CMS 8th Grade Class of 2025 Events

Hello 8th Grade Students and Families,

Eighth grade activities are just around the corner. We are looking forward to a celebration of the culmination of three years of hard work on the part of your children. Hopefully, the information included in this letter will assist you in your planning.

We will begin compiling a list of students who are at-risk of failing classes during the second and third trimester and in danger of not participating in promotion related activities. We will communicate early and often, and work with students and their teachers to help get the help that they may need to earn a passing grade in all classes.

We hope all of our 8th grade students will want to participate in the 8th grade events. If there is anything preventing your student’s participation in any of the upcoming events, please feel free to contact Mr. Scharmann or Ms. Mains so that we may assist. We look forward to successful second and third trimesters for all of our eighth grade students.

Brian Scharmann

Principal, Christensen Middle School

Tuesday, January 28 from 7-8pm: This presentation is designed to help parents of 8th graders better understand the transition from middle to high school. LVJUSD administrators and counselors will discuss the: bell schedules, course selection process, graduation requirements, educational programs and pathways, extracurricular activities, and mental health and wellness resources at the high schools.

The 2024-2025 8th Grade Panoramic picture day is scheduled for the afternoon of Wednesday, February 19. All 8th grade students who are present on this day will be included in the photograph. Students should dress appropriately, as the LVJUSD dress code will be strictly enforced.

The school will display a copy of the photo in the school library.

Panoramic picture ordering information will be available before picture day. If you would like to purchase a copy for your student, the cost for the panoramic picture will be $25 and the laminated picture will be $30. Families wishing to order the panoramic will place their order on the Dorian Studio website. To order, visit the Dorian website at https://www.dorianstudio.com/search/account/45b92391-a724-49d6-9ac1-4673775f6300/ beginning on January 29, 2025.

This year the eighth grade trip to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom will take place on Friday, May 16. In order to take part in this activity, students must have passing grades in all classes on their report card at the end of the second trimester, February 28, 2025. Students must continue to maintain passing grades during the third trimester to attend. Students who do not meet the participation guidelines will be restricted from attending the 8th Grade Field Trip.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom permission slips will go out at the start of Trimester 3. Permission slips and field trip emergency form and money are due no later than Friday, March 28. The cost is $100 for ticket and transportation or $50 for transportation only (for students with season passes). Permission slips are available and payments can be made via the 8th Grade Activities Information section of the CMS website.

Students attending the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom trip should report to their first period class at the usual time. Students enrolled in 0 period should attend 0 period. Buses will return to CMS at approximately 6 p.m. for parent pick-up. Students not attending the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Trip will receive an alternate schedule for the day.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom only accepts card payments at all locations including restaurants, retail stores, games, ticket windows, and parking toll booths. You can either pay for purchases using a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, or a debit card. Only have cash? You can convert your cash to a prepaid debit card at one of the multiple kiosks located throughout the park and anywhere in the U.S. where Visa is accepted.

Outside food and drink is not allowed in the park, so students will need to plan on purchasing lunch.

More information on their policies can be found on their website: https://www.sixflags.com/discoverykingdom/plan-your-visit/park-policies.

We have a traditional blue promotion gown ready for each of our 8th grade students to borrow for their promotion ceremony. Gowns will be distributed after school on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, to allow families to have the weekend to use the gowns in photographs, etc. Gowns will be collected at the conclusion of the ceremony in yellow bins as students and families exit the quad.

All 8th graders are invited to attend the 8th Grade Promotion Dance on Friday, May 23, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. In order to participate in this activity, students must have passing grades in all of their classes by Thursday, May 22, 2025.

Eighth grade students attending the dance must present their current CMS photo ID card at the door for admittance. Students who do not adhere to the District dress code will not be permitted to enter the dance.

The Promotion Ceremony begins promptly at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 29, in the CMS Courtyard.

A blue promotion gown will be provided to each student to borrow for use during the ceremony. Gowns will be returned at the end of the evening.

In order to participate in this activity, students must have passing grades in all of their classes for the third trimester. We encourage our eighth graders to see this event as one for which they "dress for success." Jeans, flip flops, and hats are not appropriate for this event and are not permitted at the ceremony. Note that it is possible for students not to have the grades for the Six Flags trip but still be able to participate in the other two promotion-related activities.

Promoting students need to arrive in the gym no later than 5:30 p.m. on the night of promotion, May 29. All students are expected to be dress code appropriate (no gum, hats, strapless, spaghetti straps, halter-top dresses, sagging pants, etc.). In addition, all students must wear the royal blue Promotion Ceremony Gown. This is an important event and we want to ensure that all students are dressed appropriately.

There will be no reserved seating at the promotion ceremony. The gates will remain locked on the day of promotion until 5:15 p.m. We ask that all families respect the handicap seating areas and are considerate of others. We have limited seating with the chairs available. We also ask that families do not bring noisemakers (as they can create distractions), balloons (which can obstruct the view), or animals to the ceremony. Thank you for your cooperation.

We look forward to seeing you at the promotion ceremony. Please call the office at (925) 606-4702 if you have any questions.

Students may not bring their backpacks on the last day of school. All students will be released to go home at 12:25 p.m. on Thursday, May 29. We will not be releasing 8th graders early. If you need to sign your child out before 12:25, please remember those students who are promoting will be rehearsing until approximately 11 a.m. It is important that all students who are participating in promotion be at the rehearsal.

The only way to guarantee your CMS 2024-2025 yearbook order for your 8th grader is to purchase one from the Varsity Yearbook Order Center.

The price is $35 until February 1 and $40 until April 7. The prices include shipping to CMS in May. There will only be a limited number of copies available for purchase after this date. 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. Yearbook sales will end on April 7, 2025.

If you would like to order an 8th grade dedication ad for $5 use the same website and school code. Scroll to the bottom of the website and it will say start your ad. The deadline for 8th grade dedications is March 21, 2025.

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.

Dear 8th Grade Students,

Exciting news! If you're passionate about leadership and making a difference at Livermore High School, now is your chance to get involved.

My name is Lauren Mattingly, and I’m the ASB/Leadership teacher at LHS. We are thrilled to announce that applications are now open for our Class of 2029 Freshman Officers—earlier than ever before! This means our incoming officers will have a head start on planning for an incredible year, including Homecoming in early September.

Why Join LHS Leadership?

✔️ Be a voice for your class and help shape school events
✔️ Gain leadership experience and teamwork skills
✔️ Start your role over the summer and hit the ground running in the fall

How to Apply

📅 Deadline to Apply: February 24th
📌 Find the application and all the details on our ASB website by scanning the QR code on the attached flyer or visiting this link: ASB Application & Elections.

Got Questions? Meet Us at EXPO!

📅 Date: February 12th
🕔 Time: 5:00-6:30 PM
📍 Where: Livermore High School

Stop by to meet me and current Leadership students! We’ll be there to answer any questions you have about the program and the application process.

We’re looking for dedicated and enthusiastic students to join our team, and we encourage all interested 8th graders to apply. Don’t miss this opportunity to make your mark at LHS! See you at EXPO!

An 8th Grade Dance Committee is in the process of being formed!

• If you are interested in chairing the committee, please email cms.2025.promotion@gmail.com.
• If you'd like to join the committee and help plan the dance, please sign up at: https://8th-grade-promotion-dance-17994.cheddarup.com. Once the committee is formed, a meeting will be scheduled in the coming weeks!

Now's your chance to let your 8th grader know how proud you are of them! A ribbon promotion lei is the perfect accessory for EVERY 8th grader at CMS. Leis will be handed out after school the week prior to promotion ceremony. LAST DAY TO ORDER PERSONALIZATION IS MAY 16th.

PTA SPECIAL: $2 OFF PERSONALIZATION if anyone in your family is a member of the CMS PTA. Subject to verification. Please use code CMSPTA when ordering. Click here to order: https://8th-grade-promotion-lei-2025.cheddarup.com/

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