Dear MBUSD Parents and Community,

I hope your first full week back to school was wonderful! 

We are off to a great start! I am excited for what is yet to come and to celebrate the many opportunities that will prepare our students for success. This week was full of energy as I attended the amazing assemblies that took place at Mira Costa and the District’s first Back to School night at MBMS.

I already see the outstanding work happening every day in our District. Each week in this newsletter, I will share celebrations, District news, and important information with you.

Today’s newsletter features our first staff spotlight of the school year, a special video about our District, and the Makerspace program at Grand View Elementary.  

Spotlight on Mira Costa (Special thanks to the MCHS Administrators)

Mira Costa students and staff hosted the beginning of the school year assemblies across campus this week with four groups of 600 students rotating throughout all four assemblies. The assemblies touched upon the District’s social and emotional learning framework and the MBUSD Inclusion S.T.A.N.D. U.P. Commitment. The day welcomed new students and established Costa’s positive campus culture. 

Students recommitted to the Mustang message of “Mustangs Expect Respect," which includes respect for themselves, others, and property. They learned about the two main components of developing and maintaining healthy relationships: respecting yourself and respecting others. Another assembly provided students the opportunity to share their Costa experiences on campus, and student alumni were guest speakers as well. 

The WE ARE COSTA Field Day assembly was a huge success as students spent time at Waller Stadium to connect with staff members, learn about opportunities on campus to get involved in, and create new memories with one another. 

Here are more pictures capturing the Mustang spirit from the assemblies!

MBUSD Staff Spotlight: Monica Marquez

Meet Monica Marquez, the newest staff member in our Human Resources Department. This is her eighth year at MBUSD and she currently serves as the Human Resources Technician. She began her career at MBMS as an Attendance Clerk and then worked as an Office Specialist.

Monica says she loves working at the District Office and MBUSD because of all the growth opportunities offered to staff. 

When she’s not working, she enjoys cooking and watching re-runs of old sitcoms like The Golden Girls! She also has four children and is proud to be a team mom at their baseball games.

#WeAreMBUSD 

Please watch this video highlighting MBUSD, our administrators, staff, and MBEF. It shares how we all work together as a community to provide the best education possible for our students.

USA TODAY Sports/AVCA Ranks Mira Costa Girls Volleyball as 5th in the Nation!

The latest USA TODAY Sports/American Volleyball Coaches Association girls volleyball Super 25 ranked Mira Costa’s Girls Volleyball team as 5th in the nation. Congratulations! 

Each week during the fall season, a ranking is released in conjunction with USA TODAY/AVCA.

MBMS Back to School Night

Back to School Night at MBMS was a huge success last night and it was so nice to meet MBMS families. Thank you to our MBMS administrators, educators, and staff for your dedication to making the night memorable.

Makerspace Program Transforming STEM Education 

At MBUSD, STEM education begins in elementary school through the Makerspace program. Our amazing Makerspace Specialist at Grand View Elementary, Ms. Paki Wolfe, asked her 4th graders to become engineers for the day and were given the task of building a pump station in a remote river valley. 

Their job as a team of four was to deliver building supplies to the inaccessible area using a zip line without losing any precious building supplies. Ms. Paki says it was a fun way of finding a solution to a problem using unconventional means.

Other students also participated in a variety of Makerspace activities this week. 2nd graders made a well-labeled diagram for their custom designed ‘thinking caps,’ 3rd graders observed the physics behind a marble run, and kindergarteners learned the science behind bubbles.

It was also an exciting start to the new school year as students have the opportunity to learn in the new Makerspace classroom! Other Makerspace classes will start next week. 

Thank you to Manhattan Beach Education Foundation for supporting STEM education in various capacities!

Check out the STEM Tidbits! 

Learn more about upcoming STEM activities and events from MBUSD's K-12 STEM TOSA, Tanya Sanchez.

Click here to watch Nasa's Artemis 1 Moon Mission launch tomorrow

Click here to learn more about California Coastal Clean-Up Day

Click here for the MB Hometown Fair STEM and Art Community Showcase Info

Click on the flyer below!

Morgan’s Message Chapter Comes to MCHS

Morgan’s Message is a non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating the stigma surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community and equalizing the treatment of physical and mental health in athletics. 

Costa varsity athlete, Katie Witherell, was recently chosen as an ambassador of the Morgan’s Message Education program and plans to educate her fellow students with the club. 

Katie says this organization means a lot to her as Morgan’s Message was created by the family and friends in honor of Morgan Rodgers who was also a lacrosse player. You can follow the club on Instagram here. 

Mira Costa has 136 clubs offered to students!

Mira Costa’s Marching Band and Colorguard Back in Action

I had the pleasure to attend Mira Costa’s first home football game of the season against St. Francis High School. The true Mustang spirit and enthusiasm were seen as Waller Stadium was full of fans.

The Marching Band and Colorguard kicked off the 2022-23 season with an impressive half-time performance. The show this year is called “Let Them Eat Cake.” 

This year, the Marching Band and Colorguard program grew by 30%!

Pictures by Lana Imbagliazzo

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. 

Click the links below to learn about the variety of positions available.

Classified Job Opportunities

Certificated Job Opportunities

YEA! Applications NOW Open

For the past 8 years, our students have participated in the Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) in partnership with the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce. The program transforms local middle and high school students into confident entrepreneurs. YEA! meetings are held on Wednesday evenings at Mira Costa High School from 4:30-7:30 p.m.

• YEA! Application Deadline is Friday, September 2022

• Application interviews will be on October 3 & 4, 2022 at the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce.

• School administrators, counselors, teachers, and staff may nominate students by filling out the YEA! Student Nomination Form. Nominated students will be contacted about the YEA! program and invited to apply.

• Additional details can be found on the YEA! application form and on our website.

Two of our students from the YEA! Class of 2022 earned a spot in the National Saunder's Competition, where Dallas Nurre won 3rd Place and a scholarship to the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Safeguards to Protecting Yourself and Pets Against Coyotes 

There have been reports of an increase in coyote sightings and activity in the City of Manhattan Beach and throughout the South Bay. Please be mindful and vigilant. The City is reminding residents to follow important safeguards to protect themselves and their pets against coyotes. Click here to learn more about the steps you can take to avoid coyote encounters. 

The City is keeping track of sightings and attacks and these incidents should be reported to the Manhattan Beach Police Department Animal Control at (310) 802-5160. If a coyote is posing an imminent threat to life, call 911.

Provided by MBPD

Latest COVID-19 Updates

You can find all of our COVID-19 information, guidance, and updates on our

District COVID-19 page. This is updated with new information as LACDPH guidelines and protocols change. 

Upcoming Events

Mira Costa Drama/Tech students are already preparing for their fall and spring shows! Click here for more information! Pre-sale tickets go on sale October 17.

TEDx MANHATTANBEACH 2022

Tickets are on sale now!

Saturday, November 5 | 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Mira Costa Auditorium

Good for the Mind! Explore the interactive Expo, sample delicious food & beverages, and enjoy new experiences shared with our community. Raci Levine, a junior of Mira Costa High School and President of the Jewish Cultural Club at MCHS is a speaker this year.

Student discounts are available.

Labor Holiday Coming Up

The District office and school sites will be closed on Labor Day, Monday, September 5. Have a wonderful long weekend! 

The next Superintendent's Newsletter will be published on Friday, September 9. 

Thank you as always for your continued support and partnership. I look forward to a wonderful year ahead and want to extend my deepest gratitude to all of our families and staff who support our students every day on their path to success. 

Sincerely,