Dear MBUSD Parents and Community,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. Today’s issue highlights Meadows Elementary School, Mira Costa receiving accreditation, and details about our upcoming Safety Town Hall.

MBMS Town Hall - Monday, April 7

We invite our community and staff to attend the upcoming MBMS Town Hall on Monday, April 7, at 5:00 p.m. in Mira Costa’s Small Theater. This important event will address safety concerns related to the MBMS incident and provide updates.

For those unable to attend in person, we will livestream the event that evening. The livestream link will be available on our District website homepage by Monday afternoon. A recording will also be posted on our District website and YouTube page for later viewing.

If you didn’t have a chance to submit a question in advance, you’ll still have an opportunity to ask questions during the event. The Town Hall will be an informative discussion featuring District leadership and the Manhattan Beach Police Department (MBPD) Chief Rachel Johnson.

The MCHS Small Theater is located next to the MCHS Auditorium on Artesia Boulevard, with ample parking in the corner lot at Peck and Artesia.

We encourage everyone to attend, tune in to the livestream, or watch the recording to stay informed on this critical conversation.

Spotlight on Meadows Elementary (Special Thanks to Meadows Staff and Principal Michelle Krzmarzick)

Meadows students have been busy filling their buckets and the buckets of others with kindness and making connections in reading opportunities across all grade levels. Students and staff wrote a compliment for every student and staff member at Meadows and filled the bucket in a popular hallway of our school. This display showed how kindness can fill a bucket and make another person feel like a special part of the team.

Learners have also been reading more than ever and making great strides in their literacy progress. Kindergarteners in Mrs. Radl’s class recently enjoyed their Alphabet Tub Time as they sorted letters and experimented with the alphabet.

Students in Grade 4 competed in the Super Literacy Quiz Bowl by reading 14 books, including picture books, and answering questions about them. This fun-filled trivia quiz game is played on school iPads using the Kahoot! app. To add to the reading records we are setting, Jennifer Rementer, the school resource library specialist, hosted the 2025 California Young Reader Medal Nominee 4th & 5th Grade Book Challenge. In celebration of those who completed the challenge, she hosted a pizza and voting party for students to discuss the novels and vote for their favorite book. Lastly, our local Girl Scout Troop 10885 donated books purchased from cookie sales to the school library.

Staff Spotlight: Markus Heuer | Intensive Behavioral Intervention (IBI)

Markus is an Intensive Behavioral Interventionist who supports students with special needs at Grand View Elementary. In addition to his current role, he has contributed to the school community in various capacities, including working in the Extended Day Program (EDP) and teaching piano to students.



Before joining Grand View, Markus also worked at Robinson Elementary. “I strive to create positive and creative learning environments—not just for my 1:1 student, but for all the students I have the privilege of impacting through inclusion,” he shared. Markus was recently selected by the Community Advisory Committee (CAC), in collaboration with the Southwest SELPA, as a recipient of the 2024-25 CAC awards.

Markus describes his time at Grand View as an incredible experience and considers it an honor to support the next generation. “My favorite part of the job is that it doesn’t feel like work. I genuinely feel welcomed at Grand View and love having the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students in my hometown,” he said.

A South Bay native, Markus grew up in Hermosa Beach. He was adopted at the age of five and is now part of his forever family. He attended Berklee College of Music and, after college, began work at Perfect Day Surf Camp, which he has also been part of for the past six years. 

Outside of work, Markus enjoys playing and creating music, teaching piano, and skateboarding—a passion he’s had since he was five.

Celebrating our MBUSD Classified Employees of the Year!

The top honorees for Classified Employee of the Year from each District campus and work site have been announced! Congratulations to the following staff members for their outstanding commitment and dedication to MBUSD students and staff. 

We take immense pride in our diverse team of 413 classified staff members who play a vital role in our schools daily. From preparing nutritious meals for students to maintaining safe and clean campuses, supporting technology, and ensuring the smooth operation of our District, their contributions are invaluable. 

Each year, colleagues nominate outstanding classified employees who exemplify dedication and excellence. These nominees represent various departments, including school campuses, the District Office, Maintenance and Operations, and Food and Nutrition Services. 

Our awardees will be recognized at the upcoming Board of Trustees meeting on April 9. The District Classified Employee of the Year and Teacher of the Year will be announced soon.

Please join us in celebrating their hard work and commitment to our students, staff, and community! Congratulations to our honorees. 

Mira Costa Excellence

The Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACS WASC) announced that MCHS met all of the criteria to retain accreditation. Congratulations! 

They received this based on the ACS WASC's recent mid-cycle visit, which was completed satisfactorily, along with information provided by the school, including the school’s progress report. During the visit, they met with the Ed Council (Teachers and Counselors) and Link Crew and visited several classrooms, including English, Diversity and Cultural Studies, AP Psychology, Biology, Art, ASB, and more! They also met with PTSA representatives. Accreditation is a voluntary process that helps ensure schools are doing a great job. It means schools must earn the trust of students, families, and the community by providing a high-quality education. Also, schools must show they are constantly working to improve over time. Accreditation reflects that the public can be assured that the educational quality of programs and services offered by the institution are current, reflect high standards of quality, and are provided with integrity.

The school’s accreditation has now been reaffirmed through the end of the current accreditation cycle ending in 2028. Congratulations to Mira Costa Principal Dr. Jennifer Huynh, the administration team, and staff for this accomplishment. 

Two Mira Costa Students Selected for Prestigious National Business Competition

Photos by Rachel Thomas and Ro Schreiner

Two Mira Costa High School freshmen, Lili Shaer and Simon Usalander, have been selected to participate in the prestigious Saunders Scholars National Competition, recognizing their outstanding entrepreneurial efforts. Lili created HipDigz, padded volleyball shorts designed to reduce in-game injuries. Simon invented Nyft Strip, an eco-friendly package sealer that preserves food while reducing plastic waste. Both students received investment funding that exceeded their original requests. Along with their exciting accomplishments, the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) also celebrated its 11th graduating class, which awarded 18 student businesses.

The one of a kind YEA! Program is hosted by the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce and is a nationally recognized, nine-month program that empowers middle and high school students to develop business ideas, create plans, and pitch them to real investors. The program is open to all students in the South Bay! A big thank you to MCHS English Teacher Rachel Thomas for leading the program and to Program Manager Ro Schreiner for their continued dedication to the next generation of business leaders. 

Our MBUSD students have participated and won nationally over the years in the Saunders Scholars National Competition.

Elementary Musical Theatre/Drama Performance

Our youngest learners took the stage this week, bringing their elementary musical theatre and drama lessons to life. Four performances were held at Pennekamp on Wednesday, featuring The Little Red Hen by TK students and The 3 Piggy Opera by Kindergarteners. Over the course of this week, there were 22 shows in total across all elementary schools.

In The Little Red Hen, students portrayed characters such as the Little Red Hen, Chicks, Dot the Cow, Neil the Cat, Bob the Pig, and Fox, highlighting the importance of helping one another. While 3 Piggy Opera is the traditional story of the three little pigs told through song and movement.



Beyond preparing for their performances, students engage in various theatre exercises, games, dance, and music instruction as part of their musical theatre sessions. A big thank you to teacher Robin Knezevich for leading this first musical theatre/drama program for TK and Kindergarten students across all five elementary schools. This exciting program is made possible through Prop 28 funding.

Mira Costa Student Awarded Summer Study Trip to Germany

Congratulations to Kimaya Matai! She was selected as a national winner in the Level 4 National German Exam for high school students sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG). She scored in the 99th percentile and will have the opportunity to go on an all-expense paid summer study trip to Germany.

Kimaya is one of 37 outstanding students selected from across the US to receive the award. The study trip includes round‐trip air transportation to Germany, a homestay in a host family, and excursions to places of cultural and historical significance. Now in its 64th year, the study trip is made possible through a grant from the Federal Republic of Germany. Kimaya is a student of the German American School Association of Southern California (GASA). 

MBMS Band Receives Highest Honor at SCSBOA Festival

Congratulations to our MBMS Symphonic Band on their performance last week at the Southern California School Band & Orchestra Association (SCSBOA) Adjudicated Festival at Arcadia High School. Under the direction of Instrumental Music teacher d'Lainey Forrester, the Symphonic Band students earned an "Unanimous Superior" rating from the judging panel for their prepared performance and sight-reading evaluation. This is the highest honor a group can receive at a festival. We are so proud of our MBMS band students!

Congrats to the MCHS Technical Students and Staff!

MCHS Tech students participated in the recent Fullerton College Theatre Arts Department Technical Festival and won big! Students won the overall 1st place award and multiple individual and team accolades. The categories of wins were in design, including sound, stage management, costume, make-up, graphics, scenic, and lighting. 

Students also participated in the Tech Olympics, where two MCHS teams competed in 10 different focus areas, including electrical wiring, light hang & focus, team knot tying, sound setup, and even a tool relay. The teams brought home wins in seven of those categories, and overall, students received 17 trophies! Click here to learn more about the different accolades they received. 

Thank you to MCHS Technical Teacher and Theater Operations Coordinator Cary Jordahl for his unwavering support in helping our students succeed! Also, thanks go to Michael Aldapa, MCHS theatre tech, for supporting students during this festival.

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

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.

City of MB Recognizes Costa Cheer

The Mira Costa Cheer Team and coaches were honored by the City of Manhattan Beach Council this week with certificates of recognition for winning first place in the 2025 CIF State Championship Invitational and having another successful season. 

Mira Costa Cheer also ranked 6th in the nation, and the traditional team placed 5th at the national high school cheerleading championship at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

MCHS MUN Student Meets Former President Biden

Photo provided by MCHS MUN

The Mira Costa MUN program traveled to New York City last week to attend the National High School Model United Nations Conference (NHSMUN). During the conference’s Fireside Chat, MCHS student and Office of Public Information representative for the MUN program, Isabel Borochmet, was able to ask President Joe Biden a question. Delegates submitted questions to the panel, and Isabel’s question was chosen!

The program took home the Best Large Delegation Award, four Awards of Distinction, and six Plenary Speaker Awards.

Elementary Super Literacy Quiz Bowls

Literacy Quiz Bowls continue across our District. Recently, Grand View and Robinson Elementary Schools hosted their competitions. Third-grade students at both schools read fifteen books in preparation for this engaging reading comprehension tournament comprising 45 questions. Enthusiastic teams demonstrated excitement, collaboration, and outstanding sportsmanship.



A special thank you to MBEF, Principal Grings, Principal Cavallaro, library resource specialists Heidi Snively and Janet Smith, and our incredible third-grade teachers for supporting this event.

MBCC Luncheon Honors Four MBUSD Students

The fourth Manhattan Beach Coordinating Council (MBCC) Luncheon of the school year recognized students from Meadows, MBMS, and MCHS. Students were presented by their teachers on why they were selected as an honoree for the event. Congratulations to the following students!

Colin Landis (5th Grade) -

Meadows Elementary School

Presented by Barbara Gregorio

Hazel Kenney (5th Grade) -

Meadows Elementary School 

Presented by Michelle Legaspi

Sydney Weitz (8th Grade) -

Manhattan Beach Middle School

Presented by David Levy

Brenna Traudt (11th Grade) -

MCHS Presented by Kelly Cunningham

Ms. Gregorio proudly shared that she’s had the pleasure of teaching Colin twice. She described him as an outstanding student and has truly enjoyed watching him grow into a confident and exceptional 5th grader. A thoughtful, critical thinker and a kind-hearted classmate, Colin makes teaching a joy for her every day.

Hazel Kenney was recognized for her incredible work ethic and the dedication she brings to every assignment, project, and discussion—setting a standard to which others aspire. Ms. Legaspi praised Hazel’s curiosity and insightful contributions to class discussions. Known for her kindness and grace, Hazel is not only a remarkable student but also a wonderful friend who handles challenges with maturity and compassion.

MBMS Drama and Yearbook teacher David Levy recognized Sydney Weitz, the editor-in-chief of the MBMS Yearbook. Leading a team of 38 peers, Sydney stands out for her leadership and positivity. Her classmates describe her as kind, helpful, brilliant, and uplifting—a true role model.



Ms. Cunningham expressed her admiration for Brenna, sharing that she gives her hope for the future. As her former Geometry teacher, she noted that Brenna’s classmates always wanted to sit next to her because of her kindness. Brenna is not only hardworking and determined but also deeply involved in the school community, playing a key role in the Friendship Club. She radiates kindness and brings joy to everyone she encounters.

BCHD Youth Advisory Group Attends State Conference 

Four Mira Costa students, who are also members of the Beach Cities Health District Youth Advisory Group, attended the 3rd annual allcove network statewide conference with their guardians. Centered around the theme of reimagining youth mental health, the conference provided a platform for youth advisors to showcase their leadership, advocate for mental health awareness, and engage in meaningful discussions. They participated in a youth panel, led breakout sessions, and attended workshops, gaining valuable insights while collaborating with fellow allcove grantees and community partners from across California.



The allcove Youth Advisory Group consists of 20 members, including Mira Costa students Alyssa F., Isabel B., Lachlan M., and Leilani T.

The next Superintendent’s Newsletter will be published on April 11. Have a wonderful weekend!



Sincerely, 

Manhattan Beach Unified School District

325 S. Peck Avenue

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

310.318.7345