Benton Weekly Update

Can you believe there are just 8 more days of school?

This week, students will be returning their hard cover text books to the library in their Math classes on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday, all 6th & 7th graders return their iPads, bricks, and charger cables, 8th graders return theirs on Friday. Students should back up all photos, work, etc., to Google drive as they will NOT be receiving the same device next year.

Our Awards Ceremony is Tuesday night at 5:30pm. A list of students receiving an award is linked here.

Just remember, teachers are still teaching (and grading) and students are still learning. All school rules as well as dress code are still in force. Hold it together, students, we have just 8 more days! We look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of all of our students and wishing our 8th graders well as they prepare for high school.

Make it a great second to the last week of school!

The Arts Schools Network Board of Directors has named the Benton Middle School of the Visual and Performing Arts an Exemplary School in recognition of its commitment to excellence. The five-year designation is awarded for 2024-2029. Arts Schools Network (ASN), the nation’s largest professional membership organization of specialized arts schools, awards Exemplary School designations to members that follow A Guide to Assessing Your Arts School in strategically evaluating their school’s purpose, operations, and educational programs. The Guide is a collaborative effort by ASN and the Accrediting Commission for Community and Pre-collegiate Arts Schools (ACCPAS). ASN will honor the school at the Awards Ceremony during the ASN 2024 Annual Conference, in Washington, DC. The conference theme is Arts at the Forefront of Change and will be hosted by the Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

Woo-hoo, Benton! Congratulations to our entire Visual and Performing Arts staff, and especially to Ms. McMath and Ms. Hodge who spearheaded this effort and submitted the application.

6th Grade Students will need to get a TDAP vaccination before entering 7th Grade. Start scheduling those appointments now!

All returning students must complete the online registration with the snapcode (this is different from registering for classes). If you did not receive a snapcode, please email twohlford@nlmusd.org. Students who have not completed the online registration will not receive a schedule.

As you may know, Benton's Green Team has established a milkweed garden and been granted status as a Monarch Way Station by Monarch Watch. The students have been observing the caterpillars and butterflies in this garden, and Photography teacher Ms. Pflanzer was able to capture a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis.

Last week Robotics and Science Teacher Dr. Kim took the Femineers to UCSD for a day of learning, exploring, designing, and creating.

There is no school on Monday in observance of Memorial Day.

Please return all hard cover textbooks and music books to the library. Students do not return My Perspectives or Math soft cover books.

Our End of the Year Awards Ceremony will be on Tuesday, 5/28 at 5:30pm in the Benton Quad. Students will be recognized for Honor Roll, Principal's Honor Roll, P.R.I.D.E., Perfect Attendance, and Outstanding Achievement in their classes. Our Salutatorian and Valedictorian will be announced, and Honor Cords awarded. A list of students receiving awards can be accessed here.

Students will attend periods 1A – 4A on Wednesday. This Wednesday, like all Wednesdays, dismissal is at 1:45pm.

6th & 7th Grade students will be turning in their iPad, charger, and cable on Thursday, 5/30. 8th Graders will turn in their iPads on Friday, 5/31.

The final School Site Council (SSC) meeting of the year will be 5/30 at 3:30pm in the Benton Conference Room. The SSC will review/revise and adopt the School Plan for Student Achievement.

The 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony will be at 9am on Wednesday, June 5th. Entry will be through the sliding gates in the parking lot. Each 8th grader will receive 4 tickets to Promotion. If your student requires more tickets, please contact Ms. Ridgeway.

Our PTSA is holding a fundraiser raffling off VIP Parking and 4 preferred seats at Promotion. You can purchase your opportunity tickets in the front office.

Benton hopes to expand its double-blocked Math Enrichment classes to 7th & 8th Grade next year. Would your student be interested? Although students give up one of their three electives for the double blocked Math Enrichment class, students benefit from more time and consistency with math. The Math Enrichment classes not only cover math concepts, but builds on students' growth mindsets and incorporates social-emotional learning. Students can build their confidence in math and be more prepared for high school. 100% of students who have taken Math Enrichment report the following: it raised their confidence in math and was worth losing one elective and they would recommend it to other students. Top 3 reasons for success: teaching style, more time, no homework. Please contact Ms. Ridgeway or Ms. Alcala if you would like your student in the Math Enrichment class.

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 .

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