Benton Weekly Update

We have just two weeks left of school and we are cramming a lot of activity into these final days. To recap our last week, Benton athletes participated in the NLM Middle Schools Track and Field tournament. Once again, Benton students earned First Place. This has been a great year for Benton athletics as Benton holds championships for Cross Country, Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, and Softball. Well done!

Our final concert of the year for Band and Orchestra was last Thursday at Biola University's Crowell Hall. The acoustics enhanced the marvelous sound of our musicians. It was a beautiful evening to close out the concert season.

This week we will have our End of Year Awards Ceremony on Wednesday evening at 5:30pm. Students will be recognized for outstanding achievement in their core classes and electives, Honor Roll (3.5-3.99), Principal's Honor Roll (4.0 and up) as well as Perfect Attendance for the year. Presentation of Honor Cords to 8th Graders as well as the 8th Grade Valedictorian and Salutatorian. A list of award recipients was posted in Schoology, and parents were notified by email if their student is receiving an award. The awards ceremony will be on the back patio area near the big sliding gate in the parking lot.

If you are trying out for the 25-26 Cheer Team, tryouts are this week on Thursday after school in the MPR from 3:30-approximately 5pm. Students should check in after 3pm to receive their number and begin stretching outside the MPR.

Our 6th Grade students will have a field day on Friday during 7th period with games and activities. Students must have satisfactory citizenship to participate; be on the look out for a message from Ms. Murray on how you can help volunteer for this event.

The 8th Grade Dance will be on Friday this week from 6-9pm at the La Mirada Activity Center. Our PTSA is seeking additional donations of water, sodas, flavored waters, and dessert. If you would like to provide a monetary donation, you can Zelle PTSA at rbentonms@gmail.com (just reference the donation in the memo). We are also seeking additional parent chaperones for the dance. If you can chaperone for all or part of the dance, please sign up here.

All students should return any hardcover textbooks, music books, library books by Wednesday. Students keep the soft cover textbooks for Math & ELA. All 8th Graders will turn in their iPads, charging brick and cable on Friday this week. Students who have lost their chargers will be charged for replacement (no aftermarket replacements accepted as it voids our device warranties).

There will be enrichment summer school at Benton for incoming 6th Graders as well as current 6th, 7th, and 8th Graders. See the post below for course offerings, session dates, and a link to enroll.

Be sure to check out our Benton Broadcast below, and make it a great week!

If you are moving or changing schools for next year, please let the office know by calling or emailing twohlford@nlmusd.org. This helps us plan for classes and staffing for next year, and ensures that we have your students' information ready to send along to their new school. But don't leave us, we'll miss you!

If you're staying, please make sure all incoming 7th Grade students have their TDAP vaccination and that you have completed the online registrations. Are you checking those emails and phone numbers carefully? Every time I send out an email blast to parents, I get about 20 back that are undeliverable.

I regret having to bring this up again. As the school year winds down and the prospect of summer approaches, a few students get a little too excited and push the boundaries of behavior. We are still having students attempt to jam objects into the charging ports of Chromebooks (we track who checks out which specific devices and several students have already been charged $350). We had a few otherwise well behaved 8th grade boys attempt a food fight. And sadly, someone entered a classroom during lunchtime last Friday and removed an envelope with cash intended for the 6th Grade Field Day. If you notice an extra $400 in a piggy bank or backpack, you might ask where they got it. A return would be appreciated.

A general reminder to your student that good behavior is still expected and that teachers are still grading assignments and adjusting citizenship grades would be helpful.

You can still purchase your Benton Yearbook in the front office for $35. Yearbooks will be distributed at the end of this week. Don't miss out!

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

Students return any hardcover textbooks, music books, library books. The softcover math and ELA books are not turned in, students make keep them.

Students will be recognized at our End of Year Awards on Wednesday, May 28th at 5:30pm for outstanding achievement in their core classes and electives, Honor Roll (3.5-3.99), Principal's Honor Roll (4.0 and up) as well as Perfect Attendance for the year. Presentation of Honor Cords to 8th Graders as well as the 8th Grade Valedictorian and Salutatorian.

If you are trying out for the 25-26 Cheer Team, tryouts are this week on Thursday after school in the MPR from 3:30-approximately 5pm. Students should check in after 3pm to receive their number and begin stretching outside the MPR.

All 8th Grade students will turn in their iPads, charger brick and cable on Friday. If you have lost your charger cable, you must either replace it with an official Apple charger or you will be charged $35 for its loss.

For the last week of school, Monday is the regular schedule with dismissal at 3:00pm.

On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, dismissal is at 1:15pm.

The Promotion Ceremony for 8th Graders is on Thursday, June 5th at 9am. Each 8th grader will receive 4 tickets. If you need more tickets, please email Ms. Ridgeway. Seating is first-come, first served. Please note that 6th and 7th Grade siblings will NOT be dismissed from class to attend Promotion. If you would like them to attend, they should arrive with you and will need a ticket.

Following Promotion, 8th Grade students are dismissed for the day and you may take them home to celebrate and start their summer!

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