Benton Weekly Update

Congratulations to Benton's Choir, Band, and Orchestra! This past week the various ensembles performed at music festivals and once again, earned superior rankings. Congratulations to our students, Ms. Lin, Mr. Gohn, and Mr. Hansen. Bravo!

This upcoming week we have our Dance Recital on Friday. The show will begin at 6pm in the Benton MPR. Be sure to get your tickets for the show on bentonms.booktix.com.

Also this week, we have a big District celebration to honor our Classified Employee of the Year, Ms. Denise Rogers and our Teacher of the Year, Ms. Jessica Murray. Ms. Murray is also a finalist for District Teacher of the Year, be sure to wish her well!

This week students will have their homeroom assembly on Wednesday. Not only will we be recognizing students with perfect attendance, and our Students of the Month, students will have a pep rally for SBAC testing (coming up April 14th!) and they will complete a survey on school culture and climate. This information is essential to us so we can plan around the needs of our students and school culture. A copy of the survey questions will be available for you to view on our district website. Please contact me or our front office if you have any questions.

We had another beautiful weekend and the great weather this week continues. Please check your child's outfit to make sure it is appropriate for the weather and for school. We are stepping up our enforcement of the dress code and here are a few reminders: students must wear appropriate undergarments and they may not be visible (no sagging of pants, no spaghetti straps), shirts must have straps or sleeves and cover the chest from armpit to armpit, stomach may not show, shorts must have 3 inch inseam, dance/athletic briefs are not acceptable, no pajama bottoms, shoes must have a strap or full covering across the back of the heel. Students will be asked to change into PE clothes if they are not in dress code.

Just a quick reminder of school rules: phones are to be kept OFF and in the backpacks while at school; gum is not allowed at school, nor are confetti eggs (they can cause injuries and make a mess); and there is a Dress Code (posted below in this newsletter). Your support is much appreciated!

We have just 8 weeks of school, and just 2 weeks before Spring Break. Let's make every day count, work hard, learn something new every day, and finish strong!

Make it a great week!

This is the final week of the SBAC Academy after school on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. The SBAC Academy provides support for students as they gear up for SBAC testing. Students are not required to attend all sessions, but to drop in and receive the support they need in Math, ELA, or both. At Benton, we firmly believe in providing every student with the tools and resources they need to excel academically. This program is not only an opportunity for your child to enhance their academic skills, but also a chance for them to approach the SBAC assessment with confidence and ease. Students will be provided with snacks at each session.

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

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.

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