September 26, 2025

Dear MBUSD Parents and Community,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. Today’s issue highlights Meadows Elementary, MCHS teacher Maddie Hutchinson as one of Los Angeles County’s Teachers of the Year, and a Mira Costa student-athlete honored by local news for her achievements in Girls Flag Football.

Since the beginning of the year, Meadows Elementary School has been engaging students in a variety of exciting activities to build a love of literacy and foster a deeper understanding of math. In reading classes, students have enjoyed daily read-alouds and partner reading, which provide opportunities for them to practice their fluency and comprehension skills. Students have also participated in shared reading circles, where they discuss stories together and make connections to their own lives. Teachers have introduced vocabulary games, reading response journals, and small-group instruction to support students with varying reading levels.

In addition to fostering a love of reading, students have worked on math readiness using counting collections, math games, and a variety of math activities that promote problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration. Classes have participated in hands-on lessons using math manipulatives to strengthen number sense.

Students have also been introduced to the science lab, Makerspace, musical theatre class, and more!

This week, we are highlighting John Ruta, who serves as a Daytime Lead Custodian at Pennekamp Elementary. Now in his second year in this role, John plays an important part in keeping the campus running smoothly. From maintaining clean and welcoming spaces to setting up and breaking down daytime events to helping ensure lunchtime is organized and tidy, his work supports students and staff every day. 

John first joined MBUSD in 2018 as a substitute custodian, stepping in wherever needed, including an extended period on the grounds crew during the COVID-19 pandemic. He shared that his time at MBUSD has been rewarding, as it marks his first full-time role following freelance work. In the 2024–2025 school year, John Ruta was honored as Pennekamp’s Classified Employee of the Year, recognized for his strong work ethic. Outside of work, John enjoys movies, video games, and working on his car. He also finds peace in spending time outdoors.

We are thrilled to share that Mira Costa High School teacher Maddie Hutchinson has been named one of the Top 16 L.A. 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 and her fellow honorees were recognized at the 44th Annual Teachers of the Year Awards Banquet, where she was joined by her family and school and District leaders, including MCHS Principal Dr. Jennifer Huynh, MBUSD Board of Trustees Vice President Tina Shivpuri, Clerk Jen Dohner, Superintendent Dr. John Bowes, and Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Dr. Irene Gonzalez-Castillo. 

Now in her 11th year of teaching, Maddie, a proud MBUSD alum, has been inspiring Mira Costa students through her work in the classroom and beyond, teaching English, leading Link Crew, advising ComedySportz, supporting Drama/Tech productions, and contributing to both the Ethnic Studies and EDSJI Committees.

In its announcement, LACOE praised Maddie for “inspiring students to engage deeply, nurturing both a love of learning and a strong sense of community. Her dedication has earned her a reputation as a trusted adult and passionate advocate.” One of her former students echoed this sentiment: “Whether she’s teaching mythology, Shakespeare, or vocab, Ms. Hutchinson’s passion inspires her pupils to become lifelong learners.”

Mira Costa Principal Dr. Jennifer Huynh shared, “Maddie Hutchinson is an outstanding educator who wholeheartedly cares about the well-being and academic experiences of all Mira Costa students. She is intentional, thoughtful, and truly bleeds green and gold. I am extremely proud of her and look forward to seeing her continue to represent our school and District at the county level!”

The L.A. County Teachers of the Year Program is the largest of its kind in California and the nation, and is part of the oldest and most prestigious recognition program for public-school educators in the United States. Candidates submit essays, lesson plans, and other materials, and also participate in interviews with panels of former California Teachers of the Year. The process highlights excellence in teaching and recognizes educators who make a lasting difference in their schools and communities.

We are proud to celebrate her as not only MBUSD’s Teacher of the Year, but also as one of the most outstanding educators in Los Angeles County.

Mira Costa High School senior Caroline Love was recently featured on KCAL News for her inspiring journey in Girls Flag Football. From serving as team captain to participating in the prestigious Manning Passing Academy, Caroline has earned recognition for her leadership, talent, and dedication to the sport. 

Her story highlights not only her athletic accomplishments but also the drive and perseverance that make her an outstanding role model for fellow Mustangs! 

Click the video below to watch the full KCAL feature!

Board of Trustees Recognizes National Merit Scholarships Semifinalists

Front row (left to right): Collin Tarnay, Brianna Sulaiman, Mary Rothermel, Lachlan Murphy, Emilia Malis, Catherine Jackson.

The Board of Trustees honored eight Mira Costa High School scholars who have been named semifinalists in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program. They are among more than 16,000 recognized nationwide for this prestigious achievement. Congratulations to our semifinalists:

Semifinalists are selected based on their performance on the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), along with academic records and a recommendation from a school staff member. These students will now advance in the competition for National Merit Scholarships, which collectively total nearly $26 million.

As we continue to strengthen our school-based protocols for safety, we want to highlight that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recognizes September as National Preparedness Month and asks everyone to use this as a time to prepare for emergencies.

The theme this year is “Preparedness Starts at Home,” reminding us that small steps can make a difference when it comes to keeping our families and communities safe. According to FEMA, there are four key actions you can take to prepare for any disaster you could face:

You can learn more about each of these steps here. Together, we can make a difference both at home and at school. 

MBUSD is proud to partner with the City of Manhattan Beach Parks & Recreation’s Older Adults Program to launch this year’s “Be Our Guest” program! It invites Manhattan Beach residents ages 55+ to attend select school performances for free with a special program pass. 

Older adult residents can sign up and receive their pass at the Joslyn Community Center, Older Adults Program Office. With the pass, participants will enjoy access to sixteen performances this school year, including drama/tech productions, choir concerts, and band and orchestra events at Mira Costa High School.

Click the image above for full schedule. We look forward to welcoming our older adult community members to these incredible student performances!

Join Your PTA!

If you have a child, you have experienced PTA! The Parent Teacher Association is the oldest and largest child advocacy association in America. Here in Manhattan Beach, the amazing, ongoing partnership of the PTAs and MBUSD continues. The seven PTAs’ collective contribution of over $2.2 million ensures our schools and programs are stellar. Our PTAs provide school supplies and technology capital improvements, as well as academic, social-emotional, and VAPA programming, field trips, staff appreciation, teacher professional development opportunities, community support, and cultural and school-wide celebrations.

Various PTA parent functions provide a forum for parents to voice their opinions, engage in discussions, and learn about what is happening at our schools. PTA is a constant voice for our children and strives to make our schools a better place to learn and grow! Thank you to everyone who has already joined the PTA; without you, our programs and projects would not be possible. Each school’s PTA strives for 100% participation. If you have not had a chance to join yet, it’s just a click away! 

Grand View PTA

Meadows PTA

Pacific PTA

Pennekamp PTA

Robinson PTSA

MBMS PTA

Mira Costa PTSA

MBUSD Schools Recognize Peace Week

As part of our Districtwide climate of care efforts, MBUSD schools once again recognized the International Day of Peace with events and activities. During Peace Week, campuses highlighted their Peace Poles, an internationally recognized symbol of hope and peace. 

At Pacific Elementary, students engaged in a variety of activities, including transforming the front lawn into a display of kindness with heart skewers decorated with positive words and art. The school also held a Peace Pole rededication ceremony during its weekly assembly, where Principal Amanda Vavao spoke about the importance of spreading peace, kindness, and positivity.

Robinson Elementary incorporated the Peace Pole into its first PRIDE assembly. Principal Katie Cavallaro shared the significance of International Peace Day and connected it to the school’s core values. Pennekamp Elementary also held an assembly centered on its Peace Pole, and 5th graders had the opportunity to give speeches. 

Meadows Elementary encouraged students to peacefully touch the Peace Pole on campus and participate in coloring activities related to the International Day of Peace. Our preschool students also learned about Peace through the book “Peas on Earth.” Students participated in a one-week lesson plan to explore the themes of kindness and peace in the book. Each day highlighted a different area of learning and engaging activities.

Other MBUSD schools will be hosting similar events in the weeks ahead. Thank you to Stand 4 Peace for providing resources to support these efforts. 

This week, Robinson Riptide's 2nd graders brought the beloved characters of the Frog and Toad series to life in an exceptional performance! As part of their Reader’s Theatre unit, students practiced using strong voices, expression, and hand gestures to act out one of the short stories.

The performances were also connected to their reading lessons, where students explored summarizing strategies by studying several Frog and Toad stories. It was a fun and engaging way to combine literacy skills with creativity and performance.

Join us at the Hometown Fair!

Join us at the Hometown Fair on October 4–5! MBUSD will be part of the festivities with a booth in the Community Place area, located on Valley Drive near 20th Place at the fair’s north entrance.

District leaders, staff, and school principals will be there throughout the weekend, and I look forward to connecting with families and community members. Come by, say hello, and learn more about MBUSD!

Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk

We’re less than a month away from the annual Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk on Sunday, October 19! This fun community tradition supports both the Friendship Foundation, benefiting children with special needs, and MBEF, which directly supports our students. 

For every registration, please indicate MBEF as the beneficiary during registration to ensure that your full contribution directly benefits MBEF and your school PTA! The walk supports both children with special needs through the Friendship Foundation and our students through MBEF. 

Please click here for registration process steps and FAQs.

Click on your school’s official team page below to register:

Grand View Elementary

Meadows Elementary

Pacific Elementary

Pennekamp Elementary

Robinson Elementary

Manhattan Beach Middle School

Manhattan Beach Preschool

Mira Costa High School

MBEF Team

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The next Superintendent’s Newsletter will be published on October 3. Have a wonderful weekend!

Dr. John Bowes, Superintendent

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