Dear MBUSD Parents and Community,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. Today’s issue highlights Mira Costa, recognizing MBUSD students who ranked among the top in a national math competition, and honoring our incredible classified employees.

Spotlight on Mira Costa (Special Thanks to Art Teacher Kate Heredia and Principal Dr. Jennifer Huynh)

Studying and developing collaborative artwork sharpens students' ability to interpret meaning, symbolism, and context in art. Through bold uses of color, layering, and text, students can experiment beyond traditional techniques, expanding their academic and artistic capabilities.

In Mrs. Heredia’s AP Studio Art class, students were inspired by Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat’s collaborative paintings. The two artists’ contrasting styles introduce students to diverse approaches: pop culture imagery and expressive lines, helping students broaden their artistic vocabulary. Students then developed their own collaborative pieces in groups, fostering a visual conversation. Through this activity, students are able to respond to others’ work and develop ideas collaboratively or through contrast.

Thank you to Mrs. Heredia for helping our students recognize that exploration of two different approaches encourages development and trust in their own unique creative vision!

Staff Spotlight: Megan Montz | 2nd Grade Teacher at Robinson

Megan Montz is a 2nd-grade teacher at Robinson and is in her ninth year as part of the Riptides family and 10th year at MBUSD. While her primary role is teaching general education subjects, including reading, writing, math, science, and social studies, her approach goes far beyond the basics. Megan is passionate about nurturing the whole child, emphasizing social-emotional development, a growth mindset, and weaving creativity into every subject area. “For example, teaching information writing through investigative lab reports. Then, creating an interactive art piece as a culminating project. Elementary teachers wear so many hats!” shared Megan. 

Her journey in MBUSD began with student teaching at Grand View Elementary, followed by a long-term substitute position at Pacific. She landed her first official role in a job share position at Grand View, teaching 2nd grade and leading the Science Lab through Project Lead the Way. After teaching 5th grade for two years at Robinson, she returned to teaching 2nd grade, which she hopes to continue to do for years to come!

“I have always felt like MBUSD is my home, since getting my start here twelve years ago. I have formed genuine friendships with my colleagues and many families. I feel so supported by my administrators. The students are thirsty for knowledge and bring so much joy to my life. This District is a very special place.”



Her passion and dedication were recently recognized by her peers when she was honored as Robinson’s Teacher of the Year. “It’s such a humbling and heartwarming recognition,” Megan shares. “I will always consider myself a student because I love to learn like my students do daily. I take a lot of pride in my teaching practice, and seeing my hard work being recognized is a wonderful feeling to have.”

Megan’s classroom is full of joy, curiosity, and creativity. “Hands down, my favorite part is being with the kids, learning and laughing daily. They bounce into my classroom with so much enthusiasm. It always brightens my mood no matter what!”

Beyond the classroom, Megan has been an active contributor across the District. She’s served on science committees, was the 2nd grade lead for the District, and has been part of Robinson’s Leadership Committee for the past three years. Megan also brings joy to her colleagues as a longtime member of the Sunshine Committee, planning events and fostering community among staff.

Before her teaching career, Megan worked as an event coordinator for a wine tasting tour company in Malibu and in several restaurants after graduating from the University of Oregon. She met her husband while working in hospitality, and they now own three restaurants in the South Bay, with another opening soon in Torrance.

Originally from Quebec, Canada, Megan grew up bilingual, attending French immersion school before moving to Pennsylvania in 4th grade. Her dedicated teachers inspired her to pursue a career in education.

When she’s not in the classroom, Megan loves long-distance running! She has completed five marathons and two half-marathons. She and her husband love spending time outdoors with their four-year-old son, Wesley, whom she describes as “energetic, loving, hilarious, and so awesome.”

MBUSD Board of Trustees Honors PTA Presidents for Exemplary Service

At the recent Board of Trustees meeting, MBUSD proudly recognized the fourteen current PTA Presidents serving across our schools for their unwavering dedication to students, staff, and the entire school community. These parent leaders volunteer countless hours each year, playing a vital role in enhancing the educational experience at every school site.  

The MBUSD PTA Council, represented by President Jennifer Gale and Executive Vice President Andrea Barker, led the recognition and celebrated the collective impact of these outstanding volunteers. 

“These women positively impact their schools, students, and staff in so many ways, whether planning events, managing budgets, overseeing committees, or fundraising for important infrastructure and technology projects, attending meeting after meeting, and so much more,” said Jennifer Gale.

On behalf of MBUSD, we thank our PTA Presidents whose efforts strengthen our schools! Thank you to the following individuals for everything they have done throughout the years and in their current roles!

Presidents:

• Carolyn Mukai and Pennie Stepczyk, Mira Costa High School
• Patricia Doumeng and Erin Coppola, Manhattan Beach Middle School
• Tiffany Quick and Vanessa Sullivan, Grand View
• Jillian Robertson and Cindy Marian, Meadows
• Erin Vancura and Brooke Zipperman, Pacific
• Katie Ranne and Jennifer Yee, Pennekamp
• Tara Riley and Katherine Dunlap, Robinson
• Jennifer Gale and Andrea Barker, MBUSD PTA Council

Grand View Turf Project Underway

Construction is officially underway on Grand View Elementary's new artificial turf field! This week, work began at the mid-level playground as crews started preparing the area for installation.

The nearly $160,000 project is fully funded by the Grand View PTA, whose generous donation was approved by the MBUSD Board of Trustees in early April. The new turf field will replace the existing surface, providing a durable and green space year-round. Completion is expected by late May.

This project is a shining example of the incredible support we receive from our PTAs and PTSAs. Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to enhancing our schools.

Honoring Our Classified School Employees  (May 18-24)

Each May, California celebrates Classified School Employee Week (CSEW), a time to recognize the essential contributions of classified employees to our schools and students. At MBUSD, we are proud to honor our 430 classified professionals who play an important role in the success of our educational community. 



Classified employees support every aspect of our schools—from maintaining welcoming and safe campuses, to providing nutritious meals, supporting instruction, and ensuring daily operations run smoothly. Their commitment and care make a meaningful difference in students' lives each day. While many classified employees work behind the scenes, MBUSD truly appreciates and recognizes their efforts in each role. 

At this week’s Board meeting, the Board of Trustees adopted a resolution, officially designating the week of May 18–24, 2025, as Classified School Employee Week in MBUSD. Please join us in expressing our appreciation for their service to MBUSD!

MBUSD Students Earn Top National and State Honors in Math Kangaroo Competition 

Math Kangaroo, an international math competition, officially released rankings in its recent competition. We are proud to share that several students participated and ranked high in the event. Congratulations to all of our students!

Matt Harwood | Meadows Elementary | Score: 96 | National Rank: 1

Noah Fan | Pennekamp Elementary | Score: 93 | National Rank: 2

Joshua Chong | Pacific Elementary | Score: 92 | National Rank: 3

Jonah Beregovsky | Pennekamp Elementary | Score: 92 | National Rank: 3

Lillian Francisco | MBMS | Score: 116 | National Rank: 3

Riley Nugent | Robinson Elementary | Score: 91 | National Rank: 4

Evan Lin | MBMS | Score: 115 | National Rank: 4

Evan Kappe | Pennekamp Elementary | Score: 87 | National Rank: 8

Morgan Shieh | Pennekamp Elementary | Score: 87 | National Rank: 8

Deven Kansal | Pennekamp Elementary | Score: 110 | National Rank: 8

Nathan Lee | Pennekamp Elementary | Score: 86 | National Rank: 9

Lexington Nugent | Robinson Elementary | Score: 86 | National Rank: 9

Sydney Shieh | Pennekamp Elementary | Score: 84 | National Rank: 11

Ethan Han | Pennekamp Elementary | Score: 83 | National Rank: 12

Rohan Panchal | MBMS | Score: 106 | National Rank: 12

Nicole Zhong | Pennekamp Elementary | Score: 80 | National Rank: 15

Zachary Zhang | MBMS | Score: 104 | National Rank: 15

Arik Aggarwal | Pennekamp Elementary | Score: 78 | National Rank: 17

Nathan Fong | Meadows Elementary | Score: 78 | National Rank: 17

Oliver Francisco | Robinson Elementary | Score: 76 | National Rank: 18

Parsa Salehi | Pennekamp Elementary | Score: 75 | National Rank: 20

Aiden Ou | Pennekamp Elementary | Score: 98 | National Rank: 20

Several of these students earned spots ranked on the state rankings.

Math Kangaroo encourages logical reasoning and creative problem-solving through challenging multiple-choice questions that test students’ mathematical thinking. We also want to thank the coaches who led the students to success! 

Meadows: Susmita Patnala and Amy McCluskey

Pacific: Sarah Norqual

Pennekamp: Christine and Ayres Fan

Robinson: Ben Lewis, Matt Riley, Jenny Nugent, Liz Lee-Su

MBMS: Michael and Elissa Unton

Mira Costa: Gillian Cato

Thank you to MBMS Math Manager Alice Kuo for supporting this work and sharing this story with us!

3rd Annual MBMS Mental Health and Awareness Fair

MBMS hosted a successful Mental Health and Awareness Fair during lunch on Thursday, bringing together a variety of local organizations from the South Bay. Representatives from Thelma McMillan, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), allcove, Leah Niehaus, LCSW, and Associates Inc., and the Friendship Foundation were on hand to share resources and connect with students. The event featured interactive booths and engaging activities, encouraging students to learn more about mental health and the support available to them.  

The fair was created and launched three years ago by Lauren Galbraith, School Counselor on Special Assignment for Student Success & WEB Coordinator at MBMS. Since then, she has continued to expand the event each year. Galbraith also led the MBMS counseling booth during the fair. 



“I was inspired to create this fair after seeing a similar event's impact at the high school level. I realized that many of the mental health challenges we see in teens often begin to surface in middle school, and our students need support, awareness, and resources early on. This fair is important because it helps normalize conversations around mental health and encourages students to reflect on what good mental health means to them,” said Galbraith. 

The fair coincides with National Mental Health Awareness Month, recognized each year in May.

Safety Involvement Form Open 

We encourage our staff and families to take an active role in supporting our safety initiatives. There will be multiple opportunities to get involved. If you are interested in participating, please fill out this form.

Gun Violence Awareness: A Community Conversation

National Gun Violence Awareness Day is on June 6, 2025. In recognition of this day, we are partnering with Beach Cities Health District to host an important event on Monday, May 19, at 6:30 p.m. Please see the details below. 

Upcoming Music Program Events

Click the image below for the flyer

Lila Mokhtari Wins Global Blue Ocean Achievement

We’ve been sharing updates about Mira Costa student and entrepreneur Lila Mokhtari’s journey in the national Blue Ocean competition! We are proud to share that she has been named the 2nd place Global Winner in the competition among more than 12,000 students worldwide. In addition to this incredible honor, Lila received an investment award to help grow her impact-driven business.

 

Lila's innovative company, Maji Soap, features a collectible toy inside each bar of soap to promote handwashing, with proceeds supporting clean water initiatives around the globe. 

This achievement places Lila among the top young entrepreneurs in the world! The Blue Ocean competition is the world’s largest pitch competition for high school students.

Mira Costa Baseball’s Historic Season

We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of the Mira Costa Varsity Baseball team. Under the leadership of Head Coach Andy Diver, the Mustangs dominated the Bay League with an undefeated league record of 12-0.

Their hard work, teamwork, and determination propelled them to a remarkable 24-game winning streak, leading to an outstanding overall season record of 26-2. Just yesterday, the team competed in the 2025 CIF Southern Section Ford Division 1 Baseball Championships and won against Arlington 2-0. Their next game is against Arcadia on Tuesday, May 20, at Mira Costa! You can find more information here. 

This is a testament to not only the talent of our student-athletes but also the dedication of their coaches, families, and the broader Costa community that cheered them on. 

Congratulations! 

Mira Costa Swim Team Makes History

The Mira Costa High School co-ed swim team, after an undefeated season in which the Mustangs claimed their fourth straight Bay League crown, secured a place in school history on Saturday.



Competing at the CIF Southern Section Division 1 championships at San Antonio College, the girls team finished second and the boys placed fourth. It was the second straight year the girls finished second, while the boys finish was the highest ever in Costa boys swimming history. 

Life After Costa Series

MBEF hosted its last Life After Costa session at Mira Costa this week. In April and May, the Mira Costa College and Career Center presented five sessions designed to help students and families navigate the journey beyond high school, whether that means applying to college, exploring alternative pathways, or preparing for greater independence. 

Topics included the college application process, writing a compelling personal statement, options beyond a traditional four-year college, and building financial confidence, a session led by our community partner Kinecta. One session also focused on mock admission sessions with admission officers. Thank you to MBEF for creating this valuable series to support our students, and the MCHS College and Career Counselors for leading many of the sessions. The MCHS College and Career Center (CCC) is funded entirely through parent donations to the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation (MBEF) to assist MCHS families in navigating the college application process and post-graduation pathways.

Another Successful Year for the Young at Art Program

The renowned Young at Art (YAA) program celebrated its dedicated volunteer docents and the YAA executive team, recognizing their efforts in making another memorable year possible for students across the District. This week, a special brunch was held at American Martyrs to honor the executive team, the graduating docents' contributions, and community partners.

Young at Art has been fostering a love for creativity and self-expression for generations, and the event reflected on the program’s long-standing impact. Entirely run by passionate parent volunteers and some students, YAA brings hands-on art instruction to students in K-6 in MBUSD. It provides the program at eleven South Bay public and private schools. 

Each year, six unique art projects are introduced at our schools, thoughtfully designed to encourage artistic expression. The theme for 2024-25 was “Perspective,” aimed at helping students view the world with empathy and curiosity, encouraging self-awareness, understanding of others, and an appreciation for life’s diverse experiences. This year’s projects included: 

• A tribute to the life of P-22
• A 3-dimensional ocean sunset scene using the art of quilling
• A fusion of art and science inspired by Alexander Calder
• Free-form relief sculptures influenced by Louise Nevelson
• Explorations in abstract art
• "The Violin Face," inspired by the artist Vladimir

YAA’s mission statement says its goal is to encourage each child’s creative and mental growth through meaningful art experiences in a non-judgmental environment, to develop the child’s visual perception and awareness, and to make community resources in the Arts more available to children. Young at Art draws children into their subject matter rather than just telling them about it.

Mira Costa Model United Nations (MUN) Continues to Shine

We are proud to share the latest accomplishments from our Mira High School Model United Nations (MUN) program, which continues to demonstrate excellence nationally and internationally. 

Most recently, our MUN students participated in two distinguished conferences: the Los Angeles World Affairs Council conference and the Canadian High Schools Model United Nations (CAHSMUN). At CAHSMUN, the delegation was honored with the prestigious Best Large Delegation award.



In addition to the team recognition, several students earned individual accolades for their outstanding performance in the committee:



DISEC Committee:

• Outstanding Delegate – Henry Michael
• Honorable Mention – Kate Nelson
• Best Position Paper – Zoe Goldman

SPECOL Committee:

• Best Delegate – Lachlan Murphy
• Honorable Mention – Mia Brown and Sadie Jun



We commend our students for their hard work and dedication, as well as the educators who support and mentor them. These experiences not only sharpen students’ research and public speaking skills, but also prepare them to be thoughtful and informed global citizens. Congratulations to all involved!

The next Superintendent’s Newsletter will be published on May 23. Have a wonderful weekend!



Sincerely, 

Manhattan Beach Unified School District

325 S. Peck Avenue

Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

310.318.7345