Benton Weekly Update

The Quarter 3 Progress Reports were emailed home last week. Keep in mind that grades are constantly in flux as new assignments, tests, quizzes, and projects are assigned and entered into the gradebook. The best things students can do to ensure their grades remain stable and good, are to complete all assignments and turn them in on time and to come to school on time each day prepared to learn with all required materials and a fully charged iPad.

This is the second and final week of Mary Poppins, Jr. It is a great show, and you don't want to miss it! Pre-sale tickets are available online until the date of the show, then tickets must be purchased in the Box Office (school office 5-6pm) on show days.

Our Softball teams won their games last week against Hutchinson, this week we play Corvallis at Corvallis MS in Norwalk.

This week Festival Band students will be competing on Tuesday, and hosting a Festival on Wednesday. The La Mirada All City Concert is coming up on Tuesday, March 31st at 6pm at the La Mirada Center for the Performing Arts. Save the date!

Spring Break begins on Friday, April 3 through Friday, April 10th. Thursday, April 2nd, the final day before Spring Beak, is a minimum day with dismissal at 1:15pm.

We will be administering the SBAC tests during regularly scheduled ELA and Math classes for 2 weeks beginning April 20. The CAST science test for 8th graders begins on May 4th. We want students to feel confident and prepared to do their individual best. We offer our SBAC Academy after school Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and on Saturday for students to review key concepts and learn helpful strategies to do well and show what they've learned. Filling out the permission slip is helpful for our planning and staffing, though students may and will sign in upon attendance. Please review the schedule below for times and classrooms.

Your input is needed for the Benton Facilities Master Plan. You may recall that we solicited input from our community - students, staff, parents, community - on existing conditions and needs (wish list) for the Benton campus. Please review the photos below and share your thoughts with me on the proposed design.

Make it a great week!

Benton Artists Showcased at City of Norwalk's ARTastic!

Several Benton students had their art showcased at the City of Norwalk's annual ARTastic! event last Friday at the Norwalk Sports and Arts Complex. The event showcases performers as well as the visual arts. Students displayed sculpture, painting, drawing, photography, digital art, and mixed media. In addition to the many awards announced by Norwalk Mayor Ana Valencia, congratulations to Mia Bernal for Best Overall for Middle School!

Thanks to our Visual Arts Teachers!

Benton Facilities Master Plan Feedback Invited

Please email me any comments or feedback you have about the Benton Facilities Master Plan by Friday, 3/27/26. rridgeway@Nlmusd.org

Existing Conditions

This diagram represents the feedback from the Benton community on Benton's facilities. Areas are color-coded green/yellow/red indicating current condition or need for improvement. During the community meeting, the consensus was that Benton needed a larger performance space since the MPR can only accommodate 214 people.

Proposed Program Diagram

This diagram indicates the proposed scope of work. What is labeled "Flex Drama" would actually be a performance space for drama, music, dance, etc. The actual location for the performance space would not be where it is currently indicated on this map, but would be determined later should such a proposal be approved.

The show will run for two weeks on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights beginning March 19 and closing on March 28th. Be sure to get your tickets now before the show sells out!

Absence Reporting Link

Click here to report your student's absence, no need to call the office.

Yearbook on Sale

You can now purchase the 25-26 Benton Yearbook on our Webstore. The Yearbook is produced by Benton students and is delivered the last week of school. It's important to purchase your yearbook in advance, as we only print the number of books we sell in advance. Don't miss out, secure your yearbook now!

The Benton Yearbook needs your photos! Do you have any Back to School photos you would be willing to share with us? This includes photos you may have taken at home holding "1st Day of Middle School" type signs. If you would email a digital copy to me at rridgeway@nlmusd.org, that would be appreciated. We hope to create a collage of Back to School photos in our yearbook.

LAST CALL! 8th Graders: Get your baby photo in the Yearbook

To include your 8th Grader's baby picture in the yearbook:

Must be a digital copy
Must be received by 3/27
"8th Grade Baby Picture" in the subject line
Student's First and Last Name in the body of the email

Email photo to Ms. Degener at edegener@nlmusd.org

After School Activity Schedule

Please note the times and locations of the different activities. The hours vary from one activity to another. All students must sign in each day for attendance using the QR code.

Girls' Softball Practice Monday, Boys' Softball Monday 3:05-4:15

The Girls Competition Team practice after school on Monday w/Coach Estes
The Boys Competition Team practice after school on Monday w/Coach Martinez

Wednesday is a B Day

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

Spring Break Friday, 4/3 through Friday, 4/10

Mark your calendars, we are out of school for Spring Break Friday, April 3rd through Friday, April 10. Thursday, April 2nd will be a minimum day with dismissal at 1:15pm.

You can place an ad or well wishes for a student in the yearbook. Choose from a Full Page for $125, half page for $100, quarter page for $75, or eighth of a page for $50. Please provide finished artwork digitally to Ms. Degener at edegener@nlmusd.org and pay with cash or check payable to Benton ASB in the front office.

Just for 8th Graders...

8th Grade Students and Families, we have a newsletter curated just for you! The 8th Grade newsletter contains information specific to you, 8th Grade Students and Families, to help you make the most of 8th Grade, and to plan for the end of the year.

Our retro sweatshirts are available for purchase in the Benton office.

Join the Benton PTSA!

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 or by scanning the QR code below.

Dress Code Reminders

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

Benton's A/B Block Schedule

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.

About Us

Benton Middle School is a nationally recognized, award winning 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