Superintendent's Weekly Message | |
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Dear HVS Families,
Happy New Year, and welcome to 2025! As we embark on this exciting start, we look forward to a year filled with learning, growth, and meaningful connections. I’m proud to be a part of a team of educators and staff who work to nurture an environment where every student thrives, every voice matters, and every success is celebrated.
This year promises exciting opportunities ahead! With the passage of Measure HV, we’ll begin advancing key initiatives to enhance the Hermosa Valley campus. Over the coming months, we will collaborate closely with stakeholders and community members to gather input and move these projects forward.
We’re also excited to announce the launch of our K-8 English/Language Arts Adoption Committee, an important step toward providing our students with high-quality, rigorous literacy instruction. Additionally, we are delighted to welcome Ms. Sandy Skora as the new interim principal of Hermosa View, who will bring her wealth of experience and fresh perspectives to our school community.
January also marks the start of our annual enrollment period for new families interested in coming to Hermosa Schools in the 2025-2026 school year. We’re hosting two events this month to provide information and a warm welcome to prospective families:
Incoming TK/Kinder Information Day
(Parents/Guardians Only)
Saturday, January 11, 2025
1:00-2:30 PM
Hermosa View MPR
RSVP to attend
Prospective Hermosa Valley Preview Day
(For new incoming 5th-8th grade students and families)
Saturday, January 25, 2025
10:00-11:30 AM
Hermosa Valley Gym
RSVP to attend
Please help us spread the word to families, friends, and neighbors.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in making our Hermosa Schools exceptional. Together, let’s make 2025 a year of growth, innovation, and success for all.
Warm regards,
Dr. Susan Wildes
Superintendent of Schools, Hermosa Beach City School District
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See the Magic of Our TK/Kinder Program at Hermosa View!
We invite you to watch this special video showcasing our TK/Kindergarten Program at Hermosa View School. Six TK/Kinder teachers share how they create nurturing and engaging classroom environments for young learners. Look for this video on our Hermosa Schools Instagram and Facebook, and please like and share it! We want new families to know why Hermosa View School is a great place for children to start their educational journey.
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Incoming TK/Kinder Information Day is this
Saturday, January 11!
We’re excited to kick off the 2025-2026 school year with our Incoming TK/Kinder Information Day on Saturday, January 11, from 1:00-2:30 PM in the Hermosa View School MPR. Parents and guardians are invited to a presentation followed by campus tours.
Topics include:
- Our full-day TK/K program
- Enrollment eligibility and process
- STAR Education (before and after school child care/enrichment)
- Interdistrict attendance permits
- Volunteer opportunities with HVPTO & HBEF
- Our new schools and why we’re the Best Little School District in the South Bay
TK/Kinder Eligibility:
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Transitional Kindergarten: Children must be 4 years of age on or before September 1, 2025.
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Kindergarten: Children must be 5 years of age on or before September 1, 2025.
Kindly RSVP to attend.
Want to learn more about our TK/Kinder program? Visit our TK/Kinder Website!
New student enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year opens Monday, January 13, at 9 AM, at HBCSD.ORG.
Help us spread the word! Tell your friends and neighbors!
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Sprigeo: Confidential Reporting for Bullying and Safety Concerns
HBCSD is committed to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment. Sprigeo, our confidential online reporting system for bullying and school safety concerns, provides students, families, and community members with a secure, private way to report incidents.
Visit our Sprigeo web page to learn more about how it works and how to submit a report. Together, we can ensure a safe and thriving school community!
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HBCSD Student Intent to Return Survey Forms
As we prepare for the 2025-2026 school year, we kindly request all parents and guardians complete the HBCSD Intent to Return Survey Form for each child currently enrolled in the District. The form is available in the PowerSchool Parent Portal and must be submitted by Friday, January 17, 2025. If you need help accessing your PowerSchool account, please follow these directions to create or reset your password. Thank you for your prompt attention to this important step in our planning process!
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12th Annual SW SELPA CAC Staff & Community Partners Awards Night - Nominations - Nominations Close on January 13th!
The Southwest Special Education Local Plan Area (SW SELPA) Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is now accepting nominations for the 12th Annual Staff & Community Partners Awards Night under the theme, "Empowering Learners through Collaboration and Inclusion."
Nominate outstanding individuals who go above and beyond to support students with disabilities, whether they are teachers, paraprofessionals, special education service providers, maintenance and operations staff, office personnel, administrators, volunteers, or community members dedicated to fostering the academic, social, or emotional growth of students with disabilities. View the flyer with more details and submit your Nomination Form. Deadline for nominations is Monday, January 13, 2025, by 5:00 PM.
The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 5:30 PM at the North High School Performing Arts Center, which will include celebrating two honorees from Hermosa Beach City School District.
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Hermosa View & Vista School Principal News | |
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Happy New Year! As we enter this new year, I want to remind families of an upcoming change in administrative support within our district. Beginning January 21st, Ms. Alison Montoya will serve exclusively as the assistant principal of Hermosa Valley School, I will transition to the full-time principal of Hermosa Vista School, and Ms. Sandy Skora will step in as interim principal of Hermosa View School for the remainder of the school year. Ms. Skora is a dedicated and experienced leader, and I will work closely with her to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for our students and families. Serving the Hermosa View community has been an incredible honor and privilege, and I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and partnership during my time overseeing both schools. This change to a three-principal model reflects our commitment to providing even stronger, more focused support for all students and families across our district. I look forward to seeing all the amazing things ahead of us in 2025!
Warmly,
Hillary Overbeck, Hermosa View & Vista Principal
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Hermosa Schools Parking Lot Reminder
This a friendly reminder for families that our Hermosa Schools parking lots are reserved for staff use only from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM. If you are volunteering or visiting for STAR Education, we kindly ask that you use street parking. Thank you for your cooperation and support!
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Early Pick-Up Tip for Families
If you need to sign your child out early from our Hermosa Schools, we recommend avoiding recess or lunch times whenever possible. This helps our staff locate your child more quickly, saving you time and hassle. We appreciate your understanding!
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Hermosa Valley School Principal News | |
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Welcome back! I hope your Winter Break was restful and full of joy. As we kick off 2025, I want to express how proud I am of the growth and learning your students have achieved so far. I am excited to see all that they will accomplish in the coming months!
As we return, you will notice a few changes designed to create a cleaner, safer, and more respectful environment for all:
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Lunch Seating - To promote a more organized and enjoyable lunch experience, all students will now be seated while eating and remain seated until dismissed by an adult. Additionally, 8th graders will sit at the lunch tables for the foreseeable future as we address ongoing concerns about cleanliness in the Valley Bowl area, where food and trash have frequently been left behind.
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Student IDs - To enhance accountability, students will now be required to show their school ID to collect hot lunch, enter the library, check out a power cord, and check out sports equipment during lunch. If your student has lost their ID, they may visit our ASBWorks to purchase a replacement.
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Middle School Boys' Bathroom - Unfortunately, a few individuals have made the boys' bathroom a source of concern by engaging in inappropriate and unhygienic behavior, including intentionally urinating on the toilet paper, floor, and walls. To address this, we will be instituting scheduled and random bathroom checks. If issues persist, the bathroom may be temporarily closed, requiring a check-in process for access. We are also launching a campaign to identify those responsible, with swift action to follow.
Additionally, we’d like to remind you about Sprigeo, a platform where students and families can anonymously report concerning behaviors that do not align with our W.A.V.E. school expectations. We encourage everyone to use this tool to help us maintain a safe and respectful environment for all.
These changes align with our commitment to making 2025 the Year of Shared Responsibility. We love our little beach school, and we want it to be a space where everyone feels safe, respected, and proud to learn and work.
Please help us communicate the importance of these changes to your children. Our partnership is key to ensuring our shared goals are met.
Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!
Warmly,
Jessica Bledsoe, Hermosa Valley Principal
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Seeking Bell Schedule Committee Members at Hermosa Valley
Hermosa Valley School is exploring an alternate bell schedule designed to better support our students' overall success. To ensure this process reflects the diverse needs of our community, we are forming a Bell Schedule Committee and inviting parents/guardians, students, and staff to participate.
The committee will thoughtfully examine our current bell schedule, identify key priorities, review examples from other schools, visit campuses, and establish non-negotiables for a new schedule. Together, we aim to pilot a sample bell schedule in Trimester 3 and implement a final version with built-in advisory time by the 2025-2026 school year.
Meeting Details:
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Dates: Fridays; 1/17, 2/7, 2/21, 3/4, & 3/7
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Time: 3:00–3:30 PM
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Location: Hermosa Valley School
We are seeking four parents and four students to join this important initiative. If you’re interested, please complete this form by Friday, January 10.
Your input is vital to creating a schedule that meets the needs of all students. Thank you for your support!
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E-Bike & E-Scooter Safety Course Update
Sign-ups for the E-Bike & E-Scooter Safety Course on Wednesday, January 8, are now CLOSED. Families will be notified on Monday, January 6, if their student has made the roster for the course. Sign-ups were accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
As a reminder, this is the last E-Bike Safety Course offered at Hermosa Valley this school year. If your student wants to earn a Hermosa Schools Registration Sticker, the district has approved two equivalency training certification programs with E-Bike Sense and PedalAce. Please note: The Hermosa Beach City School District is not affiliated with these programs, and participation is at the cost of the participants.
Special thanks to the HVPTO for generously funding this year's E-bike and E-scooter Safety Courses. We appreciate E-Bike Sense and HVPTO's partnership in helping keep our students safe.
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1/1-31: January is National Poverty in America Awareness Month
1/6-3/14: Valley Yearbook: 8th Grade Dedication Pages & Baby Pictures
1/6-17: HBCSD: Student Intent to Return for 2025-2026 School Year Survey
1/6: HBCSD: First Day Back from Winter Break
1/8 (During Lunch): Valley: Beach Kids Yoga Classes in Room 33
1/8 (2-4 PM): Valley: E-Bike & E-Scooter Safety Course with E-Bike Sense
1/8 (5-8 PM): HBCSD: Regular School Board Meeting in the Hermosa Beach City Council Chambers
1/9 (10 AM-4 PM): HBPD: Battle of the Badges Red Cross Blood Drive
1/10 (9 AM-12 PM): View: Cultural Day in the View MPR
1/11 (1-2:30 PM): HBCSD: Incoming TK/Kinder Information Day in the View MPR followed by Campus Tours (RSVP to attend)
1/13 (9 AM): HBCSD: New Student Enrollment Opens for the 2025-2026 School Year at HBCSD.ORG
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Check Out Our Community Flyers!
We encourage you to visit our Community Flyers web page to see what our Education & Community Partners, Mira Costa High School, and Redondo Union High School, have to offer our school community. If you'd like to include a flyer, simply use this form.
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Hermosa Schools Office Staff | | | | |
