Raise Your Paddle & Glass in Support of Our Schools!
Significant MBUSD budget cuts in 2019/20 severely impacted beloved MBEF programs at all of our schools. And although MBEF's Annual Appeal did not raise enough funding to restore these critical educators and programs, there is still time.

With your support through the Manhattan Wine Auction Paddle Raise, this community can restore these important programs to their full capacity when students return to the classroom this fall. Here are the programs and educators that Paddle Raise donations could impact:

• Academic and Guidance Counselors
• Class Size Reduction
• College and Career Counselors
• Physical Education Specialists
• Library Resource Specialists
• MakerSpace Program
• Music Specialists
• Science Specialists

It is not too late to provide our students with every opportunity for success. Please consider joining our effort with a donation to the Paddle Raise for Programs now through June 12th. Raise your paddle high in support of our schools and students!

Congratulations to the Class of 2021!
With so many changes to the college application process over the past year, it was hard to predict where Mira Costa seniors were going to land. There were early decision deferrals, early action acceptances, many waitlists, and even some surprising first-choice acceptances. According to the MCHS College and Career Center (CCC) Counselors, there was a slight increase in acceptances to highly selective universities, potentially due to the increase in applications with the shift in admissions test requirements. Through it all, the graduating class of 2021 managed it with grace, and are ready and excited to start the next adventure. This fall, Mira Costa grads are attending over 128 colleges and universities in 33 states and 6 countries, as well as pursuing other vocational or service pathways. The CCC is funded through donations to MBEF and supports all Costa students as they navigate their next step. To see where our grads are continuing their journey, check out The Class of 2021 Map in detail. Thank you for partnering with us to create exceptional educational opportunities. 

Fond Farewell to a True Partner in Education 
For the past 11 years, Dr. Mike Matthews has worked closely with MBEF on our mission to provide an exceptional education for all students in Manhattan Beach public schools. This shared commitment to the unparalleled success of our schools developed into a partnership built on mutual trust and respect – one that will not easily be replaced upon his departure. Throughout his time as superintendent, Dr. Matthews has served as an advocate, educator, learner, innovator, community builder, and exceptional leader. His thoughtful and measured approach has ensured that students are at the forefront of districtwide decisions, and because of that commitment, our schools are the prestigious educational centers they are today. Our district is particularly challenged with a structural funding deficit that makes all of our aspirations for providing robust high-quality programs and opportunities for students harder to achieve. As a true partner to MBEF, Dr. Matthews has helped to ensure that we have been able to maximize our efforts. We are grateful for his partnership and wish him well in his next adventure.

Open for Bidding Saturday, June 5th!
It's time to enjoy some guilt-free shopping! Beginning this Saturday, June 5th, you can start bidding on the amazing and unique Silent Auction items being offered. This year's Silent Auction includes wine to suit all tastes and budgets, lifetime experiences, artwork, jewelry, sports and entertainment packages, and loads of fun for kids. Plus, you can preview the Live Auction lots and kick the bidding off on June 10th before they close during the Livestream Show. The Live Auction is stacked with incredible one-of-a-kind items, including a ski vacation for four to Taos Ski Valley; a Spanish Tapas & Paella Dinner for 20 prepared by Chef Anne in your home, and exclusive and unattainable wines from Napa Valley and beyond. For those with an eye for jewelry, the Live Auction also has two stunning pieces you have to see to believe. Both pendants, one a yellow diamond and the other a 5-carat diamond, are available to preview in person on June 10th. Visit the Manhattan Wine Auction Website on or after June 5th for more information. 

MBUSD Students Win Big at Math Competitions
Inspiring students to further pursue academic interests and challenge themselves is at the foundation of MBEF's mission. So when parent volunteers initiated after-school math clubs at each school site, MBEF dedicated funding to encourage these clubs to compete in districtwide and statewide competitions. Over the past four years, the number of students involved has multiplied, especially among female students. In both a districtwide elementary competition and a national competition, it’s our female math students who are challenging each other and the country with their innovative and creative thinking skills.

Most recently, mathletes from all five elementary schools participated in the 4th annual MBUSD Elementary Math Contest on May 13th. The Pacific Calculators Distance Team was the overall winner and Avi Khurani, a 5th grader at Pacific, was the individual event winner. Read more here.

Legacy Award – The Pipkin Family 
The Pipkin family will be honored with MBEF’s Legacy Award at the virtual Manhattan Wine Auction on June 12th. With seven children, and now several, grandchildren, growing up in Manhattan Beach, the Pipkins recognize that a truly phenomenal public-school system requires partnership with the local community and were among the trailblazers who committed to the MBEF mission early on. Jan and Chet Pipkin began their support in 1994 as a family and grew that support as their company, Belkin International, grew alongside. Photographed here at the 2019 Manhattan Wine Auction, Jan and Chet are pictured with Congressman Ted Liu and his wife Betty Liu. It is with great appreciation and gratitude that we honor the Pipkin family for their generosity and leadership in our efforts to strengthen our public schools. Watch the Livestream Show at 7pm on June 12th for the presentation of the award. 

MakerSpace – A Safe Place to Explore and Develop
It has been two years since the MakerSpace program was eliminated from elementary school enrichment programs due to MBUSD budget cuts. Parents and students alike were devastated by the loss of the beloved lab that brought project-based learning into the grade-level curriculum at least once per week and open lab opportunities during lunchtime and after school. To understand the full impact and benefit of the learning environment known as MakerSpace, look no further than Taylor Ryan, MCHS freshman. Taylor was among the many students in MBUSD elementary schools who loved spending time in MakerSpace where she learned to bring her ideas to life. Hinged on innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving, MakerSpace was the safe place that Taylor could try anything. The initiative and confidence Taylor developed later helped her start her own business, Unstoppable Protective Gear, specializing in breast protective gear for female athletes. Tayor admits that without the opportunity to tinker around and explore new concepts in MakerSpace, she may never have considered being an inventor and entrepreneur at such a young age. MBEF hopes to bring MakerSpace back to the elementary schools through funds raised at the Manhattan Wine Auction. To read more about Taylor Ryan check out this article in Southbay Health. 

Thank you to the MBEF Student Ambassadors
MBEF would like to thank our Student Ambassadors – Carter Buckley, Owen Buckley, Catherine Cormack, Isabella Di Prizito, Thomas Gerkin, Brendan Griffin, Mizuki Horiguchi, and Jack Nathan – for an amazing but challenging year representing MBEF at numerous speaking engagements via Zoom to share their personal stories as students in the Manhattan Beach Unified School District. Student Ambassadors are instrumental in articulating the importance of MBEF and shining examples of our high-quality schools. We would like to extend our congratulations to the senior Ambassadors on their upcoming graduation from Mira Costa and wish them well in the next chapter of their life! We are thrilled to have Mizuki returning as the Lead Student Ambassador in 2021/22. For information on how to apply to the MBEF Student Ambassador program, please contact MBEF Operations and Project Manager, Kristi Buckley, at 310-303-3342 or kristi@mbef.org no later than June 15th.

Get In The Know with MBEF's Podcast Series
This week Dan is joined by Mira Costa High School Principal, Dr. Ben Dale, to discuss the re-opening of Mira Costa classrooms to in-person learning. Now that most students and teachers have returned in some capacity, the attitude on campus is markedly different from just one month ago. Dr. Dale shares his insights on how in-person academics and athletics are impacting both student academic success and well-being. Plus, learn what is in store for Dr. Dale as he moves on to retirement and what he hopes the next leader will bring to the students and faculty of Mira Costa High School. You can catch the In The Know podcast series on iTunes or on the MBEF Website.

Mira Costa Bands and Colorguard Present The Stadium Concert
The Grammy Award Winning Mira Costa High School Bands and Colorguard are thrilled to perform The Stadium Concert, an outdoor extravaganza in Waller Stadium, on Thursday, June 3rd at 7pm. The concert promises to be fun for the entire family with popular music from The Mandalorian, Indiana Jones, Toy Story 4, and Queen. Admission for Band Families is $15 per person and Senior Citizens & Students with ID are free. Or catch the entire show via the MC Bands YouTube Channel. For more information on joining the band program, watch this video A New Beginning and see what's in store for next year. 

Mira Costa Choirs – We Are One
The Mira Costa High School Choirs are performing in person at their year-end concert "We Are One!" on June 7th at 7pm. You won't want to miss this year-end special event which can be watched on the MCHS Choir Website via LiveStream. 

You Shop. Amazon Gives. MBEF Wins.
Want to help make a difference while you shop in the Amazon app at no extra cost to you? Simply follow the instructions below to select "Manhattan Beach Education Foundation" as your charity and activate AmazonSmile in the app. Amazon will donate a portion of your eligible mobile app purchases directly to MBEF.

How it works:
1. Open the Amazon app on your phone
2. Select the main menu (=) and tap on "AmazonSmile" within Programs & Features
3. Select "Manhattan Beach Education Foundation" as your charity
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate AmazonSmile in the mobile app

Upcoming MBUSD and Community Events 

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