CMS Cougar Communication

Dear Students, Parents, and Families,

The first day of school is almost here, and we are excited to welcome all students back to Christensen Middle School for the 2025–2026 school year! Our amazing staff has a wonderful year planned, and we cannot wait to get started on Wednesday, August 13.

We encourage all families to get involved at Christensen! One great way to do that is by joining our PTA, which can be done with just a few clicks on the CMS website. There are many opportunities to participate, both big and small, depending on the time you have available. We would love to have you on board!

Throughout the year, we will communicate through text messages, phone calls, and emails. Please make sure we have your most current contact information so you don’t miss any important updates.

It’s going to be an especially amazing year at Christensen! I’m thrilled to begin the school year as your principal and look forward to seeing you on the first day.

Brian Scharmann (he/him)
Principal
Christensen Middle School

Hello Christensen Parents! Welcome to new and returning families! Please remember, I'm here for your kids if they need support. Don't hesitate to reach out via email at dallen@lvjusd.org or call at (925) 606-4702 ext 6578 if you have any concerns or questions. We're all looking forward to a great school year with lots of academic, as well as social and emotional growth. Our whole staff will be reinforcing, with the help of posters around campus, "BE RESPECTFUL, BE RESPONSIBLE, BE SAFE, AND BE KIND" to ensure, to the very best of our ability, that all students learn in a positive and supportive environment. I'm very much looking forward to seeing our students!

Dawn Allen, Counselor

Registration is now open for anyone interested in participating in our athletics programs this year! Here are the requirements for being cleared to participate in Christensen Middle School athletics:

1. Register for all sports that the athlete is planning on playing this year HERE.
2. All athletes planning on participating will need to have an updated physical. We require a signed physical by a doctor within the last 12 months. Here is a link to a physical form that can be used: LVJUSD Physical Form. Other forms signed by a doctor may be acceptable but must specifically clear athletes for participation in sports. Physical forms will only be accepted through Home Campus (link above).
3. CMS athletes must have received a 2.0 GPA on the previous trimester's final report card. Incoming 6th graders are not held to this requirement until an official grading period has been completed.

The tentative start dates for the athletic programs we offer are listed below. More specific information for each sport will be communicated through the morning announcements and this newsletter as each season approaches.

• Cross Country (Co-ed) - August
• Boys Basketball - August
• Girls Basketball - October
• Boys Volleyball - January
• Girls Volleyball - February
• Wrestling (Co-ed) - March
• Golf (Co-ed) - April/May
• Track and Field (Co-ed) - April/May

Please reach out to our Athletic Director, David Moore, at dmoore@lvjusd.org if you have any questions.

We understand that the start of a new school year can be a stressful time, especially for students who are new to our campus. To help ease this transition, our campus will be open to CMS families on Tuesday, August 12, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. This optional opportunity is for students who would like one more chance to visit campus and become more familiar with the layout and location of their classes before the first day of school.

The first day of school will be Wednesday, August 13, 2024 and will follow our Wednesday bell schedule. Beginning August 14, students will follow the CMS Bell Schedule (see attached).

PERIOD 0 7:30 – 8:10
PERIOD 1 8:25 – 9:05
PERIOD 2 9:09 – 9:49

BREAK 9:49 – 9:55

PERIOD 3 9:59 – 10:44

PERIOD 4A 10:48 – 11:28
PERIOD 4B 11:23 – 12:03

4A LUNCH 10:44 – 11:19
4B LUNCH 11:28 – 12:03

PERIOD 5 12:07 – 12:47
PERIOD 6 12:51 – 1:31

On Thursday, August 14, we will begin the distribution of textbooks during class time. Every CMS student will receive one complimentary CMS 2025-2026 Student Planner as part of our commitment to student success.

All students will be photographed during their PE class on August 15. Picture day information and online ordering are now available by visiting mydorian.com. The online ordering portal will be available beginning July 25 and up to four (4) days after picture day.

The first CMS PTA General Meeting will be held at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, August 20. The meeting will take place in person in the CMS MPR, with a virtual option available for those unable to attend in person. Please use the following link to join: 8/20/2025 CMS PTA General Meeting Google Meet.

CMS will host an in-person Back to School Night on Thursday, August 28, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Families will follow their student’s bell schedule, moving from class to class to tour the campus and meet their student’s teachers.

There will be an English Learners (ELAC) parents' meeting in Room 601 from 5:30 to 6 p.m. The agenda for our meeting can be found here: CMS 8/28/2025 ELAC Meeting Agenda.

Grab Pizza on Back to School Night & Support CMS AVID! Make your Back to School Night even better with dinner from Pizza Guys! On Thursday, August 28th from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Pizza Guys will donate 20% of sales to our AVID program when you mention CMS.

📍 1545 N. Vasco Road, Livermore, CA 94551

Since families will already be out and about, it’s the perfect night to skip cooking and support a great cause!

No school in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

A P.E. uniform is required. All students are expected to have a gray t-shirt and royal blue shorts or purchase the Christensen P.E. attire at a very reasonable cost. (A gray t-shirt, royal blue shorts, gray sweatshirt, and gray sweatpants without logos are also acceptable.) Athletic shoes with white/light soles are also required.

T-shirts - $10.00 (Youth Large, Adult S-XXL) Shorts - $10.00 (Youth XL, Adult S-XXL)

To purchase any or all of the above items online, please visit the Christensen Middle School Web Store by clicking on the shopping cart icon https://christensen.livermoreschools.org/. To pick up your prepaid merchandise, please bring a copy of your receipt to the CMS front office.

Please write your child’s last name across the back of their P.E. shirt and on the nametag on the front of their shorts. No other writing is permitted on the clothes students wear in P.E.

The Student Transit Pass Program provides FREE Youth Clipper Cards to eligible middle and high school students. The Youth Clipper card provides unlimited free rides on LAVTA/Wheels. Students can add cash value to the Clipper card for 50% off BART fares and youth discounts on other transit systems that use Clipper. The pass makes it easier for students to travel to and from school.

All students attending middle and high schools in the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District are eligible to receive a free Clipper card good for unlimited rides on Wheels and Rapid buses during the 2025-2026 school year.

The Student Transit Pass Clipper Card CMS students received this year or in past years is valid through the student’s high school graduation date if the student remains enrolled in a participating Alameda County school and is under the age of 19.

New Christensen students should complete the online application for a Youth Clipper Card at https://stpp.formstack.com/forms/lvjusd_christensen. All fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required including Parent or Guardian Signature. The office will verify the information submitted online and on the printed applications received in the office.

When CMS receives the youth clipper cards, the office will contact the students regarding the distribution of the cards.

Why This Matters
Completing your Household Eligibility Form (Universal Benefits Application or Meal Application) can unlock valuable benefits for eligible families, including:

• Up to $240 per student in SunBucks

• Reduced SAT, IB, and AP testing fees

• Discounts on photo packages, PG&E, and internet services

Step 1: Check if You Need to Apply
It only takes one minute, visit our website!

• Not every family needs to fill out an application.

• Only complete one application per family if you qualify.

Step 2: Apply Online
Use the QR code below:

Need Help?
Paper copies are available if you need assistance or have difficulty with technology please contact our office at 925-606-4702.

The order window for families to purchase Chromebook insurance through School Device Coverage (SDC) is open through October. Once the window closes, no new policies may be purchased until the beginning of next school year. The policies are between SDC and the family, any changes to the student device (swapped for repair) must be communicated to SDC by the parents. Refer to the website for more information! English Flier Spanish Flier

We encourage parents, guardians, school staff and community members to join the CMS PTA. Please go to the Join Andrew Christensen PTA website (https://jointotem.com/ca/livermore/andrew-christensen-pta/join/register).

Show your support for our students by joining the CMS PTA. Our mission is to provide a positive middle school experience for every student and we are committed to putting students first. Members are not required to attend any meetings, but are encouraged to. Only PTA members can vote at the general meetings.

We appreciate your support.

Show your school spirit with new CMS spirit wear while helping raise money for the CMS PTA. Order at www.1stplacespiritwear.com

😎

Email: bscharmann@lvjusd.org
Website: https://www.livermoreschools.org/Domain/101
Location: 5757 Haggin Oaks Avenue, Livermore, CA, USA
Phone: 925-606-4702