November 10, 2024

Superintendent's Weekly Message

On behalf of our students, teachers, and staff, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the entire Hermosa Beach school community for their support this week. Although our local election results are still awaiting certification, Measure HV currently holds 60.79% of the vote in favor, which is above the 55% needed to pass. This milestone brings us one step closer to realizing the school improvement projects that will greatly benefit our future Hermosa Valley students, staff, and community.



We extend our sincere appreciation to our HBCSD School Board for their commitment to providing top-notch educational facilities while maintaining sound fiscal management. We also want to thank our dedicated staff, the Hermosa Beach Education Association, the Hermosa Beach Education Foundation, the Hermosa Beach City Council, the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce, community leaders, and all the volunteers who devoted countless hours to supporting Measure HV. Hermosa Beach truly stands out because of our shared commitment to putting our students first.



In the coming months, the Board will begin discussions on next steps and project priorities. Updates on Measure HV will continue to be available on our district website at HBCSD.ORG and in our weekly communications.  


Thank you for your invaluable partnership in supporting our students and schools. 


Warm regards,

Dr. Susan Wildes

Superintendent of Schools, Hermosa Beach City School District

Listening & Learning Coffee Comes to an End at Vista


We have one more opportunity for parents/guardians and community members to share their thoughts on the following important questions:


  • What is going well in the District that you do not want to see changed?
  • What things do you think the District should consider doing differently?
  • What do you believe are the top three concerns for our students?
  • What are the top three concerns for our families?
  • How would you measure the success of HBCSD over the next few years?


Dr. Wildes is eager to connect and hear your valuable insights. Your feedback is very important as we shape the future of our Hermosa Schools. She's committed to maintaining open communication and ensuring your voice is central in this process. We hope to see you on Friday, November 15, from 8:15-9:15 AM in the Vista MPR.

Hermosa View & Vista School Principal News

Thank you for participating in our recent parent-teacher conferences. Your involvement is a critical part of your child’s educational journey, and we truly appreciate your partnership.


As we approach the end of Trimester 1, I’d like to take a moment to highlight the exciting work we're doing in literacy for our youngest learners. In TK through 3rd Grade, our teachers have been trained in Fundations, an evidence-based program that focuses on building a solid foundation in phonics and literacy skills. This approach is designed to support our students in becoming confident, capable readers who are ready to tackle the more challenging texts they'll encounter in the upper grades.


Supporting literacy at home can be a rewarding experience for both you and your child. I encourage you to set aside time each day for reading together and discussing books—like talking about story elements, characters, and new vocabulary. These activities can enhance comprehension and foster a love of reading. Plus, it creates wonderful moments of connection and joy for you and your child!


Thank you for all you do from home. Your partnership is crucial in growing students who thrive!


Hillary Overbeck, Hermosa View & Vista Principal

Understanding PBIS at Our Hermosa Schools


In Hermosa schools, we use Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to create a positive, respectful environment for all students. PBIS emphasizes setting clear expectations and reinforcing positive behaviors, helping students feel safe and supported across all settings.


Each of our schools has unique PBIS expectations to help guide students' behavior:


  • Vista & View Schools S.U.R.F., which stands for: 
  • Safe
  • Up for a Challenge
  • Responsible
  • Friendly
  • Valley School rides the W.A.V.E., which stands for:
  • We Show Respect to All
  • Act Responsibly
  • Value Academic Excellence and Integrity
  • Everyone is Welcome


Examples of how students can S.U.R.F. and ride the W.A.V.E. in the lunch areas can look like this: 


  • Vista & View: 
  • Safe: Listening to lunchtime supervisors and showing kindness to peers.
  • Up for a Challenge: Respecting all food choices.
  • Responsible: Cleaning up after oneself and being mindful of personal belongings.
  • Friendly: Using polite table manners and staying in one place while you eat. 
  • Valley School: 
  • We Show Respect to All: Participate in a positive lunch experience, such as waiting in line patiently.
  • Act Responsibly: Picking up your trash and the trash around you.
  • Value Academic Excellence and Integrity: Being honest about lining up and staying in the order you arrived.
  • Everyone is Welcome: Being open to someone joining your group. 


How Parents Can Reinforce PBIS at Home:

  • You can support these PBIS expectations by practicing similar habits at home. During family meals, encourage your child to follow S.U.R.F. or W.A.V.E. by using respectful words, staying seated, helping with cleanup, and showing consideration for everyone at the table. 


Reinforcing these behaviors at home helps build a strong connection between school and family, fostering respect and responsibility in every setting.

Hermosa Valley School Principal News

Thank you for your active participation during conference week! We feel fortunate to have your partnership in your child’s education and beyond.


Throughout the school year, we conduct a variety of emergency drills to prepare for different situations. Safety drills have been part of school practices in the U.S. since the early 1950s, evolving over time to include earthquake and lockdown procedures. Following national requirements like the Katz Act of 1984 and more recent security needs, schools now routinely practice drills to ensure readiness.


This Wednesday, we’ll conduct our first Run, Hide, Fight drill of the year. Earlier in the year, our teachers received specialized and comprehensive vigilance training. Our 5th-grade and homeroom teachers will share this presentation with students to help them understand the drill and feel prepared.


Hermosa Schools are committed to keeping safety a top priority.


In other news, this week marks the end of our first trimester of the school year—I can’t believe how quickly it’s flown by! Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership.


Jessica Bledsoe, Hermosa Valley Principal

The Week Ahead

10/12-12/20: HVPTO: Minted Fundraiser


11/1-30: November is Native American Heritage Month


11/1-30: November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month


11/1-30: HVPTO Support & Play FUNraiser: Dave & Buster's Power Cards


11/11-25: HB Chamber: The Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt (Ends 11/25 at 5:00 PM)


11/11: Veterans Day - No School


11/12 (8:40-9:10 AM): Vista: Flag Ceremony - 2nd-4th Grades


11/12 (During Lunch): Sand & Surf Soccer Club at View


11/13 (During Lunch): Valley: Beach Kids Yoga Classes


11/13 (2-3:30 PM): Valley: Free Two-Day Girls Basketball Clinic (Valley; 6th-8th Grade) with Coaches Jones & Scaligone in the Valley Gym


11/13 (3:00-4:00 PM): Valley Fall Sports: HVS Cross Country Meet at Hermosa Valley School


11/13 (5-8 PM): HBCSD: Regular School Board Meeting


11/14 (3-4 PM): Valley: Free Two-Day Girls Basketball Clinic (Valley; 6th-8th Grade) with Coaches Jones & Scaligone in the Valley Gym


11/15 (8:15-9:15 AM): HBCSD/Vista: Listening & Learning Coffee with the Superintendent for Parents/Guardians & Community Members in the Vista MPR


11/15 (During Lunch): Sand & Surf Soccer Club at Valley


11/15: HBCSD: End of the 1st Trimester

View the Full HBCSD Upcoming Events Calendar

STAR Education Program (TK-5)

VIEW STAR NOVA - SESSION 2

Classes Start 11/12

VISTA STAR NOVA - SESSION 2

Classes Start 11/12

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.

QUICK LINKS

Hermosa Schools Office Staff

Wendy Coe

Hermosa View School

wcoe@hbcsd.org

(424) 333-9950 x4000

Kerri Aleman

Hermosa Vista School

kaleman@hbcsd.org

(424) 333-9960 x3000

Jasmin Martinez

Hermosa Valley School

jmartinez@hbcsd.org

(424) 333-9970 x2000

EXPLORE

HVS Office Procedures

HBCSD Parent Handbook

Volunteer Opportunities

Visit Our HBCSD Website


HBEF/HVPTO

Hermosa Beach Education Foundation

Hermosa View, Vista, Valley PTO



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