December 13, 2017
 
       
 

Tinkering Away: MakerSpace Expansions at Elementary Schools 
By Jason Marshall, MBUSD MakerSpace Coordinator
Last spring, I was offered the opportunity to be the MakerSpace Coordinator for the esteemed Manhattan Beach Unified School District. The purpose of this role was to bring MakerSpace to life at all of the elementary campuses in a consistent and significant way. For those of you who are not familiar with the MakerSpace movement in schools across the country, MakerSpace is a hands-on, student-directed learning experience, where students see themselves as inventors, builders and creators. Read more here.

 
       
 

Help Us Raise the Bar – Annual Appeal 2017/18 
Every child benefits from programs funded by MBEF every day. Whether our kids are learning an instrument in music, exploring a passion in an elective class, tinkering in MakerSpace, trying a sport in PE, or researching college options with a counselor, there is no question that these parent-funded programs have a profound impact on their experience in MBUSD. Our Annual Appeal is the primary source of funding for these grants, and without generous donations from parents and community members, our schools would look dramatically different. We are getting closer to our goal this year but need the support of every family in our District to sustain programs.

Thank you to those who have already contributed  – check out the complete list of All Annual Appeal Donors if you are not sure if you participated yet this year. Special thanks to our Lead Annual Appeal Donors who have donated $5,000 or more. Please Give Today!

 
       
 

College Bound with Costa's College and Career Center 
Mira Costa’s College and Career Center provides students and their families with help navigating the admission process and access to information on colleges and universities across the country. Qualified counselors with college admission’s office experience are available Monday thru Friday, including most evenings until 7pm. Learn more about the newest addition to the team, Ruthie Robles, here. The Center hosts visits from college admissions departments on a daily basis – visit the CCC Website or Naviance for specific scheduled events. This counseling program is only possible through your support of MBEF. 

 
       
 

Connecting our Community – SBFC is 70 schools strong!
Congratulations to our partner, South Bay Families Connected, for partnering with so many of our local South Bay schools to provide invaluable resources to our community.  SBFC focuses on the social and emotional wellness of our children by supporting parents in their efforts to help their kids reach their full potential and live healthy, fulfilled lives.  SBFC offers parents extensive resources, education, and opportunities to connect around the common issues and challenges we face as parents. If you would like to receive the SBFC Newsletter, please sign-up here

 
       
 

Fighting Bullying Within – An Insider Perspective
Manhattan Beach City Prosecutor, Joan Stein Jenkins, Esq., shares her perspective on bullying and the value of resilience in her SBFC Blog. Joan's experience as City Prosecutor for both Manhattan Beach and Torrance, as well as a trial attorney, master mediator and trainer of trainers, gives her a wealth of knowledge and understanding of our youth. Joan started and wrote the curriculum for the first peer resolution program in Manhattan Beach schools and initiated MB's unique juvenile diversion program which helps rehabilitate young offenders. 

 
       
   

Thank You Manhattan Beach
Thanks to SO many of you for taking part in what was a record-breaking year for the Pier to Pier Friendship Walk! It was an awe-inspiring morning that raised over $1.8 million for children with special needs and public schools throughout the South Bay. We are grateful to SKECHERS President Michael Greenberg, Robin Curren, and everyone at SKECHERS and the Friendship Foundation for their passion and tremendous investment in our community. Our thanks also to the many students and parent volunteers who led the recruitment and fundraising efforts at our schools – Sue Antrobius, Anna Bargagliotti, Blake Bullock, Schuyler Chang, Nisha Chatwani, Haley Herdman, Skylar Herdman, Cory Kingston, Erin Levin, Dylan McGovern, Jennifer Temperley, Vicki Tyler, Fara Weiner, and Wysh Weinstein. Click here to see a short NBC clip from the event.

 
       
 

Mira Costa Winter Choir Concert – Friday, December 15
The Grammy Award Winning Mira Costa High School Choirs present This Shining Night. The program will feature the Vocal Ensemble, Men and Women's Choir, Advanced Women's Chorale, as well as the acapella groups, Mira Costa Muscle and MCHS Coterie. There will also be guest performances by the MBMS Seaside Chorale and Senior Wave Chorale. The choral concert will be held in the MCHS Auditorium on Friday, December 15th, 2017 at 7:00 pm. 

 
       
 

College Testing Presentation Follow-Up
If you missed the College Admission Testing presentation on November 30th, you may find the information in this Guide to College Admission Testing helpful. Adam Ingersoll provided a comprehensive look at the college testing process that eased the minds of the students and parents that attended.  

 
       
 

Families Connected Speaker Series: Raising Empathetic Children – Tuesday, January 30
In her book, Unselfie, bestselling author Michele Borba offers a 9-step program to help parents cultivate empathy in children, from birth to young adulthood. Join Borba on Tuesday, January 30th from 6:30 to 8pm in the Mira Costa HS Auditorium for her presentation on Raising Empathetic Children and why developing a healthy sense of empathy is a key predictor of success in the future. This event is also part of the MBMS Get PUMPEd Series learn about more upcoming events here.

 
       
   

Upcoming MBUSD and Community Events 

12/14/2017
Adult 101 for Teens - Local teens grades 6-12 are invited to join the Manhattan Beach Library for an informative presentation on Workplace Know-How from 4:30-5:30pm.
12/15/2017
This Silent Night Choir Concert featuring the Grammy Award-winning Mira Costa Choirs at 7pm in the Mira Costa Auditorium. 
12/16/2017
Enjoy snow at the beach at Beach Winter Wonderland hosted by the LA County Dept. of Beaches and Harbors from 11am - 4pm at the Dockweiler Youth Center. 
1/4/2018
Adult 101 for Teens: Local teens grades 6-12 are invited to join the Manhattan Beach Library for a useful workshop on Public Speaking from 4:30-5:30pm. 
1/30/2018
Families Connected Speaker Series hosts special guest Michele Borba, author of Unselfie – Raising Empathetic Children at 6:30pm in the Mira Costa Auditorium.
2/TBD/2018
Families Connected Speaker Series "Building Connections, Finding Purpose" Kathleen Terry at 
Redondo Beach Union High School.
3/TBD/2018
Families Connected Speaker Series "What It's Really Like for Us" a teen panel moderated by Leah Niehaus, LCSW, at 6:30pm at Hermosa Valley School. 
4/17/2018
Families Connected Speaker Series Denise Pope, author of Overloaded and Underprepared - The Well-Balanced Student and co-founder of Challenge Success at 6:30pm at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center.
6/9/2018
24th Annual Manhattan Wine Auction benefitting MBEF and the MBEF Endowment.
 
       
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In the News and Parent Resources
Please find below a round-up of the most widely read and shared articles from MBEF’s Facebook Page. MBEF is proud to be a resource for our families to interact and learn from experts and each other. Join our Facebook Community and join the conversation.

Focus on the effort and process to ensure your child excels and learns to love learning. Read these tips on Raising Successful Kids

Psychologist Angela Lee Duckworth shares her thoughts through a TED Talk on why some students fail and others succeed – the theory that 'grit' can predict success and the Power of Perseverance. 

Think Raising Kids Tech-Free is too difficult in this technology-driven world? If Bill Gates and Steve Jobs can do it, why can't you? 

We have the best intentions in trying to make our kids happy, but teaching delayed gratification and setting limits is what leads to success. Here are several ways to Re-Train the Entitled Brain

Harvard Graduate School of Education shares it's research through the Making Caring Common Project. Try this worthwhile resource for parents on Cultivating Empathy in our children.

 
       
MBEF would like to recognize the following Business Sponsors
for their outstanding commitment to our schools:

Skechers

                       

Thank you to all of our Business Sponsors. Click here for a full list and to learn more.
MBEF

About MBEF:  Manhattan Beach Education Foundation is an independent non-profit established by parents and community leaders to financially support the seven public schools of the Manhattan Beach Unified School District.  Since 1983, MBEF has granted much needed funds to supplement state funding and has helped MBUSD continually rank in the top 1% of school districts in California.  With over 5,000 donors and annual grants exceeding $6 million, MBEF is one of the oldest and most successful educational foundations in the state.  Any questions or concerns about this communication should be sent to communications@mbef.org.

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