October 21, 2015

The Rapidly Changing Landscape of College Testing: A Special Presentation on Nov 10
November 10, 2015 at 7:00pm; Mira Costa Auditorium
Please join us for a presentation on college admission testing provided by nationally-recognized speaker Adam Ingersoll. The extensive overhaul of the PSAT and SAT debuting this year has far-reaching implications, both for public schools and for individual students. The college admission testing landscape is evolving rapidly; join us to learn how to navigate this intimidating terrain successfully. Topics of discussion include:

• Old SAT, new SAT, or ACT: How do I choose?
• What is behind the ACT's surging popularity?
• Why is the SAT scale reverting back to 1600 from 2400?
• How do I interpret my PSAT scores on the new 1520 scale?
• I hear the ACT is "easier/less tricky/more like school tests" - is this true?
• Why are the ACT and SAT essays so much longer now? Are they required?
• What is the Common Core's role in all these changes? Will it affect me?
• How are college admission officers responding to the changes?

Click here for more information.

Teachers Driving Innovation: New 2015/16 Grant
By Hilary Mahan, MBEF Board Member
Traditionally, we look to our teachers to be leaders in the classroom, to guide our students through established curriculum and ensure they are meeting or exceeding expectations. The teachers who are inspired in their approach, who stretch the boundaries of learning, are typically the most successful. The most successful at not only ensuring that standards are met, but also at encouraging an enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge in students that stays with them well into their adult lives. Read more here...

SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk
Sunday, October 25, 2015 at the Manhattan Beach Pier
Check-in 8:00am; Walk begins 9:00am
If you’ve already signed up, thank you! If you have not, please, please take a moment to sign up now! Top reasons why you should sign up:

• Two MBUSD/MBEF participants will be picked at random to receive dinner for two at The Strand House and one night stay at Shade Hotel.
• Two MBUSD/MBEF participants will be picked at random to receive free tickets to the Manhattan Wine Auction.
• Last year, for every $25 registration fee that was designated to MBEF, SKECHERS gave our schools about $150 - for a total of $100,000. We’re hoping to top that this year!
• YOU DON’T EVEN HAVE TO WALK! We understand you may not be able to participate, and that’s okay too – sign up as a virtual walker and consider it a $25 donation to MBEF for a $150 return!
• It’s going to be fun! Visit booths for the Clippers (Special performance by the Clippers Dance Team), Dodgers, Angels, and Kings. Take photos with the Ninja Turtles, Sports personalities, and Star Wars characters. Stop by the Kids Fun Zone, the LA Kings Ice Truck, Nickelodeon Photo Booth, Aerojet rocket building booth, and MUCH more! There will be tons of free giveaways!
• Most importantly, you will be supporting two excellent causes – Manhattan Beach public schools and the Friendship Circle.

Click here to join the MBEF team. Please don’t forget to designate MBEF as your charity so your donation supports MB schools (don’t worry, The Friendship Circle will receive significant support from SKECHERS as well). Look forward to seeing you there!

TEDxManhattan Beach: What’s Next?
Saturday, November 14, 2015 at Manhattan Beach Middle School
9:00am – 3:00pm
They dare to ask, “What if?” and surprise us with what’s next. They open our eyes and show us what’s on the horizon. For them, it’s not about how things are, but how they could be. These innovators shape our future, and give us a new perspective of our world. Meet 12 scientists, teachers, entrepreneurs, artists, moms, dads, and students who give us a glimpse of tomorrow–today. They show us “What’s Next.”

Join us at TEDxManhattanBeach on Saturday, November 14th to meet and hear from these incredible people. The event is sponsored in part by MBEF and always sells out so purchase your tickets today! MBEF donors receive a $10 discount by entering Promo Code “MBEF”. We hope to see you there!

MBEF Wins Best of Manhattan Award!
Thanks to those of you who voted for MBEF in the “Enhancing MB” category for the Best of Manhattan Awards from the MB Chamber – we won! We were in good company – the other nominees in this category were Grades of Green, Beach Cities Health District, and Neptunian Women’s Club – all wonderful partner organizations of MBEF and our community. We accepted the award on behalf of YOU – our incredible parents and community members! We hope you take pride in this honor, because through your support, you make possible the educational opportunities we are able to provide for our children.

Annual Appeal is off to a Great Start - Thank you to our Donors!
We’d like to express our profound gratitude to everyone who has contributed to MBEF’s 2015/16 Annual Appeal – we are at 55% of our goal! We'd like to recognize families who’ve contributed $5,000 or more, and please note that Annual Appeal donors at all levels will be recognized in our printed Annual Report and Honor Roll. Your participation helps MBEF fund and advocate for a well-rounded, hands-on education that sparks creativity and emboldens every student’s enthusiasm for learning. Thank you!

Sarah and Robin Abraham	Elisa and Gary Amaral
Joseph Argilagos	Camela Ott and Mark Bell
Brandy and Rob Blake	Kim and Craig Blum
Dolly and David Boden	Shannon and Terrence Boyle
Elissa and Bob Brown	Nicole and Dustin Brown
Stephanie and Brad Brutocao	Diana and Matthew Bui
Melissa Capin-Lewis and David Lewis	Antonia and David Carpenter
Lily Chang and Jeff Konsmo	Nadia and Jon Christensen
Michelle and Jason Cobb	Michelle and Dave Cormack
Kimberly and Christopher Crisera	Lynne and Dave Davis

See full list here.

Trick or Treat in Downtown MB
Sunday, October 25, 2015 from 11:00am – 3:00pm
Stop by our local downtown businesses after the SKECHERS Walk and before/during the Pumpkin Races, for a few tricks and some fun treats! Participating merchants will have a flyer in their window.