October

October Theme: Anti-Bullying, Health & Safety, Fentanyl Awareness Month

October Character Trait: Trustworthiness

2 - Custodian Appreciation Day

2,9 - Breast Cancer Day (Wear Pink)

3 - Picture Day (NUT Day)

4 - National Instructional Coach's Day

7-11 - Benchmarks (Grades 3-8)

7-11 - National Fire Prevention Week

11 - End of the 1st 9-Weeks

11 - PTO Panda Express Fundraiser

14 - PTO Holiday Catalog Fundraiser

14 - Columbus & Indigenous Day, NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS

14 - Parent/Teacher Conference Day (12:00 - 5:00 pm) (*Alternative dates and times available upon request)

15 - Read-A-Thon Ends & Middle School Esports Sign-Up Due

16 - Unity Day (Wear Orange)

17 - Report Cards

17 - PTO Meeting (PK Performs) 6 pm

21 - Thanksgiving Feast Pre-Order Window Opens

25-31: Red Ribbon Week (Dress Up Week)

25 - Read-A-Thon Dance Party

25 - PTO Fall Spook Fest at the High School (6700 Middle Fiskville Rd.) 6 pm

28 - Dia de los Muertos projects due

31 - Wear Costume & NUT Day

31 - Read-A-Thon Extra Recess

31 - Read-A-Thon Limo Ride (Top Donors)

31 - Read-A-Thon Lunch with Principal

• Students actively cleaning the community in the mornings.
• Mrs. Villasenor's students studying solids, liquids, and gases.
• Read-A-Thon student enjoying the dance party.
• Students enjoying the kick-off of Red Ribbon Week in costumes today!
• Students are enjoying the CATCH health lessons.
• Awesome first PTO Trunk or Treat.
• Front office is preparing for the Diwali celebration

Cedars International Academy will celebrate Red Ribbon Week by promoting participation in fun daily activities. Please encourage your student to participate in these activities to remind them they must

"LIFE IS A MOVIE, FILM DRUG FREE!"

HB3144 makes October Fentanyl awareness month. Please see the attached flyer.

Here’s the list of activities for Red Ribbon Week 2024:

• Friday, October 25: "Drugs are Scary": Students may wear school-appropriate Halloween costumes (CIA dress code applies. Costumes may not include blood, gore, or promote violence. Toy weapons are not permitted.)
• Monday, October 28: “Red”-y to Be Drug-Free! Wear red to celebrate Red Ribbon Week!

• Tuesday, October 29: -You + Me=Drug-Free” Wear the same thing as someone or dress up as what you want to be.

• Wednesday, October 30: - “Wacky Day” Wear mismatched clothes and attire.

• Thursday, October 31: -“Drugs are Scary” Students may wear school-appropriate Halloween costumes (CIA dress code applies. Costumes may not include blood, gore, or promote violence. Toy weapons are not permitted.)

(No tank tops. No inappropriate length shorts. Appropriate school shoes are required, and all other standard CIA dress code rules will apply.)

Thank you for your support! If you have questions, please click the Contact Us,

Red Ribbon Week Committee

October 1, 2024,

Dear Cedars International Academy Parents:

Every year, your child takes Beginning-of-the-Year (BOY) assessments in Reading, Math, Writing, Science, and Social Studies. The BOY assessments will be administered as indicated below:

• Monday, October 7 - Science - Grades 5 & 8
• Tuesday, October 8 - Math & Algebra I - Grades 3-8
• Wednesday, October 9 - Reading & Writing (RLA) - Grades 3-8
• Thursday, October 10 - Social Studies - Grade 8
• Friday, October 11 - Make-Up Testing - Grades 3-8

We expect students to do their best on the Beginning 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 apply effort during the testing and to 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 for plenty of time to eat.

• Students on campus must bring healthy snacks and water during testing days.

• All students will test online for the Beginning of Year assessments.

Thank you for your support and cooperation in ensuring your child is successful.

Sincerely,

Heather Rauls, Principal

Help us celebrate our hard-working and outstanding cleaning crew, Mrs. Morales, Mr. Torres, and Mr. Ferrer, for National Custodian Appreciation Day. Please share your love by sending them thank you letters, gifts, and more!

Click the link to access their favorite things!

Fall Picture Day is Thursday, October 3, 2024. 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!

Help us celebrate our amazing and dedicated Instructional Coaches, Mrs. Tejada and Mrs. Conely, for National Coach's Appreciation Day on October 4, 2024. Please share your love by sending them thank you letters, gifts, and more!

Click the link to access their favorite things!

October 1, 2024

Dear Parents/Guardians/Caregivers,

There is a growing threat to the health and safety of our youth that we want to bring to your attention. Fentanyl is a man-made Schedule II narcotic that has reached a growing number of communities of all sizes across Texas and has impacted so many lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), within the last two years, teen overdose deaths related to Fentanyl have tripled. Over half of all overdose deaths are related to Fentanyl use. Death from Fentanyl overdose happens when the respiratory system slows or not enough oxygen gets to the brain.

Fentanyl is a manufactured opiate drug that is generally used in the medical field to treat severe pain. It is often used in emergency situations and given by paramedics and in emergency rooms. Sadly, an underground market has developed for this drug, and it is often marketed to youth. Fentanyl can come in many forms, and even the smallest amount can be lethal. It is often mixed with other drugs, such as cocaine and heroin. Prescription medications can also be laced with it. There have been some cases where the Fentanyl pills were made to look like candy. Oftentimes, the teen has no idea that what they are taking has Fentanyl in it.

What can you do as a parent to prevent your teen from falling prey to this deadly trend?

1. Talk to your teen. Please discuss the dangers they may face at parties and social events. Let them know they can talk to you about things that concern them.
2. Monitor their social media and app usage. This is a common way that teens get access to this drug.
3. Encourage your teen to get involved with extra-curricular activities, church, service projects, community and school organizations. Keeping your teen involved can help battle loneliness, isolation, and hopelessness.
4. Know how to access the district’s anonymous reporting tool. It can be found on the district’s website. Report any suspicion that Fentanyl use may be occurring in the schools or that someone may be abusing it. Encourage your child to do the same. You could save a life.
5. Monitor your child’s behavior. Has their behavior changed lately? Do they have a new set of “friends”? Are they keeping to themselves more often than usual?
6. Seek help if your child is facing a mental health challenge or if you suspect they are using any substance.

Together, we can help our youth make better choices to avoid this dangerous drug and to keep it out of our schools and communities.

Back to School Newsletter

Parent Information Smore!

First Day of School Letter

September Cedars E-News

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.

Email: hrauls@cedars-academy.org
Website: cedars-academy.org/
Location: 8416 North Interstate Highway 35, Austin, TX, United States
Phone: 512-419-1551
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CedarsInternationalAcademy/#
Twitter: @cedarsschools