Dear MBUSD Parents and Community,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. Today’s issue highlights MBMS, three Mira Costa entrepreneurs competing in a national competition, and MBUSD students honored for being outstanding individuals during a special luncheon!

Spotlight on MBMS (Special Thanks to Mrs. Haslop, Ms. Forrester, and the MBMS Administration Team)

Mrs. Haslop's and Ms. Forrester's Band and Orchestra students dedicated their classroom instructional time to practice and refine their skills for the upcoming Winter Band and Orchestra Solo Recitals. Rehearsing with direct guidance is crucial to enhance an ensemble's performance and cohesion. 

In class, students utilized direct teacher instruction and feedback from their peers to help them improve and be performance ready. Together, students create a harmonious musical experience to share with each other and, eventually, to families. The recitals provided students a platform to showcase their skills, build confidence, and show off the amazing things happening at MBMS daily!

Staff Spotlight: Corea Hatcher | MB Preschool Teacher

We are excited to highlight Manhattan Beach Preschool Teacher Corea Hatcher this week. Corea has worked in MBUSD for six years and initially joined as an Instructional Assistant and was recently promoted to preschool teacher. She pursued a career at MBUSD because of the small-town atmosphere and proximity to the beach! 

Her commitment to education is inspired by her family, who also worked with youth during their career. She says her dad served as a juvenile probation officer, her grandmother a preschool teacher, and her sister is a social worker for children.

As a new teacher at MB Preschool, Corea expressed enthusiasm for her job. She specifically works with two-year-olds and looks forward to continuing to make a difference in the lives of students in this age group. Her favorite part of her day is witnessing them grow throughout the school year and hearing how proud parents are about their children’s growth. 

Director of Early Learning Shannon Huston says Corea contributes positively to the MB Preschool team. “She is solution-focused and goes above and beyond to support her students, families, and team members. She strives to create a positive work culture in her classroom and the upper-level play yard when taking the lead for our closing shift.”

In addition to her teaching role, Corea is pursuing her interdisciplinary studies degree and hopes to one day work in the psychology field in education. Outside of her professional endeavors, she enjoys snowboarding, attending concerts and shows, and has recently taken up surfing!

MBEF Annual Appeal Deadline 12 DAYS AWAY

We are just days away from MBEF’s Annual Appeal deadline of January 31. We thank you for your support if you have already donated or pledged. If you haven’t, we hope you will commit to giving to MBEF to help meet its $5 Million fundraising goal with $1.5 Million left to raise. 

MBEF’s support is seen first-hand in many ways throughout the year, from funding essential programs and staffing to providing one-of-a-kind opportunities to our students at all grade levels to help them reach their full potential. 

MBUSD strives to offer our students the highest quality education; every year, MBEF meets the District’s needs. Your generosity today will impact for years to come and provide MBUSD students with hands-on opportunities that encourage active learning, critical thinking, and overall academic success. 

You can donate or pledge at www.mbef.org/givetoday. We are grateful for MBEF and all that the foundation has done for the past 40 years to make MBUSD what it is today!

MBEF will host the first ever Rock the ASK on Saturday, March 16 - an outdoor concert dedicated to celebrating the incredible community support for Manhattan Beach public schools through the Annual Appeal.

All parents who help reach the annual goal of $5 million by donating the MBEF ASK of $2,000 per student registered in MBUSD schools will be invited. Rock the ASK is all about live music, dancing, and community spirit as we bring down the house to support excellence in education. 

Vote Now! Three Mira Costa Students Finalists in a National Entrepreneur Competition

In honor of National Kid Inventors’ Day this week, the Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation (IPOEF) opened voting for its 2024 “Why Didn’t I Think of That?” competition. Nine finalists were chosen nationwide, and three of them were Mira Costa students! 

You can support our students’ inventions by voting for them now through February 14 here! Let’s help them become the top winner in their age categories.

Mira Costa students Charlotte F. and Wyatt N.  are competing in the 13-15 age category, presenting Terreus – an eco-friendly, 100% biodegradable replacement for styrofoam. Last year, they also took their invention to the national level by competing in the Invention Convention.

Taylor R. is competing in the 16+ category with her company Unstoppable Protective Gear, LLC – the first-ever wearable, flexible set of women’s breast protective cups. As a lacrosse athlete, she wanted to create gear that would protect women in high-impact sports.

“Why Didn’t I Think of That?” is a virtual invention competition for students. They qualify if they have an original invention they created at age 18 or younger and have received intellectual property protection. If they win, one of the highlights is receiving business and intellectual property coaching from professionals.

Manhattan Beach Coordinating Council Honors MBUSD Students

Left to right: Emily Becker, Ava Nicols, Blaise Gaydosh, Elise Myers, and Brooklyn Miller

The second luncheon by the Manhattan Beach Coordinating Council (MBCC) honoring Manhattan Beach students took place this week. I attended the luncheon and was impressed by our students' academic excellence and their drive to be positive individuals and give back to other students and their communities. 

Emily Becker, from Manhattan Beach Middle School (MBMS) was recognized by her Science Teacher, Tanya Sanchez. Ms. Sanchez described Emily as a go-getter, problem-solver, and role model student in class. She has demonstrated commitment to her education and supports others when they face challenges during projects. Ms. Sanchez said, “Emily is a symbol of excellence for her motto 'Women in STEM!' Her critical thinking skills and a heart full of determination, humor, and support for her peers make her the perfect embodiment of the qualities we cherish in our Student of the Month.”

Ava Nichols, from Mira Costa, was another student honoree. She was presented by Mira Costa Vice Principal Kimberly Price, who was also her teacher in 1st grade. Ms. Price shared that Ava maintains an excellent academic record with honors and AP courses and is also compassionate, driven, and community-oriented.

As the Co-Editor-in-Chief of Mira Costa’s newspaper La Vista, she guides and mentors other students who are also passionate about writing.“It is true that Ava's academic achievements are unparalleled, and her co-curricular involvement is second to none. While I have been nothing but impressed with Ava's academic commitment and social maturity, I cannot stress enough that students like Ava don't come along very often.”

Please join me in congratulating our inspirational students! The MBCC hosts five lunches annually. We look forward to honoring students from our other schools at the next luncheon!

Robinson Elementary Featured on KABC7 for MLK Event

Last week, we shared the feature about Robinson Elementary School sharing their “I Have a Dream…” messages as an art project in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. 



KABC 7 covered the story, and you can watch it below! 

MBUSD Kindergarten Information - TOMORROW

We are excited to host the MBUSD 2024 Kindergarten Information Day at Grand View Elementary Saturday, January 20! It’s an opportunity to get your enrollment questions answered before enrollment opens on Monday, January 22, 2024. You can hear from current principals, teachers, students, and MBEF Executive Director Hilary Mahan.  

This year, we will have a special meet and greet for all attendees from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. The program will begin at 9:30 a.m. Breakout sessions will follow with each elementary school principal, and one will focus on Transitional Kindergarten. 

For the 2024-2025 school year, students who turn five on or between September 2, 2024 – June 2, 2025, will be eligible to enroll in a TK program.

All children who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2024, are eligible to enroll in Kindergarten.

You can watch the FB LIVE here to learn more about enrollment.

Disconnect to Connect Week | January 22 - 26



Next week at MBMS, students will learn how to use technology in a healthy way. During the AM Wave, students will evaluate how much time they spend online each week and challenge themselves to reduce the amount by 10%. They will learn the benefits of less screen time and the impacts of looking at a screen at night.

Students will have the opportunity to share their favorite off-line activities during lunch, and a public piano will be available all week for students and staff to play. Students will be recognized for averaging less than two hours of screen time during the week.

Annual MBUSD Choir Parent Gathering

For a third year, current and prospective choir families are invited to attend a special get-together at Mira Costa. It's an opportunity to meet other choir families, enjoy student performances with a meal, and learn more about the MBUSD choirs! 



The event will take place at the MCHS Athletic Complex Terrace on Wednesday, February 7, from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. 

MBUSD Students Selected as Recipients for PTA Art Contest

For another year, MBUSD students at all of our seven schools (K-12) had the opportunity to participate in the annual California PTA 2023-2024 PTA Reflections Arts Program. There were fifty-seven MBUSD artists who submitted their art. Only thirteen advanced to the next level for judging at the 33rd District, and three MBUSD recipients were chosen! Congratulations to the following students:

Catherine Curry (MCHS) - Award of Excellence for High School Photography (Entry above). She also received the Award of Merit for High School Photography last year.

Peyton Holcomb (MCHS) - Award of Merit for High School Dance Choreography

Audrey Henry (MCHS) - Award of Recognition for High School Literature

The theme this year was “I am Hopeful Because…” and there were six categories, including Visual Arts, Photography, Literature, Music Composition, Dance Choreography, and Film Production.

The Reflections Program is designed to enhance quality arts education, allowing students to express themselves and receive positive recognition for their artistic and creative efforts! We wish Catherine Curry the best of luck as she moves on to the California State PTA Reflections level for judging.

Mira Costa Drama/Tech Students Begin Rehearsing for Spring Production



This week, the first rehearsal for Mira Costa’s spring production of Footloose, the musical, was underway! The cast, crew, and production team gathered for the first table read. Opening night is set for April 26 with seven show dates.

Friday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 1 at 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, May 2 at 6:30 p.m.

Friday, May 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 4 at 2:00 p.m.

Saturday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m.

Follow the Footloose Instagram account for the latest updates!

Grades of Green SOAR Eco-Innovation Academy Visit 

SOAR students visited Northrop Grumman this week. They learned how the company identifies and manages sustainability in its programs with green spaces, reclaimed water, and sustainable career pathways. 

This year, eight MCHS students were selected to be part of it! Program participants are high school students from the Los Angeles area who are mentored and led by Grades of Green staff and corporate partners.



The goal is for students to emerge from the program with a broad view of global environmental issues through a corporate lens and will prepare to enter college or the workforce with diverse, sustainable, and innovative perspectives. They gain practical skills and experiences, develop an understanding to facilitate industry-wide systematic change, and partner with organizations in different industries to solve real-world issues.

Picture by Grades of Green

Application NOW Open for Mira Costa Alumni Hall of Fame!



If you know a Mira Costa graduate who is making a difference in the world now is the opportunity to celebrate and honor them through the Mira Costa Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame program. Nominations are being accepted through March 10, and you can find the nomination form here. There are also hard copies available at the Mira Costa office. 

Once the alumni are chosen, they will be honored during a special school-wide induction ceremony with the MCHS student body.

The inaugural program took place in 2012, and sixty-five graduates have been inducted. There was a two-year hiatus during the pandemic. This will mark the 10th Annual Mira Costa Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame program.

Share Stories with Us! 

Do you have a good news story idea? Share it with us! There are great stories to be told across the District, from stories of accomplishment, perseverance, and noteworthy events to academic excellence unfolding in our classrooms. Please share a story with us so we can share it with our community!



Stories submitted are often shared in our publications, on social media, and with our local media partners.

Stay Updated! Download MBUSD App!



If you haven’t downloaded the MBUSD app, please do so!

You can go to an Apple or Google Play store to download the app by searching Manhattan Beach Unified or MBUSD. Once you download it, you will see a home page asking you to set up the schools you would like access to and announcements from, including the District.



You can toggle between the District and each school site screen from the top of the app. All elementary school sites have the same buttons, while MBMS and Mira Costa’s features cater to our families and students there. The app offers 42 languages from which to choose. You can update your app settings, and you can learn what is happening at the District and school site level every morning by push notifications! 

Join the MBUSD Family!

We are hiring classified and certificated staff. We’re looking for individuals with a passion for helping students discover the joys of learning and creating a safe and engaging educational environment. If you are looking for a meaningful career with excellent benefits, flexibility, and stability, MBUSD is the place for you! 

Click the links below to learn about the variety of MBUSD job openings currently available.

Classified Job Opportunities

Certificated Job Opportunities

The next Superintendent’s Newsletter will be published on January 26.



Sincerely,