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Cedars E-News

A PUBLICATION OF CEDARS NEWS - APRIL 2024

Cedars E-NewsA PUBLICATION OF CEDARS NEWS -APRIL 2024

Message from Principal Rauls

4-6-25


Dear Cedars Families,


Congratulations to everyone for helping us reach our World’s Finest Chocolate Fundraiser goal this year! In just four weeks, we’ve sold over $23,000 worth of chocolate – the most we’ve ever sold in 15 years. Your efforts have made a significant impact at Cedars.


With 70 boxes of chocolate still available, we’ve decided to extend the fundraiser for one more week. Thank you for making a difference by helping students enjoy field trips this Spring, have a great time at the International Festival with new booths, and receive the supplies they need to succeed!


Join us in celebrating our students accomplishment during the 3rd quarter by coming to the Award Assembly on Friday, April 11, 2025. The awards will held in the classroom. Please review the schedule below.


Award Assembly Schedule

  • Middle School - 8:25 - 8:45

  • PreK & K - 8:45-9:15

  • 1st & 2nd Grade - 9:20--9:45

  • 3rd - 5th Grade - 9:50 - 10:30



The International Festival & Silent Auction Is Coming…

Friday, May 2, 2025

5:30 – 8:00 p.m.


We are thrilled to announce the return of our Annual International Festival! The festival focuses on exploring cultures from around the world and will include a Silent Auction. We still plan to have some traditional carnival booths. The festival will be held at Cedars International Academy on Friday, May 2, 2025, from 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.


Wristbands can be purchased for $20 for the first three wristbands and $10 for each additional wristband in the front office or online at www.MySchoolBucks.com. The price increases to $25.00 each at the gate. Individual tickets will be sold for $0.25 each at the door. Wristbands cover access to games and entertainment! Plus, one parent can join for FREE with a paid wristband.


We are excited about the return of our Annual Enchilada Contest! We will have guest judges and a people’s choice award. Please contact the office if you want to sign up. We have a few spots if you think you have the best chicken enchiladas in town.


FREE TRANSPORTATION is provided to and from Cedars during the event. Please park at Walmart at 1030 Norwood Park Blvd. A charter bus will transport you back and forth starting at 5:15 pm.


To make our festival a success, we will need your help with donations, setting up/cleaning up, and running the booths. Each classroom is in charge of running a booth and collecting donations. Please return the donations and forms to the school at any time, but the last date is Friday, April 25th.


DONATIONS:

(You will receive 10 hours of Volunteer Time for Donations)


Gifts will be used for the Silent Auction! Each class is responsible for contributing to the silent auction. There is an attached donation letter you can use to collect donations.


Gifts for Silent Auction

  • PK - Games and Gift Cards

  • K - Restaurant Gift Cards

  • 1st - Restaurant Gift Cards

  • 2nd - Bakery Items and Gift Cards

  • 3rd - Groceries and Gift Cards

  • 4th - Groceries and Gift Cards

  • 5th - Jewelry and Gift Cards

  • 6th - Spa items and Gift Cards

  • 7th - Movie or Play Tickets and Gift Cards

  • 8th - Electronics and Gift Cards


Remember, our Spring Festival's success depends on the wonderful families here at Cedars, so please volunteer to help run a booth at this terrific event. We hope to see you all there on May 2 at 5:30!


If you have any questions, please contact the office at (512) 419-1551 Ext. 0.

Thank you ahead of time for your donations. We look forward to a great festival!


Reminders:

  • April 7 - PTO collecting $10 for Teacher Appreciation Week May 5-9

  • April 7 - International Festival and Silent Auction tickets on sale for $20

  • April 9 - Assistant Principals’ Appreciation Day

  • April 11 - Summer Camp Registration Closes

  • April 11 - World’s Finest Chocolate Fundraiser Ends

  • April 11 - Friday After School Tutorials for select students begin at 1 pm.

  • April 11 - After School Tutorials ends

  • April 11 - STAAR Pep Rally, Award Assembly, and Free Book Giveaway


For the most up-to-date information on school events and activities, please regularly check our website at www.cedars-academy.org, view the April Cedars E-News at https://secure.smore.com/n/jtan3 and follow us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/CedarsInternationalAcademy/.


Click this link to view the April Newsletter: https://secure.smore.com/n/jtan3.


Sending warm virtual hugs and best wishes,

Heather Rauls

Principal

📆 Upcoming Events

April Theme: Financial Literacy Month

April Character Trait: Fairness

  • 1-4 - College & Career Week & NUT Week
  • Tuesday (4/1) - College Roommates Day - Find a friend and dress like a twin.
  • Wednesday (4/2) - Career Day - Dress up for your future career.
  • Thursday (4/3) - Cedars Spirit Day - Wear Cedars Spirit attire.
  • Friday (4/4) - Cedars House Day - Wear Cedars House attire.
  • 1- Summer Camp Registration Begins
  • 9 - Assistant Principals Day
  • 11 - Award Assembly & NUT Day
  • 11 - Free Book Giveaway
  • 11 -Last Day of After School Tutorials
  • 11 - Final Day for World's Finest Chocolate Sales
  • 11 - Summer Camp Registration Ends
  • 15 - STAAR RLA (Grades 3-5)
  • 16 - STAAR RLA (Grades 6-8)
  • 18- Good Friday - Good Friday -Student Holiday
  • 21-25 - National Volunteer Recognition Week
  • 22 - STAAR Sci (Grades 5 & 8)
  • 23 - STAAR SS (Grade 8)
  • 23 - Administrative Professionals Day
  • 24 - Progress Reports
  • 25 - Submit Gift Cards and Donations for International Festival & Silent Auction
  • 29 - STAAR Math (Grades 3-5)
  • 30 - STAAR Math & Alg I EOC (Grades 6-8)

🔬Summer Camp Registration

💗Assistant Principals Day

Help us celebrate our amazing, dedicated, and hard-working Assistant Principal, Mrs. Aguilar, during Assistant Principals Appreciation Week on April 9, 2025. Please share your love by sending thank you letters, gifts from her favorite things, and more!


Click the link to access her favorite things!

🏆Award Assembly

Event Information

Award Assembly

We will have an Award Assembly for the 3rd 9-Weeks in the classroom on April 11, 2025.


We want you to help us celebrate your child’s success and hard work. So bring your family, cameras, and tissues for this joyous occasion.


Schedule is below:

Middle School - 8:25 - 8:45

PreK & Kinder - 8:45 - 9:15

1st & 2nd Grade - 9:20 - 9:45

3rd - 5th Grade - 9:50 - 10:30

When?

Friday, Apr 11, 2025, 08:00 AM

Where?

Cedars International Academy, North Interstate 35 Frontage Road, Austin, TX, USA

location_on Open maps

💻STAAR Administration & Parent Letter

April 1, 2025,


Dear Cedars International Academy Parents:


The STAAR Reading Assessments for Grades 3-8 are coming up on April 15-16, 22-23, 29-30, 2025. We will be a closed campus to visitors during testing. STAAR will be administered as indicated below:


STAAR Dates:

STAAR Alt2 - Testing Closes on April 18

Tuesday, April 15 - STAAR RLA (Grades 3-5)

Wednesday, April 16 - STAAR RLA (Grades 6-8)

Tuesday, April 22 - STAAR Science (Grades 5 & 8)

Wednesday, April 23 -STAAR Social Studies (Grade 8)

Tuesday, April 29 - STAAR Math (Grades 3-5)

Wednesday, April 30 - STAAR Math & Alg I (Grade 8)

Make-up testing in April & May


We expect students to do their very best on the STAAR Assessment. Many educational decisions are based on the results. The test results will help us make focused instructional decisions concerning your child’s needs. I would appreciate you doing the following to assist your child with testing:


  • Make sure your child goes to bed by 8:30 p.m.

  • Encourage your child to put effort into the testing and stay focused.

  • Do not schedule doctor’s appointments on testing days, AND please do not arrive late or take them out of school early on these days.

  • Please make sure they eat a good, healthy breakfast. If they eat at school, please ensure they arrive by 7:15 so they have plenty of time to eat.

  • STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BRING ELECTRONICS SUCH AS CELL PHONES ON TESTING DAYS. A $25 fee will be assessed if a cell phone is confiscated.

  • Students are NOT to bring a backpack to school on testing days.


Thank you for your support and cooperation in ensuring your child succeeds.


Sincerely,

Heather Rauls, Principal

Joann Aguilar, Assistant Principal

Amy Jo Tejada, Instructional Coach

👐National Volunteer Recognition Week

💗Administrative Professionals Day

Help us celebrate our fabulous, hard-working, and dedicated Administrative Professionals, Mrs. Rosete and Ms. Silva, during Administrative Professionals Day on April 23. Please share your love by sending thank you letters, gifts from their favorite things, and more!


Click the link to access their favorite things!

💗Teacher Appreciation Week

Thank you to those who donated $10 to PTO to support Teacher Appreciation Week. If you were unable to donate, please follow the daily activities below, which will show your love and appreciation for our outstanding, dedicated, hard-working, committed teachers who work tirelessly to ensure students are learning and growing!


Click the link to access their favorite things!

💡 Quicklinks

Cedars International Academy
https://www.cedars-academy.org
Cedars International Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Dr. Leslie Sparacello, 8416 N IH 35, Austin, TX 78753 512-419-1551.