November 30, 2025

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Superintendent's Weekly Message

Dear HBCSD Community,

As the holiday season approaches, many families may be considering buying electric bikes (e-bikes) or electric scooters (e-scooters) for their children. We want to share important safety information to help you make informed decisions.

E-Bike Classifications to Know

According to the Beach Cities Health District (BCHD):

Class 1 e-bikes – Pedal-assist only; motor assists up to 20 mph.
Class 2 e-bikes – Pedal-assist or throttle; motor assists up to 20 mph.
Class 3 e-bikes – Pedal-assist only; motor assists up to 28 mph. Riders must be 16+ and helmets are required for all ages.

For more details, visit the BCHD’s Electric Bikes webpage.

E-Scooter Law Reminder

California law (CVC §21235) now makes it unlawful for children under age 16 to operate an e-scooter on public roads or bike lanes.

Learn more about the California Vehicle Code regarding the Operation of Motorized Scooters.

For Families Who Already Have E-Bikes

We also ask parents of students who currently ride e-bikes to take time for a holiday safety check. Please inspect:

Tire wear
Brake function
Overall bike condition

If you’re unsure how to perform these checks, visit our district’s E-Bike Safety Tips webpage for guidance.

If you notice that your child’s rear tire is significantly more worn than the front, this is often a sign of popping wheelies, which is unsafe and can lead to loss of control or injury.

A Safe and Informed Holiday Season

Whether you are considering purchasing an e-bike or e-scooter, or your child already rides one, we encourage all families to review these safety guidelines, have conversations about responsible riding, and ensure equipment is in good working condition.

Thank you for helping us keep our students safe.

Warm regards,

Dr. Susan Wildes

Superintendent of Schools, Hermosa Beach City School District

Join the Wholeheartedly Club: A New Opportunity to Lead with Heart

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. To learn more, watch this video message from Cameron Dicker.

Parenting in a Digital World Tip #10: Balancing Social Media and Teen Well-Being

This tip comes from Common Sense Media.

We encourage parents and guardians to read "How to Help Teens Manage the Effects of Social Media on Their Mental Health." The article offers four practical tips for families on balancing the risks and rewards of online communities and supporting healthy digital habits.

Missed a tip? Check out our HBCSD Parenting in a Digital World Tips Page.

Hermosa View School Principal News

I hope you all had a wonderful week with your loved ones. We are excited to welcome our students back tomorrow as we begin the month of December together. Time is flying by!

Be sure to check out our Winter 2025-2026 View Lunch Clubs for this trimester. Please remind your children if you would like them to explore these fun lunchtime options.

Save the Date! Our View Winter Sing Concert is coming up on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. 1st Graders will perform from 9:00-9:30 AM, Kindergarten from 9:40-10:10 AM, and TK from 10:20-10:50 AM. All performances will be held on the View Blacktop. We are incredibly grateful to the Hermosa Beach Education Foundation for generously funding our music program. Our students are excited to share some holiday cheer with you!

Warmly,

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

Hermosa Vista School Principal News

Welcome back from Thanksgiving Break! I was grateful for some much-needed time with my family, sharing laughs and enjoying each other’s company. I hope you were able to do the same.

Our 4th graders are kicking off December with their "Walk Through California" on December 1, 3, and 5. This interactive experience is always a highlight of the year, and we are excited to see our students bring California history to life.

Next week, our Vista Winter Sing Concert is happening on Friday, December 12, 2025. 2nd Grade performs from 9:00-9:30 AM, 3rd Grade from 9:40-10:10 AM, and 4th Grade from 10:30-11:00 AM. All performances will be in the Vista MPR. We are so thankful to the Hermosa Beach Education Foundation for generously funding our music program, which makes events like our Winter Sing Concert possible.

I look forward to seeing all of our students and staff back on campus tomorrow.

Warmly,

Grace Yang, Hermosa Vista Principal

Hermosa Valley School Principal News

I hope your Thanksgiving was filled with everything that makes your heart smile. As we enter this joyful season, I’m grateful for our incredible students, supportive families, and dedicated staff who make Hermosa Valley such a special place.

Speaking of special, we had an amazing rollout of our Hermosa Valley Science Fair! See the photos below my message. We are so proud of all the students who chose to participate and showcase their curiosity, problem-solving abilities, and scientific thinking. Winners will be honored at the next Flag Ceremony on Wednesday, December 17. A big shoutout to Mr. Underwood, our 6th Grade Science teacher, for delivering on this big project from start to finish.

Our 5th graders wrapped up an incredible “Walk Through American Revolution” before break. They worked hard to bring key historical figures to life, reenact important battles, and dig deeper into the causes and events that shaped this pivotal time in our nation’s history. Their effort, energy, and teamwork truly shone. A huge thank-you to our 5th grade teachers for all the preparation and dedication that made this experience so engaging and memorable for our students.

Upcoming Holiday Programming

This holiday season is packed with music, cheer, and celebration! Mark your calendars for:

Home for the Holidays Band Concert

Tuesday, December 9, at 5:30 PM, in the Valley MPR

Our Middle School Bands, directed by Dr. Buddy Clements, are working hard to deliver another powerful performance. Come kick off the holidays with the band’s festive concert! You won’t want to miss it! Special thanks go out to the HBEF for generously funding our music program.

Valley Voices Winter Concert

Thursday, December 11, at 5:30 PM, in the Valley MPR

Join us for the debut performance of Valley Voices, our new after-school choir sponsored by HVPTO. A special shoutout to Gabrielle Montalto, a MCHS senior and Girl Scout Gold Award candidate, who has been leading our vocalists, helping them build confidence, develop strong vocal tone, and strengthen the foundational choir skills.

Valley Middle School Winter Wonderland School Dance

Friday, December 12, from 5:30-7:30 PM, in the Valley Gym

Grab some In-N-Out and hit the dance floor with friends! Students voted, and the theme will be Winter Wonderland. Our Valley Middle School Student Council, led by their Student Council Advisor, Ms. Brown, is planning a fun night full of music, dancing, and good times. More information will be provided in next week's Wave Watch.

This month is sure to bring warmth, joy, and memorable moments for all of our Valley families.

Warmly,

Jessica Bledsoe, Hermosa Valley Principal

The Week Ahead

10/12-12/19: HVPTO: Minted Fundraiser

11/1-30: HVPTO Support & Play FUNraiser: Dave & Buster's Power Cards; Buy Today!

11/30 (3-5 PM): HVPTO Fundraiser: Kendra Scott Holiday Give Back Event (The Point in El Segundo or Online - November 30-December 2 at kendrascott.com)

12/1-5: HBEF: Giving Week Campaign; Donate Today

12/1-5: View: Vision & Hearing Screenings (TK & Kinder)

12/1, 3, & 5: Vista: 4th Grade Walk Through California in the Vista MPR

12/3 (2-3:30 PM) & 12/4 (3-4:25 PM): Valley: HVS Athletics Winter Sports - Boys Basketball Tryouts (Grades 6-8) in the Valley Gym

12/3 (7 PM): HBEF: Fall Party Book "Drop" Moms' Wine & "Spirit" Night with Jennifer Shaffer; SOLD OUT!

12/4 & 11 (1:09-2:56 PM): Valley: Ms. Ripley's 8th Grade Art & Yearbook Classes Walking Field Trip to Sunrise of Hermosa Beach

12/5: HBCSD: Report Cards Emailed Home

12/7 (10 AM-3:30 PM): HBEF: 17th Annual Santa Photos at Gum Tree Hermosa

View the Full HBCSD Upcoming Events Calendar

MOST IMAGES BELOW ARE CLICKABLE WITH MORE DETAILS

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.