Benton Weekly Update

This week is Staff Appreciation Week. The Benton PTSA has been busy planning activities and events for each day. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Benton Staff for the work they do each day to enrich the lives of our students. We have a wonderful team of people here at Benton who make it a great place to work and students to learn. Many thanks to all!

Opportunities for students:

• Benton will be offering an enrichment (not for grades) summer school this year with classes in art, photography, gardening, sports, creative writing, and film critique. If your current 5th, 6th, 7th, or 8th grader is interested in participating, please see the information below to sign your child up.

• Hey Wolverines! We’re looking for students that are looking to become leaders on our campus. ASB is accepting applications for the 24-25 school year. Pick up an application in the office today!

• Will your student need additional math support next school year? Benton has offered the double-blocked math class in 8th grade, and we plan to expand it to 7th grade next year. Teachers will be reaching out to students with their recommendations for this class, and if you would like YOUR student to be in the double-blocked math class, please reach out to Ms. Ridgeway or Ms. Alcala.

Tuesday is the final day for 8th graders to purchase Disneyland tickets ($120 cash or check in the office). After Tuesday, any unsold tickets will be returned. 8th Grade t-shirts will be distributed Monday 5/6.

This week on Tuesday, May 7th at 6pm our Beginning Guitar students will perform a concert in the Benton MPR. Please join us for this free concert.

On Friday, May 10th at 5:30pm we have our Dance Showcase. Tickets for this event are $8 and on sale at BentonMS.Booktix.net.

Mark your calendars for our biggest event of the year, the Kaleidoscope VAPA Festival coming up Friday, May 17th. At this event, all of our arts, performing and visual, will be on display. There will be performances, exhibits, and several food trucks. This is a community event showcasing the many talents of our Benton Artists; bring your families and enjoy an evening of the arts.

Benton will conclude SBAC testing this week as students complete the ELA Performance Task and 8th Graders take the CAST Science test. Please continue to ensure that your student is well rested, has a good breakfast, and is present each day on time.

Make it a great week!

Benton hopes to expand its double-blocked Math Enrichment classes to 7th & 8th Grade next year. Would your student be interested? Although students give up one of their three electives for the double blocked Math Enrichment class, students benefit from more time and consistency with math. The Math Enrichment classes not only cover math concepts, but builds on students' growth mindsets and incorporates social-emotional learning. Students can build their confidence in math and be more prepared for high school. 100% of students who have taken Math Enrichment report the following: it raised their confidence in math and was worth losing one elective and they would recommend it to other students. Top 3 reasons for success: teaching style, more time, no homework. Please contact Ms. Ridgeway or Ms. Alcala if you would like your student in the Math Enrichment class.

There are less than 20 tickets still available for Disneyland. Payments for the Disneyland trip can only be made in the school office (cash or checks payable to Benton PTSA). If your student has a pass, you only pay $10 for the bus, but you must make a reservation, take a screenshot of it, and present it to the office staff to receive a permission slip.

Check out our 8th Grade Webpage with information and news just for 8th grade students and their families.

The 23-24 Benton Yearbook is on sale now for $35 in the front office only. You can purchase your copy now, after May 10, price will go up to $40. Yearbooks will be distributed during the last week of school.

6th Grade Students will need to get a TDAP vaccination before entering 7th Grade. Start scheduling those appointments now! For your convenience, the District is providing TDAP Clinics at its middle schools, the clinics will be at Waite on 5/11, and the final clinic at Benton on 5/18. See the Benton flyer below.

Hey Wolverines! We’re looking for students that are looking to become leaders on our campus. ASB is accepting applications for the 24-25 school year. Pick up an application in the office today!

Benton will be having Summer School this year for incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th Graders. There is limited space available, and classes fill up fast. You can sign up for Summer School at this link.

Students will be running in the Benton Olympics on Tuesday May 7 during 6th period.(10:00-11:30). Parents are welcome. Check in at the front office, chairs are optional.

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

Our End of the Year Awards Ceremony will be on Tuesday, 5/28 at 6pm in the Benton Quad. Students will be recognized for Honor Roll, Principal's Honor Roll, P.R.I.D.E., Perfect Attendance, and Outstanding Achievement in their classes. Our Salutatorian and Valedictorian will be announced, and Honor Cords awarded. A list of students receiving awards will be posted a week before the ceremony.

The final School Site Council (SSC) meeting of the year will be 5/30 at 3:30pm in the Benton Conference Room. The SSC will review/revise and adopt the School Plan for Student Achievement.

6th & 7th Grade students will be turning in their iPad, charger, and cable on Thursday, 5/30. 8th Graders will turn in their iPads on Friday, 5/31.

The 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony will be at 9am on Wednesday, June 5th. Entry will be through the sliding gates in the parking lot. Each 8th grader will receive 4 tickets to Promotion. If your student requires more tickets, please contact Ms. Ridgeway.

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 .

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: bentonms.org
Location: 15709 E. Olive Branch Drive, La Mirada, CA 90638
Phone: (562) 210-2500
Facebook: facebook.com/bentonmiddleschool
Twitter: @BentonPrincipal