December 19, 2025

Dear MBUSD Staff,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. In today’s issue, we will highlight:

In the Kindergarten classes at Robinson, connection, voice, and choice are already at the heart of what we do. This year, our team is working intentionally to deepen those practices through the lens of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), focusing on Checkpoint 7.2—connecting learning to students’ lives, cultures, and experiences.

Each week, we create opportunities for our young learners to see themselves in the curriculum and in their classroom community. Recently, our sharing prompt invited students to bring in a picture and tell the class about the winter holidays they celebrate at home. What emerged was a rich and joyful discussion of traditions—trees decorated with family, visits with Santa, special foods, and celebrations across multiple cultures. Students eagerly signaled connections with one another using our “Me Too” gesture, reinforcing both belonging and understanding. Even when a student’s tradition was unique within the group, it opened a door for us to revisit prior lessons, build background knowledge, and highlight the value of every child’s experience.

These moments are part of our broader UDL goal: to embed meaningful real-life connections into core instruction every week and to document these experiences through simple logs and student work samples. By the end of the year, we expect students to confidently use personal connections in their discussions, drawings, dictations, and early writing—strengthening both engagement and identity.

As we move into January, we are applying this same approach to our lessons about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., shifting from simple recall to helping students make personal connections to his legacy of inclusion, fairness, and community.

In partnership, we are proud to help our kindergarteners feel seen, valued, and connected—to their classroom, their school, and one another. Universal Design for Learning is not an add-on for us; it is a natural extension of the warm, relationship-centered foundation of early childhood education.

Thank you again to Principal Cavallaro, and teachers Dawn Fulton and Megi Asano for sharing about the great work happening in the Robinson Kindergarten classrooms.

This week, we are excited to highlight Lisa Searer! Lisa is a valued member of the Meadows Elementary School administrative team, where she has been making a positive impact since joining MBUSD in January 2023. 

As the Administrative Assistant at Meadows, Lisa supports the day-to-day operations of the school, assisting with enrollment, payroll, scheduling, and whatever else is needed to keep the campus running smoothly. She proudly shares that she was brand new to the role when she started and has embraced every opportunity to learn along the way.

Lisa describes her time at MBUSD as “fantastic,” noting how lucky she feels to come to work each day as part of the Meadows family. Prior to joining the District, Lisa devoted many years to raising her three children—Gillian (Mira Costa Class of 2015) and twins Jack and Abigail (Mira Costa Class of 2023) as well as volunteering extensively across MBUSD. Her volunteer service included leadership roles with Mira Costa Cross Country, Mira Costa Drama, and the Hermosa Beach Education Foundation, as well as a brief role with Hermosa Beach Unified School District. 

Earlier in her career, Lisa worked as an administrative assistant at both Raytheon and Disney. Lisa credits parenthood and her years of volunteering as the foundation of her career in education. What she enjoys most about her job is truly everything, from the welcoming community to the daily challenges that allow her to continue learning and growing. Her personal goal is to bring a little “fun” to what can be very busy days at school.

Outside of work, Lisa enjoys crafting, exploring new creative projects, and cheering on her three young adult children while navigating life as an empty nester with her husband. Meadows is fortunate to have Lisa’s energy, experience, and warm spirit as part of its team.

Thank you, Lisa, for all that you do and continue to do for the MBUSD community!

Mira Costa High School’s Cross Country teams proudly represented Manhattan Beach at the Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) in Portland, Oregon, competing against the top teams and individual runners from across the country. 

The girls’ team earned an automatic bid to the national meet after finishing second at the California Division 1 State Championships and went on to place 13th nationally, demonstrating strong teamwork and consistency in a highly competitive field. 

The boys’ team secured an at-large bid and finished 16th in the nation, marking an important milestone for the program and reflecting the depth and commitment of the team. Beyond the results, both teams exemplified sportsmanship, unity, and Mustang pride throughout the championship weekend.

With a short turnaround from the State Meet and challenging race conditions, their performance at NXN reflects the dedication, resilience, and character of our student-athletes. We are incredibly proud of these athletes for representing MBUSD and the Manhattan Beach community on the national stage.

Q&A Session on Jan. 8 - Virtual: MBUSD invites parents and guardians of incoming TK and Kindergarten students to attend a virtual Q&A session ahead of TK/Kindergarten Information Day. Dr. Kerry Riccio Aguero, Director of Student Services, will guide attendees through the enrollment process and address many of the most frequently asked questions. The session will also include time for additional questions and comments from participants. This virtual Q&A is a great opportunity to get initial questions answered before Information Day, or a helpful alternative for those unable to attend the in-person event. 

Information Day on Jan. 10 - In Person: MBUSD invites incoming TK and Kindergarten parents and guardians to attend this year’s TK/Kindergarten Information Day. Join us to explore what makes MBUSD exceptional and learn more about our outstanding TK and Kindergarten programs. You’ll also hear how our dedicated team supports a smooth and successful transition for students and families.

Event Details:

Event Highlights:

Enrollment Eligibility for the 2026-27 School Year:

As this event is targeted for parents and guardians, free childcare for children ages 4–12 will be provided during the event, thanks to the sponsorship of Beach Cities Health District. Space is limited, so early sign-up is encouraged. 

For more information, visit our Enrollment & Registration page. Any additional questions may be directed to mbkinderevent@gmail.com.

We look forward to welcoming you and your future student(s)!

Pacific’s Student Council helped spread holiday cheer across campus with a fun and festive Spirit Week, inviting students to show their school pride through themed dress-up days. 

The week kicked off with Jersey/Sports Day on Monday, followed by Holiday Crazy Hair Day on Tuesday, Holiday Hat and Socks Day on Wednesday, Holiday Hoodie or Sweater Day on Thursday, and wrapped up with Holiday Pajamas and Stuffy Day on Friday.

Thank you to Principal Amanda Vavao for sharing these photos and for consistently creating a school environment where fun, creativity, and learning go hand in hand.

As we wrap up the semester and complete our final exams, I encourage families to continue prioritizing health and well-being as we head into the winter months and the upcoming holiday break. Winter often brings an increase in seasonal illnesses, including the flu, and small preventive steps can make a big difference in keeping our school community healthy.

I encourage families to talk with their healthcare providers about the seasonal flu vaccine and whether it is right for their family. Practicing good habits such as frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and avoiding sharing food or drinks also helps reduce the spread of illness.

As we head into the break, I would like to extend a special thank you to our school nurses, health service assistants, and support teams. Your dedication and care over the past several weeks have been critical in supporting students and staff and helping our school community reach the holiday break healthy and supported.

Taking care of your health now helps ensure a smooth transition into the holiday break and allows everyone to enjoy a restful, healthy time with family and friends. Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting the well-being of our students, staff, and families.

Additional details regarding student health and illness policies can be found on the District’s Student Health webpage.

Mira Costa junior Isaac LeMieux will kick off New Year’s Day as a member of the Tournament of Roses Honor Band. Marching sousaphone along the historic 5.5-mile parade route, Isaac joins a legacy of exceptional Southern California high school musicians and color guard performers, this highly-selective honor band has appeared at every Rose Parade since 1930.

Each year, California Band Directors Association selects top musicians to perform as part of the CBDA Honor Wind Ensembles at the California All-State Music Educators Conference in Sacramento. Three MBUSD band students have earned such distinguished All-State honors. Costa junior Iggy Im will be returning for her second year as flute/piccolo in the Symphonic Band ensemble; sophomore Charlotte King will play flute/piccolo in her first selection to the Golden State band; and Evan Lin, MBMS 8th-grader and trumpeter, will join All-State’s top middle-school Symphonic Band. All three honorees will perform on the final day of the conference, which takes place January 14-18. 

We are so proud of these accomplished musicians! Please join us in celebrating their hard work and dedication as they represent MBUSD at these prestigious events.

The Manhattan Beach Education Foundation (MBEF) continues to play a vital role in supporting excellence across Manhattan Beach Unified School District schools. Through funding for smaller class sizes, STEAM, visual & performing arts, early literacy, and counseling, MBEF investments are designed to benefit every student, at every school.

As of today, MBEF has raised $3.9 million toward its $5.2 million Annual Appeal goal, approximately 75% of the way there. This progress reflects the generosity and commitment of our community. The final portion of the Annual Appeal is always the most challenging, and continued participation at any level is essential to sustaining the programs our students rely on in the year ahead. 100% of the funds raised will support the educator positions and programs in the 2026-2027 school year.

The Annual Appeal concludes on January 31, and gifts made by December 31 may be eligible for tax consideration this calendar year. Donors may also fulfill pledges through June 30. We are deeply grateful for the ongoing support of our MBUSD families and community partners as MBEF continues its mission to enhance educational opportunities for all students.To learn more about the Annual Appeal and the programs it supports, visit the MBEF website. 

MBUSD is excited to invite families to our upcoming Parent Tech Education Night on Wednesday, January 14, where we will focus on Setting Healthy Technology Boundaries with Children, one of the topics parents identified as most important in this year’s districtwide Parent Survey.

This session will offer practical strategies for fostering balanced, age-appropriate tech use at home while strengthening communication and family expectations. Parents will learn tools for navigating social media, managing screen time, and supporting digital well-being, areas that continue to rank as top concerns among MBUSD families.

We look forward to partnering with you in creating supportive, informed approaches to technology that promote both safety and healthy development for all students. Please see the attached flyer for more details. Registration is open, please sign up to reserve your spot, receive reminders and access the webinar link. 

Also, save the date for Wednesday, February 18, for our second Parent Tech Education Event. Our Student Services Department will lead parents through tips to navigate parental controls on Apple and Android devices. Bring a device to get started or take notes! This session will be led by Dr. Riccio Aguero and Mr. Lee. 

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

The next Superintendent’s Newsletter will be published on January 9. Have a wonderful winter break!

Dr. John Bowes, Superintendent

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