Benton Weekly Update

This is our last week of school before Thanksgiving Break. This week students will be taking Benchmark tests in their ELA, Math, Science, and Social Science classes to measure what they have learned so far. Please ensure your student is present all week and if possible, avoid checking them out of school early. With Benton's block schedule, missing even one day has the effect of missing two days of school and it takes another two days for a student to catch up on what they've missed. If they're not here, they're not learning!

Congratulations to our Girls' and Boys' Flag Football teams, they are District Champs for their undefeated season. Thank you Coaches, Chartier, Martinez, and Estes for your work with our student athletes!

On Thursday, 8th Grade students will tour La Mirada HS to learn about the various pathways and programs. On Thursday night, LMHS will be hosting a Matador Night for students and families to learn more about the opportunities at LMHS. The open enrollment period for students to attend the NLM high school of their choice will open on December 1st and close on January 31st.

Our fall play, Dr. Experimentor and the League of Evil opened last Friday. This production features over 60 students on stage, as well as a student tech crew manning lights, sound, and props. Be sure to purchase your tickets on bentonms.booktix.com before the shows are sold out! Performances continue on Friday and Saturday this week.

With so much going on, is your student feeling overwhelmed with school, or concerned that they're falling behind? Our Counseling Team is here to support them! Dr. Sweney-Black and Ms. Aguilar-Solis are available to help students get back on track, and help them develop the skills to be successful. We have Saturday School coming up after Thanksgiving on 12/6, and that's a great time to get caught up on school work, get the support they need if they're struggling in their classes, and recover an absence. Permission slips for Saturday School are available in the front office, or you can print out the one posted below.

Make it a great week!

ASB will be available in the front of the school every morning this week to collect food items. They will be set up from 8:15 - 8:30 and look forward to receiving your donations! If there is rain, they will be in the doorway to the MPR. Please look for their food cart out front! Thank you to all those families that have already donated. We appreciate your generosity in making this time of year better for those in need.

As part of our ongoing efforts to gather input for the Norwalk-La Mirada USD Facilities Master Plan, we are asking parents and community members to complete this School Community Survey.

Please note the times and locations of the different activities. The hours vary from one activity to another. All students must sign in each day for attendance using the QR code.

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

Tickets on sale now at https://bentonms.booktix.com

There will be no school during Thanksgiving Break. Students will return to school on Monday, December 1st.

Saturday School will be on 12/6 from 8:00am-12:15pm. Breakfast and lunch 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. Upcoming Saturday Schools next semester on 1/10, 1/24, 2/21, 3/7, & 3/21.

Students will have 2 weeks for Winter Break. The last day of school, Friday 12/19 is a minimum day with dismissal at 1:15pm. Students will return to school on Tuesday, January 6.

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.

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.

Don't forget to enroll on the 2026 East Coast Trip.

Click the link below to enroll:

https://enroll.efexploreamerica.com/2782313XM

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 or by scanning the QR code below.

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.

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 nationally recognized, award winning 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