Be Safe, Be SMART, Hermosa!

As part of our “Be Safe, Be SMART” campaign, the Hermosa Beach City School District has teamed up with the Hermosa Beach Police Department and E-Bike Sense this month to share important E-Bike Safety Tips with our students, staff, and community. This first video highlights how to wear your helmet correctly, safely, and securely. Remember to always "Be Safe, Be SMART, Hermosa!" Stay tuned for more videos featuring additional community partners coming each month until the end of the school year.

12th Annual SW SELPA CAC Staff & Community Partners Awards Night - Nominations - Nominations Open!

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.

Southwest SELPA CAC Parent Workshop on December 18th

Are you interested in learning effective strategies to resolve disputes in educational settings? The Southwest SELPA Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is hosting a Parent Workshop on Understanding Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) on Wednesday, December 18, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM via Zoom.

This engaging session will provide parents/guardians with an overview of ADR methods, including mediation, negotiation, and arbitration. Participants will explore how these tools can address disputes in educational settings, empower families to navigate challenges, and foster collaborative solutions.

No RSVP is required. Simply join the session to gain valuable insights and practical skills for resolving conflicts peacefully and efficiently. Don’t miss this opportunity!

Sprigeo is Now Live on Our Website!

HBCSD is excited to announce that Sprigeo, our new confidential online reporting system for bullying and school safety concerns, is now available on our website!

Sprigeo offers students, families, and community members a secure, private way to report incidents, supporting our commitment to creating a safer and more supportive learning environment.

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!

Embracing the Season: Support and Well-Being Over Winter Break

As winter break approaches, we invite you to slow down, recharge, and embrace the peace this season can bring.

The holidays are often filled with joy and connection, but they can also bring challenges—whether it’s missing a loved one, juggling holiday preparations, or managing the pressures of the season. While each of us celebrates in our own way, it’s important to acknowledge all feelings that may arise and remember that it’s okay to ask for support when needed.

Hermosa Beach City School District has partnered with Care Solace to help support the well-being of our community. Whether you or a family member need support with mental health or substance use, Care Solace can connect you to care options that meet your needs quickly, confidentially, and at no cost to you.

How to Access Support:

• Call (888) 515-0595.
• Visit CARESOLACE.COM/HBCSD.
• Search for providers independently or click “Book Appointment” for assistance via video chat, phone, or email.

Wishing you peace and well-being this holiday season.

Hermosa Schools Counseling Program - Quick Updates!

September 2024

• View students received the “Meet the Counselor featuring. Mini Emotion Management” lesson.
• Vista students received the “Meet the Counselor featuring Conflict Resolution” lesson.
• Valley students received a “Counseling Orientation” lesson and student check-ins.
• Start with Hello Week - A fun-filled week with activities fostering campus connectedness.

October 2024

• View students received a “Problem Solving” lesson.
• Vista students received a lesson on Bully Prevention.

November 2024

• Valley students (6th-8th) received lessons on developing goals and learning about a growth mindset. 
• View students started group counseling.

Coming in January 2025

• Vista & Valley students started group counseling.
• View & Vista counseling lessons on Goal Setting and Growth Mindset.
• Grade 6th-8th counseling lessons on Bullying and Harassment.
• The Great Kindness Challenge (January 27-31).

To learn more about our Hermosa Schools Counseling Program, visit our website.

Coping with Stress

For many, winter break is a time of joy, celebration, and tradition. However, the shift in routine, expectations, and the absence of loved ones can also mean that it can be a time of stress. Just like adults, children also experience stress. The difference is that they may not have the coping skills to handle these situations. As adults, it is important that we not only manage our own stress but also support children in developing coping skills to help them manage theirs.

A coping skill is anything we do to help us manage our emotions and feel more calm. Coping strategies can fall under one of four categories:

• Relaxation - What helps you feel calm? Relaxation is about soothing yourself and finding an activity that lowers your stress. Some examples might be deep breathing, walking, stretching, or listening to music.
• Distraction - Distractors are strategies that help you forget about the stressor. Think about activities that take all your attention! Examples might include working out, drawing, or cooking.
• Emotional Regulation - Emotional regulation is all about finding ways to reflect on and express your feelings in a productive and safe way. It involves activities that help you feel your emotions and use them to help you make helpful decisions and take positive action. Some examples are journaling, drawing, talking your feelings out, etc. 
• Mindfulness - Much of our stress comes from worrying about the past and the future. Mindfulness activities help us focus on the present instead of allowing our minds to stress about what has already happened or what we expect to happen. Mindful activities bring us back to our present experience and include breathing activities, sensory play, and intentionally noticing sensory input. 

When supporting children in managing this stress, it is important to be patient and remember that every child is different, so you may have to try different techniques to find what works for them. Below are some helpful tips to support your child:

• Help Them Identify Feelings - Using the feelings wheel can help them build language to communicate feelings.
• Try New Skills - Keep trying different strategies and techniques. Try some breathing strategies.
• Do it with Them - Managing stress can be fun and a great way to connect. To help them engage, try these fun coping strategies. 

The Hermosa Schools Counseling Department hopes you have a safe Winter Break. We look forward to continuing our work in the new year!

Trimester 2 Lunch Clubs are in Full Swing!

Our Hermosa Schools Lunch Clubs, generously sponsored by the HVPTO, are open to Kindergarten through 8th Grade students. The Trimester 2 Lunch Clubs are in full swing and will run through March 7, 2025. A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated teachers and staff who volunteer as club advisors, sharing their time and passion with our HVS students during lunchtime. We are incredibly grateful to the HVPTO for their year-round support of our Lunch Clubs.

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.