CMS Cougar Communication

Dear Students, Parents, and Families,

We have passed the halfway point of Trimester 1, and progress reports have been emailed to families. Please take time to review your student’s progress together, celebrate successes, and identify areas where additional support or effort may be needed.

The “Digital Document” link in the progress report email expires seven (7) days after it is sent. Please download the report and save it in a secure location on your personal electronic device so you can refer to it later. Contact the school office if you need assistance accessing the document.

Progress reports provide a snapshot of grades at the time they are prepared. As students complete assignments and teachers update grades, that picture can change. Please check Schoology regularly for current grades and missing assignments, and email your student’s teachers with any questions or concerns.

There is still time before the end of the trimester to make meaningful progress. Completing missing work, asking for help, and building consistent study habits can help students finish Trimester 1 strong.

This newsletter includes upcoming events, activities, athletics information, safety reminders, and ways for families to stay connected to CMS.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support,

Brian Scharmann
Principal, Christensen Middle School

Our Adventure Zone PTA Fundraiser is underway! Students can participate by visiting epicstartshere.com with a parent or guardian, setting up their personal donation page, and adding contact information for 10 or more adult family members or friends. Once completed, students will receive a Completion Code to write on their signed Epic Pass and return to school to earn prizes.

🍕 There’s a pizza party on the line, too! The three 3rd-period classes with the highest percentage of students who complete and return their Epic Pass will each earn a pizza party!

Funds raised support the extras that make CMS great, including student activities, enrichment opportunities, recognition, and more. Thank you for supporting CMS!

Have you set up your Schoology parent account yet? If not, we encourage you to do so! A parent account allows you to see your child's grades, upcoming assignments, and any overdue work — all in one place. You can even link multiple children to a single login. It is also a great way to communicate directly with your child's teachers and stay engaged in their school experience.

If you already have an account from last year, simply go to this link to log in. If you have forgotten your password, select "Forgot Password" and you will be on your way. If you are still having issues, please email Ms. Shiffrin Chi.

If you have never created an account, keep an eye out for a direct email from Ms. Shiffrin Chi with your personalized access code and step-by-step instructions to get set up.

For video tutorials and more information, visit the LVJUSD Schoology Parent Portal

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.

Our athletic seasons are underway! For game and meet schedules throughout each sports season, please visit the CMS website calendar.

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 Basketball - October
• 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, Sydney Mendoza, at smendoza@lvjusd.org if you have any questions.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and our focus this month is on fostering kindness, empathy, and positive connections across our school community. Middle school is a time of huge growth and change, and learning how to build supportive relationships is a major part of that journey.

What We’re Working On This Month:

• Bullying Prevention & Upstander Skills: Students are learning how to recognize bullying behaviors and safely intervene or report them when they see others needing help.

• World Mental Health Day (October 10): We are emphasizing self-care strategies, emotional regulation, and stress-management techniques to help students balance academics and extracurriculars.

How You Can Help at Home:

• Check in Regularly: Ask open-ended questions like, "What was something kind you witnessed today?" or "How did you support a friend this week?"

• Encourage Help-Seeking: Remind your student that reaching out to a counselor, teacher, or trusted adult is always a positive sign of strength.

LVJUSD’s October Special Education Newsletter is now available and includes important updates, resources, and information for families of students receiving special education services.

Families are also invited to meet fellow parents and learn more about Special Education in LVJUSD on Thursday, November 12, from 5:30–7:00 p.m. in the District Office Board Room, 685 E. Jack London Blvd., Livermore. We hope to see you there!

Join us for a CMS PTA Dine Out at Cali Burgers ’N Shakes on Tuesday, October 6, from 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. Stop by 4587 Livermore Outlets Drive for lunch, dinner, or a treat, and help support our CMS PTA!

Tuesday, October 6, through Friday, October 9, will be early release days at CMS, with all students dismissed at 1:31 p.m. Zero period will meet at its regular time of 7:30 a.m.

After-school groups will not meet, and the library will be closed after school on these days. Please make arrangements for your student to leave campus promptly at 1:31 p.m.

Our next Christensen Middle School Site Council meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday, October 13, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

The School Site Council brings together parents, staff, students, and administration to review school data, discuss priorities, and help guide the development and implementation of our school plan. All CMS families are welcome to attend.

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/rzo-ktsz-kha

CMS Site Council Agenda 10/13/2026

CMS ASB will host a student dance on Friday, October 16, from 6:30–8:00 p.m. outside in the CMS quad. All CMS students are invited to join us for an evening of music, dancing, and fun with friends.

The dance event participation will be added electronically to the student’s ID account number prior to the dance for those students who purchase the item online at our RevTrak web store from October 12-15, 2026, for $7 or pay $10 cash in person during lunchtime from October 13-15 only. The opportunity to purchase online will expire on October 15 at 11:55 p.m. The store front/RevTrak icon located on the CMS website is your link to RevTrak. Dance event participation purchases made on Friday (dance day) will cost $20 at the door.

Students who earned a 4.0 GPA on their CMS May 2026 Trimester 3 report card will have the dance admission added to their ID card account automatically. RevTrak cannot honor free dance admission for 4.0 GPA students.

Students must present their current photo ID card at the door to enter the dance. School staff will scan eligible student ID cards at the door to enter the dance. Students can request a replacement ID card in the school office Mondays through Thursdays.

Important Reminder for All Students: To be eligible to attend school dances, students must not have any suspensions from school and must not have past due fines with the CMS library. Students with outstanding fines or missing materials will not be allowed to attend the dance. Please visit the library to clear any fines or return items. Dance eligibility guidelines will be enforced.

Please note that backpacks and outside food or drinks are not permitted at school dances. For everyone's safety and enjoyment, all personal belongings should be left at home, and refreshments will be available for purchase at the event. Please send small denomination paper currency with your student if they plan to purchase food.

Students attending the dance must conform to the school’s dress code policy. Student faces must be visible—no masks. The clothing should not be obstructive, revealing, offensive or violent. Please do not bring any items containing sharp/pointed objects or materials that may accidentally strike another person. Inappropriate props will be kept in the office.

Student Agreement: I realize that school dances are exciting events, and at the same time, I agree that one’s own safety as well as the safety of others is vitally important. Therefore, I agree, not to use alcohol and /or other illicit or prescribed drugs that would cause impairment prior to, during, or after the dance. I am aware that students may be searched upon entry to the dance. Tickets may be canceled at any time by Administration. Furthermore, I understand that I am accountable for my own actions. Should this agreement be violated, the consequences for students will be loss of the privilege to attend all remaining school activities and could include suspension. I further understand that if I appear at the dance under the influence of drugs or alcohol, I will not be admitted and will be detained until a parent, guardian, or authorities arrive to take responsibility. Students that show up late may not be permitted entry to the dance.

It’s also our CMS dance night, so make dinner easy while supporting CMS AVID! Visit Mountain Mike’s Pizza at 1472 N. Vasco Road in Livermore from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and 20% of eligible sales will benefit our AVID program. Grab pizza before the dance or pick up a late dinner afterward! Dine in, order carryout, or get delivery. Present the flyer when purchasing and use code AVID26. Lunch buffet and alcohol purchases are excluded, and the fundraiser cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. Thank you for supporting our students!

Join us from 5–8 p.m. at Stampede Bar & Grill, 1790 First Street in Livermore, for dinner, football, and fun! Cheer on the 49ers as they take on the Commanders while supporting our student musicians. A portion of all food purchases will benefit the Christensen Middle School Music Program. Bring family and friends!

We invite all students, staff, and families to participate as we celebrate kindness, inclusion, and belonging with activities throughout the week, including Take the Pledge, Chalk the Walk, Wear Orange, and Random Acts of Kindness

This year's official theme is “Make A Difference. Be A Hero. Stay Drug Free.” As Red Ribbon Week approaches, please take a moment to review the helpful resources and printable materials linked below.

On Tuesday, October 27, Teen Esteem will be at CMS to present its “Who’s Your O-G Influencer?” assembly to our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. The presentation focuses on the influences middle school students encounter online and encourages students to recognize the positive “O-G Influencers” in their lives, such as family members, teachers, coaches, counselors, and good friends. It also includes messages around anti-bullying, empathy, students’ influence on others, and safely navigating online conversations involving AI and chatbots.

Join us for a CMS PTA Dine Out at Teriyaki Madness on Thursday, November 5, from 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. Stop by 4543 Livermore Outlets Drive for a delicious meal and help support our CMS PTA!

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CMS is excited to offer the AMC 8 mathematics competition after school on Friday, January 22, 2027, for students who are interested in participating.

CMS students will receive a new practice test in their math class each week beginning the week of October 26 and continuing through the test date. Registered non-CMS students may pick up a preparation packet from the CMS front office.

Pre-registration is required. The requested donation is $25 for CMS students and $50 for non-CMS students. Payment may be made through RevTrak. Limited scholarships are available for families experiencing financial hardship; please contact the CMS front office for more information.

To participate, please complete the AMC 8 registration form using your LVJUSD Google account.

Our next Christensen Middle School English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) meeting will be held virtually on Thursday, January 28, from 6:30–7:30 PM via Google Meet.

ELAC provides parents and guardians of English Learner students an opportunity to learn more about our English Learner program, ask questions, share feedback, and help advise the school on programs and services that support English Learners. All families of English Learner students are encouraged to participate.

Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/wzn-qegw-qwk

Agenda to follow

Congratulations to our Cougar Kudos winners! 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 - Malcolm Fernando

• 7th grader - Sadie Saadat

• 8th grader - Lia Blazo

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! 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 - Kaylee Johnson

• 7th grader - Robbie Schorr

• 8th grader - Jhett Whatley

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

Check out the October Library Newsletter for a student book review of Across the Desert, new books about the branches of the U.S. military, a staff spotlight on Ms. Theresa Jennings, upcoming library events, and important reminders about lost books and fines.

Looking for a way to support our teachers and classrooms? Many of our teachers have created Amazon Wish Lists with supplies and materials that can help enhance the student experience throughout the year.

If you would like to contribute, you can view our CMS Teacher Amazon Wish Lists here:

• Ms. Bauman
• Ms. Cunningham
• Ms. Garner
• Ms. Gorton
• Ms. Grasseschi (Library)
• Ms. Hutson (Science)
• Ms. Hutson (STEM)
• Ms. Ngo
• Ms. Ramirez
• Ms. Vago

Thank you for your continued generosity and support of our teachers and students. Every contribution is appreciated!

Christensen Middle School is hiring, know someone who would be a great fit? Please share!

Yard Duty Supervisor: We’re looking for someone who enjoys working with middle school students and can help us keep campus safe, welcoming, and well supervised during lunch and other assigned times.

This is a part-time, 0.25 FTE position working approximately two hours per day:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:30 AM–12:30 PM

The position pays $20.49–$27.47 per hour. Responsibilities include supervising students, helping reinforce school expectations, supporting student safety, and assisting with needs that come up during lunch and around campus.

👉 Learn more and apply: https://careers.livermoreschools.org/jobs/644196-yard-duty-supervisor-2025-2026-0-25-fte-569

The only way to guarantee your CMS 2026–2027 yearbook is to purchase one through the Varsity Yearbook Order Center.

Yearbooks are $35 through February 1, 2027. The price will increase to $40 after February 1. Online yearbook sales will end April 2, 2027, and only a limited number of copies will be available after that date. The purchase price includes shipping to CMS in May.

To order, visit www.YearbookOrderCenter.com or call 1-866-287-3096. Use CMS School Code 16490. All purchases are made directly through the publisher using a credit card.

To verify an existing order, visit www.YearbookOrderCenter.com and select Find Your Order. Enter the email address used to place the order and CMS School Code 16490.

Families of current eighth-grade students may also purchase an 8th-grade dedication ad for $5. Visit the same website, enter School Code 16490, and scroll to the bottom of the page to select Start Your Ad. The deadline to purchase an eighth-grade dedication is March 22, 2027.

Support CMS AVID with a spooky treat! Candy-filled Halloween Hands will be available for purchase during both A and B lunches, 10/19 through 10/22, for $3 each, cash only. Halloween Hands will be delivered to second period classes on Friday 10/30. Thank you for supporting our AVID students!

CMS is excited to offer the AMC 8 mathematics competition after school on Friday, January 22, 2027, for students who are interested in participating.

CMS students will receive a new practice test in their math class each week beginning the week of October 26 and continuing through the test date. Registered non-CMS students may pick up a preparation packet from the CMS front office.

Pre-registration is required. The requested donation is $25 for CMS students and $50 for non-CMS students. Payment may be made through RevTrak. Limited scholarships are available for families experiencing financial hardship; please contact the CMS front office for more information.

To participate, please complete the AMC 8 registration form using your LVJUSD Google account.

Art Buds is a student-run volunteer initiative creating art kits to bring comfort and creativity to children receiving care at UC Davis Children’s Hospital. Families are invited to donate new, non-toxic art supplies to support this meaningful effort. See the flyer for the supplies list and more information.

Livermore’s Safe Routes to Schools program is seeking feedback about the routes students use to get to and from school.

What do you notice on your school route? You can use the interactive mapping tool to mark locations, share concerns, and suggest improvements. Feedback may include difficult crossings or missing sidewalks, speeding or drivers not yielding, busy drop-off and pick-up areas, gaps in bike routes, and places that feel safe and work well.

Your input will help shape safety recommendations for streets near our school. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts.

California students in kindergarten through 12th grade are invited to submit artwork or poetry with a California coastal or marine theme to the 25th annual Coastal Art & Poetry Contest. Entries can be submitted online by 5pm on January 28, 2027. For prize information, rules, contest flyer, entry form (and helpful links for teachers and students), please visit https://www.coastal.ca.gov/art-poetry/.

Raise some dough for CMS! Families can support Christensen Middle School by purchasing a Crumbl gift card. A portion of every gift card sold comes back to CMS to help fund important programs and activities for students. Gift cards are delivered by email and can be used at any Crumbl location nationwide. Thank you for supporting our school community!

Learn more or purchase here: successfund.com/53n9k

Looking for an easy, fun outing for the whole family? We’ve partnered with Lost Worlds Indoor Entertainment Center for a fundraiser that lets you play and support Christensen Middle School at the same time. 💥 20% OFF WEEKDAYS: Use code CMS20 and receive 20% off weekday activities, and Lost Worlds will give back to CMS.

It’s a great way to plan a family night, celebrate a birthday, or just burn some energy while giving back to our school.

• 📍 6538 Patterson Pass Road
• 🌐 Visit lostworlds.rocks
• 🎟 Enter code CMS20 on weekdays

Have fun while supporting CMS. Thank you for continuing to show up for our students in big and small ways!

Some LVJUSD students may already have up to $1,500 in scholarship funds available through CalKIDS, a State of California program that provides money for college or career training expenses. Students can check their eligibility and claim their account using their 10-digit Statewide Student Identifier (SSID). Please help spread the word to students and families so these funds don’t go unclaimed. Learn more at CalKIDS.org.

Thanks to The Jake Fahnhorst Real Estate Team, a $5 donation will be made to LVEF for each new follower to LVEF’s Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn pages in the month of October! It’s never been easier to support public education in Livermore! Follow today!

Need help logging in? Follow this quick step-by-step guide to help your student access ClassLink and Schoology from home.

Connect with supportive community resources at the Tri-Valley SELPA Resource & Transition Fair on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to noon at the Pleasanton Unified School District Office, Training Room 3, 5758 N. Las Positas Blvd., Pleasanton. This event welcomes individuals of all ages with disabilities, their families, and their support networks. Registration is encouraged but not required. Register here.

All students in grades 3-12 are issued an LVJUSD Chromebook as an essential learning tool. Because we recognize that accidental damage can occur as devices travel between school and home throughout the year, we encourage families to consider optional Chromebook insurance through School Device Coverage. Replacement costs without insurance can be as much as $399 per device.

Basic Annual Policy: $22 per device
Covers:

• Accidental damage

• Cracked Screen

• Liquid Submersion

• Fire

• Flood

• Loss and Theft

Expanded Annual Policy: $32 per device

Covers:

• Everything from basic policy

• Power Adapter Replacement

Not covered on either policy:

• Standard Wear and Tear

• Cosmetic Damage

• Abuse

Policies can be purchased online at https://schooldevicecoverage.com/signup or by texting “SDC” to 888-277-8111. Coverage begins on August 1 and extends through July 31, 2027. Additional information can be found on our Chromebook Insurance webpage.

Looking for meaningful work close to home? LVJUSD offers a variety of part-time, full-time, and substitute positions in a student-focused and educational environment. Many positions are ideal for parents looking to work close to home during school hours. Prior experience is not required for many roles, and training is provided. Current opportunities include:

• Yard Duty Supervisors: Main duties include providing supervision and monitoring student safety during recess and/or lunch at elementary and middle schools.

• Campus Supervisors: Main duties include student supervision, monitoring student safety, and campus security throughout the school day at our comprehensive high schools.

• Paraeducators: Main duties include providing classroom instructional and behavioral support to students in our special education program under the guidance of a certificated teacher and/or program specialist.

• Substitute Positions (Varied): Several opportunities for on-call, hourly work provide the ultimate flexible schedule! Positions include certificated and classified roles such as teachers, child nutrition assistants, custodians, groundskeepers, before-and-after school program assistants, office staff, student testing administrators, yard duty supervisors, and paraeducators.
  
  

Visit our job vacancies and applications webpage to learn more about current openings.

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.

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