Superintendent's Newsletter
February 11, 2022
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Dear MBUSD Parents and Community,
I hope this letter finds you well. Today’s message features STEM at Meadows Elementary, our Kindergarten Information Day video, the 9th Annual MCHS Black History Month Assembly, and much more!
Spotlight on Meadows Elementary School - (Special thanks to Mrs. Riccio, Mrs. Ibrahim, and Principal, Michelle Krzmarzick)
Meadows Elementary students recently celebrated the 100th day of school, Lunar New Year, and excelled in many classroom projects!
In MakerSpace this week, Mrs. Riccio’s students used a motor and battery to build a robot that created works of art with a pen. Principal Michelle Krzmarzick says the ingenuity of our students was astounding as they approached the problem from different angles and came up with different ways to meet the challenge. This is one of many ways STEM education is part of our curriculum to encourage students to think analytically at a young age. MakerSpace provides students with hands-on experience, where they see themselves as inventors, builders, and creators!
Second graders studied volcanoes this week in a science lab with Mrs. Ibrahim. They made models of shield volcanoes using different colors of playdough to represent different lava flows. Then they took core samples of the lava flow to see where each lava flow had gone, even if it had been covered by newer eruptions.
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Outdoor Masking Changes on the Horizon
We are looking forward to a time when wearing masks, indoors or outdoors, is a thing of the past.
While the State of California and Los Angeles County determine how to proceed with changes to current public health orders regarding indoor and outdoor masking rules, please know that all schools in MBUSD follow Los Angeles County Department of Public Health orders. As the COVID-19 surge is declining, we are optimistic that these protocols will change soon.
For now, this means that universal masking with the appropriate type of face covering is still currently required for both indoor and outdoor settings on the school campus. Exceptions include when a student is actively eating or drinking and in outdoor settings where physical distancing can be reliably maintained.
To learn more about the type of masks students can wear, please see our mask webpage.
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At-Home Antigen Test Kit Distribution
In preparation for mid-winter break, we have procured another set of at-home antigen test kits for both staff and students and will be distributing these soon. Each staff member and student will receive one box containing two test kits. While these can be used at your discretion and as-needed, we do ask parents to utilize one of the tests prior to your child’s return from mid-winter break.
The use of these free home tests should be supervised by an adult, and their purpose is to identify whether a student is positive for COVID-19. If your student tests positive for COVID-19, please keep them home and report the case to your school site as soon as possible. In addition to reporting all positive cases, we ask that you please be sure to let your principal know if you used a school-provided test in the identification of a positive case.
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Enroll Today! 2022-23 Enrollment Underway!
All children who will be five years old as of September 1, 2022, are eligible to enroll in kindergarten, and all children who will be five years old as of February 2, 2023, are eligible to enroll in transitional kindergarten. Click here for enrollment information.
Learn more about our District and programs by watching the latest Kindergarten Information Day video:
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Kindergarten Orientation will be held at school sites during the month of March:
• Grand View: Wednesday, March 9, 2022 |9:00 a.m.
• Meadows: Monday, March 7, 2022 | 9:00 a.m.
• Pacific: Wednesday, March 9, 2022 | 9:00 a.m.
• Pennekamp: Tuesday, March 8, 2022 | 9:00 a.m.
• Robinson: Friday, March 4, 2022 | 9:00 a.m.
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Hate Crimes at MCHS
We have learned about two additional anti-Semitic vandalism graffiti incidents at Mira Costa High School this week, making these the third and fourth hate crimes in the past two weeks. School staff found Nazi swastikas drawn in two different locations during their recent routine checks of the campus. These multiple hate crimes taking place on the Mira Costa campus are under investigation by the Manhattan Beach Police Department. We are working closely with them to make sure anyone who has taken part in vandalizing MCHS and perpetrating these acts of hate will be held accountable for their actions, up to and including facing criminal charges.
All of our campuses, including Mira Costa High School, are safe learning environments, and we are committed to taking the steps we see as necessary to ensure that students on campus feel secure and supported. If you see something, say something - this means students should tell an administrator, teacher or staff member about any hate messages, symbols or graffiti they encounter and that they should pass along any information they have about the perpetrators of these acts. Let’s all step up and condemn any acts or messages of hate.
At MBUSD, there has been a focus on creating a culture of care in our schools. Last year, our Board of Trustees announced a resolution denouncing all manifestations of hate, xenophobia, prejudice, and bigotry, while affirming MBUSD’s commitment to the safety and well-being of our community. We want you to talk to your child(ren) about our commitment to following the MBUSD Inclusion Stand Up Commitment.
We urge parents to speak with their students and ask anyone with information to contact the Manhattan Beach Police Department (see below) and any school administrator. The incidents at Mira Costa High School are ongoing investigations.
The Manhattan Beach Police Department provided the following recent update by Public Information Officer, Chris Ineguez:
“The Manhattan Beach Police Department has a firm stance against crimes targeting individuals based on the following but not limited to gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation. We strive to protect the rights of all individuals against such acts or threats of violence, property damage, harassment, intimidation, or other crimes motivated by hate or bias. Our Department is working diligently, and employing reasonably available resources and vigorous law enforcement action to identify hate crime perpetrators. As such, offenders can be faced with criminal charges for vandalism or acts of hate.
We strive to ensure our residents and visitors of Manhattan Beach feel safe, welcomed, and know that hate will not be tolerated in our city. We are committed to working with our community and would like to assure you that your safety is our highest priority.
To report an act or incident of hate, please call MBPD at (310) 802-5171. Victims of hate incidents can also seek support through LA vs. Hate. This program includes a network of community agencies that provide prevention, advocacy, and support to victims of incidents of hate. To report hate, please call 211.”
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Thank you to our amazing Counselors for their dedication to our students! We are proud to recognize the week to celebrate the powerful impact they have in helping our students succeed and ensuring they are ready for the future! |
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Celebrating Black History Month
Mira Costa High School students hosted the 9th Annual MCHS Black History Month Assembly today.
The two-part assembly featured a video created by students that was shown in each classroom. It shared historical information about Black History Month, the theme this year, and the significance of the celebration. You can watch the video below!
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After the video, students headed over to the Mustang Mall and enjoyed music, food, poetry, and much more in honor of Black History Month. Students created display tables profiling the words and work of many prominent African American leaders, poets, musicians, and others, and invited peers to enjoy delicious food, read quotes by prominent African American leaders, engage in poetry writing, and enjoy a performance by the Mira Costa choir. It was an opportunity for all of our students to embrace one another!
This assembly is one of many planned activities during this month. The entire campus has already started a door decorating contest where each department will showcase famous African Americans related to their department. The Black Student Union was established in 2011 by staff members, including School Psychologist Janet Allen. It came to life as a safe place for students who felt alone. Over the years, the club has grown, and nearly 65 students now attend the club’s weekly meetings.
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Robinson Elementary Celebrates Black History Month
Students at Robinson Elementary also celebrated Black History Month with a special assembly on campus! It was the first live assembly since returning to in-person learning. Dr. Anthony Lee shared his grandfather’s story with Robinson’s students. Dr. Lee is a retired lecturer in African American History who taught at UCLA and West Los Angeles College. Dr. Lee’s children attended Manhattan Beach Unified Schools, and he was excited to share his story with the Robinson community.
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Parcel Tax Update - Protecting Quality Education in Manhattan Beach
When Manhattan Beach voters approved a local school parcel tax – Measure MB in 2018 – they helped ensure stable, reliable funding for our students to help offset the state funding gap. However, Measure MB funding is set to expire in 2024 unless renewed by voters in an earlier election.
As the District plans for the future, the Board of Trustees is evaluating options for securing and enhancing local funding sources to reduce dependence on unpredictable and insufficient state funding and to maintain the high-quality teaching and programs that our students and community expect.
One option is to place a measure on the ballot later this year to let voters consider renewing and possibly increasing local school parcel tax funding that cannot be taken away by the State. You can learn more about the District-sponsored parcel tax, which requires two-thirds approval of voters, by visiting this MBUSD website.
We are aware of and monitoring a community-driven petition seeking to secure a parcel tax through a citizens’ initiative ballot. You can learn more about the community-driven initiative, which requires approval by a majority of voters, by visiting this MB Citizens for Schools website.
Our Board of Trustees will hear about the progress of both parcel tax strategies at our next Board meeting on February 16 at 5:30 p.m. You can watch the live stream here.
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Check out the time-lapse video of Pennekamp Elementary’s Modular Classroom Building Installation!
It took construction crews three days to transport and piece it together.
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As COVID-19 health and safety updates are constantly changing, we want to make sure you have the latest information in a timely manner on multiple platforms! The information you would usually find in this newsletter is now on our website for easy navigation. |
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Watch Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi’s Schools and COVID-19 Town Hall Featuring Superintendent, Dr. John Bowes!
The South Bay Virtual Town Hall was an opportunity for Dr. Bowes and Dr. Griselda Gutierrez, Associate Medical Director of Outpatient Services and Vaccination Clinic Program Lead at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, to share their responses to the pandemic. They answered community questions on topics of vaccination, masking, health and safety at schools.
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Weekend COVID-19 Testing Clinic Continues Through April 9 at Mira Costa!
We are excited to announce that free Saturday testing opportunities will continue to be offered every Saturday through April 9. You can drop by between 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the Mira Costa High School student parking lot, located at Peck and Artesia.
Testing is open to the community and is a drive-thru testing opportunity. Pre-registration is required before arriving at Mira Costa. We have had some questions in regards to our extra weekend testing opportunity and want to clarify that it is a one time test ONLY and does not register you for any other testing.
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Upcoming COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic on February 19
You can register now, and the clinic will also be accepting walk-ins! All brands of vaccines will be available. Participants in any eligible age group can receive first, second, or booster doses through this clinic.
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We have created a new communications email address for our community.
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updates, news, and events!
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The next Superintendent Newsletter will be published on Friday, February 18.
Thank you for helping us keep our community healthy and safe! I am proud of the steps we’ve taken to provide our students the in-person, safe and healthy, and high-quality educational experience they deserve.
Sincerely,
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John Bowes, Ed.D.
MBUSD Superintendent
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Manhattan Beach Unified School District
325 S. Peck Avenue
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
310.318.7345
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