Parents Hear About Schools at Forum

Parents of local students gathered Monday evening at a Manhattan Beach home to hear about what's going on in their child's school district. Five more Manhattan Beach Unified School District "State of Our Schools" forums will take place in different MB neighborhoods.

Said MBUSD Superintendent Dr. Mike Matthews at the meeting, “We could do all the e-mail communication we want and have all the publication we want, but nothing takes the place of informal conversations, where people can meet us and have a two-way conversation. It’s really worth our investment,” he told those who attended.

Matthews was joined by Mira Costa High School Principal Ben Dale who addressed parental concerns about children transitioning to high school.

“It [Mira Costa] has a very collegiate feel, with kids who are associated with each other,” said Dale. “Our kids are some of the most friendly kids I’ve ever been around in a school.”

“Whatever it is your student can do, they will be able to do,” Dale told attendees. “If your student has MIT level game, and they have the ability, we will get them there. Not a lot of schools can say that.”

Dale noted that more than 75 percent of Mira Costa students are scoring fours and fives [the two highest scores possible on the tests on a scale of one to five] on their Advanced Placement tests and talked about the recent rise of AP test scores within the district, as well as the district’s API scores, saying that MBUSD continues to improve by the year.

“It’s [high scores] something on the one hand we want to celebrate, but we also have a feeling on campus that that’s who we are. It’s what we do. It’s everything that’s asked of us,” he said.

Dale said that the high school atmosphere in Manhattan Beach is as positive as can be.

Matthews spoke about the district's incorporation of technology within the classroom, as well as the impending renovation of and construction at Mira Costa.

Said Matthews of such informal meetings, “I love doing it. If you don’t like this part of your role, then you may be in the wrong job.” 

Matthews, who plans to attend all six meetings, says he looks forward to speaking at each one.

Upcoming "State of Our Schools" forums, 6:30 - 8 p.m.

• Monday, Sept. 26 - 428 32^nd St., Manhattan Beach
• Monday, Oct. 3 - 1523 Golden Ave., Hermosa Beach
• Monday, Oct. 10 - 1163 Longfellow Ave., MB
• Monday, Oct. 17 - 1701 Faymont Ave., MB
• Monday, Oct. 24 - 624 9th St., MB

RSVP for a forum here.