Benton Weekly Update

These are the last four days of the semester; we have early dismissal on Thursday at 1:15pm, and there is no school on Friday. Winter Break is 12/20/24 – Monday, 1/6/25; students return to school on Tuesday, 1/7/25. It seems like Thanksgiving was only last week, yet the holidays are here! I apologize for getting out this newsletter late, but I did finally finish decorating my tree! For enquiring minds who want to know, report cards will be finalized on 1/6 and mailed out by 1/10. The 1st Semester Awards Ceremony will be at the end of January.

Last week our Beginning music ensembles performed in the Winter Concert. The music was beautiful and it is impressive how the students have progressed since August. This week, Advanced Drama students will perform A Christmas Carol on Monday and Tuesday. Several elementary schools as well as Benton teachers will be bringing students to watch these daytime performances.

Makayla Martinez was awarded 1st Place for Dance, Plumeria Szeplaky 1st Place in both Film and in Literature, and Hana Kim 1st Place in Photography. These students will also advance to the next level of competition with the 33rd District PTA. Well done, Wolverines!

The Cheer Team is selling Candy Cane grams at lunch today. They will be delivered on Wednesday.

Leadership/ASB is coordinating a Spirit Week for the last four days of school. Show your Benton spirit by dressing up. Monday is Sports Jersey day.

Students can stop by the Wellness Center to participate in our holiday philanthropy of sending holiday messages to senior citizens in convalescent homes and assisted living facilities in our community. Take the time to brighten someone's holiday by writing them a holiday card or note.

Open Enrollment is during the months of December and January. If you have a student entering 6th Grade or 9th Grade and wish to attend a school that is not your school of residence, you will need to complete an Open Enrollment Application online. Returning 7th & 8th Graders do not need to reapply for a permit. At Benton, we appreciate the opportunity to share our unique programs with prospective families and students. Please spread the word if you have friends looking for a great middle school for next year and feel free to forward our Choose Benton flyer linked below.

Make it a great week, and I wish you all a wonderful holiday and restful Winter Break!

Students in Ms. Chang's 2nd year Korean 1B class had a field trip to Ribs & Co. Korean BBQ. The students learned to order in Korean by previewing the menus in class. On the day of the field trip, they took La Mirada Transit to Ribs & Co. and had a great Korean BBQ meal and practicing their Korean conversational skills.

Congratulations to Mr. Bremer and the Robotics students who earned 1st Place in the first of the District's Robotics Scrimmages. Competition was fierce and the students had a great time.

Benton students will be distributing Holiday cards to seniors again this holiday season. Last year Benton delivered 233 holiday cards to 3 convalescent facilities in our community. We hope to have the same success again this year, drop by the Wellness Center this week to help.

On Monday and Tuesday after school from 3-4, there will be tryouts for Boys' Soccer.

Girls' Soccer and Girls' Basketball tryouts continue on Wednesday after school from 2-3pm. (Boys' Basketball tryouts will take place in January when students return.)

Students should wear PE clothes and athletic shoes during the tryouts.

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

On Thursday, school is out early at 1:15pm and there will be no after-school activities or supervision. Please make arrangements for your student to be picked up on time.

The last day of school is Thursday, December 19th, which is a minimum day with dismissal at 1:15pm. Students return to school on Tuesday, January 7th.

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. Click here to read the 8th Grade Newsletter.

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.

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