Jaguar Tales
March 22, 2024
Hello, Jaguar Family!
We were happy to welcome back all of our students and staff from Spring Break. After the time change and being off for the week, it was a bit of an adjustment, but in true Jaguar fashion, everyone stepped up. We are proud of the hard work and dedication of students and staff. We are thankful to our parents and family members who are our partners at home. As we enter the last nine weeks of school, we ask that everyone stay focused and stay strong through the last day of school (and beyond). We are focusing on making good and safe choices!
Please be reminded, there is no school on Friday, March 29. It is a student and staff holiday. All school and district offices are closed on this day. Classes will resume on Monday, April 1.
Have a great weekend! Go Jags!
Larissa Ortiz
Cedar Valley Middle School Principal
Larissa_ortiz@roundrockisd.org
512-428-2307
National French Contest
On Wednesday 90+ French students took part in the National French Contest--le Grand Concours, a nationwide competition testing their French skills to see how they compare to other francophones learning French across the United States.
National rankings will be released in late April. We look forward to celebrating their success as Madame Jackson projects many of these students will medal in this event from what she can see of their scores from the exam. Go Jags!
PTA Reflections Awards Ceremony
On Wednesday, students who submitted entries for Reflections were honored for their participation and success. We had a total of 25 entries. 9 advanced to Council Level and 2 advanced to State Level. Below is the list by category / Council Level/ State Level.
LITERATURE:
**Akshara A.
*Naveen B.
Anirudh D.
Angelica K.
*Nila M.
Kirthna N.
*Erin Y.
MUSIC COMPOSITION:
*Hiroshi G.
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Anisha H.
Angelina K.
*Kirthna N.
VISUAL ARTS:
Paige B.
**Dayul H.
*Asher J.
Ella J.
Angelina K.
Kushi K.
Kirthna N.
Persephone N.
Alex P.
*Prakruti R.
Ishani V.
Bree W.
LJ W.
Erin Y.
* Received Council Level Awards
** Received State Level Awards
*COUNCIL LEVEL AWARDS (9 advanced to Council Level)
OVERALL AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:
LITERATURE - Akshara A.
VISUAL ARTS - Dayul H.
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE:
LITERATURE - Nila M., Erin Y.
VISUAL ARTS - Asher J.
AWARD OF MERIT:
LITERATURE - Naveen B.
MUSIC COMPOSITION - Hiroshi G.
PHOTOGRAPHY- Kirthna N.
HONORABLE MENTION:
VISUAL ARTS - Prakruti R.
**STATE LEVEL AWARDS (2 advanced to State Level)
Award of Excellence - Dayul H.
Award of Merit - Akshara A.
Course Verification for Rising 6th, 7th, and 8th Graders
Rising 6th, 7th and 8th should check Home Access Center (HAC) between 3/22-3/28 to verify their courses for the next school year. Students who need to request a change to their course verification must do so by 3/28/2024, and they must use THIS FORM.
This form is for students who have a scheduling error or who have changed their minds about courses they indicated on their Choice Sheet. The requests will be processed in the order they are received. This is the LAST opportunity to make a change before your schedule is set for the upcoming school year. Student choices are the foundation for the master schedule, teaching assignments, and staffing. Thus, it is important that all student course change requests are entered into our master schedule correctly on THIS FORM.
For a description of classes, please consult the RRISD Course Catalog.
The deadline to make request changes is 3/28. NO change requests will be accepted after the verification window closes!
Cedar Valley Counseling Team
Gabby Kerr, 6th Grade, gabrielle_kerr@roundrockisd.org
Heather Mills, 7th Grade, heather_mills@roundrockisd.org
Liz Guidry, 8th Grade, elizabeth_guidry@roundrockisd.org
Updated RRISD COVID-19 Guidelines
The Texas Department of State Health Services has updated its school exclusion criteria to align the requirement for COVID-19 with those for other respiratory viruses like flu. Students now only need to be excluded from school until they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. You can find the current school communicable disease chart at www.dshs.texas.gov/idps-home/school-communicable-disease-chart.
Please keep your child home if your child has a fever over 100F and/or diarrhea or vomiting. Your child may return to school once he or she is fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications. Once your child can tolerate food and liquid without diarrhea and vomiting, he or she may return to school.
Thank you for keeping Cedar Valley healthy.
7th and 8th Grade Soccer Tryouts - April 1-2
7th & 8th grade soccer tryouts will be April 1-2, 2024
7th & 8th grade soccer tryouts will be April 1-2, 2024, after school from 3:45-5:30 PM. To be considered for the team, athletes must attend both days of tryouts. All athletes must sign up to tryout via the google form below, and have a physical on file with the coaching staff along with all RankOne online forms completed: Links for completing all required forms are below.
Physical Form & RankOne Forms & Soccer Tryout Sign Up Form
Girl Athletes - Please attach physical forms to the google sign up form or turn in all physicals to Coach Banks: kaytlynn_banks@roundrockisd.org
Boy Athletes - Please attach physical forms to the google sign up form or turn in all physicals to Coach Cearley: jared_cearley@roundrockisd.org
Cedar Valley Eclipse-Watching Plans
On April 8, 2024 our school will be participating in the viewing of the solar eclipse that will take place at about 1:32 - 1:41 pm. We plan to be outside by 1:15 with the students who have permission to participate. We understand that not everybody wishes to participate in the viewing of the solar eclipse. Please fill out the permission slip so we can get a head count for each group. We will use this information to determine an alternate activity for students who opt out. Permission slips are required for all students and are due on Monday, April 1.
In order to view the eclipse and ensure that all students receive lunch, there will be a shortened bell schedule on April 8. We plan to have teachers take their 7th period outside to enjoy the eclipse. Once 7th period teachers and students re-enter the building, they will have 46 minutes of instruction time before heading to 8th period.
To prepare for this event, on April 5th, during class time, all science teachers will be showing a presentation that will include how an eclipse happens, what to expect the day of the eclipse and safety precautions. We suggest that parents look through this presentation to understand what we expect from our students. The Houston Museum of Natural Science and Round Rock Learning Community will be providing solar viewers for the students. They will be distributed to the students before they go outside to watch the eclipse. Students are encouraged to bring their own things to sit on, like blankets or towels. No collapsible chairs, please.
Chloe's Pet Corral Donation Drive - Mar. 18-28
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, and here is a little sliver of the cover.
Ordering a Yearbook
Yearbooks are almost sold out. Click here to order your Jaguar Yearbook. We will not order extra books to sell in person on campus this year; the only way to guarantee a copy is to pre-order online! Seriously, don’t wait until it is too late!
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.
No School - Fri., March 29
No School - Wed. April 10
Lantern-Lit Night Sky (School Dance) - Apr. 5, 4-6pm
Lantern-Lit Night Sky
Cedar Valley All-School Party
Friday, April 5th, 4-6pm
(sponsored by Student Council)
Wristbands go on sale Wed. 4/3/2024 during Lunch.
Bring Cash!
We need Volunteers and Donations to make this all-school dance successful.
Thank you, PTA!
On Wednesday, the Cedar Valley PTA treated the staff to a picnic luncheon. As always, everything was delicious and spirits were high. Our staff greatly appreciates the support we receive from our PTA. Thank you to everyone who contributed funds, food, and time. We greatly enjoyed it!
Cedar Valley Summer Sports Camps
MHS IB Programme Information Meetings
RRHS Football Parent Meeting - Apr. 1, 6pm
RRHS Golf Information Meeting - Apr. 2, 6:30pm
Dragon Fan Appreciation Night - May 15
Little Dragon Football Camp - May 13-15
(For grades K-5)
RRHS Cross Country Kick Off - May 15
MHS Summer Camps
McNeil summer camp registrations are coming soon and many are already open for sign-ups. There are camps for elementary ages through middle/high school, and all are led by McNeil coaches. Go to: https://roundrockisd.store.rankone.com/Camp/List to view camp information and updates as new camps are posted.
Majestics in the Spotlight - Apr. 6
March is Women's History Month
(Click on the image for more info)
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.
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.
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: VACANT, 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