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Superintendent's Newsletter
May 2, 2025
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Dear MBUSD Parents and Community,
I hope this newsletter finds you well. Today’s issue highlights Robinson Elementary School, Mira Costa's College Commitment Day, and the Board of Trustees adopting a resolution recognizing Teacher Appreciation Week.
| | Spotlight on Robinson Elementary (Special Thanks to Teacher Danielle Weiss and Principal Katie Cavallaro) | | |
Robinson 4th grade students are nearing the conclusion of their Earth Science unit, which has been rich with engaging, hands-on learning experiences. Throughout the unit, students have explored rocks, landforms, and the powerful natural forces that shape our planet. They have practiced using the scientific method to examine rock patterns and think like geologists about what the land was like in the past.
In a recent lesson, students rotated through a series of lab stations where they conducted experiments simulating key Earth processes such as weathering, erosion, deposition, and tectonic plate movement. At each station, they were challenged to make predictions, follow detailed procedures, and carefully document their observations. Students captured the changes they observed by drawing before-and-after illustrations and writing descriptions. They then used these observations to draw conclusions and evaluate the accuracy of their initial hypotheses, practicing essential scientific thinking skills.
The unit will wrap up next week with an exciting culminating project. Students will create 3-D models of landforms, applying everything they’ve learned to demonstrate their understanding of how Earth’s surface is shaped and changed over time. This inquiry-based unit has sparked curiosity and deepened students’ appreciation for our dynamic planet, and they’re excited to showcase what they’ve learned!
| | Staff Spotlight: Heather Tuttle | Special Education Teacher | | |
Heather Tuttle is Meadows Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year! A dedicated Special Education teacher, Heather has been with MBUSD since 2010, beginning her journey at Robinson Elementary and later serving at Pacific, Meadows, and Mira Costa.
“As a special educator, I work with a team of professionals to devise individualized education plans for students to help them reach their highest potential,” shared Heather.
Heather’s career in education began as an instructional assistant in the Orange Unified School District. After earning her teaching credential, she was hired by OUSD as a teacher and eventually made her way to MBUSD.
Heather was one of eight teachers selected across the District for the honor of school site 2025 Teacher of the Year. When she heard the news, she was ecstatic. “In Gen-Alpha language, it feels 'bussin', fire, and mad lit'! Many thanks to my colleague Renee Sokol for the nomination of incredibly touching words!”
Throughout her time in MBUSD, Heather has gone above and beyond the classroom. She has supported students as an advisor for Student Council, Safe School Ambassadors, No Place for Hate®, and Friendship Club. She has also contributed her expertise to several leadership committees, including PBIS, EDSJI, Literacy, Special Education, and grade-level teams. Still, her favorite role? Serving as the spirited Meadows mascot, Stang!
Heather fondly remembers her first visit to Robinson Elementary. “It was a dream come true to both work and live by the beach, and I continue to pinch myself every day, hoping not to wake up from this magical dream! Just as we teach our students to find their 'just-right' level of books, this district has been my 'just-right' fit! I have thrived in this community, which has provided me with so many opportunities to grow as an educator with training and professional development. The families, students, and community have welcomed me with open arms for the last 15 years, and I am beyond grateful for this incredible journey!”
Heather says her favorite part of the job is helping students recognize their unique qualities and celebrating their individual differences. “I also love building strong, lasting relationships with students and their families.”
Her commitment to students’ well-being extends beyond the classroom. Heather also works as a yoga instructor, teaching mindfulness through Breathe & Learn. “I have always been a huge advocate for equipping students with tools and strategies to help them identify their emotions, grow their self-regulation skills, and cultivate healthy relationships. I feel so fortunate to have found an amazing outlet aligned with my values. My business partner and I hope to open a Breathe & Learn school one day!”
Outside of work, Heather brings the same energy and creativity to her passions. She sings in a local community choir, loves 90s hip-hop, plays competitive volleyball, and volunteers for various organizations.
We are so lucky to have Heather as part of the MBUSD community!
| | MBUSD 2025 Teachers of the Year Honored | | |
It’s always a privilege to honor our educators and the 2025 Teacher of the Year honorees from each of our eight schools! Our dedicated teachers exemplify excellence in education, and I’m truly grateful to work alongside such inspiring professionals.
At this week’s Board of Trustees meeting, we proudly continued the celebration by recognizing each honoree in the presence of their colleagues, students, and families. The room was filled to capacity as our community came together for this celebration. Each school principal shared heartfelt remarks about why their Teacher of the Year was selected, making the evening even more special.
Congratulations to our 2025 Teacher of the Year honorees:
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MB Preschool | Nataly Garcia
Grand View Elementary | Susan Holton
Meadows Elementary | Heather Tuttle
Pacific Elementary | Jackie Murphy
Pennekamp Elementary | Liana Kuklinski
Robinson Elementary | Megan Montz
MBMS | Sue Steinmetz
MCHS | Maddie Hutchinson
| | A special highlight of the evening was the announcement of Mira Costa English Teacher Maddie Hutchinson as the MBUSD District Teacher of the Year! Congratulations, Maddie! She will go on to represent our District in the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) Teacher of the Year competition. | | National Teacher Appreciation Week | | |
The MBUSD Board of Trustees also adopted a resolution in honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week in MBUSD. The resolution recognizes that public school teachers are deeply committed to the success of every student, and MBUSD is fortunate to have an exceptional team of educators who champion the value of public education.
Our teachers make a lasting impact by fostering a love of learning, celebrating cultural diversity, and equipping students with the skills they need for meaningful, successful lives. They are true exemplars of the teaching profession. We are proud of all of our educators who work tirelessly to educate the whole child.
Click image below to read the resolution.
| | Appointment of Measure RLS Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee Members | | |
The MBUSD Board of Trustees approved the appointment of seven members to the new Measure RLS Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee. This committee is responsible for actively reviewing how taxpayer dollars are spent on school construction projects funded by Measure RLS. Its role is to ensure that expenditures align with the bond’s intent, comply with legal requirements, and are reported transparently to the public.
The members include:
- Susan Boettner
- Grant Geisen
- Ray Joseph
- Benjamin Karabell
- Tyler Monroe
- Taleene Rose
- Ari Segal
These individuals reflect a broad range of perspectives and expertise. We are grateful for their commitment to our schools. The $200M bond measure will be used to repair and upgrade our campuses based on the Facilities Master Plan developed in 2024.
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Mira Costa celebrated the Class of 2025 on Thursday's National Decision Day! This special time marks a meaningful milestone for high school seniors across the country as they make plans for life after graduation. Continuing a cherished tradition, seniors proudly placed a sticker with their name and next steps—whether it’s college, career, service, travel, or other adventures—on a U.S. map. Many wore apparel representing their future paths and took photos with friends to commemorate the moment. We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2025 at graduation soon! Check out more photos here.
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Spring Signing Day was also held this week at Mira Costa, celebrating our outstanding senior student-athletes who have committed to playing their sports at the collegiate level! These students have demonstrated incredible hard work, dedication, and passion—and we couldn’t be prouder.
Coaches from each athletic program shared inspiring stories about their athletes and announced where they are headed next. After the presentations, each student officially signed their commitment to continue their athletic journey in college.
Thank you to Athletic Director Mike Rosenthal for organizing such a memorable event.
Congratulations to our remarkable students on reaching this exciting milestone!
Anderson Bennett | Swimming, University of Puget Sound
Grayson Bradford | Volleyball, UCLA
Bella Brito | Swimming, University of Southern California
Bryson Bryker | Basketball, Pomona College
Ella Digilio | Crew, Harvard University
Lola Fasano | Softball, Lehigh University
Dylan Fenton | Lacrosse, McGill University
Ford Finster | Golf, Gustavus Adolphus College
Gavin Fix | Lacrosse, Colorado University Boulder
Ian Hansen | Cross Country/Track, UC San Diego
Alex Heins | Volleyball, New Jersey Institute of Technology
Kendall Herman | Volleyball, Whitman College
Delaney Herr | Swimming, Princeton University
Jack Krikorian | Swimming, Chapman University
Allie Lindblad | Rugby, Penn State University
Nick Marsh | Lacrosse, Babson College
Heather O'Brien | Swimming, Cal State East Bay
Dash Seiffer | Lacrosse, Rhodes College
Bradley Shearer | Football, Washington University St. Louis
LyAnni Torres | Softball, Aurora College
Jacob Yakatan | Lacrosse, Connecticut College
Learn more about each athlete here:
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MBUSD Students Compete in LACOE Math Field Day | |
This past weekend, MBUSD proudly sent one team per grade level (grades 4–8) to compete at the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) Math Field Day.
The annual event promotes mathematical problem-solving, reasoning, and teamwork among students in upper elementary, middle, and high school. Teams of four students per grade from across Los Angeles County participate in challenges designed to showcase their mathematical knowledge and passion. Competitions are held by grade level, with prizes and trophies awarded to top-performing teams.
Students competed in two assessments: Conceptual Understanding and Sense Making. We are proud to announce that three of our five teams placed in the Conceptual Understanding category:
- 4th Grade: Gold
- 6th Grade: Gold
- 7th Grade: Silver
Congratulations to all of our incredible mathletes for their hard work, dedication, and outstanding representation of MBUSD. We are so proud of your achievements!
4th Grade (Gold): Arik Aggarwal, Noah Fan, Nathan Fong, Riley Nugent
5th Grade: Deven Kansal, Emma Koh, Aiden Ou, Zor Sidhu
6th Grade (Gold): Charlotte Fan, Lily Francisco, Ryu Kobayashi, Corin McIntosh
7th Grade (Silver): Evan Lin, Bliss Liu, Shaan Vaishnav, Alicia Zhong
8th Grade: Taj Brinkman, Sophia Kligys, Rose Schroeder, Tara Shivpuri
Thank you to MTSS Teacher Kari Pliaconis for sharing this story.
| | MCHS Junior Named Top 10 Finalist in Global Entrepreneurship Competition | |
Congratulations to Mira Costa High School junior Lila Mokhtari for earning a coveted spot in the Top 10 of the prestigious Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition—an achievement that places her among the best young entrepreneurs in the world!
Lila's innovative company, Maji Soap, captured the judges’ attention with its purpose-driven mission: each soap bar includes a collectible toy to encourage handwashing, while proceeds help fund clean water initiatives.
Out of a remarkable pool of 12,784 students from 163 countries, Lila's project stood out in what is considered the world’s largest and most competitive pitch competition for high school students.
Lila is also in the running for the People’s Choice Award, which goes to the student pitch video with the most engagement. Let’s rally behind her! Watch her pitch and show your support with a like or comment here. The final winners will be announced on May 8.
Way to go, Lila!
| | Mira Costa Students Head to National Stage in Saunders Scholars Competition | | |
We’re proud to wish Mira Costa students Lili Shaer and Simon Uslaner the best of luck as they compete this Saturday in the prestigious Saunders Scholars National Competition!
Representing our community on a national stage, they’ll go head-to-head with top student entrepreneurs from 20 Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) chapters across the country.
Lili developed HipDigz, innovative padded volleyball shorts designed to help prevent injuries, while Simon created the Nyft Strip, a sustainable packaging sealer that preserves food and reduces plastic waste. Both students earned their spots in this national competition through the Manhattan Beach YEA! Program.
Best of luck to Lili and Simon, your creativity, innovation, and drive make us incredibly proud!
| | Elementary Students Rank Nationally in Math Competition | |
Congratulations to Grand View Gators Leonardo Panait and Olivia Panait for earning national rankings in the Math Kangaroo Competition 2025. Fourth grader Olivia scored an impressive 91 out of 96, placing her #4 in California and nationwide.
Second grader Leo achieved a perfect score of 96, earning him the #1 ranking both in California and across the country.
More than 6 million students participated in Math Kangaroo worldwide!
A special shoutout to Grand View educators Ms. Fairbrother and Ms. Glassman for their support and guidance. Math Kangaroo USA is an international math competition for students in grades K–12 that promotes problem-solving and logical reasoning.
| MCHS Ecoland Garden Pump Restored | The Ecoland Garden at MCHS recently underwent maintenance! MCHS Senior Ava Schauwecker shared the news that thanks to Enviroscape the pond has a new pump and filter. The Ecoland Restoration Club used their grant award money from the CA Fertilizer Association to fund this pump. Students hope to hold a celebratory ceremony for the community volunteers who have helped with the club’s restoration activities this school year! | Pennekamp Community Celebrates AAPI Month | |
The Pennekamp community celebrated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this week. There were tables hosted by families showcasing their culture. This included Japan, Hawaii, Vietnam, India, China, and more!
In honor of the day, The TAIKOPROJECT delivered an interactive and dynamic performance for our students, immersing them in the rich history and artistry of taiko drumming. This unique opportunity was made possible by a directed grant to MBEF from the Siddhartha family to fund a variety of cultural experiences in our elementary schools for the next five years.
Thank you to the PK AAPI Heritage chair Jennifer Barrera Gordon for organizing a fantastic event.
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Enrollment is open at MBUSD, with Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten being offered at all of our elementary schools. For the 2025-26 school year, students who turn four on or before September 1, 2025 will be eligible to enroll in our TK program. Students who will be five years old on or before September 1, 2025 are eligible to enroll in Kindergarten.
We are also accepting inter-district permits for the next school year. Please visit www.mbusd.org/Enroll for more information.
| | Closing Weekend! Don’t Miss MCHS Drama/Tech’s Spring Musical BRIGHT STAR | | |
The award-winning MCHS Drama/Tech show gives its final bow Saturday night, and tickets are still on sale! BRIGHT STAR tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ’40s.
When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past—and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives. With beautiful melodies and powerfully moving characters, the story unfolds as a rich tapestry of deep emotion. An uplifting theatrical journey that holds you tightly in its grasp, BRIGHT STAR is as refreshingly genuine as daringly hopeful.
You can purchase tickets here.
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The next Superintendent’s Newsletter will be published on May 9. Have a wonderful weekend!
Sincerely,
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Dr. John Bowes
MBUSD Superintendent
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Manhattan Beach Unified School District
325 S. Peck Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
310.318.7345
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