Dear MBUSD Parents and Community,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. Today’s issue highlights Meadows Elementary, Pacific’s recognition by the California Department of Education, and Mira Costa’s AP Chemistry class inspiring curiosity in our youngest learners.

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

Meadows students have been hard at work finishing the school year strong. Like all schools in the District, Meadows completed state testing in May, and then continued classroom learning and final projects to celebrate a successful year.



The Meadows community has also taken time to celebrate its students and parent volunteers. At a recent Spirit Rally, the school recognized members of its No Place for Hate Committee, Student Council, Run Club, and Math Olympiad, as well as the parent volunteers who supported these groups. Principal Michelle Krzmarzick says that none of these programs would be possible without the dedication of our PTA and parent community. She is especially grateful to honor their efforts and bid farewell to those whose children are moving on to middle school.

Recently, Meadows students have enjoyed several fun-themed days, including “Anything But a Water Bottle Day,” “Dress Like a Person From School,” “Anything But a Backpack Day,” and “Bring a Board Game Day.”

Staff Spotlight: Kiara Torres | Executive Assistant

This week, we are excited to feature Kiara Torres, Executive Assistant to MBUSD’s Deputy Superintendent. Since joining the District in 2023, Kiara has been part of the Business Services team, where she oversees a wide range of responsibilities, from preparing Board agendas to supporting contract processing and more.

“I learn new things every day. The role has given me the opportunity to grow professionally, support important District work, and gain a deeper understanding of how everything comes together,” Kiara shared.

Before coming to MBUSD, Kiara worked in Sacramento at Placer Hills Union School District, where she wore many hats. Her roles included Superintendent’s Administrative Assistant, secretary, SPED Clerk, processing payroll, and HR support.

In her current position, Kiara says she enjoys helping staff and community members and the opportunity to contribute to the District’s success. 

Originally from the San Fernando Valley, Kiara attended California State University, Long Beach, where she earned her degree in political science. 

Outside of work, Kiara is always on the move! She ran her first marathon last year, is currently training for her second, takes weekly spin classes, and even serves as captain of her kickball team.

Pacific Recognized at the 2025 CA School Recognition Awards

Pacific Elementary was recently honored at the California Department of Education (CDE) awards ceremony for being named a 2025 California Distinguished School. Held at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, the event recognized 336 elementary schools, including 118 from Los Angeles County, for this prestigious achievement.

Pacific Principal Amanda Vavao, along with MBUSD Trustee Tina Shivpuri, Superintendent Dr. John Bowes, and Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Dr. Jonathan Erickson, proudly represented the school at the celebration.

This statewide recognition highlights schools that demonstrate exceptional academic achievement and a strong commitment to student success. The California Distinguished Schools Program celebrates excellence in two categories: schools that are Closing the Achievement Gap and those demonstrating Exceptional Student Performance. Honorees were selected based on multiple measures from the 2024 CA School Dashboard.

Congratulations once again to the students and staff of Pacific Elementary on this outstanding accomplishment!

HMC Architects Presents Measure RLS Project Priorities to MBUSD Board of Education

At the May 28, 2025, meeting of the Board of Trustees, HMC Architects presented an overview of potential District-wide project priorities under Measure RLS, along with the likelihood of each project's funding and completion.

The proposed project priority list was developed using four guiding principles established by the Measure RLS Core Team: Operational Efficiency, Safety and Security, Teaching and Learning Impact, and Timely, Aligned Delivery. These principles informed the evaluation and ranking of projects across the District.

The list includes District-wide initiatives, as well as specific projects:

• Districtwide safety projects aimed at enhancing school and classroom security across all campuses
• Districtwide fencing replacement at various sites as necessary
• Districtwide mechanical/HVAC replacement of aging units as necessary
• Pacific Elementary classroom modernization at the northwest area of campus (not previously modernized)
• Meadows Elementary modular (portable) classroom repair/replacement
• Manhattan Beach Preschool classroom and campus modernization
• Manhattan Beach Middle School classroom and campus modernization
• Mira Costa High School repair/replacement of the English and Library wings and the swimming pool



The next phase for the Measure RLS Core Team is to develop an implementation and phasing plan aligned with available financial resources and established priorities. The finalized project list and phasing plan will be presented to the Board for approval at the June 18, 2025, Board of Trustees meeting.

MBEF Wine Auction Raises $1.4M!

Thank you to MBEF for bringing another memorable event to life. The 31st Annual Manhattan Wine Auction brought together more than 2,400 guests and raised $1.4 million to support our students and schools.

The Manhattan Wine Auction supports MBEF’s Endowment Fund, which disbursed over $1.2 million this year as part of MBEF’s annual grant to our schools. MBEF will provide $6.9 million in directed grants allocated for program and educator positions prioritized by stakeholders for the coming year.  

The grant will include nearly $300,000 raised through generous Paddle Raise donations to increase the number of teacher positions and reduce class sizes across the District.

If you missed the event but still want to make an impact, there's still time to give! Donate to the Paddle Raise by 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10, to ensure your donation makes an impact next year!

Thank you to the MBEF staff and Board for their dedication to supporting our schools and enriching the educational experience for all students through programming and educational opportunities. 

CHOICE Program Spring Graduation 

Today, we celebrated the achievements of Mira Costa CHOICE students Kaylee Cruz and Christian Marroquin as they graduated from the CHOICE program. Congratulations to both of them! 



During the ceremony, CHOICE Transition Education Specialist Lareina Rodriguez described the program as a launching pad for possibilities, with a mission to prepare students not just for life after school, but for a future they define on their own terms.

CHOICE is MBUSD’s Special Education Transition program for individuals ages 18-22. It is a community of neurodiverse young adults and dedicated staff members that provides support in education, employment, and interdependent life skills. Lareina shared the journey of each graduate, highlighting their hard work and personal growth.  

She described Kaylee as a “kind, unique, and passionate young woman who brings energy and heart to everything she does. She’s a world traveler with a strong sense of fairness, a deep love of music and art, and a joyful spirit that lights up our classroom.”

During her time in the program, she has worked hard to achieve the independence she demonstrates today. Her next chapter includes starting a meaningful passion project with her family to help build a supportive community for neurodiverse adults in the Philippines. 

Christian was celebrated as someone who quickly earns the respect and friendship of those around him. “He’s our effortlessly cool guy, known for his incredible taste in music and genuine presence,” said Lareina. “Through every challenge, Christian has shown resilience and strength, staying true to himself and loyal to those who stand by him.” He will continue his journey with the support of his family and participation in community experiences, as he prepares for his next program. 

We are incredibly proud of our graduates! Lareina thanked CHOICE staff, families, and community partners for their support. In the CHOICE program, students are provided with teachers, job mentors, and other support services that pave the way for long-term success. Congratulations to the CHOICE Class of 2025! Thank you to our CHOICE staff for their dedication to our students and their success. 

Biotech Class of 2025 Graduates

Congratulations to the ninth cohort of Mira Costa’s Biotechnology Program! Students were recently celebrated for completing the rigorous, three-year specialized course. The program prepares students for careers in STEM! Congratulations to these dedicated graduates:

Alyssa Arizpe

Julianna Bavolek

Juan Cortes

Ronan Curnyn

Veronica Escopete

Sophie Guitron

Winston Iskandar

Brendan Jorenby

Ryan Kelley

Katherine Kligys

Tejas Krishna

Athena Marca

Vita Minn

Asha O’Neill

Seth Pickens

Lauren Sorensen

Lana Torres 

During the graduation event, attendees had the opportunity to view students’ final projects, which were on display. This three-year course offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes hands-on lab experiences, research, and internships, culminating in end-of-year poster presentations. Students have to apply to be part of this class during the spring of their Freshman year. We also want to thank teachers Ernesto Nodado and Rebecca Fox for their support of students throughout this course.

Remembering Ford Savela 

In memory of Mira Costa senior Ford Savela, a bronze plaque was recently installed in the garden at Grand View Elementary. This week, Ford's family, loved ones, and community members gathered at the garden for a heartfelt unveiling and to honor Ford, whose life was tragically cut short in early January. 

His elementary school teachers, Julie Brancato and Carrie Fairbrother, remembered Ford and his time at Grand View Elementary School. They shared that he was exceptional. They recalled his calm, respectful presence and the lasting impression he made on those around him. “Ford’s smile was contagious; he could bring happiness to all the kids in the class,” shared Ms. Brancato. “He had a gift and shared it with everyone.” 

Mira Costa students also spoke at the event, sharing memories of Ford’s bright spirit and the joy he brought to their lives. Grand View parents organized the event, and the Grand View PTA sponsored the plaque.

To continue honoring his memory, a tree and plaque dedication will take place at Mira Costa outside the history building on Monday, June 9, at 4:45 p.m. Read MB News story here.

AP Chemistry Magic Show

AP Chemistry teacher Teresa Nielsen and her students hosted the 8th Annual MCHS Chemistry Magic Show in the Mira Costa small theater last Friday! The fun-filled event showcased the wonders of chemistry and science with Mira Costa students and visiting 2nd-4th graders from Pennekamp.

The students performed classic experiments with a magical twist. Instead of explaining the science behind the chemical reactions, students add elements of wizardry and potions, sparking curiosity and excitement in students about STEM. The show marks the grand finale of the AP Chemistry course!

Mira Costa Boys Volleyball #1 in the Nation

Photo by Bruce Vang

Congratulations to the Mira Costa Volleyball team for winning the D1 CIF State Championship! With a season record of 37-2, the Mustangs secured their title by defeating Northern California Archbishop Mitty. This earned them the #1 ranking in both California and the nation. Read more about their incredible season and championship journey below.

MBUSD Students Shine at Odyssey of the Mind World Finals

Over the Memorial Day weekend, five teams from Manhattan Beach traveled to Michigan State University in Lansing to compete in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals. This marked a record for the District, and we sent the most number of teams from any school district in Southern California! 

This year’s World Finals brought together more than 700 teams from 11 countries, with over 10,000 participants and spectators in attendance. Odyssey of the Mind challenges students to apply their creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills through long-term projects and spontaneous problem-solving competitions. The following teams participated:

Mira Costa, Problem 4, Division 3, 2nd Place & Omer Award (left to right): Charlotte Fan, Audrey Treger, Sierra Wolbert, Audrey Kim, Matthew Chang, Daisei Horiguchi, coached by Brian Fan

MBMS Team A, Problem 4, Division 2 (left to right): Christian Chuang, Malik Salah, Kainoa Aita, Ashley Treger, Betty Lee, Noah Chang, Niamh Adamis, coached by Alice Kuo

MBMS Team B, Problem 4, Division 2 (left to right): Lily Francisco, Samantha Lee, Ava Salehi, Camille Jacobsen, Aviana Otero, Charlotte Fan, Asher Feldman, coached by Alex Otero, asst coach Jake Feldman

Pacific Elementary, Problem 5, Division 1 (left to right): Maverick Dasse, Ben Friesl, Grant Irwin, Nicole Hiranburana, Remy Wolfe, Grayson Murai, Coached by Michelle Lautanen (Pacific 2nd-grade teacher)

Pennekamp Elementary, Problem 4, Division 1 (left to right): Mariella Homler, Hudson Karabell, Maeve Jacobsen, Noah Fan, Elayna Otero, Sienna Karp, Judah Feldman, coached by Alex Otero, asst coaches: Angela Homler & Mitch Karp

We are incredibly proud! Congratulations to all the teams for placing in the competition and to the MCHS team for receiving the Omer Award for its Problem 4: Save Me Structure Division III. This was presented to only three teams at this event. 

Thank you to our amazing students, coaches, and families for representing MBUSD on the world stage!

Easy Reader Story: Costa Student Seeks to Help Seniors Avoid Scams 

Photo from Easy Reader

Watch Mira Costa's Graduation Live!

We are excited to celebrate the Class of 2025! Watch the graduation ceremony live on our YouTube page. Here is the live stream link to tune in.

The video will be available to view on our YouTube page starting June 12 at 3:00 p.m.

MB Hometown Fair Accepting Applications for Community Showcase

The Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair is accepting applications for its Community Showcase, including both the Amateur Art Exhibition and performances. The Amateur Art Exhibition submissions are welcome for categories in 2 and 3 dimensional art, photography, and fiber arts. 

Applications can be found here.

The next Superintendent’s Newsletter will be published on June 13. Have a great weekend!



Sincerely, 

Manhattan Beach Unified School District

325 S. Peck Avenue

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

310.318.7345