Dear HBCSD Families,

Last week, our students began their journey with Wit & Wisdom®, our knowledge-building English Language Arts curriculum, which helps students read rich, complex texts, build background knowledge, and express their ideas clearly. They are starting right away with Module 0.

In these first lessons, students are learning and practicing routines that set them up for success throughout the coming unit modules, including:

• Reading routines: previewing texts, annotating, and rereading for depth.
• Discussion norms: listening actively, citing evidence, and participating in structured conversations.
• Writing habits: quick writes, drafting with evidence, and revising for clarity.
• Vocabulary practice: using context, word parts, and academic language in speech and writing.
• Thinking moves: “notice & wonder,” making connections, and asking purposeful questions.
• Classroom habits: organizing materials, partnering protocols, and respectful collaboration.
• Feedback cycles: using rubrics/checklists and reflecting on learning goals.

How you can support at home:

• Ask your child what they are reading and what one new idea they learned.
• Encourage them to share a favorite sentence and explain why it holds meaning for them.
• Discuss things you might “notice and wonder” when you are reading, driving, or listening to the world around you.
• As we complete Module 0, be on the lookout for the Family Tip Sheets, which will provide an overview of what your student is studying and offer ideas for learning outside of school.

We’re excited to partner with you as students build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to tackle complex ideas. Thank you for your continued support.

With appreciation,

Dr. Susan Wildes

Superintendent of Schools, Hermosa Beach City School District

Hermosa View School Principal News

Our first full week together was a great one! Students have impressed us with how quickly they are learning new routines, and our drop-off and pick-up procedures have become more efficient. Thank you for helping us keep our students safe by following our guidelines. 

A few reminders:

• The View School Parking Lot is reserved for staff only during school hours. Visitors and volunteers should plan to park off-campus when visiting the school.
• Please refrain from parking in the valet line. 
• Please arrive as close to your designated drop-off and pick-up times as possible, so that walkways remain clear and parking spots are available off campus for each grade level. Arriving too early interferes with each grade level’s procedures. For example, if TK/K parents arrive later, 1st grade parents are able to find parking, drop off their students, and clear the area more efficiently for TK/K families. 

Upcoming Hermosa View Events

Our Hermosa View campus Back-to-School Nights are this Tuesday, September 2. The schedule is as follows:

HB Preschool at View Back-to-School Night Schedule:

4:30-4:45 PM: Preschool Parents Administration Message in the View Library

4:45-5:15 PM: Preschool Classroom Presentation

View Back-to-School Night Schedule:

5:00-5:30 PM: Kindergarten Classroom Presentation

5:30-6:00 PM: Administration Message and HBEF/HVPTO Presentation in the View MPR

6:00-6:30 PM: 1st Grade Classroom Presentation

It is also important to note that Tuesday, September 2, will be a minimum day at Hermosa View only. Please follow the schedule below for grade-level dismissal:

TK Dismissal: 12:15 PM

Kinder Dismissal: 12:20 PM

1st Grade Dismissal: 12:25 PM

Please note: Our HB Preschool at View will be dismissed at its regular scheduled times.

On Friday, September 5, from 4:30-7:00 PM, the HVPTO will host its Annual Back-to-School Picnic on the Hermosa Valley Field and Blacktop. It’s a great way to meet other families and enjoy a fun night out. Don’t forget to preorder your meals! We hope to see you there!

Lastly, our Hermosa Beach Preschool at View Picture Day and Hermosa View Picture Day are scheduled on Tuesday, September 9.

It’s a short but fun-packed week!



Warmly,

Dr. Jessica Ghobrial, Hermosa View Principal / HB Preschool Director

Hermosa Vista School Principal News

Thank you for the awesome turnout at the Vista Back-to-School Night! It was great to meet our families and to see the excitement as you learned more about your child’s classroom experience. If you would like to review the information I shared at Back-to-School Night, please take a look at the Principal Message presentation. 

Last week, our teachers were teaching Module 0 in Wit & Wisdom®. I loved watching students share what they were noticing and wondering about the texts they were reading. It was inspiring to watch them collaborate, build confidence, and practice their speaking skills. 

A quick reminder - Hermosa Vista Picture Day is Tuesday, September 9. Ordering forms will be sent home by your child’s classroom teacher. Families may place orders using the forms or online. 

We’re off to a fantastic start, and I can’t wait to see all the learning and fun that’s still to come!

Warmly,

Grace Yang, Hermosa Vista Principal

Hermosa Valley School Principal News

Congratulations on a great first full week back to school! It’s definitely been one for the books! 

This Thursday, September 4, Hermosa Valley will have a minimum day with dismissal at 12:25 PM, followed by Back-to-School Night for parents and guardians only. The evening schedule is as follows:

5:00-5:30 PM: 5th Grade Classroom Presentation

5:30-6:00 PM: Administration Message in the Valley Bowl

6:00-7:15 PM: 6th-8th Grade Classroom Presentation in each Class Period

New this year, our middle school students are participating in Advisory, a daily class that serves as both a homeroom and an executive functioning check-in. During Advisory, students hear announcements, complete surveys, connect with a trusted adult, work on i-Ready and Imagine MyPath assignments, check email and PowerSchool, read silently, and receive SEL lessons from our adopted curriculum. Classes are organized by grade level and team color, and students also get to participate in fun competitions, such as themed dress-up weeks and positive attendance challenges.



We are also continuing with PBIS Rewards this year, our schoolwide system for recognizing positive behavior and tracking referrals. Parents/guardians will receive login instructions to view their child’s point balance and teacher comments. Students can use their points in teacher stores and upcoming schoolwide programs. Students will also use their IDs to check in and out of class through the PBIS Rewards Hall Pass portal. This system enhances safety and enables staff to track the location of everyone at all times, with a digital timestamp. It is imperative that students bring and carry their IDs with them at all times. 

A quick note on attendance: We had several student absences this past Friday and would like to remind families of the importance of consistent attendance. Regular attendance not only supports your student’s learning and engagement, but it also impacts our school funding, which is based on daily student attendance. Please be mindful when planning upcoming vacations. If your student is absent, please report the absence to the school.

Updates from Last Week:

• The HVS Athletics: Fall Sports - Student Interest Form (accessible only with a student’s HBCSD email) was distributed through Advisory. Please check in with your student to see if they expressed interest in participating in a middle school after-school sports team for the fall season.
• Last Friday was our Hermosa Valley Picture Day. If your student was absent, the makeup picture day is scheduled for Friday, October 10. We will send a reminder closer to the date.

Thank you so much for your support in helping your student succeed at Hermosa Valley!

Warmly,

Jessica Bledsoe, Hermosa Valley School Principal

8/14-9/1 (By 12 PM): HVPTO's Back-to-School Picnic - Preorder Chicken Tenders, Pastas, Salads, and Sandwiches at HVPTO.COM

8/25-9/21: HBEF: Back-to-School Annual Giving Campaign at HBEF.ORG

9/1: Labor Day - No School

9/2: View: Minimum Day (Early Dismissal: TK - 12:15 PM, Kinder - 12:20 PM, & 1st Grade - 12:25 PM)

9/2 (by 3 PM): Valley: HVS Athletics Fall Sports - Boys & Girls Surf Team (Grades 6-8) Applications Deadline

9/2 (4:30-5:15 PM): HB Preschool: Back-to-School Night (Admin Message - 4:30-4:45 PM & Preschool Classrooms - 4:45-5:15 PM)

9/2 (5-6:30 PM): View: Back-to-School Night (Kinder - 5:00-5:30 PM, Admin Message - 5:30-6:00 PM, & 1st Grade - 6:00-6:30 PM)

9/3 (2-3:30 PM) & 9/4 (3-4:15 PM): Valley: HVS Athletics Fall Sports - Boys Flag Football Tryouts (Grades 6-8) on the Hermosa Valley Field

9/3 (2-3:30 PM) & 9/4 (3-4:15 PM): Valley: HVS Athletics Fall Sports - Girls Volleyball Tryouts (Grades 6-8) in the Hermosa Valley Gym

9/4: Valley: Minimum Day (Early Dismissal: 5th-8th Grade - 12:25 PM)

9/4 (5-6:30 PM): Valley: Back-to-School Night (5th Grade - 5:00-5:30 PM, Admin Message - 5:30-6:00 PM, & 6th-8th Grade - 6:00-7:15 PM)