CMS Incoming 6th Grade Information

Dear Students and Families,

I am thrilled to extend a warm greeting to each of you as we embark on the transition from elementary school to middle school. My name is Brian Scharmann, and it is with pride and that I introduce myself as the Principal of Christensen Middle School.

As we prepare to welcome your child into the 6th grade, I want to assure you that our staff is committed to providing a nurturing and enriching environment where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. At CMS, we believe in fostering a culture of respect, responsibility, safety, and kindness. We celebrate and support student's unique talents and abilities!

Between now and the start of the 2026-2027 school year, you can expect open communication, collaboration, and many opportunities for both you and your student to become familiar with CMS. I invite you to stay connected with us through our newsletters, website, participate in the school events outlined below, and reach out with any questions or concerns you might have.

I look forward to getting to know each of you and working together to prepare your child to start middle school.

Best wishes,

Brian Scharmann

Principal, Christensen Middle School

Welcome incoming 6th grade families! We are thrilled you'll be joining us at CMS in the Fall! While our PTA Board is very active, supporting the staff and students at CMS, our involvement looks very different from the PTA you might be familiar with at the elementary level. Since we aren't in classrooms, or even on campus very often, our primary focus is raising money. The funds we raise are allocated to school programs used by teachers, teacher grants, to fund the honor roll recognition (3x/school year), the all-school end of the year treat, as well as anything else that helps offset school costs throughout the year. Occasionally, we need parent volunteers as well. Our CMS PTA is only as strong as its board and members, so please consider becoming a part of our community.

Have you served on your elementary school PTA board? If so, you’re just who we’re looking for! The CMS PTA board is searching for a passionate & dependable leader to fill the role of Treasurer & Secretary for the 2026-2027 school year. We are also in search of a Auditor, Hospitality, PCIC Liaison & Reflections Art Program coordinator. If you’re interested or have questions, please email cmscougarspta@gmail.com. Your involvement can make a lasting difference—thank you for considering!

The Reflections program the CMS PTA has been running for the six years. It's a great program that supports the fine arts at CMS. The theme for next year is I Belong and CMS usually starts collecting entries in early November. We can't continue CMS PTA Reflections without your help. The chairperson's job is more behind the scenes and so appreciated. It's also a great way to be more involved in your child's school. If interested, please email cmscougarspta@gmail.com or abauman@lvjusd.org. The current CMS Reflections chair is happy to get you started, but has an exciting 8th grader and cannot continue being a CMS chairperson.

Mr. Scharmann and Ms. Shiffrin Chi will visit Croce for a short assembly with 5th grade cheetahs to share important information about CMS, including the following topics:

• Required Classes
• Electives
• Course Selection Process
• Co-Curricular Activities
• Athletics

This assembly aims to prepare your student for the transition to middle school and provide them with essential information about their upcoming educational experience at CMS.

Mr. Scharmann and Ms. Shiffrin Chi will visit Altamont Creek for a short assembly with 5th grade wildcats to share important information about CMS, including the following topics:

• Required Classes
• Electives
• Course Selection Process
• Co-Curricular Activities
• Athletics

This assembly aims to prepare your student for the transition to middle school and provide them with essential information about their upcoming educational experience at CMS.

CMS will host a parent information night for the families of our incoming 6th grade students. The evening will include a presentation by Mr. Scharmann and Ms. Shiffrin Chi regarding the course selection process, required courses, electives, and co-curricular activities. In addition to the general session, we will have smaller information sessions including:

• Athletics - CMS Athletic Director, Mr. Moore
• English Language Learner Support, CMS ELD Coordinator, Madison Gallagher
• Special Education, CMS Special Education Teacher, Lisa Wieland
• Music, CMS Music Teacher, Pauline Guerzon

Give back to Christensen Middle School and enjoy a great meal while you are at it. Help raise funds for the Christensen Middle School AVID program when you order from Pizza Guys on Wednesday March 11, 2026. CMS will receive 20 percent of the proceeds from all fundraiser orders.

No flyer is needed at the time of purchase. Just mention “CMS fundraiser” when ordering in person or include it in the comments of your online order.

The CMS Advanced Band and Advanced Orchestra classes will visit Altamont Creek and Croce to perform a concert for incoming 6th graders. This is a great opportunity to learn more about music classes and to get your student comfortable in signing up for a music elective!

More information on this to follow, but course selections for the 2026-2027 school year are due no later than Thursday, March 19.

The Altamont Creek and Croce 5th graders will come to CMS to take a tour of our campus and to spend some of their morning with the CMS Leadership students.

CMS will host our Spring Band Concert on Wednesday, May 6 and our Spring Orchestra Concert on Thursday, May 7. If you are curious to hear the middle school music classes perform to get a preview of whether a music elective is right for your student, this is a great opportunity.

The CMS Open House will be on Thursday, May 14 from 5:45p.m.-7:00p.m. There will be a short presentation in the Gym at 5:45PM. All of our classes will be open to provide a wonderful opportunity to see student work and to meet some of our fabulous staff.

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