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| | Superintendent's Weekly Message | | |
Dear HBCSD Families,
Over the past several weeks, we have been conducting a “health check” on our first year of implementing Wit & Wisdom, our English Language Arts curriculum. This process has included classroom visits, conversations with teachers and students, and a close look at student work across all grade levels.
I am proud to share that the dedication and hard work of our teachers and students is truly paying off in meaningful ways.
Across our schools, we are seeing students deeply engaged with complex, grade-level texts. They are not only reading closely, but also citing evidence to support their thinking in both discussions and writing. Classrooms are filled with thoughtful, robust conversations where students are building on one another’s ideas and deepening their understanding of the content. In addition, student writing is demonstrating increasingly strong comprehension, analysis, and clarity.
One of the most exciting highlights has been seeing the consistent use of Socratic Seminar across all grade levels. A Socratic Seminar is a structured, student-led discussion in which students explore important questions about a text. Rather than simply responding to the teacher, students listen carefully to one another, ask questions, cite evidence, and engage in respectful dialogue to develop and refine their thinking. It is a powerful practice that builds critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills.
We are incredibly proud of the progress our students are making and grateful for the commitment of our educators in bringing this work to life each day. Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we work together to provide a rich and engaging learning experience for every student.
Warm regards,
Dr. Susan Wildes
Superintendent of Schools, Hermosa Beach City School District
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We invite you to participate in the 2026 HBCSD LCAP/Strategic Planning Input Survey, which is open through Friday, May 8. This is an opportunity to share your thoughts on what’s working well and where we can improve. The survey is structured around our core goals, Community, Excellence, and Inclusion, and will directly influence the district’s direction for the next three years. Every response and every comment is read and considered in our planning process.
We'd like to ask each parent or guardian to complete one survey for each child enrolled in our district. The survey should take approximately 15-20 minutes, and all responses are anonymous. Please click here to take the survey.
| | Hermosa View School Principal News | |
Dear View Families,
Thank you, all, so much for coming to our first ever Science Night. The energy on campus was electrifying. We hope you had fun and we look forward to doing this again next year!
Special thanks also to our Principal Advisory Council who participated in a discussion around View’s first year of implementation of Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports. They provided meaningful input and it was great to share about all the hard work our committee has put in this year.
Our students did a wonderful job practicing our fire and evacuation safety drill. Thank you for reinforcing concepts like being an active listener and following directions in emergencies.
In light of staff appreciation week, I want to say a special thank you to my amazing team for their love, dedication, and everything they do for our kids and our school. You are the heartbeat of Hermosa View.
Warmly,
Dr. Jessica Ghobrial
Hermosa View Principal / HB Preschool Director
| | Hermosa Vista School Principal News | |
Dear Vista Families,
Thank you for a wonderful Science Night! It was great to see students so excited during the Fire and Ice assembly and so engaged while making slime and exploring optical illusions. It was a fun and memorable event, and I’m already looking forward to next year!
As the year is coming to an end, I would like to put some important dates on your radar:
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May 4-22nd: CAASPP Testing for 3rd and 4th Grade
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May 19th @ 11:40-1:15pm: Career Day
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May 28th @ 5:30pm: Vista Open House & Minimum Day
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June 2nd @ 9:15-10:15am: Valley & Vista 3rd/8th Grade Book Exchange
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June 3rd: Vista Field Day: 8:20-9:20am 4th Grade, 9:30-10:30am 2nd Grade, 10:40-11:40am 3rd Grade
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June 5th: Vista Spring Sing: 8:30-9:00am 4th Grade, 9:10-9:40am 2nd Grade, 11:00-11:30am 3rd Grade
Warmly,
Grace Yang
Hermosa Vista Principal
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CAASPP TESTING: Parent Tips
- Explain to your child that these tests are used as tools to help them learn, and that they should not be anxious or scared.
- Remind your child that you and their teacher want them to try their very best and are there to help, every step of the way.
- Ensure they get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school on time each day. Attendance is key.
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Explore the practice tests with your child on the CAASPP and ELPAC Practice and Training web page so they can become familiar with the platform and setup of the tests.
To learn more about these tests go to the CAASPP Starting Smarter website or review the CDE Parent Guides to Understanding web page.
If you have questions, please contact:
Vista School: Grace Yang at gyang@hbcsd.org
Valley School: Alison Montoya at amontoya@hbcsd.org
| | Hermosa Valley School Principal News | | |
Dear Valley Families,
Last week, our 6th graders had the opportunity to attend Pali Camp, and by all accounts, it was an incredible experience. Students challenged themselves, stepped outside of their comfort zones, and built stronger connections with one another along the way. We’re proud of how they represented our school and grateful to our staff for supporting them throughout the trip.
This upcoming week, we begin CAASPP testing. CAASPP provides valuable information that helps guide instruction and identify student strengths and areas for growth, allowing us to better support all learners.
To help students do their best, please ensure they get a good night’s sleep, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school on time each day. Attendance is especially important during testing, so please avoid scheduling appointments when possible and encourage your child to take their time and do their best.
We are excited to celebrate all of their growth when we return in the fall.
Volunteers Needed: Middle School Career Day 2026!
Do you love what you do? Help our students find their "why!"
We’re looking for parent trailblazers to join us for our Middle School Career Day on Thursday, June 4. This isn't your typical "lecture at a podium" event. This year, we’re hosting a high-energy Career Fair where students can chat with you 1:1 to get the real scoop on your profession.
Why join us?
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Share your Spark: Tell your story—the path you took, the lessons you learned, and what makes you wake up excited.
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Low Pressure, High Impact: No formal speeches! Just casual, small-group conversations at your own table.
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Quick & Easy: You’ll be in and out in one morning!
The Details:
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When: Thursday, June 4 | 8:35 AM – 11:05 AM
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Where: Hermosa Valley School
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Ready to inspire? SIGN UP HERE
We look forward to seeing you all this upcoming Saturday at the HBEF Hearts of Hermosa at Hermosa Vista School, a special evening bringing our community together in support of Hermosa schools.
Warmly,
Jessica Bledsoe
Hermosa Valley Principal
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STAR Education Program (TK-6) | |
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.
| | | Hermosa Schools Office Staff | | | | |
