Benton Weekly Update

Spring Break begins on Friday this week and continues all of next week. Wednesday we are out of school at the usual time, 1:45pm, and we have a minimum day on Thursday with dismissal at 1:15pm. I hope your family has a restful Spring Break.

Would you like to be more involved at Benton? Have you considered a position on the PTSA Board? The PTSA is a great way to connect with others and support programs at our school. If you are interested in nominating yourself for a position on the PTSA Board, you can do so at this link. For more information on the PTSA, check out the message below from our current president, Jane Kang. We are also seeking volunteers for our VAPA Boosters Board. The Boosters is a group that supports our incredible Visual and Performing Arts programs at Benton through fundraising, event planning, and community building. These are two great ways to be more involved in your student's education and experience here at Benton, and we welcome you!

This week, students will begin SBAC testing in their math classes. Our goal is for all students to demonstrate growth over the previous year. We encourage all students to do their absolute personal best. To do their best, students should get plenty of sleep (9+ hours), start their day with a healthy breakfast, and bring their iPad to school fully charged. During testing, students will ensure that any SmartWatches and cell phones are secured inside their backpacks (can they stay at home this week?) To kick off our SBAC testing and encourage our students to do their best, we had a Pep Rally during our Homeroom Assembly last week and our ASB Students along with Cheer, and a Percussion Drum Line helped to pump up the students and motivate them to do their best.

In addition to the Pep Rally, we also recognized our March Students of the Month, and students with perfect attendance. Check out the Student of the Month Video posted below, along with our Benton Broadcast! Congratulations Wolverines for demonstrating Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Determination, and Excellence!

Show your support for Benton and the Arts! This is the final week to contribute to our SnapRaise Fundraiser for the Arts as well as the last week to order your fabulous Kaleidoscope t-shirt.

When we return from Spring Break we have just 6 weeks of school,. Let's make every day count, work hard, learn something new every day, and finish strong!

Make it a great last week before Spring Break!

On Saturday, April 5th, Ms. Robertson's Green Team traveled to Redondo Beach. The students learned about ocean ecology and then helped our environment with a Beach Clean Up. Kudos to the Green Team for learning and serving.

Our Kaleidoscope VAPA Festival is coming up on Friday, May 16th. This annual festival showcases all the arts at Benton with multiple stages and venues for student performances and exhibits. There will be several food trucks in addition to all the arts, so tell your friends and neighbors, bring the family, and come celebrate the Arts created by Benton students. We encourage you to order your Kaleidoscope t-shirt below.

Kaleidoscope - It's like Coachella, but at Benton!

Your support will help us offer a higher quality experience for all of our performing and visual arts students. Raising dollars for festivals, concerts, art exhibits and overall equipment both visual and performing is vital for our program. If you could please spread the word about our fundraiser by sharing it with your friends via Email, Facebook and Twitter we would greatly appreciate it!

Fundraiser Dates: 03/17/2025 - 04/14/2025

Are you passionate about the arts? Want to make a difference in your child’s creative journey?

We’re looking for enthusiastic parents/guardians to join our Benton VAPA Booster Board — a dedicated group that supports our incredible Visual and Performing Arts programs at Benton through fundraising, event planning, and community building.

Why join?
✅ Support your child’s arts education
✅ Help plan performances, showcases, and special events
✅ Build lasting connections with other arts-loving families
✅ Make a meaningful impact on our vibrant arts community!

No experience necessary — just your energy, ideas, and love for the arts!

Interested?
📧 Use this form to nominate yourself today!
📅 Come to our next meeting on Monday 5/12 at 5:30 PM in the Drama Room to help us vote!

Let’s work together to make next year unforgettable for our young artists!

6th Graders:

All 6th Graders will need a Tdap vaccination to enter 7th Grade. Start scheduling those doctor's appointments now, and email twohlford@nlmusd.org your student's updated vaccination record.

7th Graders:

Payments due now for Science Camp on Catalina Island in May. Visit our Science Camp page for more details.

8th Graders:

• There are 10 tickets left for Disneyland!
• 8th Grade parent interested in volunteering? Click on this link for ways to help out with end-of-year activities.

We have a couple of very important events coming up at the end of this school year:

• Benton PTSA Founders Day
• Benton PTSA Executive Board Election

Founders’ Day is a time to reflect and take pride in our achievements and renew our commitment to being:

• a powerful voice for all children;
• a relevant resource for parents; and
• a strong advocate for public education.

This year we are celebrating 128 years of working on behalf of children and families. Our history informs our work. Today’s PTA is vibrant and active and includes a network of millions of families, students, teachers, and community members advocating for all children, youth, and families.

Please click on the link below, and submit your nomination for a person or organization that has been a strong advocate for our community:

2024-2025 BENTON PTSA FOUNDERS DAY NOMINATION FORM: DUE APRIL 11TH

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdXn4KtNwIghMfIuOHCONa253fIVN6P8ijTBbc3F5240leKmA/viewform?usp=dialog

Election for our 2025-2026 Executive Board will be coming up at the beginning of May. If you know of anyone who would be a great fit in supporting the Benton community, please submit a nomination. The nomination can be for yourself or anyone who is a qualified member of Benton Middle School.

Please click on the link below and submit your nomination for Executive Board:

2025-2026 BENTON PTSA EXECUTIVE BOARD NOMINATION FORM: DUE APRIL 25TH

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeX6ezZOZzh4t1lROSVxbfnMKkHpTNmsE4nldEsQAJHcsDasQ/viewform?usp=dialog

Go Wolverines,

Jane Kang Lee

Bemton PTSA President

You can purchase your Benton Yearbook in the front office for $35. Yearbooks will be distributed during the last week of school. Don't miss out!

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

Don't forget, school is out early on Thursday!

Spring Break begins Friday, April 18th through Friday, April 25th. Thursday, April 17 is a minimum day with dismissal at 1:15pm. Students return to school on Monday, April 28th.

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.

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