CMS Cougar Communication

Dear Students, Parents, and Families,

As we move further into the school year at Christensen Middle School, it has been inspiring to watch our students grow more confident each day. Classrooms are buzzing with learning, and it’s clear that students are starting to settle into routines that will carry them forward.

This is a great time to encourage habits that make a lasting difference — showing up ready to learn, keeping up with assignments, and staying organized both at school and at home. I also want to remind families that your involvement matters so much: asking questions about what students are working on, celebrating their efforts, and helping them balance school, activities, and downtime all go a long way.

A quick reminder: our CMS ASB Fall Fundraiser wraps up on September 25. The last day to place online fundraiser orders is September 23, so don’t miss the chance to support our school!

Thank you for being such an important part of our school community. With the foundation we’ve built together, I’m confident this will be a year full of growth, success, and memorable experiences.

Brian Scharmann (he/him)
Principal
Christensen Middle School

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.

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.

• 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, David Moore, at dmoore@lvjusd.org if you have any questions.

Our CMS Associated Student Body (ASB) cookie dough and gift fundraiser will be starting soon! Our fundraiser will be online and open from September 8-23, 2025. Our goal is to raise $20,000 for ASB activities including school dances, events, lunchtime activities, and more! Please help make our sale a success with these easy steps!

1. Register TODAY at https://www.shopfund.com/
2. Click on Parents and Sellers.
3. Click on Create an Account at the bottom.
4. Share custom student support links and paper catalogues that will go home with your student soon.

Recently, it was observed that some students are riding devices that appear to be electric bicycles but are actually classified as mopeds under California Vehicle Code. These vehicles can reach speeds over 20 MPH by throttle alone, and as such require an M1 driver’s license, DMV registration, and a DOT-approved helmet. They cannot be operated on sidewalks, trails, or stored in school bicycle racks.

Examples of devices not permitted include:

• Ridstar Q20 and similar Ridstar models
• MacFox models, except the M19 and M20x which are classified as bicycles
• Any device exceeding 20 MPH by throttle only
• Any device with a motor over 750 watts

For the safety of all students, please do not allow your child to ride or store these vehicles on campus. If you are unsure whether a device falls into this category, you may contact Sgt. Plute at mplute@livermoreca.gov for guidance.

Monday 9/22 is Breakfast For Lunch Day across all levels!

• Secondary Menu: Pancakes and Sausage or Fresh Baked Bagel & Cream Cheese

Join us for Spirit Night at Chick-fil-A on Tuesday, September 23, from 5–9 pm! Come enjoy food and fun while supporting the Christensen Middle School AVID Program.

Up to 20% of sales will be donated back to CMS to help support our students and their mission.

Location: Chick-fil-A, Livermore Avenue & 580.

Our CMS ASB Fall Fundraiser is coming to a close! The final day to place online orders is Thursday, September 25. Don’t miss this chance to support our students and school programs — every order makes a difference.

Christensen Middle School is excited to host the very first Clash of the Classes! Starting Monday, September 29, each grade level will compete in daily events: Madness Relay, Trivia Tuesday, Water Wednesday, and Teamwork Relay. The week leads up to the Finale Face-Off Championship Tournament on Friday, October 3, at 7:00 PM in the gym. Spectator entry is just $1 (cash only), with snacks and drinks available for purchase. Come out and support your class team—will the 6th, 7th, or 8th graders claim the crown?

There will be a virtual English Learners (ELAC) parents' meeting from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday 9/30.

Join us at this link: Google Meet. You can also view the meeting agenda here.

Support CMS by joining us for our next PTA Dine Out at First Street Alehouse! Stop by on Tuesday, September 30, anytime between 11 am and 10 pm.

Located at 2106 First Street, First Street Alehouse will donate a portion of the day’s sales back to Christensen Middle School. Both dine-in and takeout orders count, so enjoy a great meal while giving back to our school!

Christensen will email parents and guardians links to their child’s progress report card between September 30 and October 2. The email will be sent to the address provided by the student’s parent or guardian.

To access the report, simply click the embedded “Digital Document” link to download it. Please remember to save the file securely to your personal device, as the link will expire seven (7) days after the email is sent.

If you do not see the message in your inbox by October 2, please check your spam or junk folder.

October 1, 2025, is Picture Retake/Make-Up Day. Students and staff who missed picture day on August 15 need to be sure to see the photographer in the Gym Foyer today.

The ordering window is open on the Dorian website.

Students who need to have their picture taken or retaken should attend their PE class and wait for their teacher to take attendance. Their PE teacher will direct them to see the photographer.

If a parent/guardian is not happy with the paid picture package from our August 15 picture day, please have the student return the entire packet to the photographer on October 1 when they have their picture retaken.

Christensen Middle School will be hosting BikeMobile on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, from 1:30–3:30 p.m. on the blacktop near the bike cage. Students can bring their bikes for free repairs, adjustments, and tune-ups. BikeMobile mechanics can fix flat tires, adjust brakes and gears, and even replace parts if available. This is a great chance to get bikes ready for safe riding!

Join CMS for International Walk and Roll to School Day! We will celebrate our school spirit, our health, and the environment with the Alameda County Safe Routes to Schools program. This year, our school will celebrate in-person at the schoolyard. With your family and friends, you can participate by:

• Taking a walk, or riding a bike, skateboard, or scooter
• Biking with your child on their own or with a trail-a-bike
• Taking the bus with your child and walking to and from the bus stop
• Joining a Walking School Bus or a Bike Train

Post a fun photo on social media to celebrate the day! Remember to tag @AlamedaCoSR2S on X/Twitter with #WalkandRoll25 and #IWR2SD, and post on Facebook at facebook.com/saferoutestoschool.

We look forward to walking and rolling with you!

Join us on Wednesday, October 8, for our next PTA Dine Out at Melo’s Pizza & Pasta! Stop by anytime between 11 am and 9 pm at 4433 First Street in Livermore.

Melo’s will be giving 20% of sales back to Christensen Middle School, and both dine-in and takeout orders count. Enjoy a delicious meal and support CMS at the same time!

The first CMS School Site Council meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday, October 14 at 3:00 PM.

Join us at this link: Google Meet. You can also view the meeting agenda here.

The first CMS ASB Dance of the year will be on Friday 10/17 from 6:30-8:00. More information to follow!

Changes to the CMS Dance Eligibility Rules: This year CMS will be enforcing dance eligibility rules. Only CMS students may attend. To be eligible to attend school dances, students must not have any suspensions from school and must not have past due CMS Library or PE Department fines. There is still time for students to clear their Library and PE Department fines before the first CMS ASB Dance on October 17, 2025.

Mark your calendars for our next PTA Dine Out at Pizza Guys! Join us on Friday, October 17, from 11 am to 8 pm at the Vasco Road location (1545 N. Vasco Road).

When you order, 20% of sales will come back to support Christensen Middle School. It’s a delicious way to give back to our school community—don’t miss it!

There will be no school for students on Thursday, October 24. While students enjoy the day off, our teachers will be on campus taking part in professional development to support their growth and learning.

Make dinner easy and support the AVID Program at Christensen Middle School! Join us at Chipotle on Wednesday, November 5, from 5–9 pm at 4691 1st Street in Livermore.

Chipotle will donate 25% of event sales back to CMS AVID. To participate, order online for pickup using code 83LHMQM or show the flyer in the restaurant.

Please note: Delivery orders and gift card purchases do not count toward the fundraise

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Mark your calendars for November 14, 2025 — it’s the annual Ruby Bridges Walk-to-School Day, officially recognized by the state of California. This special event was born from a group of young school patrollers at Martin Elementary who, inspired by Ruby Bridges’ courage, asked: Why isn’t there a day named after her?

Congratulations to our Cougar Kudos winners this week! 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 - Kyree Johnson

• 7th grader - Noah Schwantje

• 8th grader - Anmol Dyal

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 this week! 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 - Emma Mekeres

• 7th grader - Adrian Mora

• 8th grader - Abel McCoy-Manley

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

A big thank you to all of our amazing staff who participated in the AVID “Tat the Staff” fundraiser! Students had a blast purchasing temporary tattoos and seeing their teachers and staff proudly wear them throughout the day. Your enthusiasm and good humor made this fundraiser a huge success while helping raise money to support our AVID program. We appreciate your support and spirit in making this such a fun and memorable event for our students!

This staff spotlight is Mrs. Rhodes! She is a 6th Grade Core teacher who’s been at CMS for 23 years. She loves reading, cooking, gardening, and relaxing by the pool. If she weren’t teaching, she’d be an editor or florist—and her favorite movie is Battleship or When Nature Calls. We’re so lucky to have her as part of our CMS family!

Our new Vice Principal, Mrs. Shiffrin Chi, is in her very first year at CMS! Her birthday is October 1. Her favorite movie is Beetlejuice, and in her free time she loves hiking, yoga, dance, and hanging with friends. Fun fact—if she weren’t in education, she’d be an architect! Welcome to CMS, Mrs. Shiffrin Chi!

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)

To purchase any or all of the above items online, please visit the Christensen Middle School Web Store by clicking on the shopping cart icon https://christensen.livermoreschools.org/. To pick up your prepaid merchandise, please bring a copy of your receipt to the CMS front office.

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.

Support CMS teachers by helping fund their classroom projects through DonorsChoose! Each contribution, big or small, directly supports learning opportunities and resources for our students. Check out the current projects and consider making a donation to make a difference in our classrooms.

• Ms. Garner's AVID Project
• Ms. Garner's Classroom Supply Essentials

Math Club at CMS is open to all students and meets every Monday after school from 2:40‑3:40 in Room 905. In Math Club, we work together to tackle challenging problems from MathCounts, and we also hold practice competitions to help prepare students who want to compete district‑wide. It’s a great place to build problem‑solving skills, make math fun, and deepen understanding — come join us and be part of a team!

Neon Clear is back at CMS! This exciting STEAM program blends academics, athletics, arts, and adventures to give students hands-on learning and unique experiences—from STEM projects and painting to trapeze, scuba, and even flight lessons.

Program Details:

• Thursdays, 2:45–4:00 PM

• Room 204 at CMS

Students who participate in academic, athletic, and artistic activities can even earn a scholarship toward an adventure opportunity. Space is extremely limited, so don’t wait—Register for Neon Clear 2025–26 today! Note, registration must be done by parents/guardians and student cannot register using their lvjusd.org email addresses.

Come meet the CMS Pocket Forest on the Quad! During lunch on Mondays in September (8, 15, 22, 29), students can check out native plant species, help care for the forest, and even share ideas for future actions. It’s a great way to make friends, connect with nature, and be part of something growing right here at CMS.

The only way to guarantee your CMS 2025-2026 yearbook order is to purchase one from the Varsity Yearbook Order Center.

The price is $35 until February 1. The price will increase after February 1 to $40. Yearbook sales will end on April 6, 2026. There will only be a limited number of copies available for purchase after this date. The prices include shipping to CMS in June.

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.

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.

Did you know our salad bars are packed with Fresh Seasonal Produce Everyday?

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 2025-2026 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.

Looking to buy an electric bike? The California E-Bike Incentive Project offers point-of-sale vouchers of up to $2,000 to help income-qualified residents purchase a new e-bike. To learn more and find out if you are eligible, visit ebikeincentives.org.

Why This Matters
Completing your Household Eligibility Form (Universal Benefits Application or Meal Application) can unlock valuable benefits for eligible families, including:

• Up to $240 per student in SunBucks

• Reduced SAT, IB, and AP testing fees

• Discounts on photo packages, PG&E, and internet services

Step 1: Check if You Need to Apply
It only takes one minute, visit our website!

• Not every family needs to fill out an application.

• Only complete one application per family if you qualify.

Step 2: Apply Online
Use the QR code below:

Need Help?
Paper copies are available if you need assistance or have difficulty with technology please contact our office at 925-606-4702.

The order window for families to purchase Chromebook insurance through School Device Coverage (SDC) is open through October. Once the window closes, no new policies may be purchased until the beginning of next school year. The policies are between SDC and the family, any changes to the student device (swapped for repair) must be communicated to SDC by the parents. Refer to the website for more information! English Flier Spanish Flier

How to view our menus:

• Our menus are available online at https://lvjusdchildnutrition.nutrislice.com/. The upcoming month will be published the third Monday of the current month

How to print our menus from NutriSlice:

• Click on your school site, then click the menu icon in the upper right corner
• Click Print
• On the right hand side you can then filter by meal and language
• Among many settings, you can also alter the font size as well as deselect certain “Food Categories” you wish to hide to (ie milk which is available everyday)

LAA is seeking student artists for its upcoming exhibit, "The Work of Wings." This is a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their creativity in a public setting. The exhibit, on display at the Livermore Public Library from October 1-31, explores themes of flight, freedom, growth, and transformation. The deadline to submit is Friday, September 26th. Please share the flyer with students.

Operation School Bell (OSB)- Clothing the Children (CTC) program is reaching out for volunteers to help with our annual program. 200 students from LVJUSD will benefit! The ask is to accompany students in shopping at Kohl's on October 18 and 19: Livermore Valley Unified School District October 25 and 26: Livermore Valley Unified School District

See linked flyer for details and how to sign up!

ACEing Autism is bringing tennis to kids and teens with autism in our community! The program offers a supportive, fun environment where trained volunteers work one-on-one with athletes to help them build skills, confidence, and friendships through tennis.

The next 4-week session runs Sundays, September 21, 28 and October 5, 12 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at the May Nissen Park Tennis Courts (685 Rincon Ave, Livermore). Open to ages 5–18. Cost is $80 for the full session, and scholarships are available.

Register online at aceingautism.org/programs/livermore-ca. For questions, email livermore@aceingautism.org.

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.

Show your school spirit with new CMS spirit wear while helping raise money for the CMS PTA. Order at www.1stplacespiritwear.com

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The PTA Reflections Art Contest is a national program that invites students to explore their creativity and express themselves through the arts. This year’s theme is “I Belong!” Students may submit original works in the following categories: Visual Arts, Photography, Literature, Music Composition, Dance Choreography, and Film Production.

Entries are first judged at the school level, with winners advancing to district, state, and even national competitions for the chance to earn awards and recognition. All submissions are due by October 15. Entry forms and guidelines are available on the PTA Reflections website. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their talents and gain confidence through the arts!

Email: bscharmann@lvjusd.org
Website: https://www.livermoreschools.org/Domain/101
Location: 5757 Haggin Oaks Avenue, Livermore, CA, USA
Phone: 925-606-4702