Welcome New Wolverines

Greetings to our new 6th Graders (and new 7th & 8th Graders) and Families! I hope you and your child(ren) have been enjoying a restful and fun summer break. (I'm pretending my spring break trip to Italy pictured here was a summer trip, but I'm usually working all summer!)

As we get ready for the 2026-2027 school year, we are looking forward to welcoming your child to Benton. This will be my 16th year at Benton, my 5th year as Principal, and I'm so happy that you've chosen Benton for your child. At Benton, we are committed to helping each student reach their highest potential, find their passion, make meaningful connections between the world and their learning, and prepare for future success. We welcome parent and community involvement in reaching this goal. There are many ways for parents to become involved, whether it's on our PTSA, the VAPA Boosters, School Site Council, English Learner Advisory Committee, PBIS Leadership team, or just volunteering for special events.

The purpose of this newsletter is to keep you informed of important events and information to help you and your child get ready for the new school year. Once school begins, look for this newsletter each week in your email. I hope this newsletter addresses many of your questions about back-to-school, but please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Warmly,

Robin Ridgeway, Benton Principal

6th Grade & New Student Orientation (for students only) will be Thursday, August 6th. This is a great time for students to learn the campus, meet your new classmates, and have some fun. 6th Grade students whose last names begin with A-K attend from 9am-11am, and students with last names L-Z attend from 12noon to 2pm (if you are unable to attend the assigned time, you may come at the other time. There are no make-up orientation dates). Students should wear comfortable shoes for walking around, bring a water bottle and consider wearing a hat and sunscreen as they will be outdoors for part of the orientation. All 6th graders will be assigned to an 8th Grade WEB (WEB - Where Everyone Belongs) Leader who will serve as a mentor and someone to whom they can ask questions and get support.

iPads will be distributed during orientation. If your student is not able to attend the orientation, don't worry, we will issue them an iPad once school has started.

P.E. clothes will be available for purchase during Orientation. After dropping off your student, parents will be able to purchase P.E. clothes from the main office. Shorts, shirt, and a lock are $30. The office accepts cash or checks payable to Benton ASB. You may also purchase P.E. clothes online at this link and they will be distributed during the first week of school.

Parents, we have an orientation for you, too! Please join us in the Benton MPR for our Incoming Parents Meeting to find out more about Benton, have an opportunity to meet the administrators, and ask any questions. I hope you are able to join us!

Class schedules will be emailed to parents on August 11th. Students will receive a hard copy of their schedule on the first day of school in their first period class. As students enter the campus, there will be posters listing their first class of the day. Please be aware that during the first few weeks of school, schedules may change as we balance classes, add new students, check out others who have moved, etc.

School hours on the first two days of school are 8:35am-1:15pm. Our gates open daily at 8:05am. On Monday, 8/17, we resume our regular schedule, 8:35am-3:00pm. Every Wednesday is early release and school is out at 1:45pm. Our bell schedule is linked below.

In middle school, students dress out for P.E. in a shirt, shorts or leggings, and athletic shoes. They will be assigned a locker and will keep their P.E. clothes in their locker. Benton P.E. clothes may be purchased online through the Benton Webstore with a My School Bucks account, or they may be purchased in the main office (cash or check only, checks payable to Benton ASB). The shirt, shorts, and a lock are $30. We also have hoodies for $30, and leggings and sweatpants for $25. P.E. Clothes are Adult Sizes only.

P.E. Clothes are also available for purchase (cash or check payable to Benton ASB) during New Student Orientation on 8/6.

Students will begin dressing out for P.E. on the 2nd full week of school, August 24th.

To encourage students to read and engage with books over the summer, there is a Summer Reading Project due to their Language Arts teacher the first week of school. Although the project is optional, students who complete this project will earn their place in a "Pop Party" featuring popcorn or popsicles!

Students may choose any one of these project ideas for any one of the books they read over the summer.

Benton's dress code is fairly simple. Please keep these guidelines in mind when back-to-school shopping. What students wear should not detract from learning. Clothing should be neat, clean, safe, and appropriate for school.

• Appropriate undergarments should be worn and should not be visible.
• Students may wear sandals or crocs with a back strap, but not flip-flops.
• Clothing and jewelry may not promote racism, sexism, ethnic or religious bigotry, profanity, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, violence, graffiti, or other activities illegal for minors.
• Hats may be worn but should be removed inside the classroom.
• Sleepwear (pajama bottoms), dance shorts, costumes or face masks may not be worn.

The Benton Student Handbook is linked on the Benton website.

Pictures will be taken during the students' P.E. classes. Students will not be dressing out for P.E. during the first week of school.

Email: rridgeway@nlmusd.org
Website: benton.nlmusd.org

Location: 15709 E. Olive Branch Drive, La Mirada, CA 90638
Phone: (562) 210-2500
Facebook: facebook.com/bentonmiddleschool

Instagram: @BentonWolverines