Dear MBUSD Parents and Community,

Today’s issue highlights Mira Costa, honoring our PTA leaders, and our graduating seniors receiving scholarships.

Spotlight on Mira Costa (Special Thanks to our Students and Principal Dr. Karina Gerger)

In honor of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, the Asian American, Pacific Islanders, and the Japanese Cultural Clubs at Mira Costa organized a vibrant celebration to showcase the rich and diverse cultures of the AAPI community. The event, planned entirely by students, aimed to educate and spread knowledge about the various Asian regions around the world. There were interactive booths that provided students an opportunity to learn about AAPI traditions, languages, and customs.

One of the highlights of the celebration was a captivating live performance by the Mahana Dance Company that showcased a Tahitian Hula duo. 

Students also sold delicious cuisine during the assembly. The menu featured popular dishes such as musubi, fried rice, and lumpia. The event embraced and educated students on the diversity present within the MCHS community. It fostered an atmosphere of inclusivity and appreciation for AAPI culture, creating a space where students could learn from one another and celebrate their diversity!

Staff Spotlight: Crista Riccio

This week we are spotlighting Meadows Makerspace Specialist Crista Riccio! She began serving MBUSD in this role in 2017. Crista’s journey at MBUSD began when her own children enrolled at Meadows Elementary. At that time she was hoping to bring project-based learning opportunities to MBUSD and it was then that a group of parents from Meadows volunteered to kick off a pilot lunchtime Makerspace program in 2014 to support hands-on learning. Crista was part of that group! 

Drawing on her background as an industrial designer and her husband’s expertise as an architect, they transformed a computer lab into the current Makerspace Lab at Meadows. Eventually, when a staff position opened for a Makerspace specialist, Crista applied for it. Before joining MBUSD, she worked for Outschool and the educational nonprofit TwoBitCircus Foundation leading STEAM programs in LAUSD. Crista says, “I’ve always been a maker! I’ve owned and managed creative businesses, practiced design and sculpture, and trained in Industrial Design and Montessori Education.”

Her favorite part of her job is watching her students come up with innovative ideas. “I love watching students grow into confident and enthusiastic problem solvers who truly want to help others with their ideas.”

When reflecting on her accomplishments, Crista highlights her ability to transform problems into learning opportunities and help others do the same. She says MBUSD is a great place because of the team effort and the amazing parent volunteers and staff, and the support provided by MBEF in funding essential programs like Makerspace.

Outside of her work, Crista enjoys Airstream travel, camping with her family, and helping others by managing a meditation center in Hermosa Beach! We are grateful for her contributions to our community and the positive impact on our students’ educational journeys. 

Honoring our PTA Leaders

Annually MBUSD celebrates the remarkable contributions of our PTA leaders. At our Board of Trustees meeting, we were delighted to honor the invaluable support of our PTAs and PTA Presidents. MBUSD PTA Council President Erin Levin introduced each of our school site PTA Presidents who have committed their time, talent, and hearts to support their school communities. 

Levin shared that these presidents have overseen 90,000 volunteer hours this year. They also collectively managed nearly $2M in donations that are gifted to the PTAs each year. Join me in congratulating and thanking the following school site PTA Presidents:

• Heather de Roos, Mira Costa High School
• Pennie Stepczyk and Patricia Doumeng, Manhattan Beach Middle School
• Ankur Batheja and Jen Cram, Grand View
• Cindy Marian and Kimberly Rosenfeld, Meadows
• Brooke Zipperman and Tisha Anderson, Pacific
• Angie Smith and Anna Bargagliotti, Pennekamp
• Yea-Lan Chiang and Jenny Nugent, Robinson
• Erin Levin, President, MBUSD PTA Council
• Jennifer Gale, Executive Vice President, MBUSD PTA Council

Our PTAs work collaboratively with our staff and teachers, they provide resources on campus, and organize one-of-a-kind educational events. We are grateful for their support and are fortunate to have amazing PTAs that enrich our school communities. 

2023 Teachers of the Year Celebrated

Every year we also recognize our Teachers of the Year during a year-end Board meeting. It was standing room only as loved ones and colleagues cheered on their school site honorees. Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Dr. Tom Stekol, commended each teacher individually for their service, their commitment to education, and their unique ability to engage their students to achieve their highest potential. 

Each of the following educators was recognized:

• Niel Leonard, MBMS
• Lareina Rodriguez, Mira Costa High School
• Iltze Guerra, MB Preschool
• Devin Meyer, Grand View Elementary
• Jennifer Mascari, Meadows Elementary
• Morgan Henderson, Pacific Elementary
• Patti Ackerman, Pennekamp Elementary
• Erica Yerke, Robinson Elementary

The 2023 District Teacher of the Year Niel Leonard received a standing ovation from everyone in attendance! He will now represent Manhattan Beach Unified in the Los Angeles County Office of Education Teacher of the Year competition. 

Resolution for CA Day of the Teacher Day

The Board of Trustees unanimously approved a resolution recognizing MBUSD teachers and honoring them on California Day of the Teacher, which took place on May 10, 2023. The resolution honors their contributions as leaders on campus and their dedication. The theme for this year is “California Educators: Planting seeds, inspiring students, and future educators.”

Manhattan Beach Rotary Recognizes Our Incredible Teachers

For the past 73 years, the Manhattan Beach Rotary has hosted a special awards ceremony for our Teachers of the Year. It has been the club’s long-standing commitment to acknowledge and celebrate the exceptional educators in our community through these awards. Principals from each of our schools acknowledged our teachers and their service! They received a check and an award from Rotary. Thank you to the organization for continuing this tradition. 

Former MCHS Student Becomes 1st American Woman to be Drafted to Western Hockey League

Congratulations, Morgan! Watch the KABC 7 news story below!

Manhattan Beach Coordinating Council Awards $28,500 in Scholarships

As we get closer to graduation, it’s an exciting time as we watch our seniors receive rewards for their hard work. Nine Mira Costa High students were presented with scholarships during Manhattan Beach Coordinating Council’s (MBCC) end-of-the-year luncheon. Speakers shared each student’s inspirational story about overcoming adversities and their list of academic accomplishments and service in the community. 

The scholarships total $28,500 which will help support students during their college education. 

• Kyle Fukumoto | MBCC Academic & Service Scholarship| University of Pennsylvania - Major: Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.
• Leah Donlevy | MBCC Academic & Service Scholarship | University of Southern California (USC) - Major: Psychology and minor in Film 
• Myles Idrovo | MBCC Outstanding Male Scholarship | Washington University - Major: International Policy and Global Affairs
• Nicole Macias | MBCC Outstanding Female Scholarship | University of Michigan | Major: Communications and Media with a minor in Business.
• Taylor Bennett | Joyce Davis Memorial Scholarship | University of California San Diego (UCSD) | Major: Theater
• Heather Jensen | Desolation Wilderness Scholarship | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Major: Environment and Biological Engineering
• Chase Savela | Health & Wellness Scholarship | UCLA | Major: Psychology
• Ava Reyes | Manhattan Beach Police Officers’ Association Officer Martin Ganz Memorial Scholarship | University of California Berkeley | Major: Political Science and Rhetoric
• Sydney Huber | Surfrider Foundation South Bay Environment Scholarship | Lehigh University | Major: Biology

Students were also honored by Senator Ben Allen’s office and the City of Manhattan Beach. These scholarships will make a difference in the lives of our students and I want to thank the MBCC for their generosity to our next generation of leaders. Throughout the year, MBCC hosts four luncheons honoring our students in grades 5-12. 

Check out the Latest Images of the New Grand View 3-Story Multi-Purpose/Admin Building!

Budget Corner

MBUSD is continuing work to finalize the District’s budget for the 2023-24 school year. The Governor has released the May Revision to his January budget proposal for the State of California. There are some significant implications for public schools, some of which we anticipate will continue to be negotiated between the governor and the legislature in advance of the enactment of the State Budget for 2023-24 by June 30. We will continue to monitor state budget developments in order to determine how to build our local budget and will provide updates at the May 31 Board of Trustees meeting. The presentation of the District’s budget for the 2023-24 school year will take place at the June 21 meeting of the Board of Trustees.

From the Table

The District’s Bargaining Team met with the MBUTA Bargaining Team on Monday, May 15 for the 11th time this year. During the bargaining session, the District and MBUTA teams affirmed the importance of the recently signed MOU allowing for the development of an innovative new schedule at Manhattan Beach Middle School. The District also affirmed its salary offer of a 6% on-schedule, ongoing raise with a 1% one-time payment. The teams are scheduled to meet again on June 1, 2023.

Annual MCHS STEM Expo - Thursday, May 25

Mira Costa is hosting its annual STEM Night, and it’s open to all! You will have the opportunity to discover interactive displays from notable companies, hear from keynote speakers, meet industry professionals, explore cutting-edge technology, and learn more about the STEAM opportunities offered at MCHS! 

The keynote speakers will be a representative from Chevron, Rocket Project UCLA, and professional creative, Scott Cook. 

You can learn more about the event here!

Nominate Costa Alumni into the Hall of Fame!

The Annual Mira Costa Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame nominations are now being accepted. Each year since 2012, a handful of Mira Costa alumni nominated by community members are selected as Distinguished Alumni. They are selected based on criteria and for their contributions to their careers, life endeavors, and community service.

You can find the nomination form here. The deadline is May 24, 2023.

Once the alumni are chosen, they are recognized at an assembly where they are officially inducted into the Hall of Fame. You can watch last year’s ceremony here. 

MCHS Students Win Poetry Circle Award 



Manhattan Beach City Council, along with the Parks and Recreation Department’s Older Adults Program, awarded three Mira Costa students with the 2023 Circle Award for Excellence in Poetry Composition honor. Congratulations to Ryan Cho, Lizzy Fleming, and Birdie Ward. 

In 2018, the awards were created to recognize student poets and promote the Older Adults Poetry Circle. Annually, Mira Costa students from Ms. Shannon Vaughan’s Creative Writing class participate in the City’s Older Adults Poetry Circle Program. This is one of the many intergenerational projects students participate in. 

MBUSD Partnering with Beach Cities Health District for Mental Awareness Month 

We are proud to partner with Beach Cities Health District during May for the community-wide “Mental Health is Health” campaign. The campaign’s message aims to decrease stigma, increase help-seeking behaviors, increase awareness of and access to resources for mental health, and build community capacity to support individuals who need mental health resources.

BCHD staff delivered mental health awareness toolkits last week to all MBUSD campuses and offices. We are very grateful for this partnership.

Click flyer below

You can navigate our health and wellness resources page here.

Makerspace Feature: Pacific

Pacific 5th graders built working windmills in Makerspace class. They learned about William Kazmkwamba, a Malawian teenager who built a windmill from junk and scrap pieces, which brought electricity and running water to his drought-ravaged village.



Using their knowledge of kinetic energy and engineering skills, the students were able to turn tennis ball containers and other repurposed materials into miniature, functioning windmills.

A fan was used to simulate the wind power. Some windmills were incredibly fast and efficient. The students were impressed with how a little bit of knowledge and grit can solve real-world problems.

Thank you to Teri Hechter Hampton for sharing this story.

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 learning 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 Friday, May 26. 

Sincerely,