CMS Cougar Communication
11/17/2024
Message from Principal Scharmann
Hello CMS Students and Families,
As we approach Thanksgiving, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for our incredible CMS community. Your continued support, partnership, and commitment make our school a special place. I encourage everyone to take time this season to reflect on what you are thankful for.
A reminder: there will be no school the week of 11/25. We hope this break gives everyone a chance to rest, recharge, and spend quality time with loved ones.
The next Cougar Communication will be delivered to your inbox on Sunday 12/1 as we prepare to return from Thanksgiving Break. I hope you find the following information to be helpful.
Here's to a great week,
Brian Scharmann (he/him)
Principal
Christensen Middle School
Note About Traffic Safety
The school has received reports from community members that some of our students walking to school were seen carelessly crossing streets and running out in the middle of the block without looking for vehicles and bicycles. We have also received reports of students on bicycles weaving in traffic lanes, riding on the incorrect side of the road, and not obeying the rules of the road. Bicyclists and pedestrians share the road with all vehicles.
If your child walks or rides their bicycle, scooter or skateboard to school, we would like to remind parents to discuss the safety rules with their children. If you are walking, be mindful of vehicle traffic and be predictable. Look both ways before crossing. Do not walk or run into traffic. We should all be looking out for one another.
Bicyclists ARE NOT pedestrians and are required to obey all traffic laws. Persons under 18 riding a bicycle, a scooter, a skateboard, and using in-line or roller skates must wear a helmet.
Motorists should also keep in mind that while traveling in school zones, there are likely young, inexperienced bicyclists and pedestrians in the area. Please use extra caution while exiting driveways or making turning movements in areas around schools. Remember that the speed limit in school zones is 25 MPH when children are present (regardless of the posted speed limit).
The safety of our students and their families is important to us. Thank you for helping to make our community safe for everyone!
Message from Athletic Director, Mr. Moore
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:
- Register for all sports that the athlete is planning on playing this year at athleticclearance.com.
- 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.
- 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.
Save the Date
CMS Canned Food Drive: 11/12-11/19
We’re thrilled to announce that our AVID program will be hosting the annual Canned Food Drive from November 12th-19th! This event is a wonderful opportunity for CMS students to give back, foster generosity, and make a positive impact on local families in need.
We welcome donations of non-perishable canned goods such as vegetables, fruits, soups, beans, and proteins like tuna or chicken. Every contribution, big or small, will help those in our community who need it most.
Please encourage your students to participate and spread the word to family and friends who may wish to contribute. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in our community. Thank you for your generosity and support!
T1 Report Card Emails to Parents and Families, Wednesday 11/20
Thanksgiving Break, 11/25-11/29
🦃 No School
CMS PTA Pie Fundraiser Deadline, Thursday 12/5
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Winter Break, 12/23-1/3
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CMS School Site Council, Tuesday 1/14
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...
ELAC Meeting, Tuesday 1/21
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.
Livermore Granada Boosters Race to the Flagpole, Saturday 1/25
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
Have You Heard the Good News?
PBIS Students of the Week, Week of 11/4
Congratulations to our PBIS students of the week! These students were selected for being RESPECTFUL!
Congratulations to:
6th grader - Gemma Bonner
7th grader - Austin Root
8th grader - Huy Nguyen
PBIS Students of the Week, Week of 11/11
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
Helpful Information From CMS
Gratitudes
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.
Wednesday Afternoon Homework Club
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.
Order Your 2024-2025 CMS Yearbook
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.
AMC 8 Math Test at CMS
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
Girls Who Code Club returns to CMS!
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.
Join the CMS Miyawaki Forest Project!
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.
Math Counts Returns to CMS!
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 PTA Miyawaki Forest Team Fundraiser Campaign
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!
Helpful Information From LVJUSD
Did you know Child Nutrition is going green!
Child Nutrition is excited to share some of the measures we have taken to help reduce waste in both food and plastic.
City of Livermore Teen Poet of the First Semester Contest
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!
“Escribo en Español” Essay Contest (Essay Submission deadline is February 28, 2025)
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.
CMS PTA
Join the CMS PTA!
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.
CMS PTA Spirit Wear Fundraiser
Show your school spirit with new CMS spirit wear while helping raise money for the CMS PTA. Order at www.1stplacespiritwear.com
CMS PTA Socials
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Open PTA Board Position - Parliamentarian
