Dear Parents and Community,

I hope this message finds you well. Here’s an overview of what will be highlighted in this week’s newsletter:

Stephanie Hubbard, 5th grade teacher at Pacific Elementary, was named MBUSD’s 2025–26 District Teacher of the Year at the March 25 Board meeting. All school site Teachers of the Year were also recognized for their outstanding impact on students and school communities.

Manhattan Beach Middle School is proud to highlight the outstanding work of its Special Education Department, led by Maria Ruvalcaba. Through a strong commitment to inclusion and collaboration, special and general education teachers partner to ensure all students have access to grade-level curriculum while feeling connected and supported. Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are actively monitored and adjusted to support both academic progress and essential life skills, while collaboration during Professional Learning Community (PLC) time allows educators to refine strategies that benefit all learners. This dedicated team helps create a culture where every student feels valued, capable, and empowered to succeed.

This month, we highlight Brianni Webb, a DHH Teacher at Pennekamp Elementary serving TK–2 students. In her third year with MBUSD, she creates a nurturing, language-rich classroom using ASL, spoken language, visuals, and hands-on learning to support communication and academic growth. Brianni emphasizes early language development across all subjects while fostering confidence, independence, and belonging. She collaborates with families and promotes Deaf awareness on campus. Inspired by a college ASL course, she found her passion in Deaf Education. Brianni’s favorite part of teaching is witnessing her students’ “aha” moments and their excitement as communication and learning come together.

As part of our ongoing planning for the 2026–27 school year, we’ve received a number of questions related to class sizes, class configurations, and teacher assignments. These are important topics, and we want to share a brief update on where things currently stand. At this stage, we are continuing to refine our enrollment projections using actual student registration data. This process is a key step in determining class sizes, identifying whether combination classes may be needed, and informing overall staffing decisions across the District. As we do each spring, school sites will begin preliminary planning discussions in the coming weeks as more information becomes available. These conversations help ensure that decisions are thoughtful, data-informed, and aligned with the needs of each school community. We will continue to share updates as this work progresses. For those interested in learning more, additional context will be provided during the enrollment presentation at the April 14 Board meeting, the May Revise update on May 27, and the final Budget presentation on June 17.

MBMS welcomed families for its annual Open House last Thursday, offering a meaningful opportunity to explore classrooms and celebrate student learning. Thank you to our teachers and staff for creating such a welcoming and engaging experience, and to our families for your continued partnership.

Mira Costa High School art students will present their work at the annual exhibition at Resin Gallery in Hermosa Beach on April 24 from 6:00–8:00 p.m.. Featuring pieces across multiple mediums—and a special “Rising Artists” section for 8th graders—the one-night-only event includes live music, a taco truck, and student artwork available for purchase. Admission is free for students, with tickets available for the public. Featured images are from last year’s event.

MBUSD elementary students from Meadows, Pennekamp, and Robinson delivered an outstanding performance at the 2026 E=MC² Culver City Math Competition. Competing against 140 students from 22 schools, Pennekamp earned 1st place in the team event and Meadows placed 3rd. Several students also received individual honors, including a gold medal for Pennekamp’s Noah F. Congratulations to all participants and their coaches for this impressive achievement!

MBUSD continues its strong partnership with the City of Manhattan Beach’s Older Adults Program—where community members love staying connected to what’s happening in our schools. Through the popular “Be Our Guest” program, older adults attend Mira Costa student performances free of charge, and now, there’s a new opportunity for student groups to present or perform directly for older adults in Manhattan Beach. It’s a meaningful way to share student talent while strengthening community connections. Interested groups can reach out to communication@mbusd.org to learn more.

On Friday, March 20, elementary musicians from from the District Honor program proudly participated in the Forum Music Festival held in Buena Park. It was an exciting and memorable day for everyone involved, as all three performing groups showcased their hard work, dedication, and musical talent. Each ensemble delivered a wonderful performance that reflected weeks of practice and commitment.

The judges were highly impressed and awarded the groups with outstanding ratings. The Honor Band earned a Silver rating, demonstrating strong musicianship and teamwork. Both the Honor Choir and Honor Strings achieved Gold ratings, highlighting their exceptional sound, precision, and artistry.

Following their performances, students celebrated their success with a fun-filled visit to Knott’s Berry Farm, where they enjoyed rides, laughter, and time together as a group.

Congratulations to all of our Honor Groups for representing Pacific Elementary School with pride and excellence!

Join us on Friday, May 8 from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Manhattan Beach Middle School for a fun, family-friendly evening filled with food, music, art, and traditions from around the globe. This special event is a wonderful opportunity for families to come together, learn from one another, and showcase the unique cultures that make MBUSD so vibrant. We especially encourage families to sign up to host a booth and share their heritage—whether through food, clothing, art, or music. Don’t miss this chance to be part of an unforgettable celebration. Thank you to MBEF for sponsoring this event.

Chris and Nancy James extend their heartfelt thanks to the MBUSD community for supporting Team RUN for RYAN at the Epilepsy Walk, raising nearly $65,000 for epilepsy awareness. With over 150 participants, the team was the largest at the event and had the honor of leading the walk. In honor of Global Epilepsy Awareness Day—recently proclaimed “Purple Day” by Mayor Lesser—and especially meaningful as it falls on Ryan’s birthday (March 26), the community came together to raise awareness and celebrate his lasting impact by wearing purple last Thursday.

Scholar Quiz 2026 kicked off at Mira Costa High School on Monday, March 23, bringing together more than 250 students for a week of fast-paced academic competition. With 64 teams competing in a Jeopardy-style tournament, the event highlights collaboration, knowledge, and school spirit. Thank you to the many parent, family, and community volunteers who make this tradition possible. Finals take place this morning —good luck to all participants!

Mira Costa Drama/Tech presents Mean Girls, the high-energy musical packed with iconic moments, sharp humor, and unforgettable songs. Follow Cady Heron as she navigates the social jungle of high school, brought to life by a talented cast, dynamic choreography, and impressive technical design. It’s funny, bold, and totally fetch. Mean Girls opens Friday, April 24! This show is rated PG-13.

The next Superintendent’s Newsletter will be published on Monday, April 6. Let's have a wonderful week!

Dr. John Bowes, Superintendent

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