Jaguar Tales - October 24, 2025

Cedar Valley Middle School - Round Rock ISD

Dear Cedar Valley Families,

This week, our students did an amazing job wrapping up campus-wide testing. Thank you for your support in helping everything run smoothly! Now we’re shifting gears and heading into a fun-filled Red Ribbon Week, celebrating healthy choices, school pride, and community spirit.

This edition of our newsletter includes all the details on themed dress-up days, special events, and ways you can get involved.

Have a restful weekend! Go Jags!

Larissa Ortiz, Cedar Valley Middle School Principal

Chess Recognition

CeVMS chess team member, Arjun P., tied for sixth in the state in the 8th Grade section of the Texas State Grade Level Chess Championship held in Houston this past weekend from Oct 17-19, 2025.

Arjun played in an extremely competitive group, and all of Arjun's games went into the final few minutes. 300+ students from across 50+ Texas schools competed in this event. Congratulations, Arjun!

Jaguar Football

The weekly football update will be included next week.

Interested in Academic UIL?

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 Cedar Valley Middle School on January 24th. If you have any questions, please contact the coach of a specific subject or the Cedar Valley UIL Coordinator, Eric_Gerhardstein@roundrockisd.org

RRISD CTE Student Opportunities

Exciting opportunities await CTE students beyond the classroom! From exclusive scholarships and paid internships to leadership programs and community partnerships, students can gain valuable experience while shaping their future careers. Don’t miss out—encourage your student to explore these CTE opportunities today and sign up for what inspires them most!

Click here to review the current available opportunities.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month

McNeil Engineering Club is hosting a Middle School STEM Challenge

McNeil's TSA Engineering Club is hosting a STEM challenge for middle school students. Join us for a morning of fun filled STEM design challenges with McNeil Engineering students.

Details:

Price: $45.00 – This includes Projects, snacks, & STEM souvenirs.
Who? This exciting opportunity is available to middle school aged students interested in STEM / Engineering
When/Where? Saturday 10/25/25 8:30am-Noon in McNeil High School Engineering Maker Space

Registration is limited to 30 spots. Sign up with the following link: LINK

Red Ribbon Week - Oct. 27 - 31

Picture Retake Day - Oct. 29

Did you miss picture day last week? No worries! You can take your photo on Wednesday, Oct. 29. This will also be the opportunity for anyone who would like to retake their photos. If you were not satisfied with your photo, simply bring in your first photo packet and take a new photo.

Travel Opportunity for Students - Info. Meeting Oct. 29

Jaguar Boys Basketball Tryouts - Oct. 30 &31

Halloween Dress Up Info.

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

Costumes must follow the RRISD dress code (p. 69 of Student Handbook)
Staff must be able to identify students. No masks.
Costumes must not hinder students' 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.

PTA Reflections Submissions DEADLINE EXTENDED to Oct. 31

Link to the flyer below

The arts – and the National PTA Reflections program – support student success and serve as a valuable tool for building strong partnerships in your school community. Celebrate arts learning in your school community with Reflections.

Reflections 2025-2026

Imagination, creativity and interpretation of the theme “I Belong!” in 2025-26.

To get involved, students submit your digital file using this online entry form inspired by the annual theme, for the Reflections Program in any of following arts areas with rules:

Accessible Arts Rules

Students can submit pieces in each (and every) category. Student artists should be responsible for their own work.

Submissions will be judged at the school level; those that advance will move on to the Council level and beyond. Once the entry is moved on to State level, will be informed to provide physical registration form.

Join as a CeVMS PTA member TODAY! Must have PTA membership to enter.

For 2025-26, please fill out the form designed by Council PTA.

Visual Arts Entries will be submitted physically on campus while all other entries will be submitted virtually. Students will not want to miss this opportunity to submit an entry to this exciting and creative competition. Virtual Exhibit 2024-25 National PTA Reflections Awards

CeVMS Reflections Due Date: Friday, Oct. 31, 2025

More information about Reflection on Council PTA or Tx PTA

If you have questions, please send an email to Charlotte Chen, Reflections Chair via reflections@cevmspta.org

No School - Nov. 7

Order Your NJHS Benefit Talent Show Ticket (Shirt) by Nov. 13!

Click here to order!

Order Your Yearbook!

jostens.com/ybkboo

Attn: 8th Grade Parents - Yearbook Ads Info.

RRISD IB Information Meetings - Next Meeting: Nov. 3

Volunteers Needed

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).

Cedar Valley Volunteer Interest Form

This does NOT obligate you to anything, other than possibly receiving emails when we need help in your areas of interest. Please contact Livy Knox, the PTA Volunteer Coordinator with any questions at volunteer@cevmspta.org.

If you plan to volunteer at CeVMS in any capacity, you must complete the RRISD online application. Click here to access the Online Volunteer Application.

Career & College Fair "Presenters" Needed

Cedar Valley Middle School will be hosting our Career & College Fair on April 29, 2026 and would like to invite parents or family members to consider sharing your career details with our eighth grade students. All you would need to do is set up a display at a table and answer questions as our students visit your table.

The Career Fair will be held from 12:00 -1:00 pm on the 29th of April. You will be able to set up your display from 11:00-11:30 am.

This is an exciting way for our students to begin thinking about what they need to do in high school to prepare for their future. We would love to have you participate to showcase your field of expertise to our eighth grade students. Please click on the link below and fill out the information requested if you would like to participate:

CeVMS Career Participation Form 2026

Please feel free to contact Liz Guidry at elizabeth_guidry@roundrockisd.org with any questions!

Free and Reduced Meal Application

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