CMS Cougar Communication

Hello CMS Students and Families,

It’s hard to believe we’re already at the second-to-last newsletter of the year, summer break is just FOUR weeks away!

There’s a lot happening this time of year, so I know this newsletter is a long one. Be sure to scroll through so you don’t miss any important updates.

Here’s to a great week,

Brian Scharmann (he/him)

Principal
Christensen Middle School

Hi Parents! As we're getting closer and closer to the end of the school year, it's never too late to encourage our kids to be successful in school and incorporate skill sets that will be enormously helpful in preparing for high school. Some tips to remember:

1. Encourage a love of reading! Visit the library or bookstore with your kids!

2. Ask your kids how it's going in math - look at what they are doing in math.

3. Encourage your child to use their planner to stay organized.

4. Teach your child that homework is a priority!

5. Make sure your child has a good system for organizing homework, etc.

6. Make attendance a priority. Attendance is the #1 school success factor.

7. Get to know your child's friends.

8. Know who your kids are with and where they are going.

9. Be aware of your kids' screen time. Too much is unhealthy.

10. Provide support - spending time with your child gives them a strong sense of self.

We get so busy that we sometimes forget the little things, but it's those little things that add up!

Ms. Allen, Counselor

Staff Appreciation Week is coming! May 5th-9th the PTA will be providing our awesome staff with a different treat each day. If you’d like to contribute, you can donate here:

my.cheddarup.com/c/cms-staff-appreciation-week-extravaganza-2024-copy

Your support in making this happen for our staff is appreciated!

We’re excited to celebrate our 8th graders at their upcoming Promotion Dance and need your help to make it a success! We’re looking for volunteers to assist with setup before the event, supervision during the dance, and cleanup afterward.

Your time and support will mean so much to our students and help ensure everything runs smoothly. Whether you can help with setup, cleanup, or both, we’d love to have you join us.

Thank you for being a part of making this special night unforgettable!
Please use the link below to sign up and indicate which time slot works best for you.

https://www.evite.com/signup-sheet/4924504209358848/?utm_campaign=send_sharable_link&utm_source=evitelink&utm_medium=sharable_invite

Thanks for your help,

CMS PTA 8th Grade Dance Committee

As we prepare for the upcoming 8th Grade Promotion Dance, we’re seeking raffle prize donations to help make the event extra special for our students. If you work for a company or organization that offers donations for school events or raffles, we’d love your support. Gift cards, merchandise, tickets, services, any contribution can help make this celebration even more memorable.

If your employer is able to provide a donation, please reach out. We truly appreciate your help in making this a night to remember for our 8th graders!

Feel free to contact the CMS PTA Dance Committee at cmscougarspta@gmail.com.

Our 8th graders are nearing a major milestone as they prepare to leave middle school and step into their next adventure. To celebrate, we’re organizing a special 8th Grade Promotion Dance—an evening filled with fun, friends, and lasting memories!

To make this event truly spectacular, we’re asking 8th-grade families to consider a flat contribution of $40 per student (though any amount is appreciated). 100% of donations will go toward food, entertainment, and decorations to create an unforgettable night for our students.

Make your contribution here: my.cheddarup.com/c/8th-grade-promotion-dance-copy

If you can give a little extra to support other families, your generosity would mean so much.

Thank you for helping us send off our 8th graders in style!

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The CMS School Site Council (SSC) will meet virtually on May 6, 2025 at 3:00PM.

To join the meeting, please use the following link: https://meet.google.com/rzo-ktsz-kha.

Agenda to follow.

CMS will host our Spring Band Concert on Tuesday, May 6 at 7:00PM and our Spring Orchestra Concert on Wednesday, May 7 at 7:00PM.

Get ready for a fun and exciting night of trivia at CMS! Join us on Friday, May 9 in the MPR for AVID Trivia Night. Bring your friends and your brain power to compete in teams of 5–7 players. It is just $2 per player, and all proceeds will benefit the CMS AVID program. Check your school email for more details or scan the QR code to sign up. We hope to see you there!

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Auditions for the CMS Talent Show will be held on Wednesday, May 14, from 1:45 to 3:00 PM after school in the MPR.

Whether you sing, dance, juggle, tell jokes, or have any other talent to share, we want to see it! This is your chance to be part of a fun night celebrating the amazing skills of our CMS students.

No need to be perfect—just come ready to shine!

The CMS Open House will be on Wednesday, May 14 from 5:45PM-7:00PM There will be a short presentation in the Gym at 5:45PM. All of our classes will be open to provide a wonderful opportunity to see student work and to meet some of our fabulous staff.

Craving Chipotle? Mark your calendar for Wednesday, May 14th, from 5-9 PM at 4691 1st St, Livermore, CA! When you dine in or order online for pickup using code P936KTK, 25% of event sales will be donated to the AVID program at Christensen Middle School. Your support helps provide resources and opportunities for our students. Remember, delivery orders and gift cards don’t qualify—so swing by and enjoy a meal for a great cause!

Thank you for making a difference!

This year the eighth grade trip to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom will take place on Friday, May 16. 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 28, 2025. 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.

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.

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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 20, 2025, 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.

Join us for an evening of talent, energy, and entertainment at the Christensen Middle School Talent Show!

• 🗓 Date: Wednesday, May 21
• 🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
• 📍 Location: CMS MPR

Come support your fellow students as they take the stage to sing, dance, act, and showcase their unique talents. It’s going to be a night to remember!

Popcorn, snacks, and drinks will be available for purchase—students are encouraged to bring small denomination cash if they’d like to buy refreshments.

We can’t wait to see you there!

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All 8th graders are invited to attend the 8th Grade Promotion Dance on Friday, May 23, 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 Wednesday, May 21, 2025.

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.

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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 29. 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 Promotion Ceremony begins promptly at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 29, 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 29. 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.

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

Congratulations to:

• 6th grader - Bryce Purl

• 7th grader - Akhilesh Reddem

• 8th grader - Rudy Carrasco

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

Congratulations to:

• 6th grader - Jhett Whatley

• 7th grader - Marianne Haupt

• 8th grader - Noah Andrade

We are proud to share that two of our incredible CMS teachers, Ms. Bonetti and Ms. Wieland, have been honored with Tri-Valley SELPA’s Annual Make A Difference (MAD) Award! This award recognizes individuals who make a significant impact in the lives of students receiving special education services. We are so grateful for their dedication, compassion, and commitment to supporting every student’s success. Congratulations, Ms. Bonetti and Ms. Wieland—you truly make a difference at CMS!

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 proudly recognize Karina Mussari, a dedicated Yard Duty Supervisor and Instructional Specialist at CMS, for her outstanding contributions to our school. Karina plays a key role in supporting our AVID program, where she helps students stay organized, develop strong study habits, and build confidence in their academic abilities. In addition to her AVID work, she supports campus safety, steps in to assist in classrooms, and fosters a warm and welcoming environment for students throughout the day. Karina’s patience, positivity, and deep care for students make her an invaluable part of our CMS team. Congratulations, Karina, and thank you for all that you do!

This month, CMS was proud to welcome two representatives from Livermore Sanitation to campus. They visited classrooms to educate students on how to properly sort their waste and highlighted the importance of responsible disposal and recycling practices. Their visit helped students better understand how small actions can make a big difference for our environment. Thank you to Livermore Sanitation for partnering with us to support sustainability at CMS!

We’re thrilled to announce that the Rotary Club of Livermore Valley has generously awarded a $4,000 grant to Ms. Mangnaan and the CMS Science Department! This funding will be used to purchase new lab equipment and instructional tools, bringing more hands-on science experiences to our students. We’re incredibly grateful for Rotary’s continued investment in high-quality STEM learning at CMS.

We’re excited to share that the Rotary Club of Livermore, in partnership with the Livermore Valley Education Foundation (LVEF), has generously funded a $400 grant to support our school garden. The funds were used to purchase a new garden shed, helping us better organize tools and materials as we continue to grow our outdoor learning space. Thank you to Rotary and LVEF for investing in hands-on learning at CMS!

State and district testing is just around the corner. Please help us by encouraging students to get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and bring their fully charged Chromebook each day. Here's a look at our upcoming testing schedule:

• May 5 – 9: ELA CAASPP Summative Exam (All Grades)

• May 12 – 16: Math CAASPP Summative Exam (All Grades)

• May 19 – 23: District Math Final Exams (6th, 7th, and 8th Grade)

Thank you for your support as we help students show what they’ve learned this year!

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.

We’re excited to offer breakfast service to help students fuel up for a successful day! Breakfast is available at the following times:

• 7:00 AM – 7:25 AM
• 8:00 AM – 8:20 AM

Please note that service ends promptly at these times to ensure students have enough time to get to class. We appreciate your support in encouraging punctuality so everyone can start the day on the right foot!

Support the CMS AVID program by attending a Giants game!

Here is some information about the fundraiser:

• Monday - Thursday games in April and May (some exclusions apply)
• Seating Areas: View Reserve and Bleachers
• $15 tickets

• Link: https://fevo-enterprise.com/group/GiantsschoolfundraisingNG
• Promo Code: christensenms

Our ASB President, Shree Manickaraja, is launching an exciting new initiative called WasteEasy, part of the Zero2Hero project. This program empowers students to help keep our campus clean by reporting or picking up trash—and earning points for every piece they remove!

Even better, those points can be redeemed for awesome prizes like Starbucks deliveries to your classroom or gift cards to your favorite spots.

Shree is inviting every CMS student to join the WasteEasy movement and help make our school the cleanest and greenest it can be. Signing up is quick and easy, and your impact starts right away!

Let’s make CMS shine—join WasteEasy, sign up today!

Click here for more info (must be accessed with an out-of-district email)

Altamont Creek is celebrating its 25th anniversary on May 16th and will be creating a special collage featuring photos of current and former staff, teachers, students, and families—and they’d love to include yours! Please upload your photos HERE to be included in this exciting milestone event. More details about the event will be available soon!

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Child Nutrition is seeking on-call substitute workers. We have flexible hours available and provide on the job training.

This spring musical has multiple showings on May 1st, 2nd, and 3rd at the LHS Theater. Tickets available at the Livermore HS Webstore!

California students in grades 6-12 are invited to submit a podcast, narrative essay, or photo essay to the Climate Storytelling Contest, presented by the California Coastal Commission. Students choose one of three mediums, and answer the following prompt: What are your feelings towards climate change? How can those feelings be turned into action? Entries can be submitted online by 5pm on May 29, 2025. For rules, prize information, and entry form, please see here.

Sunflower Hill Programs is hosting a week long Summer Camp at Irby Ranch Garden in Pleasanton from July 21 through July 25, 2025 for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and they are in need of volunteers. The camp will be composed of fun outdoor activities from gardening and art to cooking and movement. The camp is open Monday-Friday from 9:30am to 2:00pm. If you are interested in volunteering over the summer please contact Olivia Christensen at programs@sunflowerhill.org

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.

The PTA is providing a whole school treat on May 27th! We need volunteers to help us pass this out from 11:00-12:30. If you can help out please email us at cmscougarspta@gmail.com

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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program the CMS PTA has been running for the past five years. It's a great program that supports the fine arts at CMS. The theme for next year is Made By Me and CMS usually starts collecting entries in early November. We can't continue CMS PTA Reflections without your help. The chairperson's job is more behind the scenes and so appreciated. It's also a great way to be more involved in your child's school. If interested, please email cmscougarspta@gmail.com. The current CMS Reflections chair is happy to get you started, but has an exiting 8th grader and cannot continue being a CMS chairperson.

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