Benton Weekly Update

Welcome to Week 2 of the School Year. Our first week was a busy one as students settled into their schedules, received their class syllabus (parents, do you need to sign that?), got their pictures taken and received their ID cards, and learned more about Benton's Behavior Expectations, and were introduced to our Counseling Team. You can learn more about how both of these support your students by reviewing the posts below.

This week, students will be dressing out for P.E. While the weather is forecasted to be cooler than last week, it will still be hot and we will be monitoring temperatures and following health department guidelines for school activities during such temperatures. Students should be sure to bring a refillable water bottle and stay hydrated. Sunscreen and a hat might also be a good idea, but don't try napping in a refrigerator, tempting as that might be! If you haven't yet purchased P.E. clothes, they may be purchased in the school office with cash or check payable to Benton ASB.

On Wednesday this week, we have Back to School Night. At Back to School Night parents will be able to meet the teachers, visit the classrooms, and find out more about what their student will be learning this year. Our gates open at 5pm and the Taco Bite and Frost Bite food trucks will be there with food for sale so families can enjoy dinner together before the classrooms open at 6:10pm. Our PTSA will hold a brief meeting at 5:45 and spirit wear will be available for purchase.

Looking for after-school activities for your student? Check out the schedule posted below. Mr. Strauss is offering Homework Club after school on Mondays and Thursdays, and Math Tutoring on Tuesdays. Also on Tuesdays, our Green Team meets. The Green Team learns about gardening, the environment, our climate, and takes care of the Benton gardens. The Cheer Team holds practice on Wednesdays, and on Thursdays we offer Board Games. Students will learn and play various board games in a fun and interactive screen-free environment where students develop a variety of essential skills that complement their regular classroom learning; board games encourage social interaction, teamwork, cooperation, imaginative thinking, and strategic planning through diverse game experiences. Students are also able to audition for the fall play. Rehearsals will be after school most days until the performance in November. We will be adding additional after-school activities including sports (Cross Country! Football! Volleyball!) in the coming weeks.

Look for this newsletter in your email each Sunday evening. We use this newsletter to communicate with students and families about what's happening at school. Email is my primary method of communication, so make sure this newsletter and other emails are not going into your junk/spam folders. My email is rridgeway@nlmusd.org, you can reach Ms. Alcala at lalcala@nlmusd.org. We're on Facebook, additionally, please follow us on Instagram @BentonWolverines.

Make it a great week!

The students attended their first Homeroom assembly this past Wednesday, and learned about Benton's rules and behavior expectations. The presentation is linked below.

Click on the image below for instructions on how to submit your audition.

Please note the times and locations of the different activities. The hours vary from one activity to another.

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

Parents will follow their students' schedules according to the times posted below. Your student's current schedule will be emailed to you on Tuesday. The PE classes will meet in the Library (Mr. Estes), Dance Room 71 (Ms. Estrada), and MPR (Mr. Chartier)

There is one vacant position for parents/community members on the Benton School Site Council (SSC). The position serves for two years. The SSC meets approximately once a month from 3:30pm-5pm during the school year and makes decisions regarding the School Plan for Student Achievement, the budget, and the School Safety Plan.

Nominations for SSC now accepted through Friday, August 29th, elections will be held the following week. You can nominate yourself or another at this link: School Site Council Nominations

There will be no school on Monday, September 1st for the Labor Day Holiday. Enjoy your 3-day weekend! When you return to school Tuesday, it will be a B Day.

Our 7th Grade Science Camp on Catalina Island will be October 22th-24th. The total cost (including deposit) is $450. Students can register by completing the registration form and paying a $100 deposit. Deposits can be paid in the office (cash or check to Benton ASB only) or you may do so with your My School Bucks account at this link.

Our 6th Grade Science Camp in Arrowhead will be October 20th-24th. The total cost (including deposit) is $450. Students can register by completing the registration form and paying a $100 deposit. Deposits can be paid in the office (cash or check to Benton ASB only) or you may do so with your My School Bucks account at this link.

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. Just a reminder, please don't park in private driveways and streets, or the Beatitudes church parking lot.

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.

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.

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 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