Jaguar Tales
August 27, 2023
Hello, Jaguar Family!
Our students and staff wrapped up their first full week of school. Our students appear to be getting into the routine of being back at school and have been eager to participate in class and school activities.
Last Wednesday, the newest members of the Cedar Valley National Junior Honor Society were inducted in the presence of many close friends and family members who filled the bleachers in the gym. We are proud of the work our students have done to achieve this high honor and recognition and we look forward to the things to come as they commit to the values of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship.
Moving into this coming week, we look forward to another full week of school and the positive learning opportunities that fill our classrooms. We are also looking forward to seeing more of our Jag Family at Wednesday's Open House and at Thursday's first volleyball games of the season.
I hope you are having a great weekend!
Larissa Ortiz
Cedar Valley Middle School Principal
Larissa_ortiz@roundrockisd.org
512-428-2307
NJHS Induction 2023
Meet Our New Jag Staff!
Please help me in welcoming our newest staff members at Cedar Valley! Next week's edition will include our newest support staff.
Mr. Alvarez
Instructional Technology Specialist
Ms. Baldini
Dyslexia Service Provider
Mr. Bartley
CTE - Fundamentals of Computer Science
Ms. Bingham
8th Grade Assistant Principal
Ms. Boston
6th Grade World Cultures
Ms. Bustamante
Spanish 1B
Ms. Fell
6th Grade Math
Ms. Fooshee
Special Education Teacher
Ms. Gorman
6th Grade Assistant Principal
Ms. Guillory
Special Education Teacher
Ms. Ivy
Dyslexia Service Provider
Ms. Lara
7th Grade Science
Ms. Larson
8th Grade ELA
Dr. Lowry
7th & 8th Science
Mr. Martinez
7th Grade ELA
Ms. Meldrum
7th Grade Science
Ms. Mills
6th Grade Counselor
Mr. Owen
Band
Ms. Quarnaccio
6th Grade Math
Mr. Ta
8th Grade Science
Ms. Wyatt
7th Grade Math
Jaguar Open House - Wed. Aug. 30, 5:30-7pm
Cedar Valley Middle School
Open House (Back to School Night)
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
We hope you will be able to join us for Open House on Wednesday, August 30, 2023. This will give parents the opportunity to meet the teachers, see their child's learning space, and see where they spend their day. Parents, we invite you get connected with PTA, as well!
5:20 - 5:30 - Doors open, make your way to 1st period and/or visit the PTA information table in the main foyer.
5:30 - 5:37 - 1st period
5:41 - 5:48 - 2nd period
5:52 - 5:59 - 3rd period
6:03 - 6:10 - 4th period
6:14 - 6:21 - 5th period
6:25 - 6:32 - 6th period
6:36 - 6:43 - 7th period
6:47 - 6:54 - 8th period
- Please visit your child’s advisory class during their designated period (not lunch).
- Parking is limited. Please consider carpooling, ridesharing, walking, or biking if possible.
- To access your child’s schedule, please log in to the Home Access Center (HAC).
A message from the Nurse: Medication
This is a busy time of the year in the Cedar Valley Nurse's Office. Because of the volume of the medication drop-offs, please make an appointment with the campus nurse or come after 2:30pm when you drop off your child's medication(s). Make sure you read the medication administration procedure and fill out the Request to Administer Medication form for each medication and for each student before you bring your child's medication(s) to school. Ms. Samuelson will not be able to receive medications. The medical forms can be found on my website.
Mina Shimomura, RN
Legislative Update: Students In Possession of Vapes Will Now Be Sent to DAEP
A message from RRISD:
As part of House Bill 114, students will now be placed in the District Alternative Education Program (DAEP) if the student possesses, uses, is under the influence, sells, gives, or delivers marijuana, THC, or an e-cigarette while on campus, within 300 feet of school property, or at a school-related event.
Parents are encouraged to talk to their student(s) about these new state requirements. It’s important that students understand the consequences if caught participating in any of the actions above.
For resources to use when talking with your student about the dangers of e-cigarettes visit the Surgeon General website.
SMART Tag Info For Bus Riders
Is your student a new bus rider?
Parents:Go to the SMART tag Parent Portal and register to take advantage of the SMART tag parent features.
Students: You must stop by the Jag Lobby to register for a tag with Mrs. Samuelson. Tags are NOT issued during online registration. First pass is free.
Lost your tag? Lost tags will cost $5 to reorder. Tags will not be preordered without payment, so bring $5 cash when you come to reorder.
Make sure to register!
Go to the SMART tag Parent Portal and register to take advantage of the SMART tag parent features. If you are using a smartphone, you will be prompted to save the web app to your home screen. This will place the Parent App tile on your mobile device for easy access.
SMART Tag will help…
- Improve safety and automation of tasks, better enabling drivers to focus on the safe transport of students.
- Ensure riders will load on the right bus and unload at the right stop.
- The SMART tag system wirelessly transmits information to our transportation department staff to including:
- The names of the students on board each bus.
- Notification of an approaching bus.
- The ability to view a student’s ridership activity.
Class Leveling
In particular, some of our 8th grade students may see a change in their social studies class. We were provided an additional staff allocation to relieve the high numbers in our 8th grade social studies classes.
Join the Cedar Valley Site-Based Committee
We are looking for a few staff members, district staff, parents, and community members to serve on our site-based committee. This committee is made up of campus staff, parents, and community members. We meet to discuss and gather input on our Campus Improvement Plan (CIP). We discuss campus progress throughout the year, as well. This committee meets 4 times a year and our meetings will be at 4:05pm. All meetings will be in person. If you are interested in serving in this capacity, please complete this form.
8th Grade Washington D.C. Trip Info.
May 26th-May 30th, the US History teachers are organizing a trip to Washington D.C. for the 8th grade class in order to help bring American History and our government to life. For more information, click on the flyer below covering some of the basic costs, dates, and information of the trip to allow interested parents and students to begin planning. An informational parent meeting will take place on Aug. 29th at 6 p.m. at Cedar Valley Middle school, with representatives from Close Up. If you have any immediate questions, please contact Eric Gerhardstein for more information.
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 is right around the corner on Friday, September 22nd, with retakes/make-ups scheduled for Thursday, November 9th.
Individual school pictures will be taken by 1st Photo Texas throughout the school day. Advisory teachers will distribute the school photo order forms to students about two weeks prior to picture day. The easiest way to order is to pay online using the code provided on the order form. Students paying with cash or check, will hand their order form and payment to the 1st Photo Texas photographers on September 22nd.
Ordering a Yearbook
Yearbooks are currently available for purchase and have been selling fast! Click here to order your Jaguar Yearbook. If you order by August 25th, you get four free icons when you personalize your book, not to mention the book is only $45 - the cheapest it will be all year. After August 25th, the price goes up to $50 and will steadily increase throughout the year. There will be a few books available for purchase after we distribute the pre-ordered books in May, but they will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. 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!
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.
Reminder: No School Monday, Sept. 4, 2023
Breakfast and Lunch
Our students have done a great job learning and following cafeteria expectations. The first day of school presented some challenges between lunch periods, but we have re-evaluated our systems and have made adjustments to reduce crowding in the halls.
Please review the information below as needed.
Add Funds:
You may add funds to your child's breakfast and lunch account online here.
Meal Pricing:
- Secondary Students – Lunch $3.25, Breakfast $1.50
- Reduced – Lunch $0.40, Breakfast $0.30
Free/Reduced Meals:
For faster processing, fill out your free and reduced meal application online. It is necessary to reapply each school year. Only one application per household is required and applications can be submitted at anytime during the school year.
Manage Restrictions for your child:
Cafes also offer snack (a la cart) items for purchase. Items offered differ by school level. If you would like to limit student purchasing on a la cart items please fill out our Student Account.
Cedar Valley Cell Phone Expectations
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 8:11-3:35.
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 8:11.
Phones are not allowed to be used in restrooms or locker rooms - this will result in immediate possession of the phone
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.
Home Access Center Assistance
For assistance with the Home Access Center, InfoSnap snapcodes, TEA Portal access codes and address changes, please email our registrar:
vicky_escruceria@roundrockisd.org
Please include your student's full legal name, grade and date of birth in all correspondence.
For address changes you must provide the new proof of residence: Lease agreement, contract or settlement statement. The Lease agreement must name your student as an occupant on the lease.
The HAC App:
eSchoolPLUS Family, Home Access Center (HAC) Made by PowerSchool Group
Included in the official Round Rock ISD APP or download individually. Other district-approved Mobile Apps!
- Download free, iTunes App Store® or Google Play®
- Search eSchoolPLUS Family
- Then select eSchoolPLUS Family app for free download
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
Join Our Staff!
We are still looking for a few great people to join our staff. If you or someone you know is interested, please feel free to apply!
- 50% Choir
- Teacher/Coach (coaching stipend, paired with teaching assignment)
- Special Educational Assistant II
- Special Educational Assistant III (FAC Classroom) - posting link coming soon
- 50% Crossing Guard - 2 hours per day at Great Oaks, 2 hours per day at Cedar Valley, eligible for benefits
We are also looking for Guest Educators to serve our campus when our staff needs to be out. Come in as often as you are available! It's a great way to get involved without a full time commitment.
Upcoming Events
8/29 - D.C. Parent Meeting, 6pm
8/30 - Open House, 5:30-7pm
8/31 - FCA Meeting, 7:45am
8/31 - Girls Volleyball vs. Canyon Vista (7th away, 8th home), 5:30pm
9/1 - NJHS Meeting 7:45am (members only)
9/4 - Student & Staff Holiday - No school
9/7 - Girls Volleyball vs. Walsh (7th Home, 8th Away), 5:30pm
9/11 - 7th Grade Football vs. Canyon Vista at Canyon Vista, 5:30
9/12 - 8th Grade Football vs. Canyon Vista at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex, 5:30pm
9/13 - Costa Rica Information Meeting, 6:30pm (More info. to come)
9/14 - FCA Meeting, Lecture Hall, 7:45am
9/14 - Spanish Club Meeting, Room 3110, 3:45pm
9/18 - French Club Meeting, Room 3104, 3:40pm
9/18 - 7th Grade Football vs. Walsh at Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex, 5:30pm
9/19 - Debate Club Meeting, Lecture Hall, 3:35pm
9/19 - 9th Grade Football vs. Walsh at Walsh Middle School, 5:30pm
9/21 - Girls Volleyball vs. Ridgeview (7th Home, 8th Away), 5:30pm
9/22 - Picture Day
9/23 - RRISD Volleyball Tournament at Cedar Valley
9/25 - Staff Development Day (No school for students)
9/28 - FCA Meeting, Lecture Hall, 7:45am
9/28 - Girls Volleyball vs. Hopewell (7th Away, 8th Home), 5:30pm
9/29 - StuCo Meeting, Lecture Hall, 7:40am
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