Jaguar Tales
February 10, 2024
Hello, Jaguar Family!
We hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. Whether you are enjoying rainy day activities inside or if you are venturing out in the elements, we hope you are doing things that bring you and your family JOY!
We are looking forward to another great week ahead.
Have a great weekend! Go Jags!
Larissa Ortiz
Cedar Valley Middle School Principal
Larissa_ortiz@roundrockisd.org
512-428-2307
Dance 1 DEAL Results
A BIG congratulations to the dancers who participated in the Dance Educators Assessment of Learning (DEAL) event at Cedar Ridge High School on Thursday! They did a phenomenal job, earning the highest remarks and the sought after division 1 blue ribbon!
Cedar Valley Teacher of the Year
Cedar Valley's Teacher of the Year is Mrs. Jessica Eaves. Mrs. Eaves serves Cedar Valley as a 7th grade resource and inclusion teacher. We are incredibly fortunate to have Mrs. Eaves who is well-respected among staff and students. She has great working relationships with the teachers on her team and does a great job of collaborating with them to ensure that instruction is aligned with the individual needs of our students. Mrs. Eaves is a mentor and leader on campus and a great resource for others. She develops great rapport with her students, helps them manage their classes and classwork, and holds them to high expectations while remaining supportive and friendly. What makes Mrs. Eaves great is that she REALLY cares about the kids and does what she can to help them.
Cedar Valley Paraprofessional of the Year
Cedar Valley's Paraprofessional of the Year is Ms. Allison Chappelle. Ms. Chappelle serves Cedar Valley as an administrative assistant in the main office. Ms. Chappelle is helpful and kind to everyone. She is always ready to assist teachers with any need they may have. She tries to make the the job of the teachers easier when they need to be out and she provides a warm welcome to our campus substitutes.
Save the Date: Popcorn With the Principal (Parent Session)
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 on Tuesday, March 5, at 6pm. More details to come.
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.)
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:
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
Rising 9th Graders: APPLY for P-TECH
Eighth-grade students from all 11 District middle schools who meet all requirements for promotion from eighth to ninth grade are eligible to apply. Students must submit their completed application, including three questions and educator recommendation, by Friday, March 8. Student acceptance notifications will start going out the week of March 25.
APPLY for P-TECH | Inscribe en P-TECH
For further information please visit our P-TECH website.
Reminder: CeVMS is a Phone-Free Learning Environment
Cedar Valley is a phone-free learning environment. Phones can distract from learning, interfere with community building and connection with others, and can contribute to online conflict. Students are required to keep their phones, earbuds, headphones in their backpacks between 8:10-3:35.
Phones and headphones are allowed in the morning while they wait to be released to 1st period.
No audio should come from the phone (please use headphones).
Phones, headphones, earbuds must be put away by 8:10.
Phones are not allowed to be used in restrooms or locker rooms - this will result in immediate possession of the phone
Students will receive a warning on the first offense. A second offense will result in confiscation with student pick up at the Jag Lobby at the end of the day. A third offense will require parent pick up at the end of the day from the Jag Lobby and a $15 fine.
Parents, please refrain from calling and texting your student during the school day. In the event of an emergency, please contact our main office at 512-428-2300 and we will get the message to your student.
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!)
Valentine Social
All-School GLOW Party!
Friday, February 16th, 4-6pm
(sponsored by FAC)
We need Volunteers and Donations to make this all-school party successful.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Wednesday - Friday LUNCH
Buy Discounted Wristbands at Lunch - Bring $5 CASH
Friday
Attire: Wear Neon or Valentine clothes!!!
Lunch: Get Your Wristband
3:35pm Take ALL belongings directly to the SMALL GYM
Buy food tickets, while you wait for the dance to start.
4:00pm DANCE TIME!!!
NO ENTRY after 4:15pm
NO RE-ENTRY if you leave
Take your money and phone with you.
Leave everything else in the Small Gym! (It will be locked until 5:45pm.)
All food must be eaten in the hallway seating area.
Have fun and be respectful of others and the school!
5:45-6:00pm Parent/Guardian Pickup (parking lot by cafeteria)
Expected Price List
Wristbands (to enter dance): $5 at LUNCH, $7 at DOOR
$1 Drinks, Candy, Chips, Cookies
$2 Pizza
NOTE: Cash Only
A note from campus administration:
In order to purchase a ticket and attend the dance students need to meet behavior and attendance criteria. Students will not be allowed to attend the dance if they have 3 or more tardies or receive a referral resulting in administrative disciplinary action during the week of 2/12-2/16.
NJHS Walk4Wishes Carnival: Feb. 24, 10:00-1:00
(Click the image below to purchase your shirt!)
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 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!
8th Grade Student Recognition Ads Closed
The deadline to purchase recognition ads was February 8th. Thanks to all who purchased an ad this year. They are such a treat for parents and students alike.
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!
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