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| | Superintendent's Weekly Message | | |
Hey Hermosa Valley Students!
Join the HBCSD's Wholeheartedly Club, an inspiring new collaboration between the Hermosa Beach City School District, Los Angeles Chargers Kicker Cameron Dicker, and his Wholeheartedly Foundation!
This exciting program empowers students in grades 5-12 to make a meaningful impact in their community. Through the Wholeheartedly Club, students will have the opportunity to turn their ideas into real-world projects that improve the Hermosa Beach and South Bay communities, with project funding support provided by the Wholeheartedly Foundation.
We invite all interested students and their families to join us for our:
HBCSD: Wholeheartedly Foundation Kickoff & Pitch Event
Monday, December 15, 2025
3:30-5:30 PM
Hermosa Valley School
All interested students in grades 5-12 are invited to sign up using this Google Form. Once your slideshow presentation is ready, you can submit it via this Google Submission Form.
Don't have an idea for a project, but eager to make a difference in your community? Come to the welcome event and explore volunteer opportunities at any of the tables. No sign-ups necessary.
To learn more, watch this video message from Cameron Dicker.
Warm regards,
Dr. Susan Wildes
Superintendent of Schools, Hermosa Beach City School District
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Parenting in a Digital World Tip #11: Parents' Ultimate Guide: How to Set Parent Controls On Roblox
This tip comes from Common Sense Media.
Roblox is a massive online platform where users—kids and adults alike—play, create, and share millions of mini-games, called "experiences." This virtual playground is where players use Lego-style characters to role-play adopting pets, solving mysteries, going to school, and much more. With over 7.5 million daily players—including 40 million under age 13—Roblox has become a big part of kids' lives online. With such an expansive digital world to play in, it's important to set up age-appropriate parental controls. However, even with strictly enforced guardrails, it's difficult to fully protect against the most harmful content, given all the user-generated content. Check out our full review of Roblox for more information on how kids use the platform.
Want to know what to watch out for and how to set parental controls? Read the rest of the article.
Missed a tip? Check out our HBCSD Parenting in a Digital World Tips Page.
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Hermosa View School Principal News | |
The week leading up to our upcoming Winter Break has been filled with meaningful moments in our Hermosa View Library. Just before Thanksgiving, Ms. West, the View Librarian, shared the beautiful story Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora. Inspired by the book’s message of generosity, students wrote notes of gratitude and added them to a big bowl of “gratitude stew,” creating a heartwarming display of what our children are thankful for.
Last week, we were delighted to welcome Hermosa Beach City Librarian Genavieve Gualano. She visited our Hermosa View Library to read aloud and do art projects with students from Ms. Corman, Ms. King, Ms. Peng, and Ms. Traudt's classes. Our students loved their time with Ms. Gualano, and we are so grateful she stopped by to visit us.
Looking ahead, our next View Flag Assembly is coming up on Friday, December 12, at 9:00 AM. This month, we will recognize students who demonstrated our character traits of being Respectful (November) and Friendly (December). We are excited for performances by Ms. Lankford’s class and Ms. Foster’s class. Families are invited to join us on the blacktop by entering through the gate just past the North Gate. No check-in is needed unless you plan to stay afterward to volunteer, in which case, please stop by the front office.
We will also be holding our first Run, Hide, Distract Safety Drill this week to help students learn and practice what to do in the unlikely event of an intruder on campus. These are the slides we will review with students, and families can use to reinforce at home.
We appreciate our families for helping us create a safe, caring, and connected school community.
Warmly,
Dr. Jessica Ghobrial, Hermosa View Principal / HB Preschool Director
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Winter Sing Concerts Are Almost Here!
Get ready to ring in the season with joyful music from our View and Vista students at the Winter Sing Concerts at View and Vista! Families can help support their budding musicians by encouraging them to practice at home using the materials in the Winter Sing Practice Folder. Each file includes lyrics and links clearly labeled by grade level, making it easy for students to rehearse. Every day they practice builds confidence and helps them shine on stage.
Students are invited to dress in festive attire for their performances. Red, green, white, blue, or any other school-appropriate outfit for the concert is welcome.
Please note: All TK through 4th Grade performance dates and times are shown in the graphics below.
We hope you can join us for a warm and joyful celebration of song and community. Our music program is made possible through the generous support of the Hermosa Beach Education Foundation.
Our students are excited to put on their holiday show for you! If you have any questions, please email Mr. Raghurman at ravi.raghurman@hbcsd.org.
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Hermosa Vista School Principal News | |
Vista had an exciting week as our 4th graders participated in the Walk Through California in the MPR. Students brought California history to life through drama, music, storytelling, and hands-on activities, strengthening their understanding of geography, major historical events, and collaboration. Check out the photos below!
Next week, the HVPTO is bringing the Scholastic Book Fair to the Vista Library from December 8-12. Students and families can shop using cash, card, tap, or eWallet. Families are encouraged to set up an eWallet to make cash-free student shopping easy during class visits.
Book Fair Hours:
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Monday (12/8) and Tuesday (12/9): 2:30-3:30 PM
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Wednesday (12/10): 1:30-2:30 PM
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Thursday (12/11): 2:30-3:30 PM and 5:00-7:00 PM
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Friday (12/12): 7:45-8:45 AM and 2:30-3:30 PM
Join us for Winter Tales & Local Treasures on Thursday, December 11, from 5-7 PM. Enjoy books, cookies, and milk in the library, plus a Local Pop-Up Vendor event downstairs featuring nine small businesses, including several run by Hermosa families. Proceeds from the Book Fair, along with 15% of the Local Pop-Up Vendors' sales, will directly benefit our Vista Library.
The HVPTO would love your help to make this event a success. Sign up for a shift! No prior experience required, and families are welcome to bring their children to help out.
Thank you for supporting HVPTO and our HVS libraries, and for all the ways you help our Vista students grow as readers, historians, and curious learners.
Warmly,
Grace Yang, Hermosa Vista Principal
| | Hermosa Valley School Principal News | | |
Before Thanksgiving, our 5th graders brought history to life in an interactive presentation on the American Revolution. Held in the Valley MPR from November 19–21, students engaged in games, storytelling, and role-playing to portray key figures and events, deepening their understanding of this pivotal time. A special thank you to the families who helped students rehearse lines, source costumes, and come to watch the history in motion.
Students from Ms. Ripley’s 8th Grade Art & Yearbook Classes have begun their annual walking field trip to Sunrise in Hermosa Beach. During the visit, students engage with seniors through a winter-themed art project. Some students lead the lesson, teaching seniors how to create their artwork, while others will support the seniors in the artistic process, offering guidance and encouragement. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to share their creativity and connect with the community. Photos are shared below.
Upcoming Event Reminders:
Home for the Holidays Band Concert - Tuesday, Dec. 9, 5:30 PM – Valley MPR
Our Middle School Bands, directed by Dr. Buddy Clements, will kick off the holidays with a festive performance. Thanks to HBEF for supporting our amazing music program!
Valley Voices Winter Concert - Thursday, Dec. 11, 5:30 PM – Valley MPR
Be part of the debut of Valley Voices, our new after school choir! Gabrielle Montalto leads the group, helping students build confidence and strong vocal skills, while Ms. Cox, our teacher sponsor, oversees the club happenings for the first time.
Winter Wonderland School Dance - Friday, Dec. 12, 5:30–7:30 PM – Valley Gym
Enjoy music, dancing, and In-N-Out at our Winter Wonderland School Dance, planned by our Middle School Student Council and advisor Ms. Brown. For 6th-8th graders to attend, the Parent Permission For Student Participation Form must be turned in, and a $20 dance fee payment must be completed through ASBWorks online. If you don't have an ASBWorks account, please review the directions for creating one.
We look forward to seeing you at these events!
Warmly,
Jessica Bledsoe, Hermosa Valley Principal
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10/12-12/19: HVPTO: Minted Fundraiser
12/8-12: HVPTO: Scholastic Book Fair at Vista
12/8 (3-4:15 PM) & 12/9 (3-4:15 PM): Valley: HVS Athletics Winter Sports - Boys Soccer Tryouts (Grades 6-8) on the Valley Field
12/8 (3-4:15 PM) & 12/9 (3-4:15 PM): Valley: HVS Athletics Winter Sports - Girls Basketball Tryouts (Grades 6-8) in the Valley Gym
12/9 (8:30 AM-2:45 PM): Valley: 6th Grade Walking Field Trip - Water Cycle Beach Modeling next to 16th Street Lifeguard Tower
12/9 (5:30 PM): Valley: Home for the Holidays Band Concert in the Valley MPR
12/10 (2-3:30 PM) & 12/11 (3-4:15 PM): Valley: HVS Athletics Winter Sports - Girls Soccer Tryouts (Grades 6-8) on the Valley Field
12/10 (5-8 PM): HBCSD: Regular School Board Meeting
12/11 (1:09-2:56 PM): Valley: Ms. Ripley's 8th Grade Art & Yearbook Classes Walking Field Trip to Sunrise of Hermosa Beach
12/11 (5-7 PM): Vista: Scholastic Book Fair Winter Tales & Local Treasures Night
12/11 (5:30 PM): Valley Voices (After School Choir Club) Winter Concert in the Valley MPR
12/11 (7-8 PM): HBCSD: SB 114 / Risk of Reading Difficulties Screener - Parent Information Night in the View MPR
12/12: Vista: Winter Sing Concert - 2nd Grade (9-9:30 AM), 3rd Grade (9:40-10:10 AM), and 4th Grade (10:30-11 AM) in the Vista MPR
12/12 (9-9:40 AM): View: Flag Ceremony
12/12 (5:30-7:30 PM): Valley Middle School Dance: Winter Wonderland in the Valley Gym
| | MOST IMAGES BELOW ARE CLICKABLE WITH MORE DETAILS | |
STAR Education Program (TK-5) | | |
HERMOSA VIEW
PRESIDENTS' WEEK CAMP
February 9-13, 2026
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HERMOSA VIEW
SPRING CAMP
April 6-10, 2026
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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.
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Inspirit AI Summer Program by Stanford & MIT Alumni at Hermosa Valley
Artificial intelligence is the defining technology of our times: in our voice-activated devices, smartphone face recognition systems, autonomous vehicles, and now in generative AI like ChatGPT. The potential for all students with diverse interests to apply this technology for good is limitless.
We’re excited to share that Hermosa Valley School is offering an in-person, project-based artificial intelligence program through Inspirit AI, an AI education program developed and taught by Stanford and MIT alumni, this summer on campus. The program will run on weekdays from July 20- 31, 2026, from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM.
Students from rising grades 5-8 will learn the fundamental concepts of AI and gain a deeper understanding of how AI is used to build ChatGPT and generative AI, fight pandemics, power self-driving cars, and more. Students will learn to program AI using Python, discuss ethics and bias within AI, and complete a group project applying AI to a discipline like sustainability, disaster relief, music/arts, among others. No prior computer science experience is required to participate.
If you may be interested in participating in this unique opportunity, please fill out this short interest form. The program is offered at a fee of $1,200 for 30 hours of hands-on learning with AI practitioners and graduate students from Stanford and MIT who will travel to Hermosa Beach to teach students and mentor projects. Check out the program brochure for more information about curriculum, schedule, projects, teaching team, and more!
| | | Hermosa Schools Office Staff | | | | |
