Dear HBCSD Families and Community,

We are excited to announce that the Hermosa Beach City School District is in the process of recommending to the Board a new K-8 English Language Arts curriculum that reflects our unwavering commitment to providing every student with a strong foundation in literacy.

This announcement follows an extensive adoption process led by a committee composed of parents, general and special education teachers across all grade levels, support staff, administrators, and a board member. Over the course of several months, the committee engaged in a deep exploration of current educational research and best practices in literacy instruction. Using the Instructional Materials Evaluation Tool (IMET), the team carefully evaluated a range of curricular options to identify the program that best aligns with our district’s instructional vision.

At the heart of this adoption is HBCSD’s Vision for Literacy Instruction:

In HBCSD, every student will experience rigorous, evidence-based literacy instruction rooted in foundational skills, text complexity, and knowledge-building opportunities. Through meaningful collaboration among educators, students, and families, each student will become a confident, capable, and critical reader, writer, and thinker who communicates effectively. HBCSD leaders will empower educators by providing sustained, high-quality, multi-year professional development, ongoing instructional coaching, and resources aligned to rigorous, standards-based curricula. With a collective commitment to excellence and fidelity in curriculum implementation, HBCSD will meet the diverse literacy needs of all students, preparing them to thrive academically and beyond.

With this vision in mind, the committee has selected Wit & Wisdom and Geodes by Great Minds in K-8th grade to join Fundations in grades TK-3, as the instructional materials that best support our goals for literacy instruction.

In keeping with our commitment to transparency and community engagement, the selected materials will be available for public viewing and input beginning Monday, April 7, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily in the HBCSD District Office located at 1645 Valley Drive in Hermosa Beach. Community members are encouraged to review the materials and share feedback prior to the public hearing scheduled on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, during the Regular School Board Meeting.

One standout feature of this curriculum was its dedication to bridging the gap between school and home. From welcome letters and tip sheets to multilingual glossaries and blog posts, these resources provide families with meaningful ways to support literacy growth. To learn more about the knowledge-building curriculum of Wit & Wisdom, please check out their webpage dedicated to families. 

We look forward to implementing this new curriculum starting in the fall of 2025-26 and are confident it will support all HBCSD students in reaching their full potential as lifelong learners and effective communicators.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support.

Warm regards,

Dr. Susan Wildes

Superintendent of Schools, Hermosa Beach City School District

Our View Dolphin Dash Jog-A-Thon was an incredible success! The energy, excitement, and school spirit were truly inspiring as our students dashed their hearts out to support our schools. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the amazing parent volunteers who came out to cheer, support, and help make the event run smoothly. Your presence meant the world to the kids and played a huge part in making the day so special. Thanks to your support and generosity, we’re one step closer to reaching our goals. Go Dolphins!

On Thursday, April 10, our Hermosa Beach Preschool, TK, Kindergarten, and 1st grade students will participate in a scheduled safety drill called Run, Hide, Distract. This important drill is designed to help prepare students and staff for the unlikely event of a dangerous intruder on campus. This drill will last approximately 10 minutes.  We previously held a similar drill on December 10, 2024, and will be reviewing the same procedures to ensure everyone feels confident and prepared. As always, we approach these drills with age-appropriate language and care, prioritizing student safety while keeping them calm and supported throughout the process.

Thank you for your continued partnership in creating a safe, spirited, and supportive learning environment for all.

Kind regards,

Sandy Skora, Hermosa View Interim Principal

Wow! What an incredible morning we had at the Vista Dolphin Dash last Wednesday! The energy and enthusiasm were contagious as our students ran through bubbles and tallied their laps with huge smiles on their faces. We couldn’t have done it without you! A huge thank you to all our families for your generous donations and participation. Whether you registered your child or volunteered to help, your involvement was essential to making this event a success for our Hermosa Schools.

A special shoutout to HVPTO Presidents Jennifer Kucera and Josephine Fih for their outstanding coordination for not one, not two, but three Dolphin Dashes! Their dedication helped make each event truly memorable for our students.

The HVPTO will be sharing final fundraising totals in today’s HVS Surf Report, and we’ve heard it was a record-breaking year! Every dollar raised goes directly toward supporting Hermosa students and helping them thrive. 

We appreciate your ongoing support and commitment to our school community.

Warmly,

Hillary Overbeck, Hermosa Vista Principal

What an incredible week it’s been for our Valley students! We launched the week with our very first Valley Scholar Quiz, sponsored by Study Hut Tutoring, and the excitement was electric! Students faced off in a fast-paced, Jeopardy-style trivia competition, with classrooms packed full of spectators cheering on their peers as the brackets narrowed round by round. The intellectual energy and brainpower on campus were truly inspiring.

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing teachers who gave up their lunch breaks to serve as readers, judges, and scorekeepers—and to the parents who stepped in wherever needed, or simply came to cheer!

Our 5th/6th grade team champions (Peter F-D., Brenden N., Finn T., and Ben H.) went head-to-head with the 7th/8th grade team champions (Jett D., Bryce R., Shayn S., and Matthew B.) in an epic trivia finale in the gym last Friday with the help of Mr. Hazard, Ms. Richardson, and Ms. Shannon. After a thrilling match, the 5th/6th grade team pulled off an impressive victory! Congratulations to Peter, Brenden, Finn, and Ben!

We’re incredibly proud of all 128 participants who showed courage, teamwork, and sharp thinking throughout the competition. You embraced the challenge, built diverse teams, and competed with enthusiasm. Big applause to each and every one of you!

A HUGE shout-out to our fearless HVPTO Presidents, Jennifer Kucera and Jo Fish, for not only providing lunch to our teacher volunteers during the Scholar Quiz, but also pulling off the most successful Dolphin Dash in Hermosa history!

Our students participated in the Dolphin Dash at Valley last Friday, jogging and walking alongside their grade-level peers and raising record-breaking funds! Thank you to every family who donated, supported, and cheered on our students. And a special shout-out to Coach Vasquez for keeping the energy high with his awesome MC skills!

Looking Ahead:



• MCHS Counselors will be visiting the campus this Tuesday, April 8, through their Social Studies classes. Please make sure all information is submitted to Mira Costa in advance, as they’ll be entering student course selections into Aeries when meeting with our students.
• For students attending Redondo Union in the fall, a RUHS counselor will reach out individually to walk you through the next steps and schedule your classes for next year.
• Our next Valley Flag Ceremony is coming up on Wednesday, April 9, where we’ll celebrate students who make everyone feel welcome and the Scholar Quiz champions.
• HVS Athletics Spring Sports will kick off soon! Be sure you’re coming out to support our great student-athletes! Stay tuned for the Game & Meet Schedule.

Thank you all for making this such a joyful, action-packed week. We’re so grateful to be part of this incredible community! Go Dolphins!

Warmly,

Jessica Bledsoe, Hermosa Valley Principal

3/31-4/11(By 3 PM): Grades of Green: Shoes & Socks Drive (Collection Bins at View, Vista, & Valley)

4/1-30: April is Celebrate Diversity Month

4/5-6: HB Chamber: Spring Sidewalk Sale

4/6-12: National Library Week

4/6 (12-4 PM): HB Chamber: Lemonade Day

4/8: Valley: MCHS Counselors Visit Valley for Incoming 9th Grade Scheduling

4/9 (8:22-8:53 AM): Valley Flag Ceremony - 5th-8th Grades

4/9 (During Lunch): Valley: Beach Kids Yoga Classes

4/9 (3-5 PM): Vista: Book Swap with Ms. Meyers and HBFoL

4/9 (5-8 PM): HBCSD: Regular School Board Meeting

4/10 (9 AM): MCHS: MBX 2025 Athletics/Activities Registration Opens

4/11(After 4 PM): HBCSD: HVS Lost & Found - All unclaimed items at Hermosa View, Vista, & Valley will be donated to charity

4/12-20: Passover

4/14-21: Spring Break - No School

4/20: Easter