Benton Weekly Update

It's hard to believe this is the last week of February, the Spring Semester always seems to pass so quickly. This week we will be emailing home Progress Reports; think of this as a "check up" on how your student is doing so far. Keep in mind these are not final grades but an opportunity for a course correction or to know your student is on the right track. If your student is struggling, I encourage you to schedule a parent conference with the teacher. Spring Conferences are the week of 3/10-3/14 and are intended to provide an opportunity to meet with teachers if your child is earning a D or F in any classes. Here's a link to teacher emails.

You should have received an email from me about a Parent Survey. The district is seeking your perceptions about Benton. Participation is voluntary, but also very important. The information you provide will help guide district and school efforts to promote safety, enhance learning supports, and improve student achievement. A copy of the letter is posted below, please let me know if you have any questions.

PARKING LOT CLOSURE REMINDER:

No vehicles will be able to enter the parking lot for student drop offs/pick ups. Construction fencing is up for our solar panel array installation. We will have a supervision aide stationed at the bottom of the driveway to check for parking passes, please understand that she is following my directive and will turn away any cars without the required permit. Thank you for your understanding and your patience. Feel free to reach out to me if you have questions.

8th Graders:

• Get your Baby Picture in the Yearbook. See the blurb below for more details!
• Tickets are on sale NOW through March 15 for Disneyland. You can purchase your ticket after school on Tuesdays & Thursdays, or online with Zelle. See the flyer below for more information. Don't miss out on the 8th Grade Disney trip!
• 8th Grade parent interested in volunteering? Click on this link for ways to help out with end-of-year activities.

7th Graders: Sign up now for Science Camp on Catalina Island in May. Visit our Science Camp page for more details.

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!

Please find an alternate spot to pick up or drop off your student; the parking lot will be closed and inaccessible to any unauthorized vehicles. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Girls' Soccer: Tues. & Thurs. 3-4:15pm

Boys' Soccer: Mon. & Thurs. 3-4:15pm

Girls' BB: Mon & Wed. 1:45-3:30pm

Boys' BB: Wed. 1:45-3:30pm

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

Agenda is linked here, the SSC will update the SPSA, and review the Benton Safe School Plan.

Each year schools and youth organizations nationwide participate in Say Something Week, a week of celebrating the importance of trusted adults and up-standers at schools! Say Something week is March 3-7, 2025. Our district and Benton will be participating with a Spirit Week. Show your commitment to saying something!

Mr. Martinez will be coaching Boys' Softball, and Coach Kaitlin will be returning to coach Girls Softball. Listen to the morning announcements for updates on tryouts for the team; the NLM Middle Schools Softball Tournament will be on March 24th at Behringer Park.

Do you need to make up an absence or get caught up on school work? Be sure to attend Saturday School on 3/1 from 8:00am-12:15pm. There are only 3 more Saturday Schools left this year! Permission Slips are available in the office and linked below.

Due to the forecasted rain, we have cancelled the 8th Grade Promotion & Panoramic Photos originally scheduled for Thursday, 2/13. Photos have been rescheduled to Monday, March 3rd.

The NLM Middle Schools Basketball & Soccer Tournament has been rescheduled to Wednesday, March 5th.

Spectators will be able to enter campus after 8:45am through the side gate (by the brick wall/lunch tables) in the parking lot. Will Benton sweep this tournament, too? Go Wolverines!

Our Parent Conferences in Spring are intended for students who are earning Ds or Fs in their classes. Please reach out to your student's teachers to schedule a conference. We will be on a Minimum Day schedule with dismissal at 1:15pm every day this week.

Benton was thrilled to host a site validation visit this past week from Schools to Watch (STW). Thank you to our students and parents and community members who met with the team to discuss their experience at Benton. The STW program identifies model middle schools that are academically engaging, developmentally responsive, socially equitable, and have a culture of collaborative leadership. The California STW program is led by the California League of Educators and supported by the California Department of Education. Look for an official announcement in March!

To include your 8th Grader's baby picture in the yearbook:

• Must be a digital copy
• "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

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.

For families needing support during this time due to fires or other factors, please see the flyer below for resources. Norwalk-La Mirada Unified is here for all of our students; let us know how we can help!

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