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| | Superintendent's Weekly Message | | |
Dear HBCSD Elementary Parent/Guardian,
The Hermosa Beach City School District strives to have clear communication regarding student progress. One way in which we measure and report on student progress is through the HBCSD Elementary Report Card. A good best practice is to periodically review grade reporting procedures to ensure that, as communication tools, they are reporting student progress towards meeting end-of-the-year grade level standards in a format in which parents can easily understand and can use to support their child’s growth and learning. To this end, HBCSD will convene an Elementary Report Card Committee this spring to review and revise the format and manner in which we report elementary student progress. We value your feedback and would appreciate your input as parents/guardians. We ask that you please take 5-10 minutes to complete the survey below by Friday, March 13, which will be used to help inform committee recommendations. All responses will be anonymous, but will be analyzed and utilized to drive decision making and inform the work of the committee.
HBCSD Elementary Report Card Parent Survey
As an anonymous survey, neither your name nor your email will be collected. We thank you in advance for your participation in the survey.
With appreciation,
Dr. Susan Wildes
Superintendent of Schools, Hermosa Beach City School District
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HVS Staff Spotlight - Trace Cacace
Meet Trace Cacace, our featured HVS Staff Spotlight! Trace is a paraeducator at Hermosa Valley School and has been part of the Hermosa Beach City School District for three years.
She has supported students from 2nd through 8th grade and loves seeing the magic at every level, especially those moments when a student's understanding suddenly clicks. Trace values being part of a small, supportive district that encourages everyone to grow and contribute.
Watch the video to learn more about Trace's journey and the heart she brings to HVS.
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Read Across America 2026
Our Hermosa Schools are participating in the National Education Association's Read Across America from March 2-6, 2026. This week, we will have special guest readers in our TK & Kinder classrooms and at 1st through 8th Grade assemblies. Additionally, this week, we're having Read Across America Spirit Week-themed days at our Hermosa Schools. Get into the spirit as follows:
Monday: Green Eggs and Ham Day
Everyone wears GREEN!
Tuesday: Cozy up with a book
Wear comfy clothes or pajamas
Wednesday: Wacky Wednesday
Wear mismatched clothes
Thursday: Oh, the Places You'll Go!
Wear a Hawaiian shirt or a shirt from anywhere you've traveled to
Friday: Favorite Book Character Day!
Dress up as your favorite character from a book
To learn more about the NEA's Read Across America, click here.
Read Across America at HVS is #poweredbyHVPTO
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Read Across America Special Guest Readers 2026
In celebration of Read Across America Week 2026, our Hermosa Schools are excited to welcome an incredible lineup of special guest readers. Throughout the week, HVS students will enjoy classroom visits and assemblies featuring authors, actors, community leaders, first responders, and professional organizations who are generously volunteering their time to help inspire a love of reading.
We are grateful to each of these guest readers for helping make reading come alive in a meaningful and memorable way for our students.
Friday, February 27
Vista: 2nd Grade Assembly with Author Bethany Barton
Monday, March 2
Vista: LA Galaxy Star Squad (Lunchtime)
Vista: Author/Screenwriter Matt Lieberman - Ms. Aranda's 4th Grade Classroom
Tuesday, March 3
View: HBPD Chief Landon Phillips - Ms. Bradley's TK Classroom
View: Imari Williams, Voice Over Actor - Ms. Foster's Kinder Classroom
View: HBPD Officers Mark Chafe and Trysten Slack - Ms. Hunter's TK Classroom and Ms. Corman's Kinder Classroom
Vista: HBCSD 3rd/4th Assembly with Actor/Author Andrea Barber with KC Campbell from VOX DJs as the MC
Wednesday, March 4
Valley: 6th-8th Grade Assembly with LA Kings, Daryl Evans, Ice Crew, & Mascot Bailey with VOX DJS as the MC
View: HBPD Officer Mark Chafe - Ms. Sheue's TK Classroom
View: HBCSD Superintendent Dr. Susan Wildes - Ms. Crenshaw's TK Classroom
View: Queen Noveen, Voice Over Actor - Ms. Munson's Kinder Classroom
Thursday, March 5
View: HBPD Officer Keoni Akiona - Ms. Qureshi's TK Classroom
View: HBCSD School Board President Cathy Barrow - Ms. Aherns Kinder Classroom
Vista: LA Rams Cheerleaders (Lunchtime)
View: Alex Cazares, Voice Over Actor - Ms. Martinez's Kinder Classroom
View: Tiana Camacho, Voice Over Actor - Ms. Speese's Kinder Classroom
View: 1st Grade Assembly with Dino Andrade, Voice Over Actor and RBPD Officer Kyle Lofstrom
Friday, March 6
Valley: 5th Grade Assembly with Writer/Producer/Director/Actor Mark Feuerstein with KC Campbell from VOX DJs as the MC
View: LA County Lifeguards - Ms. Lange's Kinder Classroom
View: HBPD Officer Ivan Torres with K9 Arco - Ms. Peng's TK Classroom
A special thank you to Jessica Jacobs, HVS parent and HVPTO Read Across America Chair, for coordinating this outstanding week of readers and helping build a strong culture of literacy across our Hermosa Schools.
Read Across America at HVS is #poweredbyHVPTO
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Parenting in a Digital World Tip #18: Parents' Ultimate Guides
This tip comes from Common Sense Media.
From apps and games to social media and streaming platforms, the Parents’ Ultimate Guides are here to help you navigate your kid’s digital world. It breaks down how their favorite tech works, tackles common challenges like screen time and social media anxiety, and offers practical tips for thoughtful conversations—all so you can make informed decisions that work for your family.
Missed a tip? Check out our HBCSD Parenting in a Digital World Tips Page.
| | | Hermosa View School Principal News | |
We had a great time recognizing our SURF winners at last Friday’s View Flag Assembly. We also loved watching Ms. Ahrens and Ms. Lange’s class perform. Next week is Read Across America Week, and we have a lineup of special guest readers coming to read to our students, so be sure to check out the lineup shared above. This week, our Preschool-1st grade students will attend the Environmental Defenders Rock the Planet - It’s Up to You Tour Assemblies presented by the Los Angeles County Public Works. Students will participate in two separate 30-minute, interactive, musical-driven assemblies divided by grade level. Each assembly will teach them about organic waste, the four R's (reduce, reuse, recycle, and rethink), stormwater pollution, household hazardous waste, and water conservation. To learn more, visit dpw.lacounty.gov/epd/defenders. It’s going to be a fantastic week at View!
Warmly,
Dr. Jessica Ghobrial, Hermosa View Principal / HB Preschool Director
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HBEF Receives Record-Breaking Skechers Walk Check
Last week, Skechers hosted its Partnership Appreciation Event, celebrating local education foundations and sponsors of the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk 2025.
We are proud to share that HBEF received its official 2025 Walk check for $283,080, marking a record-breaking year!
To everyone who showed up and supported the Friendship Walk in any way, thank you. Because of you, HBEF can continue to fund programs and opportunities that enrich every Hermosa student’s educational experience. And most importantly, thank you, Skechers, for your continued partnership and support.
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Hermosa Vista School Principal News | |
Hermosa Vista School kicked off Read Across America with author Bethany Barton last Friday. Our 2nd grade students enjoyed her dynamic energy as they read her books together. We are excited about all the fun activities that are planned next week for Read Across America.
Please remember that we will be holding a Vista Flag Ceremony on Friday, March 6, at 9:00 AM to recognize students who are demonstrating what it means to be Friendly. These students consistently use polite language and invite others to join in play. We are incredibly proud of our friendly students at Vista!
Warmly,
Grace Yang, Hermosa Vista Principal
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HBEF Party Book Events are Back!
Get ready, Hermosa! Another HBEF Party Book drop is happening this week, bringing a new lineup of unique community-hosted events that are always local favorites and guaranteed to sell out fast. Tickets go on sale on Tuesday, March 3, at 10:00 AM at HBEF.ORG/EVENTS.
| | | Hermosa Valley School Principal News | | |
We are proud to celebrate our W.A.V.E. recipients—students who Value Academic Excellence and Integrity—at our Valley Flag Ceremony last Wednesday. Their hard work, honesty, and commitment to learning set an example for all of Valley! We also recognized our amazing student-athletes in Boys & Girls Basketball (Teams A & B), Boys & Girls Soccer, and HVS Cheer Team, as well as our Science Olympiad and newly formed Math Olympiad teams. Go Valley!
Coming up this week for 5th grade, the U.S. Space Force is visiting for the fifth year! Students will explore STEM in space operations and will build and launch their own paper rockets on the Hermosa Valley Field.
Speaking of space, Hermosa Valley is launching its first-ever Hermosa Beach Rocketry Club with the Mira Costa Aerospace Club. It'll blast off after school on Tuesdays, beginning March 24th, in Mr. Kaplan’s classroom from 3-4 PM! Students can join this six-week, hands-on aerospace adventure, where they will:
- Design rockets in OpenRocket & CAD
- Assemble airframes, nosecones, and motor mounts
- Test parachutes and motors
- Launch their rockets on Flight Day
Space is limited. Apply now and be part of the ultimate rocketry experience!
As part of Read Across America Week, the Los Angeles Kings (Daryl Evans, Ice Crew, and Mascot Bailey) will visit our 6th-8th grade students for an inspiring assembly on Wednesday, March 4, from 9:00-9:409 AM, in the Valley Gym. 5th grade will also welcome back our special guest reader, Actor Mark Feuerstein, on Friday, March 6 at 10:00 AM, with VOX DJs as the MC.
Reminder, 8th graders will have their annual Museum of Tolerance trip on Wednesday, March 11. Permission slips and payment to ASBWorks were due last Friday. Please submit ASAP! If you need payment assistance, please contact Alison Montoya, Hermosa Valley Assistant Principal, at amontoya@hbcsd.org.
Thank you for being such an important part of our Valley community and for supporting the many experiences that enrich our students' learning.
Warmly,
Jessica Bledsoe, Hermosa Valley Principal
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Swing Into Spring with the World-Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra
Come to the Swing Into Spring with the World-Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra on Tuesday, March 10, from 6:30-9:00 PM at the Hermosa Beach Community Theater. Enjoy an unforgettable evening with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, listening to swing, jazz, and timeless classics as the legendary sounds of the Swing Era come alive. Presented by the Hermosa Beach Rotary Club, this special event invites students, families, and the community to come together for a night of live music and shared celebration. Tickets are $35, and proceeds will benefit the Hermosa Valley School Band. We hope to see you there!
Middle School Student Opportunities
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Middle School Students may earn service points for volunteering.
- Four (4) PBIS reward points will go to students who attend the concert. (Be sure to sign in with your ticket!)
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1/5-3/13: Valley Yearbook: 8th Grade Dedication Pages & Baby Pictures
2/26-4/29: Valley: Physical Fitness Testing (5th Grade)
2/26-3/9: Valley: Physical Fitness Testing (7th Grade) Rescheduled from 1/26-2/6
3/2-6: HVPTO/HVS: Read Across America - TK & Kinder Classroom Guest Readers and 1st-8th Grade Assemblies + Spirit Week See Schedule Above
3/3-4 (9:00 AM-12:00 PM): Valley: 5th Grade Space STEM with the U.S. Space Force in the Valley MPR and Field with (3/3 - Hoagland, Overbeck, & Richardson (Suess) and 3/4 - Hruska & Padilla)
3/3 (10:00 AM): HBEF Party Book Events - Tickets on Sale at HBEF.ORG/EVENTS
3/4 (7:00-10:00 PM): HBEF: Moms' Night Out: Ocean Air & Epic Beats at the California Surf Club in RB (Buy Tickets)
3/6: View Assemblies: Environmental Defenders Rock the Planet - It's Up to Your Tour (9:00-9:30 AM - Preschool/TK and 9:40-10:10 AM - Kinder/1st Grade)
3/6 (9-9:30 AM): Vista: Flag Ceremony
3/6 (1:30-2:30 PM): Vista: 4th Grade Miner Madness
3/6: HBCSD: End of 2nd Trimester
3/8 (2:00 AM): Daylight Saving Time Begins
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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.
| | | Hermosa Schools Office Staff | | | | |
