Jaguar Tales
November 12, 2023
Hello, Jaguar Family!
Happy Sunday! We hope everyone is having a great weekend. We have one more week filled with opportunities to engage and connect before Thanksgiving break. We look forward to seeing all of our students this week!
Have a great weekend!
Larissa Ortiz
Cedar Valley Middle School Principal
Larissa_ortiz@roundrockisd.org
512-428-2307
World Kindness Day - Mon. 11/13
World Kindness Day is Monday, 11/13 - Please encourage your student to do something kind for someone this coming Monday. There is also a Thankful Tree in the library where students can write something they are thankful for on a leaf.
Region Band Tryout Results
Last weekend, we had 32 students tryout for membership in the Region Band, which is the highest honor a middle school band student can earn. We are so proud of our students' hard work and accomplishments! The students listed below placed high enough to earn a spot in the Region Band. We even had 3 place high enough to make a spot on the Region Orchestra roster (top 5% of students.) Those students will be in bold. Way to go!
Flute:
Leslie C.
Hyojoo S.
Kelly S.
Anya W.
Oboe:
Akshera V.
Clarinet:
Krish M.
Alexis H.
Julian L.
Rishi P.
Bass Clarinet:
Aiden V.
Lauren H.
Alto Saxophone:
Joshua S.
Kaiden E.
Ryan D.
Trumpet:
Grant Y.
French Horn:
Zachary B.
Percussion:
William F.
Sydney S.
7th Grade Science in Action (Aquifer in a Cup)
7th Graders Visit the Capital
Special thanks to our 7th grade social studies teachers for their work in planning this special field trip for our 7th grade students.
Veteran's Day 2023
NJHS Benefit Concert 2023
Special thanks to our NJHS students, sponsor, and all staff and parents who helped make Cedar Valley's first-ever benefit concert a success. Many hours of planning and preparing took place by all involved. Thank you for your support, as our students help to make WISHES come true.
2024 Spelling Bee
Registration is open for the 2024 Cedar Valley Middle School Spelling Bee! Students can register at https://forms.gle/AEKv1YJbdxR331od7 .
Registration for this year's bee closes on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Registered participants will complete the preliminary bee online. Instructions for the online preliminary bee will be emailed to students after registration. The online preliminary bee must be completed by Thursday, January 4, 2024.
Students who qualify to move forward in the competition will be notified via email on Friday, January 5, 2024.
The remaining rounds of the 2024 Cedar Valley Middle School Spelling Bee will be held in person beginning at 3:45 pm on Thursday, January 11, 2024 in the lecture hall.
Questions? Please email Robin_Brown@roundrockisd.org.
A Message From The Nurse for 6th Graders
Hello, 6th-grade Parents,
The state of Texas requires two vaccines: 1) TDaP and 2) MCV before entering the 7th grade. Your child is probably getting TDaP and MCV at his or her annual check-up at age 10-12. As your child receives the vaccines, please get the updated immunization record from the pediatrician's office and bring it to school. All the 7th graders are expected to be up to date before the first day of 2023-2024 school year.
Thanksgiving Pies for Staff
The PTA has an annual tradition of providing each of our staff members with a Thanksgiving Pie to let them know how much we appreciate them. We will be purchasing the pies in bulk from Sams. If you would like to help contribute to our pie fund, please click here to make a donation. Thank you for all you do to help us spoil our Jag Staff and let them know how much they are appreciated.
Prohibited Items
PSAT Scores
PSAT scores (for the 8th graders) became available to view on Nov. 6. The scores can be viewed by logging in to the student's College Board account or by using the BigFuture School mobile app.
If you need help with logging in, please contact the College Board staff.
For more information about scores, please visit this site.
TAG Referral Window - Nov. 6-Dec. 8
The referral window for students to be considered for gifted services is from November 6, 2023 through December 8, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. You will find the registration link on the Round Rock ISD TAG website. On the morning of November 6th at 8:00 a.m. the links will be live and you can submit registration requests. After completing the online form, you will receive email confirmation of your referral for gifted services. Please keep a copy of the confirmation email for your records.
TAG Referral Information:
TAG Referral Information – English
TAG Referral Information – Spanish
If you have inquiries after reviewing the material, please join the RRISD TAG Department for a virtual Question and Answer session.
Date: November 13, 2023
Time: 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
>> Join the Google Meet
Please feel free to reach out to our TAG counselor Heather_mills@roundrockisd.org if additional assistance is needed.
8th Grade Visits to High School
On November 14th, 8th grade students will take school buses and visit either McNeil or Round Rock High School. They will be grouped in groups of 25 with an adult chaperone and will tour their high school campus. By default, it is the expectation that students will participate in this visit, but if you choose to opt your student out from the trip, please do so by filling out this Form and they will instead stay at Cedar Valley. You do not need to fill out this form unless you want to opt out of the high school visit. Students attending must go to the campus they are zoned for based on the address information we have on file.
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
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
All students should have received either their pre-ordered pictures or a flier with order information last week during their science class. If you have questions about photos, click HERE for details from 1st Photo Texas. If you missed picture day back in September, or you were unhappy with your photos, mark your calendars for retake/make-up day on November 9th.
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 $5 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!
Name Change Request
We want to honor the name students prefer to go by in the yearbook. However, we are required to use students' legal names as noted in their school registration unless we have it in writing from a parent/guardian that it is okay to use a different name. If you approve or wish for a name other than your child's legal name to appear in the yearbook, please click HERE to make your official name change request no later than Friday, 12/1.
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 that were 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.
Just for Jags Donation Drive EXTENDED! Grade level contest starts NOW!
Our Just for Jags Donation Drive has been extended until November 13th! There will be a grade level contest for donations - the class with the highest percentage level of participation will get FREE Kona Ice on November 15th. All donations count and these tax-deductible donations help CeVMS PTA continue to financially support our school by providing for classroom needs, technology purchases, educational materials, and so much more - for EVERY Jaguar student!
To donate with credit card, go to https://ch2v-322.memberhub.com/store/items/461050 or to find out more information on donations and matching, click here https://cedarvalleymiddle.ch2v.com/content.asp?PageID=16
We appreciate your support!
Go Jags!
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
11/13 - Rubik's Cube Club Meeting, Room 4104, 7:45am
11/13 - Future Cities Club, Room 1121-A, 3:35pm
11/13 - French Club Meeting, Room 3104, 3:40pm
11/14 - HS Visits to RRHS and MHS (8th grade only - please see info. above)
11/14 - Chess Club, Room 3109, 3:45
11/14 - GSA Club, Room 2115, 3:40pm
11/14 - Orchestra Concert, Gym, 7:30pm
11/15 - StuCo Officer Meeting, 7:40am, 1121-A
11/15 - Boys Basketball vs. Canyon Vista, 7th Home, 8th Away, 5:30pm
11/16 - Robotics Club, Room 1121-A, 3:35
11/16 - Table Top Games Club, Room 2115, 3:35pm
11/16 - Girls Basketball vs. Ridgeview, 7th Away, 8th Home, 5:30pm
11/17 - Calm Amidst Chaos Club, Library, 3:45pm
11/20 - 11/24 - No School; Fall Break
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