Dear MBUSD Parents and Community,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. Today’s issue highlights Pacific Elementary School, MBUSD Teacher of the Year and Classified Employee of the Year announcements, and features students competing in the CA Invention Convention Southern Region.



I wish you all a safe, relaxing, and joyful spring break! 

Spotlight on Pacific Elementary (Special Thanks to Principal Amanda Vavao) 

Pacific Elementary held its inaugural third grade Super Literacy Quiz Bowl (SLQB) game this week and Principal Vavao was the proud MC! SLQB is a book-themed trivia competition for students in grades 3, 4, and 5 that promotes reading and highlights great books. Twenty-five students stepped up to represent their third-grade classes. They read from a list of fifteen books, totaling 1,227 pages. 

Thank you to amazing longtime MBUSD parent volunteers Jiyeon Im and Barbara Siegemund-Broka (also a beloved retired MBUSD Library Resource Specialist) for being such wonderful advocates for SLQB and continuing to promote a love of learning in our students year after year. A special thank you to our Pacific PTA and MBEF because the Super Literacy Quiz Bowl wouldn’t happen without their generous support! SLQB games will continue at Pacific Elementary with fourth graders on April 29 and fifth graders on May 30.

Staff Spotlight: Liana Kuklinski | 3rd Grade Teacher

This week we are featuring one of our Teacher of the Year school site honorees. Liana Kuklinski is a 3rd grade teacher at Pennekamp Elementary and has been a part of MBUSD for the past ten years. She began her journey at Meadows Elementary teaching third-grade before moving to Pennekamp, where she has taught third and fifth grades.

Liana began her teaching career fourteen years ago at Aspire Slauson Academy in South Central Los Angeles. 

She shared that her love for teaching began back in second grade, inspired by her favorite teacher, Mrs. Ishii, who created a warm, loving, and safe environment that made students feel motivated and inspired.

She loves making a meaningful impact on students' lives. “The connections I build with my students and the excitement they bring to learning inspire me every day to do the best that I can. This career challenges me to continually grow and evolve while providing the unique privilege of shaping future generations,” she shared. Liana added that it is incredibly rewarding to guide young scholars, helping them discover new ideas, and watch them grow academically and personally.

Liana has a Master’s in Education with an emphasis in Curriculum/Instruction, is GATE certified, and has a Reading and Literacy added authorization certificate. Outside the classroom, she is a second-degree black belt in Martial Arts and has taught it for over fifteen years. 

Congratulations to our District Teacher of the Year, Maddie Hutchinson

This week, we had the incredible honor of surprising MCHS teacher Maddie Hutchinson with the big news that she has been selected as the 2025 District Teacher of the Year! Congratulations!

Maddie, now in her 10th year as both an educator and a member of the MBUSD community, teaches English and coordinates the Link Crew program at MCHS. Her leadership extends beyond the classroom, as she also serves as Mira Costa’s ComedySportz HSL Team Advisor, is an assistant director for Drama/Tech productions, and has been part of the Ethnic Studies and EDSJI Committees.

Maddie also attended MBUSD schools and was part of the Pacific, MBMS, and Mira Costa communities as a former student! Reflecting on the honor, she said, “MBUSD is the only District I’ve ever known. Being named District Teacher of the Year feels super special. My time at Mira Costa as a student was transformative, and a huge part of that came down to the educators who saw me, supported me, and inspired me to develop my voice. To be in a position where I’m now able to provide that support for others, and for that work to be celebrated, feels incredibly rewarding.”

Maddie’s impact on her students is undeniable. As MCHS Principal Dr. Jennifer Huynh shared, “Maddie is committed to fostering an environment where students have a voice and are empowered in their learning.” She added that Maddie thoughtfully designs lessons that are impactful and help students activate a deeper learning. 

Our MBUSD Teacher of the Year Selection Committee carefully interviewed and observed each nominee before selecting Ms. Hutchinson for the honor. Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Dr. Irene Gonzalez-Castillo emphasized that Maddie’s innovative teaching methods and commitment to student success made her stand out among a highly accomplished group of educators. “Maddie’s connection with her students is evident in the classroom. She provides engaging materials and questions to prompt student group discussions that lead to analysis and connection with the core text. It is clear that she knows each learner so that she can connect with each student.”

Ms. Hutchinson is the epitome of what it means to be an educator. We are very proud to have her as part of MBUSD and grateful for the lasting impact she continues to have on the next generation of leaders! Maddie, thank you for all that you have done and continue to do. 

Next, she will represent MBUSD in the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) Teacher of the Year competition and will also be honored at the MBUSD Board Meeting on April 30, along with our seven other outstanding Teachers of the Year!

MBUSD Classified Employees of the Year!

During this week’s Board meeting, we had the privilege of recognizing all of our Classified Employees of the Year for their dedication and contributions to MBUSD. It was heartwarming to hear from each school principal, as well as the directors of IT, Maintenance and Operations, and Food and Nutrition Services, who shared the reasons behind selecting their District Classified Employee of the Year honorees.

The stories shared highlighted just how essential each of these employees is to the daily operations of our schools and District as a whole.

We also announced the District Classified Employee of the Year, and the honor went to Nelson Maheia, a member of the District Office who serves as the IT Help Desk Assistant for the District’s IT Department. Nelson began his career in the Spring of 2022 as the Testing Center Coordinator at MBMS before transitioning to his current role. IT Director Eric Sangalang honored Nelson during the Board meeting, saying, “Nelson is someone whose impact can be felt in every corner of our team. Not just through his work but also through his attitude and unwavering commitment. Nelson goes above and beyond not for recognition, but because that is just who he is.” 

He continued, “Whether it’s staying late when needed, finishing projects, or bringing creative solutions to the table...He leads by example and raises the bar for all of us.”

Please join me in celebrating Nelson and all of our honorees!

MBMS Town Hall

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Manhattan Beach Middle School (MBMS) Town Hall this past Monday—whether in person or via livestream. We are deeply grateful for your time, engagement, and ongoing partnership. This work is not done alone; it takes all of us coming together.

Please share your comments and suggestions at www.mbusd.org/suggestions. If you missed the event, the full Town Hall video is available to view on the MBUSD YouTube channel here.

We also encourage families to get involved at the school level. Principals will soon be reaching out with opportunities to join School Site Safety Teams. Thank you again for being part of this important conversation and for your continued commitment to the well-being and safety of our students.

Sixteen MBUSD Students Attend Engaging Girls in STEM Event

The Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) recently hosted a one-of-a-kind STEM girls event at the Los Angeles Zoo, offering middle and high school students a chance to connect with women professionals in STEM fields. During the event, students gained insights into various STEM careers and areas of study through interactions with STEM Ambassadors. Sixteen students from MBMS and Mira Costa participated, engaging in informative breakout sessions. The event also allows students to interact in activities with LACOE partners and exhibitors that will push their thinking and build dreams of also entering a STEM field. 

The STEM ambassadors represent women across a range of industries and positions, such as scientists, engineers, coders, architects, and more, who find it important to encourage and inspire the next generation of innovators. These professionals work in diverse settings, including the Los Angeles Zoo, Northrop Grumman, and the California Science Center.

Thank you to Science Teacher Carina Perez for attending the event with our students and MBMS Science and STEAM Teacher Tanya Sanchez for sharing and organizing this event for our students. We also thank parent Kathleen Paralusz for chaperoning!  

MBUSD Students Compete in SoCal Region State Finals for Invention Convention

We’re proud to congratulate all of our student inventors and winners who recently participated in the California Invention Convention Southern Region at El Camino College!

Students selected from MBUSD's Invention Convention advanced to this regional competition, joining peers from across the Southern California region including San Diego County to showcase their innovative solutions to real-world problems. Representing MBUSD, elementary and middle school students presented their inventions with a one-minute pitch beside their display boards.

Congratulations to our outstanding elementary and MBMS student winners in the following categories:

Industry Award in the Manufacturing and Tools Category:

MBMS | Invention: Leaf Lift | Inventor: Simon S.

Thank you to Science and STEAM Teacher Tanya Sanchez, Social Science and FabLab Teacher Farah Kamal, and Science Specialists Connie Liu and Christina Ibrahim. Ms. Sanchez and Ms. Ibrahim also were judges at the event! 

We also want to recognize other elementary and MBMS participants who competed.

Pacific Students Learn About Composting

This month, Pacific Elementary students participated in an after-school garden composting lesson led by Beach Cities Health District (BCHD). This was part two of a two-part composting series that taught students how to compost in a fun, hands-on way and introduced environmental responsibility concepts. 

Students checked on their previous composting efforts and added to the composting bin. The session illustrated how food scraps and yard waste can turn into nutrient rich soil and the positive impact it has on the planet. After composting, the students harvested kohlrabi, which they had planted previously and sampled it with olive oil and salt! They ended the lesson by planting spring crops that they will observe this in future lessons. Thank you to Panther parents Michelle Porter and Kim Friesl for sharing this story.

Pennekamp Spring Flowers Bloom

In other green news, spring is in full bloom at the Pennekamp Garden! The garden is producing enough fresh veggies to share with the MBUSD cafeteria program—recently, they donated crisp lettuce that made its way into school lunches. We can’t wait to see what’s harvested next! We are also looking forward to celebrating Earth Week (April 22-25, 2025) across the District.

Get Your Tickets Now! MCHS Drama/Tech’s Spring Musical BRIGHT STAR 

Teaser Video

The award-winning MCHS Drama/Tech opening show will debut on April 25, and tickets are currently on sale! The production will use set pieces from the original Broadway production. BRIGHT STAR tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s.

When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past—and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives. With beautiful melodies and powerfully moving characters, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tightly in its grasp, BRIGHT STAR is as refreshingly genuine as daringly hopeful.

You can purchase tickets here.

Join the MBEF Team

Due to the upcoming retirement of a longtime employee, MBEF is currently looking for a part-time Development Coordinator to support our fundraising efforts and ensuring the effective management of donor records. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, analytical, and tech-savvy to help ensure high standards of quality, consistency, and accuracy across all development records and reports.

This position will provide significant assistance across multiple disciplines, including administration, donor data management, and development, requiring a high level of organization, as well as functional knowledge of various software solutions and technologies. If you are interested in the role, or would like to learn more, please email communications@mbef.org or call 310-303-3342.

The next Superintendent’s Newsletter will be published on April 25. Have a wonderful weekend!



Sincerely, 

Manhattan Beach Unified School District

325 S. Peck Avenue

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

310.318.7345