Cunha Intermediate School

Quarter 2 Final Grades will be available in PowerSchool on Wednesday, January 21st. They will be mailed home shortly after. 8th Grade Parents: remember that participation in the Promotion Ceremony is dependent on your child earning a 1.7 GPA or higher. Please reach out to your child's counselor if you have concerns.

Registration for next year's classes will begin very soon. The first event will be for 8th graders on Friday, January 23rd. Several teachers from HMBHS will be here to share the exciting programs and classes available at the high school.

Does it ever feel like your child’s entire life is stored on their phone? From late-night group chats to new gaming accounts, middle schoolers are constantly sharing data, often without realizing who else might be seeing it. As part two of our Tech Balance series, we’re touching on the essentials of privacy and security. It’s not about being a "spy" but more about giving your student the tools to protect their digital footprint before they hit "post."

Click here for 5 tips on how to help your child stay safe online.

The Big Five is a common emergency plan adopted by all San Mateo County school districts and law enforcement agencies. It provides five immediate action responses in any given emergency: Shelter in Place; Drop, Cover, and Hold On; Secure Campus; Lockdown/Barricade; and Evacuation. For parents, understanding these terms will aid your decision making process in potentially stressful situations. This week, we'll cover Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

DROP, COVER AND HOLD ON is the immediate action taken in the event of an earthquake

or explosion and protects students and staff from flying and falling debris. It is an appropriate

action for, but is not limited to, the following types of emergencies:

■ Earthquake

■ Explosion

DROP, COVER, AND HOLD ON:

■ Must be practiced for immediate and automatic response

■ Is the single most useful action to protect from injury in an earthquake

■ In the event it is impossible to duck under sturdy furniture, continue to

cover face and head with arms and hold onto something sturdy

■ Most injuries in earthquakes are caused by breaking glass or falling

objects

■ Fire alarms and sprinkler systems may go off in buildings during an

earthquake, even if there is no fire

■ Stay alert to aftershocks

■ Assist those with special needs to ensure safe cover for all

■ Evacuate only if there is damage to the building, the building is on fire,

or location is in a tsunami zone

During a "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" incident, please remain off-campus. Clear roads are necessary for emergency access. Students will stay in place until the site is deemed safe. We will communicate further instructions if the situation requires an evacuation either on or off site.

The January PTO Meeting is Tuesday, January 20th at 6 pm in Room D1. The agenda includes upcoming spring events.

Please plan to attend the January CUSD Governing Board Meeting in the Cunha Intermediate School Library on Thursday, January 22 at 6 pm. Cunha administration is presenting our school’s growth and challenges, and the championship Boys Cross Country Team and Cunha PTO are being recognized.

The Cunha PTO is looking for a 2026 Coastside Gives leader. Most work is remote and can be done independently or as a team. Meetings begin January 28th.

Playoffs Are Here

Congratulations to all of our Cunha teams advancing to the playoffs. Please see the attached schedule for game dates and times. Good luck, Cubs!

6th Grade Basketball Assessments
Assessments for 6th grade basketball begin January 26. Make sure your student-athlete is a BGCC member.

Picture Day Information
Team and individual picture ordering information will be coming soon. Stay tuned for details.

Early Release Game Reminder
For early release game days, please do not pick up student-athletes before 3:00 pm. This helps ensure safe and smooth dismissal for all students.

Uniform Return
Uniform return will take place on Friday, January 23, from 3:15–4:00 pm in the quad. Thank you for helping us keep our program running smoothly.

Show Your Cunha Pride!
Cunha swag and individual sports gear are available now! Check out the full selection at cunhaathleticboosters.org/shop and show your Cub spirit on and off the field!

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @CunhaAthleticBooster

Find out how to register for each sport, watch games via Hudl Fan, buy merch and more here! https://www.cunhaathleticboosters.org

Monday, January 19th

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day - No School

Tuesday, January 20th

• Science Fair Tutorials at 3:15 in Room C106
• Youth Cinema Project at 3:30-5:00 in Room D4
• PTO Meeting at 6:00 in Room D1

Wednesday, January 21st

• Homework Help and Tutoring at 3:30 in Library
• Youth Cinema Project at 3:30-5:00 in Room D4
• Familias Unidas Event at 6:00 in HMBHS MU

Thursday, January 22nd

• 6th Grade Science Field Trip
• Science Fair Tutorials at 2:15 in Room C106
• Homework Help and Tutoring at 2:30 in Library
• Board Meeting at 6:00 in Library

Friday, January 23rd

• 6th Grade Science Field Trip
• HMBHS Presentation for 8th Grade Students during 4th period

Monday, January 26th

• HMBHS Counselors Visit 8th Grade Social Studies Classes
• Homework Help and Tutoring at 3:30 in Library
• Youth Cinema Project at 3:30-5:00 in Room D4

Wednesday, January 28th

• Homework Help and Tutoring at 3:30 in Library

• Youth Cinema Project at 3:30-5:00 in Room D4

Thursday, January 29th

• Science Fair Tutorials at 2:15 in Room C106
• Homework Help and Tutoring at 2:30 in Library

Friday, January 30th

• Minimum Day - Dismissal at 12:49 pm
• IXL Benchmark Testing
• Science Fair Tutorials at 12:30 in Room C106

We're excited to announce our yearbook art contest with the theme "Greetings from Half Moon Bay" (think vintage postcards, beach vibes, and that classic "wish you were here" feeling). Whether you're into painting, drawing, photography, digital design, or any other medium, we want to see your creative take on what makes our coastal town special. Your artwork should be sized at 8.5"x11", and all students in grades 6-8 are welcome to enter. The winning design will be featured in this year's yearbook, and the artist will receive a free copy to keep forever. Submissions are due by March 20, 2026, so start brainstorming your ideas and show us Half Moon Bay through your eyes!

Buy a yearbook: https://bit.ly/cunhayearbook. Passcode: 1016935141791594

If you have previously purchased a yearbook through Treering and need to add this school or year on your account, please follow these instructions: https://help.treering.com/s/article/Update-School-and-School-Year-for-Your-Child.

Parents, if you have awesome pictures of Cunha students, please share them here: https://bit.ly/cunhapictures. Photos submitted may be used in future newsletters and/or the yearbook.

Don't forget that each purchase of a yearbook comes with two free pages that you can customize. Custom pages are only printed in your child's yearbook.

We know that students learn best when they feel best. According to the National Center for Education Statistics: 70% of public schools say more students are seeking mental health services.

This school year, we’re proud to offer all students with $0 access to online therapy and counseling services, through our partnership with Hazel Health. Services are 100% safe and confidential.

Your student can speak 1-on-1 with a licensed therapist from the convenience of school or home, with your consent. Hazel Health provides high-quality care for all students — no matter their insurance or immigration status.

Hazel Health’s licensed therapists can help students build the tools and skills they need to succeed in and out of the classroom:

• Improve communication and confidence

• Build healthy friendships and relationships

• Develop coping skills to manage emotions

• Navigate academic stress and pressure

Hazel’s short-term online therapy program has been proven to reduce symptoms of common mental health concerns — and gives kids tools to cope with challenges they face at school and beyond. Students cannot receive care without your consent, so please take 5 minutes to sign up today at hazel.co.

The Say Something-Anonymous Reporting System (ARS) program empowers students to be Upstanders and say something to a Trusted Adult when they recognize warning signs and threats. The Tip Line allows you to submit secure, anonymous safety concerns to help someone who may hurt themselves or others.

To submit a tip, click the picture below, call 1-844-572-9669 or text 79775.

Please check out the Frequently Asked Questions for Parents here: https://bit.ly/cunhasaysomethingfaq