THE MUSTANG MINUTE

September 9, 2024

MARK YOUR CALENDARS & QUICK LINKS


**UPCOMING DATES**


September


9/9-9/13: Fall Book Fair

9/17: MBEF New Family Reception

9/24: Picture Day

9/26: Spirit Rally @ 8:30 a.m.

9/27: Meadows Movie Night


October


10/3: No School


QUICK LINKS


Mustang Minute Subscription Request


Meadows Events Calendar


Meadows Website


Volunteer @ Meadows!


Join the PTA!


Report an Absence


MBUSD School Year Calendar


MBUSD Volunteer Requirements

Meadows News & Programs

Corporate Matching is a Thing!


Will your employer match your PTA Membership donation to our school? Corporate matching is an easy way to increase your contribution to your child’s education. Doubling your PTA membership donation at no extra cost is a no brainer! Some employers even continue to match after the initial match has been made! If your employer has a Corporate Matching Gift program, Meadows’ Tax ID# is 95 350 2370. If you’ve already made a membership donation to PTA, it’s not too late to check!


Check here to use our search engine to check for company eligibility. You may also have your company representative contact Lara Bender and Shirley Cramer for more information.

Scholastic Book Fair is here!!

Scholastic Book Fair is at Meadows on Monday, September 9th to Friday, September 13th! Come by and check it out - all purchases go towards supporting Meadows PTA events and activities!


HOURS:

Morning recess

Lunch recess

After school til 3:30PM (except Wednesday, 3 PM)


Make it easy and set up your students with an e-wallet on our site! 


We could also use your help during the book fair! Click HERE to sign up to VOLUNTEER!


We can't wait to see you!!

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW: Meadows Movie Night and Carnival



Join us for a SWEET night featuring WONKA at Meadows MOVIE NIGHT + Carnival!

Purchase your Food + Carnival tickets HERE!


We would also love your help making Movie Night a huge success, there are so many ways to help.


Click HERE to check out how and sign up to VOLUNTEER!

We need you for Mustang Socials!!

MBX MAP Fall Session is Coming!


It's time to sign up for MBX After School classes for the Fall session.


Registration begins Wednesday, September 4 at 9am and classes begin the week of Monday, September 30.


You can find schedules and registration info HERE.


Questions? Contact Sandi Nerad, MBX MAP Site Coordinator.

Materials for Makerspace


Makerspace is a hands-on learning environment focused on open-ended STEAM challenges. The curriculum challenges the students to brainstorm solutions to an assigned problem, plan, build, test, make improvements, and share lessons learned with the class. Students use tools (purchased by the PTA) and materials (donated from parents) to collaborate with a partner, learn from failure, and experiencing the benefits of working well with others.


Overheard in the classroom ...

​"The best time of my life!"

"Coding robots is insanely awesome!"

"Makerspace is my favorite class."

"I want to be an engineer!"


Volunteer: Volunteer to help your child's class. Sign ups for this will come from your room parent or teacher.


Materials: Purchase from the Makerspace Amazon wishlist and/or donate cleaned recyclables (see image)

Calling All Creative Mustangs! 2024-2025 Reflections Art Competition is Back


We want all Meadows Mustang students to unleash their creative superpowers and create fun fresh original works of art this fall. Open up your imagination and inspire people by showing them what “Accepting Imperfection” looks like to you! In this contest, demonstrating the spirit of the theme is what it’s all about. 


The Reflections contest deadline will be October 16th, 2024


Entries can be digitally submitted or with physical hard copies.


We welcome works of art in six categories: dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography and visual arts. There is also a Special Artist category showcasing artists with special needs., which has modified rules to accommodate special needs. Local winners in each category go on to compete at the district/region and state levels. Entry rules can be found here. 


We look forward to seeing the amazing work of our very talented Meadows students!


Entry form can be found here.

MBEF CORNER

Why are private donations needed in our public schools?


The Manhattan Beach community takes pride in our exceptional public school system. Our schools rank among the best in the state and the country, and the outstanding education provided is a primary reason new families join our community. However, we receive over $5,000 less than the statewide average per pupil, and less than 20% of property taxes raised in Manhattan Beach are allocated to our local schools. Parent participation in the MBEF Annual Appeal is critical to bridging this funding gap and bringing important learning opportunities to our schools. Learn more about school funding here and donate to MBEF today!

Is Your Family New to the Elementary Schools?


The Manhattan Beach Education Foundation and the Parent Teacher Associations look forward to hosting all new families to the District at the New Family Welcome Reception at Tin Roof Bistro on Tuesday, September 17th at 5pm. Along with MBEF and PTA representatives, district and school leadership will be in attendance to share about the elementary schools and help answer any questions.

To register, please click here. For any questions, contact us at communications@mbef.org. We look forward to meeting you!

MEADOWS SPONSOR SPOTLIGHTS

NEWS FROM MBUSD

Attendance Awareness


MBUSD’s attendance awareness campaign, “Thrive with MBUSD: Together, Every Day” is underway. This initiative celebrates the importance of regular attendance while addressing chronic absenteeism. By raising awareness within our community, MBUSD aims to emphasize that developing strong attendance habits is key to fostering the essential skills to help our students succeed. 

 

In the 2023-24 school year, 6.41% of our students missed 10% or more of the school year due to both excused and unexcused absences. Before the pandemic, chronic absenteeism districtwide was approximately 2%. MBUSD is committed to working with families to return to chronic absenteeism rates at or below that level, ensuring that every student is fully engaged and thriving in their education.

 

In addition to being essential to supporting student learning, attendance is also important because MBUSD only receives funding for students who are actually in attendance (we are funded based on our Average Daily Attendance or “ADA,” not just our enrollment). ADA is defined as the total days of student attendance divided by the total days of instruction during which the student is enrolled.

 

For each day that a student misses school, the district loses approximately $65. While we understand that sometimes absences are unavoidable, we appreciate families considering making a donation to help the District recover funds lost due to non-attendance. Learn more by visiting mbusd.org/Attendance.

IN THE COMMUNITY

Cub Scouts Pack 275 in Manhattan Beach is starting its 2024-25 year and is recruiting new scouts interested in a fun program! Cub Scouts is more than just an activity – it’s an opportunity for your child to explore the outdoors, develop valuable life skills, and learn leadership skills all while making friends with fellow Cub Scouts. Cub Scouts Pack 275 meets once per month typically on the 3rd Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 7 pm.. at the Meadows Cafeteria. The Pack is inclusive of K-5th grade and then each grade is broken into its own Den. The first Pack meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 18th at Meadows Cafeteria.

  

For information on how to register for Cub Scouts, please email meadowspack275@gmail.com with questions or to get added to the registration list! 

Southwestern Youth Music Festival - Showcase Benefit Recital


Join us for an entertaining afternoon of music and conversation with Christopher O’Riley (concert pianist and the creator and original host of NPR’s From the Top). Each of this year’s Southwestern Youth Musical Festival winners will be performing their festival-winning piece and discussing their musical experiences with Mr. O’Riley.


All proceeds from this CONCERT will benefit the Manhattan Beach Middle School’s music program! Help us raise funds to purchase instruments for our new Intro to Band and Intro to Orchestra classes. 

 

Saturday, September 14, 4pm - 6pm

Manhattan Beach Middle School, Multipurpose Room

$10 per student/adult


Complete this FORM to purchase tickets in advance (for MBMS families only) and to reserve tickets (non-MBMS families).

Last Chance to Participate in the 52nd Annual Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair!


Mark your calendars for the 52nd annual Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair, taking place October 5-6, 2024! Here are some of the many ways participate in the Fair:

  • 9/15 - Deadline to apply for Paid Games Booths - Great way for Booster Groups & Service Clubs to raise funds.
  • 9/16 - Deadline for Youth Amateur Bands to submit a video audition - Battle of the Bands takes place on 10/6.
  • 9/27 - Deadline to submit Amateur Artist (K-12) Exhibit Application - Drawing, painting, photography, sculpting, quilting or other crafts applications accepted.

All applications are available on the Hometown Fair website at mbfair.org/applications. We are also in need of many volunteers! Anyone over the age of 12 can volunteer at the Fair and students can earn Community Service Credits for volunteering. Email recruitment@mbfair.org if interested!

Mini Mustangs Cheer Camp


Be a Mini Mustang Cheerleader at Mira Costa's Fall Cheer Camp on October 5th! Mini Mustangs will learn cheers, the fight song, make crafts, have snacks and spend the day with the Mira Costa Cheerleaders! All participants will receive a t-shirt and pom poms and will be invited to perform on the track at the October 11th home football game with the Mira Costa Varsity Cheerleaders! See additional details in the flyer!

10/11 MIRA COSTA COMMUNITY TAILGATE - GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY


Coming up on October 11 is the annual Mira Costa Tailgate and Watch Party. Purchase your tickets and secure your seat. All local families are invited to attend this fun event. Starting at 5:00 pm before the football game enjoy a tasty taco bar, dessert, and spirit items. Special VIP seating for the game and snacks are also available. Children under 10 are free. Come cheer on the Mustangs and support the Mira Costa PTSA. 


WANT TO SPONSOR THIS EVENT? PERFECT PROMOTION OPPORTUNITY

Want to be a Business Sponsor for this event? Promote your business to thousands of game day viewers and support Mira Costa High School. Two levels of sponsorship are available for Tailgate, $500 and $750. Click here to find out more about the sponsorship level benefits. Interested? Please contact the Mira Costa PTSA Presidents before 9/15.