Smiles Abound Among Our TK-6 Students 
It has been an exciting few weeks across all campuses at MBUSD. Last week our 3rd - 5th graders returned to school for in-class instruction four days a week in an AM/PM hybrid schedule. According to Patti McCullum, a 5th-grade teacher at Robinson, “March 1st felt like the first day of school again, but this time in the middle of Spring!”. A sense of excitement was in the air as students walked down the hallways carefully spaced to their respective classrooms. It was clear to Ms. McCollum that being back on campus brought “a sense of calm and normalcy to an unusual year of attending school during a pandemic”.

On Monday this week, MBMS 6th graders returned to campus for in-person learning in their Humanities class in a two-day per week hybrid schedule. Read More Here.

College Admissions Panel – Watch Live Tonight at 5pm
MBEF and the MCHS College and Career Center have assembled a panel of college admissions experts to share their perspectives on the current testing landscape and provide students and parents with a richer understanding of the college admissions process. See the MBEF website for more information on the panelists and discussion topics. Registration is full but you can watch live at 5pm or a recording on MBEF's YouTube Channel. 

Prioritizing Students and Schools at the Secondary Level
Prioritizing student learning has never seemed so relevant or significant to the success of our children as it does now. Months of this catastrophic pandemic have proven that we must work together more expeditiously to support our youth, their emotional well-being, and their education.

Across the country, but especially in California, student learning has been greatly impacted. This Live Map of Student Learning depicts current school instruction by county in California. As the map demonstrates, although some districts are currently supporting in-person instruction at the elementary level, far fewer are doing so for secondary students. Read More Here.

The 27th Annual Manhattan Wine Auction
The South Bay's iconic event of the year is on – mark your calendars now for June 12th! The Manhattan Wine Auction is coming to you virtually and offers something for everyone to enjoy:

• In-Home Culinary & Wine Experiences that include incredible meals from the finest local restaurants paired with exquisite wines from our Reserve Room winery partners
• Virtual Tastings featuring distinguished wines, spirits, and craft beers
• Livestream Show with Entertainment
• Silent and Live Auctions that include fine and collectible wines and spirits, extraordinary trips, one-of-a-kind dinners and experiences, art, sports memorabilia, and so much more

Plan now to celebrate our schools and community at the 27th Annual Manhattan Wine Auction! Get More Information Here.

MBEF Endowment Grants $1 Million Towards MBEF Programs
Each year the MBEF Endowment disperses a portion of its investment income to support MBEF programs. As the principal grows, so does the annual disbursement. This year the Endowment Board has approved a disbursement of $1 Million, the maximum contribution allowed by the Endowment's Disbursement Policy. Because of the Endowment, MBEF is able to supplement the funds raised in the Annual Appeal to grant $4.8 Million to MBUSD for the 2021-22 school year. Donations to the Annual Appeal were down by 28% this year, drastically reducing available funds to support MBEF programs in our schools. Today's MBUSD families can thank those who established the Endowment with just $10,000 in 1986, as well as those that persisted in growing it to where it stands today at over $20 million. Our appreciation also goes out to the donors who support our students now and for generations to come through the gifts to the Endowment. For more information and ways to give, please visit MBEF Endowment.

Get In The Know with MBEF's Podcast Series
This week on In The Know, Dan is joined by MBUSD Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Dr. Katherine Whittaker Stopp, to discuss learning loss in students due to the pandemic. Dr. Stopp shares MBUSD’s plans to mitigate loss and some of the positive outcomes of distance learning that may change in-class learning for the better. You can catch the In The Know podcast series on iTunes or on the MBEF Website.

SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk Raises Money for MB Schools!
Thank you to the SKECHERS Foundation and our Manhattan Beach community for its support of MBEF through the SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk. This inspirational virtual event raised $1.8 million dollars for the Friendship Foundation and all local Education Foundations – including $100,000 for our Manhattan Beach schools. Our heartfelt thanks to SKECHERS President Michael Greenberg, SKECHERS Foundation Executive Director Robin Curren, and Director of Development & Events Anne Kelly, as well as the Friendship Foundation team for their tireless efforts. Our appreciation also goes to our Team Captains at each school site – Mariana Enson, Carly Feingold, Haruko Froeb, Denise Kwok, Jen Linney, Melissa Overholt, Geraldine Pepemehmetoglu, and Jessica Shepard. SKECHERS, The Friendship Foundation, and MBEF, thank you for your support!

Emotional Support Workshops – Technology & Social Media 
The Manhattan Beach Unified School District PTA Council and Social-Emotional Learning Committee have collaborated to bring a four-part series on support during distance learning for all parents. Olivia Tiffany, Family Counselor, Life Coach, and doctoral student of Child Psychology, will provide insight and tools to support your child’s social-emotional well-being during this pandemic. The final webinar titled "Social Connections During Covid" is on March 12th at 9:30am. Tiffany will discuss how to maintain social connections that will keep your child from feeling lonely. Please RSVP to Attend.  

South Bay Families Connected Speaker Series – Social Justice Parenting
In partnership with Beach Cities Health District, South Bay Families Connected (SBFC) is proud to present Social Justice Parenting: Teaching Children to Leverage Privilege for Good with Dr. Mimi Nartey, an Ivy League scientist, award-winning college professor (UCLA, Occidental and LMU), and social entrepreneur. Dr. Nartey will provide parents with powerful tools on how to talk with their children about social justice, the real and perceived disadvantages, and how they can use their social privilege to make the world a better place. The Zoom event is on Tuesday, April 13th, from 4:00 - 5:30pm. Register here. 

Upcoming MBUSD and Community Events 

Follow Us on FaceBook and Instagram
Calling all parents, students, teachers, businesses, and community leaders to follow us on social media. Stay informed on MBEF’s impact on our students of all ages, read the latest articles related to education, and see your support in action in our schools. Join the conversation at FaceBook and Instagram.