2015/16 MBEF Funded Programs: Enriching and Empowering Our Students
Thanks to the 5,642 donors from our community, seventy-three percent of whom are parents, MBEF grants for the 2015/16 school year total $6.16 million! These crucial funds will support not only the programs that we have grown accustomed to, but also several new initiatives inspired by parent, teacher and District feedback. Whether your student is learning how to manage emotions through MindUp training in Elementary School, exercising new skills and techniques to meet the Common Core standards in Math at MBMS, or taking advantage of one of the new STEM courses launched by Project Lead the Way at Mira Costa, we are confident that the funds put towards new programs by MBEF will be put to good use. About Our Grants…

Best of Manhattan Award – Vote for MBEF Today!
MBEF has been nominated for a Best of Manhattan Award from the MB Chamber of Commerce. Voting ends today (Friday), so please take two minutes now to vote and show your support for MBEF. Thank you!

MBUSD Elementary Homework – Reading, Reading, and More Reading
By Dr. Brett Geithman, Executive Director, MBUSD Educational Services
I’m a parent of a Kindergartener and 2nd Grader. On those nights when we have dance, followed by soccer practice, while also trying to fit in homework, dinner and a bath before the 7:45 bedtime (if I’m being honest) the first homework assignment we cut out is reading. Read more here...

We Heard You - STEM in Our Schools
Manhattan Beach parents, business leaders, educators, and community members invest their time, talents and financial resources to transform our school District into a model for what public education can be. In 2014/15, 5,642 donors supported MBEF by making a gift to strengthen our schools. Read more here...

Introducing…The MBEF Student Ambassadors
This year at Back-to-School Night or a PTA meeting, you may have had the privilege to hear one of our new Student Ambassadors speak about MBEF and the impact your donations have made on their education. These poised, confident and articulate teens have all volunteered to speak on behalf of MBEF at school and community events throughout the year. They exemplify the caliber of students at Mira Costa High School. Read more here...

Congratulations to MBMS Principal John Jackson and MCHS Teacher Michael Hernandez
Congratulations are in order for two of our District’s finest – MBMS Principal John Jackson and Mira Costa Cinematic Arts and Broadcast Journalism Teacher Michael Hernandez. Mr. Hernandez received the honor of MBUSD Teacher of the Year, and was recently named 1 of 16 LA County Teachers of the Year. Mr. Jackson just returned from Washington, DC, where he received recognition from lawmakers as the California Middle School Principal of the Year. We are incredibly honored and grateful to have such dedicated and inspiring teachers and administrators in our District. Thank you for all you do for our children!

SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Join your friends, neighbors and classmates at the SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk on Sunday, October 25th! Support your school team or the MBEF team, and be sure to designate your contribution to MBEF so your registration fee will directly support OUR schools! If you can’t participate, consider becoming a “virtual walker”. Last year, for every $25 registration or donation, our schools received over $150 from the SKECHERS Foundation - totaling $100,000. Let’s top that this year! REGISTER TODAY.

TEDxManhattan Beach: What’s Next?
Saturday, November 14, 2015
TEDxManhattan Beach will be held on November 14, 2015 at MBMS, and will feature inspiring innovators, entrepreneurs and educators for a day of exploration and community-building. This event, sponsored in part by MBEF, sells out quickly so be on the lookout for ticket information. Check here for videos of last year’s presenters.

Save the Date

In the News and Parent Resources
Over the past few months, we’ve received positive feedback about the information-sharing and articles focused on education and parenting that we’ve been posting on MBEF’s Facebook page. We encourage you to join our online community of over 2,500, by “liking us” on Facebook. That said, given the interest, we will also continue to share some of the more widely read articles in our monthly newsletters. With the rapidly changing shifts taking place in curriculum and education, it is our hope that MBEF can be a resource for our families to interact, share best practices, and learn from experts and each other.

“Lift Ups Instead of Put Downs”
Dr. Ruth A. Wilson; September 14, 2015

“Dear Teachers: You're Not Fooling Me”
Candice Curry; September 1, 2015

“Rethinking education: New Orleans is now teaching innovation and creativity as a skill”
Mark Deane and Tanya Sinkovits; August 29, 2015

“Kids Receive 3 Times the Recommended Homework Load, Study Says”
Justin Worland; August 12, 2015

“Listening to Teachers: How School Districts Can Adopt Meaningful Change”
Katrina Schwartz; August 11, 2015

“Giving Good Praise to Girls: What Messages Stick”
Katrina Schwartz; April 24, 2013