Benton Weekly Update

This week we are holding tryouts for Girls' and Boys' Softball teams. Benton's first Softball game will be on 3/11.

Our Girls' Soccer team and both Girls' and Boys' Basketball teams will be competing in the NLM Middle Schools Championship game on Wednesday this week at Norwalk High School. The games should begin about 3:15pm. There are flyers posted below in this week's events that should answer most of your questions about the championship games.

Parent Conferences are next week. We strongly encourage you to schedule a conference if your student has Ds or Fs in any classes. Teacher emails and conference scheduling links are on this document. We will be on a minimum day schedule all next week with dismissal every day at 1:15pm.

On Thursday and Friday, 7th Grade girls and 8th Grade boys will be screened for Scoliosis.

Each month NLM schools are recognized for attendance. I am proud to announce that of the 25 NLM schools, Benton ranked 3rd in attendance for January. Thank you to parents and students for making school attendance a priority.

A few weeks ago we had our Awards Ceremony for Semester 1. Many thanks to John Szeplaky for videoing the awards. A link to the video is posted below.

Make it a great week!

Students in Ms. Hodge's Advanced Art class are drawing landscapes with oil pastels. Kudos to the students for creating beautiful works!

Last Friday, Ms. Robertson and the Green Team coordinated a lunchtime program remembering the life and impact of Jane Goodall. This collaborative celebration included a performance by Mr. Gohn's Percussion ensemble, Ms. Truesdell's Dance students, Nathalie Kavutwa playing the guitar, Kenny Cervantes presenting a biography of Jane, a poetry reading by Avalon Caringella, Winter Horbino, and Rhett Wyatt, and a poster with student messages on white doves. You can see a video of the program linked below:

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.

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

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.

• 6th & 7th Grade Boys' Tryouts: Monday 2/23
• Girls' Tryouts (all grades): Tuesday 2/24
• 8th Grade Boys' Tryouts: Thursday 2/26

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

The next meeting of the Benton School Site Council (SSC) will be on Thursday, Feb. 26th at 3:30pm in the Benton Conference Room. The SSC will be reviewing the Benton Safe School Plan and providing input on the purchase of student planners for 26-27. The agenda will be posted soon.

Benton's Girls' Soccer and Girls' and Boys' Basketball teams will play for the championship at Norwalk High School on Wednesday. Games begin at approximately 3:15pm. All players and cheer leaders are required to ride the bus to and from the games.

We will have a minimum day schedule with dismissal every day at 1:15 for Parent Conferences. If your student is earning a D or F, be sure to reach out to their teacher to schedule a conference. Teacher emails can be found at this link.

We are thrilled to once again have Career Day for Benton students with over 30 speakers sharing insights about their professions. Students will be able to choose to hear from 3 different speakers and learn more about the opportunities awaiting them beyond high school.

The next Saturday School will be on 3/7 from 8:00am-12:15pm. Breakfast and lunch available, students can make up an absence by attending Saturday School, get caught up on schoolwork, and have fun. Permission slips are in the office, or print out the one linked below. Please let us know you're coming and Sign up for Saturday School at this link. The final Saturday School will be on 3/21.

Promotion and Panoramic Photos for 8th Graders will be on 3/16, and there are no make-ups, so it is important that students are present.

Mary Poppins Jr. Program Fundraiser! Every year we give out hundreds of programs to everyone who attends the Spring Musical and offer friends and families the chance to purchase ad space (for a company or tribute to a cast member), sponsorships, or shout outs. All three can be purchased on https://bentonms.booktix.com, or by filling out the attached page and returning to the front office by February 25th.

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.

The Nominating Committee of the Benton PTSA met on 2/2/26 and determined the slate of officers for the Association's consideration:

• President: Joo Yun Min
• Executive Vice President: Jane Kang
• Treasurer: Diane Delgadillo
• Secretary: Jose Lara
• Membership: Sarah Zurn

The following positions are still open:

• Programs
• Fundraising
• Auditor
• Historian

See Ms. Hodge or Ms. Hernandez for details how you can enter your artwork into this contest.

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.

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.

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.

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