CMS Cougar Communication

Dear Students, Parents, and Families,

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Christensen Middle School for the 2025–2026 school year! Our amazing staff has a wonderful year planned, and we cannot wait to get started. As we prepare for a great beginning, there are a few things I would like to share to help you get ready for the first day of school on Wednesday, August 13.

We encourage all families to get involved at Christensen! One great way to do that is by joining our PTA, which can be done with just a few clicks on the CMS website. There are many opportunities to participate, both big and small, depending on the time you have available. We would love to have you on board!

Throughout the year, we will communicate through text messages, phone calls, and emails. Please make sure we have your most current contact information so you don’t miss any important updates.

Our front office will resume regular hours, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., starting Friday, August 1. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if we can help in any way.

It’s going to be an especially amazing year at Christensen! I’m thrilled to begin the school year as your principal and look forward to seeing you soon.

Brian Scharmann (he/him)
Principal
Christensen Middle School

All Christensen students and their families are invited to attend our orientation on Tuesday, August 5. This is the first opportunity students have to pick up their schedules prior to the first day of school. Parents are encouraged to accompany their child to our orientation. If you are unable to attend the student orientation, but have completed the online enrollment update process, come to the office during regular office hours after orientation day to pick up student class schedules.

Please report to the quad at the times indicated below:

• Last names beginning with A through C: 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
• Last names beginning with D through G: 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
• Last names beginning with H through L: 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
• Last names beginning with M through O: 10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
• Last names beginning with P through S: 11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
• Last names beginning with T through Z: 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

The District has an online enrollment update process, providing parents electronic access to important school forms (emergency contact information, free and reduced lunch application, Parent’s Rights, Secondary Disciplinary Policy, etc.). Student information must be updated yearly as part of the enrollment update process. Each family will receive via email or US mail the necessary steps to register your child for the current school year. If you do not receive your online enrollment instructions by August 1 or need assistance, please contact the CMS office at 925-606-4702.

A P.E. uniform is required. All students are expected to have a gray t-shirt and royal blue shorts or purchase the Christensen P.E. attire at a very reasonable cost. (A gray t-shirt, royal blue shorts, gray sweatshirt, and gray sweatpants without logos are also acceptable.) Athletic shoes with white/light soles are also required.

T-shirts - $10.00 (Youth Large, Adult S-XXL) Shorts - $10.00 (Youth XL, Adult S-XXL)

To purchase any or all of the above items online, please visit the Christensen Middle School Web Store by clicking on the shopping cart icon https://christensen.livermoreschools.org/. To pick up your prepaid merchandise, please bring a copy of your receipt and present it at the PE clothes area on Orientation Day.

Please write your child’s last name across the back of their P.E. shirt and on the nametag on the front of their shorts. No other writing is permitted on the clothes students wear in P.E.

The Student Transit Pass Program provides FREE Youth Clipper Cards to eligible middle and high school students. The Youth Clipper card provides unlimited free rides on LAVTA/Wheels. Students can add cash value to the Clipper card for 50% off BART fares and youth discounts on other transit systems that use Clipper. The pass makes it easier for students to travel to and from school.

All students attending middle and high schools in the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District are eligible to receive a free Clipper card good for unlimited rides on Wheels and Rapid buses during the 2025-2026 school year.

The Student Transit Pass Clipper Card CMS students received this year or in past years is valid through the student’s high school graduation date if the student remains enrolled in a participating Alameda County school and is under the age of 19.

New Christensen students should complete the online application for a Youth Clipper Card at https://stpp.formstack.com/forms/lvjusd_christensen. All fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required including Parent or Guardian Signature. The office will verify the information submitted online and on the printed applications received in the office.

When CMS receives the youth clipper cards, the office will contact the students regarding the distribution of the cards.