Benton Weekly Update

Congratulations to the students and all staff of Benton Middle School for being named California Distinguished School. This prestigious designation is awarded by the California Department of Education and recognizes exceptional schools that distinguish themselves on the basis of exemplary student outcomes. The California Distinguished Schools Award remains one of the state’s most important ways to celebrate exceptional schools, districts, teachers, and classified employees for their innovation, talent, and success in supporting students. Way to go for the entire Benton community!

Monday last week, our Robotics Team competed against the other NLM middle school teams and once again, took first place. Since last year, the team has racked up 5 wins and zero losses. Congratulations to Mr. Bremer and the Megalodon Robotics Team! You can watch the battle of the 'bots here.

On Wednesday, the Benton Festival Band earned a Unanimous Superior ranking at their music competition at Kennedy High School. Congratulations to Mr. Gohn and the Festival Band. You can hear their beautiful music at this link.

Also on Wednesday, our Girls and Boys Softball Teams had their first games against Waite Middle School. Both teams won their games. Congratulations to Coach Martinez and the Boys team and to Coach Estes and the Girls team!

On Friday, Ms. Lin's Guitar students attended a music festival at Biola University. The Intermediate Guitar ensemble earned an Excellent rating, and Advanced Guitar earned Superior. Congratulations to Ms. Lin and the Guitar Ensembles!

Thank you to the Benton PTSA for supporting our Green Team by providing a storage shed for their gardening gear. Now we're looking for a few volunteers to help assemble the shed. If you're willing to help out, please email me. If you'd like to support the PTSA who supports Benton, consider supporting their See's Candies Fundraiser that ends this week.

Your input is needed for the Benton Facilities Master Plan. You may recall that we solicited input from our community - students, staff, parents, community - on existing conditions and needs (wish list) for the Benton campus. Please review the photos below and share your thoughts with me on the proposed design.

Make it a great week!

Please email me any comments or feedback you have about the Benton Facilities Master Plan by Friday, 3/27/26. rridgeway@Nlmusd.org

The show will run for two weeks on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights beginning March 19 and closing on March 28th. Be sure to get your tickets now before the show sells out!

The world of math celebrates March 14th as Pi Day... 3.14, get it? Ms. Chen's Math students celebrated Pi Day a little early last week by engaging in a fun escape room where they needed to work together to solve multiple clues related to the most famous irrational number, pi! The culmination of their successful efforts was celebrated with a different kind of pie.

Please support the Benton PTSA fund raiser by purchasing your Sees Candy through our storefront. No waiting in lines and the delicious Sees Candy is shipped directly to your home!

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!

The Benton Yearbook needs your photos! Do you have any Back to School photos you would be willing to share with us? This includes photos you may have taken at home holding "1st Day of Middle School" type signs. If you would email a digital copy to me at rridgeway@nlmusd.org, that would be appreciated. We hope to create a collage of Back to School photos in our yearbook.

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

• Must be a digital copy
• Must be received by 3/27
• "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

Promotion and Panoramic Photos for 8th Graders will be on 3/16, and there are no make-ups, so it is important that students are present. Picture Day flyers are available in the office, parents can also order online at mylifetouch.com

Panoramic Photos are $20 use code MH015210T0.

Promotion Portraits code is EVTGMDZKV and photo package prices vary from $14.95 & up.

• The Girls Competition Team practice after school on Monday w/Coach Estes
• The Boys Competition Team practice after school on Monday & Tuesday w/Coach Martinez

The Benton School Site Council will meet on Thursday, March 19th at 3:30pm in the Benton Conference Room. The agenda is linked here: 3/19/26 Meeting Agenda

The last Saturday School will be on 3/21 from 8:00am-12:15pm. This is the last Saturday School to make up attendance and (for 8th Graders only) tardies. Breakfast and lunch is available, students can make up an absence by attending Saturday School, get caught up on schoolwork, and have fun. Permission slips are in the office, or print out the one linked below. Please let us know you're coming and Sign up for Saturday School at this link.

Mark your calendars, we are out of school for Spring Break Friday, April 3rd through Friday, April 10. Thursday, April 2nd will be a minimum day with dismissal at 1:15pm.

You can place an ad or well wishes for a student in the yearbook. Choose from a Full Page for $125, half page for $100, quarter page for $75, or eighth of a page for $50. Please provide finished artwork digitally to Ms. Degener at edegener@nlmusd.org and pay with cash or check payable to Benton ASB in the front office.

The Nominating Committee of the Benton PTSA met on 2/2/26 and determined the slate of officers for the Association's consideration:

• President: Joo Yun Min
• Executive Vice President: Jane Kang
• Treasurer: Diane Delgadillo
• Secretary: Jose Lara
• Membership: Sarah Zurn

The following positions are still open:

• Programs
• Fundraising
• Auditor
• Historian

See Ms. Hodge or Ms. Hernandez for details how you can enter your artwork into this contest.

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.

Our retro sweatshirts are available for purchase in the Benton office.

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.

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