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Superintendent's Newsletter

September 20, 2024

Dear MBUSD Parents and Community,


I hope this newsletter finds you well! Today’s issue features Grand View Elementary, the publication of Mira Costa’s 2024-25 school profile, and an upcoming information session on online safety for MBUSD parents.

Spotlight on Grand View Elementary (Special thanks to the Fourth Grade Team, Carrie Fairbrother, Jeannette Shaw-Bueno, Marianne Slater, and Principal Tara Grings)

At Grand View, fourth-grade students finished reading Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume and wrote about the main character, Peter Hatcher, analyzing his traits and using evidence from the text to support their thinking about his character. When students began the novel, they participated in a estimation jar activity, and just like Peter did at Jimmy’s birthday party, students got to guess how many gumballs were in a jar. The closest estimate won a stuffed turtle! Throughout the novel study, students learned what “Good Readers” of realistic fiction do: identify the character's problem, reflect on the plot, analyze main and secondary character traits, and predict, summarize, envision, and interpret the author's message.


Students read their “just right” independent realistic fiction books and applied these strategies by stopping and jotting in their reader’s notebooks as they read both at school and at home. 


Fourth graders will continue their in-depth study of realistic fiction with the next Reader's Workshop unit, featuring The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo as the mentor text. They will then begin writing realistic fiction stories in Writer's Workshop.

Staff Spotlight: Leigh Dinneen | District Nurse

Our staff spotlight this week is Leigh Dinneen! She is one of our dedicated District nurses at MBUSD. Leigh began her journey with MBUSD at the start of the 2022-23 school year as a part-time substitute District nurse and transitioned into a full-time role the following year. Along with her colleague, Kristin Walz, she supports the health and well-being of students across the District, with her focus on Robinson, MBMS, and Mira Costa schools.


Originally from West Virginia, Leigh earned her bachelor's degree in Nursing from West Virginia University before embarking on an exciting career as a travel nurse. After working at Carolinas Medical Center, a Level 1 Trauma Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, she took her adventurous spirit to Los Angeles, with her first assignment at UCLA in Westwood.


It was during this time that she fell in love with the South Bay, and after working at UCLA for eight years and Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic for ten, she settled in Hermosa Beach. After taking time off to raise her son, she returned to work as a district nurse for the Hermosa Beach City School District and eventually made her way to MBUSD.


One of her favorite parts of being a district nurse is connecting with students. “I love being able to interact with the students. As District nurses, we are based out of the District office and we go to our designated school sites to assess students for our reports.” Her role allows her to collaborate with various stakeholders, including parents, school counselors, psychologists, administrators, and teachers.


Leigh says being MBUSD’s District Nurse is her passion and is rewarding. “It makes me feel as if I am doing something every day that is helping the ‘whole student’, physically as well as mentally. I feel that being a mother and a nurse gives me a unique perspective on each child and how best to approach their individual needs,” said Leigh.


She also added that she feels especially lucky to have her son attending Mira Costa, experiencing firsthand the district’s commitment to student well-being. 


Outside of work, Leigh enjoys spending time with her family and friends, especially exploring L.A. with her son. A lover of the beach and country music, she often takes beach walks and enjoys listening to live music locally and across L.A. Leigh says she is creative by nature, which has led her to take on numerous house projects and even a fun jewelry business during her time at home. She’s also an enthusiastic “Auntie” to her nieces and nephews. She is heading back to West Virginia this weekend for her niece/goddaughter’s wedding.

Mira Costa 2024-25 School Profile

The annual Mira Costa High School profile is now available! A big thank you to the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation for designing, compiling, and printing this valuable resource each year for students and families. The detailed profile is created in collaboration with Mira Costa staff, including administration, College and Career Center staff, and counselors. 


The profile highlights key facts and information that play a crucial role in college admissions while showcasing Mira Costa’s strong academic programs and the diverse opportunities available to students. Click the image below to view the profile PDF!

In the Classroom: Robinson 4th Grade Social Studies with Mrs. Jessica Eckley

Students in Jessica Eckley’s class are excited and eager to begin their new project, where they will learn about the regions of California by creating travel brochures. This week, they learned about the project and started researching their chosen cities. Jessica introduced the project by sharing an example of a brochure she had created, highlighting the City of Long Beach. Students were then tasked with selecting six topics to feature in their brochure, such as climate, places to visit, things to do, history, and parks. She asked engaging questions to encourage the students to think more deeply about their brochure ideas.


Mrs. Eckley guided students through the process by reviewing the six sections she focused on in her brochure, which included research, writing, and illustrations. She also helped students brainstorm potential cities to feature and introduced them to the resources they would use to gather information. This unit aligns with the California Content Standards for 4th-grade social studies, which states that “students demonstrate an understanding of the physical and human geographic features that define places and regions in California.” 


In the next phase, students will prepare and deliver speeches about their chosen cities, allowing them to practice public speaking skills. Thank you to Jessica Eckley for making this story possible!

Measure RLS: Repairing Local Schools

MBUSD is committed to quality education, which is why the Manhattan Beach Unified School District Board of Trustees voted to place Measure RLS for the upcoming November ballot. If approved by voters, Measure RLS could be used to fund necessary upgrades and repairs to our local schools without increasing the tax rates paid by local residents and could generate approximately $200 million. 


Measure RLS could:

  • Replace aging and leaking roofs
  • Upgrade outdated classrooms and labs to support quality instruction in science, technology, engineering, math, reading, and writing
  • Upgrade plumbing to protect safe drinking water
  • Repair deteriorating electrical systems
  • Improve school safety systems including safety doors, fireproofing, smoke alarms, and detectors
  • Remove asbestos and lead paint where encountered
  • Replace outdated sewer and gas lines

To learn more, visit the Measure RLS page here.

Mira Costa Counselors and Staff Celebrate National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists

From left to right: Cameron Hughes, Jack Kjar, Eleanora Digilio, Colin Freelin, Katherine Kligys, Hudson Sagadevan, and Elizabeth Witherell

Last week, we proudly announced that seven Mira Costa seniors were named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, a distinction our students achieve annually. This week, counselors and staff celebrated the students’ remarkable accomplishments, offering their support and guidance on the next steps in the application process. 


We look forward to honoring our students at next week’s Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, September 24.

Mira Costa Cross Country Wins Big in Hawaii

Congratulations to our Mira Costa Cross Country teams on their impressive performance at the Iolani Cross Country Invitational. 


Mira Costa JV girls’ team took first place out of 18 teams. They had an outstanding performance. Ali Goldman led the way with an impressive 2nd place finish, followed by Natalie Brown in 9th. Their successes along with Lila Schroeder in 14th, Stella Grasso finishing in 16th place, Alexis Cusato in 22nd, and both Riley Kjar and Megan Cram finishing in 26th and 28th places. Their collective efforts secured them the top spot!


In the Varsity girls’ race, the team placed 4th overall, outshining our South Bay rivals Redondo Union! Sadie Wilson spearheaded the team, running alongside the leading pack and securing an 8th place finish, with Alana Clarke right behind in 9th. Mia Ritter was the third finisher for Costa, with freshman Isabella Amy as our 4th finisher and Jane Crawmer rounded out the scoring team as the 5th runner. Congratulations to all runners for their hard work and dedication!

In the Junior Varsity Boys race, the Mustangs battled Redondo Union. Despite Redondo's fast start, the Mustangs surged ahead, with Mira Costa and Redondo taking the top 12 finishing spots. Led by Killian Cistone (2nd), Sean Liu (3rd), Sebastian Lopez (6th), Max Myronowicz (7th), and Franklin Rogers (8th). Mustangs won with a score of 26 to 29. 


For the Varsity boys race, Senior Isaac Faynsod delivered a strong performance with a 15:01 3rd place finish, just behind Redondo’s top runner. Juniors Krish Desai (7th) and Carson Ehman (8th) also had impressive runs, while Senior Ian Hansen finished 11th despite challenging conditions. Junior Luuk Van Meurs rounded out the scoring five with a 14th place finish.


With no live timing system, the runners experienced the suspense of old-school cross country as they awaited the results! When the results were finally announced, Mira Costa emerged victorious with a final score of 43 to 53 over Redondo Union. 


Congratulations to all teams and coaches!

MBMS Students Practice First Fire Drill of the Year

MBMS conducted its first fire drill of the year this morning during first period. As the fire alarm sounded, students put into action the safety procedures they had learned for responding to a fire emergency. Following their teachers’ instructions, they evacuated safely to the blacktop, familiarizing themselves with the evacuation routes across campus. Once everyone was accounted for, students returned to class.


School safety drills like this one ensure that everyone understands their role during an emergency and helps optimize communication and planning. Our school safety plans prepare all of our schools to hold multiple safety drills each year to practice fire, earthquake, shelter-in-place, and lockdown emergency procedures. MBUSD has a Health and Safety Committee that regularly reviews and updates safety plans and related protocols.

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September is Suicide Prevention Month — a time to raise awareness. Our goal is to help ensure the MBUSD community has access to information and resources for discussing suicide prevention, knowing the signs, and how to seek help. Please know that you are not alone, you matter and there is help.

 

The California Department of Education (CDE) recognizes September as Suicide Prevention Month as a time to foster critical conversations about mental health and suicide prevention. Contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline if you are experiencing mental health-related distress or are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support. Please also refer to our compiled resources below for help as well.

In 2023, the Center for Disease and Control reported that suicide is the second-leading cause of death for teens and young adults (10-34 years of age). Learn more about suicide warning signs here.

Click here for our Health and Wellness Resources page

Protecting our Kids: Parent Awareness Information Session on Online Safety

MBUSD is partnering with the Redondo Beach Police Department to host a special information session on online safety. It is open to all MBUSD parents and registration is not needed. 


Click on the flyer below for more information.

TEDxManhattanBeach Early Bird Tickets on Sale Now!

TedxManhattanBeach is back for its 14th Annual event! This year’s theme, “CHANGEMAKERS,” will be hosted on Saturday, November 2, at Mira High School. The event will feature a dynamic lineup of speakers, including two current Mira Costa students: Travis Eichner, with his presentation “The Teenage Magician,” and Lila Mokhtari, presenting “Conscious Entrepreneur.” Other speakers represent a wide range of fields, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Sustainability, Entrepreneurship, and Brain Science.


In addition to the talks, attendees can explore an interactive EXPO filled with exciting exhibits designed to inspire and engage. There will be complimentary delicious food options and gourmet treats to enjoy throughout the day (including those delicious breakfast burritos and artisan TEDx lattes). Exhibits will feature community art projects, live performances, hands-on engineering projects, sustainability programs, and brain teasers. The EXPO also highlights local businesses, organizations, and student-led programs, offering a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and explore. 


Visit www.tedxmanhattanbeach.org to learn more about this year’s speakers, EXPO, and to purchase your tickets. Early bird ticket pricing is available through October 15. Students can purchase a discounted ticket. Click here for tickets.

Register Now for the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk!

It’s that wonderful time of the year again when we can come together to make a significant impact on our students and support a great cause! The annual fun-filled Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk supports both children with special needs through the Friendship Foundation and our local students through MBEF. For every $30 registration, please indicate MBEF as a beneficiary to ensure that your full contribution directly benefits MBEF and your school PTA! Every walker, whether you attend in person or not, makes a difference.


Please click here for registration process steps and FAQs.


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



Grand View Elementary

Meadows Elementary

Pacific Elementary

Pennekamp Elementary

Robinson Elementary

Manhattan Beach Middle School

Manhattan Beach Preschool

Mira Costa High School

MBEF Team

Join your School PTAs/PTSAs!

Manhattan Beach PTAs/PTSAs are vital partners to MBUSD providing support to students, families, and teachers. Joining and donating to your school's PTA/PTSA can have many benefits for you and your families:


  • Support your child's education - PTAs/PTSAs can help parents stay informed about their child's school life, collaborate with teachers and administrators, and contribute to their child's learning experience.
  • Be a role model - By joining PTA/PTSAs, you can demonstrate to your child the importance you place on education.
  • Get involved - PTAs/PTSAs offer many opportunities for parents to take part in school activities, attend meetings, and volunteer.
  • Access resources - PTAs/PTSAs provide resources for members, as well as offer a variety of programs and materials.

Make a difference - PTAs/PTSAs can help strengthen the school community, enhance fundraising efforts, and support the schools. Donations to PTA/PTSAs help fund programs and events. Please consider joining and donating to PTA/PTSA today! Click the link(s) below for more information.

 

Grand View | Meadows | Pacific | Pennekamp | Robinson | MBMS | Mira Costa

Be Our Guest Program Shares the Magic of Mira Costa VAPA Programs

In partnership with the City of Manhattan Beach Parks & Rec’s Older Adults program, the schedule for the “Be Our Guest” program is live! This program invites Manhattan Beach residents 55 years of age or older to attend performances at Mira Costa High School for free.  


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, “Be Our Guest” members can attend fourteen shows, including MCHS’s drama/tech, choir, band, and orchestra programs.



Click image below to view full PDF.

Share Stories 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 highlight it with our community!


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

Click here for the story form!
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The next Superintendent’s Newsletter will be published on September 27. Have a wonderful weekend!


Sincerely, 

Dr. John Bowes
MBUSD Superintendent

Manhattan Beach Unified School District


325 S. Peck Avenue

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

310.318.7345

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