CMS 8th Grade Class of 2026 Events

Hello 8th Grade Students and Families,

Eighth grade activities are just around the corner, and we are looking forward to celebrating the culmination of three years of hard work on the part of your children. We hope the information in this letter helps you plan ahead.

We are now past the Trimester 2 progress report window, and we want to be transparent that a significant number of our 8th grade students are currently earning deficient grades in one or more classes. With promotion activities approaching, this is an important moment for students to take stock of where they stand academically.

Over the coming weeks, we will continue compiling and monitoring a list of students who are at risk of failing classes in Trimester 2, and therefore in danger of not participating in promotion-related activities. We will communicate early and often, and we will work closely with students and teachers to ensure students understand what is needed to earn passing grades in all classes. This includes encouraging students to attend support sessions, turn in missing work, and advocate for help when needed.

Our goal is for every 8th grade student to be eligible to participate in end-of-year events. If there is anything preventing your student’s participation, or if you have questions about your child’s academic standing, please contact Mr. Scharmann or Ms. Shiffrin Chi so we can partner with you and provide support.

We look forward to a strong finish to the second and third trimesters for all of our eighth grade students.

Brian Scharmann

Principal, Christensen Middle School

Dear 8th Grade Families,

We are excited to begin planning our 8th Grade Promotion Dance and wanted to share some important updates with you! This special event is a fun and meaningful way for our students to celebrate the end of their middle school journey and all they’ve accomplished as they prepare for their next chapter.

Important Dance Details

• Date: Friday, May 22
• Time: 6:30–9:00 PM
• Location: CMS

Get Involved – Join the Dance Committee

As we move into the planning phase, we would love support from parents and guardians who are interested in helping organize the dance. We are forming an 8th Grade Promotion Dance Committee to assist with:

• Food
• Decorations
• Fundraising
• Event coordination

Even a small amount of help makes a big difference—and it’s a great way to be involved in this milestone celebration for our students.

Donation Information

To help make this a truly memorable evening, the dance committee kindly asks 8th-grade families to consider a flat contribution of $40 per student.

• 100% of all donations go directly toward food, entertainment, and decorations
• Families who are able to contribute more on behalf of others are deeply appreciated

Make your contribution here: https://2026-8th-grade-promotion-dance-cms.cheddarup.com

Volunteers Needed

We are also in need of parent volunteers to help with:

• Setup before the dance
• Supervision during the event
• Cleanup afterward

Please note: this dance is planned and run entirely by parent volunteers, not CMS staff, so your support is essential. Whether you can help a little or a lot, we would love to have you join us!

Please sign up to volunteer here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSctGJ8JOACRwMYEFO3Jv0H23LnvJiZFEt3vrPnKolcpow9qfw/viewform?usp=header

If you are interested in joining the committee or would like more information, please reply through the Google Form.

Thank you in advance for your generosity, time, and involvement. Together, let’s give our students a celebration they’ll always remember!

Warmly,

CMS PTA 8th Grade Promotion Dance Committee

The 2025-2026 8th Grade Panoramic picture day is scheduled for the afternoon of Wednesday, February 18. All 8th grade students who are present on this day will be included in the photograph. Students should dress appropriately, as the LVJUSD dress code will be strictly enforced.

The school will display a copy of the photo in the school library.

Panoramic picture ordering information will be available before picture day. If you would like to purchase a copy for your student, the cost for the panoramic picture will be $25 and the laminated picture will be $30. Families wishing to order the panoramic will place their order on the Dorian Studio website. To order, visit the Dorian website at https://www.dorianstudio.com/search/account/45b92391-a724-49d6-9ac1-4673775f6300/ beginning on January 28, 2026.

This year the eighth grade trip to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom will take place on Friday, May 15. In order to take part in this activity, students must have passing grades in all classes on their report card at the end of the second trimester, February 27, 2026. Students must continue to maintain passing grades during the third trimester to attend. Students who do not meet the participation guidelines will be restricted from attending the 8th Grade Field Trip.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom permission slips will go out at the start of Trimester 3. Permission slips and field trip emergency form and money are due no later than Friday, March 28. The cost is $100 for ticket and transportation or $50 for transportation only (for students with season passes). Permission slips are available and payments can be made via the 8th Grade Activities Information section of the CMS website.

Students attending the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom trip should report to their first period class at the usual time. Students enrolled in 0 period should attend 0 period. Buses will return to CMS at approximately 6 p.m. for parent pick-up. Students not attending the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Trip will receive an alternate schedule for the day.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom only accepts card payments at all locations including restaurants, retail stores, games, ticket windows, and parking toll booths. You can either pay for purchases using a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or a debit card. Only have cash? You can convert your cash to a prepaid debit card at one of the multiple kiosks located throughout the park and anywhere in the U.S. where Visa is accepted.

Outside food and drink is not allowed in the park, so students will need to plan on purchasing lunch.

More information on their policies can be found on their website: https://www.sixflags.com/discoverykingdom/plan-your-visit/park-policies.

We have a traditional blue promotion gown ready for each of our 8th grade students to borrow for their promotion ceremony. Gowns will be distributed after school on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, to allow families to have the weekend to use the gowns in photographs, etc. Gowns will be collected at the conclusion of the ceremony in yellow bins as students and families exit the quad.

All 8th graders are invited to attend the 8th Grade Promotion Dance on Friday, May 22, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. In order to participate in this activity, students must have passing grades in all of their classes by Thursday, May 21, 2026.

Eighth grade students attending the dance must present their current CMS photo ID card at the door for admittance. Students who do not adhere to the District dress code will not be permitted to enter the dance.

The Promotion Ceremony begins promptly at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, in the CMS Courtyard.

A blue promotion gown will be provided to each student to borrow for use during the ceremony. Gowns will be returned at the end of the evening.

In order to participate in this activity, students must have passing grades in all of their classes for the third trimester. We encourage our eighth graders to see this event as one for which they "dress for success." Jeans, flip flops, and hats are not appropriate for this event and are not permitted at the ceremony. Note that it is possible for students not to have the grades for the Six Flags trip but still be able to participate in the other two promotion-related activities.

Promoting students need to arrive in the gym no later than 5:30 p.m. on the night of promotion, May 28. All students are expected to be dress code appropriate (no gum, hats, strapless, spaghetti straps, halter-top dresses, sagging pants, etc.). In addition, all students must wear the royal blue Promotion Ceremony Gown. This is an important event and we want to ensure that all students are dressed appropriately.

There will be no reserved seating at the promotion ceremony. The gates will remain locked on the day of promotion until 5:15 p.m. We ask that all families respect the handicap seating areas and are considerate of others. We have limited seating with the chairs available. We also ask that families do not bring noisemakers (as they can create distractions), balloons (which can obstruct the view), or animals to the ceremony. Thank you for your cooperation.

We look forward to seeing you at the promotion ceremony. Please call the office at (925) 606-4702 if you have any questions.

Students may not bring their backpacks on the last day of school. All students will be released to go home at 12:25 p.m. on Thursday, May 28. We will not be releasing 8th graders early. If you need to sign your child out before 12:25, please remember those students who are promoting will be rehearsing until approximately 11 a.m. It is important that all students who are participating in promotion be at the rehearsal.

The only way to guarantee your CMS 2025-2026 yearbook order for your 8th grader is to purchase one from the Varsity Yearbook Order Center.

The price is $35 until February 1 and $40 until April 6. The prices include shipping to CMS in May. 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 6, 2026.

If you would like to order an 8th grade dedication ad for $5 use the same website and school code. Scroll to the bottom of the website and it will say start your ad. The deadline for 8th grade dedications is March 23, 2026.

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.

Now's your chance to let your 8th grader know how proud you are of them! A ribbon promotion lei is the perfect accessory for EVERY 8th grader at CMS. Leis will be handed out after school the week prior to promotion ceremony. LAST DAY TO ORDER PERSONALIZATION IS MAY 1st.

PTA SPECIAL: $2 OFF PERSONALIZATION if anyone in your family is a member of the CMS PTA. Subject to verification. Please use code CMSPTA when ordering. Click here to order: https://8th-grade-promotion-lei-2025-copy.cheddarup.com

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