In the Know

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.

Each school has its own unique priorities and culture…and behind them all is the school PTA. This week Ellen sits down with two district PTA leaders, District Advisory Council President Wysh Weinstein and Grand View PTA President Jennifer Cram to better understand how the PTAs function. Learn why join the PTA is important, how teachers are involved, and where PTA funding goes. Plus, get a better understanding of what membership in the PTA means to you and your family.

Today Ellen sits down with Dr. John Bowes, the new Superintendent of MBUSD for our first In the Know Podcast of the new school year. In the conversation, we learn about Dr. Bowes' experience and interests, how he plans to guide the district, the challenges we are facing, and how the schools are dealing with Covid at this stage. 

Costa High School Principal, Dr. Ben Dale, joins Dan Hellie to talk about the re-opening of Mira Costa classrooms in person. Now that the majority of students and teachers have returned in some capacity, the attitude is markedly different than just one month ago. Dr. Dale shares his insights on student sentiments, and how academics and athletics are impacting their well-being. Plus, learn what is in store for Dr. Dale as he faces retirement and what he hopes for in the next leader at Mira Costa.

This week Dan is joined by MBUSD Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Dr. Katherine Whittaker Stopp, to discuss learning loss in students due to the pandemic. Learn about the MBUSD's plans to mitigate loss and ensure our own MBUSD students are on track. Plus, hear about the positive outcomes of the past year on learning that may change things for the better.

This week In the Know podcast host, Dan Hellie, is joined by Director of Youth Services at Beach Cities Health District (BCHD), Ali Steward. BCHD has been instrumental in supporting the health and wellness of MBUSD students through a variety of significant programs. Now BCHD is leading the effort to bring the COVID-19 vaccine to the South Bay, including teachers. Learn about the process and what's in store for the coming months.

Dan sits down with Leah Niehaus, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, to discuss how the pandemic is impacting the social-emotional health of children. With twenty years in the field Leah brings an experienced perspective on anxiety and depression and how that affects our youth, especially now. Leah shares her wisdom and practical advice for supporting our children in this challenging time.

This week Dan is joined by Dr. Alice Kuo, Professor of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, and of Health Policy and Management in the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. Learn about the impact of COVID-19 on our children the perspective of a medical expert, what the medical field has learned from the data of schools already opened, and future projections for school openings.

In our first In the Know podcast, Dan Hellie sits down with Dr. Mike Matthews, Superintendent of Schools, to discuss the recent approval of waivers for the district's five elementary schools. Learn about the plans for students returning to school in the hybrid format, what it took to get here ,and what is in store for the future.