Benton Weekly Update

There's a lot happening this week at Benton. Last week our Cross Country Team competed against Hutchinson in the City Preliminary Tourney; it was a draw with the Benton Girls team taking first place and the Hutch Boys taking first. This week, Benton runners will compete against other NLM Middle Schools in the final Cross Country Tournament on Wednesday. The tourney starts around 3:15ish and should conclude around 5:30ish at Benton.

Did your student miss picture day back in August? We are taking make up pictures on Thursday in the MPR all morning before lunch. Be sure to get those pictures taken for the yearbook and your Benton ID card!

Our Back to School Dance is this upcoming Friday from 3:30pm to 5:00pm in the Benton Quad. Our theme is Friday Night Lights so football jerseys are welcome! Students must "purchase" their Dance Ticket IN ADVANCE at Lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday this week if they plan to attend. Students must have good citizenship to attend the dance (no Us, no more than 1 N) and the price of admission is two PRIDE tickets. Entry to the dance is through the main gate at the front of the school. Our Taco Bite & Frost Bite food truck friends will have food available for purchase. Parents, if you would like to chaperone, please email Ms. Ridgeway for more information.

We are continuing to expand our After School Activities and now offer something for students each day of the week. This week students are able to explore the Event Tech Club; this group would work on making items for different events and activities on campus as well for the play and musical. This group would help design, create, and set up various props, set dressings, backgrounds and many more items that would be used for decorations for activities and events. Another new group is the Video Pro Team who will film all events and activities at Benton including all sports events and concerts as well as the plays and musicals. This group will meet to talk about their different assignments for the following week to film. They will film, edit, and create a webpage for all video content ready for viewing. This group will be responsible for creating a documentary record of all activities and events happening at Benton. See the schedule posted below!

Are you an attorney or paralegal? Benton is still hoping to form a team for the LA County Mock Trial competition and seeks a coach. This activity would start immediately as the team needs to prepare for competition in early November. See the blurb below for how you can help!

Make it a great week!

Benton is hoping to form a Mock Trial Team. The Mock Trial Competition, sponsored by Teach Democracy, is designed to clarify the workings of our legal institutions for students through first-hand experience. Students portray each of the principals in the cast of courtroom characters. Student teams study a hypothetical case, conduct legal research, receive guidance from volunteer attorneys (coaches) in courtroom procedure and trial preparation, and present their case before a volunteer judge at the LA County Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Downtown Los Angeles. The actual competition will be in early November. If you can coach a team 1 or 2 days after school each week and/or possibly on a Saturday (during scheduled Saturday School days), and have knowledge or experience with the law, please contact Ms. Ridgeway for a volunteer application. There is a negotiable stipend available for coaches.

Students in Ms. Chang'sKorean 1B class had a great time making Korean traditional lamps (Sagakdeung). Students in World Languages classes not only focus on acquiring Language skills, but learn about the arts, culture, food, and traditions of Korea.

Students have been learning and playing various board games after school with Ms. Divine and Ms. Singh. Board Games help 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 in a fun and interactive screen-free environment.

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!

Support Benton's Cheer Team by purchasing your spirit wear at this link.

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.

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

Did you miss picture day in August? You can still get your picture taken!

Entry forms and more information available in the Benton Front Office.

The next Saturday School of the year will be on 10/4 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.

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