Hermosa View spotlights PBIS and 'dolphin den' calming spaces in SEL presentation

Hermosa View Principal Dr. Jessica Gabriel and staff told the Hermosa Beach City School District board on Jan. 14 that the school is emphasizing social-emotional learning and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to help young students build self-regulation and classroom readiness.

"At VUE, our mission is to support the whole child through social emotional learning, purposeful movements, and authentic connection," Gabriel said during the presentation. Carrie King, who serves as PBIS coordinator, described classroom lessons, schoolwide expectations printed on large posters, and a rewards system using "surf slips" and Friday drawings. School counselor Sabrina Acuda described weekly counseling lessons for TK–1, small-group counseling targeting anxiety and impulse control, and higher-level individual supports when needed.

Key practices highlighted include classroom "dolphin dens" (calming spaces), sensory pathways and frequent movement breaks, explicit social stories to teach use of calming spaces, and staff training through the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE). Gabriel also credited partners such as the Hermosa Beach Education Foundation (HBEF) and Star Nova after-school programming for funding and program support.

Student council members from Hermosa Valley also updated the board on Idea Lab rotations (robot battles, 3D printing), middle-school JavaScript animation, personal finance projects and a student-run store using PBIS points.

Board members and parents in attendance praised the work and the emphasis on explicit instruction for behavior. The presentation concluded with board appreciation and no further action required.