CMS Cougar Communication
7/26/2026
Message from Principal Scharmann
Dear Students, Parents, and Families,
It is my pleasure to welcome you to Christensen Middle School for the 2026–2027 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 12.
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 Monday, August 3. 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
Message from Athletic Director, Ms. Mendoza
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:
- Register for all sports that the athlete is planning on playing this year HERE.
- 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).
- 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.
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.
- Cross Country (Co-ed) - August
- Boys Basketball - August
- 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.
Save The Date
Student Orientation, Tuesday 8/4
All Christensen students and their families are invited to attend our orientation on Tuesday, August 4. 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.
Campus Open for Visitation, Tuesday 8/11
First Day Of School, Wednesday 8/12
The first day of school will be Wednesday, August 12, 2026 and will follow our Wednesday bell schedule. Beginning August 13, students will follow the CMS Bell Schedule (see attached).
PERIOD 0 7:30 – 8:10
PERIOD 1 8:25 – 9:05
PERIOD 2 9:09 – 9:49
BREAK 9:49 – 9:55
PERIOD 3 9:59 – 10:44
PERIOD 4A 10:48 – 11:28
PERIOD 4B 11:23 – 12:03
4A LUNCH 10:44 – 11:19
4B LUNCH 11:28 – 12:03
PERIOD 5 12:07 – 12:47
PERIOD 6 12:51 – 1:31
Textbook and Planner Distribution Begins, Thursday 8/13
On Thursday, August 13, we will begin the distribution of textbooks during class time. Every CMS student will receive one complimentary CMS 2026-2027 Student Planner as part of our commitment to student success.
Picture Day, Friday 8/14
Welcome Back General PTA Meeting, Wednesday 8/19
Back to School Night, Thursday 8/27
No School, Monday 9/7
Helpful Information From CMS
Online Annual Enrollment Update
Our 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.
If you do not have computer access, a computer is available in the CMS office. Also, if your family has moved over the summer, please call the office as soon as possible. Be aware that if you wait until the day of orientation to complete the enrollment update, you may experience a delay in receiving your child’s schedule. To provide you with the best customer service possible, we respectfully ask that you complete the enrollment update as soon as possible. The online enrollment update process must be completed before students receive their schedules.
P.E. Clothes
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)
Sweatshirts - $20.00 ( Youth Large, Adult S-XL) Sweatpants - $20.00 (Youth Large, Adult S-XL)
To purchase any or all of the above items online, please visit the Christensen Middle School Web Store by clicking on the store front icon https://christensen.livermoreschools.org/ or click HERE to go directly to the PE Clothes webpage. 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.
TDAP Booster: No Shot/No School
Helpful Information From LVJUSD
Alameda County Student Transit Clipper Card Program
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 2026-2027 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.
Review and/or Purchase Optional Chromebook Insurance for 2026-27
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.
Universal Breakfast & Lunch
Thanks to the continued efforts of our Child Nutrition Department, free breakfast and lunch will once again be available to all students through the Universal Meals Program.
Breakfast will be available before school at the following times:
- Elementary: 8:00 a.m. - 8:25 a.m.
- Middle*: 8:00 a.m. - 8:20 a.m.
- High: 8:00 a.m. - 8:35 a.m
If your student attends zero period, your school site will send more information regarding breakfast availability.
Lunch schedules vary by school. Please refer to your school’s bell schedule for specific times.
Parent Education Videos on Preparing for Pivotal Educational Transitions
Our Livermore Learns Parent Education Program continues to provide helpful resources for families. Direct links to some of our most popular webinars focused on key transitions throughout a student's educational path are included below. Our entire library of recordings, including presentations on mental health challenges and social-emotional learning, is available on our Livermore Learns webpage.
Stay Connected
In addition to regular emails, texts, and newsletters from your student’s teacher(s) and principal, we strive to keep you informed of school highlights, student achievements, opportunities for students and families to engage in their schools and our community, and much more!
We encourage you to take advantage of the following resources to stay connected throughout the school year:
Follow us @LivermoreSchools on Facebook and Instagram.
Watch for Peachjar emails featuring digital flyers specific to your child’s school and grade level.
Download our free Livermore Schools District App from the App Store or Google Play. The app provides quick access to district and school communications, calendars, menus, attendance information, and other helpful resources. Information about setting up your personalized account will be shared soon.
Join our LVJUSD Team!
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.
CMS PTA
Join the CMS PTA!
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.
CMS PTA Spirit Wear Fundraiser
Show your school spirit with new CMS spirit wear while helping raise money for the CMS PTA. Order at www.1stplacespiritwear.com
CMS PTA Socials
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Christensen Middle School
Email: bscharmann@lvjusd.org
Website: https://christensen.livermoreschools.org/
Location: 5757 Haggin Oaks Avenue, Livermore, CA, USA
Phone: 925-606-4702