Benton Weekly Update

Report Cards were mailed home on Friday last week. Our Semester 1 Awards Ceremony will be on Wednesday, January 22 from 8:40-9:30am. I am thrilled to report that we have over 400 students who have earned awards for Perfect Attendance, Honor Roll, Principal's Honor Roll, and for improving their GPA from Semester 2 of last year to Semester 1 this year. A complete list of awards recipients can be found at this link. Once students have been dismissed to classes at 8:35am, we will open the gates for parents to view the ceremony.

It is my sincere hope that all of you and your loved ones have not been affected by the fires. Our ASB students are brainstorming ways they can support the community and help provide relief. There are resources available to people affected by the fires in this document. As of this morning, the Air Quality Index for La Mirada is 39, "Good", so P.E. classes and outdoor activities will resume. We will be monitoring the air quality throughout the day to ensure the health and safety of our students. If your student has health conditions that preclude outdoor activity, please contact Ms. Alcala or the P.E. teacher directly.

PARKING LOT CLOSURE REMINDER:

I'm excited to announce that Benton will be installing a solar panel array on campus. We expect construction to begin in February. In the spirit of Good News and Bad News, that's the good news! The bad news is that most of the parking lot will be fenced off during construction. Parents will NOT be able to enter the parking lot at all to pick up or drop off your student(s). Please start now locating a new spot to pick up or drop off your student; many parents have their students walk down to Oxford or Ocaso and pick up their students there. By making a plan now, you can avoid frustration and confusion in February when the parking lot will be blocked off to parents. Feel free to reach out to me if you have questions.

Open Enrollment is during the months of December and January. If you have a student entering 6th Grade or 9th Grade and wish to attend a school that is not your school of residence, you will need to complete an Open Enrollment Application online. Returning 7th & 8th Graders do not need to reapply for a permit. At Benton, we appreciate the opportunity to share our unique programs with prospective families and students. Please spread the word if you have friends looking for a great middle school for next year and feel free to forward our Choose Benton flyer linked below.

Make it a great week!

Boys' BB: Tryouts for ALL grade levels Wed. 2:00-4:00

Girls' BB Practice: Wed. 2:00-4:00 & Friday 3:00-3:30

Boys' Soccer Practice: Tuesday 3:00-4:30 & Wed. 2:00-4:00.

Girls' Soccer Practice: Thursday 3:00-4:30.

The NLM Middle Schools Basketball & Soccer Tournament will be at Benton on Wednesday, 2/12. Although parents are welcome to attend the tournament, please keep in mind that the Benton parking lot will be closed due to construction, any spectators will need to find street parking and enter campus through the side gate to the left of the MPR.

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

The Benton School Site Council will meet on Thursday, 1/16/25 to review the Safe School Plan. A copy of the agenda can be found at this link.

On 1/21, La Mirada High School will be bringing their roadshow to Benton. 8th Grade students will be able to find out more about the various pathways, electives, clubs, and activities at LMHS during 7th period and lunchtime. On Friday that week, 1/24, the LMHS Counselors will be on campus to complete registration for 8th Graders.

Mark your calendars for a Dine Out Fundraiser at the Corner Bakery on Imperial Hwy at Idaho. There will be games, raffles, door prizes so save the date! You can find out more at this link: https://www.groupraise.com/events/296525?utm_source=sendgrid&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=o_event_automatic_confirmed

Do you need to make up an absence or get caught up on school work? Be sure to attend Saturday School on 1/25 from 8:00am-12:15pm. Permission Slips are available in the office and linked below.

Join us at Barnes & Noble in Fullerton from 5pm-7:30 as students showcase their talents. Benton receives a percentage of all purchases made that night!

Purchase your Valentine sweets from See's and help fundraise for the Benton PTSA!

https://www.yumraising.com/secure/bentonmsp_benton_ptsa33/Bec_Cor1321/candy

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.

Parents, please help us by checking your student's outfit before they leave for school. If students are out of dress code, the students may 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 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