Dear MBUSD Parents and Community,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. Today’s issue highlights Pennekamp Elementary, details on signing up for the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, and the 2023-24 “Be Our Guest” Program schedule is now available!

Spotlight on Pennekamp (Special Thanks to Pennekamp 5th Grade Teachers, Megan Howard, Elisa Hull, Ian Jones, and Principal Sharon Witzansky)

The fifth-grade students at Pennekamp started their first Project Based Learning (PBL) Unit in Language Arts. Students are being guided by the question: How can we inspire people to create change in themselves, their community, and the world?  

To start the unit, students individually researched a debatable topic and pitched their change idea to the class. In teams, students collaborated to create questions and conducted research to learn what was needed to make their change a reality. They will next compose a written persuasive essay providing rationale for their change ideas. The PBL assignment will culminate with the teams creating a graphic design and sharing them at a community event. 

Staff Spotlight: Krishna Berkes - MCHS Administrative Assistant

This week, we recognize Krishna Berkes, Administrative Assistant to MCHS Principal Dr. Karina Gerger, as our staff spotlight! Krishna is in her 7th year at Mira Costa. She says both of her children attended MBUSD schools, and having volunteered at MBUSD for many years in different capacities, applying for this position was a natural next step.

Krishna’s favorite part of her job is helping students. “High school can be stressful, so I’m always happy when I can help solve a problem, get them logged in, or point them in the right direction.”

Krishna prides herself in trying to help everyone she can on campus. If she doesn’t know the answer, she will search until she finds it! “I am just amazed at the incredibly brilliant, dedicated staff in our District. Our kids are so fortunate.”



She grew up in the Bay Area but has lived in the South Bay for 28 years. She enjoys reading, visiting the beach, hiking, and trying new recipes in her free time. She is looking forward to Christmas cookie season!

Remembering MBPD Officer Chad Swanson

We send our heartfelt condolences to the Manhattan Beach Police Department, Officer Chad Swanson’s family, friends, and loved ones who are all mourning his loss. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult and tragic time.

Officer Swanson bravely served the Manhattan Beach Police Department since 2010, where he began on patrol and was selected for the Motor Division in 2017. Prior to serving in Manhattan Beach, Officer Swanson served the Hawthorne Police Department.

Manhattan Beach is holding a candlelight vigil in honor of Officer Chad Swanson’s life tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Civic Center Plaza, with a procession to the Pier after the vigil. Officer Swanson is survived by his wife and three young children. If you want to support his family during this time, the Manhattan Beach Police Officers’ Association (MBPOA) has created a donation fund for the Swanson family via the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) Fund a Hero Program. For information on the fund, click here for the joint press release by MBPD and City of Manhattan Beach.

Visit us at the Hometown Fair!

We are proud to be at the Annual Hometown Fair this weekend. Please drop by the MBUSD booth in Community Place for a meet and greet! Throughout the weekend, Cabinet, District leaders, principals, and I will be at the booth. 

We will be located on Valley Drive, near the north entrance to the Fair. Our booth is located in the Community Place section right next to our partner, the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation (MBEF). Please reference this map for our location. 



The fair will have many booths that support our MBUSD programs and student-led clubs. The Fair's opening ceremony and parade will include the incredible MCHS Marching Band and MBMS Ocean Wave Chorale. Mira Costa’s Vocal Ensemble will sing the National Anthem at the starting line of the MB 10K. Click here for more information.

MCHS Seniors Recognized by MBUSD Board of Trustees 

This year’s MCHS National Merit Scholarship Program semi-finalists were recognized for their dedication by the MBUSD Board of Trustees. Kina Desai, Veronica Fish, Charles Hiatt, William Kiely, Naomi Kim, Adam Manasfi, and Mia Roman-Wilson are part of the less than 1% of U.S. high school seniors who scored the highest on the 2022 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which served as the initial screen to be considered for the program. 

We wish our students the best of luck as they advance to the final level of the competition.

New Field Installed at MBMS Thanks to Local Community Organizations!

Our students and community members are enjoying a brand new green field at MBMS, all thanks to the leadership of AYSO Region 18, Sand & Surf Soccer Club, BCS Flag Football, South Bay PONY Baseball, and Beach Softball. In June 2023, the MBUSD Board of Trustees accepted the generous gift by AYSO to replace the existing field with new grass. 

AYSO and other sports organizations donated the following amount to the initiative:

AYSO - $75,000+

Sand & Surf - $25,000

BCS Flag Football - $25,000

South Bay PONY Baseball - $25,000

Beach Softball - $6,500

The field was prepared and laser-graded to improve drainage and playability. Irrigation heads were repaired and replaced, and more than 95,000 square feet of premium sod was installed. Thank you to all of our partners who contributed to making this project a reality!

MBMS Field Before the Project

MBMS Field After the Project

MCHS Club Rush

This week MCHS students gathered in Mustang Plaza for the annual Club Rush.

Students explored an array of clubs offered on campus and had the opportunity to ask questions to student club leaders. The event for many, is a way to learn more about the old and new clubs being offered on campus and get more involved in the Mustang community. MCHS currently has approximately 150 clubs! 

Below are some highlights!

Walk and Roll to School Day a Success!

In partnership with Beach Cities Health District (BCHD), MBUSD elementary schools participated in the international Walk and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, October 4. We had an impressive number of staff, students, and families participate, with more than 1,000 individuals walking and rolling to school. 

School communities celebrated the day by having designated routes to their campuses. This year, Pacific Elementary was our host site for the event. MBUSD Trustees and Cabinet members also participated. It was wonderful to be part of this initiative, and I enjoyed meeting many of our families during the walk!

The event encourages physical activity, a strong sense of community, and teaches pedestrian safety skills.

MCHS Marching Band Heading to First Ever Band Competition at SoFi Stadium

Congratulations to the MCHS Marching Band and Colorguard! They kicked off their season with big news: Our students will be performing alongside 22 other premiere ensembles for the Western Bands Association Marching Band competition on Monday, October 23. It will be the first ever Marching Band competition at SoFi Stadium. You can find more information here. 

Thank you to our staff and booster club for providing our students with unforgettable experiences like this. Good luck!

“Be Our Guest” Program 

In partnership with the City of Manhattan Beach Parks & Rec’s Older Adults program, the “Be Our Guest” program schedule is live! The program invites older adult residents in Manhattan Beach who are 55 years of age or older to attend performances for free at Manhattan Beach Unified schools. 

If you are interested, you will need to sign up and get a special pass at the Joslyn Community Center at the Older Adults Program Office.

For the schedule, please visit www.mbusd.org/BeOurGuest. This year, there are thirteen shows “Be Our Guest” members can attend, including MCHS drama/tech, choir, band, and orchestra programming. Click image below for flyer.

Join the PTA!

If you have a child, you have experienced PTA! The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is the oldest and largest child advocacy association in America. Here in Manhattan Beach, the amazing, ongoing partnership of the PTAs and MBUSD continues. The seven PTAs’ collective contribution of over $2.2 million ensures our schools and programs are stellar. 

Our PTAs provide school supplies and technology; capital improvements; academic, social-emotional, and VAPA programming; field trips; staff appreciation and teacher professional development opportunities; community support; and cultural and school-wide celebrations. Various PTA parent functions provide a forum for parents to voice their opinions, engage in discussions, and learn about what is happening at our schools.

PTA is a constant voice for our children and strives to make our schools a better place to learn and grow! Thank you to everyone who has already joined the PTA; without you, our programs and projects would not be possible. Each school’s PTA strives for 100% participation. If you have not had a chance to join yet - it’s just a click away! 

Grand View PTA

Meadows PTA

Pacific PTA

Pennekamp PTA

Robinson PTSA

MBMS PTA

Mira Costa PTSA

Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk Registration Underway!

Register today for the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk on Sunday, October 29! The annual fun-filled community event gives back to MBEF and our students!



Whether registering as a walker or virtual walker, please only indicate MBEF as a beneficiary during registration to ensure that your full contribution directly benefits MBEF and your school PTA! The walk supports both children with special needs through the Friendship Foundation and our students through MBEF. Please click here for the registration process and FAQs.

Click on your school’s official team page below to register:

Grand View Elementary School Team

Manhattan Beach Middle School Team

Meadows Elementary School Team

Mira Costa High School Team

Pacific Elementary School Team

Pennekamp Elementary School Team

Robinson Elementary School Team

MB Preschool Team

Complimentary Los Angeles Kings Tickets!

We are so excited to announce that we are partnering with the L.A. Kings once again and offering our staff and families complimentary tickets. 

The L.A. Kings will provide two free tickets (an estimated processing fee of $7.50 will apply per ticket) to each student and each staff member for upcoming games at the Crypto.com Arena!

You can find the full list of games and how to redeem your tickets here. 

An email was sent out on September 28 & 29 to all staff and families with details on how tickets can be redeemed. Every student and staff member will receive a unique code that can only be used once. (Student codes will be sent to parent/guardian). We hope you take advantage of this wonderful offer! Go, Kings, Go! 

Give Today to the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation

What is the MBEF Annual Appeal?

Every year the MBEF Annual Appeal supports academic enrichment programs that instill Excellence in Education. From funding smaller class sizes, strong core academics, social-emotional learning with additional counselors, and specialized programs in STEAM and visual and performing arts, MBUSD families contribute to our excellent school system with annual donations. 

Please support the 2023-24 Annual Appeal by donating today!

We are grateful for MBEF and all that the Foundation has done for the past 40 years to make what MBUSD it is today! Please read MBEF’s Annual Report & Honor Roll to learn more about the impact, MBEF’s vision, and the people who supported MBEF to make a difference in our schools. 

Share Stories with Us! 

Do you have a good news story idea? Share it with us! There are great stories to be told across the District, from stories of accomplishment, perseverance, and noteworthy events to academic excellence unfolding in our classrooms. Please share a story with us so we can share it with our community!



Stories submitted are often shared in our publications, on social media, and with our local media partners. 

Upcoming Events

Tedx Manhattan Beach 2023 Returning to Mira Costa 

Tickets are on sale now! 

In its 13th annual year, the event has a list of dynamic speakers, an interactive expo center, and delicious food/drinks throughout the day! This year we have two Mira Costa students speaking, Anthony Padnos and Winston Iskandar. 

Check out our Social Media Directory

Following our eight schools on social media and our District accounts make it convenient for you to get real-time updates, news, and information!

Stay Updated! Download MBUSD App!



If you haven’t downloaded the MBUSD app, please do so!

You can go to an Apple or Google Play store to download the app by searching Manhattan Beach Unified or MBUSD. Once you download it, you will see a home page asking you to set up the schools you would like access to and announcements from, including the District.



You can toggle between the District and each school site screen from the top of the app. All elementary school sites have the same buttons, while MBMS and Mira Costa’s features cater to our families and students there. The app offers 42 languages from which to choose. You can update your app settings, and you can learn what is happening at the District and school site level every morning by push notifications! 

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 educational 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 October 13. Have a wonderful weekend!



Sincerely,