

Cedars E-News
FEBRUARY 2025
Message from Principal Rauls
2-23-25
Dear Cedars Families,
Cedars International Academy will host our Annual Black History Program on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 6 pm. A special shoutout to the Dream Team and Black History Committee for coordinating what will be a spectacular event. A complimentary dinner will be served.
PTO is excited to announce the return of the World’s Finest Chocolate Fundraiser! The fundraiser will be held March 3 - April 4. We will announce some spectacular prizes for the most sales in the first couple of weeks. We are looking for volunteers to organize and manage the fundraiser. Contact the office at (512) 419-1551 Ext. 0 if interested.
Reminders:
- Spring Principal Reading Challenge begins on March 3, 2025.
- PTO Spring World’s Finest Chocolate Fundraiser starts on March 3, 2025.
For the most up-to-date information on school events and activities, please regularly check our website at www.cedars-academy.org, view the February Cedars E-News at https://secure.smore.com/n/qp63t and follow us on social media at https://www.facebook.com/CedarsInternationalAcademy/.
Click this link to view the February Newsletter: https://secure.smore.com/n/qp63t.
Sending warm virtual hugs and best wishes,
Heather Rauls
Principal
📆 Upcoming Events
February Character Trait: Caring
- 3-7 - Benchmarks (Grades 3-8)
- Monday (2/3) - Science (Grades 5 & 8)
- Tuesday (2/4) - Math & Alg I (Grades 3-8)
- Wednesday (2/5) - Reading (Grades 3-8)
- Thursday (2/6) - Social Studies (Grade 8)
- Friday (2/7) - Make-Up Testing
- 3-7 - School Counseling Week
- 6 - National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony at 6:00 pm
- 6 - 8th Grade Graduation Parent Meeting in the cafeteria at 6:00 pm
- 7 - Soccer Game vs. Meridian @ Round Rock Multipurpose Complex (5:00 pm)
- 10 - Soccer Game vs. Harmony Science Academy @ KIPP Paseo (7:30 pm)
- 10 - Lottery
- 12 - Picture Day (NUT Day)
- 13 - Progress Reports
- 13 - MS Valentine's Dance & NUT Day (1:30-3:30)
- 13 - Soccer Game vs. Harmony School of Endeavor @ KIPP Paseo (5:30 pm)
- 14 - ELM Valentine's Dance & NUT Day
- 17-21 - Random Acts of Kindness Week
- 17 - Presidents' Day, Bad Weather Makeup Day
- 17 - TELPAS Begins
- 20 - Soccer Game vs. Harmony School of Endeavor @ Northeast Metro Field B (6:30 pm)
- 24 - Soccer Game vs. KIPP Austin College Prep @ East Metro Field Field B (5:30 pm)
- 27 - Black History Celebration, PTO, & NUT Day
💛Black History Program & PTO Meeting
Black History Program & PTO Information Meeting
Thursday, Feb 27, 2025, 06:00 PM
Cedars International Academy, North Interstate 35 Frontage Road, Austin, TX, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
😍Valentine's Candy Grams
Love is in the air, and what better way to express it than with a delightful surprise! Our Valentine's Candy Grams sales have been extended through February 10, spreading sweetness and joy throughout our Cedars community.
Each Candy Gram is accompanied by a personalized message, making it the perfect way to show appreciation to students, teachers, or someone special.
Details:
- Price: $2-$20
- 1) Candy Bouquet - $10.00
- 2) Crush Soda - $2.00
- 3) Conversation Hearts - $2.00
- 4) Lollipop - $2.00
- 5) Rose - $5.00
- 6) Candy Gram Bundle - $20.00
An order form can be picked up in the office.
Don't miss out on the chance to make someone's Valentine's Day extra special! Share the love with our irresistible Candy Grams.
Wishing you a sweet and love-filled Valentine's Day!
📸Picture Day
Spring Picture Day is Wednesday, February 12, 2025. Students can dress up on picture day and do not have to come in uniform.
Please contact the office if you are interested in volunteering on picture day. Lifetouch's website will be available for orders up to 48 hours after Picture Day! ORDER ONLINE!
💘Valentine's Dance
💗National School Counseling Week February 3-7
Help us celebrate our amazing, dedicated, and hard-working counselor, Mrs. Contreras. Please share your love by sending in thank you letters, gifts from her favorite things, and more!
Click the link to access her favorite things!
🏆National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony
National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony
Cedars International Academy will celebrate and recognize students accepted into the National Junior Honor Society on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 6:00 pm in the cafeteria.
Thursday, Feb 6, 2025, 06:00 PM
8416 North Interstate Highway 35, Austin, TX, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
🎓8th Grade Graduation Parent Meeting
8th Grade Graduation Parent Meeting
Cedars International Academy will host the first 8th grade graduation parent meeting in the cafeteria on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 6:00 pm. This important meeting will include the details regarding graduation and special events.
Thursday, Feb 6, 2025, 06:00 PM
8416 North Interstate Highway 35, Austin, TX, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
✍🏼Spring Benchmarks
January 30, 2025,
Dear Cedars International Academy Parents:
Every year, your child takes End-of-the-Year (EOY) assessments in Reading, Math, Writing, Science, and Social Studies. The EOY assessments will be administered as indicated in the picture below:
Benchmark Dates:
Monday, February 3 - Science (Grades 5 & 8)
Tuesday, February 4 - Math & Alg I (Grades 3-8)
Wednesday, February 5 - RLA (Grades 3-8)
Thursday, February 6 - Social Studies (Grade 8)
Friday, February 7 - Make-up testing
We expect students to do their best on the End of the Year assessments. Many educational decisions are based on the results. The test results will help us make focused instructional decisions concerning your child’s needs. You will receive a letter from your child’s teacher about a week after testing, letting you know how your child scored on these assessments. 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 make sure your child is on time for class.
Make sure they eat a good, healthy breakfast.
If they eat at school, please ensure they arrive by 7:15 am to have plenty of time to eat.
Students on campus must bring healthy snacks and water during testing days.
All students will test online for the End of Year assessments.
Thank you for your support and cooperation in ensuring your child is successful.
We aim to be an “A” Rated Campus in 2025-2026.
Sincerely,
Dr. Leslie Sparacello, Superintendent
Heather Rauls, Principal
Joann Aguilar, Assistant Principal
Amy Jo Tejada, Instructional Coach