Dear MBUSD Parents and Community,

I hope this letter finds you well. Today’s newsletter highlights academics at MBMS, Grand View’s Patriotic Assembly, and exciting upcoming events!

Spotlight on MBMS (Special thanks to Principal Jennifer Huynh)

At MBMS, teachers emphasized the importance of the 'why' in their instruction. Staff place a great emphasis on teaching students the why behind concepts rather than just the what. Science classes focused on the Scientific Inquiry Method by generating hypotheses for everyday curiosities. Social Science helps students find the significance behind historical events and how they relate to today’s current events. 



In English, students analyzed components of articles to understand why the informational text is written in particular formats for their audience. The dynamic learning experience means having students use the inquiry process to expand their thinking skills. These skills can be witnessed throughout all of our classrooms at MBMS. These are just a few examples of the amazing academic and relevant learning experiences taking place at MBMS!

MBUSD Staff Spotlight: Ed Jozefecick

Ed Jozefecick started his career at MBUSD in 1999 as a Plumbing/HVAC Technician and is now the Director of Operations for the Maintenance and Operations Department at MBUSD. He wanted to work at MBUSD because his son was going to start attending Mira Costa and he wanted to work closer to home!  

Ed wears many hats to make sure everything runs smoothly with custodial and grounds work. Our Maintenance and Operations team is always busy keeping our school sites in peak condition. He says his biggest achievement was becoming the Director of Operations.

Ed says he enjoys his job because every day is something new and comes with solving new challenges. He is proud to be part of the MBUSD team because of the amazing people who work here. Ed says he loves living and working in the South Bay. Outside of work, you can find him camping and enjoying the outdoors. We appreciate all that you do!

#WeAreMBUSD 

Please enjoy 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.

Remembering 9/11

Literacy TOSA Dr. Anna Gralnik has been visiting 4th and 5th graders across our District and reading “This Very Tree: A Story of 9/11, Resilience, and Regrowth” by Sam Rubin.

In her lesson, she shares the tragic events of 9/11. In these photos, students at Pacific Elementary in Mrs. Emily Brunick's class learned the importance of multiple perspectives. Dr. Gralnik asked students to share what the words ‘hero’ and ‘perspectives’ means to them, and then connected those topics to the book.

Grand View Staff and Students Honor Heroes 

Speaking of heroes, we had our local heroes visit Grand View Elementary this week. Thank you to our Manhattan Beach Police and Fire Departments for sharing their stories with our students during a special assembly dedicated to heroes.

It was also a tribute to the lives lost during 9/11. The assembly began with the “No Place for Hate” pledge signing by students, a program dedicated to spreading kindness and addressing bullying throughout the school year.

Mira Costa Back to School Night

The halls of Mira Costa were buzzing with excitement by families during Back to School Night. Cabinet and I were also there to meet parents/guardians as they navigated through campus to visit their student(s) classrooms, and get a feel for bell schedules and passing periods.

Families learned about all of the opportunities and support offered at Mira Costa to provide student growth.

Thank you to administrators, educators, and staff for your dedication to making the night memorable!

Mira Costa Friendship Club First Meeting



This week, there was a large turnout at the first Mira Costa Friendship Club meeting since the beginning of the new school year. Students worked on a special project by painting rocks and making meaningful connections with each other.

Supporting MBEF

What is the MBEF Annual Appeal?

Every year the MBEF Annual Appeal supports and enhances academic enrichment programs that reach every child every day. At the elementary level, MBEF funding pays for Class Size Reduction in 4th and 5th grades, Music Instruction, Makerspace, PE, Libraries, Science Specialists, and specialized positions to support peer to peer coaching on best practices.

At MBMS, MBEF funding pays for Class Size Reduction, STEM Electives, Music & The Arts, Guidance Counselors, an Assistant Principal, a Library Specialist, and specialized positions to support peer to peer coaching on best practices.

At MCHS, MBEF funding pays for Class Size Reduction, Science Lab Assistant, Music & The Arts, Zero Period, Guidance Counselors, College & Career Counselors, and specialized positions to support peer to peer coaching on best practices. Please consider a donation to MBEF. Without your support, these programs would not be possible.

7th Graders Investigate a Science Crime Scene

To start the year, 7th grade Science teachers at MBMS had a crime-solving mystery of "Who Dunnit?" and asked students to find out "Who Killed Bill Nye". Students visited the Science Cafe, where the 'crime scene' was located and the place where they analyzed evidence to create a theory on who committed the crime.  

7th graders used observations, data collection, and inquiry to make conclusions to help them create an argument for their Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning writing, a strategy that develops students’ analytical thinking and argumentative writing skills. 

Thank you to our K-12 STEM TOSA Tanya Sanchez and MBMS Science teachers for sharing this story!

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.

City Reminder: No Outdoor Watering

NO OUTDOOR WATERING NOW through 9/20

Manhattan Beach residents & businesses have been asked to suspend outdoor watering for 15 days as a critical imported water pipeline is shut down for emergency repairs by the Metropolitan Water District.

Visit the city’s website for more information and additional ways to save water.

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.

This Sunday will mark the 21st Anniversary of the tragic attacks that happened on 9/11. Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance are observed on September 11 in memory of the thousands who lost their lives, the people who were forever impacted, the heroes, and also those who survived. We will never forget.

The next Superintendent's Newsletter will be published on Friday, September 16. 

Thank you as always for your continued support and partnership. Thank you to all of our families and staff who support our students every day on their path to success.

Sincerely,