Dear MBUSD Parents and Community,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. Today’s issue highlights Mira Costa, MCHS senior Maia Rocha receiving a $50,000 Edison International Scholarship, and girls’ flag football officially coming to MBMS, along with an update about the incident at MBMS earlier this week.

Spotlight on Mira Costa (Special Thanks to the Mira Costa PTSA, Scholar Quiz Committee, and Principal Dr. Jennifer Huynh) 

The MCHS 2025 Scholar Quiz Tournament, which began on Monday, March 17, with 64 teams of four, has now reached the final two. After Thursday's matches, the competition was narrowed down to four teams, all vying for a spot in the semi-finals on Friday. The championship match is set for Tuesday, March 25. Thank you to Study Hut for providing the challenging questions for the event and t-shirts to all teams that won their first-round match, adding excitement to the competition. 

Mira Costa PTSA has been a crucial sponsor and organizer, coordinating over 120 volunteers who serve as readers, flag judges, and scorekeepers. The classrooms have been filled with the energy and enthusiasm of the participants throughout the tournament. As the competition heads toward its conclusion, the remaining teams are gearing up for what promises to be a thrilling finish!

Staff Spotlight: Barbie Jimenez | Pennekamp Office Specialist

This week, we are excited to feature Barbie Jimenez, the Office Specialist at Pennekamp Elementary. She began her career at MBUSD in 2010 as a substitute teacher before becoming an Instructional Assistant for Intensive Behavioral Instruction (IA-IBI) at MB Preschool in 2011. In 2018, she joined Pennekamp, where she truly found her home and loves being a Dragon!

Before joining MBUSD, Barbie worked as a preschool teacher in the early childhood program at the Manhattan Beach Country Club. She credits this experience with shaping her passion for working with children and supporting their growth. 

As an Office Specialist, Barbie plays a key role in keeping Pennekamp running smoothly. Her responsibilities range from clerical and organizational tasks to supporting the school’s daily operations. “My time at MBUSD has been amazing. I’ve loved forming connections with families, staff, and, most importantly, the students. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch students learn, grow, and succeed over time,” Barbie shared.

When she isn’t working, you can find Barbie reading a book, cooking, watching sports, and spending time with her husband and their son. She takes great pride in serving the Pennekamp community and is always eager to lend a helping hand. 

MBMS Incident

This week’s incident at Manhattan Beach Middle School (MBMS), where a gun was discovered in a student’s backpack, has reverberated throughout our community. While the weapon was immediately secured and the incident contained, we know there are additional questions that some of our families want answered. If you have emailed us, please know we have received your communication and appreciate everything you have shared. We hear your concerns and are working actively through our own internal processes and with MBPD regarding the investigation. We want to assure you that we remain committed to fostering a safe and secure learning environment for all students and that the safety and security of our students, staff, and families is our top priority.

California Education Code requires the immediate suspension and recommendation for expulsion of a pupil determined to have possessed a firearm at school. To protect student confidentiality and comply with privacy laws, we are unable to disclose additional details regarding the specifics of this incident or any consequences for the individual involved.

We are deeply grateful to the Manhattan Beach Police Department (MBPD), which immediately responded to MBMS to begin their investigation, also deploying a K-9 specializing in firearms detection to confirm that no additional weapons were on campus. Additionally, MBPD’s firearms-detection K9 teams searched Polliwog Park and found no firearms or ammunition.

MBPD has determined that this was a contained incident, but as a precaution and to provide reassurance to our students, staff, and families, officers were present on the MBMS campus yesterday and today. We appreciate our strong and collaborative partnership with the MBPD in this and all situations that arise in our schools.

This remains an active investigation, and we appreciate the community’s understanding of confidentiality and privacy concerns that limit our ability to share additional details.



We want to remind everyone that all of our campuses have comprehensive safety plans and safety procedures, which we thoroughly review every year. All school sites require all visitors to campus to be properly screened and checked in at the front office and to wear a visitors’ badge while on campus. Additional measures include camera systems, “Lock Bloks” on classroom doors, our school safety plans, and our team of mental health professionals who support students and staff. We appreciate the community’s support in implementing and supporting these systems and procedures.

We continue to emphasize the importance of reporting any information that raises concerns as soon as possible - please reach out to school administrators directly or use our Sprigeo reporting form found here to share any safety concerns.

MCHS Senior Maia Rocha Wins Edison International’s $50,000 Scholarship

An ordinary school day turned into a memorable one for Mira Costa senior Maia Rocha. Today, Southern California Edison (SCE) representatives, along with Mira Costa staff and District leadership, surprised Maia at the school’s College and Career Center with the exciting news that she had been named an Edison International Scholar. The prestigious Edison Scholars Program recognizes students who want to be makers of tomorrow.

This year, Edison International is awarding 30 high school seniors out of 632 applicants with $50,000 college scholarships to support their pursuit of dreams in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) and empower them to change the world.

Maia said taking classes through Mira Costa’s Technology and Engineering Department has been life-changing for her. Through the program, she gained valuable skills and access to resources that fueled her interest in the field. She currently is a TA for Mr. Braskin’s computer science class and has already accomplished an impressive amount during her time at Mira Costa. Last year, Maia was selected from the 2023-2024 Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) class as a standout to represent her business concept in the YEA! Saunders Scholars Competition! 

Her business, Doing Done app, impressed the Academy’s investor panel out of twenty other business pitches. The innovative app is designed to enhance task management. It’s available on the Apple App Store and this website and incorporates effective academic success strategies. 

As Maia looks ahead to the next chapter of her educational journey, she eagerly awaits college decisions, with her top choice being the University of Pennsylvania. 

This marks the third consecutive year that an MCHS senior has received an Edison scholarship. Congratulations, Maia!

MBMS Drama Presents The Princess and the Crown Tonight!

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:

Friday, March 21 | 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 22 | 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 23 | 2:00 p.m. 

Secure your seats today at our.show/princesscrown2025!

MBUSD Elementary School Open House 

Elementary schools welcomed families for open house events this week! It was an opportunity for families to explore classrooms and different campus spaces, celebrate student learning, and connect with teachers and staff. Families enjoyed seeing creative projects and learning on display. 

Check out some of the highlights below!

 Pennekamp Mathletes Compete Among 22 Elementary Schools

The Pennekamp math team recently participated in the 18th Annual E=MC² Culver City Math Competition, hosted by the Culver City Education Foundation. The tournament brought together 140 mathletes from 22 elementary schools across L.A. County to compete in both team and individual events.



As part of the Mathematical Olympiads for Elementary and Middle Schools (MOEMS), students tackled 10 complex word problems, requiring creative thinking and problem-solving skills. Pennekamp’s team performed exceptionally well, earning a silver medal in the team event. After a three-way tie for first place, they finished second in the tiebreaker round.

Congratulations to the talented team members:

Aiden O., Anderson T., Arik A., Nicole Z., and Noah F.

In the individual competition, Noah F. also brought home a silver medal for his outstanding performance.

Led by dedicated math club coaches Christine and Ayres Fan, the Pennekamp team had been preparing for this competition since September through the after-school PACE class. Their hard work and commitment truly paid off—congratulations to the entire team!

Mira Costa Student Competes in New Balance Nationals

Photo credit: Mira Costa Cross Country Instagram

Congratulations to Mira Costa junior Krish Desai for competing in the New Balance Nationals Indoor Championship at the TRACK at New Balance’s world headquarters in Boston. He dominated in the boys' mile championship heat race with a time of 4:16.25. He ranked 50th out of 170 competitive runners in the 1-mile race. 

The 2025 New Balance Nationals Indoor gives future world record holders and world champions the opportunity to compete for national titles on a state-of-the-art track. Athletes have to qualify to compete in the championships. 

MBMS Holds First-Ever Girls’ Flag Football Tryouts

Nearly 65 MBMS students demonstrated their skills during the school’s first-ever Girls’ Flag Football tryouts. With the sport growing in popularity nationwide, MBMS Athletics Director Ray Barnes explained that many South Bay middle schools have already established programs, making it a natural fit for MBMS to follow suit. 

Following the tryouts, only 17 students will earn a spot on the team, which will begin competing after the upcoming spring break. Mr. Barnes also noted that the new program aims to spark student interest in continuing the sport at Mira Costa. This athletic program is supported by MBX.

This is MBMS

Future Waves and their families recently visited the MBMS campus for the annual This is MBMS event. The gym was filled to capacity as attendees first heard from Principal Luke Olesiuk, who introduced the many opportunities and programs that await students on their educational journey. These include Advisory, Intervention, Review, and Enrichment (AIRE) time, the Where Everybody Belongs (W.E.B.) program, and the No Place for Hate^® initiative. Families also received information about the MBMS PTA and MBEF.

Following the introduction, families toured Humanities classrooms, where teachers and students offered firsthand insights into the MBMS experience. Students also shared helpful guidance on the transition from elementary school to MBMS.

In the MPR, attendees explored the school’s diverse elective offerings, including drama, music, arts, media, and more. It was wonderful to welcome both current and future families. Thank you to the MBMS administrators and staff for making the event a success!

Friends of the Manhattan Beach Libraries Support MBUSD Student Literacy

Left to right: Linnea Bucher, (FOTMBL) Member, Meadows Library Resource Specialist Ms. Rementer, and Diane Hembacher, (FOTMBL) member, showcase new books for the library.

MBUSD libraries at all K-12 schools recently received a generous donation of nearly 500 new books, valued at thousands of dollars, thanks to the Friends of the Manhattan Beach Libraries (FOTMBL). This dedicated group of volunteers works to raise funds in support and enrichment of the Manhattan Beach Public Library and to promote literacy. For the second consecutive year, they have continued this wonderful tradition of enriching our school libraries with new, high-quality books! (Pennekamp Library Resource Specialist Ms. Mason pictured to the right).

In partnership with each school’s Library Resource Specialist, the organization generously selected and provided heavily requested titles, award-winning works, and replacements for tattered or lost beloved titles. The books are selected by the librarians, then FOTMBL purchases from their wish lists. MBUSD Library Resource Specialists use the same selection practices they use when purchasing for their library collections. 

Community members can help support the Friends of the Manhattan Beach Libraries mission and partnership with our schools by donating gently used books to them and attending book sales throughout the year at the Manhattan Beach Public Library. The next sale is scheduled for this weekend, March 22, 2025, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. in the MB Public Library Community Room. Additionally, items are continuously for sale in the Manhattan Beach Public Library on a number of designated shelves.

Thank you, FOTMBL, for the amazing books and for partnering with our school librarians to support literacy and the fostering of a love of reading! A special thank you to Mira Costa Librarian and District Librarian Jennifer Forier for sharing this story.

Students Continue to Excel in the Odyssey of the Mind Competition

We recently shared that MBUSD students competed in the Odyssey of the Mind SoCal State Tournament. The results are now in—five teams have qualified for the World Finals!

Congratulations and best of luck to the teams moving forward! A huge thank you to MBX, the volunteers, and all the MB Odyssey of the Mind coaches for their dedication and support.

Pennekamp Elementary 4th-Grade

(Problem 4, Division 1)

First Place

MCHS

(Problem 4, Division 3)

First Place

MBMS Team A

(Problem 4, Division 2)

First Place

MBMS Team B

(Problem 4, Division 2)

Second Place

Pacific Elementary 4th-Grade

(Problem 5, Division 1)

Second Place

Pacific Elementary 3rd-Grade

(Problem 3, Division 1)

Fourth Place

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 have already taken place. For enrollment information, visit mbusd.org/Enroll.

Mira Costa Celebrates Women’s History Month

Mira Costa Link Crew hosted an assembly celebrating women from diverse fields and cultures. They showcased creative poster boards highlighting influential women in sports, arts, and media. The event honored Black, Pacific Islander, Asian, and Latina women.

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. 

The next Superintendent’s Newsletter will be published on March 28. Have a wonderful weekend.



Sincerely, 

Manhattan Beach Unified School District

325 S. Peck Avenue

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

310.318.7345