Jaguar Tales
November 3, 2023
Hello, Jaguar Family!
Happy Friday! We hope you are heading into the weekend in good spirits - I know we are! Our students have been able to experience such fun things in and out of the classroom. Please be forewarned, there are lots of photos in this week's newsletter. I tried to cut back and yet, I still wanted to include more. With that in mind, please be aware that if you read the newsletter from the email, it gets cut off at the end. However if you click on the newsletter itself and read it from Smore, you will be able to read it in its entirety. I hope that helps you to not miss information. :)
Please remember, there is no school on Friday, November 10, 2023. This is a staff development day for employees. Classes will resume on Monday, November 13, 2023.
Have a great weekend!
Larissa Ortiz
Cedar Valley Middle School Principal
Larissa_ortiz@roundrockisd.org
512-428-2307
Safety - We need your help!
For safety reasons, we have need the cooperation of all visitors to please utilize the designated visitor parking spaces when visiting the campus. We know your visit may be short (signing out your child or dropping something off), but we need to be sure to keep the fire lane clear. In case of an emergency, our first responders to need to have the fire lanes clear to provide them the access they need to the campus (at a moment's notice). Unfortunately, we have already had a few medical emergencies this year and we all need to work together to ensure smooth and swift action is able to take place. Thank you for your cooperation.
Red Ribbon Week!
Pep Rally Spirit!
Phase 1 of Region Band Competition Results
Last Saturday Cedar Valley hosted Phase 1 of the Region Band competition. We had 77 students compete against other schools from Round Rock ISD, Pflugerville ISD, Georgetown ISD & Manor ISD.
We had an amazing 49 students earn a spot in the District Band, which means they finished in the top 25% of their rooms!
Of those students, 31 will advance to this weekend's Phase 2, where they hopefully will earn a spot in the Region Band.
The names of the students who earned All-District honors are below. Students who advanced will be listed in BOLD. Congratulations and we wish those competing on Saturday good luck!
Flute:
Leslie C.
Hyojoo S.
Kelly S.
Shreya K.G.R.
Anya W.
Ada Y.
Oboe:
Akshera V.
Rohan J.
Morgan K.
Kayal L.
Jennifer Z.
Clarinet:
Alexis H.
Krish M.
Julian L.
Maybele Y.
Caton B.
Rishi P.
Vivian V.J.A.
Hadley H.
Aryan S.
Bass Clarinet:
Aiden V.
Lauren H.
Alto Saxophone:
Kaiden E.
Ryan D.
Andrew K.
Joshua S.
Ashlyn A.
Thomas H.
Ryler P.
Tenor Saxophone:
Isaiah O.
Vedant R.
Trumpet:
Karshin K.
Grant Y.
Felix V.
Adam L.
Jake P.
Horn:
Zachary B.
Edward R.
Lucas P.
Trombone:
Arjun S.
Hiro G.
Euphonium:
Hridaan R.
Anna K.
Tuba:
Ryan M.
Percussion:
Sydney S.
William F.
Jeffrey L.
Katie R.
Jax R.
Theatre One-Act Play Contest Results
Last Saturday, 20 of our Varsity Theatre Students competed at the UIL One-Act Play Contest at Stony Point High School and they took home 4 awards!!
All-Star Cast
Maddie G. as Kira
Honorable Mention All-Star Cast
Krishn B. as Jamison
Outstanding Technical
Joslin A. as Lighting Operator
Best Performer (this is out of ALL the actors from ALL the schools that competed and is only given to TWO students)
Caleb D. as Matt
Although they did not advance to district competition, we are very proud of their performance of Gathering Blue! Bravo!!
Halloween Fun!
Thank you, PTA!
On Tuesday, our super-spectacular PTA hosted an appreciation lunch and school supply trick-or-treating event for our staff. We loved it! Thank you to the volunteers and everyone who donated to make this a special day for our staff.
Prohibited Items
PSAT Scores
PSAT scores (for the 8th graders) will be 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.
CAABSE Fall Symposium - Nov. 4
The Capital Area Alliance of Black School Educators (CAABSE) is hosting their annual fall symposium on November 4 and is open to all RRISD staff, MS/HS students, and all parents/guardians. Topics include, but are not limited to classroom instruction and engagement, parent advocacy skills, and student leadership.
Check out the attached event flier with descriptions of the available sessions and additional details.
All interested may register for free at this link: tinyurl.com/CAABSE23attend. See you there!
Spirit Night at Chipotle - Nov. 8
Spirit Night at Chipotle 620 this Wednesday, November 8th from 4-8pm. Show the flier below or use code G2DHLRP to order online. We appreciate your support!
School Pictures & Retake Day Info.
Students should have received their pre-ordered photos or a flyer with proofs and order directions this week during science classes. Picture retake day is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 9 during lunch and advisory on the cafeteria stage.
NJHS Benefit Concert - Nov. 9
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
11/6 - Rubik's Cube Club Meeting, Room 4104, 7:45am
11/6 - Future Cities Club, Room 1121-A, 3:35pm
11/6 & 11/7 - TTAP Testing
11/7 &11/8 - 7th grade field trip (by designated day)
11/7 - Spanish Club Game Day, Room 3112, 3:45pm
11/8 - Spirit Night at Chipotle
11/9 - FCA Meeting, Lecture Hall, 7:45am
11/9 - Veteran's Day Assemblies (6th grade - 1st period, 7th grade - 2nd period, 8th grade - 3rd period)
11/9 - Picture Retake Day (during lunch and advisory)
11/9 - Robotics Club, Room 1121-A, 3:35
11/9 - Table Top Games Club, Room 2115, 3:35pm
11/9 - NJHS Benefit Concert (see info above), 5:30pm
11/10 - Staff Development Day; No school for students
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