Most teachers love the first day of school - and when they retire, they don't want to miss out on the fun. That's why a group of retired Manhattan Beach teachers, staff, and administrators carry on a special tradition each year: enjoying lunch together on the first day of school.

As students returned to school across Manhattan Beach on Wednesday, 37 retired educators gathered to celebrate and reminisce at Urban Plates restaurant in Manhattan Village.

The tradition was started ten years ago by Manhattan Beach Unified School District retired teachers Chris and Kevin Post. Retired MBUSD teachers Tracey Windes and Ro Schreiner picked up the tradition three years ago and have been organizing the event ever since.

"It’s always exciting on the first day of school in Manhattan Beach when we get together to celebrate and share memories from all our years of teaching in Manhattan Beach," said Windes, who is also a former MBUSD school board member.

The group included teachers, administrators, several counselors, two administrative assistants, and three former principals: Dale Keldrauk, Rhonda Steinberg, and Billie Jean Knight. Schreiner holds the record as the longest-serving of all of the attendees, with 51 years at Manhattan Beach Middle School.