Hello, Jaguar Family,

We hope everyone is having a wonderful summer. It’s hard to believe that the start of the school year is just eight days away. Our team has been diligently working behind the scenes to prepare for a smooth and successful beginning to the year. We are excited to welcome both our returning Jags and those who are joining us for the first time!

This message is intended to share some information about upcoming back-to-school events and to provide additional details as we approach the first day of school. As the start date draws near, we will be sharing more specific information regarding arrival, dismissal, and other important routines.

For returning families, you may notice that Jaguar Tales has a new appearance. RRISD has introduced a new communication platform, which includes enhanced newsletter features. I appreciate your patience as I familiarize myself with the new system and its functionalities.

Wishing you all the best, and we look forward to a wonderful year ahead! Go, Jags!

Larissa Ortiz, Cedar Valley Middle School Principal

Cedar Valley Middle School Parent Information Meeting
For Incoming 6th Grade Parents & Parents of New 7th/8th Graders

Join us for an informative evening designed to help you and your student transition smoothly into Cedar Valley Middle School! This meeting is intended for parents only—students do not need to attend.

📅 Date: Tuesday, August 5
🕕 Time: 6:00–7:00 PM
📍 Location: Cedar Valley MS Cafeteria
🚪 Please enter on the Racine Trail side of the school

We’ll cover helpful tips, key information, and what to expect as your student begins their journey at CeVMS. Whether you're new to middle school or new to our campus, this session will help set the tone for a successful year ahead.

📧 Can’t attend? No worries! A recording of the meeting and all shared materials will be emailed to all families afterward.

We look forward to partnering with you for a great school year!

We look forward to welcoming our 6th grade students at Jag Camp! Jag Camp is the time when 6th graders and their parents come to school to get their schedules, see their classrooms, and learn to navigate the school building.

Last Names A-L:

August 7, 2025, 9:00 am - 10:30 am

9:00- 9:15 Parents and students enter through Jag Lobby and proceed to advisory teacher’s room  (Emails will be sent on Wednesday afternoon which will include each student's advisory teacher name. A list of advisory teachers will also be displayed in hallway).

9:15 - 9:30 Students will receive class schedule from advisory teacher

9:30 - 9:50 Students tour the school with NJHS members as their guide

9:50 - 10:10 Pep Rally in Small Gymnasium for students.

9:30 - 9:50 Parents go to the cafeteria for Q&A with Mrs. Ortiz and NJHS Officers

9:50 - 10:10 Parents purchase spirit wear in the cafeteria

10:10-10:30 Students join parents and visit stations in cafeteria:

• purchase spirit wear and join PTA

• deposit money into cafeteria account

• visit with counselors about missing or duplicate classes

• walk the student schedule (please exit building by 10:40)

Last Names M-Z:

August 7, 2025, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

11:00 - 11:15 - Parents and students enter through Jag Lobby and proceed to advisory teacher’s room (Emails will be sent on Wednesday afternoon which will include each student's advisory teacher name. A list of advisory teachers will also be displayed in hallway).

11:15 - 11:30 Students will receive class schedule from advisory teacher

11:30 - 11:50 Students tour the school with NJHS members as their guide

11:50 - 12:10 Pep Rally in Small Gymnasium for students

11:30 - 11:50 Parents go to the cafeteria for Q&A with Mrs. Ortiz and NJHS Officers

11:50 - 12:10 Parents purchase spirit wear in the cafeteria

12:10 -12:30 Students join parents and visit stations in cafeteria:

• purchase spirit wear and join PTA

• deposit money into cafeteria account

• visit with counselors about missing or duplicate classes

• walk the student schedule (please exit building by 12:40)

Helpful Information:

• Any stations not completed can be taken care of during the first week of school.

• ID Pictures will be taken when students attend library orientation with their Language Arts class during the first two weeks of school.

• Counselors are available during this time to address missing/duplicate classes. Please note: Counselors cannot resolve any other scheduling concerns at this time. Schedule Request forms can be filled out and submitted during the first week of school.

Please note: We do not have a makeup session for students who do not attend Jag Camp. Our staff is committed to ensuring a successful and positive experience and will be available to help students on the first day of school. Students who are not able to attend Jag Camp will be able to view their schedule in HAC.

JAG CAMP FLYER

*Please note: HAC is disabled at the moment. It will be activated again on Aug. 7, 2025.

Our parents and students use HAC to:

• check grades, attendance, and schedules

• set grade notifications

• view and print report cards

• plus more information related to campus life

Every parent in the district is encouraged to create an account and download the application and create their account. Round Rock ISD allows parents/guardians to register for a username and password online. For more information about creating an account and the app, please visit https://roundrockisd.org/hac/.

If unable to register online for a username and password, the parent/guardian must go to the campus where their student attends school and meet with the Home Access Center Coordinator to complete the process. Proper identification such as a Driver’s License must be presented and the “Home Access Center Use Agreement must be signed before the secured username and password are released. The “Agreement” form will be provided by the campus.

Home Access Center Version 3.1 requires Internet Explorer Version 9, 10 or 11, Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers. Internet Explorer Version 8 is no longer supported. If you are having difficulty with the website once you are logged into Home Access Center, you may need to clear your cache.

HAC is disabled at the moment. It will be activated again on Aug. 7, 2025.

Eligibility for free and reduced meals requires families to apply each year. To ensure your child receives this benefit, please complete the application, which take less than 5 minutes and can be completed online.

For more information aout the free and reduced lunch and breakfast program and to apply, please visit: https://www.roundrockisd.org/o/rrisd/page/lunch-faqs

Texas House Bill 1481 has passed. 

Purpose of the Law:

• Promote focused learning environments

• Reduce distractions in classrooms

• Promote positive peer interactions

What the law says: 

• HB 1481- Prohibits use of communication devices during school day (not just during class) with the exception of district issued devices.  

• Students with medical needs or emergencies may be exempt.

• It allows for districts to establish means of storage for the devices.

• It gives schools the right to confiscate phones. 

What does this look like at Cedar Valley?

Cedar Valley prides itself in being a phone-free learning environment. Phones can distract from learning, interfere with community building and connection with others, and can contribute to online conflict.This starts at the first bell and ends at the last bell.  Students are required to keep their personal communication devices in their backpacks between 8:10-3:35.

Personal Electronic Devices Include:

• Personal cell phones

• Tablets

• Gaming devices

• Smart watches

• Bluetooth headphones or earbuds

• Fitness trackers that can send or receive messages

• Personal (non-district-issued) computers

• Two-way radios

• Pagers

• Any other device capable of digital communication.

Before school: Phones and headphones are allowed in the morning while students wait to be released to 1st period.

• No audio should come from the phone (please use headphones).

• Personal Communication devices must be put away by 8:10.

Phones are not allowed to be used in restrooms or locker rooms - this will result in immediate possession of the phone and possible disciplinary action.

Consequences: 

• 1st Offense - Students will receive a warning.

• 2nd Offense -  The personal communication device(s) will be confiscated and the  student will pick it up at the Jag Lobby at the end of the day. 

• 3rd Offense - The personal communication device(s) will be confiscated and will require parent pick up at the end of the day from the Jag Lobby. 

We ask that parents please refrain from calling and texting students 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.

Expectations for Electronics at Breakfast for 6th and 7th Graders: 

Our 6th and 7th grade students are welcome to eat breakfast in the cafeteria before reporting to their designated hallway. However, please be aware that 6th and 7th grade students are not allowed to use electronics in the cafeteria before school. This is to ensure that students eat breakfast quickly and then report to their designated hallways. Once in their designated hallways, students may use electronics with the sound off until they are released to first period.

There is a "suggested" school supply list on the Cedar Valley website. However, we advise our students to wait until after the first day of school to purchase school supplies. Each teacher will ask for different items. Waiting until they tell you exactly what you need will save parents multiple trips to the store.

For the first day of school, we recommend that students bring a writing utensil, something to write on (notebook paper in folder, spiral notebook, etc), and their lunch (if able to).

Our campus does not utilize lockers, so there is no need to purchase locker decorations or organizational items.

Backpacks with wheels are prohibited on campus, unless there is a documented medical need. With crowded hallways, this type of backpack can present a trip hazard. Medical documentation can be provided to the campus nurse if your student needs to use this type of backpack. The nurse will share necessary information to teachers and staff.

All questions regarding school supplies can be asked of teachers once the school year begins.