Because of You – 2019/20 Grants to Our Schools
As a result of our community’s generosity, MBEF funding to our District has grown to $6.5 million for the 2019/20 school year. Each year MBEF’s Board of Directors works with District leadership, school principals, and teachers to identify programs that are most aligned with parent priorities and MBEF grant guidelines. MBEF grants reach all K-12 students through Class Size Reduction, Counseling and Student Support, Music and the Arts, Physical Education, Reading, Writing & Libraries, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), and Teacher Innovation. Learn more about the specific 2019/20 Grants and their impact by grade level in our detailed report.

Finding Common Ground in Mathematics  – Meet Holly
Preparing our students for today’s global economy means providing a solid foundation in math – one that promotes strategic critical thinking and creative problem-solving. When Common Core Math was introduced several years ago, the shift in mathematical practice and instruction was dramatic. We are fortunate to have engaged and highly skilled teachers in our district that are motivated to develop their craft. Even so, a transition of this magnitude takes many months of attention, training, and funding. For several years now, MBEF has actively supported this shift with grants for professional development and instructional coaches to help teachers adapt to the student-centered approach known as Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI). Math Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA), Holly Compton, has had a huge impact on the math instruction in the elementary classroom. Read more here.

A Salute to MBEF's 2018/19 Donors 
We would like to thank the thousands of families, businesses and community members who donated to the MBEF Annual Appeal during the 2018/19 school year. MBEF supports or enhances nearly every academic pursuit and enrichment opportunity across our District’s seven campuses. This speaks volumes about our collective commitment to our schools and our children’s education. We invite you to review our Annual Report and Honor Roll to learn more about our state funding challenge and the impact your support has on our local schools every day. We are so inspired by what we have accomplished together. The 2019/20 Annual Appeal is now underway – thank you to those who have already donated or pledged. We are well on our way!

Making Matching Gifts Count
Many companies, big and small, provide matching gift programs to support the organizations and causes their employees believe in. Through the generosity of many corporations, MBEF raised a record high of $390,000 during the 2018-2019 Annual Appeal. An estimated $4-$7 billion in matching gift funds go unclaimed per year in the United States. With less than 9% of MBEF donors currently participating in a matching gifts program, the potential for growth is exponential. We encourage you to check with your corporate giving or human resources department to find out if your employer participates in a corporate giving program or click here to search. 

SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk – Sunday, October 27th
Join your friends, neighbors, and classmates at the annual SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, a fun community event that combines the values of inclusion, love and friendship with quality education. The money raised supports both children with special needs through the Friendship Foundation and our local students through MBEF. Please register with one of the MBUSD teams listed below, and designate your contribution to MBEF so your Registration fee and more supports the Manhattan Beach public schools. If you're unable to attend, please consider registering as a “virtual walker”. All donations will be generously matched by SKECHERS and are a significant part of MBEF's annual fundraising efforts. 

Grand View Gators
MBMS
Meadows Mustangs
Mira Costa High School  
Pacific
Pennekamp Team
Robinson Team
MBEF/MB Community Team

Inspiring Inclusion in Our Schools – Applications Now Due Tuesday, October 1st
MBEF is pleased to continue funding programs that will inspire change and nurture a productive and honest dialogue in our schools through the 2019/20 Social Inclusion Grants. MBUSD students and teachers are encouraged to apply for small grants to introduce programs that will focus on celebrating and respecting diversity – racial, ethnic, religious, sexual, economic and cultural. 2019/20 Social Inclusion Grant Applications will be accepted through October 1st. The Social Inclusion Grants help bridge the racial divide and create a more inclusive and supportive environment for our children. 

MBEF Nominated for Two Best of Manhattan Awards!
The Best of Manhattan Award nominations were announced yesterday and MBEF is among the nominees! Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, the Best of Manhattan is the only event that allows the public to nominate and vote for their favorite person, business, and organization in Manhattan Beach. MBEF has been nominated in the Making a Difference category and for the 25th Annual Manhattan Wine Auction in the Affair to Remember category. We are honored to be among many wonderful, local organizations. Please click here to vote for your favorites!

Mira Costa Graduating Class of 2019 
This coming year, Mira Costa grads are attending over 160 colleges and universities in 39 states and 5 countries, as well as pursuing other vocational or service pathways. The MCHS College and Career Counselors are fully funded by donations to MBEF and help support Costa students as they determine their next step. To see where our grads are continuing their education, check out our College Map in detail. Thank you for partnering with us to create exceptional educational opportunities. Stronger Schools, Stronger Community, Stronger Together. 

MBUSD International Day on Saturday, October 12th 
Celebrate our diverse community at the 4th Annual International Day on Saturday, October 12th from 2-4 pm in the parking lot of the MBUSD District Office. Funded in part through MBEF's Social Inclusion Grants, International Day has become a vibrant celebration of what makes our community so unique. Last year, 35 different countries were represented with over 500 visitors. If you or your parents/ancestors are from a foreign country or a region of the United States and you would like to share the culture with others, this is a great opportunity to do so. Contact Ai Sandblom or Akiko Ogihara by Friday, September 20.

TEDx Manhattan Beach – Bold Vision
TEDx Manhattan Beach returns to our community Saturday, November 2nd from 9am-3pm at Mira Costa High School. TEDx is about ideas worth spreading, the concepts that change our community and change the world. Meet 15 presenters with Bold Vision who will surprise, delight, educate, and open our eyes to what lies ahead. Look Who's Talking this year – a Bioremediation Engineer, an Urban Climate Scientist, a Pain Reliever, an Alzheimer’s Disruptor, an Education Advocate, a Robotics Entrepreneur, a Connection Champion, and a Sound Sender, are just a few. Tickets are limited – and on sale now. The event is sponsored in part by MBEF and MBEF donors who purchase a Platinum or Gold ticket receive a $10 discount by entering the Promo Code “MBEF19”.  There is also a discount offered to students and seniors.

Visual Arts Program in Gelson's 
Next time you are shopping at Gelson's, pick up a recyclable grocery bag designed by our own MBUSD Fourth Grade students. As part of the visual arts curriculum led by educator Bill Ahrens and funded by MBEF, students created abstract color knots when learning the principles of the color wheel. Ten were chosen to be printed on 5,000 reusable shopping bags and are available now at Gelson's in Manhattan Beach. A portion of the proceeds support the Manhattan Beach Visual Arts Program. Read more here.

Community Partner Sponsorship Program
The generous support of local businesses and corporations is one of the reasons why Manhattan Beach is among the best places in the country to live, work and learn. MBEF’s Business Sponsor Program and Real Estate Partner Program provide a means for businesses to contribute to our schools in a meaningful way, while receiving recognition through MBEF communications and events. It’s a win-win – the program helps businesses reach a large and local audience while supporting the critical programs MBEF funds. To join, please contact David Brennan at the MBEF office at 310-303-3342.

Parents Night Out – Happy Hour
Shade Hotel is one of MBEF’s most generous and longstanding business sponsors. This fall, zinc@shade will donate 15% of all food and beverage orders from 6pm to close Sunday -Thursday evenings to local schools. Let your server know you support MBEF/MBUSD. Thank you to Shade and the Zislis Family for your generous and ongoing support of our schools – we are truly grateful.

Dr. Yalda Uhls Presents Media Moms & Digital Dads – Thursday, September 19th
Dr. Yalda T. Uhls is well known for her Fact-Not-Fear Approach to Parenting in the Digital Age. A former executive at MGM and Sony, Dr. Uhls left the movie world to get her Ph.D. in Pyschology at UCLA. Her expertise in how media content is created and the science of how media affects children provides a unique perspective. Hosted by South Bay Families Connected, Dr. Uhls will speak on Thursday, September 19th at 6:30pm in the Multi-Purpose Room at Hermosa Valley School. Click here to reserve your spot.

Stand in the Sand – 4 Peace & Climate Action
Join the Manhattan Beach community on Saturday, September 21st at 8am on the MB Pier to mark the UN's International Peace Day by Standing in the Sand for a photo to raise awareness on Peace and Climate Action. Register here to be a part of this special event. Be sure to stay for the Coastal Cleanup Day at 9am hosted by Heal the Bay and Roundhouse Aquarium. Together we can make a difference in the world.

Upcoming MBUSD and Community Events 

Please Like Us MBEF on FaceBook 
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.