December 16, 2014

Local Control Funding Formula: How Does It Add Up for MBUSD?
Recent changes in school funding will affect our district and the amount we receive per student, but not as much as we would hope. It will take six years before we reach the pre-recession funding levels of 2007. And even that was not enough. Click here to read more.

Every Gift Counts: Have You Made Yours?
What better time than the holiday season to give the greatest gift of all - a donation to our local schools. If you haven't already made your Annual Appeal gift, please send a donation that will help support programs and students throughout the entire year. Happy Holidays, from all of us at MBEF. Click here to donate now.

Donate Stock to Double Up on Tax Benefits
Donating stock can benefit you (the giver), benefit MBEF, and it’s easy. As the person who is making the contribution, you can avoid taxes on the gain (appreciation in value) and the total amount of your contribution may be eligible for a tax deduction while keeping the cash you were going to donate in your pocket for other uses. Click here for further information.

Your Generosity Never Ceases to Amaze Us
Once again, we’d like to express our profound gratitude to you - our parents - for your incredible support. Your participation, coupled with the caring efforts of our volunteers, ensures that our schools will remain among the finest in the state. We'd like to recognize families who have donated $5,000 or more since the publication of our last newsletter. Thank you so much.

Kami and James Armstrong	Lily Chang and Jeff Konsmo
Kristie and Gino DiGregorio	Sherolyn and Mike Duckworth
Lori and Eric Gist	Irina and Marc Goedemans
Helen and Oleg Khaykin	Linda and Kraig Kupiec
Karin and Scott Longhurst	Stephanie and Mark Maruyama
Susan and Steve Matt	Mitzi Minamide and Hans Naepflin
Minna and Duncan Orrell-Jones	Neeraj and Sam Rotondo
Suzy and Mike Sadilek	Yvonne Stevens and Paul Schickler
Dora and Jon Seiffer	Kay and Sam Sheth
Fay and Mitch Sklar	Anne and Davis Smith

See full list here.

This Thursday, December 18th at 23rd Street Jewelers
Here is a great opportunity to give a gift to your loved ones and our schools! Longtime MBEF supporter 23rd Street Jewelers invites you to a special day of shopping to benefit MBEF. On Thursday, December 18^th from 11am – 9pm, 23rd Street Jewelers will be offering a 10% discount on all merchandise plus a 10% donation to MBEF on all purchases. Hors d’oeuvres and champagne will be provided throughout the day, with complimentary valet parking from 6-9pm. Click here for further information.

Celebrate the Holidays While Supporting MBEF
Hosting a party for friends, family or colleagues this holiday season? If you place an event order from Choura Events by December 31, they will donate 5% of your order back to MBEF. What better way to celebrate the season and support your schools! Don’t forget to tell Choura that you’re an MBEF supporter. Click here for further details.

Mark Your Calendars! College Admission Testing Event for Parents, Students, and Educators: January 20th at 7PM in the Mira Costa Auditorium
Adam Ingersoll, Founder and Principal of Compass Prep, will share up-to-date insights on the following and more:

• Colleges’ use of test scores and the competitive landscape; Practical implications of the SAT’s upcoming redesign;
• ACT’s explosive growth: testing trends and differences;
• The importance of SAT Subject Test choices and timing;
• Score Choice and repeat testing policies;
• Testing timelines, planning, and preparation.

Adam Ingersoll began his career in test prep in 1993 as a freshman at the University of Southern California. While at USC, he tutored hundreds of students, was a student-athlete on the basketball team, worked in the admission office, and graduated magna cum laude. Two decades of test prep later, Adam’s desire to help students succeed has not wavered. He has become one of California’s leading testing experts and is a frequently requested guest speaker at school events whose counsel has guided thousands of families over the years.
Click here for more details.