CMS Cougar Communication

Dear Students, Parents, and Families,

We are well into the second half of the school year, and progress reports have now been shared with families. These reports provide an important opportunity to reflect on student growth, celebrate successes, and identify areas where additional support may be helpful as we move forward.

As the year continues, our focus remains on maintaining consistent routines, high expectations, and a positive school climate where students feel both supported and challenged. Our staff continues to work closely with students to encourage growth, resilience, and academic progress in the weeks ahead.

We appreciate the ongoing communication and partnership with our families and look forward to finishing the school year strong together.

Thank you for your continued support of our CMS community,

Brian Scharmann (he/him)
Principal
Christensen Middle School

Resilience is the ability to cope with challenges, manage emotions, and keep going when things feel hard. During the junior high years, students face new academic demands, changing friendships, and growing independence. Learning resilience helps them build confidence, problem-solving skills, and the ability to recover from setbacks—skills that support both school success and overall well-being.

Parents play an important role in helping children develop resilience at home. You can support this growth by:

• Normalizing mistakes and reminding your child that errors are part of learning.

• Encouraging problem-solving by asking questions like, “What’s one thing you could try next?”

• Focusing on effort and progress, rather than just grades or outcomes.

• Allowing healthy struggle instead of immediately stepping in, while still offering support.

• Modeling resilience by talking about how you handle challenges and setbacks in your own life.

When children hear consistent messages about perseverance and growth at home and at school, they are more likely to develop confidence in their ability to handle challenges. Thank you for helping us to help your child build resilience that will serve them now and in the future.

Dawn 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 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 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.

Join Teen Esteem for a free community education event focused on the real challenges of parenting and growing up in the digital age. This expert-led panel will explore the impact of smartphones and social media on kids’ and teens’ mental health, including anxiety, depression, addiction, and cyberbullying. Drawing on research such as The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, families will gain practical strategies for protecting kids online and creating a healthy family tech plan.

Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 6:30–8:00 PM, Livermore Library Civic Center. RSVP required.

Join us Thursday, February 5, from 7-8 pm for a webinar facilitated by Kaiser Permanente postdoctoral residents. This session will help parents better understand how anxiety can affect boundaries, communication, and relationships with teens. Parents will learn practical ways to manage their own stress, model resilience, and create a calm, supportive home environment. Perfect for middle and high school parents. Flyer in the attachments.

Support our students and enjoy an easy meal out at the same time. The Christensen Middle School AVID program is hosting a dine out fundraiser at Panda Express, and 20 percent of event sales will be donated to help AVID continue preparing students for success in high school and college.

• When: Friday, February 6, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Where: Panda Express, 4223 First Street in Livermore
• How to participate: Order online at PandaExpress.com or in the app and enter fundraiser code 3843705, or dine in and show the flyer on your phone or bring a paper copy.

Thank you for supporting our AVID students and Christensen Middle School community

Spread some smiles this February with Valentine’s Day Grams from the AVID program at Christensen Middle School. For just $3 each, students can send a sweet treat and a kind message to friends.

Grams will be on sale during both lunches on February 9, 10, and 11, cash only. All grams will be delivered to recipients during their 5th period class on Friday, February 13. Proceeds support the CMS AVID program and help fund student opportunities.

Send some love, spread some smiles, and support AVID!

🥪

There will be no school on Monday, February 16 in observance of Presidents Day.

🍔

🏁

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

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

Give back to Christensen Middle School and enjoy a great meal while you are at it. Help raise funds for the Christensen Middle School AVID program when you order from Pizza Guys on Wednesday March 11, 2026. CMS will receive 20 percent of the proceeds from all fundraiser orders.

No flyer is needed at the time of purchase. Just mention “CMS fundraiser” when ordering in person or include it in the comments of your online order.

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

• 📅 Date: Thursday, March 19
• 🕕 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!

Make dinner easy and support our school at the same time. Join us for a CMS PTA Dine Out at Melo’s Pizza and Pasta on Thursday March 19th from 11:00AM to 9:00PM at 4433 First Street.

Bring your family and friends and enjoy a great meal while giving back to our school community. A portion of proceeds from the day will support PTA programs and activities that benefit CMS students.

We hope to see many Cougar families there for a fun and delicious way to support our school.

Skip cooking and support the Christensen Middle School Library at the same time. Join us at Dave’s Hot Chicken on Wednesday, March 25, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM for a CMS fundraiser night. Dave’s will donate 20 percent of all food and beverage sales back to our school.

Order in person and scan the fundraiser code at the register, or order online through the Dave’s app or website using the code GIVE. Every meal helps support our students and programs, so bring a friend and make it a CMS dinner night.

Students interested in health care careers are invited to attend the Black Men in White Coats Youth Summit 2026, a hands on, inspiring event designed to introduce young people to the medical field.

Open to students in grades 6 to 12, as well as college students and families, the summit includes grade level workshops, interactive simulations, mentorship and networking with physicians and health care professionals, and a raffle for participants who are present.

The summit will be held Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Las Positas College in Livermore. Registration and breakfast begin at 7:45 a.m. Registration opens January 26, 2026.

This is a wonderful opportunity for students of all backgrounds to explore future pathways in health care and connect with professionals in the field. See the flyer QR code to register and learn more. The event is supported by partners including Kaiser Permanente.

There will be a virtual English Learners (ELAC) parents' meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday 4/28.

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

The East Bay Regional Park District is hosting a free All Abilities Day designed especially for Special Education students and their families. This event focuses on creating an inclusive and accessible environment where individuals of all abilities can participate and enjoy hands on activities.

All Abilities Day will take place on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Ardenwood Historic Farm. Families are invited to attend and enjoy a welcoming day centered on connection, exploration, and fun.

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 - Emma Kitaynik

• 7th grader - Ruben Harrison

• 8th grader - Corban McWilliams

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 - Ben Gatewood

• 7th grader - Hamsika Sarathy

• 8th grader - Justin Price

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

This month, we are pleased to recognize Ms. Gallagher, our Spanish Teacher and ELD Coordinator, for her dedication and positive impact on our school community.

Ms. Gallagher plays an important role in supporting language development and academic success for students across campus. Through her work in both the classroom and in coordinating English Language Development services, she helps ensure that multilingual learners feel supported, challenged, and connected to CMS.

Her thoughtful instruction, collaborative approach, and strong advocacy for English learners contribute to inclusive learning environments where students can grow in confidence, language skills, and academic achievement.

We are grateful for Ms. Gallagher’s commitment, professionalism, and care for our students, and we thank her for the important role she plays in supporting equity and belonging at CMS.

This year’s AMC 8 was a fantastic academic event, with more than 40 students signing up to take on the challenge after school. It was great to see such strong interest and enthusiasm for mathematical problem solving across grade levels.

While official scores will not be available for a few weeks, we are proud of all students who participated and stepped up to challenge themselves in a rigorous national competition.

Thank you to the staff who helped coordinate the AMC 8 and supported students during the testing process. We look forward to sharing results with families once scores are released.

Christensen Middle School students recently competed in the local MATHCOUNTS Foundation Mathcounts Livermore competition, hosted at Granada High School, and our Cougars delivered an outstanding performance across both individual and team events. We are incredibly proud of their focus, teamwork, and perseverance while tackling some seriously challenging math problems.

Here are a few CMS highlights:

Individual Top 10, Grades 7 and 8

• Vivaan Burman, 3rd place
• Vanya Chen, 6th place
• Nishant Sahoo, 7th place

Top 5 Sixth Graders

• Matthew Seong, 2nd place
• Arav Porwal, 4th place

Team Results

• 6th Grade Team, 2nd place: Matthew Seong, Harshith Pamuru, Ethan Borromeo, Avyan Chethan
• 6th Grade Team, 3rd place: Swara Shah, Rihansh Paradkar, Arav Porwal, Ananya Gowardhan
• 7th and 8th Grade Team, 2nd place: Arjun Gowardhan, Vanya Chen, Vivaan Burma, Nishant Sahoo

These results reflect the dedication our students bring to practices each week and the strong math culture we continue to build at CMS. Way to represent, Cougars, we are so proud of you!

We are proud to highlight CMS alumnus Shree Manickaraja, who has published his first book, Project Py: Foundations of Beginner Friendly Programming. The book introduces readers to the basics of computer programming using Python, with clear explanations and beginner friendly examples designed to build confidence and foundational skills. Shree’s work reflects curiosity, dedication, and a strong commitment to learning, and it serves as an inspiring example for our current students.

Copies are available on Amazon for those who would like to learn more or purchase a copy for $10. Congratulations to Shree on this exciting accomplishment.

This week we proudly celebrate National School Counseling Week, February 2 through 6, and recognize the incredible impact of our very own Ms. Allen, whose care, expertise, and steady presence make a difference for students every single day.

At CMS, Ms. Allen helps students navigate challenges, set goals, build confidence, and feel connected. Whether she is leading small groups, meeting one on one with students, partnering with families, or collaborating with staff, she is always working behind the scenes to make sure every Cougar has what they need to thrive.

If you see Ms. Allen this week, please join us in thanking her for the compassion and dedication she brings to our school community. We are so lucky to have her.

To stay up to date on the latest information regarding 8th grade promotion and related activities be sure to check out the CMS 8th GradeClass of 2026 Events: January 11, 2026 Update

We’re excited to share that the Girls Who Code Club is back at Christensen Middle School! In partnership with Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL), this club offers students a fun and supportive environment to explore coding, collaborate with peers, and learn from LLNL mentors.

Meetings will take place every Tuesday after school from 2:45–4:00 PM in Room 404, beginning Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

Although it’s called Girls Who Code, students of any gender are welcome to join. To participate, students must use their LVJUSD Google account to complete the interest form:

Girls Who Code Interest Form

We can’t wait to see our CMS coders back in action!

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.

Christensen families, we are excited to partner with CityServe for our upcoming City Serve Drive. From February 2 to 25, 2026, our Christensen community will join other Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District schools in collecting care kit items to support neighbors in need.

Our site focus is conditioner. Donations can be dropped off in the CMS office throughout the month. All items collected will be combined at the end of February and used to assemble care kits for individuals experiencing homelessness.

This is a simple and meaningful way for students and families to make a direct impact in our community. Thank you for helping Christensen Middle School show what it means to care for others.

The Livermore Youth Council is inviting students to take the stage for Livermore’s Got Talent, a fun community showcase celebrating student skills and creativity.

Students in elementary, middle, or high school can sign up to perform a three minute act. Prizes will be awarded to the top three performers, and all participants will receive a souvenir. Sign ups are open now with an official deadline of February 20, and the form will close early once 25 students have registered.

The event takes place on March 7 from 2 to 4 PM at the Livermore High School Theater, 600 Maple Street in Livermore. Families can use the QR code on the flyer to register.

Encourage your student to share their talent and be part of this exciting community event!

Students who love music have a great opportunity to earn financial support for their musical growth. The Rotary Club of Livermore is offering 2025 Music Scholarships for Livermore middle and high school students.

Several scholarships from 100 to 500 dollars will be awarded, and one outstanding high school senior may receive up to 1000 dollars. Students apply by submitting an application, a teacher evaluation, and optionally a short recording.

The application deadline is March 7, 2025, with awards announced by April 10 and a recognition ceremony on April 23. This year's application is available here: https://www.livermore-rotary.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Rotary-Music-Scholarship-Application-2025.pdf.

If your student is passionate about music and considering it as part of their future, this is a wonderful opportunity to apply. Contact the CMS office if you would like a copy of the application or support getting started

The UC Berkeley chapter of the Society of Women Engineers is hosting a free, one day Tech Conference for female and non binary identifying students in grades 6 through 8 on Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM on the UC Berkeley campus.

Tech Day is designed to give students hands on exposure to computer science and technology through interactive hardware and software workshops, engaging STEM and career panels, and opportunities to connect with current UC Berkeley STEM students.

Applications are open now and close on March 29 at 11:59 PM PST.

Learn more: https://swe.berkeley.edu/techday.html
Apply here: https://tinyurl.com/Sp26TechDayApp

Families can also subscribe for updates and future outreach events through UC Berkeley SWE using the links provided on the website.

If you have a student who is curious about technology, engineering, or computer science, this is a great opportunity to explore those interests in an inspiring college setting.

Two exciting community art opportunities are now open through the Livermore Art Association.

• Spring Awakenings is a call for art in collaboration with the Livermore-Amador Symphony. Artists of all ages and experience levels are invited to submit original work inspired by music and the theme of renewal. Selected pieces will be featured in connection with a live symphony concert on April 11, 2026, at 7:30 PM at the Bankhead Theater. The deadline to enter is February 16, 2026. Learn more and submit at www.livermoreartassociation.org/spring-awakenings-2026.
• Light of the West is part of the Livermore Reads Together 2026 program and invites artists to explore themes of discovery, resilience, mystery, and illumination in the American West, inspired by the community-chosen book Silver Lies by Ann Parker. Artwork will be exhibited at the Livermore Public Library March 1–31, 2026. The entry deadline is February 24, 2026. Details and entry information are available at www.livermoreartassociation.org/livermore-reads-2026.

Both opportunities are open to community artists and students. Visit the Livermore Art Association website for full guidelines, entry forms, and exhibition details.

Livermore High School junior Siyona Chamkura is hosting Glow and Grow workshops as part of her Girl Scouts Gold Award project. These interactive sessions are designed for girls ages 10 to 13 and focus on skincare, media literacy, and self love. Participants will engage in hands on activities while learning how to build healthy habits, recognize unrealistic beauty standards, and boost self confidence. Workshops will take place in Room 4 at Livermore High School from 4:00 to 5:30 PM. For questions, please contact Siyona at siyonaa.2194@gmail.com.

Bay Area students in grades K–12 are invited to participate in the 2026 Growing Up in America Art, Essay, and Video Contest, hosted by AACI in partnership with NBC Bay Area. For more than 30 years, this contest has provided students with a platform to share their voices and perspectives.

This year’s theme, Growing Healthy Connections, encourages students to reflect on relationships in their lives, including honest communication, respect for boundaries, appreciation of differences, and self-acceptance.

The submission portal opens March 1, with entries due by March 15 at 11:59 PM PDT. Winners will be announced in May. Prizes include a $1,000 Grand Prize and nine $500 Best in Class awards.

Full contest guidelines and flyers, available in four languages, can be found at aaci.org/gua.

LVJUSD Special Education Parent Newsletter

• 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.

Our CMS PTA Membership Drive is underway, and we would love your support. We have over 600 students at CMS, but fewer than 150 members in our PTA. A stronger PTA means more opportunities and resources for our students.

PTA helps fund programs and activities that directly benefit students, including fun runs, ice cream parties, and campus benches. Membership is just $16, and there is no requirement to volunteer or attend meetings. Joining is simply a way to support our school community.

Families who join by February 14 will be entered into a drawing for one of three prizes:

• $50 gift card to Hop DeVine
• $50 gift card to First Street Alehouse
• Wine tasting for four at Wood Family Vineyards

Please consider joining PTA today and helping make a difference for our students and school.

Several of our current PTA board members are reaching the end of their terms, and we are looking for parents and guardians who may be interested in stepping into leadership roles. Most positions involve a relatively low time commitment and offer a great way to support our school community.

One position is especially critical: PTA Treasurer. A treasurer is required for the PTA to operate next year. The good news is that our current treasurer will remain involved for an additional year to support and mentor the incoming treasurer, making this a manageable transition.

If you are interested, or if you know someone who would be a great fit, please complete the interest and nomination form below. You are welcome to nominate someone else, and we will follow up with them to share more about the role.

PTA 2026–27 Interest and Nomination Form:
https://forms.gle/kZiHN8F4g3uaDXXa7

Thank you for considering supporting CMS and our students through the PTA.

The Reflections program the CMS PTA has been running for the six years. It's a great program that supports the fine arts at CMS. The theme for next year is I Belong 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 or abauman@lvjusd.org. The current CMS Reflections chair is happy to get you started, but has an exciting 8th grader and cannot continue being a CMS chairperson.

Support our school and treat yourself at the same time. The Christensen Middle School PTA is partnering with See's Candies for a sweet fundraiser, and ordering is open now through March 20.

Families can place orders online using the fundraiser link or by scanning the QR code on the flyer or going to: https://www.yumraising.com/store/spring-2026-christensen-pta-spring-fundraiser-4653/DiaBar72919. Every purchase helps support programs and opportunities for students at Christensen Middle School.

Thank you for supporting our school community and sharing a little sweetness along the way.

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

😎

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