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| | Superintendent's Weekly Message | | |
Dear HBCSD Families,
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Parent Information Night last Thursday evening regarding Senate Bill 114: Risk of Reading Difficulties Screener. We appreciate your engagement, thoughtful questions, and partnership as we continue strengthening early literacy supports for our students. For those unable to attend, we are working to produce a recorded presentation and will share it with the community and post it on our website as soon as it is available.
We are excited to share that our K-2 teachers and staff will participate in professional development this January focused on the administration of mCLASS/DIBELS 8th Edition, the assessment approved for meeting the requirements of SB 114. This training will ensure that our educators are fully prepared to implement the screener with fidelity and to use the information it provides to support every child’s reading development.
We plan to begin administering the SB 114 screening in mid-February. As always, we are committed to transparent communication and will continue to provide updates as we move forward.
If interested, families may view the SB 114 Family Information Night Presentation.
An additional SB 114 Family Informational Meeting for TK-2 families will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, from 9:00-10:00 AM, in the View MPR. The same information will be presented. We encourage you to attend as this is important information that you will need to understand the reporting from this screener and support your child’s reading development.
Thank you for your continued support of our students and schools.
Warm regards,
Dr. Susan Wildes
Superintendent of Schools, Hermosa Beach City School District
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The Wholeheartedly Club: A New Opportunity to Lead with Heart
The Wholeheartedly Club is an inspiring new collaboration between the Hermosa Beach City School District, Los Angeles Chargers Kicker Cameron Dicker, and his Wholeheartedly Foundation.
This exciting program empowers students in grades 5-12 to make a meaningful impact in their community. Through the Wholeheartedly Club, students will have the opportunity to turn their ideas into real-world projects that improve the Hermosa Beach and South Bay communities, with project funding support provided by the Wholeheartedly Foundation.
Participant sign-ups for presentations are now closed. Students who previously signed must submit their slideshow presentation via this Google Submission Form, by today, Sunday, December 14, 2025, by 5:00 PM.
Students and families are invited to attend the:
HBCSD: Wholeheartedly Foundation Kickoff & Pitch Event
Monday, December 15, 2025
3:30-5:30 PM
Hermosa Valley School
Please note: The NFL will be filming at the event, and the sign shown below will be posted on campus.
All Hermosa Valley students are encouraged to attend the event and stay for at least 30 minutes to explore the many exciting opportunities available in our community and beyond. Students who attend will earn two service points. Even if you are not presenting a project, several local organizations will be on hand to share their missions and offer ways to get involved right away. No sign-up is required to attend and explore the community tables.
To learn more about the inspiration behind the Wholeheartedly Club, watch this video message from Cameron Dicker.
We look forward to seeing many Hermosa Valley students at this event.
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The next Wave Watch rolls in on January 1st!
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Incoming TK/Kinder Information Day is this
Saturday, January 10, 2026!
We’re excited to kick off the 2026-2027 school year with our Incoming TK/Kinder Information Day on Saturday, January 10, from 10:00-11:30 AM 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, 2026.
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Kindergarten: Children must be 5 years of age on or before September 1, 2026.
Kindly RSVP to attend.
Want to learn more about our TK/Kinder program? Visit our TK/Kinder Website!
New student enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year opens Monday, January 12, at 9 AM, at HBCSD.ORG.
Help us spread the word! Tell your friends and neighbors!
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Parenting in a Digital World Tip #12: Digital Citizenship and Family Media Plans
This tip comes from the Beach Cities Health District - Youth Tech.
Digital Media is part of everyday life for children and teens, offering opportunities to learn, connect, and create, while also presenting challenges such as distraction, privacy concerns, and social pressure. Families can support healthy technology habits by creating a Family Media Plan together that sets clear expectations for screen time, content, and device use, and by having regular, open conversations about digital citizenship. Talking with children about how to be safe, respectful, and responsible online, modeling positive screen habits as adults, and revisiting expectations as children grow helps build trust and balance while empowering students to make thoughtful choices in digital spaces.
Missed a tip? Check out our HBCSD Parenting in a Digital World Tips Page.
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Hermosa View School Principal News | |
We made it to our last week before Winter Break! I am so happy and grateful to be part of such a wonderful school community. I hope you all enjoy the holidays surrounded by family and friends.
Last week, our students did an excellent job practicing our Run, Hide, Distract safety drill. Thank you for reinforcing safe habits at home. Please continue helping us keep our campus safe by following all valet pick-up and drop-off procedures. As a reminder, TK students may not be dropped off in the valet line and should never be left unattended. An adult must walk them to the gate.
We’re excited to welcome families to our View Winter Sing this Wednesday, December 17, on the View Blacktop! Performance times are as follows:
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1st Grade: 9:00-9:30 AM
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Kinder: 9:40–10:10 AM
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TK: 10:20–10:50 AM
Please note: Students are invited to dress in festive attire for their performances. Red, green, white, blue, or any other school-appropriate outfit for the concert is welcome. Students are encouraged to keep practicing at home using the materials in the Winter Sing Practice Folder. Each file includes lyrics and links clearly labeled by grade level, making it easy for students to rehearse. Every day they practice builds confidence and helps them shine on stage.
We can’t wait to share the wonderful songs our students have been practicing with Mr. R! Many thanks to our Hermosa Beach Education Foundation for their generous support of our music program.
Finally, let’s celebrate our last week together with a fun Hermosa View Spirit Week. See flyer below. We hope to see everyone joining in on the dress-up days!
Wishing you all a joyful and restful Winter Break!
Warmly,
Dr. Jessica Ghobrial, Hermosa View Principal / HB Preschool Director
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Hermosa Vista School Principal News | |
As we approach the end of 2025, I want to share how wonderful it has been getting to know all of our Vista students. I’m looking forward to spending our final week of the year together.
Our Scholastic Book Fair was a great success, and I appreciate everyone who joined us for Winter Tales & Local Treasures. We were thrilled to have so many fun vendors for the students and community to enjoy.
I also loved watching our Vista Winter Sing performances. The students did an amazing job sharing their holiday songs, and it was wonderful to see such a strong and joyful turnout. Enjoy the photos from the 4th Grade concert below!
Wishing our Hermosa Vista community a happy, joyful, and wonderful holiday season!
Warmly,
Grace Yang, Hermosa Vista Principal
| | Hermosa Valley School Principal News | | |
Welcome to the last week of school in 2025!
What an incredible way to head into the holidays with our Hermosa Valley Bands and new Valley Voices After School Choir delivering festive, joyful performances, and our “Winter Wonderland” Middle School Dance had an amazing turnout. Thank you to those of you who joined us at our Hermosa Valley concerts and celebrations. We loved seeing our community together. Check out all the fun, festive photos below!
We’re excited for another great week leading up to Winter Break and can’t wait to share what we have planned for 2026 when students return. We will also be hosting our Valley Flag Ceremony on Wednesday, December 17, from 8:25-9:10 AM to honor students who are Riding the W.A.V.E. and always Act Responsibly by demonstrating accountability, integrity, and consideration for others.
As a reminder, this Friday, December 19, is a minimum day with dismissal at 12:25 PM for 5th-8th grade.
We wish you a very Happy Holiday and hope you return rested, well, and ready to continue to work hard in the new year!
Warmly,
Jessica Bledsoe, Hermosa Valley Principal
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10/12-12/19: HVPTO: Minted Fundraiser
12/15-19: Hermosa View Spirit Week
12/17: View: Winter Sing Concert - 1st Grade (9-9:30 AM), Kinder (9:40-10:10 AM), and TK (10:20-10:50 AM) on the View Blacktop
12/17 (8:25-9:10 AM): Valley Flag Ceremony
12/19: HBCSD: Minimum Day/Last Day of Before Break
12/19 (12:30-2 PM): Valley: HB Kiwanis Builders Club Holiday Shopping at Target for Beach Cities Toy Drive
12/19 (After 4 PM): HBCSD: HVS Lost & Found - All unclaimed items at Hermosa View, Vista, & Valley will be donated to charity
12/22-1/2: HBCSD: Winter Break - No School
| | MOST IMAGES BELOW ARE CLICKABLE WITH MORE DETAILS | |
STAR Education Program (TK-5) | | |
HERMOSA VIEW
PRESIDENTS' WEEK CAMP
February 9-13, 2026
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HERMOSA VIEW
SPRING CAMP
April 6-10, 2026
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Stay Connected with Community Flyers!
Visit our Community Flyers webpage to explore more opportunities and events from our community and education partners, including the City of Hermosa Beach, Mira Costa High School, and Redondo Union High School. To submit a flyer for consideration, please complete this form.
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Inspirit AI Summer Program by Stanford & MIT Alumni at Hermosa Valley
Artificial intelligence is the defining technology of our times: in our voice-activated devices, smartphone face recognition systems, autonomous vehicles, and now in generative AI like ChatGPT. The potential for all students with diverse interests to apply this technology for good is limitless.
We’re excited to share that Hermosa Valley School is offering an in-person, project-based artificial intelligence program through Inspirit AI, an AI education program developed and taught by Stanford and MIT alumni, this summer on campus. The program will run on weekdays from July 20- 31, 2026, from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM.
Students from rising grades 5-8 will learn the fundamental concepts of AI and gain a deeper understanding of how AI is used to build ChatGPT and generative AI, fight pandemics, power self-driving cars, and more. Students will learn to program AI using Python, discuss ethics and bias within AI, and complete a group project applying AI to a discipline like sustainability, disaster relief, music/arts, among others. No prior computer science experience is required to participate.
If you may be interested in participating in this unique opportunity, please fill out this short interest form. The program is offered at a fee of $1,200 for 30 hours of hands-on learning with AI practitioners and graduate students from Stanford and MIT who will travel to Hermosa Beach to teach students and mentor projects. Check out the program brochure for more information about curriculum, schedule, projects, teaching team, and more!
| | | Hermosa Schools Office Staff | | | | |
