CMS Cougar Communication

Dear Students, Parents, and Families,

We are settling into the school year, and it has been wonderful to see our students finding their routines, building connections, and becoming involved in everything CMS has to offer. This newsletter includes several upcoming events, activities, safety reminders, and opportunities for students and families.

I also need to ask for your help with an issue that is becoming increasingly problematic. We are seeing a large number of students gather at Starbucks after school without adult supervision. I understand why students enjoy having time with their friends after school, but this particular activity has repeatedly led to problems.

Conflicts, inappropriate comments, social media posts, and other poor choices that begin at Starbucks and other businesses in the Vasco plaza often carry over to campus the following day. These situations affect friendships, disrupt learning, and require significant time from teachers, counselors, and administrators to address. They can also create safety concerns for the students involved.

Starbucks employees are not responsible for supervising our students, and CMS staff are not present or able to monitor what happens there. I am asking families not to allow their students to go to Starbucks after school unless they are accompanied by an adult. Please make sure your student has a clear plan to go home, attend a supervised activity, or be picked up promptly after school.

This is not about preventing students from spending time with their friends. Middle school students need opportunities to socialize and build relationships, but they still need appropriate adult supervision and support. Your partnership in setting this boundary will help prevent problems and keep students safe.

Please take a few minutes to review the rest of this newsletter for information about upcoming events, attendance, athletics, safety, and other opportunities at CMS.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support,

Brian Scharmann
Principal, Christensen Middle School

Have you set up your Schoology parent account yet? If not, we encourage you to do so! A parent account allows you to see your child's grades, upcoming assignments, and any overdue work — all in one place. You can even link multiple children to a single login. It is also a great way to communicate directly with your child's teachers and stay engaged in their school experience.

If you already have an account from last year, simply go to this link to log in. If you have forgotten your password, select "Forgot Password" and you will be on your way. If you are still having issues, please email Ms. Shiffrin Chi.

If you have never created an account, keep an eye out for a direct email from Ms. Shiffrin Chi with your personalized access code and step-by-step instructions to get set up.

For video tutorials and more information, visit the LVJUSD Schoology Parent Portal

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:

1. Register for all sports that the athlete is planning on playing this year HERE.
2. 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).
3. 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.

Our athletic seasons are underway! For game and meet schedules throughout each sports season, please visit the CMS website calendar.

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.

Now that the initial excitement of the new school year has settled, our hallways are officially buzzing with routine. Students have mastered their schedules, found their spot to eat lunch, and are truly getting into the rhythm of middle school life.

With the academic groove starting to get established, this time of year often brings a shift toward the social side of growing up. Middle school is a major period of discovery, and "finding your place" often comes with a few shifts in friend groups, trial and error, and learning how to build healthy relationships. It is completely normal for students to reevaluate their connections, seek out new interests, or feel a bit unsure as social dynamics evolve.

Here are a few ways to support your child’s friendship journey from home:

• Encourage Quality Over Quantity: Remind them that having one or two trusted, supportive friends is far more meaningful than trying to fit into a large crowd.

• Practice Active Listening: Ask open-ended questions like, "Who did you sit with at lunch today?" or "What made you feel supported by a friend this week?"

• Normalize Social Shifts: If friendships evolve or drift, reassure them that changing interests are a natural part of growing up, not a personal failure.

• Prompt Conflict Resolution: Encourage them to talk to friends rather than about them when minor misunderstandings arise, focusing on how they feel.

I am always here to help students build self-advocacy, empathy, and strong social connections. Please don't hesitate to reach out if your child needs a little extra support navigating their social world this school year!

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Check out the September 1 edition of “What’s On in the Library”! This month, Mrs. Grasseschi shares a review of Out of My Mind, recommends The Bletchley Riddle, and highlights upcoming library activities. Students can also participate in Book Door Dash beginning September 1 and stop by during lunch on September 15–16 for Make a Bookmark Day. Be sure to check it out and see what’s happening in the CMS Library!

Looking for your next great read? CMS students can now use Book DoorDash to have library books delivered right to their homeroom! Search the library catalog for a book you want, click and hold “Book DoorDash,” and let the library know where to deliver it. The library will take care of the rest!

More books. Less waiting. Happy reading, Cougars!

As more students ride e-bikes and e-scooters to school, we want to make sure everyone is riding safely and legally. Please review the Livermore Police Department’s Rules of the Road with your student. Important reminders include wearing a helmet when required, following bicycle and traffic laws, and understanding that different types of e-bikes, scooters, mopeds, and dirt bikes have different age, licensing, and riding requirements. For example, Class 3 e-bike riders must be at least 16 years old, and off-highway motorcycles/dirt bikes may not be ridden on public roads, sidewalks, or parks.

Families are encouraged to review the attached guide together so students understand the rules before riding to school.

Regular attendance matters for both student success and our schools. In California, school funding is based on Average Daily Attendance (ADA), which means that when a student is absent—even for an excused absence—the district does not receive funding for that day. Improving average daily attendance by just 1% could mean approximately $1.5 million in additional funding for our schools.

Whenever possible, please schedule appointments and other activities outside of the school day and help us make every day count at CMS!

Our CMS ASB Cookie Dough Fundraiser begins Tuesday, September 8, and will remain open through Friday, September 25. Our goal is to raise $20,000 to support school dances, special events, lunchtime activities, and other opportunities for CMS students.

To participate, visit www.shopfund.com, select Parents and Sellers, create an account, and share your student’s personalized link with family and friends. Our goal is for each student to find five online supporters.

Everyone who registers during the first 48 hours will be entered into a drawing to win a mini refrigerator filled with cash and candy. Thank you for supporting CMS!

Through our partnership with the CMS PTA, we will recognize our current 7th and 8th grade students who earned Honor Roll based on their Trimester 3 grades from last school year. Students will be invited to enjoy an ice cream treat during both lunches as we celebrate their academic achievement.

Take a night off from cooking and support the CMS PTA! Stop by Melo’s Pizza & Pasta anytime from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

📍 4433 First Street, Livermore

Bring the family, enjoy a delicious meal, and connect with other members of the CMS community. We hope to see you there!

On Monday, September 14, Teen Esteem will provide Kids & Screen Addiction presentations for our 6th grade students during their PE 6/7 classes. Presentations will take place in the MPR and room 207 and will focus on helping students build awareness around healthy technology and screen-use habits.

Tuesday, September 15, is IT Professionals Appreciation Day! A huge thank you to John Sprugasci for everything he does to keep CMS connected and running. From troubleshooting devices and solving technology problems to responding when something unexpectedly stops working, John is consistently helpful, patient, and solution-oriented. We appreciate how much he does behind the scenes—and often at a moment’s notice—to support our staff, students, and classrooms. Thank you, John, for all you do for CMS!

Grab some friends and put your knowledge to the test at CMS AVID Trivia on Friday, September 18, from 2:45–4:00 PM in the CMS MPR! Students can create a team of 5–7 people and compete, or just come watch and support their friends. Admission is $1, cash only, and food and drinks will also be available for purchase. Proceeds benefit the CMS AVID Program. Students interested in playing can sign up using the QR code on the flyer or check their school email for the registration information.

Save the date! CMS will be participating in LVJUSD Community Service Day on Saturday, September 19, from 8:00 AM–11:00 AM.

This is a great opportunity for CMS students, families, staff, and community members to come together, lend a hand, and help make a positive impact on our campus and community.

More information about the CMS projects and how to participate will be shared as it becomes available.

We want to see more families riding their bikes to Christensen Middle School! That’s why we’ve invited the BikeMobile to CMS to provide free bike tune-ups and repairs for students and families.

The BikeMobile can fix flat tires, adjust brakes and gears, and even replace broken or worn-out parts such as chains, seats, and tires. While the mechanics work on your bike, they’ll also explain how to keep it running smoothly.

Bike or no bike, everyone is welcome to stop by and learn more about bike maintenance, safety, and more!

This is a first-come, first-served event, and space is limited to 20 participants.

Bring your bike to the CMS blacktop near the bike cage after school on Tuesday, September 22. We look forward to seeing you there!

Support the Christensen Middle School AVID Program at Chick-fil-A on Wednesday, September 23 from 5:00–10:00 p.m.! Stop by the Chick-fil-A at 1754 N. Livermore Ave. for dinner and mention Christensen Middle School when ordering. Up to 20% of sales will be donated back to support our AVID program. We hope to see you there!

Our next Christensen Middle School English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) meeting will be held virtually on Thursday, October 1, from 6:30–7:30 PM via Google Meet.

ELAC provides parents and guardians of English Learner students an opportunity to learn more about our English Learner program, ask questions, share feedback, and help advise the school on programs and services that support English Learners. All families of English Learner students are encouraged to participate.

Google Meet: https://meet.google.com/wzn-qegw-qwk

A meeting agenda will follow.

Trimester 1 progress reports will be emailed to families no later than Thursday, October 1. Progress reports provide an important update on your student’s academic progress. Please review the report with your student and contact their teacher directly if you have any questions or concerns.

Tuesday, October 6, through Friday, October 9, will be early release days at CMS, with all students dismissed at 1:31 p.m. Zero period will meet at its regular time of 7:30 a.m.

After-school groups will not meet, and the library will be closed after school on these days. Please make arrangements for your student to leave campus promptly at 1:31 p.m.

Our next Christensen Middle School Site Council meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday, October 13, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

The School Site Council brings together parents, staff, students, and administration to review school data, discuss priorities, and help guide the development and implementation of our school plan. All CMS families are welcome to attend.

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/rzo-ktsz-kha

Agenda to follow.

CMS ASB will host a student dance on Friday, October 16, from 6:30–8:00 p.m. outside in the CMS quad. All CMS students are invited to join us for an evening of music, dancing, and fun with friends.

Additional information about the dance theme, ticket sales, and purchasing deadlines will be shared as the event gets closer.

On Tuesday, October 27, Teen Esteem will be at CMS to present its “Who’s Your O-G Influencer?” assembly to our 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. The presentation focuses on the influences middle school students encounter online and encourages students to recognize the positive “O-G Influencers” in their lives, such as family members, teachers, coaches, counselors, and good friends. It also includes messages around anti-bullying, empathy, students’ influence on others, and safely navigating online conversations involving AI and chatbots.

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Congratulations to our Cougar Kudos winners! These students were recognized for consistently demonstrating the CMS Core Values of Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe, and Be Kind.

Congratulations to:

• 6th grader - Kyle Watkins

• 7th grader - Arav Porwal

• 8th grader - Delaney Amador

We are so proud of these students for setting a great example for their peers—way to go, Cougars!

Congratulations to our Cougar Kudos winners! These students were recognized for consistently demonstrating the CMS Core Values of Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe, and Be Kind.

Congratulations to:

• 6th grader - Jacqueline Geisler

• 7th grader - Bushra Noorani

• 8th grader - Lia Blazo

We are so proud of these students for setting a great example for their peers—way to go, Cougars!

Looking for a way to support our teachers and classrooms? Many of our teachers have created Amazon Wish Lists with supplies and materials that can help enhance the student experience throughout the year.

If you would like to contribute, you can view our CMS Teacher Amazon Wish Lists here:

• Ms. Bauman
• Ms. Cunningham
• Ms. Garner
• Ms. Gorton
• Ms. Grasseschi (Library)
• Ms. Hutson (Science)
• Ms. Hutson (STEM)
• Ms. Ngo
• Ms. Ramirez
• Ms. Vago

Thank you for your continued generosity and support of our teachers and students. Every contribution is appreciated!

Christensen Middle School is hiring, know someone who would be a great fit? Please share!

Yard Duty Supervisor: We’re looking for someone who enjoys working with middle school students and can help us keep campus safe, welcoming, and well supervised during lunch and other assigned times.

This is a part-time, 0.25 FTE position working approximately two hours per day:

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 11:00 AM–1:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:30 AM–12:30 PM

The position pays $20.49–$27.47 per hour. Responsibilities include supervising students, helping reinforce school expectations, supporting student safety, and assisting with needs that come up during lunch and around campus.

👉 Learn more and apply: https://careers.livermoreschools.org/jobs/644196-yard-duty-supervisor-2025-2026-0-25-fte-569

The only way to guarantee your CMS 2026–2027 yearbook is to purchase one through the Varsity Yearbook Order Center.

Yearbooks are $35 through February 1, 2027. The price will increase to $40 after February 1. Online yearbook sales will end April 2, 2027, and only a limited number of copies will be available after that date. The purchase price includes shipping to CMS in May.

To order, visit www.YearbookOrderCenter.com or call 1-866-287-3096. Use CMS School Code 16490. All purchases are made directly through the publisher using a credit card.

To verify an existing order, visit www.YearbookOrderCenter.com and select Find Your Order. Enter the email address used to place the order and CMS School Code 16490.

Families of current eighth-grade students may also purchase an 8th-grade dedication ad for $5. Visit the same website, enter School Code 16490, and scroll to the bottom of the page to select Start Your Ad. The deadline to purchase an eighth-grade dedication is March 22, 2027.

Project Noether, a student-run organization dedicated to encouraging girls in math and STEM, is hosting a free online math contest for middle school girls on Saturday, September 19.

The contest will take place on Zoom from 2:00–2:45 PM, followed by optional activities and an awards ceremony. Students will have the opportunity to challenge themselves, build confidence, and practice skills such as logical thinking, pattern recognition, and number sense. Twelve winners will receive prizes, including awards for the top students in each grade level.

• Date: Saturday, September 19
• Time: 2:00–4:00 PM
• Cost: Free
• Register: Sign up here

Learn more at projectnoether.org

Raise some dough for CMS! Families can support Christensen Middle School by purchasing a Crumbl gift card. A portion of every gift card sold comes back to CMS to help fund important programs and activities for students. Gift cards are delivered by email and can be used at any Crumbl location nationwide. Thank you for supporting our school community!

Learn more or purchase here: successfund.com/53n9k

Looking for an easy, fun outing for the whole family? We’ve partnered with Lost Worlds Indoor Entertainment Center for a fundraiser that lets you play and support Christensen Middle School at the same time. 💥 20% OFF WEEKDAYS: Use code CMS20 and receive 20% off weekday activities, and Lost Worlds will give back to CMS.

It’s a great way to plan a family night, celebrate a birthday, or just burn some energy while giving back to our school.

• 📍 6538 Patterson Pass Road
• 🌐 Visit lostworlds.rocks
• 🎟 Enter code CMS20 on weekdays

Have fun while supporting CMS. Thank you for continuing to show up for our students in big and small ways!

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.

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.

Help LVEF raise its awareness in our community by following their Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! The more informed our community is about the support LVEF provides for LVJUSD, the more money they will be able to raise to fund staff grants and larger, districtwide needs like the $22,000 recently granted for high school math programs!

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.

Our PTA is looking for a volunteer to help coordinate this year’s Reflections Art Program. The commitment is short-term—only through the end of October—and your help will make it possible for CMS students to participate!

The volunteer chairperson will help advertise the program, share submission information with participating students and families, and organize a small group of judges to select entries to advance to the PTA district level.

Reflections gives students the opportunity to showcase their creativity, earn scholarship funds, and potentially have their artwork featured in the National PTA’s virtual gallery.

Interested or want to learn more? Contact Raelene at cmscougarspta@gmail.com.

Show your CMS pride with brand-new spirit wear and save up to 35% off sitewide during our Back-to-School Sale! A portion of every purchase benefits the CMS PTA and supports programs and activities for our students.

Shop now before the sale ends on September 7!

Shop here: https://1stplace.sale/9302

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