Jaguar Tales

Hello, Jaguar Family!

We had an abundance of learning and fun this week. The grade level field trips were a lot of fun and allowed students to socialize and build connections in the outdoors. A great time was had by all!

On a more serious note, we have seen some instances of identity-based bullying on our campus recently. At Cedar Valley, we strive to provide a positive learning environment for our students and we feel it takes all of us working together to create and maintain this environment. Parents, please read the detailed information below for ways that you can help at home.

Lastly, please remember that students will not attend school on Monday (10/14) as our staff will be engaged in professional learning and planning. Classes will resume on Tuesday, October 15, 2024.

Have a great weekend! Go Jags!

Larissa Ortiz

Cedar Valley Middle School Principal

Larissa_ortiz@roundrockisd.org

512-428-2307

The CeVMS cheerleaders would like to thank students and teachers for donating to St. Jude Children's Hospital through our fundraiser during the last week of September.

We are proud to say we raised $1202.70 for children seeking treatment at this wonderful facility.

Our students who serve as partners in Art and P.E. had the opportunity to engage with guest speaker, Brittany Avery Gordon. She is a former Cedar Valley cheerleader (2001) whose goal is to spread a message of awareness to create spaces that are accepting and inclusive for individuals with special needs. We are grateful for her words and for pouring into our student advocates.

As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all students, we want to take a moment to address a critical issue: identity-based bullying.

Identity-based bullying occurs when individuals are targeted due to their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or any other aspect of their identity. This form of bullying can have severe and lasting impacts on our student's emotional and mental well-being.

Why This Matters

Every child deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued at school. Bullying not only affects the victim but also creates a culture of fear and intolerance that can harm our entire school community. It’s essential that we work together to recognize and address these behaviors early on.

What We Are Doing

At our school, we are actively implementing programs and initiatives aimed at preventing identity-based bullying. This includes:

• Education: Teaching students about diversity, empathy, and the importance of inclusivity through advisory lessons.
• Support Systems: Establishing clear channels for students to report bullying and ensuring they know they are supported.
• Community Engagement: Collaborating with parents and community members to create awareness and promote a culture of respect.
• Accountability for Offenders: We take identity-based bullying seriously, and offenders will face appropriate disciplinary measures.

We encourage you to talk with your child about the importance of kindness and respect for all individuals, regardless of their differences. Here are some ways you can support this effort at home:

1. Open Dialogue: Create a safe space for your child to express their feelings and experiences. Ask them about their day and listen actively.
2. Teach Empathy: Encourage your child to consider how their words and actions affect others. Discuss real-life scenarios and how they can respond positively.
3. Model Behavior: Demonstrate respectful behavior and inclusivity in your own interactions, showing your child the importance of standing against bullying.

Together, we can make our school a safe and welcoming place for everyone. Thank you for your continued support in this important matter.

Free and Reduced Lunch benefits from last year have expired. It is necessary to reapply each school year. For faster processing, fill out your free and reduced meal application online. Only one application per household is required and applications can be submitted at anytime during the school year.

Calculators will not be provided. Students may bring their own approved calculator or use the embedded calculator.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our Campus Testing Coordinator and 6th grade Assistant Principal, Jennifer_bingham@roundrockisd.org.

All 6th and 7th graders will follow a regular class schedule on this day. Some classes may be relocated. Signs will be posted if a class is relocated.

Cedar Valley students and staff will celebrate Unity Day on Friday, October 18th. Everyone is encouraged to wear ORANGE and participate in the Unity Walk during advisory classes.

Students can also pledge to Choose Kindness and stop bullying by signing the Unity Day banner in the cafeteria. The student-curated Unity Day display in the library also has some great books for students to check out!

Unity Day is an annual event observed during National Bullying Prevention Month that encourages students, staff, and families to work together to create healthier communities through kindness, acceptance of difference, and inclusion. Unity Day was started by the National Bullying Prevention Center in 2011 and is now celebrated around the world each October.

Enter Coupon Code JAGSPIRIT at checkout from October 1 - October 15, and CeVMS PTA will receive 20% of every purchase made! Who in your life needs some cookies?? Delivered warm and tasty! Go to the Tiff's Treats App, or go to www.cookiedelivery.com to place your orders.

Girls' Basketball tryouts will take place on October 21, 22, & 23, 2024.

7th Grade will be from 7AM into 1st Period Athletics.

8th Grade will be from 8th Period Athletics until 5 PM.

All athletes must have a physical on file with the coaching staff and all Rank One online forms completed to be eligible to tryout.

Athletes must attend all three days of tryouts to be considered for a team.

Please contact Coach Banks with any questions: kaytlynn_banks@roundrockisd.org.

Please contact Coach Cearley with any questions: Jared_Cearley@roundrockisd.org

ATTN: 8th Grade Parents

Tuesday, October 22, 2024 · 6:30pm

Join us for Advanced Academic Night in the CeVMS Lecture Hall to learn more about RRISD's Early College High School, IB and P-Tech programs.

For questions about this event, please contact Liz_Guidry@roundrockisd.org.

On Wednesday, October 30, at the McNeil High School Ag Farm, join the McNeil FFA and MHS Student Organizations to play games, trick-or-treat, and you can meet OUR Maverick ANIMALS! Come dressed in your best costume! Food, hot coco, and a s'mores station will be available. The Annual Halloween on the Farm is FREE. All ages are welcome! We can’t wait to see you there! Park in the BACK Parking Lot and walk to the Farm. Click HERE for a MAP.

Students and staff are welcome to dress up in costumes on Thursday, October 31. We ask that costumes be school appropriate and meet the following requirements:

• Costumes must follow the RRISD dress code (p. 67 of Student Handbook)
• Staff must be able to identify students. No masks.
• Costumes must not hinder student’s ability to walk in the hall or participate in class, including PE. (no inflatable costumes)
• Props and accessories should stay at home (ex: masks, wands, weapons, etc.)

We also ask that candy be left at home.

Students who prefer not to dress up are encouraged to wear purple to show their Cedar Valley spirit.

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 3 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.

Reflections Program - Reflections has been an art program in many schools for over 50 years. The 2024-2025 PTA Reflections theme is “Accepting Imperfection”.

Students can express their creativity by choosing one or more of the 6 art categories in the areas of dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts to create new original pieces of artwork that tell their unique story of what this year’s theme “Accepting Imperfection” means to them!

Who can compete? Any student whose parent/guardian is a current member of the Cedar Valley Middle School PTA. Not a member? Signup for a membership here.

The entry deadline is on Tuesday October 22 to the CeVMS Reflections Chair

Suneeta Belforte .

Please download the Rules for participation requirements to ensure your art meets the requirements for each art category entered.

• Student Program Rules Packet (English/Spanish).
• Student Entry Form (English/Spanish).
• Click Here for the digital entry form.
• Click here to explore the 2024-25 PTA Reflections Theme: “Accepting Imperfection”.

• Dance Choreography English | Spanish

• Film Production English | Spanish

• Literature English | Spanish

• Music Composition English | Spanish

• Photography English | Spanish

• Visual Arts English | Spanish

• Accessible Arts Rules English | Spanish

• Single Page Rules English | Spanish

• Student Entry Form English | Spanish

For more information visit www.txpta.org/reflections or email reflections@cevmspta.org with any questions.

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

Football Schedule

Volleyball Schedule

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