Dear MBUSD Parents and Community,

I hope this newsletter finds you well! Today’s issue features Mira Costa High School, Mira Costa’s Hispanic Heritage Month Assembly, and an update on the first Superintendent’s Educational Technology Advisory Committee meeting.

Spotlight on Mira Costa High School (Special Thanks to AP European History Teacher Michelle Lawrence and Principal, Dr. Jennifer Huynh)

Every day, students encounter information from numerous sources. Developing the skills to analyze and synthesize this information helps them grasp complex details, leading to a deeper engagement with essential concepts and ideas. 

Ms. Lawrence’s AP European History students participated in a creative “Speed Dating” activity to encourage understanding of key individuals, events, and ideologies that shaped European history. Students embodied these figures by internalizing their beliefs, achievements, and historical contexts. By interacting with other students, they were able to identify relationships between people and events. Students also learn how historical ideas and conflicts influence one another, fostering critical thinking and evaluation. Being able to synthesize and analyze information in these types of activities helps our students evaluate perspectives and debate ideas.

Thank you to our staff for promoting an essential understanding of the complexities of perspectives and interpretations through engaging activities! 

Staff Spotlight: Kortney Krivokopich | English Learner Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA)

This week, we are featuring MBUSD’s English Learner Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA), Kortney Krivokopich, who brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role. Last year, she served as the MTSS Intervention Teacher at Robinson Elementary and stepped in as the interim English Learner TOSA part-time. Now in her 2nd year at MBUSD, she’s excited to support multilingual students across the District as a full-time English Learner TOSA. Kortney holds a Master's Degree in Reading Instruction and a Reading Certificate from Loyola Marymount University's PLACE Corps program.

Her teaching journey began right after graduating from the University of Redlands in 2011. She spent four years teaching first grade at a private school in South Los Angeles before joining the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District as a Literacy and Language Interventionist. Later, as a Kindergarten teacher, she applied her expertise in early literacy. Next, she joined the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District as a reading interventionist and third-grade teacher for three years before coming to MBUSD.

Throughout her career, she’s been inspired by one of her favorite quotes from educator Rita Pierson: "Every child deserves a champion—an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be." She’s eager to continue supporting student growth, particularly for those who are multilingual, foster youth, or experiencing homelessness. “My favorite part of being an educator is seeing the joy and pride on students’ faces when they achieve their goals and grow as learners,” said Kortney.

Kortney always knew she wanted to be a teacher. She was inspired by her father, who is a sixth-grade teacher, and also by her passion for learning. She remembers accompanying him to “take your daughter to work day” and, later, tutoring her neighbor’s grandchildren. Her enthusiasm for learning has stayed with her, and, as she says, "School is my happy place." She hopes to pass this love of learning on to her students, helping them discover their passions.

Already this year, she looks forward to strengthening the connections she’s made with MBUSD students, families, and staff. She’s also excited to support the District’s work in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), which will help create accessible instruction for all students, including multilingual learners.

Kortney enjoys running, biking, and family beach days in her spare time. Her family includes her husband, their two children, two cats, two dogs, and a leopard gecko. Fun fact: she’s the oldest of nine siblings! Her parents began fostering and adopting children when she was in sixth grade.

REMINDER: District E-Bike Safety Program Begins Next Monday, November 4

Starting November 4, the District’s E-Bike Safety Program will be in effect for MBMS and MCHS students. If your student(s) rides an e-bike to campus, please ensure they have the approved MBUSD-certified sticker displayed on their e-bike to be permitted to park on school grounds. 

To receive this sticker, students must complete a District-approved e-bike certification course through E-Bike Sense or PedalAce by November 4. Without this certification, students will not be allowed to bring or park their e-bikes on campus, and any e-bike found without a sticker will be held for parent pick-up. Private course options remain available with E-Bike Sense (in-person) and PedalAce (online), and free District-sponsored classes will again be offered in January. 

Here is the link to register privately for the in-person E-Bike Sense course. Please use the discount code MBUSD25 to receive a 25% discount available to MBUSD families.

Here is the link to register for the online PedalAce course. This course is offered at a 50% discount.

On December 9, the program will extend to elementary students in grades 4 and 5. District-sponsored classes are still open for these grades from November 2 through December 9. If your student has already completed or will complete a private class through PedalAce and E-Bike Sense, please submit their certificate of completion to the front office as soon as possible. Once verified, a sticker will be issued to immediately be placed on the e-bike. Certificates will be cross-referenced with lists provided to the school by PedalAce and E-Bike Sense.

Thank you for your support as we work to keep our students and community safe!

Superintendent’s Educational Tech Advisory Committee Meets for First Time

This week, a select group of parents, certificated staff, classified staff, and administrators attended the year’s first Superintendent’s Educational Technology Advisory Committee meeting, led by Dr. Jonathan Erickson, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. 

The meeting opened with a review of the committee’s goals and purpose, followed by introductions where members shared their motivations for joining the group. The meeting also included an overview of the safety technology platforms the District uses regarding content filters, data security, and privacy. 

The committee’s role is to advise the Superintendent on the appropriate use of technology by reviewing research and discussing the best practices for our students. The goal is to find a “healthy” balance between embracing technology to enhance learning and minimizing its potential as a distraction or negative influence on students’ social-emotional development.

Easy Reader: MBUSD Student Performance Rises in State Tests 

"Districtwide, students scored a 1.64 percent increase in ELA scores, with 81.16 percent meeting or exceeding state standards. In math, student scores rose 2.08 percent, to 75.07 percent. Specific grade-level data for ELA testing showed significant improvements in grades 4, 5, 7 and 11, with decreases in grades 3 and 8. The biggest increase was an 8.66 percent jump, to 76.15 percent, in 11th grade scores."

Elementary Schools MBEF EXPO

MBEF’s EXPO is coming back next week! An invitation was sent home to parents of elementary-aged students this week of the classes they're invited to visit, including Library, Makerspace, Music, P.E., and/or Science Lab. Look out for a schedule to choose a day and time that works for you. 

This unique opportunity takes place from Monday, November 4, to Friday, November 22, and welcomes parents and grandparents to experience firsthand learning opportunities funded by donations to the MBEF Annual Appeal. All EXPO visitors must present a photo ID and check in at the front office.

TK and Kindergarten Students Shine Bright in New Drama and Musical Theatre Program

Our Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten students are currently taking part in dramatic storytelling through puppetry and song. Additionally, they are participating in guided drama experiences, rehearsing vocal music performances with expression, and demonstrating dance movements they have observed. These objectives all relate directly to the California Arts Standards in the areas of theatre, music, and dance. 

In addition, our students in these classes are making excellent progress in enthusiastically learning the material for our spring musicals. TK students will be performing The Little Red Hen, and kindergarten students will perform The 3 Piggy Opera. This spring, each TK and kindergarten classroom in the District will have their own performance. These productions will allow all students to showcase a culmination of skills acquired during their musical theatre sessions. 

TK Students in Shari Jones' Class

Rehearsal for the musicals has also allowed students to further develop as performing artists. They have expanded their theatre-related skill sets and vocabularies, and gained confidence and independence as vocalists. 

Elementary Drama and Musical Theatre Teacher, Robin Knezevich says, “While a performance is certainly an end goal of our TK/ K musical theatre program, there is a second goal of great importance. This goal is to provide students with the opportunity to engage in the arts for art’s sake–to allow them the joy of creating and imagining–which comes intrinsically to our youngest learners.”

The new elementary program is in its first year and provides an opportunity for our youngest learners to be engaged in the performing arts. It is funded by Prop 28: Arts and Music in Schools. Thank you to Elementary Drama and Musical Theatre Teacher, Robin Knezevich for sharing this story! We also want to thank Meadows Parent Jessica Lakoff for sharing these photos!

MBMS Staff Prepare for Signs of Suicide (SOS) Day

Each school year, MBMS and Mira Costa participate in the Signs of Suicide (SOS) Program. The school-based depression awareness and suicide prevention program educates students and staff on the signs and symptoms of depression and helps students and staff know what to do when warning signs are recognized. 

This week, 7th and 8th-grade MBMS staff attended a training to be better prepared for SOS Day. It was led by Lauren Galbraith, School Counselor on Special Assignment for Student Success, who first discussed the steps staff can take if they see a student struggling. The pillars of ACT were reviewed, which stands for acknowledge, care, and tell. These are a series of actions staff can take to help prevent suicide. During that day, students will be given adolescent depression screening forms which will be reviewed by staff to provide support to students. 

MBMS SOS Day will take place on November 12. Mira Costa will host it on December 5.

This program is used throughout the country to raise awareness about depression and suicide. 

Mira Costa Hosts Hispanic Heritage Month Assembly 

Since its inception in 2016, the Hispanic Heritage Month Assembly has become a beloved tradition. It brings students and staff together to celebrate the vibrant contributions of Hispanic culture within our community. This year’s assembly was no exception, featuring food, fun, and music—all organized by the dedicated students of the Latino Student Union (LSU).

On the day of the assembly, LSU students sold popular foods, including horchata (a creamy cinnamon-infused rice drink), Jamaica (hibiscus tea), flavorful chicken and beef tacos, and delicious churros. 

The highlight of this year’s event was the debut of a student-led mariachi band, formed by Costa juniors Jade Arellano and Sofia Morales, both members of the school orchestra and LSU board members.

Events like this assembly reflect the importance of sharing and celebrating the diversity in our community. Thank you to Mira Costa teacher Sandra Martinez-Sellan for sharing these pictures.

Celebrating Creativity at Mira Costa’s Annual Art Show

The 8th Annual Art Night was a vibrant celebration of creativity, community, and student talent, bringing together families, friends, and art enthusiasts for an unforgettable evening. Planned by our dedicated art teachers—Kate Heredia, Jon Reichardt, and Autumn Chervenak—and supported by the Visual Arts Booster Club, students, and parent volunteers, this event highlighted the artistic skills of our students while engaging the community in hands-on artistic expression.

Photos by Mira Costa Art Teacher Kate Heredia

Throughout the evening, students proudly displayed and sold their original artwork, which included an impressive array of drawings, paintings, photography, crochet work, jewelry, buttons, and even hand-printed dish towels. Art lovers of all ages enjoyed participating in various arts and crafts booths that offered face painting, glitter tattoos, and the chance to make custom bracelets and buttons. Costa students also sold custom-designed t-shirts and sweatshirts they had printed themselves.

Adding to the atmosphere was live music from Hiatus, a band composed of Costa’s talented students. Thank you to our art teachers, volunteers, and students for keeping this tradition going.

UCLA Blood Drive at MBMS

Click image below to sign-up

City of MB 27th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony 

The City of Manhattan Beach invites you to its 27th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War (November 1955 – April 1975) and honoring the courageous men and women who have served our country.

Join us as we come together to recognize their sacrifices and express our gratitude for their service.

Event Details:  

November 11, 2024 | 11 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Location: Veterans Parkway, Valley Drive and Ardmore, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

The next Superintendent’s Newsletter will be published on November 8. Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely, 

Manhattan Beach Unified School District

325 S. Peck Avenue

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

310.318.7345