Dear HBCSD Families and Community,

In our work this summer, our team has continued reviewing the Strategic Planning Input Survey from the spring, as well as all of the free responses provided by our families and the community. Many of our families have requested parent education on supporting their children’s use of technology and social media at home. Technology (and the saviness of our children) is evolving so quickly that it can, at times, feel challenging to keep up. During this time, it is also critically important to ensure that our children are not being inundated with unwanted information, images, and unsettling rhetoric. Even if you’ve talked to your kids about screen-time limits and responsible online behavior, we highly recommend installing parental controls on all personal technology devices. 

Moving forward, you will find a weekly “tip” for families in our Wave Watch, regarding parental controls and parenting in a digital world. Additionally, stay tuned for in-person student and parent education events.

Parenting in a Digital World Tip #1:

Parental Control Wizard: We highly recommend utilizing the Cyber Safety Wizard to receive customized resources for navigating online parental controls. You just answer a few questions about the types of devices your child uses, what apps they use, and how they access the internet, and it will produce an email with a comprehensive guide on how to set up the controls on each of the apps and devices. 

Hermosa Schools Social Media Resource

Best,

Dr. Susan Wildes

Superintendent of Schools, Hermosa Beach City School District

Hermosa View School Principal News

Our first safety fire drill was a success! I am really proud of our youngest Dolphins for doing such a great job during this important practice drill. Students demonstrated what it looks like to be safe, up for a challenge, and respectful as they listened to their teachers. It was evident that our teachers had prepared them well on what to expect.

We are looking forward to our first View Flag Assembly this Friday, September 26, from 8:45-9:15 AM, on the blacktop. During this assembly, we will honor students with awards for being Safe. Parents/Guardians of students who are performing or receiving an award are welcome to join us. Your child’s teacher will be reaching out if your student is being honored. Parents/Guardians may enter through the gate located just past the North Gate for easy access to the blacktop.

Learning is fun at Hermosa View. This is what our students learned this past week:

Transitional Kindergarten (TK): Students learned about their five senses and read the story “My Backyard and My Senses” by Emilia Rivas and Lisa Workman. They discovered how our senses help us gather information about our world and that we use a different part of our body for each sense. We use our eyes to see, our fingers to touch, our ears to hear, our tongue to taste, and our nose to smell.

Special TK Families Note: Kindly send in "Just in Case" clothing for your child and check backpacks regularly, as soiled clothing may be returned home. 

Kindergarten: Last week, our students answered the focus question, “How does reading help us learn?” They engaged in their first Wit & Wisdom Tableau, where students created living, silent pictures to demonstrate their understanding of a literary concept, character, or event. Students used their bodies, facial expressions, and sometimes props to represent ideas, allowing them to physically embody abstract concepts and deepen their comprehension in a kinesthetic and collaborative way. In Eureka Math, students worked on classifying to make categories and practiced how to count, write, and show numbers in different ways. 

1st Grade: Students continued with Module 0 in Wit & Wisdom, focusing on close reading, writing the four (4) stages of craft instruction, and engaging in whole-class and small group discussion of core literacy text. In Fundations, they worked on beginning and ending sounds in CVC words and writing a sentence. In Eureka Math, students continued in Module 1 by solving addition problems using different strategies such as drawing pictures, counting on, and using 5-group cards. They also learned about understanding equivalent expressions and the commutative property. In Social Studies, students learned about Democracy, and in Science, they learned about the Scientific Method.

We are so proud of the hard work our youngest learners are putting in each day!

Warmly,

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

Hermosa Vista School Principal News

Our Vista students have been busy diving into their Wit & Wisdom lessons in their classrooms. In 4th grade, students discussed the difference between literal and figurative hearts. For homework, they engaged in conversations with their families and shared their own interpretation of a literal and figurative heart. In 3rd grade, students explored the sea by using both art and poetry to deepen their understanding. Meanwhile, in 2nd grade, students noticed and wondered about animals while reading “Wild About Books” by Judy Sierra and Marc Brown. It is fun to see the engagement students show in their exploration through Wit & Wisdom. 

Last week in P.E., students learned how to play Four Square. They practiced the rules of the game, learned how to serve and rotate, and developed a sense of fairness and teamwork. Students are excited to play during recess and lunch with a better understanding of the game. 

We look forward to continuing our learning journey in the week ahead. 

Warmly,

Grace Yang, Hermosa Vista Principal

Hermosa Valley School Principal News

We had an amazing Valley Club Rush this past week, where so many students showcased their interests alongside their teacher sponsors. I was so impressed by the student leadership, creativity, and the wide range of opportunities available for student involvement. Yay, Valley! Check out these awesome Valley Lunch Clubs generously sponsored by HVPTO! Valley Lunch Clubs start on Monday, September 22.

Valley Student Reminders

Please remember to bring your student ID to campus each day—this is your responsibility. IDs are required to enter the library, collect your hot lunch, check out a book, access the Wellness Center, use the Hall Pass system, and serve as general identification while on campus. Each student has received one printed ID and will receive one replacement at no cost. Beginning with the third ID, families are responsible for paying the reprint fee. You can request a new ID and pay the $5 fee through ASBWorks.

We have noticed some unsafe practices with some students arriving and leaving school on wheels. Please walk your bike, scooter, e-bike, or e-scooter once you reach the sidewalk on either side of the valet line. Riding between cars is unsafe and disrupts traffic. Walking your wheels helps ensure a safe and smooth drop-off and pick-up for everyone. As a reminder, please review the Hermosa Valley Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures.

We had a great response to our Valley Science Fair Commitment Form! If you submitted a form, don’t forget there will be an After-School Science Fair Expectations/Q+A Meeting with Mr. Underwood on Thursday, September 25. 

Important Upcoming Science Fair Dates:

• 9/25 - After-school Science Fair Expectations/Q+A Meeting with Mr. Underwood
• 10/8 - Project Submission Deadline
• 10/10 - Student Option to Prep with Mr. Underwood
• 11/17 - Project Deadline / Preview Day
• 11/18 - Hermosa Valley Science Fair: All middle school science classes and 5th grade visit

Here’s to another great week! 

Warmly,

Jessica Bledsoe, Hermosa Valley School Principal

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

9/23: HBCSD: Local School Holiday - No School

9/26 (8:45-9:15 AM): View Flag Ceremony

9/26 (After 4 PM): HBCSD: HVS Lost & Found - All unclaimed items at Hermosa View, Vista, & Valley will be donated to charity

9/26 (7-9 PM): HBEF Donor "Come Celebrate You" Thank You Party (Invite Only) at the Resin Gallery; Make a Donation at HBEF.ORG by 9/21

9/27-28: HVPTO: Family Portrait Fundraiser at HB Pier; Book Your Reservation