Students present music, coding and campus service projects at Hermosa Beach schools

Student council representatives from Valley and Vista schools presented school news and student initiatives at the Dec. 11 Hermosa Beach City School District board meeting.

Valley Student Council vice president Maria Costas updated trustees on STEAM classes where students are creating apps and building programmable projects using Hummingbird kits, described the band’s winter concert and reported that outdoor education trips and winter sports schedules are set for January. Valley students said the school’s annual adoption of families in need will provide gifts for 10 families this year.

Vista student council members described recent classroom projects — including Powtoon animations, circuits and Hour of Code activities — and promoted the Vista book fair and a "cozy cookie" library event. Student council reported campus initiatives to address a growing lost‑and‑found pile (planning a fashion‑show style display at a flag ceremony) and to reduce lunch‑time waste through a Grades of Green sorting system with parent volunteers. The students proposed a campus "adopt an area" program and monthly spirit days aimed at improving campus maintenance and school culture.

Assistant Principal Lisonbee Montoya and teacher Jennifer Cedarquist joined students on the dais; board members praised the students’ presentations and asked staff to follow up on the student‑recommended solutions.

Nut graf The student reports highlighted hands‑on STEAM work, music and library programming along with student‑led plans to keep campus areas clean and reduce waste — examples trustees said demonstrate student leadership and practical problem‑solving at the elementary/middle school level.

Ending Trustees thanked the students and invited families to attend upcoming concerts, book fair events and the schools’ holiday activities.