Happy Sunday everyone!

Hermosa View, Vista & Valley Parent Teacher Organization (HVPTO) is thrilled to welcome you to the 2026–2027 school year! We hope your summer was full of great memories and that you’re feeling ready for the year ahead.

My name is Jeff Ackermann, and I’m honored to serve our district, schools, staff, parents, and students as the HVPTO President for 2026–2027. This is my fifth year on the HVPTO Executive Board, and as a parent with a daughter entering 5th grade, I’m incredibly proud to be part of this amazing community. Whether you live within Hermosa Beach’s cozy 1.5 square miles or are one of the many families who choose to be part of our district, I hope you’re excited for what’s to come.

Together with our 17 Executive Board members, we’re committed to HVPTO’s mission: enriching the educational experience of Hermosa View, Vista & Valley students by encouraging parent and teacher participation and strengthening our connection with the community.

Through beloved events like the Back‑to‑School Picnic, Halloween Carnival, Dolphin Dash, and Field Days, HVPTO brings our community together while also funding the “extras” that make our schools exceptional—assemblies, field trips, lunch clubs, library books, new playground and PE equipment, staff appreciation, and so much more.

To make all of this happen, it truly takes a village. We’re always looking for volunteers, whether you can give a little time or a lot. In fact, did you know that research shows that students whose parents volunteer at school tend to have better school attendance and behavior, get better grades, and even demonstrate better social skills. Volunteering is also a fun way to meet teachers and fellow parents—and you’ll feel great knowing you made a difference. To get involved or learn more, reach out to Chandler or Naomi at volunteers@hvpto.com.

We wish you a joyful and memorable school year! I look forward to seeing everyone at the Back‑to‑School Picnic on Friday, August 28^th at Valley School from 4:30–7:00pm. Please stop by our table to say hello and learn more about HVPTO, or reach out to me anytime at president@hvpto.com.

HVPTO invites all HVS families to our 2026 Annual Back-to-School Picnic on Friday, August 28th from 4:30pm-7:00pm on the Hermosa Valley blacktop & field! Bring chairs, blankets and sweaters (it can get chilly) and enjoy a relaxed evening catching up with classmates and friends, old and new.

Pack a picnic or pre-order pizza, pasta, sandwiches, chicken tenders and salads from Piccini Italian. Browse the information fair to learn about school groups and local businesses, and grab some brand-new Spirit Wear to show your HVS pride!

Pre-order your dinner from Piccini HERE. Orders must be placed by Monday, August 24th at Noon. Don’t delay!

We hope to see you there to kick off a great year!

Middle school students can volunteer at the picnic and earn service points — parents and students, please sign up together HERE!

If you ordered your student's back-to-school supplies through 1st Day School Supplies in May/June, you're done! All your student's supplies will be delivered straight to your student's classroom on the 1st day of school. Contact president@hvpto.com if you can't remember if you pre-ordered a kit.

If not, click HERE for a complete shopping list by grade level. Shop at OFFICE DEPOT online or in-store on qualifying school supplies, use one of our Reward ID numbers below at checkout, and HVS will receive 5% back in credits for FREE supplies! When shopping online, look for the "Designate a school" link on the Order Confirmation page or simply provide the number to the cashier when shopping in store.

View #70008802

Vista #70247492

Valley #70008801

Still haven't ordered those water bottle labels or lunchbox notes? Check out Minted's Back to School Collection and enjoy 20% off your order when you shop using our exclusive code: FUNDRAISEHVPTO

Best of all, Minted will donate 10% back to HVPTO. It's a win win for all!

The Hermosa Beach Education Foundation is excited to kick off another year of supporting our local schools! HBEF funding accounts for more than 6% of the district’s annual budget, supporting essential programs including STEAM, elementary music and Spanish, PE, Middle School band and art, and full-time librarians and counselors to enrich learning across TK–8.

Here’s how you can help: Our Back-to-School Annual Giving Campaign is in full swing! Give by Friday, September 25th for a chance to win:

• A gift card for your teacher (one teacher per campus)
• Ice cream for your class (one classroom across TK–8)

Winners are determined by the highest family participation per classroom. While we ask every family to donate $1,000 per child, any amount counts!

Donate at the Thrive level or above and you’ll be invited to our exclusive Thank You Party at Resin on Friday, October 9th.

We’ll share more at Back-to-School Nights about the impact HBEF has on our schools and why every family’s participation matters.

Visit HBEF.org to learn more about who we are, what we do, and how you can help.

We are excited to launch our inaugural charity golf tournament, The Strand Classic, taking place on Wednesday, September 16th at Los Verdes Golf Course. 

Register a team and join us out on the links for a day of fun in support of Hermosa Schools! Not a golfer? No worries. You can still purchase a ticket for the VIP reception. Secure your spot on the green here!

The first day of school is this Wednesday, August 19th. 

Please note that Wednesdays are early dismissal days. Click HERE to view the Bell Schedule to see when your child will be dismissed, along with school drop-off times for each grade.

Daily on-time attendance is crucial in developing strong school habits and earns state funding for our schools. Please plan your vacations to minimize absences. You can view the full school year calendar HERE. 

HBCSD has teamed up again with the award-winning STAR Education Program to offer before and after school child care and enrichment classes. Learn more HERE or reach out to the following people for more information:

View:  Annie Howard

Vista:  Arnold Embuido

Looking for swim lessons? South Bay Aquatics is a family-owned, year-round indoor swim school with locations in Torrance and Redondo Beach. We offer lessons for all ages, from babies as young as 6 months through adults, in a fun, family-friendly environment.

For every new student who enrolls using this PTO Giveback Flyer, South Bay Aquatics will donate $10 to the HVPTO! Simply print the flyer, bring it with you when you enroll, and you'll be supporting your school while your child learns the lifelong skill of swimming.

The Water Replenishment District has officially launched it's student art contest for this school year, connecting art and science. The contest deadline is Sunday, November 1st at 11:59pm.

Program details are below:

• Eligibility: Students and teachers in grades K - 6 located in the WRD service area
• What: Create a water-focused piece of art that matches the contest theme
• Student Prize: 23 students will be selected to win a $75 gift card, be recognized at a school assembly, and be featured in our 2026 Water Awareness Calendar!
• Teacher Mini Grant: The top teachers with at least 10 submissions from their class will receive a $100 gift card.

Learn more here.

Mis Amigos Spanish is offering a new session of Spanish Enrichment classes beginning Wednesday, September 9th! Sessions are interactive, educational and students have a FUNtastic learning experience. Classes are held at Hermosa Valley School every Wednesday. Click this flyer to learn more.

Mis Amigos supports HVPTO with 10% donations on new student enrollments. Visit MisAmigos.org or contact Monica Linnell to learn more. ¡Gracias!

Attention 5th - 8th Graders! Be a part of the Mira Costa Girls Basketball Elite Clinic taking place on August 22nd from 9am-12pm at the Mira Costa Gym. Scan the QR code or click here to register.

This Clinic is a great way for future Mustang players to meet the coaches and players as well as compete in a level clinic. For any questions, please email jherdman11@me.com.

Calling all Dads of TK-2nd graders! The Adventure Guides Voyagers program is kicking off another year of fun, relationship-building events for fathers and their kids. Click here to view the flyer and join us for our Information Night on Wednesday, September 9th at 7pm at Hennessey's Tavern in Hermosa Beach to learn more.

The LA Galaxy is excited to offer our community discounted tickets for their three home matches in September. This is a great way to catch a Galaxy match this season at a great price!

CLICK HERE to purchase tickets!