Dear MBUSD Parents and Community,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. Today’s issue highlights MB Preschool, Mira Costa Girls' Flag Football Athlete Sophie Guitron being featured on KABC 7 News, and MBMS and Mira Costa Orchestras earning the highest rating at a recent festival.

Spotlight on Manhattan Beach Preschool (Special Thanks to Director of Early Learning Jacqueline O’Sullivan) 

Teachers at MB Preschool utilize the Heggerty curriculum to engage children in daily practice for phonemic awareness. Like their colleagues in all of our MBUSD elementary schools, preschool teachers help young children develop essential literacy skills, focusing on developing their ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words, which is crucial for later reading and writing development.

Teachers lead students through various activities where they practice skills like rhyming, segmenting sounds, blending sounds, and identifying beginning, middle, and ending sounds using physical movement and tactile experiences. This is the first year of implementation and is one of the many programs used at the preschool to get children ready for school.

Staff Spotlight: Colette Griffin | Licensed Vocational Nurse

Colette Griffin has served as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) at Grand View Elementary since 2022. She supports students with specific medical needs by assisting and monitoring them throughout the school day to keep them safe and healthy. She also works alongside Grand View’s Health Assistant, Paula Sodeika, to meet the health needs of all students on campus.

“My favorite part of my job is helping students feel better and helping them give the parents a peace of mind that they are being well taken care of, and that makes me feel really good,” Colette said. 

Colette says she loves her job! Her children attended elementary school at Grand View, making it an even more special place for her. “The staff are all so kind and supportive. I feel so grateful to be a part of this MBUSD community,” she said.

Colette is originally from Long Island, New York, and earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Vermont. She began her career at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City and spent seven years working in various oncology specialties. In 2000, she moved to Manhattan Beach, where she settled with her husband and started a family. Before joining MBUSD, she volunteered throughout the District. “Volunteering at my children’s schools opened my eyes to school nursing, so in 2018, I started subbing in the health offices and really enjoyed it, which led to the LVN position I’m in now.”

Colette and her husband have three children. Their sons are in college, and their youngest daughter is an 8th grader at MBMS. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, attending sporting events, and being in nature. She also plays the clarinet and recently joined a community symphonic wind ensemble! 

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;
• 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. 

MBMS Drama Presents The Princess and the Crown

Get ready for a magical journey with MBMS Drama Ghostlight’s spring production, The Princess and the Crown! This modern fairytale follows Violet, a girl who’s just been elected her school’s Spring Princess, only to find that popularity isn’t quite what she expected. 

The performances will take place on:

March 21 & 22

7:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. 

Secure your seats today at our.show/princesscrown2025!

MBUSD TK-Kindergarten Orientations 

Our elementary school sites are hosting Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten Orientations on campus throughout March. If you are a future parent or are interested in learning more about our schools, please join us!

Each school informational orientation will feature the school site principal, and parents will learn about the enrollment process, hear from a Kindergarten teacher, and take a campus tour. We can’t wait to welcome our future learners and families! Grand View and Robinson Elementary orientations took place this week. For enrollment information, visit mbusd.org/Enroll.

Mira Costa Senior Sophie Guitron featured on KABC 7

This week, in celebration of Women’s History Month and in partnership with the Los Angeles Rams, KABC 7 News featured Sophie Guitron and her inspiring journey as a girls' flag football athlete. The segment highlighted her dedication to the sport and her recent achievements! Click the video below to watch!

Sophie was recently recognized with the NFL Latino Youth Honors Award, which celebrates exceptional high school seniors who excel in the classroom and on the football field. As a recipient, she received a $25,000 grant toward higher education and attended Super Bowl LIX. She is on the Mira Costa Girls’ Flag Football team and was also a member of the USA Football 17U U.S. Girls’ Flag National Team.

Sophie is committed to playing flag football at Keiser University and plans to pursue a degree in sports management to give back on the impact sports had on her life. Congratulations, Sophie!

Mira Costa Students Present at the L.A. County Science Fair

Recently, eight talented Mira Costa High School students proudly represented the Manhattan Beach Unified School District at the LA County Science Fair, held at the historic Shrine Auditorium at USC. Competing against students from schools across the county—including private, charter, and independent institutions—our students showcased impressive research across various scientific fields. 



Projects ranged from environmental engineering to data analysis and health and medicine.

The following projects were presented: 

• AI Models and Their Role in CO2 Production | Qinxian Z.
• Terreus: A Biodegradable Polystyrene Alternative | Charlotte F., Wyatt N., Reese Z.
• BlindSee: A Computer Vision Platform for Enhanced Environmental Perception in Visually Impaired Individuals | John T. 
• The Blueprint for a Longer Life | Twisha P. 
• Empowering those Affected by Parkinson’s Disease | Alicia F.
• Predicting Sepsis Survival | Sophie Z.

We are incredibly proud of their hard work and dedication. The fair results will be announced next week, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements! Thank you to Mira Costa Biotechnology and Chemistry teacher, Ernesto Nodado, for sharing this story.

MBMS and Mira Costa Orchestras Receive Highest Rating at Festival

The MBMS and Mira Costa High School Orchestras recently delivered outstanding performances at the adjudicated Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association (SCSBOA) music festival on March 11 at Santa Ana High School. The Chamber Orchestra and String Ensemble from MBMS and the Philharmonic, Sinfonietta, Symphony, and Chamber Orchestras from Mira Costa all earned a unanimous superior rating from the festival judges. This is the highest possible honor!

MCHS orchestra director Mr. Park shared the significance of this achievement, stating, “It is not easy to earn a Superior rating, let alone a Unanimous Superior. SCSBOA adjudicators are trained to award the Superior rating sparingly for truly exceptional ensembles, so the fact that all participating orchestras from our secondary schools earned the highest possible recognition is a signal of the rigor and quality of our music programs throughout MBUSD.”

MBMS String Ensemble

MBMS Chamber Orchestra

Middle school orchestra director Mrs. Haslop echoed this sentiment, sharing, “Our orchestra musicians truly shined at the SCSBOA festival. The judges mentioned that providing critical comments was challenging due to the strengths and maturity of our ensembles. Even with our track record of excellence, getting a Unanimous Superior rating isn’t something we can take for granted."

Congratulations to our student musicians! We are very proud of their hard work and representation of our school community!

You can catch a reprise of the high school Philharmonic and Symphony Orchestra performances next week on Thursday, March 20, at 7 p.m. in the MCHS Auditorium. The orchestras will be joined by the high school Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Wind Symphony, who will be performing at their SCSBOA adjudicated festival on March 27 at Arcadia High School. Attendance for the high school festival concert is free and open to the public. Special thanks to Mr. Peter Park and Mrs. Denise Haslop for supporting our students and sharing this story.

MBUSD Elementary Math Tournament

The annual MBUSD Elementary Math Tournament was held on March 5 at MBMS. Fifty-five mathletes on twelve teams from four elementary schools (Meadows, Pacific, Pennekamp, and Robinson) competed for almost two hours, with two teams going into overtime for the team tiebreaker for third place. 

The following teams won the team competition:



1st place (tied): Benjamin H., Lexi N., Link L., Riley N., Zor S. (Robinson)

1st place (tied): Anderson T., Arik A., Deven K, Nicole Z., Noah F. (Pennekamp)

3rd place: Aiden O., Ayush K., Emma K., Jonah B., Judah F. (Pennekamp)

Pennekamp Team -

1st Place

Robinson Team -

1st Place

Pennekamp Team -

3rd Place

The following students won individual honors:



1st place: Noah F. (Pennekamp)

2nd place: Aiden O. (Pennekamp), Deven K. (Pennekamp), Nathan F. (Meadows)

3rd place: Emma K. (Pennekamp), Zor S. (Robinson)

MBUSD Math tournament students solve problems beyond standard school math that require creativity, deep reasoning, and problem-solving techniques. These problems generally fall into the following categories: number theory, algebra, geometry, combinatorics, and logic and lateral thinking.

The students demonstrated exemplary scholarly behavior, engaged in positive group collaboration, and embraced a growth mindset to showcase their impressive math skills.  



The top four 4th graders and 5th graders will now go on to compete at the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) Math Field Day on April 26. Congratulations to all of the students, the dedicated math coaches, and all of the parents and family members who came out to support them. Thank you to MTSS TOSA Kari Pliaconis for sharing this story.

Manhattan Beach Coordinating Council Luncheon Celebrates Students

Yesterday, the third Manhattan Beach Coordinating Council Luncheon (MBCC) of the school year took place. Four MBUSD students were honored for their exemplary character, work ethic, and success. 

Congratulations to the following students: 

Kellan Ashcraft | 5th Grade | Robinson Elementary | Nominating teacher: Teresa Scott

Anna (Mila) Bedner | 5th Grade | Robinson Elementary | Nominating teacher: Lori Desmond

Marley Brewer | 8th Grade | MBMS | Nominating teacher: Wendy Hamilton

Jett Purser | 11th Grade | Mira Costa | Nominating teacher: Diane Kridner-Protzmann 

Teacher Teresa Scott described Kellan as a warm, caring, and exceptionally kind individual who stands out. She highlighted his dedication to academics, emphasizing that he consistently goes above and beyond, putting his best effort into everything he does.

5th-grade teacher Lori Desmond proudly spoke about her student honoree, Mila Bedner, describing her as someone who makes Robinson Elementary a better place every day. "She brings a level of enthusiasm and joy to everything she does," Desmond shared. From her love of art and theatre to her passion for basketball and volleyball, Mila’s energy and spirit are infectious.” She also praised Mila’s kindness and inclusivity, noting that she treats everyone she meets with warmth and respect.

8th-grader Marley Brewer was recognized by her science teacher, Wendy Hamilton, who described her as a caring, motivated, and creative student. Hamilton shared how Marley frequently checks in to ask how she’s doing and is always willing to lend a helping hand. When a new student recently joined the class, Marley was chosen to partner with her to ease the transition because of her compassionate nature.

MCHS student Jett Purser was celebrated during the event for his positive attitude and genuine character. His teacher, Diane Kridner-Protzmann, described him as authentic and always ready to support others. Jett, a three-year member of the Mustang Morning News, arrives at school each day with a smile and hopes to pursue a career in sports journalism in college.

Pennekamp Super Literacy Quiz Bowl

Super Literacy Quiz Bowl (SLQB) season recently kicked off at Pennekamp Elementary. 



113 Pennekamp students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades answered competitive questions in the 7th annual Super Literacy Quiz Bowl. Some questions they faced were: Who is Vigdis Finnbogadóttir? What is the capital of Paraguay? How is the Voting Rights Act of 1965 a monumental piece of legislation? 

Quiz Bowl competitors begin training in the fall, reading from grade-specific lists of fifteen books. Their hard work is tested and proven before a cheering crowd of classmates, teachers, and guardians. With the generous support of MBEF, the Super Literacy Quiz Bowl is again districtwide this year. Grand View, Meadows, Pacific, and Robinson competitions are scheduled until the end of May.

Cyber Safety Cop Assembly 

MBMS students from all grade levels attended a Cyber Safety Cop assembly focused on the realities of vaping, marijuana, and fentanyl—the 45-minute presentation aimed to dispel common misconceptions and reveal the facts about these substances. During the assembly, the presenter explained vaping chemicals, highlighting lead as the most dangerous. She also addressed the risks of secondhand vaping and smoking and the health effects of substance abuse, and she clarified true and false claims about marijuana. 

Additionally, students learned about the dangers of fentanyl and the prevalence of counterfeit prescription drugs. The assembly raised awareness and provided students with the knowledge to make informed choices.

Celebrating Cultures

We are currently looking for MBUSD families to share their cultural heritage through food, dance, clothing, art, games, and music for our Celebrating Cultures: A Journey Around the World - International Day 2025.

The special event brings MBUSD students and their families together to celebrate the many cultural traditions that make our school District so vibrant! Don't miss this chance to experience the richness of our community and build meaningful connections. If you are interested in participating, please fill out this interest form. 

Events Coming Up!

The next Superintendent’s Newsletter will be published on March 21. Have a wonderful weekend!



Sincerely, 

Manhattan Beach Unified School District

325 S. Peck Avenue

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

310.318.7345