September 5, 2025

Dear MBUSD Parents and Community,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. Today’s issue highlights Mira Costa, new student board representatives, and our updated Student Technology Acceptable Use Agreement.

Reinforcing real-life skills is vital to encouraging student growth and learning. Specifically in Science classes, students regularly practice and apply these skills through the use of lab equipment, understanding measurement systems, and collecting and analyzing data.

Recently, Mr. Lewis’ Honors Physics students were conducting a Measurement Tools Lab. It was important that students knew how to measure in a lab before conducting future labs. Introducing students to fundamental tools, techniques, and concepts of measurement is essential for facilitating experiments accurately and precisely. Essentially, experiments or calculations start with some form of measured data.

Thank you to our staff for coordinating lessons that promote applicable problem-solving, an essential real-life skill in and out of the classroom.

This week, we are excited to feature Caitlin Cheung, who is serving in her second year at MBMS. Last year, she taught 6th-grade Humanities, and this year she’s excited to be teaching 7th and 8th-grade Social Science. Caitlin says one of the best parts of her role is continuing to work with some of her students from last year while also welcoming new faces. 

As a newer educator, Caitlin feels grateful to have been warmly welcomed by both the Humanities and Social Science departments. “Everyone has been incredibly supportive,” she shares. “I couldn’t ask for a better team to be on!” Catilin Cheung said. 

Caitlin’s path to teaching took shape during high school, where she worked as a summer camp counselor for 1st and 2nd graders. While she originally imagined herself as an elementary school teacher, she discovered a love for working with older students. “I honestly never thought I’d end up teaching middle school,” she says, “but I’m really loving it so far. Every day is a new adventure with my students, and I am constantly wowed by their insight, curiosity, and endless creativity.”

Beyond the classroom, Caitlin brings her creativity to campus in other ways. Last year, she started a crochet club, which she and her students are excited to continue this year. Outside of school, Caitlin enjoys exploring museums, baking, playing board games, and of course, crocheting.

Amaya Grings MBMS Rep

Welcome to our newest student board representatives! Mira Costa students Jaden Kelley and Ava Mohr will serve as voting members of the Board, while MBMS student Amaya Grings will represent MBMS. 

At the beginning of each Board meeting, these student leaders will share updates on campus events, activities, and achievements, ensuring their peers’ voices and perspectives are part of the Board discussions. Their participation strengthens the connection between students and the District, and we look forward to the insights and energy they will bring throughout the year!

This September, MBUSD is recognizing Attendance Awareness Month. When students miss 10% or more of the school year, whether absences are excused or unexcused, it is considered chronic absenteeism. Research shows that at this level, students face a significantly higher risk of academic struggles and more challenges in social interactions than their peers who attend school regularly. Even a few missed days can disrupt learning, making it harder for students to keep pace with their peers.

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. MBUSD is funded based on our Average Daily Attendance or “ADA,” not just our enrollment. ADA is calculated by dividing the total days of student attendance by the total days of instruction. Each day a student misses school, the District loses approximately $67. 1% ADA in MBUSD equals approximately $700,000 in lost funding, and this year, we are projected to lose approximately $2.3M due to absences.

While we understand that sometimes absences are unavoidable, we appreciate families working with teachers to ensure that students do not fall behind. The County Health Guidelines recommend keeping students home only if they have a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or symptoms that prevent them from fully participating in school. Otherwise, we encourage students to attend, even if just for part of the day. We encourage families to consider making a $67 contribution for each day their student is absent, helping the District recover critical funding. Donations can be made here through our Square payment portal.

At this week’s Board of Trustees meeting, Mira Costa High School’s award-winning Bands program shared an exciting look at the year ahead. Program Director Joel Carlson introduced the first marching field show of the season, “Ghost Town,” for which he arranged the music. Board members and guests were treated to a reveal video showcasing the theme, along with highlights from spring training and summer rehearsals.

Drum Major Ali Keskinel described Ghost Town as an exciting production and spoke about his experience leading the ensembles. Fellow band member Samuel Rodriguez added that students are preparing challenging professional and college-level literature across band groups for the upcoming National Concert Band Festival in Washington, D.C., in April 2026. Mira Costa’s All-Concert and Jazz 1 programs have once again been invited to this prestigious festival. 

With opportunities ranging from Concert Ensembles and Jazz Band to Marching Band, Colorguard, Winterguard, and Indoor Drumline, the Mira Costa Bands program continues to inspire excellence, giving students a chance to perform at the highest levels on both local and national stages.

This week, MBUSD elementary schools welcomed families to Back-to-School Night, offering the opportunity to visit classrooms, meet teachers, and learn more about curriculum and programs. Teachers shared their goals for the year, outlined classroom expectations, and highlighted ways families can partner with them to foster a positive learning environment.

Cabinet members and I joined families at our campuses, and saw firsthand the excitement in classrooms, with parents eager to connect with educators and celebrate their students’ work.

As technology plays a larger role in learning, every student and family needs to understand the guidelines for using District devices and personal devices on our network.

We’ve updated the Student Technology Acceptable Use Agreement to ensure that technology is used safely, responsibly, and in support of learning.

Watch the short video above to learn what’s new and review the key points together as a family.

The Manhattan Beach Education Foundation (MBEF) is hosting a New Family Welcome Reception for elementary parents at Tin Roof Bistro on Monday, September 15, from 5:00 -6:30 p.m. The special event will give families the opportunity to connect with MBEF and PTA representatives, as well as District and school leadership, who will share helpful information about our elementary schools and answer questions. Complimentary refreshments and appetizers will be served. Registration is required; please click here.

They will also host two upcoming receptions at Tin Roof: one for MBMS families on Tuesday, September 16, from 5:00–6:30 p.m., and another for Mira Costa families, with the date to be announced.

Register for MBMS here. 

For questions, please get in touch with communications@mbef.org. We look forward to welcoming you to our MBUSD community!

MBUSD will soon begin important campus improvement projects to replace perimeter chain link fencing. Work at Robinson Elementary will start tomorrow, and the Meadows Elementary project will begin on Monday. Both projects will occur Monday through Friday, and on some Saturdays, through November 30, 2025, and will be carried out by Balfour Beatty. 

Robinson Elementary School (80 N Morningside Drive):
Fence replacement will begin on September 6, 2025, starting with the demolition of existing fencing. Work will focus primarily on the south end of campus, with limited work at the west and north ends. Demolition is expected to last through the end of September, followed by installation of new chain link fencing in the same areas.

Meadows Elementary School (1200 N Meadows Avenue):
Fence replacement will begin on September 8, 2025, starting with demolition at the north, west, and south ends of the campus. The demolition phase is also anticipated to continue through the end of September, after which new chain link fencing will be installed in those areas.

During the demolition phases, there will be some construction noise due to equipment use. MBUSD appreciates the patience and understanding of families, staff, and neighbors as we complete these important projects to strengthen campus safety and security.

Pennekamp has a new feature on campus! Permanent pickleball nets were recently installed thanks to the generosity of the Dragons PTA! The PTA is also supporting the painting of the kitchen area and the court lines for pickleball. This exciting upgrade provides students with an enhanced experience at school. This is one of many ways PTAs/PTSAs across the District contribute to enriching our schools and supporting student experiences. 

The Mira Costa College and Career Center has officially kicked off its fall series of college representative visits. These sessions give students valuable opportunities to connect directly with admissions representatives, explore a wide range of colleges and universities, and begin planning their pathways after high school.

This week, students met with representatives from Norwich University, the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising–ASU, Indiana University, Penn State University, Saint Mary’s College of California, The Ohio State University, and Lafayette College.

We are deeply grateful to the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation (MBEF) for funding our College and Career Center Counselors, whose support makes these opportunities possible for Mira Costa students.

Follow our accounts for the latest MBUSD information, updates, news, and events.

The next Superintendent’s Newsletter will be published on September 12. Have a wonderful weekend!

Dr. John Bowes, Superintendent

325 S. Peck Ave.
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 318-7345