Dear MBUSD Parents and Community,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. In today’s issue, we highlight Pennekamp Elementary, the District’s Invention Convention winners, and Mira Costa’s first Drama/Tech College and Career Night.

Spotlight on Pennekamp Elementary (Special Thanks to Principal Sharon Witzansky) 

Pennekamp’s Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten students had a blast celebrating the 100th day of school recently. Staff and students dressed like 100-year-olds and participated in many activities that highlighted the concept of zero, place value, concepts of time, writing, and number sense. 

Some examples of what students did that day include bringing in 100 objects of their choice, making “100 days smarter” hats, sitting silently for 100 seconds, writing out every number from 1 to 100, and using dot markers to make 100 gumballs in a gumball machine! 

Staff Spotlight: Christine Stradling | MCHS Math Teacher

This week’s Staff Spotlight recognizes Mira Costa Math Teacher Christine Stradling, who started teaching at MBUSD in 2005. Currently, she teaches Honors Algebra 2 and Honors Precalculus, but over the past two decades, her expertise has extended to a wide range of courses, including Pre-Algebra, Algebra AB, Algebra ABCD Block, Geometry, Algebra 2, Honors Algebra 2, Precalculus, Honors Precalculus, and Algebra 2 TOSA. Christine earned her math degree from UC Santa Barbara, where she also completed the university’s teaching program.

Before joining MBUSD, Christine taught middle school in both New York and Hawaii. “It was a truly enriching experience, allowing me to work and immerse myself in different educational environments across the country,” Ms. Stradling said. 

Throughout her career, Christine has found joy in two aspects of teaching: witnessing the “AHA” moment when concepts click for students and watching them come together to create a supportive and collaborative community. She recalls one of her most unforgettable experiences nearly a decade ago when a hearing student formed a deep friendship with their seat partner, who is Deaf. “Their bond grew so strong that I allowed them to remain seat partners throughout the year,” Christine recalled. “Over time, the student became inspired to learn American Sign Language (ASL). It was incredible to watch them collaborate and eventually communicate seamlessly in class. Eager to share their experience with others, the student founded the ASL club.”

That same year, Christine became the ASL Club Advisor and was moved by how students gathered during lunch to learn ASL and build friendships with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing student community. She said that at that time Costa didn’t offer ASL classes, but thanks to the enthusiasm sparked by the ASL Club, Costa now offers ASL courses! 

Christine says she can relate to students who sometimes feel frustrated with Math, as she once did, too. When she was also in middle school, math wasn’t her favorite subject, but grew to love it as she became a high school student. “A major turning point for me was my high school Precalculus and Calculus teacher, who also taught as a math professor at Cal State. At the time, I didn’t fully recognize it, but her passion for math and teaching deeply inspired me and sparked my own desire to teach.”

In her own classroom, Christine focuses on creating a supportive learning environment. She offers guided notes, opportunities for collaborative in-class practice, and offers additional support and guidance. She says her goal is to create an environment where students feel empowered to ask questions and make meaningful connections to the material. 

Outside the classroom, Christine enjoys cooking, reading, and traveling! She also loves spending quality time with her husband and their 5-year-old son who keeps them busy with a variety of sports activities. 

Mira Costa Varsity Winterguard Team Recognized at Board Meeting

At this week’s Board meeting, Varsity Winterguard team captains Julianna Bavolek and Maddie Phan shared exciting highlights from their season and gave insight into the work that goes into creating a competition show. Julianna mentioned that the team has been preparing their show since December, and it’s almost ready to debut!



This April, the MCHS Varsity Winterguard team will compete at the World Championships in Ohio, where they will perform against 100 teams. The Mira Costa Winterguard has hosted the WGI Regionals for years and advanced to the finals every time they competed during this event.



Meanwhile, the Mira Costa Junior Varsity team recently showcased their talent at the Winterguard Association of Southern California (WGASC) competition at El Camino College. The contest director praised the team’s organization and professionalism, and they took home 1st place in the Movement Vocabulary category.

We wish all MCHS Winterguard teams the best of luck this season!

Orchestra Band and Choir Elementary School Tours

Last Friday, our middle school orchestra students toured all MBUSD elementary schools, delivering an outstanding performance! They played a fun and diverse repertoire, including songs like "Oompa Loompa," "Shake it Off," and "Harry Potter." Throughout the tour, students served as ambassadors for the middle school orchestra program.



Elementary staff enjoyed reconnecting with former students, while younger students were enthusiastic and excited to experience the live music. This annual tour not only inspires future musicians but also offers elementary students a preview of the middle school music program.

Mira Costa a cappella groups Coterie and Muscle, as well as Chamber Singers from MBMS also toured our elementary schools and Hermosa Valley this week. They sang songs including, Wicked The Musical Medley, Birds of a Feather, and a Taylor Swift Eras Medley.



A big thank you to our staff and parents/guardians for making this event possible!

Skechers Presents MBEF with $278,263 to Support our Schools

At last night's annual Skechers Partner Appreciation Night, South Bay education foundations were honored for their participation in the October 2024 Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk. MBEF was awarded an impressive $278,263!

A portion of the funds raised will also support our school site PTA and PTSAs. Since its inception in 2009, the walk has generated millions of dollars to benefit local school districts, children with special needs, and Skechers' national college scholarship program. We are incredibly proud and grateful to everyone who participated this year to support our schools.

District Invention Convention Winners Advance to State Competition

Inventors from our elementary schools and MBMS took center stage at the annual MBUSD Invention Convention, showcasing their creativity and hard work. It was an exciting moment as students proudly presented their innovative ideas for the first time. 

To participate, students were tasked with developing inventions that address real-world problems. They submitted a prototype and a video presentation for judges to review. During the convention, attendees heard firsthand as students pitched their invention with some offering live demonstrations and visuals. 

After scoring, the top inventors were awarded to advance to the Southern California State competition at El Camino College in March. There were eight groups from elementary schools and six students from MBMS who received awards for their outstanding inventions.

Congratulations to the following winners: 

Elementary



4th Grade

Invention: Location Station (Pacific)

Inventors: Colton D., Carter L., Henry W.

Invention: The MP Glove (Meadows)

Inventors: Kai K., Drew V. 

Invention: Rock-It Water Bottle (Pacific)

Inventors: Poppy H., Emmy L. 

5th Grade

Invention: The Flexi-Lid (Grand View)

Inventors: Isla B., Adly J., Aleah S., Blaire A. 

Invention: See Me Helmet (Pacific)

Inventors: Ella W., Alexa M.

Invention: Burn Blocker (Meadows)

Inventor: Nitin R.

Invention: The Seltzer Box (Meadows)

Inventor: Aly M.

Invention: Just Right Scale 2.0 (Pacific)

Inventor: Mila G.

Invention: Flippable (Pacific)

Inventor: Devon B., Tucker P.

Middle School

Invention: Soothing Slides

Inventors: Peyton R., Rex H. “Soothing Slides”

Invention: Leaf Lift

Inventor: Simon S.

Invention: Mindset

Inventor: Blake S.

Invention: The Energy Drain

Inventors: Bennett T., Chance L.

Invention: Offscreen - go AFK

Inventors: Nica S., Maiia S.  

Invention: The Funner Picker Upper

Inventors: Matthew B., Alex C.

The competition offers a hands-on experience that fosters problem identification, critical thinking, entrepreneurship, and creativity. A big thank-you to Science Specialists Christina Ibrahim and Connie Liu, along with MBMS Science Teacher Tanya Sanchez, for guiding and supporting our young innovators! Also a thank you to MBMS Social Science teacher Farah Kamal for her support during the event. 

Inaugural MCHS Drama Tech College and Career Night

Students and families at Mira Costa High School recently gathered for an enlightening and inspiring evening at Drama Tech College & Career Night, held on February 26. Sponsored by the Drama/Tech Booster and the College and Career Center (CCC), the event provided valuable insights for those considering a future in the performing arts and beyond. The event was the first of its kind and was moderated by MCHS Drama Teacher and Program Director Mr. Westerberg, featured a distinguished panel of guests who shared their expertise and personal experiences with the audience:

• Ruthie Robles – Mira Costa College and Career Counselor (CCC)
• Rick Diaz – College Admissions Officer at Southern Methodist University (SMU)
• Max Jenkins – Working SAG actor and current UCLA student (IMDB page)
• Jonah Mirkovich and Samantha Probst – Current MCHS seniors navigating the college audition and application process



Throughout the evening, attendees gained valuable advice on the college admissions process, insight into the unique challenges of pursuing a career in the arts, and practical guidance from professionals working in the industry. The event was beneficial not only for those focused on the performing arts but also for any student preparing for the college journey.

Structure of the Test: How a computer adaptive test works, and strategies to excel, from CAASPP to the SAT and the GRE

We have taken traditional “paper and pencil” tests, and for many of us, that is the only type of test we have taken. Times have changed, however, and public education agencies and private companies alike have shifted to primarily digital assessments. A particular type of this is called a “computer adaptive test”, and this is part of the assessment program that students in California will participate in this spring.

The way a computer adaptive test works is that, based on how each question is answered, the test “adapts” by changing what the next question will be. The more questions that students answer correctly, the more challenging the following questions will be, and the reverse is also true; after incorrect responses, they are more likely to get easier questions. The subtlety in this format is that early questions in the test have a bigger impact on how the student performs overall because the earlier questions make bigger changes in which “track of performance” a student gets on, while the later questions are more about fine-tuning the final score. An image of this would be big waves at the beginning and ripples toward the end. 

Thus an important strategy for students to follow on this test (and many other standardized tests for that matter) is to be extra thorough when working through earlier test questions. If students are stumped, they should “mark for review” which allows them to temporarily skip a question and return to it later. This ensures that they get all the first questions right, move forward on the higher track, and save the toughest questions for the very end, when they do not have as much impact on the final score.

We are just a little more than a week away from state testing beginning at Mira Costa High School on March 12, and Manhattan Beach Middle School and our elementary schools will begin in May. It’s time for our students to show off what they have learned!

Grand View Black History Month Celebration

Grand View Elementary once again hosted its annual Black History Month event, welcoming the community to an educational and lively celebration. The gathering featured interactive activities for families, offering both fun and learning experiences inspired by influential historical figures. For example, in honor of Garrett Morgan, the inventor of the three-way traffic light, there was a hula hoop activity representing traffic signals.

Families also enjoyed a bead bracelet station and a cozy reading space. The event showcased a variety of performances, including Grand View Principal Tara Grings showcasing her singing talents and an exciting beatboxing demonstration. The UCLA Elegant Bruinettes, a dance team highlighting African American dance styles rooted in Historically Black Colleges and Universities, delivered an energetic and captivating performance. Thank you to parent India Shoush for planning this event.

MCHS Poetry Slam Contest

Mira Costa’s 13th annual Black History Month celebrations continued this week. There was an exciting Poetry Slam Contest! On Thursday, seventeen students took the stage in the small theater to present poems by African-American poets of their choice. The audience enjoyed a diverse selection of works, including “On the Pulse of Morning” by Maya Angelou, “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes, and “And 2morrow” by Tupac Shakur.

Congratulations to this year’s winners:

1st Place – Karyme V., “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou

2nd Place – Lelea T., “And 2morrow” by Tupac Shakur

3rd Place – Theodora T., “Be Nobody’s Darling” by Alice Walker



Mira Costa English teachers—Ms. Backer, Ms. Sieker, Ms. Thomas, Ms. Vaughan, and Ms. Wachell—judged the competition, scoring participants on physical presence, voice and articulation, dramatic appropriateness, understanding of the poem’s mood and tone, and overall performance.

Adding to the celebration, special guests from the City of Manhattan Beach Older Adults Poetry Circle shared their own powerful poems while judges tallied the final scores. Thank you to School Psychologist and Staff Advisor to the Black Scholars Union Ms. Janet Allen for bringing this idea to a reality. 

The winners of the door decorating contest were also announced! This year's theme, “Service to All Mankind,” inspired each MCHS department to showcase notable African Americans, past or present, who have made significant contributions to America’s labor force.

Congratulations to the following staff members whose classroom doors best depicted the theme:

1st Place -

Bonnieann Palma

2nd Place -

Jamine De Armas

3rd Place -

Maddie Hutchinson

City of MB Donates Welcome Bags to Families Affected by Wildfires 

This week, 200 welcome totes filled with donations from the City of Manhattan Beach and local businesses were distributed to new members of the Manhattan Beach community. In partnership with MBUSD and American Martyrs, the City provided these bags to support families impacted by the wildfires.

The initiative was led by City of Manhattan Beach Mayor Amy Howorth, alongside other City leaders, including City Manager Talyn Mirzakhanian, City Clerk Liza Tamura, and Downtown Manhattan Beach Executive Director Jill Lamkin. Mayor Howorth shared that the idea emerged organically from a desire to help these families feel welcomed. “They lost their community—I wanted to help them create a community again,” she said.

Each tote included a City holiday ornament, a Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce directory, a list of upcoming events, a letter from the Mayor and City Council, and a collection of City Council members' favorite local activities, to name a few. 

Odyssey of the Mind

For another year, our students across grade levels participated in the Odyssey of the Mind competition. The season started with the LA Basin regional tournament. Seven MBUSD teams competed and all of them qualified to move on to the SoCal State Tournament.

Congratulations to the following teams:

First Place

Pennekamp Elementary

Problem 4, Division 1

First Place

Pacific Elementary

Problem 3, Division 1

Second Place

Pacific Elementary

Problem 5, Division 1

First Place

MCHS

Problem 4, Division 3

First Place

MBMS A

Problem 4, Division 2

Second Place

MBMS B

Problem 4, Division 2

Third Place

MBMS

Problem 3, Division 2

Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Thank you to all of our MB Odyssey of the Mind coaches, including Brian Fan, for sharing this story. 

Events Coming Up!

The next Superintendent’s Newsletter will be published on March 7. Have a wonderful weekend!



Sincerely, 

Manhattan Beach Unified School District

325 S. Peck Avenue

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

310.318.7345