Parent Survey – Share Your Priorities! 
MBEF's mission is to fund programs that inspire learning, enrich teaching, and promote innovation and academic excellence beyond what state funding can provide. As a community-driven organization, it's our goal to align our strategy with the priorities of parents, teachers, and community members. The MBEF Parent Survey is critical to our strategic direction and decision-making. Please click here and take ten minutes to share your thoughts before Friday, November 15th. Thank you for being an active participant in strengthening our public schools. 

Support the Programs that Support Your Student!
Our students benefit from an enriched curriculum with programs like Music, STEM, PE, and MakerSpace. They are challenged by their teachers who are prepared with best practices in teaching to keep pace with the changing world. And, they are empowered to explore their future with the help of our Academic and College and Career Counselors. These programs would not exist without donations to the MBEF Annual Appeal each year. Support enrichment. Support challenge. Support empowerment. Support Your Student. Please Give Today!

Thank you to those who have already donated. If you are not sure if you have participated this year, please check the complete list of 2019-20 Annual Appeal Donors.  A special thanks to our Lead Donors who have donated $5,250 or more. We are stronger because of you!

MBEF Presents Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER – Tuesday, November 19th
MBEF is proud to bring the recently released sequel to the original film about growing up in the digital age to our community. Please join us for a free screening of Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER: Uncovering Skills for Stress Resilience, a new film about helping our young people thrive in our screen and stress-filled world. Screenagers NEXT CHAPTER addresses the impact of social media and other screen time, how it may be impacting our teen’s mental health, and what we can do to help foster youth in the face of struggles. Join us on Tuesday, November 19th at 7pm in the MCHS auditorium. Please register for the film here – attendance is free of charge. Students are welcome – the film content is recommended for students in middle and high school.

Literacy & Writing TOSA – Meet Michelle Syverson
Reading and writing are fundamental skills that all students need to learn in order to succeed in school and in life. With a strong foundation in literacy, students are given the ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Literacy skills allow students to seek out information, explore subjects in-depth and gain a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Meet Michelle Syverson, the Literacy and Writing Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) for MBUSD. Her role since 2017 has been to provide support for teachers in reading and writing instruction, assessment, data analysis, and curriculum planning. Michelle helps bring cutting-edge practices to the classroom that ensure our curriculum keeps pace with the changing world. Read more here...

A Huge Thank You to SKECHERS and Manhattan Beach!
Sunday, October 27th marked the 11th annual SKECHERS Pier to Pier Friendship Walk in support of our local schools and children with special needs. Thanks to so many for taking part in what was another record-breaking year with over 15,000 participants who raised over $2.2 million. It was amazing to see all the students, parents, grandparents, friends, little kids, and even dogs, walking with pride in their school gear and waving MBEF signs in support. We are so grateful for SKECHERS President Michael Greenberg, Executive Director Robin Curren, and everyone at SKECHERS and the Friendship Foundation. A special thanks to the many students and parent volunteers for their recruitment and fundraising efforts at our schools – Sue Antrobius, Ashley Areyan, Pip Coyne, Dana Gardner, Mariana Kazarian, Samantha Maynard, Melissa Overholt, Sydney Pagel, Thuy Pham, and Molly Sampson. SKECHERS, The Friendship Foundation and MBEF thank you for your support!

New at Mira Costa – MATH LAB Funded by MBEF 
MCHS students now have access to targeted help in math thanks to the support of the Math Challenge Paddle Raise at the 2019 Manhattan Wine Auction. Our own Mira Costa High School math teachers are now offering tutoring services after school for students wanting extra assistance. Interested students should first reach out to their own math teacher for more information and a referral to the program. This is just one of the programs being supported by the Math Challenge Paddle Raise – look for more as the year progresses. There is no charge to visit the Math Lab – hours are Mondays and Thursdays from 2-4pm in Room 332. Whether it's a quick question on a homework assignment or looking ahead at the next big concept, the Math Lab is now open for business!

MBEF Wins the Making A Difference Award!
MBEF was selected as the Best of Manhattan for bringing tremendous value and benefit to the Manhattan Beach Community. 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. We are honored to be among many wonderful, local organizations. Thank you Manhattan Beach!

2019 Fall Classic Golf Tournament Nets $50,000
The 4th Annual MB Fall Classic Golf Tournament, held October 7th, was a tremendous success – netting over $50,000 for MBEF and our schools! Held at the Virginia Country Club, the Fall Classic was a fun-filled day of world-class golf, great food, and drink, and friendly competition – all in support of our students and our schools. Tremendous thanks to Tournament Founder & Producer Todd Klawin and Virginia Country Club for their incredible support, generosity, and partnership. We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Presenting Sponsors, Team Captains, players, and the many in-kind donors who contributed to the event’s success. For more information and a complete list of tournament supporters, please visit 2019 Manhattan Beach Fall Classic.

MCHS Drama & Tech Present She Kills Monsters
Mira Costa High School Drama/Tech is proud to announce its fall production of She Kills Monsters, which transports us to the fantasy world of Dungeons & Dragons. She Kills Monsters tells the story of high schooler Agnes Evans as she deals with the death of her younger sister, Tilly. When Agnes stumbles upon Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook, she finds herself catapulted into a journey of discovery and action-packed adventure in the imaginary world that was her sister’s refuge's. She Kills Monsters is playing November 8th-16th in Mira Costa's Small Theatre. Discount pre-sale tickets ($12 Adult; $10 Student/Senior) will be available for purchase online October 21st through November 8th at 3pm. Tickets at the box office: $15 Adult, $12 Student/Senior. A special student rate of $5 is available for the November 13th show. This production is appropriate for ages 12+. 

How to Be a Good Friend: Helping Your Child Develop Healthy Peer Relationships – Thursday, November 7th
Kids today spend more time on their devices than with friends that it is no wonder they are not learning how to cultivate strong, long lasting relationships. South Bay Families Connected, in partnership with Beach Cities Health District, invites you to an evening with Katie Hurley, LCSW, a child and adolescent psychotherapist. Katie will equip parents and caregivers with insight and tools to help their children build healthy peer relationships. Please join us on Thursday, November 7th at 6:30pm at the Redondo Union High School Auditorium. Space is limited!  Click here to reserve your spot.

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.

Middle School Misfortunes – Then and Now: Want to understand what it's like to be a middle school student today? Here is one teacher's take on the experience today versus a decade ago. 

California Approves Later School Start Times: Governor Newsom approves bill to support science that proves teenage students who start their day later increase their academic performance, attendance, and overall health.