Jaguar Tales

Hello, Jaguar Family!

We hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend. We had a great week, which included our students being able to participate in the first pep rally of the year. Pep rallies are a fun way to gather our grade levels to celebrate the successes of our students, find out about upcoming events, and be a little silly. A good time was had by all!

As we move into next week, we will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week, which centers around spreading a message of living healthy and drug-free lives. There will be dress up days to celebrate the week in a fun way. Dressing up is always optional. More details can be found in the information below.

Have a great weekend! Go Jags!

Larissa Ortiz

Cedar Valley Middle School Principal

Larissa_ortiz@roundrockisd.org

512-428-2307

Students took pride in taking a stand and lending a hand against bullying. This board is a celebration of who our students are.

Parents, please remember that our doors open and our teachers are on duty beginning at 7:45am each school day. Prior to 7:45, there is no adult supervision. We ask that you avoid dropping off students before 7:45 if you are able to, however we understand that some parent work schedules may require you to drop off before.

Watch to learn more about the four Round Rock ISD bond propositions A, B, C & D. Election Day for Round Rock ISD’s bond proposal is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Early voting is happening NOW through Nov. 1. As a member of the Round Rock ISD community, your vote directly affects more than 47,000 students and 6,500 staff members. Learn more at bond.roundrockisd.org

Vea para obtener más información sobre las propuestas A, B, C y D del Bono 2024 de Round Rock ISD. El día de las elecciones para la propuesta del Bono de Round Rock ISD es el martes, 5 de noviembre. La votación anticipada se está llevando a cabo AHORA hasta el 1 de noviembre. Como miembro de la comunidad de Round Rock ISD, su voto afecta directamente a más de 47,000 estudiantes y 6,500 miembros del personal. Obtenga más información en bond.roundrockisd.org.

Every year, the RRISD Middle Schools engage in an Academic UIL competition in 11 different subjects. Here is a list of the 11 different subjects, along with the coaches and their practice schedules If you are interested in competing, please have your students complete this form (students must be logged into their RRISD accounts to complete it).

Teachers/coaches will host practices to introduce students to the different topics and prepare them for the RRISD meet, which will be hosted at Walsh Middle School on January 20th.

If you have any questions, please contact the coach of a specific subject or the Cedar Valley UIL Coordinator Eric_Gerhardstein@roundrockisd.org

All photos are sent to a separate folder for the teacher's review before being put in organizational folders for yearbook staffers to use on pages.

**This opportunity is not sponsored by Cedar Valley Middle School or Round Rock ISD**

Do you or your student(s) love exploring, sightseeing, and learning about history and other cultures? Mrs. Fooshee is hosting a NON-SCHOOL/NON-RRISD sponsored trip with Education First in June 2026. We will explore the Iron Curtain and historical World War II to Gothic cathedrals and ancient cities that are more vibrant than ever! Cities include Berlin, Prague, Krakow, Budapest, and Vienna! Mrs. Fooshee enjoys sharing her love of the travel experience and education of other cultures. Students gain so much from world travel: compassion, networking, perspective, growth and independence, better academic performance and so much more! All 6th, 7th, & 8th graders (AND siblings) are welcome!

Click here to RSVP to our meeting on Nov. 5, 2024, to get more information! It's going to be quite the experience!

**This opportunity is not sponsored by Cedar Valley Middle School or Round Rock ISD**

On Monday, November 11th, Cedar Valley will hold its annual Veterans' Day assembly.

Bella Voce, Honors Band, Intermediate and Advanced Orchestras, Varsity Theatre, 6th Grade Art students, McNeil High School ROTC, and guest speaker Joshua Wilson of McNeil High School AFJROTC will all be part of this event.

An assembly will be held for each grade level.

• 8:15am - Veterans from our neighbors at Brookdale Assisted Living will be in attendance at the 6th grade assembly during 1st period.
• 9:10am - 7th grade will attend during 2nd period.
• 10:07am - 8th grade will attend during 3rd period.

A reception will also be held in the Library from 9:00-11:00 am for Veterans from our Cedar Valley Family as well as Veterans from Brookdale. All adults attending the day's events on campus please check in at the main office.

Attention: 8th Grade Students and Parents

Each year, Early College High School visits each middle school three to four times

· During the school day to recruit with our Student Ambassadors

· In the evening to present for parents

· For Admission Day

· For Degree Plan Review (choice sheets)

ECHS Ambassadors will be at Cedar Valley November 13 to present to 8th grade students.

Early College HS recruitment process:

· Each year the ECHS Counselors and Student Ambassadors visit all 11 middle schools to recruit prospective 8th graders.

· Our recruitment season is October-January.

· Application opens in November.

· Our deadline is January 31. The application requires recommendations from a teacher, a counselor, and an administrator or community member.

· Requirements for admission to ECHS include 1. Be a resident of RRISD 2. Complete 8th grade.

· Students are chosen through a lottery in February. All students with completed declarations are included in the lottery.

· Counselors and/or administrators return to each campus in March to announce who has been admitted.

· Counselors return to each middle school in April to complete Degree Plans Reviews.

(Includes Associate of Arts & Associate of Science)

Recruitment Literature available:

Seniors 2020 Retrospective Video

Information Brochure: Spanish and English

Podcast Episode

Webinar

ECHS Website

ECHS Counseling Website

The IB Diploma Programme model (figure below) shows all of the components of the IB Diploma. Completing the IB pathway at McNeil HS will help students develop skills that will differentiate them from non-IB students in college admissions. Colleges recognize these skills as integral to college success.

What do colleges say about IB?

“As an IB parent and the Assistant Dean of Admission at Stanford University, Debra Von Bargen has firsthand experience working with many IB graduates. As her son began the IB Diploma Programme, she saw him do things he never thought he could do. In her role as the Assistant Dean of Admissions, she is excited to see how a student has taken on the IB and knows that IB students show very high success rates during their first year of university.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS4BUi3Exog

What are the benefits to an IB Education?

• By Texas law, IB Diploma recipients earn min of 24 college credits toward public colleges.

• “One thing is for sure; by taking the IB Diploma, you automatically rise to the top of the admissions pool.”

• “US colleges love good grades, but what they love even more is to see that you’ve pushed yourself to get them.”

• “Universities appreciate the IB’s rigour and they know it takes hard work and dedication to perform well, particularly in Higher Level (HL) subjects.”

Source - Crimson. IB Student Acceptance Rates At The Top 25 Us Universities. 2018

How does IB compare with the other Advanced Academic options in RRISD? Check out this chart that compares AP, IB, Dual Credit (ACC), and On Ramps UT).

Attention McNeil Feeder Campuses - Students and Parents/Guardians

RRISD Freshmen Program of Choice Info Night

Especially for eighth-grade students and their families - learn how your rising ninth-grader can gain an associate degree, college credit, and career certifications while earning their high school diploma at little or no cost.

> Add Nov. 7. Freshmen Program of Choice Family Info Night at Deerpark Middle School to your calendar

>Add Nov. 12 Freshman Program of Choice Family Info Night at C.D. Fulkes Middle School to your calendar
>Join Nov. 14 Freshman Program of Choice Virtual Lunch & Learn

If your student would like to start on the IB prep. pathway, please fill out this form with some basic information for the IB Diploma Programme Coordinator. NOTE - filling out this form does not mean that your student will be automatically placed in the IB Diploma Programme at McNeil. It merely indicates that you are interested in the IB pathway for your student.

Dr. Baker (Lead Counselor at McNeil) and Mrs. H (IB Diploma Programme Coordinator) will be visiting all McNeil feeder middle school campuses starting in January.

Reach out with any questions:

IB Diploma Programme Coordinator - Emilee Hinegardner - emilee_hinegardner@roundrockisd.org

McNeil High School Lead Counselor - Dr. Sonia Baker - sonia_baker@roundrockisd.org

We look forward to having a crowd to cheer on our sports teams this year!

Boys Basketball Schedule

Girls Basketball Schedule

CeVMS Hoodie Pre-Orders - Cooler weather is on the way!

The CeVMS 2024 - 2025 hoodies will be available for pre-orders 10/28/2024 - 11/08/2024 on the CeVMS PTA Store website. Hoodies will be offered in 4 colors this year. The colors are white, gray, black and heathered purple.

The design is slightly different from the white T-shirt and they are the soft fleece material.

Hoodies are $30 each, are available in adult sizes XS - 3XL, and can only be purchased via pre-order.

Hoodie delivery is estimated for 11/22/2024 and will be distributed to your student via their advisory teacher.

Questions can be directed to membership@cevmspta.org. If you have not already joined the PTA, be sure to add a parent and/or student membership during check out. Every membership counts. GO JAGS!

Spiritwear is now available to purchase through our online store! You can place an order anytime and it will be delivered to your child's advisory class within a few days!

Check out our new shirt design for the 2023/2024 school year! The shirt was designed by an eighth grade art student at Cedar Valley! Help support our school and teachers by purchasing a shirt today!!!

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, Concessions, Fundraising or School Dances).

CeVMS Volunteer Interest Form

This does NOT commit you to anything other than possibly receiving emails when we need help in your areas of interest.

Beginning the 2024-25 school year, PTA Memberships will be completed and paid directly from the Texas PTA site.

For further Information, please visit Memberships.

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!

Visit our Cedar Valley PTA Online Store to make donations and purchase your Cedar Valley merchandise at our one stop shop! Merchandise will be back online shortly.

To join PTA, click here. We're happy to have you on board!

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

Front Office Staff

Administrative Associate - Principal's Office: Ms. Cristol Alvarez, 512-428-2316

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

6th Grade Counselor: Ms. Gabrielle Kerr

7th Grade Counselor: Ms. Heather Mills

8th Grade Counselor: Ms. Elizabeth Guidry

Administration

Principal: Ms. Larissa Ortiz

6th Grade Assistant Principal: Ms. Jennifer Bingham

7th Grade Assistant Principal: Mr. Marc Scott

8th Grade Assistant Principal: Mr. Andrew Carroll

Nurse Clinic

Campus Nurse: Nurse Mina Shimomura

Records Specialist: Ms. Kristie_Rocheleau