Cunha Intermediate School

The transition to high school officially kicked off today! Half Moon Bay High School staff and students visited our campus to give 8th graders a "sneak peek" at the exciting elective options waiting for them next year.

The next week is packed with important dates to ensure your student gets the classes they want.

• Monday, Jan 26: HMBHS counselors will visit Social Studies classes. They will explain the course selection process and hand out the official registration forms.

• Thursday, Jan 29: 8th Grade Parent Night at HMBHS from 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM. This is your chance to meet department heads and ask questions about academic tracks and electives.

Your student will bring their registration form home on Monday. Every form requires a parent signature. Once signed, students should turn them in to the Cunha counselors.

If your student is considering a private school or a different district, fill out the form anyway. * Check the box at the bottom of the form indicating you are considering other options. Turning this in acts as a "safety net," ensuring your student has a schedule ready at HMBHS just in case your plans change over the summer.

Please click on the links to learn more about planning for high school with your 8th grader.

In a world where every "like," comment, and post creates a permanent trail, helping our kids manage their online identity is more important than ever. The tips below explore how "oversharing" isn't just about privacy but about reputation. It offers practical tips on how students can take control of their online presence now to protect their future opportunities, like college applications and job hunts.

Key Takeaways:

• Digital life is permanent: Even "disappearing" photos can be saved and shared.

• Pause before you post: A quick gut check can prevent long-term headaches.

• Positive footprints: How students can use the internet to showcase their best selves.

Check out the tips here: Digital Footprint and Identity

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 Secure Campus.

SECURE CAMPUS is implemented when the threat of violence or police action in the

surrounding community requires precautionary measures to ensure the safety of staff and

students. When a school is in SECURE CAMPUS status, classroom instruction and/or

activity should continue and all students and staff remain inside through the duration of the

event, except for essential needs. Outer gates and other entrance/exit points are closed to deter a potential perpetrator from entering school grounds.

SECURE CAMPUS is considered appropriate for, but not limited to, the following types

of emergencies:

■ Potential threat of violence in the surrounding community

■ Law enforcement activity in the surrounding community

■ Anonymous targeted threat to campus

A SECURE CAMPUS response may be elevated to LOCKDOWN / BARRICADE as circumstances

demand in which case instruction immediately ceases and students and staff follow

LOCKDOWN / BARRICADE procedures.

During a "Secure Campus" incident, please remain off-campus. Clear roads are necessary for emergency access. Students will stay in their classrooms until it is deemed safe to move around campus. We will communicate further instructions if the situation requires an evacuation.

Basketball Updates

Congratulations to all our Cunha basketball players, coaches, and families on a great season! Your hard work, teamwork, and sportsmanship made it an exciting year for Cunha athletics.

• 7th & 8th Grade Players: If you haven’t turned in your basketball uniform yet, please give it to Mr. Lugo or drop it off at the school office on Monday. Thank you for helping us wrap up the season!

• Basketball Photos Are Ready! Team and individual photos are now available at my.photoday.com. Don't miss the in-game action shots as well!
  Access Code: CUNHABBALL26
  *Don’t miss the special: $30 for 6 photo downloads!

• 6th Grade Basketball Assessments begin Monday, January 26. We’re excited to welcome our next group of Cubs to the court.

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

Go Cubs!

Monday, January 26th

• HMBHS Counselors Visit 8th Grade Social Studies Classes
• Homework Help and Tutoring at 3:30 in Library

Tuesday, January 27th

• 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

Monday, February 2nd

• Homework Help and Tutoring at 3:30 in Library
• Youth Cinema Project at 3:30-5:00 in Room D4

Tuesday, February 3rd

• Science Fair Projects Due

Wednesday, February 4th

• Homework Help and Tutoring at 3:30 in Library

• Youth Cinema Project at 3:30-5:00 in Room D4
• 5th Grade Parent Night 6:00-7:30 in MU

Thursday, February 5th

• Homework Help and Tutoring at 2:30 in Library
• School Site Council Meeting at 4:30 in Room D1
• Science Fair Night 6:00-7:30 in Gym

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