February 16, 2025

Superintendent's Weekly Message

Earlier this month, we celebrated the 100th and 101st days of school with exciting activities that helped develop our students’ numeracy skills. Students participated in counting challenges, creative math games, and group projects, including building with 100 objects and exploring 101-item patterns. These hands-on activities emphasized the importance of foundational number sense, sequencing, and problem-solving. The celebration created a joyful environment where math came to life in meaningful ways, leaving our young learners feeling accomplished and inspired. Thank you for your continued support in making this event such a success!



Warm regards,

Dr. Susan Wildes

Superintendent of Schools,

Hermosa Beach City School District

HVS Staff Spotlight - Jamie Martinez


Meet Jamie Martinez, our featured HVS Staff Spotlight! Jamie is a dedicated Health Specialist and Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) at Hermosa View School, providing compassionate care and support to our youngest students. With her expertise and warm approach, she ensures that students feel safe, healthy, and ready to learn every day. 


Watch this video to learn more about Jamie's role in keeping our school community healthy and thriving. We are grateful for her dedication and look forward to celebrating the positive impact she makes on our students and staff.

Important Update: Open House Dates Rescheduled


Due to a scheduling conflict and overlap with CAASPP testing, we have adjusted all HVS Open House dates as follows:


Hermosa View School Open House

Tuesday, May 6 (5:30-6:30 PM)


Hermosa Vista School Open House

Wednesday, May 28 (5:30-6:30 PM)


Hermosa Valley School Open House

Thursday, May 29 (5:30-6:30 PM)


These changes have been reflected in the HBCSD 2024-2025 School Year Calendar. Please mark your calendars accordingly.

CAC Parent Workshop: Understanding Dyslexia


Join the CAC Parent Workshop on Understanding Dyslexia: Insights & Strategies to Support Your Child on Wednesday, February 26, from 10:00-11:30 AM via Zoom for an engaging and informative workshop designed to help parents better understand dyslexia and how it impacts children. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of dyslexia, how it manifests, and the challenges it can present in reading and learning.


Through interactive discussions and a powerful simulation, parents and guardians will gain first-hand insight into the experiences of children with dyslexia. You will also learn practical strategies to support your child at home, foster confidence, and partner effectively with educators to meet their needs. This workshop is ideal for families looking to deepen their understanding of dyslexia and discover ways to help their children thrive.

Hermosa Schools Tours for Prospective Families Sign-Up - Tell a Friend!

Neptunian Woman's Club Art Contest - Submit Your Artwork by March 7!


Only two short weeks remain to showcase your creativity and compete for cash prizes in the 45th Annual Neptunian Woman’s Club Art Contest! Open to all K-12 students who attend a Manhattan Beach school, are residents of Manhattan Beach, or attend Hermosa Valley School, this is your student's chance to make their artistic mark.


Don't miss out—review the contest rules, complete the online submission form, and drop off your artwork in your school’s main office.


Professional artists will judge all entries, and winners will be celebrated at the Award Ceremony and Art Show on March 23 at 1 PM at the Neptunian Woman’s Club Clubhouse.



The deadline is fast approaching—submit your masterpiece by March 7! For questions, contact Heather de Roos.

RBUSD Free College Night Event


Join Kinecta Federal Credit Union and Redondo Unified School District for a free college night event featuring Kimberly Guerrero, Assistant Director of Outreach at USC. This informative session, "Investing in Your Future," is designed for families of students at all grade levels but is tailored for junior and senior high school students and their families. Learn about financial aid basics, applications, scholarships, and more, followed by a Q&A session.


Event Details:

Thursday, February 20

5:30 PM – Refreshments

6:00 PM – Presentation

RUHS Auditorium, 1 Sea Hawk Way, Redondo Beach


This is a great opportunity to gain valuable insights into the college financial aid process. Light refreshments will be provided, and attendees will have a chance to win prizes.


RSVP today to secure your spot!

Hermosa View School Interim Principal News

Before President’s Week, we celebrated our 100th and 101st days of school in our classrooms. Our Kinder classes had the opportunity to meet with Zero the Hero. What a treat! It was awesome seeing all the projects the TK-1st grade students made in their classrooms or brought to school. Thank you to the numerous parents and guardian volunteers who helped our teachers with our celebrations.


I hope everyone had a relaxing and rejuvenating time with family and friends over break. We look forward to seeing our students back to school on Tuesday, February 18.


Kind regards,

Sandy Skora, Hermosa View Interim Principal

Save the Date - Coffee with the Interim View Principal on February 24!


Parents and guardians are invited to the Coffee with the Interim View Principal on Monday, February 24, from 9:00 -10:00 AM in the View Library. This is a great opportunity to meet Sandy Skora, Interim View Principal, and our HVPTO Presidents to discuss ways to volunteer on campus and get involved. There will also be time for an open Q&A session. We hope you can join us for this informative and engaging conversation.

Hermosa Vista School Principal News

What an incredible way to kick off 2025 with The Great Kindness Challenge Week! Hermosa Vista School was filled with positivity, thanks in large part to the inspiring posters created by our 4th-grade Student Council and the thoughtful activities coordinated by our amazing counselor, Ms. B. A big shoutout to Valley Middle students in the Video Production/Campus Communications class for creating and sharing their Kindness Week Video, helping our Vista students understand what it truly means to be kind. We also appreciate our families for supporting the fun dress-up days that added even more kindness and spirit to our campus! 


I’m so proud of our students for showing kindness not just in words but in actions by demonstrating respectful behavior during lunch, helping staff, and taking responsibility by cleaning up after themselves. Let’s keep the momentum going and continue making Hermosa Vista a place where kindness shines every day!



Warmly,

Hillary Overbeck, Hermosa Vista Principal

Hermosa Vista Student Council Fundraiser: Help Support Families Affected by the Wildfires!


The Hermosa Vista Student Council is leading a Loose Change Fundraiser to support families affected by the recent wildfires. From February 18-28, they will be collecting U.S. bills and coins (no pennies, please). Bring your loose change donations to school when you return! Drop them off in the plastic tubs in the Vista front office to help make a difference. All proceeds will be donated to SupplyBank.org to provide essential supplies to disaster-affected communities in California. Thank you for your generosity!

Hermosa Valley School Principal News

We hope you had a safe, healthy, and restful President’s Week break with family and friends. As we return to school on Tuesday, February 18, we’ll have just 14 school days left in Trimester 2—let’s make them count!


Students - Set yourself up for success as we finish the Trimester 2 strong:


✅ Check PowerSchool - Review any missing assignments and prioritize completing them.


✅ Get Organized - Sharpen your pencils, charge your Chromebook, and if you need support with organization, visit Ms. Ryley in the Student Wellness Center before or after school on Mondays.


✅ Connect with Teachers - Don’t wait until the last minute to ask for guidance on improving your work.


✅ Review Citizenship Grades - These are important for eligibility in upcoming fun events.


✅ E-Bike & E-Scooter Reminder - If you ride an e-bike or e-scooter, make sure you have an updated sticker showing you completed the required safety course to park your wheels on campus.


✅ Service Points - Make sure you have completed your required service points and accounted for them on your service point sheets. Please note: If you drop off your sheet on Monday, it will be processed by Friday.


Let’s stay focused and make the most of these final days of Trimester 2! We look forward to seeing you back, ready to hit the ground running!


Warmly,

Jessica Bledsoe, Hermosa Valley Principal

Mark Your Calendar: Last Middle School Dance of the Year


The Middle School Student Council invites our 6th, 7th, & 8th graders to a Middle School Dance on Friday, March 21, from 5:30-7:30 PM, in the Hermosa Valley Gym. The event will include an In-N-Out Food Truck and a DJ. Additionally, the event will be supervised by Middle School (7th/8th Grade) Student Council Advisor Ms. Gonzalez, Valley Principal Bledsoe, Assistant Principal Montoya, and some middle school teachers. More information will be shared in March about the dance theme, permission form, and dance fees.

3rd Annual Hermosa Valley Empty Bowls


Join us for the 3rd Annual Hermosa Valley Empty Bowls on Thursday, February 27, from 5:30-7:00 PM in the Hermosa Valley MPR. A simple meal of soup and bread will be served in handmade ceramic bowls created by the HVS Art 8 class. The Hermosa Valley Band will provide entertainment while you enjoy your meal provided by local businesses. The suggested donation is $20 per person and includes one handmade ceramic bowl (while supplies last) to serve as a reminder that you made a difference by supporting the fight against hunger in our community. All proceeds will go to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Donations can be pre-paid, or you can pay by check or cash at the door. We can't wait to see you there!

PBIS Corner


We're Running Out of Time!


Don’t worry—it’s not as dramatic as it sounds! But the title probably caught your attention, right? That’s because when we’re given a limited amount of time to complete something, our brains naturally focus more, prioritize tasks, and think strategically about what’s most important.


This concept is widely used in storytelling—think Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast. The ticking clock in each of these stories builds excitement and keeps the audience engaged. The same idea can be applied in the classroom and at home!


Timers are a simple but powerful tool that can help students stay engaged, transition smoothly between activities, and develop time management skills—all while supporting a PBIS-centered learning environment. I use timers throughout the day, whether for independent work, transitions, or keeping lessons on track. Not only do they help students stay focused, but they also help teachers manage their schedules effectively.


If you’re looking for ways to refine your daily routines, give timers a try! I personally use a giant online timer projected on my screen (there are plenty of free options out there). Find what works for you and see the difference it makes!


Best,

Jason Coleman, 7th grade English Language Arts Teacher

The Week Ahead

1/6-3/14: Valley Yearbook: 8th Grade Dedication Pages & Baby Pictures


1/26-3/4 (At Noon): HVPTO: Family Fun Night - Neon Night Silent Disco Party on the Hermosa Valley School Blacktop - Tickets on Sale (Buy Tickets Today!)


2/1-3/1: Black History Month


2/18-4/30: Valley: Physical Fitness Testing - 5th Grade


2/18-28: Vista: Hermosa Vista Student Council "Loose Change" Fundraiser: Help Support Families Affected by the Wildfires


2/18 (3:30-5:00 PM): HVS: PAC & LCAP Meeting in the Valley IDEA Lab


2/18 (7:30-9:00 PM): HVPTO/HBEF: Joint General Meeting in the Valley Library


2/19 (8:22-8:53 AM): Valley Flag Ceremony: 5th-8th Grade in the Valley Bowl


2/20: Valley: 8th Grade Museum of Tolerance Field Trip


2/20 (5:00-8:00 PM): HBCSD: Regular School Board Meeting


2/20 (7:00-10:00 PM): HBEF: Moms' Night Out - STUDIO 90254 at Saint Rocke (SOLD OUT EVENT)

View the Full HBCSD Upcoming Events Calendar

Check Out Our Community Flyers!


We encourage you to visit our Community Flyers web page to see what our Education & Community Partners, Mira Costa High School, and Redondo Union High School, have to offer our school community. If you'd like to include a flyer, simply use this form.

QUICK LINKS

Hermosa Schools Office Staff

Wendy Coe

Hermosa View School

wcoe@hbcsd.org

(424) 333-9950 x4000

Kerri Aleman

Hermosa Vista School

kaleman@hbcsd.org

(424) 333-9960 x3000

Jasmin Martinez

Hermosa Valley School

jmartinez@hbcsd.org

(424) 333-9970 x2000

EXPLORE

HVS Office Procedures

HBCSD Parent Handbook

Volunteer Opportunities

Visit Our HBCSD Website

Wave Watch District Newsletter Archive


HBEF/HVPTO

Hermosa Beach Education Foundation

Hermosa View, Vista, Valley PTO



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