Dear Parents and Community,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. In today’s issue, we highlight Grand View Elementary, a Mira Costa sophomore ranked internationally in a math competition, and our annual LCAP Survey.

Spotlight on Grand View (Special Thanks to TK Teachers Jennifer Putich, Stacy Wilder, and Principal Tara Grings)

TK students at Grand View love using phonics to build their early reading skills. They enjoy identifying and finding words that begin with specific letters, making each lesson interactive and engaging. To enhance their learning, students participate in a Turn and Talk activity, where they share words they’ve found with a partner, discuss their sounds, and listen for similarities. This collaborative approach helps strengthen their letter recognition, communication skills, and confidence in language development.

This month, we are also celebrating Lunar New Year in our TK classrooms! We’re incorporating this cultural celebration into our learning by exploring related vocabulary, stories, and traditions. Students are discovering Lunar New Year-themed words, practicing phonics through festive activities, and engaging in meaningful discussions that connect literacy with cultural awareness. 

Staff Spotlight: Viri Gamboa| Health Services Assistant

Since 2021, Viri Gamboa has been a dedicated member of the Manhattan Beach Unified School District (MBUSD), serving as the Health Services Assistant at Pacific Elementary. In this role, she provides essential care to students, assisting with injuries and medical needs throughout the school day. She also ensures compliance with immunization requirements, supports the District nurse with hearing and vision screenings, and helps with required state health reports. Viri plays a key role in communicating with parents and staff about student health concerns, always going above and beyond to keep the school community safe and informed.

Viri joined MBUSD during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, working closely with students, staff, and families to navigate the challenges of the time. Despite the difficulties, she found the experience incredibly rewarding. “I love what I do and feel privileged to support not only the students but also the parents and staff.” In recognition of her dedication, she was honored as Pacific Elementary’s 2022-2023 Classified Employee of the Year.

For Viri, the most fulfilling part of her job is seeing students brighten up after receiving care. “When a student comes in feeling unwell and then smiles and says, ‘Thank you, I feel better,’ it makes my day,” she shares. “It’s heartwarming to see their progress and hear them tell me their injuries are improving.”

Before joining MBUSD, Viri spent ten years as a stay-at-home mom, actively involved in PTA leadership at her children’s elementary school. Her passion for working with children led her to a position as a student supervisor at Lawndale Elementary School District, where she later became an instructional assistant, supporting both preschool and middle school students before transitioning to MBUSD.

Viri’s connection to MBUSD extends beyond her professional role—her family is deeply rooted in the district. Her husband is a Mira Costa alumnus, and their three children currently attend MBUSD schools: her oldest is a sophomore at Mira Costa, her middle son is in 8th grade at MBMS, and her youngest is a 5th grader at Pacific.

Outside of work, Viri loves spending quality time with her family, traveling, attending sporting events, and watching movies—always with a bowl of extra-butter popcorn. She also enjoys baking and cooking, finding joy in bringing people together through food. Viri says she is grateful to be part of the MBUSD community and looks forward to continuing to support and care for students, staff, and families every day.

MBEF Annual Appeal Deadline is Today

I know our District families and staff are appreciative of the signature programs in our schools because of MBEF. The partnership between MBUSD and MBEF has become the cornerstone of our commitment to excellence in education. MBEF’s funding to support these opportunities for students depends on a successful Annual Appeal Campaign each year. 

MBEF is just a step away from reaching its Annual Appeal fundraising target of $5 million, and your contribution today is crucial to bridging the remaining gap. I am writing to you today to directly request your donation to support the high-quality education in our District as the MBEF Annual Appeal ends today.

To those families who have already donated – thank you so much for prioritizing our students. To those who still have not, please consider donating. All donations, large and small, make a difference.

Without the support of MBEF, MBUSD schools and classrooms would look very different. We would have larger class sizes because of fewer teachers, less support for students because of fewer counselors, and our students would not benefit from our exceptional MBEF-funded programs. These opportunities enrich our students' academic journey and prepare them for success in a rapidly evolving world.

There is still time! Please consider donating today, you can click here to donate.

Thank you for your consideration and support. Let's make this last day of the Annual Appeal a resounding success. Together, we can continue to foster excellence in education.

MCHS Sophomore Hao Lin Ranks as an International Top Scorer in Math Competition

Hao Lin recently took the initiative to participate in the American Mathematics Competition (AMC) 12, a challenging 25-question, 75-minute multiple-choice exam covering high school math through 12th grade. Competing against 21,224 students worldwide, he ranked among the top scorers. The AMC 12 serves as the first step toward qualifying for the national Olympiad team, with only the top 6,000 scorers from the AMC 10 and AMC 12 advancing to the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (AIME). Hao’s outstanding performance earned him a spot in the AIME.



As a dedicated member of the Costa Math Club, Hao meets weekly to tackle complex and competitive math problems. Co-Math Club Advisor Gillian Carr Cato highlighted the significance of his achievement, noting that scoring so highly on the AMC 12 is especially impressive for a 10th grader. At Mira Costa, Hao is currently enrolled in Mr. Robertson’s Calculus BC class.

A special thank you to Math Teacher and Teacher on Special Assignment Kelly Cunningham for sharing this exciting news!

MBMS Drama Presents Punk White

MBMS’ first sixth grade production of 2024-25 will debut tonight and shows will run through February 2. You can still purchase tickets here. Tickets are $7 online and $10 at the door.

The show is a unique spin on the classic Snow White tale. MBMS Drama Teacher, David Levy, describes the story as an exciting twist: What happens when Snow White gets dumped by Prince Charming and kicked out of the dwarves' house? Well, she does what any self-respecting princess does: she becomes a punk rock star.

Manhattan Beach Middle School Announces Scholar Quiz Champions

The excitement was high as the final two Scholar Quiz teams went head-to-head in an intense Jeopardy-style competition, answering 52 challenging questions. In the end, the Red Team emerged victorious with a final score of 190-135. Congratulations to this year’s champions—Asher G., Annabel L., Macy J., and Keaton T.! A big round of applause also goes to the runner-up Blue Team for their outstanding performance.

This year, 246 students from all grade levels participated in this beloved MBMS tradition. The Scholar Quiz follows a bracket-style, single-elimination format, featuring questions across academic disciplines, pop culture, and current events. More than just a competition, the event fosters teamwork, camaraderie, and a love for learning.

A special thank-you to the more than 130 parents, teachers, and community volunteers who dedicated their time to facilitating daily matches. This event would not be possible without their support, along with the incredible efforts of the MBMS PTA and the Scholar Quiz Committee. We also extend our gratitude to Study Hut for their continued sponsorship and commitment to this treasured MBMS tradition. Congratulations to all participants on another fantastic year of Scholar Quiz!

Costa Cares Fundraiser Raises Over $7,000 to Support Fire Victims

Despite the rain, the MCHS community came together for a successful and memorable fundraising event on Sunday, January 26, raising an impressive $7,000+ for fire relief efforts. The event drew an estimated crowd of over 200 attendees and featured more than thirty-five interactive booths.

Among the most popular attractions were the slime-making station, the "City of Angels" merchandise booth, face painting, and the Blaze Pizza table.

The event was further elevated by live performances from the Mira Costa jazz band, the choir, and solo singer Sam Probst.

Thanks to the dedication and support of students, staff, and community members, the fundraiser not only met its goal but also reinforced the strong community spirit that exists in MBUSD. All proceeds will benefit the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, American Red Cross, Los Angeles Wildfires Disaster Relief, and Pasadena Humane Society. 

MBMS Band and Orchestra Students Visit Elementary Schools

MBMS Orchestra and Band students toured all five elementary schools to introduce and excite students about the musical opportunities that await them at MBMS. This experience for the middle schoolers is also a highlight as many return to their former elementary schools and showcase their talents and hard work. 

The students delivered lively performances of well-known music. Each piece also featured an MBMS student conductor!

Congratulations to MCHS Cheer and Dance Teams! 

The Mira Costa Cheer team is heading to the CIF State Championships after an impressive performance at the CIF Southern Section Traditional Competitive Cheer Championships, where they finished as finalists. Meanwhile, the Costa Dance Team shined in its first regional competition, earning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards for their outstanding routines.

Meadows Garden Harvest

The garden at Meadows Elementary continues to thrive, thanks to the dedication of parent volunteers like Lillian Dunker. Her efforts, along with those of many others, have helped sustain this vibrant outdoor classroom, providing students with hands-on learning experiences in gardening and agriculture.

Students have been busy harvesting a variety of produce, including gourds, tomatoes, carrots, peppers, and lettuce. They’ve also expanded their knowledge by discovering new fruits like chayotes.

Currently, eleven dedicated volunteers guide TK through 2nd-grade students in the garden. Each class is paired with one or two volunteers who lead monthly visits, allowing students to engage with nature and witness the growing process firsthand. This week, excitement filled the garden as students harvested their first sugar cane—and for many, it was their first time tasting it!



With continued support from volunteers and the enthusiasm of young learners, the Meadows garden remains a flourishing space for discovery and growth.

Please Take the LCAP Survey

We invite you to participate in our annual confidential Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) Survey. Your feedback and input are essential in helping us to understand better your needs, concerns, and priorities for our District. It will assist us in shaping our District's priorities and guide the allocation of resources better to serve our students, families, and community. The survey will be open until February 28, 2025.

The Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) describes the District’s goals for student learning, outlines actions and measures, and demonstrates how the District’s budget supports those goals. 

We are asking all parents/guardians, staff, and community members to please take a moment to participate in this LCAP Survey to support MBUSD’s vision and goals for student success!

All responses are confidential. The District's independent research partner, K12 Insight, administers the survey and compiles the results. Thank you in advance for participating in this year’s survey! We value your input and appreciate your time.

Measure RLS Bond Oversight Committee Applications

We are currently accepting applications from residents interested in becoming a member of the Measure RLS Bond Oversight Committee. Applications are due by Friday February 21, 2025. The application is available here, and additional information regarding Measure RLS is available at Measure RLS Bond Oversight Committee Information. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the Business Services Department at 310-318-7345 x5944 or Business.Services@mbusd.org.

Director of Fiscal Services Opportunity 

Manhattan Beach Unified is looking for a Director of Fiscal Services. Under the direction of the Deputy Superintendent, Business Services, this position is responsible for:

• Preparing and revising budget estimates for all District programs and projects;
• Overseeing all District accounting functions;
• Coordinating the flow of financial information to District administrators to support informed decision-making;
• Assisting with analysis and administration of key business functions, such as bids and purchasing, accounts payable, accounts receivable, accounting, and payroll;
• Ensuring timely and accurate preparation of all required financial reports;
• Supervising and evaluating the performance of assigned personnel; and
• Performing additional duties as assigned to support the District's financial health and operational efficiency.

This key leadership role offers the chance to collaborate with a dynamic team and be part of a top-ranked school district in the state. If you have a passion for serving children and families, supporting the work of school sites, working with budgets and timelines, and assisting in leading district-level initiatives, we want to hear from you! To learn more, please visit here. 

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



Sincerely, 

Manhattan Beach Unified School District

325 S. Peck Avenue

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

310.318.7345