aThere's more below the surface! If you're viewing this on a computer, your email may be clipped. Be sure to click "View Entire Message" at the bottom to read the full newsletter!
| | Superintendent's Weekly Message | | |
Dear HVS Families,
October 1 is School Census Day in California. This is a critical day for every public school district, including HBCSD. On this day, our in-person student attendance becomes a “snapshot” that the state uses to determine our funding and resources for the entire school year.
Even a small number of absences on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, can have a big impact. Just a few students missing school could potentially mean hundreds of thousands of dollars less in state funding for Hermosa Schools. These dollars directly support the essential programs, staff, and learning materials that shape your child’s educational experience every day.
Your child’s presence on School Census Day truly matters. By ensuring students are in class and on time, we protect valuable resources that sustain the high-quality education our community depends on.
For more information, please review the School Innovations & Achievement’s Long Term Impacts of Missing School PDF and watch our HBCSD’s “Show Up to Thrive” video below for a quick look at why attendance is key to student success.
Thank you for your partnership in keeping our Hermosa Schools strong and our students thriving. Every day matters.
Best regards,
Dr. Susan Wildes
Superintendent of Schools, Hermosa Beach City School District
| |
Introducing Waves of Progress
Hermosa Beach City School District is excited to announce the launch of Waves of Progress, a new quarterly update that highlights projects funded by Measure HV (2024). This community mailer provides families and community members with a clear look at how bond dollars are being invested to support safe, modern, and effective learning environments. The first edition (September 2025) was mailed directly to Hermosa Beach households. You can also view it online on our Waves of Progress page. The next edition is scheduled for publication in January 2026.
| |
Walk and Roll to School Day is Coming on October 8th!
Hermosa View, Vista, & Valley Schools are excited to participate again in the Beach Cities Health District's Walk and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. All HVS students, families, and staff are invited to join other HVS Dolphins and walk to school. Please note: HVS students will not be marked tardy if they participate in this event. Walking route maps, meet and departure times, and other details can be found in each school site PDF below:
Walk and Roll to School View
Walk and Roll to School Vista
Walk and Roll to School Valley
| | |
Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation Introduces Stitch
The Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation has launched Stitch, a free online activity guide that connects youth, families, educators, and schools to a diverse array of learning opportunities across greater Los Angeles. From arts and science programs to afterschool activities and field trips, Stitch makes it easy to search by grade, interest, or location. Explore Stitch today to discover enriching opportunities for growth and learning.
| | |
Parenting in a Digital World Tip #2: Family Media Agreements - Keeping Kids Safe Online
As technology becomes part of our children’s daily lives, setting clear expectations around media use is essential. A Family Media Agreement helps establish healthy boundaries, encourages open conversations, and promotes safe, responsible online behavior.
A family agreement can help keep kids safe by:
- Setting clear limits on screen time and device use
- Encouraging respectful and kind online interactions
- Teaching kids how to recognize and respond to unsafe situations
We encourage families to review and personalize the Common Sense Media Family Media Agreement together at home.
| | |
South Bay Families Connected
Since 2017, HBCSD has partnered with South Bay Families Connected (SBFC) to bring trusted youth wellness resources to our community. Visit our own HBCSD Families Connected webpage for parenting resources and educational events addressing a wide array of youth wellness topics, from healthy screen and tech use to substance use prevention. We hope you will consider joining the monthly Families Connected Parent Chat support group, provided in partnership with Beach Cities Health District, as well as signing up for the free Families Connected Newsletter. All SBFC videos, blogs, resources, support groups, and events are available to our community, free of charge.
| | |
Hermosa View School Principal News | |
It may have been a short week, but it was another jam-packed one with our amazing kiddos!
One thing you might not know about me, Dr. G, is that I’m very competitive. That’s why Hermosa View School has to win for the most registered walkers at the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk this year! I’ve participated in this event for the last 14 years, and I love it! The mission, the community, the exercise, the ocean, and the direct funding to our schools that benefit OUR KIDS! Whether or not you can join us on the walk on Sunday, October 19, registering yourself and your entire family would go a LONG WAY. Every registered walker counts. If you plan on donating more, spread it out as far as you can to get the most registered walkers at $30 per person.
View Incentives for Registering:
-
If our View campus exceeds the goal of 150% (1.5x) of View enrollment in Skechers registrations, the entire campus will get an extra recess!
-
Any class that gets 2x class enrollment in Skechers registrations will get a popsicle and PJ party.
-
The top View student will get to be the Principal for the Day!
Let’s do this, Team View!
Our first View Flag Ceremony was so much fun! We celebrated the “S = Safe” in S.U.R.F. students this month, and Ms. King’s class impressed us with reciting a poem. It was a great time being all together to honor our students and share some school spirit! Speaking of spirit, starting Friday, October 10, wear your favorite Hermosa School Spirit Wear or wear BLUE. We will do this every Friday! Go Dolphins!
| | |
Check out some highlights from each grade level:
TK: As we continue exploring “My School and Me,” last week, students focused on identifying emotions and discovering healthy ways to express and manage them. Social-emotional development is a cornerstone of TK, and your children are doing a wonderful job learning about their feelings.
Kinder: Students engaged in their first Socratic Seminar. What an amazing milestone to witness in our kindergarten classrooms! The photo above shows Wit & Wisdom in action in Ms. Corman's class.
1st Grade: Students engaged in a Wit & Wisdom close reading and practiced writing the four (4) stages of craft instruction. In Fundations, students worked on beginning and ending sounds of CVC words and writing a sentence. In Math, students worked on solving addition problems using different strategies, including drawing pictures, counting on, and using 5-group cards. They also tackled understanding equivalent expressions and the commutative property.
View’s Principal Advisory Council (View PAC) is a collaborative body composed of parents and community members who work together to support the principal in fostering a positive, inclusive, and academically strong school environment. The council’s role is to provide meaningful feedback, offer diverse perspectives, and support data-informed decision-making on key school priorities, programs, and initiatives. Meetings are designed to promote open dialogue and shared understanding, focusing on topics such as instructional improvement, student engagement, school culture, safety, and community partnerships. The council convenes five times per year, with each meeting taking place at 9:00 AM. Interested in joining our View PAC? Please fill out this form to sign up!
Go Team View!
Warmly,
Dr. Jessica Ghobrial, Hermosa View Princpal / HB Preschool Director
| |
Hermosa Vista School Principal News | |
Our classrooms are full of learning. In Math, our 2nd graders are learning place value by forming base tens up to 1,000. Our 3rd graders are understanding multiplication and division using units of 4. Lastly, our 4th graders are learning about unit conversions with metric measurements.
In SPARKS Lab, students created rainbow drawings to explore how the colors changed or disappeared when water was applied. They also had the opportunity to discuss light refraction and learn how rainbows are formed.
Morning exercises are scheduled to start on Monday, September 30. Students have been practicing their 8-minute exercises during P.E. 4th graders will start their morning exercises at 8:10 AM, 3rd graders will start at 8:20 AM, and 2nd graders will start at 8:30 AM. Please make sure that your students come to school on time so they can participate in morning exercises, which will help them with better focus and concentration during their school day.
The Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk is coming up on Sunday, October 19. We would like to have as many WALKERS as possible. Register your whole family, including your dog! Each registration is $30, and the more participants we have, the bigger the impact, since Skechers will match 3-4 times our investment. You don’t need to walk in person; you can be a virtual walker if you are busy on October 19th.
Vista Incentives for Registering:
-
If our Vista campus exceeds the goal of 150% (1.5x) of Vista enrollment in Skechers registrations, the entire campus will have no homework for the week!
-
Any class that gets 2x class enrollment in Skechers registrations will get a popsicle and PJ party.
-
The top Vista student will be the Principal for the Day!
Let’s make it happen, Vista!
Lastly, I would like to invite parents and community members to join Vista’s Principal Advisory Council (Vista PAC). This is a collaborative body composed of parents and community members that work together to support a positive, inclusive, and academically strong school environment. I am seeking volunteers from 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade as well as representatives from HBEF and HVPTO. If you are interested, please fill out this Vista Principal Advisory Council Interest Form 25-26.
Have a great week, Vista Dolphins!
Warmly,
Grace Yang, Hermosa Vista Principal
| | Hermosa Valley School Principal News | | |
We have lots of exciting Valley Updates to share this week, so please take a moment to review the information below. We’re looking forward to another amazing week together!
Warmly,
Jessica Bledsoe, Hermosa Valley School Principal
| |
|
Skechers Walk – Valley Incentives
The Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk is Sunday, October 19, and Valley is once again aiming to lead the district in sign-ups! Skechers matches 3–4x our investment, so every registration counts. Virtual participation is welcome. Register everyone you know (even pets!). SIGN UP HERE!
Valley Incentives for Registering:
-
5th Grade: Reach 150% of enrollment = no homework for a week
-
6th–8th Grade: 2+ registrations = mile-skip pass in PE (register under your student’s PE teacher)
-
Any Class: Reach 200% of enrollment = popsicle party
-
Bonus: One Valley student will be awarded Principal for the Day!
| |
Intervention in Advisory
We’re excited to offer targeted intervention during advisory for grades 5–8. Teachers may recommend students for support in math, ELA, counseling, executive functioning, or English language development. Families will be notified if their child is selected. This program allows students to strengthen skills during the school day without missing core instruction.
| |
HVS Athletics Update
Fall Sports kick off this week! Our first games are on Monday, September 30, at 3:30 PM against Ridgecrest Intermediate School. It’s an away game, so our student-athletes will ride the bus thanks to HVPTO’s generous support. Come cheer on our Girls Volleyball and Boys Flag Football teams! Visit the HVS Athletics Program Website to learn more. Go HVS Dolphins!
| |
HVS Math Olympiad
New this year! Do you love a good challenge and want to put your math skills to the test? Join the HVS Math Olympiad Team! Tryouts were held last week, but new 6th-8th grade members are still welcome to join. The Math Olympiad provides an opportunity to collaborate with peers, strengthen problem-solving skills, and participate in local and online competitions against schools across Southern California. They meet every Monday from 3:00-4:00 PM with Ms. Brown in Room 22. Students interested should stop by and see Ms. Brown.
| |
Valley Science Fair Important Upcoming Dates
-
10/8 - Project Submission Deadline
-
10/10 - Student Option to Prep with Mr. Underwood
-
11/17 - Project Deadline / Preview Day
-
11/18 - Hermosa Valley Science Fair: All middle school science classes and 5th grade visit
| |
Principal's Advisory Council at Valley
We are seeking parents from grades 5th-8th, along with representatives from HBEF and HVPTO, to join Valley’s Principal Advisory Council (Valley PAC). The Valley PAC will help shape school priorities, strengthen communication, and support student success. If you are interested, please complete the Valley Principal Advisory Council Interest Form 25–26. Your input will guide important decisions and initiatives at Valley.
| |
RUHS Fall Fitness Day (5th & 8th Grade)
On Monday, November 3, our 5th and 8th graders are invited to RUHS Fall Fitness Day! This is a great opportunity for our students to explore the campus, meet current high school students, and learn about the various fitness programs. Permission slips and the schedule will be sent soon. See the flyer below for more information.
| | |
Valley Assembly: Digital Citizenship & Literacy presented by Digital4Good x #ICANHELP
Hermosa Valley students will take part in a powerful Digital Citizenship and Literacy Assembly presented by Digital4Good x #ICANHELP, on Tuesday, October 7, from 9:10-10:00 AM. This student-focused program teaches how to build a positive digital footprint, handle online conflict, and become "Digital First Responders" who are prepared to tackle cyberbullying, AI misuse, and other digital challenges.
HBCSD: Digital4Good x #ICANHELP Parent/Guardian Zoom Meeting
All parents and guardians are invited to a special Digital4Good x #ICANHELP Zoom Meeting on Tuesday, October 7, from 6:00-7:00 PM. This virtual session will provide families with tools to support responsible technology use at home. Topics include maintaining a safe and positive digital presence, recognizing signs of cyberbullying, and helping students respond to online negativity. We welcome all parents and guardians to attend and learn how to partner with your student in navigating today's digital world. Zoom link details are forthcoming.
Digital4Good x #ICANHELP is a nonprofit that educates students about responsible technology use and empowers children, teens, and adults to handle conflict, toxicity, and harassment online. For more information, visit ICANHELP.NET.
| | | |
9/28: HVPTO: Family Portrait Fundraiser at HB Pier; SOLD OUT
9/30 (3:30-5:30 PM): Valley Fall Sports: HVS Boys Flag Football & Girls Volleyball vs. RIS (AWAY GAME)
10/1: HBCSD: School Census Day
10/2-3: HBCSD: Local School Holiday - No School
| | 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.
| | | Hermosa Schools Office Staff | | | | |
