All Mira Costa families have access to critical help in navigating the college admissions process and other post-graduation pathways through the College and Career Center (CCC) at Mira Costa High School. The CCC supports students with defining options, admissions testing, funding workshops, essay development, and over 100 visits from the admissions offices of over 100 colleges and universities worldwide. Through support of MBEF, the CCC is open to all Costa families Monday – Friday from 8am to 4pm, with extended hours to 7pm on Mondays and Tuesdays. Get to know the CCC Counselors and the wealth of knowledge they share in this next episode.

What does the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation mean to our community, our educators, and most importantly, our students? Host Ellen Padnos takes a trip to our neighborhood schools to talk with teachers and students around the district to learn more.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Manhattan Beach Education Foundation – it also marks a total of $100 million of directed funding to enrich our public schools with programs that elevate the education of all students. Past Presidents Bob Weiner, along with his wife Elaine, and Carolyn Leserman share the history of the foundation from their perspectives and independently bring light to the start of the remarkable effort that continues today. This look at where we came from truly illustrates the importance of MBEF in our schools still today. MBEF has not only brought incredible opportunities to students, but it has also help build this unique community where members have learned that we are stronger together.

Learning to face adversity and transform a challenge into motivation is a lesson that benefits us at any age. In this episode, host Ellen Padnos sits down with MBUSD Counseling Intern, Steve Walker, to hear his personal journey and the inspirational story he shared with MBMS students during the districtwide Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Week. Steve opens up about how his own blindness has taught him several critical lessons that everyone can benefit from to maintain a healthy perspective on life.

The college admissions process can be daunting – especially with the ever-changing landscape of admissions testing. In this episode, host Ellen Padnos learns how students and their families can best navigate college admissions testing from expert Adam Ingersoll, co-founder of the internationally recognized Compass Education Group.

In this episode, host Ellen Padnos talks with Teacher on Special Assignment Tanya Sanchez about her role in supporting MBUSD science teachers in NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) instruction, facilitating communication and collaboration, and inspiring a deliberate look at a student’s learning path in STEM.

Host Ellen Padnos takes a deep dive into the MBUSD music program in a three-part series focused on the band, orchestra and choir during the festive holiday season. In this first episode, she sits down with Denise Haslop, MBMS band and orchestra instructor, and several current music students to learn more about how the instrumental music program provides middle school students with a sense of belonging, responsibility, and incredible joy.

In this episode, In the Know host Ellen Padnos talks with Councilmember Stern and MBEF Executive Director Hilary Mahan to learn more about local efforts of the South Bay Community Coalition Against Hate to support more inclusive communities in the South Bay.

The recent rise in hate crimes and incidents that pose a threat to the safety and civility of South Bay neighborhoods and beyond has inspired our local community to create an open dialogue around the dangers of hate and the need for respect and civil discourse among all residents. The Manhattan Beach City Council and the Manhattan Beach Unified School District have taken steps to combat hate, including adopting the Inclusion Stand Up Commitment in 2017 and a joint Resolution Condemning Antisemitism last month.

Most recently, under the leadership of Councilmember Stern, many local community organizations have joined forces as the South Bay Community Coalition Against Hate to decrease the incidents of hate and foster a sense of belonging through programs that educate, raise awareness, and support the apprehension of perpetrators. Members include Coalition Chair Councilmember Stern, the City of Manhattan Beach, the Manhattan Beach Unified School District, the Manhattan Beach Police Department, and many other local community and religious organizations.

Kicking off their efforts with the nationally-recognized United Against Hate Week, the Coalition has several plans in the works to combat hate in Manhattan Beach.

In this episode, In the Know host Ellen Padnos sits down with Dr. Alice Kuo and Dr. Ian Kramer, both members of the MBUSD Medical Advisory Board, to learn more about fentanyl and how parents can help protect their children. Its prevalence as the next epidemic and major parental concern has hit us like a ton of bricks. A synthetic opioid, fentanyl is 40-50X more potent than heroin and 80-100X more potent than morphine. It can be found in many forms, including pills, powder, and blocks that can resemble sidewalk chalk or candy – rainbow fentanyl has been identified as a new trend. Dr. Alice Kuo and Dr. Ian Kramer share details on their experiences with children today and their impressions on the potential impact that fentanyl and other gateway drugs have on growth and mental well-being.

In this episode, In the Know host Ellen Padnos sits down with two former Trustees of the MBUSD School Board, Bill Fournell and Ellen Rosenberg, to discuss the importance of the elected board on the success of a school district. With a combined 20 years of experience, Bill and Ellen reflect on their experiences as Trustees of the Board and the parameters in which a school board operates within a district and the broader community. Plus, hear their unique perspectives on the qualifications of an ideal Trustee.

Host Ellen Padnos sits down with the MBUSD Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Dr. Irene Gonzalez-Castillo, to talk about the district focus on academic excellence. The Board of Trustees Board Goal #1 to maximize academic success is being addressed from a number of directions, including professional development for teachers, improved assessments to determine needs, and intervention to support all students at all learning levels. Ensuring all students have access to the programs and support they need for success is an important priority for Dr. Gonzalez-Castillo. Learn more about her perspective and work in this behind the scenes look at strengthening personalized learning on our schools.

In this episode, host Ellen Padnos sits down with three parent advocates – MBEF’s Hilary Mahan, Grand View’s Legislative Rep Michael Sinclair and DAC President Wysh Weinstein. Last month, a group of local residents, MB Citizens for Schools, mobilized to bring an initiative to the community to adequately fund our MBUSD schools. Despite its high property values, Manhattan Beach is the second-lowest funded unified school district in the state. This citizen-led measure would aim to bring local control and stability to school funding by creating a 12-year, $1,095 per year ($3-per-day) parcel tax.

In this episode, host Ellen Padnos talks with Mira Costa High School Psychologist, Janet Allen, about her role in supporting the needs of our high school students. Ms. Allen has focused on the well being of students in the Manhattan Beach Unified School District over the past 20 years. Learn more about the process in place to support the emotional health of students, including how student needs are identified, the resources available, and how families and peers can support as well. Her approach is informed, thoughtful and practical for how to embrace the challenges before us and help guide our adolescents to become responsible for their own success and healthy contributors to society.

Ellen talks with MBEF Executive Director Hilary Mahan about the history of MBEF and its impact on Manhattan Beach public schools. Hilary explains why our high property taxes don’t fund schools as many think they do, how we compare to other high-performing districts, and her the vision for sustaining our high quality schools long into the future. Plus, learn more about how her own experiences have shaped her role in leading the charge to support and strengthen education in our schools.

Ellen talks with Cindy Muchnick about following your parenting compass when it comes to being our best selves as parents.  Cindy shares tips from her book, The Parent Compass, with co-author Jenn Curtis, and her own advice on how to navigate through this challenging time with renewed confidence.