Welcome to the first quarterly edition of Surfside Stories for the 2025–26 school year, your window into the people, programs, and progress that shape the Huntington Beach City School District (HBCSD).

As we step into December, we hope you enjoyed a restful and well-deserved Thanksgiving recess. The first few months of the school year have been filled with meaningful learning, community connection, and inspiring examples of our theme for the year: Purpose in Action. This theme reminds us that our shared purpose is more than a belief; it’s something we bring to life each day. Across classrooms, campuses, and departments, our team transforms intention into impact through strong instruction, authentic relationships, and the countless behind-the-scenes efforts that help students thrive.

In this edition, you’ll find:

We invite you to settle in and enjoy this first edition of Surfside Stories as we continue a year rooted in values, driven by intention, and united in our commitment to student success.

The success of this rollout reflects deep collaboration between Technology Services, Educational Services, and site leadership. Under the direction of Chris Bell and the dedicated IT team, this initiative balances infrastructure readiness with meaningful professional development to ensure long-term impact.

During recent training sessions, teachers at Eader and Peterson explored their new MacBook Airs, iPads, and Apple TVs, gaining practical skills for integrating Apple tools into instruction. The sessions focused on navigation, accessibility, and classroom collaboration, designed to ensure every participant left feeling supported and confident in their ability to bring technology to life in their classrooms.

The response has been resoundingly positive. Staff have shared that the training and ongoing guidance they’re receiving have not only increased their confidence but also made them feel safer and more prepared to implement technology in meaningful ways. This trust and enthusiasm are clear signs of the District's progress in building a supportive, empowering culture around instructional technology.

Through this process, HBCSD aims to:

“This work allows us to build on the incredible progress our Food and Nutrition Services team has made over the last several years,” said Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Services Mr. Gary Stine. “We are excited to take this next step to ensure every student has access to nutritious meals that support learning, growth, and lifelong well-being.”

This initiative marks another meaningful investment in the health, wellness, and success of every child we serve. HBCSD will continue to share updates as we advance through the Eat Real Certification process and expand our commitment to serving real, nourishing food to all students.

We request your input on the third year of a three-year Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) cycle. Your input is invaluable as we continue on this journey to shape the future of our school district. The LCAP serves as a vital roadmap, guiding us to enhance student achievement, foster parent and student engagement, and ensure the safety and positive climate of our schools.

Your participation in this survey will help us refine our comprehensive goals, determine actionable strategies, and allocate resources effectively. By providing your insights and perspectives, you play a crucial role in shaping the direction of our district's educational initiatives.

Specifically, we seek your input on student achievement, parent engagement, student engagement, and school safety and climate. Your feedback will directly inform the decisions we make to better serve our students, families, and staff.

To access the LCAP survey, please click the link below.

If you prefer to respond to the questions using a language other than English, please select the language of preference from the dropdown menu available at the beginning of the survey.

We are committed to transparency and community involvement in this process. The results of this survey will be shared openly with the entire community and presented to the LCAP Committee. This committee, composed of parents and staff members, will play an instrumental role in reviewing and refining the proposed goals and strategies.

Thank you in advance for your participation and dedication to our school district's success. Together, we can create a learning environment that nurtures the growth and well-being of every student.

Starting in the 2025–2026 school year, California law (Senate Bill 114) will require all school districts to screen students in grades kindergarten through second grade (K-2) for potential reading difficulties. 

Last year, in preparation for this statewide requirement, the Huntington Beach City School District (HBCSD) formed a pilot committee of K-2 teachers and specialists to evaluate two state-approved screening tools. After a thoughtful review, the committee recommended Multitudes, a free and research-based screener developed by the University of California, San Francisco. In June, the HBCSD Board of Trustees approved this recommendation.

Multitudes is a reading screener that will be implemented in spring 2026. The screener tool is designed to help identify early reading challenges, allowing students to receive the support they need to become confident and capable readers. The screener is conducted one-on-one between the student and their teacher, using two digital devices, and takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete. It is available in both English and Spanish, and scoring is managed by the program with teacher review. 

Parents will receive notification and opt-out information in mid-March 2026. The student screening period will take place from April 13 through May 8, 2026. Families will receive their child’s results in May 2026. 

We will continue to share updates and resources with families as we prepare for implementation.

Shared on HBCSD social media

In November, HBCSD teachers and staff spent the day diving deep into literacy-focused professional development. Investing in our team is one of the most important ways we invest in students. 💙✨

From TK–5 and middle school ELA teachers enhancing their skills through Write From the Beginning…and Beyond, to middle school content teachers collaborating on literacy strategies, to preschool teams strengthening early language foundations, every session centered on elevating student learning.

Our special education staff also received targeted training focused on language development and reading comprehension, ensuring all students are supported.

Together, we’re building stronger classrooms, stronger readers, and a stronger future. 💬📖

The District is pleased to announce the approval of a joint-use agreement with the Ocean View School District (OVSD) to share OVSD’s existing transportation facility at Newland and Warner. Approved by both Boards at the November 18 meetings, this partnership provides a long-term, cost-effective solution that allows the District to collaborate with a neighboring district to maximize resources, reduce costs, and enhance operational efficiency.

Through this joint-use arrangement, HBCSD and OVSD will:

Student transportation services will continue without disruption. District buses will remain housed at the leased facility on Gothard Street until the joint-use facility is ready.

HBCSD extends its appreciation to OVSD for its partnership and collaboration on this agreement. Together, this initiative demonstrates how school districts can work collectively to deliver greater value to students and the community.

The District will continue to keep the community informed as implementation moves forward and facility details are finalized. Thank you for your continued support of our students, staff, and transportation team.