Get ready for Make Up Picture Day on Monday. If you are newly enrolled at Benton, or were absent for Picture Day in August (or hate your picture and need a do-over) get ready for Make Up Picture Day Monday. Students who would like a do-over, make sure you report to the MPR at Break for your pictures.

Tryouts continue this week for the Volleyball and Football teams. See below for the schedule, students report to the blacktop area. See Mr. Chartier & Mr. Martinez for Football, and Mr. Estes for Volleyball.

Our Wellness Specialist Ms. Amy Tanner-Neely is hosting two informational workshops for parents on Suicide Awareness & Prevention. On Wednesday the workshop is on zoom at 2:30pm, or you can attend in person at Benton on Thursday at 9am. See the flyers below for details.

Our PTSA is kicking off the year with two Dine Out Fundraisers on Wednesday; you can have dinner at the Black Bear Diner and ice cream for dessert (or anytime, really!) at Baskin Robbins. Be sure to show the digital flyers when you order so that 25% of your order goes back to Benton!

In other news, the Benton ASB and W.E.B. Crew hosted a Back to School Dance Luau on Friday. Students had fun dancing, playing games, posing in the photo booth, and just celebrating the first month of school. So much fun, we neglected to get many pictures! Thanks to our ASB Advisor Ms. Murray for organizing the dance, and our AP Ms. Alcala, teachers, and our PTSA for chaperoning the dance.

This past Wednesday we had our monthly virtual Homeroom Assembly where students got to meet the Counselors, Ms. Ruiz & Dr. Sweney Black, and students with Perfect Attendance were recognized as well as our August Students of the Month. Congratulations to our Students of the Month who stand out for embodying our Benton P.R.I.D.E. characteristics of Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Determination, and Excellence!

We had our first Saturday School this past weekend. Students may attend Saturday School to make up an absence, get caught up on school work, get support for schoolwork, have fun, and learn some new skills. We have 10 more Saturday School sessions coming up through March 2025. Upcoming Saturday School activities are Carpentry, making wooden benches with Mr. Estes, Gardening with Ms. Robertson, Film Critique with Ms. Divine, P.E., Mock Trial with Mr. Udeobong, History Day preparation with Mr. Muñoz, and Study Skills with Ms. Ruiz. The next Saturday School will be on October 12th, and permission slips are posted below as well as in the office.

You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram @BentonWolverines.

Make it a great week!

Our 6th Grade Science Camp in Arrowhead will be October 14th-18th. The total cost (including deposit) is $425. This is a great opportunity for students and we have space for 25 more students. If you would like your student to attend, but cost is a factor, please reach out to Ms. Ridgeway or Ms. Alcala to discuss payment plan options. Registration forms are in the office and on our camp website. Payments can be made in the office (cash or check to Benton ASB only) or you may do so with your My School Bucks account at this link.

You can find out more by visiting our Science Camp website at this link.

The students in Ms. Chang's Korean language class celebrated Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving on Wednesday, September 17th by making a wish on the full moon and playing Jegi, a Korean traditional game. The students also ate Songpyon, a traditional Korean rice cake with sesame seeds, red, black, and mung beans, and chestnuts. This upcoming week, the Korean Language students will be joining with the Hutchinson Korean Language students for a field trip to the Los Angeles Korean Festival.

On Saturday, Ms. Robertson took 19 students and chaperones to Fermin Park to celebrate the International Day of Peace and Jane Goodall's 90th Birthday as they continue their learning about our environment.

If you were absent for Picture Day Aug. 22 & 23, you can Make up your pictures on Monday, September 23rd. Students will excuse themself from class during periods 1 or 2 or get their picture taken at Break.

Volleyball Tryouts: After School Tuesday, 3-4pm & Wednesday 2:00-3:30pm

Football Tryouts: After School Wednesday 2:00-3:30pm

Students will attend periods 5B – 8B on Wednesday. This Wednesday, like all Wednesdays, dismissal is at 1:45pm.

The first meeting of the Benton SSC will be on Thursday, October 3rd, 3:30 pm to 5pm in the Benton Conference Room.

Students may attend Saturday School to make up an absence, get caught up on school work, get support for schoolwork, have fun, and learn some new skills. We have 10 more Saturday School sessions coming up through March 2025. Upcoming Saturday School activities are Carpentry, making wooden benches with Mr. Estes, Gardening with Ms. Robertson, Film Critique with Ms. Divine, P.E., Mock Trial with Mr. Udeobong, History Day preparation with Mr. Muñoz, and Study Skills with Ms. Ruiz. The next Saturday School will be on October 12th. All students are welcome. Please turn in the permission slip to the office. Both breakfast and lunch are available.

The PTSA is a huge support to students and Benton's programs, and we hope all families choose to join, support, and get involved at Benton. Join the Benton PTSA online at this link .

Parents, please help us by checking your student's outfit before they leave for school. If students are out of dress code, the students may be asked to change into P.E. clothes or a loaner shirt or shorts.

If you click on the image to the left, you will find a helpful video on navigating school pick ups and drops offs. By following the guidelines in this video, traffic will move efficiently and the parking lot can be cleared out within 10 minutes. We encourage all parents to exercise a little patience, follow the guidelines, be respectful of traffic rules and our neighbors' driveways, and help us to keep students safe.

As you can see below, we have A Days and B Days. Students have periods 1A-4A on A Days, every Monday and Thursday, and periods 5B-8B on B Days, every Tuesday and Friday. On Wednesdays, we alternate between A Days and B Days.

Benton Middle School is a Visual & Performing Arts Magnet school. Follow us on Instagram @Bentonwolverines.

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