CMS Cougar Communication

Dear Students, Parents, and Families,

October is always an exciting month at Christensen Middle School! Our students are growing more confident each day, classrooms are full of energy, and we’re seeing the positive habits and routines that set the tone for a strong year ahead.

This is also a great time to support school spirit and student success through a few important events and reminders:

• CMS PTA FunD Run Fundraiser: Our biggest fundraiser of the year kicks off soon! We’re raising $15,000 to fund classroom supplies, honor roll celebrations, and school improvements. Families can sign up and start collecting donations at mybooster.com. The Kickoff will take place on October 14, and our FunD Run Event Day is October 23. Thank you for supporting CMS through this exciting event!

• Chromebook Insurance: The order window for School Device Coverage (SDC) insurance is open through October 31st. Once it closes, no new policies can be purchased until next school year. Since the cost of a Chromebook replacement can be up to $399, this coverage is strongly recommended. Families must notify SDC if their student’s device is swapped for repair. See more information below!

Thank you for your continued partnership in making CMS a place where students feel supported, challenged, and proud to belong.

Brian Scharmann (he/him)
Principal
Christensen Middle School

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.

• 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.

Hi Parents! By now, I'm hoping that all our students are utilizing their planners. Organization is one of the best predictors of high school success; the more our students learn to be organized now, the more prepared they will be for high school. Organization is very much about habits, and habits sometimes take a while to form, so the sooner the better. Encourage your children to utilize their planners! When it comes up in conversation that they need to do something related to school, suggest they jot it down in their planners. The more routine using their planner becomes, the more "planning" becomes an automatic response.

Dawn Allen, Counselor

Christensen Middle School will be hosting BikeMobile on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, from 1:30–3:30 p.m. on the blacktop near the bike cage. Students can bring their bikes for free repairs, adjustments, and tune-ups. BikeMobile mechanics can fix flat tires, adjust brakes and gears, and even replace parts if available. This is a great chance to get bikes ready for safe riding!

Join CMS for International Walk and Roll to School Day! We will celebrate our school spirit, our health, and the environment with the Alameda County Safe Routes to Schools program. This year, our school will celebrate in-person at the schoolyard. With your family and friends, you can participate by:

• Taking a walk, or riding a bike, skateboard, or scooter
• Biking with your child on their own or with a trail-a-bike
• Taking the bus with your child and walking to and from the bus stop
• Joining a Walking School Bus or a Bike Train

Post a fun photo on social media to celebrate the day! Remember to tag @AlamedaCoSR2S on X/Twitter with #WalkandRoll25 and #IWR2SD, and post on Facebook at facebook.com/saferoutestoschool.

We look forward to walking and rolling with you!

Join us on Wednesday, October 8, for our next PTA Dine Out at Melo’s Pizza & Pasta! Stop by anytime between 11 am and 9 pm at 4433 First Street in Livermore.

Melo’s will be giving 20% of sales back to Christensen Middle School, and both dine-in and takeout orders count. Enjoy a delicious meal and support CMS at the same time!

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE) at UC Berkeley invites 4th–8th grade students to participate in SWE Science Session #1—a hands-on learning experience full of fun experiments and engaging science topics!

• When: Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
• Where: UC Berkeley (specific classroom details will be shared closer to the date)
• Sign-Up Deadline: Sunday, October 5, 2025, at 11:59 PM

The second week in October is National School Lunch Week. The theme this year is to taste the world. To celebrate, we have a fun menu that features some different flavors from around the world. Check it out on Nutrislice!

The first CMS School Site Council meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday, October 14 at 3:00 PM.

Join us at this link: Google Meet. You can also view the meeting agenda here.

The first CMS ASB Dance of the year will be on Friday 10/17 from 6:30-8:00. More information to follow!

Students attending ASB dances this school year will have their 2025-2026 ID card scanned for admittance to the dance venue. ASB will add the dance event participation electronically to the student’s ID account number prior to the dance for those students who purchase the item online at our RevTrak web store from October 10-16 for $7 or for $10 with cash or check in person during lunchtime October 14-16. The opportunity to purchase online will expire on October 16 at 11:55 p.m.

Dance event participation purchases made on Friday (dance day) will cost $20 at the door.

Important Reminder for All Students: To be eligible to attend school dances, students must not have any suspensions from school and must not have past due fines with the CMS library. Students with outstanding fines or missing materials will not be allowed to attend the dance. Please visit the library to clear any fines or return items. Dance eligibility guidelines will be enforced.

Students who earned a 4.0 GPA on their June 2025 report card will have the dance participation electronically added to their ID card.

School staff will scan eligible student ID cards at the door to enter the dance.

Students attending the dance must conform to the school’s dress code policy. Student faces must be visible—no masks. The clothing should not be obstructive, revealing, offensive or violent. Please do not bring any items containing sharp/pointed objects or materials that may accidentally strike another person. Inappropriate props will be kept in the office. Backpacks and outside food or drinks are not permitted at school dances.

Student Agreement: I realize that school dances are exciting events, and at the same time, I agree that one’s own safety as well as the safety of others is vitally important. Therefore, I agree, not to use alcohol and /or other illicit or prescribed drugs that would cause impairment prior to, during, or after the dance. I am aware that students may be searched upon entry to the dance. Tickets may be canceled at any time by Administration. Furthermore, I understand that I am accountable for my own actions. Should this agreement be violated, the consequences for students will be loss of the privilege to attend all remaining school activities and could include suspension. I further understand that if I appear at the dance under the influence of drugs or alcohol, I will not be admitted and will be detained until a parent, guardian, or authorities arrive to take responsibility. Students that show up late may not be permitted entry to the dance.

Mark your calendars for our next PTA Dine Out at Pizza Guys! Join us on Friday, October 17, from 11 am to 8 pm at the Vasco Road location (1545 N. Vasco Road).

When you order, 20% of sales will come back to support Christensen Middle School. It’s a delicious way to give back to our school community—don’t miss it!

There will be no school for students on Thursday, October 24. While students enjoy the day off, our teachers will be on campus taking part in professional development to support their growth and learning.

Get into the spooky spirit with Halloween Hands—fun, candy-filled treats presented by CMS AVID! They’re just $3 each, available for purchase at both A and B lunches October 27–29. All Halloween Hands will be delivered to 5th-period classes on Friday, October 31.

Cash only. Don’t miss out on this sweet Halloween tradition!

Make dinner easy and support the AVID Program at Christensen Middle School! Join us at Chipotle on Wednesday, November 5, from 5–9 pm at 4691 1st Street in Livermore.

Chipotle will donate 25% of event sales back to CMS AVID. To participate, order online for pickup using code 83LHMQM or show the flyer in the restaurant.

Please note: Delivery orders and gift card purchases do not count toward the fundraise

🏁

Mark your calendars for November 14, 2025 — it’s the annual Ruby Bridges Walk-to-School Day, officially recognized by the state of California. This special event was born from a group of young school patrollers at Martin Elementary who, inspired by Ruby Bridges’ courage, asked: Why isn’t there a day named after her?

There will be a virtual English Learners (ELAC) parents' meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday 1/20.

Join us at this link: Google Meet, agenda to follow.

Congratulations to our Cougar Kudos winners this week! These students were recognized for consistently demonstrating the CMS Core Values of Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe, and Be Kind.

Congratulations to:

• 6th grader - Kaya Simonetti

• 7th grader - Erin Shrestha

• 8th grader - Lily Moreno

We are so proud of these students for setting a great example for their peers—way to go, Cougars!

Congratulations to our Cougar Kudos winners this week! These students were recognized for consistently demonstrating the CMS Core Values of Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe, and Be Kind.

Congratulations to:

• 6th grader - Jake Palmer

• 7th grader - Jase Biel

• 8th grader - Ryan Willis

We are so proud of these students for setting a great example for their peers—way to go, Cougars!

Local real estate agent (and former LVJUSD teacher) Deborah Byrnes has partnered with us to recognize a CMS staff member each month for their contributions and service to our school community.

This month, we celebrate the outstanding efforts of Special Education teacher Ms. Webb. Ms. Webb supports students in the learning center, teaches her own math classes, and spends much of her day moving in and out of classrooms to ensure students receive the support they need. She collaborates closely with teachers and paraeducators to provide guidance and consistency, always keeping the success of her students at the center of her work. Her dedication to building strong relationships and fostering student growth exemplifies the spirit of service that strengthens our CMS community. Congratulations, Ms. Webb, on this well-deserved recognition—we are grateful to have you as part of the CMS family!

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.

Support CMS teachers by helping fund their classroom projects through DonorsChoose! Each contribution, big or small, directly supports learning opportunities and resources for our students. Check out the current projects and consider making a donation to make a difference in our classrooms.

• Ms. Garner's AVID Project
• Ms. Garner's Classroom Supply Essentials

Math Club at CMS is open to all students and meets every Monday after school from 2:40‑3:40 in Room 905. In Math Club, we work together to tackle challenging problems from MathCounts, and we also hold practice competitions to help prepare students who want to compete district‑wide. It’s a great place to build problem‑solving skills, make math fun, and deepen understanding — come join us and be part of a team!

Neon Clear is back at CMS! This exciting STEAM program blends academics, athletics, arts, and adventures to give students hands-on learning and unique experiences—from STEM projects and painting to trapeze, scuba, and even flight lessons.

Program Details:

• Thursdays, 2:45–4:00 PM

• Room 204 at CMS

Students who participate in academic, athletic, and artistic activities can even earn a scholarship toward an adventure opportunity. Space is extremely limited, so don’t wait—Register for Neon Clear 2025–26 today! Note, registration must be done by parents/guardians and student cannot register using their lvjusd.org email addresses.

The only way to guarantee your CMS 2025-2026 yearbook order is to purchase one from the Varsity Yearbook Order Center.

The price is $35 until February 1. The price will increase after February 1 to $40. Yearbook sales will end on April 6, 2026. There will only be a limited number of copies available for purchase after this date. The prices include shipping to CMS in June.

Books will be sold directly through the publisher. Use a credit card to order your yearbook. Go to www.YearbookOrderCenter.com or call 1-866-287-3096 and use School Code16490.

If you want to verify your yearbook order, please visit the Varsity yearbook website at www.yearbookordercenter.com. Click Find Your Order. You will enter the email address used when you placed your order. The school number is 16490.

Here is a link to the first edition of the Special Education Department Newsletter.

Our supplemental menus at the Secondary Level for October are here! As a reminder these are offered in addition to the hot entree, which rotates daily.

• Cafe Menu: Features grab-and-go options
• Salad/Sandwich Menu: Features a daily offering of freshly made Sandwiches, Wraps, and Salads. New this month is the Mediterranean Salad, made with bell peppers, cucumber, hummus, and Italian dressing. Available with Herb Seasoned Chicken or Edamame.
• As always, full menus for every level can be found on Nutrislice: https://lvjusdchildnutrition.nutrislice.com/menu

How to print our menus:

• Click on your school site, then click the menu icon in the upper right corner
• Click Print
• On the right-hand side, you can then filter by meal and language
• Among many settings, you can also alter the font size as well as deselect certain “Food Categories” you wish to hide to (ie milk which is available everyday)

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.

Remember to complete and submit Meal and Universal Benefit Applications by October 31st. Click here for applications.

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.

Note that the cost of Chromebook replacement is up to $399!

Operation School Bell (OSB)- Clothing the Children (CTC) program is reaching out for volunteers to help with our annual program. 200 students from LVJUSD will benefit! The ask is to accompany students in shopping at Kohl's on October 18 and 19: Livermore Valley Unified School District October 25 and 26: Livermore Valley Unified School District

See linked flyer for details and how to sign up!

ACEing Autism is bringing tennis to kids and teens with autism in our community! The program offers a supportive, fun environment where trained volunteers work one-on-one with athletes to help them build skills, confidence, and friendships through tennis.

The next 4-week session runs Sundays, September 21, 28 and October 5, 12 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at the May Nissen Park Tennis Courts (685 Rincon Ave, Livermore). Open to ages 5–18. Cost is $80 for the full session, and scholarships are available.

Register online at aceingautism.org/programs/livermore-ca. For questions, email livermore@aceingautism.org.

Science Odyssey Logo Contest is now open and accepting entries. To register for the Logo Contest please have participants fill out this form 2025-2026 Science Odyssey Logo Contest The contest will close on Wednesday, October 29th at 4:00pm.

• February 25, 2026 Student presentations are due to judges - times TBD
• February 26, 2026 Student project exhibits, a planetarium show, trashion show, live music and community partner exhibits will be held at Joe Michell TK-8 between 5-7 pm.

The City of Livermore and Poet Laureate Peggy Schimmelman invite students to enter the Livermore Teen Poet of the First Semester contest! This semester’s theme is “Tomorrow.”

What will happen tomorrow? What do you hope, know, or fear will happen? Use your imagination—any style or interpretation of the theme will be considered.

• Deadline: December 5, 2025
• Who Can Enter: Middle and High School students
• How to Submit: Email your poem to PLLivermore@gmail.com
• . Include your name, private (non-LVJUSD) email address, grade level, school, and teacher. One poem per student. (No AI-generated poems, please.)
• Recognition: Winning poets will receive a Certificate of Achievement from the City of Livermore. With the poet’s permission, selected poems may be published locally and displayed in the Livermore Civic Center Library.

Show off your creativity in the CMS PTA Pumpkin Decorating Contest! Students can paint or decorate a pumpkin—real or fake—but no carving, please.

Bring your pumpkin to display in the library from October 20–27. Voting will take place on October 28 and 29, and winners will be announced on October 31!

Prizes:

• 1st Place – $40 Amazon Gift Card
• 2nd Place – $25 Amazon Gift Card
• 3rd Place – $10 Starbucks Gift Card

All pumpkins not picked up by October 31 will be discarded, so be sure to collect yours after the contest. We can’t wait to see your spooky, silly, and creative designs!

We’re ONE week away from the start of our Christensen FunD Run fundraiser!

Key Information to help you during the fundraiser:

💵 Goal: $15,000

🎁 For: support staff and projects for students

🎉 Kickoff Date (in school): 10/14/2025

👟 Event Date: 10/23/2025

Donations for our Christensen FunD Run will be collected through our fundraising platform: MyBooster.com

How to Start on MyBooster.com:

• Choose “Sign Up”

• Enter your School

• Enter your Personal Information

• Once you sign up, it’s time to share via Facebook, email and text!

Enter to Win!

Our first prize giveaway will be announced on Kickoff Day! Earn entries into our Family Game Night Pack giveaway by...

• Signing up on MyBooster.com

• Sharing with friends and family

• Start getting donations!

Thank you for helping make our fundraiser a success!

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

😎

The PTA Reflections Art Contest is a national program that invites students to explore their creativity and express themselves through the arts. This year’s theme is “I Belong!” Students may submit original works in the following categories: Visual Arts, Photography, Literature, Music Composition, Dance Choreography, and Film Production.

Entries are first judged at the school level, with winners advancing to district, state, and even national competitions for the chance to earn awards and recognition. All submissions are due by October 15. Entry forms and guidelines are available on the PTA Reflections website. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their talents and gain confidence through the arts!

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