Cedar Valley Middle School - Round Rock ISD
Jaguar Tales

Dear Cedar Valley Families,

It’s been quite an eventful week! We hope everyone stayed warm and safe during our unexpected "ice days" this past Monday and Tuesday. We want to extend a sincere thank you to our entire community for your patience and flexibility as we navigated the freezing conditions and made the necessary adjustments. It’s during weeks like these that the strength of our Cedar Valley family really shines.

Despite the shortened week, our students jumped right back into gear! We are incredibly proud of the focus and hard work they displayed during the STAAR Interim assessments. Their dedication to showing what they know is truly impressive.

Thank you for your continued support. Have a wonderful and relaxing weekend!

Go Jags!

Larissa Ortiz

Principal, Cedar Valley Middle School

 
 

Teacher of the Year

We are pleased to announce that Mrs. Melanie Morey has been named Cedar Valley's Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Morey is in her 11th year at Cedar Valley and teaches Art. She brings joy and enthusiasm into her work each day, creating an environment where students feel supported, motivated, and excited to learn. Beyond her classroom, Mrs. Morey is a positive and welcoming presence throughout Cedar Valley. She is always approachable, always encouraging, and deeply invested in her students and school community.

 
 

Paraprofessional of the Year

Please help us congratulate Cedar Valley's Paraprofessional of the Year, Ms. Cristol Alvarez. She serves as our campus Administrative Associate. She consistently supports students and staff with thoughtfulness and professionalism, responding quickly and graciously while ensuring teachers and students have what they need to be successful. Ms. Alvarez's behind-the-scenes work helps the campus run efficiently, and her friendly, dependable presence creates a positive and welcoming environment for all.

 
 

Updated Track Try-Out Information

 
 

Valentines Party - Feb 13, 4-6pm

Don’t miss the

Valentine Party!

Cedar Valley’s All-School Dance

Friday, Feb. 13th, 4-6pm

Wristbands go on sale Wed. 2/11/2026 during Lunch.

Bring $5 Cash!

We need Volunteers and Donations to make this all-school dance successful. 

👉🏼Signup to Volunteer or Donate

 
 

 🌎Escape to Paradise: Belize 2027! 🌴

An Unforgettable Educational Adventure with Mrs. Fooshee

Get ready for the trip of a lifetime! Mrs. Fooshee is excited to offer students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the beauty, culture, and adventure of Belize in June 2027!

Imagine your student…
 🏛️Exploring ancient Mayan ruins
 🌳Ziplining through a lush rainforest canopy
 🛶 Floating through magical caves on a cave tubing adventure
🦜  Visiting the famous Belize Zoo
 🐟Snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters of the Ambergris Caye Marine Reserve
 🏖️Relaxing and playing at the stunning Secret Beach

This trip blends education, culture, and adventure into an experience your student (and you) will never forget!

 Join us for an informational meeting:
 Wednesday, February 18
 6:00 PM
 Cedar Valley Lecture Hall

Come learn more about the itinerary, costs, safety, and payment options—and see why this truly is an Escape to Paradise! 

Mrs. Fooshee can’t wait to share this incredible opportunity with you!

**This is a non-RRISD, non-Cedar Valley sponsored trip.**

 
 

NJHS Walk For Wishes - Mar. 7, 10am-1pm

Click here to purchase your shirt (ticket)

 
 

RRISD Academic Calendar Survey

The Round Rock ISD Academic Calendar Committee has been hard at work drafting two options for the 2027-2028 school year, and now we want to hear from you! Your feedback plays a critical role in the final recommendation presented to the Board of Trustees. Thank you for taking a moment to help us plan for a successful school year.

The survey opens Thursday, January 22nd and closes on February 3rd.

Round Rock ISD Academic Calendar Options for the 2027-2028 School Year Survey Link: https://roundrockisd.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aXdPc7d4F1HkcC2

 
 

Information for Rising 6th Graders

 

Do you know a rising 6th grader who will be coming to Cedar Valley next year? Please feel free to share this information with them!

We are looking forward to welcoming our rising 6th graders to the Cedar Valley Middle School community next year! As we prepare for the 2026-2027 school year, we have several important events to share with you.

 

Please mark these dates on your calendar:

Monday, February 2nd - fifth grade students from our elementary feeder schools will visit Cedar Valley during the school day to hear all about elective options in 6th grade.

Tuesday, February 3 - Advanced Academic Night at Sommer Elementary School, 6-7pm. - The focus of this meeting is to share advanced academic information for Math and Science. An overview of the 6th grade choice sheet will also be provided. In depth information about electives will be shared that the Feb. 9 meeting at Cedar Valley MS. 

Wednesday, February 4 - Advanced Academic Night at Great Oaks Elementary School, 6-7pm. - The focus of this meeting is to share advanced academic information for Math and Science. An overview of the 6th grade choice sheet will also be provided. In depth information about electives will be shared that the Feb. 9 meeting at Cedar Valley MS. 

Thursday, February 5 - Advanced Academic Night at Brushy Creek Elementary School, 6-7pm. - The focus of this meeting is to share advanced academic information for Math and Science. An overview of the 6th grade choice sheet will also be provided. In depth information about electives will be shared that the Feb. 9 meeting at Cedar Valley MS. 


Monday, February 9th - Fifth Grade Parent Night and Elective Showcase -  will be held at Cedar Valley from 4:00-6:00 p.m. This night is designed specifically for us to answer any questions you may have about course offerings as your child transitions to middle school as well as explore elective options offered in sixth grade. The fair will begin in the CeVMS commons at 4pm, followed by a parent information session and Q&A style meeting in the cafeteria from 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Friday, February 13th - the choice sheet link will be emailed to all incoming CeVMS sixth grade students via their RRISD student email account. Parents and students can log in to their student’s email account to complete the choice sheet electronically. View the RRISD middle school course catalog here.


Friday, February 20th - course selections are due and the choice sheet link will be closed.

 

🐾 Jag Camp will be held before the first day of school, on August 13th to provide all students an opportunity to become familiar with Cedar Valley before school starts.

Last names A-L: 8:15-9:45am

Last names M-Z: 10:15-11:45am

Incoming 6th Grade Parent Meeting in August - TBD (more information to follow)

 

We look forward to you joining the Jaguar Family!

 
 

Information for Rising 7th and 8th Graders

This information is for our rising 7th and 8th graders (current 6th and 7th graders). Below are important dates for students and parents.

 

Feb. 10 - Incoming 7th Grade Parent Mtg 5:30pm - 6:15pm, Cedar Valley Cafeteria

Feb. 10 - Incoming 8th Grade Parent Mtg 6:30pm - 7:15pm, Cedar Valley Cafeteria

Feb. 13 - Choice Sheets for incoming 7th/8th sent out through advisory

Feb. 20 - Choice Sheets due to school counselors - Online Only

View the RRISD middle school course catalog here.

 
 

*UPDATED* Round Rock HS Academy Night - Feb. 2, 6-8pm

We look forward to seeing you on Monday, February 2 between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. Please refer to the map below for parking information.

 
 

Future Mav Course Selection Night (CTE, Electives, and Advanced Academics Night) - Feb. 2, 6-8pm

Future 9th graders and their families will learn about Career and Technical Education courses, other electives, AP, IB, and other Advanced Academic options taught at McNeil High School, as well have an opportunity to meet teachers in our Programs of Study.

NOTE: ALL current Mavericks and their families are welcome to attend, too.

👉🏼For more detailed information about the night, click HERE. 

For additional information about McNeil’s MAVtastic CTE programs click HERE!

Please refer to the map below for parking information.

 
 

Start Saving Those Plastic Shopping Bags! 

 
 

Save the Date - 8th Grade Celebration/ Dance is coming On Saturday, April 25

If you are interested in helping plan or volunteering for the dance, please fill out this volunteer interest form, and the dance chair, Erin DeRosa, and the committee will reach out with opportunities. 

 
 

8th Grade Dance Fundraiser - Jaguar Games - Jan. 22- Feb.6

8th Graders and Families: The Jaguar Games are coming! Be sure to bring your bills and coins to lunch January 22 - February 6. All money is welcomed for this fun, interactive fundraiser, and 100% goes toward the 8th Grade Dance this Spring!

 
 

Purchase a Cedar Valley Yearbook!

Our Year. Our Yearbook. The yearbook is the one place where everyone’s stories are celebrated. And that makes it a book you don’t want to miss! Order today to guarantee a copy!

ORDER YEARBOOK

 

8th Grade Recognition Ads

ORDER HERE

 
 

Community Communication Sign Up

Currently, our campus communications are limited to students, parents, and staff.

We recognize that many other important family members and community members wish to stay informed (e.g., grandparents, stepparents, local supporters).

We are pleased to announce that in the near future, we will be launching a dedicated "Community" communication list.

If you know of someone who is not currently receiving our updates, please ask them to sign up to join this new list. Once our new system is fully operational, it will take approximately one week after completing the sign-up form for recipients to begin receiving campus communications.

 
 

GoGuardian Parent App

Our district is providing families access to GoGuardian Parent, a mobile app designed to provide parents/guardians insight and control over their student's online activity when on school-managed devices and accounts. GoGuardian Parent was created to help provide students additional educational support and is a companion to the classroom engagement and internet filtering tools that our school uses. The GoGuardian Parent app provides an overview of the apps, extensions, documents, and websites your student visited, as well as internet controls that you can set for out-of-school hours. 

Learn more about GoGuardian Parent here.

 
 

Round Rock ISD Clothes Closet Donations

The Clothes Closet is a project  run by the local PTA's of Round Rock ISD. It offers good, gently used clothes to all students in the district who have need. Once per semester, each student can use this service. No referral necessary, just turn up to one of the two locations during opening hours.

In our ongoing support for RRISD's Clothes Closet we are always keen to take your donations of tops, bottoms, jackets/hoodies. Clothes must be in great, clean condition with no tears, stains, bobbling etc.

We also need, NEW ONLY boxer briefs style underwear for girls and boys, plus teen appropriate sports bras. Please deliver to the Jag lobby.

Alternatively, you may wish to support by donating directly using the Amazon wishlist. 
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2G8VOE7SO1TII?ref_=wl_dp_view_your_list

There is always a need for happy helpers with a "can do" attitude at the Clothes Closet. For more information about what this would entail contact clothescloset@cevmspta.org or sign up directly. Volunteering with the Clothes Closet is a great way to support families in our wider community. No experience necessary. Spanish speaking volunteers are particularly helpful.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45AEAF2CA0F8C52-58114760-20252026#/

 
 

Volunteers Needed

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!

 
 

Come cheer on the Jags!

Track Meet Schedules coming soon! 

Expectations for Students at RRISD Events

 
 

Join PTA Today!

Visit our Cedar Valley PTA Online Store to purchase your annual PTA membership and Cedar Valley merchandise!

 
 

Helpful Staff Contact Information

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. Amanda Baugh-Williams, 512-428-2301

Registrar: Ms. Vicky Escruceria, 512-428-2315

 

Counselors

6th Grade Counselor: Ms. Elizabeth Guidry

7th Grade Counselor: Mr. Tracy Hendley

8th Grade Counselor: Ms. Heather Mills

 

Administration

Principal: Ms. Larissa Ortiz

6th Grade Assistant Principal: Mr. Andrew Carroll

7th Grade Assistant Principal: Ms. Jennifer Bingham / Sub: Mr. Darrell Overton

8th Grade Assistant Principal: Mr. Marc Scott

 

Nurse Clinic

Campus Nurse: Nurse Mina Shimomura

Records Specialist: Ms. Kristie_Rocheleau

 

Useful Links

CeVMS Personal Electronic Device Policy

CeVMS Tardy Policy

Tutoring Schedule 25-26

Clubs 25-26

Arrival and Dismissal Safety

CeVMS Attendance Policies and Procedures

CeVMS Guidelines for Parents on the Use of AI

CeVMS Grading Policy

Jag Lobby Reminders

Expectations for Students at RRISD Events

SMART Tag Info. for Bus Riders

Breakfast and Lunch Menus

Home Access Center (HAC) Log In

2025 - 2026 RRISD District Calendar

Cedar Valley Middle School PTA Website