2025-2026 That's a Wrap!

Our Fundraising at a glance:

Total Raised $325,000

Dolphin Dash - $179,581

Carnival & Raffle - $54,340

Parking Lot Fundraiser - $10,971

Spirit Wear $18,896

Family Portraits - $6,915

Picnic and Parent Party, School Supplies, Yearbooks, Yumraisers & Other Percentage Events - $54,297

Thank you everyone! This year has been amazing, and we couldn't have done this without our wonderful parents, staff and community! We know that throughout the year, not only have you donated to these events, but given via in kind donations to the class, to our events, and with your time. These funds will and have gone directly back to our students, schools, and staff in the following ways: assemblies, lunch clubs, student council, field trip transportation, counselor funds, Science Olympiad, Math Clinics, Middle School Science Camps, after school sports, curriculum enhancements, staff appreciation, student recognition, PE/playground equipment, field days, 8th Grade Promotion, the school directory, reminder binders, library books, teacher grants, special projects, and MORE!

For 2025-2026, HVPTO budgeted $45,000 for Special Projects and Teacher Grants. Following are just some of the amazing projects that were funded this year: 

PBIS Through Storytelling

Beach Kids Yoga

Strength and Conditioning Materials

Noise Canceling Headphones

Executive Functioning Intervention 

Science Fair

Teacher’s Workroom Laminator

E-Bike Class

Band Polo Shirts

Band Instruments

Valley Voices Choir

Math Olympiad

Young at Art

1st Grade Field Trip to Vista

Sensory Bins

ELA Adoption Material

CSLA for our Librarians

Day of the Dead Magnets

Aerospace Club

Headsets 

Go Pebble

Blocks for Recess 

Counselor Wellness Lounge

Special Education Materials 

And again, NONE of this could have been done without our volunteers! Thank you! 

#PoweredByHVPTO

Dolphin Award Winners

Each year, it's inevitable that some of our parent volunteers' youngest children will be promoted and they will pass the torch to those following in their footsteps. We like to take this time each year to honor a few volunteers who have gone above and beyond by generously volunteering extensive time and effort over many years. We call this the Dolphin Awards, and this year's winners are Belinda Oakes, Christine Shultz, Sarah Matzen, Sonya Landgreen, Sonya Oliver and Wendy Zachary! Thank you! You will all be missed!

Thank You Room Parents

Our Room Parents and Grade Level Coordinators are a vital part of how HVPTO functions. They communicate news and event info from HVPTO, teachers and other school organizations straight to our parents, as well as help coordinate class parties, organize their classroom's teacher appreciation activities and gather volunteers for school events.

Special thanks to this year's Room Parents, Assistant Room Parents and GLCs: Leinani Murphy, Grace Bonet, Ashley Cevoli, Leah Taubman, Erica Mandy, Karla Demichele, Hayley Oro, Karrie Langan, Renee Siemak Obrand, Jaclyn Nelson, Fatima Nabulsi-Olsen, Michelle Haugh, Monica Powell, Michele Kasonic, Stephanie Kawas, Ashley Stumm, Briana Werra, Kristen Luna, Carrie Smith, Shannon Henderson, Stacy Abrishami, Debbie Warnke, Rachel Halatchev, Lauren Romero, Anna Kostecke, Amanda Clark, Christy Hackman, Kelly Russell, Jennifer Koppel, Eunice Park, Mariya Shayevsky, Sany Yao, Megan Hapeman, Melissa Shaivitz, Amalia Paliobeis, Krystle Caponio, Nisha Gutterman, Ashleigh Milette, Mia Pierantozzi, Sandra Ciccone, Andrea Rose, Jessica Chang, Kate Hecht, Lauren Petroshanoff, Kristan Kramer, Katie Ball, Sarah Perahia, Roman Powell, Dusti Dodd, Erin Carroll, Christine Rojas, Rob Chong, Laura Harris, Corina Angeles, Tara Basye, Aly Liang, Virginia Schmitt, Jennifer Shively-Guade, Renee Obrand, Fatima Nabulsi, Goli Shamsian, Meghan Miloradovic, Jessica Jacobs, Yalda R Hashemi, Jessica Baldwin, Lauren Cichy, Lillian Stratton, Kelly Rombro, Ricardo Gutierrez, Andy Steinhoff, Rasa Disalvo, Sandy Yao, Ashley Oehlman, Mariana Walia, Kate Eychis, Kelly Garcia, Cameron Hudson, Allyson Schwartz, Wendi Lee, Dean Bolton, Natalia Warga, Kara Anderson, Stacy Kase, Nicole Ellison, Jenn Massey, Ciani Grad, Ivy Madden, Katie Cuza, Kelly Olin, Kelly Castillo, Veronica Gathercole, Sheri Beh, Julie Kanner, Melissa Grashow and Lisa Vargas Gardner.

When we say "we couldn't do it without you," we mean exactly that! If you agree, please take a moment to thank your Room Parent for a job well done and maybe, just maybe, consider stepping up as a Room Parent next year!

Reach out to volunteers@hvpto.com to learn more.

Thank You Event Chairs

So many parents stepped up to chair one or more of the numerous events that HVPTO orchestrated this year.

A big shout out to all of this year's Event Chairs:

1st Day School Supplies: Jennifer Kucera | Jeff Ackermann

Middle School Registration: Jo Fish | Nicole Ellison

Staff Welcome Back Luncheon: Jennifer Kucera | Jo Fish

Back to School Picnic: Sarah Jenkins

Family Portraits: Laura Hall

Halloween Carnival: Jennifer Kucera | Chandler Bondan

Halloween Chairs/Pumpkin Carving Contest: 

AC Michelson, Andy Merkin, Ashley Staszak, Carrie Smith, Faith Casner, Jeff Ackerman, Jen Massey, Jo Fish, Katie Seaman, Lisa Vargas Gardner, 

Michelle Fitzsimons & Wendy Zachary 

Candy Letter Drive: Carrie Smith

Athletics: Katie Ball | Jennifer Kucera

Scholastic Book Fair: Julia Lau, Jennifer Kucera, Krystle Caponio, Sarah Wofford and Veronica Gathercole

Read Across America: Jessica Jacobs 

Dolphin Dash: Jennifer Kucera, Jo Fish, Dani Josephs & Shannon Mahoney

Staff Appreciation: Jennifer Kucera, Sandra Ciccone, Kari Klinkernburg &

Mia Pierantozzi

Memorial Day Parking Lot: Jeff Ackerman | Doug Gardner

8th Grade 3rd Grade Book Exchange: Jennifer Kucera

Field Day: Juli Kanner and Sarah Jenkins

Summer Sunset Party: Chandler Bondan | Naomi Brugnatelli

Middle School Honor Roll Breakfast: Christine Schultz, Kate Mosier, Meegan Kenny 

8th Grade Promotion: Jess Wusterbarth, Jennifer Kucera, Jo Fish, Laura Harris, Nancy Mason, Nicole Ellison, Stephanie Fanous, Veronica Gathercole, Wendy Zachary

Senior Send Off: Becky Sholten

Spirit Wear: Jessica Chang, Mariana Hill & Rum Walia

View and Vista Yearbooks: Melissa Grashow

Yearbook Sales and Distribution: Lisa Vargas Gardner 

Percentage Nights: Jennifer Kucera

Passive Fundraisers: Nicole Ellison

Audit Committee: Megan Hirsch, Nicole Ellison & Stephanie Berger

8th Grade Promotion Thank You

We had so MANY parents come together to volunteer and support all of our 8th Grade Promotion Festivities! Thank you for your time and support! You helped make this a memorable day for the students and their families! A special BIG THANK YOU to Veronica Gathercole & Stephanie Fanous, our 8th Grade Promotion Chairs, for throwing a great party for the 8th Graders! THANK YOU!

Promotion Envelope Stuffing:

Jess Wusterbarth (CHAIR), Maricela Chavez, Jenn Massey, Jen Kucera, Catherine Wachtfogel, Joan Manalo, Sarah Matzen, Monica Saracinio, Jenny Slusser, Christine Shutz, Lucia Cosgrove, Wendy Zachary, Sonya Landgreen, Veronica Gathercole &

Jo Fish

Promotion Rehearsal Breakfast:

Nancy Reynolds and Laura Harris (CHAIR), Heather and Dave Schlosser, Laura Hall, Melinda Green, Bradford Eells, Liz Gustavson, Jenn Massey, Christine Shultz, Jen Kucera and Jo Fish.  Donations: Stephanie Deur, Connie Teng, Monica Saracino, Noel Nicholas, Sonya Oliver, Sarah Matzen, Joan Manalo, Sung M Kang, Christine Shultz, Nancy Reynolds, Vanessa Fix, Jen Sargeant, Abby Knollenberg, Jenn Massey, Carrie Dodd, Kim Wasiljew, Daniela Olson, Laura Hall, Liz Gustavson & Andy Ball Harris

Promotion Ceremony & Reception:

Sandra Yokoo, Shea Self, Josh Beck, Suzie Carroll, Lisa Vargas Gardner, Atique Rahman, Shruthi Fielder, Carrie Smith, Maggie Von Palmer, Nicole Ellison, Kenneth Ostot, Ernie G, Bettina Lau, Dustin Rose, Phoebe Rossiter, Marisha Ward, Jeff Ackerman, Naomi Brugnatelli, Doug Garner, Stephanie Fanous, Veronica Gathercole, Jen Kucera & Jo Fish

Donations:

Meghan Hamill, Tina Gorgievski, Gary Wilhelm, Katie Cuza, Jaime Sartwell, Laura Harris, Carine Kavthekar, Gema Miller, Joan Manalo, Jenny Slusser, Melissa Furgison, Megan Lunz, Maria Sanchez, Mary Swanhaus, Jenny Olson, Heather Jacobson, Helen Evers, Maggie Von Palmer, Christine Shulz, Margret Huddleston, Emily Baker, Kate Mosier, Julie Hunt, Marisa Anhaltzer, Rachel Moore, Christie Good, Veronica Cohen, Jenny Olson, Katie Ball, Maggie Von Palmer, Jessica Kalt, Kristina Gorsich, Julie Kim, Meegan Kenney, Rachael Moore, Laura Esmailzadeh, Jo Anderson, Kristen Prosser, Shaheda Sadhal, Jake Taylor, Jayson Barenfeld & Rosana Solari

Memory Board Project:

Wendy Zachary (CHAIR), Meghan Hamill, Tina Gorgievski, Katie Schafer, Alisa Mitchel & Lindsay Jaime

8th Grade Photo Slideshow:

Veronica Gathercole, Jen Kucera & Jo Fish

For incoming 8th Grade Parents, we are looking for leads for 8th Grade Promotion! Please email us at volunteers@hvpto.com so we can start planning your students' special day!

Thank You HBCSD

And, of course, thank you to our amazing HBCSD administrators, faculty and staff for your support throughout the year!

Special shout out to Jay and the dedicated M&O Crew. We couldn't do it without your unwavering commitment to our students and schools!

If a teacher or staff member has made a positive difference in your child's life this year, take a moment to send them a note of gratitude. Sometimes it's the little things that make all the difference.

25/26 HVPTO Executive Board

And FINALLY, a special thank you to our HVPTO Executive Board!

A huge round of applause goes out to this year's HVPTO Executive Board members:

Co Presidents: Jennifer Kucera and Jo Fish

Secretary: Wendy Zachary

Treasurer: Virginia Schmitt

Assistant Treasurer: Jeff Ackermann

Deposit Treasurer: Carrie Smith & Sarah Wofford

CO VP of Communications: Sandra Ciccone, Dora Candelaria & Amy Papanikolas

VP of Community Service: Sandra Endo & Michelle Fitzsimons

VP of Operations: Lisa Vargas Gardner & Krystle Caponio

Co VP of Volunteers: Chandler Bondan & Naomi Brugnatelli

We want to acknowledge Lisa Vargas Gardner for her 10 years of service on the Executive Board. Thank you Lisa for all your time, dedication and love for our school. We will miss you dearly! 

We have several new members joining the Executive Board for the 26/27 year and some role changes.

HVPTO is pleased to share our 26/27 Executive Board:

President: Jeff Ackermann

Co Presidents: Jennifer Kucera & Jo Fish

Secretary: Mariya Shayevsky

Treasurer: Virginia Schmitt

Assistant Treasurer: Sarah Wofford

Deposit Treasurer: Carrie Smith & Gina O'Donnell

CO VP of Communications: Sandra Ciccone, Dora Candelaria & Amy Papanikolas

VP of Community Service: Sandra Endo & Sarah Jenkins

VP of Operations: Krystle Caponio, Seyka Mejeur & Ruthie Acosta

Co VP of Volunteers: Chandler Bondan & Naomi Brugnatelli

We look forward to another amazing year working in support of our mission:

The purpose of HVPTO is to enhance and enrich the educational experience of Hermosa View, Hermosa Vista & Hermosa Valley students by encouraging parent and teacher participation and developing a closer connection with the community.

Have a great summer everyone!