA. Nothing to sell or buy, just your tax-deductible contributions direct to PTA.
Did you know that Cedar Valley PTA school contributions benefit EVERY student at CeVMS? Help PTA continue our current support level and make it grow! CeVMS PTA uses these funds throughout our campus for software and technology purchases, classroom supplies and innovative learning materials, staff appreciation, scholarship opportunities, and SO MUCH MORE! Get additional information or make your donation today here.
Flyers and envelopes will go to students through their advisory classrooms. Cash, check, and credit card donations accepted. Find out if you can double your donation through your employer! Contact donations@cevmspta.org with any questions. We appreciate your support!
Attention 8th Grade Jaguars! The 8th grade Class of 2028 T-Shirts are available for pre-orders! Pre-orders will be accepted until 10/22 with estimated delivery before fall break. All sales help us find the 8th grade dance in May. Get yours before it’s too late!
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.
School Pictures
School picture day has come and gone! Retakes/make-ups scheduled for Thursday, November 9th. Advisory teachers distributed the school photo order forms to students on Friday, September 15th. The easiest way to order is to pay online using the code provided on the order form. If an order form never made it home, you can simply go to the website and take care of your picture orders. Please use code 501723F25.
Ordering a Yearbook
Yearbooks are currently available for purchase and have been selling fast! Click here to order your Jaguar Yearbook. There are only a handful of books left to purchase with the $10 discount promo code. The price will steadily increase throughout the year. 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! There is limited space in the book for these ads, so please don’t wait until there is no more real estate for your precious babies!
The deadline to purchase Recognition Ads is February 8th!
Kickin’it Back to Summer
Our CeVMS yearbook always includes a summer section to celebrate students’ summer adventures and memories. To create this spread, the staff needs your help. Thanks to everyone who has already shared some awesome summer photos! To be on this spread in the yearbook, please send your best summer photos (limit of 3 please) in JPEG format to Kathleen_Johnston@roundrockisd.org by September 29th. Please provide the first name, last name, and grade level of students in the pictures. A yearbook staff member will gather all the fun details during a short interview with their fellow Jags.
If you have any questions, please contact Cedar Valley’s Yearbook advisor, Kathleen Johnston at Kathleen_Johnston@roundrockisd.org.
Book Fair - Oct. 23-27
For more information, please visit https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/cedar_valley.
Happy reading!
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.
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.
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
9/23 - RRISD Volleyball Tournament at Cedar Valley
9/23 - Cross Country Meet at Old Settler's Park, 1-3pm
9/25 - Staff Development Day (No school for students)
9/26 - Pet Clinic at Cedar Valley, 5-7pm
9/26 - PTA General Meeting, Cedar Valley Cafeteria, 7pm
9/27 - Cross Country Meet at Stony Point HS, 4:30-7:30pm
9/27 - RRHS Homecoming Events, 5:30-7:30
9/28 - FCA Meeting, Lecture Hall, 7:45am
9/28 - Girls Volleyball vs. Hopewell (7th Away, 8th Home), 5:30pm
9/28 - Tabletop Games (club), Rm 2115, 3:40pm
9/29 - StuCo Meeting, Lecture Hall, 7:40am
9/29 - School Dance, 4-6pm
10/2 - School Custodian Appreciation Day
10/2 - 7th Grade Football vs. Ridgeview at Cedar Ridge HS, 5pm
10/3 - Debate Club, Lecture Hall, 3:35-4:30pm
10/3 - Spanish Club, Rm 3112, 3:45-4:20pm
10/4 - Cross Country Meet at Stony Point HS, 4:30-8:00pm
10/4 - 7th Grade Football vs. Ridgeview at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex, 5pm
10/5 - Tabletop Games (club), Rm 2115, 3:40pm
10/5 - Girls Volleyball vs. Canyon Vista (7th Home, 8th Away), 5:30pm
10/6 - National Coaches Day
10/6 - NJHS Meeting, Lecture Hall, 7:45am
10/9 - Staff Development Day (No school for students)
10/10 - GSA Club, Rm 2115, 3:40-4:15
10/10 - 7th Grade Football vs. Hopewell at Stony Point HS, 5pm
10/11 - PSAT Testing (8th grade only)
10/11 - 8th Grade Football vs. Hopewell at SKelly Reeves Athletic Complex, 5pm
10/12 - Mass Vision & Hearing Screening (7th grade and all new to CeVMS)
10/12 - Girls Volleyball vs. Walsh (7th Away, 8th Home), 5:30pm
5pm
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. Gorman