CMS Cougar Communication

Hello CMS Students and Families,

Welcome back! I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable Thanksgiving break filled with quality time and gratitude. As we return to school, we are excited to dive into these next few weeks leading up to winter break.

This is a busy time of year with plenty of learning, activities, and celebrations. I encourage everyone to stay focused, organized, and engaged as we finish the calendar year strong. Please keep an eye out for updates and reminders to ensure you don’t miss any important events or deadlines.

Support the PTA Pie Fundraiser! Celebrate the holiday season while supporting the CMS PTA by purchasing delicious pies from The Pie Company! Choose from classic flavors like Apple, Pumpkin, and Dutch Apple, or try Mixed Berry, Strawberry Rhubarb, and more. Pies are $17 each, arrive frozen, and can be stored for up to a year. Order by December 5 and pick up on December 12 from 2:30–3:30 p.m. at CMS. Click here to place your order!

Let’s make the most of these next few weeks together!

The next Cougar Communication will be delivered to your inbox on Sunday 12/15. I hope you find the following information to be helpful.

Here's to a great week,

Brian Scharmann (he/him)

Principal
Christensen Middle School

Hi Parents,

What's the connection between attendance and your child's mental health?

Attendance is crucial for junior high students' mental health, as regular attendance promotes not only academic progress but also emotional and social stability. Studies show that consistent attendance enables students to stay connected with their peers, build supportive relationships with teachers, and develop a routine that can contribute to a positive self-image and sense of purpose

Conversely, chronic absenteeism is associated with various mental health challenges. Students who frequently miss school often feel isolated, disconnected, and academically overwhelmed, which can lead to increased anxiety, depression, and lower self-esteem. For example, missing classes makes it harder for students to stay on track with schoolwork, leading to stress, which can negatively impact their mental health. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also highlight that chronic absenteeism is associated with a higher likelihood of risky behaviors, which can affect well-being and overall academic success.

Ms. 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 at athleticclearance.com.
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. Phsyical forms will only be accepted through athleticclearance.com.
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.

• 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.

At Granada High, we are planning an International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme open-house type event on December 4 for current 8th-10th grade students and parents to come and learn about our IB Programmes at Granada from our current IB students, parents and staff in a social setting.

Our event is the "IB Milk and Cookie Social," and we will have milk and cookies for all who attend. The event will be in the GHS Student Union from 6:30-8:00 PM on Wednesday December 4.

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Teen Esteem+ is facilitating another important webinar about the influence of technology on our kids. Presenters will discuss how to set healthy boundaries, effectively monitor online activity, and provide tips on how to help children develop responsible habits. All parents are encouraged to attend.

🥡 Mark your calendars! On Friday, December 13, 2024, from 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM, head over to Panda Express at 4223 First Street, Livermore, CA to support the Christensen Middle School AVID Program.

Enjoy your favorite Panda Express meals, and 20% of the event sales will be donated to the AVID program, helping equip students with the skills they need for success in high school and college.

How to Participate:

• Order in-person or online on the day of the event.
• Show a valid fundraiser flyer (paper or digital copy) at checkout.

Thank you for supporting our students and making a difference!

Early Release Day, students will be released at 1:31 p.m.

❄️

The next School Site Council meeting of the year will be held virtually on Tuesday, January 14th, at 3:00 PM. To join the meeting, please use the following link: https://meet.google.com/rzo-ktsz-kha.

Agenda to follow...

The CMS English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC) will meet virtually on January 21, 2025 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. To join the meeting, please use the following link: https://meet.google.com/gfh-mxvx-tkm.

Registration is open for the Livermore Granada Boosters’ annual “Race to the Flagpole” event. The January 25th event is open to all ages and abilities and offers options to run a mile, 5K, or 10K. Proceeds from the registration fees will benefit the Livermore Granada Boosters. REGISTER HERE

Congratulations to our PBIS students of the week! These students were selected for being RESPONSIBLE!

Congratulations to:

• 6th grader - Briana Talavera
• 7th grader - Sydney Bateman
• 8th grader - Shree Manickaraja

Congratulations to the students who participated in this year’s PTA Reflections program, showcasing their incredible creativity around the theme, "Accepting Imperfection." CMS is proud of the six entries that combined stunning artwork and thought-provoking artist statements, highlighting the diverse talents of our students.

We are especially excited to announce the following achievements:

• Award of Excellence
  • Alexandra Esen: Visual Arts
  • Spencer Zoerhoff: Photography
  • Vanya Chen: Literature

These students' work will advance to the next level of judging, with the potential to be recognized at the national level. Best of luck as their creations continue this exciting journey!

• Award of Merit

  • Logan Reynosa: Photography
  • Sanjana Munagapati: Literature

• Honorable Mention

• Anand Sagar: Literature

Thank you to all participants for embracing this year’s theme and sharing their unique perspectives. Be sure to explore their incredible work by visiting the CMS PTA Reflections Padlet: PTA Reflections Entries 2024-2025 – "Accepting Imperfection".

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's recipient is Dr. Frank Alviso. Dr. Alviso is our School Psychologist and an invaluable member of the CMS team. He provides exceptional support to both our students and staff, and his dedication to the success of our special education department is unmatched. Dr. Alviso’s collaborative spirit, expertise, and unwavering commitment to fostering a supportive environment make a tremendous impact on our school community.

We are truly fortunate to have Dr. Alviso as part of the CMS family!

On Tuesday, November 19th, 7th-grade students from Ms. Smith and Ms. Steinbach's classes were able to participate in a Hands-on History experience called "Knights in History." Students first listened to an informative and interactive lecture about the history of knights during the peak of the Roman Empire. From there, the presenter passed around artifacts that knights both wore and used in battle, sharing interesting and gory details from life long ago. A few lucky students were called on to participate with the presenter, and the session wrapped up with a Question/Answer session.

This engaging event was made possible in part through funding provided by the CMS PTA.

Please take a moment to give a Shout Out to a deserving CMS staff member. Please complete this 3 question Google Form to give a Shout Out. Gratitudes will be shared with staff in our weekly internal newsletter.

Homework Club will be offered on Wednesdays from 1:30PM to 2:30PM. Homework club meets in the MPR and is a quiet place to get work done with support offered by CMS staff members.

The only way to guarantee your CMS 2024-2025 yearbook order is to purchase one from the Herff Jones Yearbook Order Center.

The price is $35 until February 1st. The prices include shipping to CMS in June. There will only be a limited number of copies available for purchase after this date.

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. Yearbook sales will end on April 14, 2025.

If you want to verify your yearbook order, please visit the Herff Jones 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.

CMS is excited to offer the AMC 8 Math test after school on Friday 1/24/2025 for students who are interested. A new practice test will be available for pick up each week in the office beginning the week of 10/28 all the way up to the test.

There will be no cost for students to take the AMC 8, but pre-registration is required.

For those who are interested in taking the AMC 8 with us, students must complete this short Google form from their LVJUSD Google account: https://forms.gle/oQFfsihKV3HF5EV39

We’re excited to announce that CMS will continue its partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL) to offer the Girls Who Code club this year! Meetings will be held every Thursday after school from 2:45-4:00 PM in Room 204, starting on Thursday, October 10th.

Although it’s called Girls Who Code, students of any gender are welcome to join. If your student is interested, they can sign up using this Google Form.

Do you love spending time outdoors? Would you like to join a team of students, parents, and staff to help create a habitat for local native plants and wildlife? We're forming a team to plan the planting of the first Miyawaki Forest in the Tri-Valley right here at CMS!

To learn more, check out this short video. If you are interested, please fill out this Google Form so we can plan our work for the year.

If you are interested in participating in MATHCOUNTS this year, plese take a moment to complete this short Google form so that we can communicate to all that are interested.

MathCounts is a middle school mathematics competition that builds problem-solving skills and fosters achievement through an in-person "bee" style contest held in January. The CMS Math Team will meet and practice in preparation to compete against other schools in our district.

Practices are held on Mondays after school in room 905. E Mail Ms. Giorgio at mgiorgio@lvjusd.org for more information.

CMS is starting the CMS Miyawaki Forest Team with the help of Ann Brown, from the Tri-Valley Air Quality Climate Alliance and the CMS PTA. With the help of a team of students, parents, and staff, they will plan and provide a habitat for local native plants and wildlife right on CMS campus!

You can help plant a legacy for your student and family by sponsoring a tree or shrub in the new CMS Miyawaki Forest! Your contribution will help students create a thriving mini-forest of California native flora right in the Quad!

Preparation began this summer, tuned for volunteer dates. CMS will be the first site in the Tri-Valley to create this solution to biodiversity loss, poor air quality, water conservation, heat islands, and climate disruption. Every tree or shrub planted by students will give them hope and agency to be a solutionary!

The Team is seeking donations to help fund the planting of the first “Miyawaki Forest” in the Tri-Valley right here at CMS. Donations to help supply the team with the tools and plant life they need to make this amazing educational experience happen at several sponsorship levels can be made at our Cheddar Up CMS Miyawaki Forest Fundraiser site.

• Sponsor an Eco-System for $100
• Sponsor a Mini Forest for $50
• Sponsor a Grove for $25
• Sponsor a Tree for $15
• Sponsor a Shrub for $10

Thank you for your support!

The Livermore Public Library will run the Winter Reading Program for the third year in a row. This program is intended to encourage all students to continue reading during their winter break holidays. From December 1 to January 15, participants track their time spent reading or listening to books and earn raffle tickets for fun prizes like a candy vending machine, a projector, Kindle, pizza oven, and more. The more they read, the more tickets they get. They can track reading online, via the free Beanstack App, or on paper gameboards available at the library.

Child Nutrition is excited to share some of the measures we have taken to help reduce waste in both food and plastic.

This week’s Staff Spotlight is Mary Stolz, Office Specialist at Christensen Middle School! Please visit LVJUSD’s Facebook or Instagram page to learn more about Mary.

The City of Livermore’s *Teen Poet of the First Semester Contest* is now open! Winners will receive certificates from the city and a $25 gift card to a downtown merchant. If a CMS student wins, Mr. Scharmann will also Doordash them lunch!

Encourage your student to submit their work and show off their creative talents.

Good luck to all our CMS poets!

The Education Office of the Consulate General of Spain and the California Department of Education would like to invite all California students to participate in the 2024–2025 “Escribo en Español” writing contest. “Escribo en Español” encourages students in grades three through grade twelve to further their Spanish writing skills by providing awards for the best prose and poetry. The theme for this year’s contest is “El planeta en peligro." All the necessary documents to participate can be found here. If you have any additional questions, please direct them to Sonia Cabrerizo Diago e Inés García Sal by email at escriboenespanol@educacion.gob.es.

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

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