October 31, 2025

Dear MBUSD Parents and Community,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. Today’s issue highlights Mira Costa, celebrating our students' success in the MBFD Safety Plan Contest, and recognizing a Mira Costa senior honored by SoCal ROC for excellence in the Automotive Program. 

In learning any concept, especially in math, it is essential for students to follow a progressive structure to master the process. Through interactive exploration, students are able to conceptualize and collaborate to deepen their understanding of complex problem-solving. 

Mr. Avalos’ Algebra II students went through a step-by-step demonstration of the quadratic formula and discriminant, supported by color-coding to help students organize and visualize complex concepts. Students first utilized some simple ways to solve problems before tackling the more complex process of quadratic formulas. 

They were encouraged to collaborate in groups at the whiteboards and present solutions to the class, fostering peer learning, confidence, and deeper understanding. Students participated in hands-on engagement and collaborative strategies to promote both mastery of content and growth. They received immediate feedback from their peers and Mr. Avalos to reinforce learning. This was yet another great example of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in action, fostering a variety of accessible modalities for different learners.

This week, we are excited to recognize Jennifer Rementer, Library Resource Specialist at Grand View Library. For the past four years, she has served in this role at several other MBUSD libraries. Before joining Grand View, Jennifer was the library resource specialist at Meadows and Robinson Elementary Schools.

Jennifer says one of the best parts of her role has been connecting with so many students, families, and staff across the District.

“I am continually impressed by how much I continue to learn from my experience with the District. Every day has been enriching, and I am very grateful for all the wonderful administrators, teachers, parents, and students that I’ve been able to work with at each school.”

A proud graduate of New York University (NYU), Jennifer earned both her undergraduate and master’s degrees at the Tisch School of the Arts and the Steinhardt School of Education. Born in Hawaii and raised in New Jersey, she described herself as a “lifelong New Yorker,” though her heart now belongs in Manhattan Beach. 

Her first teaching experience was as a student teacher at Tompkins Square Middle School and City-As-School High School in NYC. Today, she feels lucky to be part of MBUSD’s dedicated library team.

“We are a close-knit group that meets once a month to help all the students of our District. I couldn't do this job without them! I love getting students excited about reading and finding that next book. A cool fact about this position is that I get to see every student from TK to 5th grade at my school.”

As a local Manhattan Beach resident, Jennifer is also a mother of three kids who attended MBUSD schools. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys life with her family and their rescue puppy, Maui. She is also a big fan of Disney and classic movie musicals. 

Thank you to MBEF for making this position possible. Through MBEF funding, six Library Resource Specialists support students across our elementary schools and MBMS.

The California Department of Education (CDE) announced the 2026 California Teachers of the Year and finalists this week, and we are thrilled to share that Mira Costa English teacher Maddie Hutchinson was named one of the finalists!

In the CDE’s press release, Maddie’s colleagues described her as an 'absolute bright light' with an inner fire of passion for teaching others and social justice that, when coupled with bettering her community, makes her an agent of change.”

Now in her 11th year of teaching, Maddie, a proud MBUSD alum, continues to inspire Mira Costa students both in and beyond the classroom. She teaches English, leads the Link Crew peer mentorship program, advises ComedySportz, supports Drama/Tech productions, and contributes to both the Ethnic Studies and EDSJI Committees.

Earlier this fall, Maddie was named one of the Top 16 Los Angeles County Teachers of the Year for 2025 by the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE). Out of 70 nominations representing 65 school districts, only 16 educators received this honor. Maddie then advanced to represent L.A. County in the California Teachers of the Year competition.

The CDE’s selection committees carefully review applications, evaluate teachers’ rapport with students, classroom environments, presentation skills, and teaching techniques, and conduct interviews. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction then selects five California Teachers of the Year and one National Teacher of the Year nominee.

Thank you to Maddie Hutchinson for representing our District throughout the rigorous and robust selection process.

Way to go, MBUSD! To date, our attendance is 97.32% for Quarter 1 of the school year. At this point in the 2024-25 school year, we were at 95.39%, so this is quite an improvement. We appreciate everyone’s efforts in making sure that students are at school and in class every day.

Although these numbers are fantastic, we do recognize that some students do have to be absent on occasion. As the year progresses, it is important to understand the difference between Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy. In California, both chronic absenteeism and truancy create attendance concerns, but they mean different things.

Chronic Absenteeism refers to missing 10% or more of the school year for any reason, excused or unexcused. Even illness, family emergencies, or vacations count toward this total. Chronic absences can impact learning and achievement, no matter the reason for the missed days.

Truancy, on the other hand, is defined by state law as being absent or tardy without a valid excuse for three or more days in one school year. Truancy focuses specifically on unexcused absences and can lead to interventions under California’s attendance laws. It is important to understand that absences categorized as “truancy” may include absences where a student is simply “ditching” class, but may also be absences that parents have approved but that the state of California does not recognize as excused (family travel, for instance). Additionally, absences categorized as truancies may be absences for which no absence notification form has been submitted. 

Both chronic absenteeism and truancy are significant because regular attendance is key to student success. Families can help by communicating with the school about absences, planning vacations around the school calendar, and reaching out early for support if attendance becomes a challenge.

While we understand that sometimes absences are unavoidable, we appreciate families working with teachers to ensure that students do not fall behind. We also appreciate families considering donating to help the District recover lost funding. Please click here to make your $67 daily absence donation through our Square payment portal.

From November 3–21, MBUSD parents are invited to see how MBEF brings learning to life in our schools. Each student will bring home an Expo Card, complete with their scheduled date and time, to guide their visit. It will take place during the school day, and families can step into classrooms to experience the MBEF-funded programs that enrich our elementary campuses, including Library, MakerSpace, Music, PE, and Science Lab. 

Please remember to bring a photo ID and check in at the front office upon arrival. We’re grateful to MBEF and the community for supporting these inspiring learning experiences through the Annual Appeal!

MBEF Student Expo Card

Pictured: Cora W. with Manhattan Beach Fire Department

We are excited to congratulate five MBUSD second-graders who were selected as winners of the 2025 Manhattan Beach Fire Department's Annual "Home Escape Plan" contest. This program is one of the first public education fire prevention initiatives in the country. It encourages students to create emergency preparedness plans with their families.

The grand prize winners from MBUSD are:

Pictured: Jeremy C.

Pictured: Gavin W. 

Pictured: Cordelia C. 

Pictured: Smith O.

These students earned a special experience, spending the morning with the Manhattan Beach Fire Department and riding to school in a fire engine!

Each year, the Fire Department visits second-grade classrooms across the city to provide a fire safety presentation. During these visits, students are tasked with designing two home escape routes as part of the contest, helping them and their families be better prepared in case of an emergency.

We are so proud of these students for their commitment to safety and learning! They will also be recognized at an upcoming Manhattan Beach City Council meeting. A special thank-you to the Manhattan Beach Fire Department for continuing this important annual tradition. 

Our partner, the Southern California Regional Occupational Center (SoCal ROC), recently recognized Mira Costa High School senior Jason Aguinada during its Board meeting as part of its Student Voice and Program Highlight series. Jason was honored for his work in the Automotive Module 2 course, where he shared his passion for engineering and the automotive pathway program. This program prepares both high school and adult students for careers in the automotive industry, with strong partnerships including Honda and Ford.

Automotive instructor Mr. Aaron Le, who has taught the course modules for the past twelve years, was also recognized for his dedication and leadership.

Mira Costa is proud to partner with SoCal ROC to offer a range of Career Technical Education (CTE) courses on its Torrance campus. SoCal ROC provides hands-on learning opportunities across its Schools of Art and Design, Engineering and Design, Health Sciences, and Public and Consumer Services.

If you’re interested in learning more about SoCal ROC, it will be hosting a tour of its campus on November 14.

Our Parent Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) Survey identified the need to review the basics of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) with our community. To support this effort, Student Services Director Kerry Riccio Aguero created a video introducing PBIS. Click below to watch the PBIS Intro video.

In MBUSD, PBIS is a key part of how we create safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments for all students. It focuses on teaching and recognizing positive behaviors, building strong relationships, and promoting a consistent, proactive approach to discipline across our schools. In this video, you will learn how PBIS helps students feel connected, supported, and ready to learn every day, and how our shared commitment to kindness, respect, and responsibility strengthens our entire school community.

The 7th Grade English Department at Manhattan Beach Middle School recently hosted three 7th Grade Family Writing Workshops, with the last one taking place this week! The beloved tradition has brought families together for more than 30 years. Originally started by renowned MBMS English teacher Bev Read, the event continues to inspire a shared love of writing across generations.

The workshops invite students and parents to write, read, listen, and learn side by side. Parents gain valuable insight into how 7th-grade writing evolves in content, complexity, and independence, while students discover how to ask for help in ways that promote confidence and collaboration. Parents also learn some helpful tips from teachers on how to help their students at home and how their students are doing compared to other 7th-grade writers. 

More than just a writing lesson, the event is a celebration of creativity and connection. Through this tradition, MBMS reinforces the vital connection between home and school, fostering students’ growth as confident writers and engaged learners. Thank you to teachers Dana Vaccaro, Trisha Gonzalez, and Emily Quinn for their dedication to making this event possible.

Halloween is a time for costumes, candy, and a little harmless fright, but when it comes to the online world, not every “trick” is so fun. Just like we teach our children to only trick-or-treat at houses we know, it’s just as important to remind them (and ourselves!) to stay safe when exploring the digital neighborhood.

Online strangers can sometimes wear convincing costumes, pretending to be friends, companies, or even trusted organizations. These digital disguises often come in the form of suspicious links, fake giveaways, or messages asking for personal information. Just like you wouldn’t eat candy that’s already been opened or has an unrecognizable name, never click on unfamiliar links or share private details unless you’re absolutely sure of who’s asking.

Parents can help by keeping an eye on the apps and games their children use, and by encouraging open conversations about anything unusual they see online. Remind kids that if a message, email, or post feels a little “spooky” or too good to be true, it’s okay to stop and check with an adult before responding.

This Halloween, let’s keep the scares where they belong, in haunted houses, not inboxes! By staying alert and sticking to familiar digital doorsteps, we can ensure everyone has a frightless online experience. Thank you to the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, Dr. Jonathan Erickson, for writing this story. 

The United Against Hate Week Food Drive continues through November 14! If you haven’t had a chance to contribute yet, you can drop off canned goods at any of our three collection sites: the District Office, Grand View Elementary, or MBMS. All donations will support the Richstone Family Center’s Single Mom Project Nutrition Pantry. Thanks to our community’s generosity, we’ve already collected 282 pounds of non-perishable food, and the total keeps growing!

The TEDxManhattanBeach team is once again inviting everyone to attend its annual event! This year’s event will take place on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Mira Costa High School, and promises an inspiring day centered on the theme “UNSTOPPABLE.”

Attendees will hear from an exciting lineup of speakers. You can find that list here.

In addition to dynamic talks, the event features an interactive Expo where guests can explore hands-on exhibits, creative installations, and culinary offerings from local Manhattan Beach vendors. The Expo is designed to be inclusive and offers allergy-friendly options, including gluten-free and vegan selections.

Students are also encouraged to attend, with discounted student tickets available. This year’s program even includes Mira Costa’s own Zoe Nicols, who will take the stage to share her perspective on food justice. To learn more about this year’s speakers or to reserve tickets, visit www.tedxmanhattanbeach.org.

Get ready for a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience as Mira Costa High School Drama/Tech presents A Beautiful Day in November on the Banks of the Greatest of the Great Lakes by Kate Benson. This sharply inventive play transforms a classic American family dinner into a high-stakes sporting event, with all the flair of live commentary and the tension of a championship match.

Hilarious, unsettling, and strikingly original, the production dives into the humor and chaos beneath family traditions and the rituals that bring us together. Audiences will be treated to what might just be the greatest Thanksgiving in sports history!

Showtimes:

Tickets are on sale now, click here to purchase yours! The show is appropriate for students in middle and high schools. 

Our District staff and MBEF team dressed to impress in creative, unique costumes at the Human Resources Department's festive Halloween gathering! From delicious food to a fun pumpkin contest, it was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to pause, connect, and celebrate together.

Costume highlights included the Educational Services Department dressed as MBUSD school mascots, HR and the Superintendent’s Office as the Blue Origin crew, and the Business Services Department as bananas!

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

The next Superintendent’s Newsletter will be published on November 7. Have a wonderful weekend! 

Dr. John Bowes, Superintendent

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