Benton Weekly Update

This past week, students met in their homerooms and had the opportunity to celebrate Students of the Month and those with Perfect Attendance, as well as learn about safety and evacuation procedures and view the Benton Broadcast (posted below). 6th Graders (and students new to NLMUSD) had an assembly for our Canine Detection program in their homerooms last week. Periodically, our Canine Detection team will visit campus to ensure we are safe from any contraband substances.

Congratulations to our students with Perfect Attendance and our August Students of the Month. We were happy to recognize the 300+ students with perfect attendance and the homeroom class with the highest percentage of perfect attendance, Ms. Lee's/Mr. Udeobong's with certificates to The Habit. Attendance is vital; if you're not here, you're not learning! Our Students of the Month received gift cards to In N Out. Congratulations to all these students for demonstrating characteristics of Benton P.R.I.D.E., Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Determination, and Excellence.

Saturday School returns this year on 9/20. Students are able to recover an absence, get caught up on school work, or just have fun at our Saturday School sessions. We offer breakfast and snack/lunch, and the hours are 8:00am-12:15pm. Students can fill out the permission slip available in the office or posted below. Additional Saturday Schools sessions are scheduled for 10/4, 10/25, 11/1, 11/15, 12/6 this semester.

Coming up this week, we will be sending home our 8th Grade Promotion Contracts. Please be sure to read through the contract with your 8th Grader, sign, and return it to school. Our goal is for all 8th Graders to understand and adhere to the requirements to fully participate in end of the year activities and the 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony.

It's hard to believe we're starting our 5th week of school! This week, we will be sending home Unsatisfactory Notices to any students who have a D or F in any classes. This notice serves as an opportunity to course-correct and determine what supports or changes in behavior/work habits are needed for students to be successful. If you have questions or concerns about your student's progress, please do not hesitate to reach out to their teacher. Keep in mind that we are offering after-school support in our Homework Club (Mon. & Thurs.) and Math Tutoring (Tues.).

6th Graders: Are you attending Science Camp or still thinking about it? There are still spaces available for a limited number of students! Please be sure to attend our meeting for parents this week on Wednesday at 6pm on Zoom.

Are you an attorney or paralegal? Benton is hoping to form a team for the LA County Mock Trial competition and seek a coach. See the blurb below for how you can help!

On Wednesday this week, our Cross Country Team will compete against Hutchinson in our La Mirada Preliminary Competition at 3:15pm at Benton. The district-wide Middle School Cross Country Meet will be at Benton at 3:30pm on 9/24.

We are continuing to expand our After School Activities and now offer something for students each day of the week. Coaches from ProAcademy Sports are here on Wednesdays and Fridays to teach students Volleyball and Flag Football. All students are welcome to participate though we will be forming competition teams to play against the other middle schools in our district. For students to remain eligible for the competition teams, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA and good citizenship.

Make it a great week!

Benton is hoping to form a Mock Trial Team. The Mock Trial Competition, sponsored by Teach Democracy, is designed to clarify the workings of our legal institutions for students through first-hand experience. Students portray each of the principals in the cast of courtroom characters. Student teams study a hypothetical case, conduct legal research, receive guidance from volunteer attorneys (coaches) in courtroom procedure and trial preparation, and present their case before a volunteer judge at the LA County Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Downtown Los Angeles. The actual competition will be in early November. If you can coach a team 1 or 2 days after school each week and/or possibly on a Saturday (during scheduled Saturday School days), and have knowledge or experience with the law, please contact Ms. Ridgeway for a volunteer application. There is a negotiable stipend available for coaches.

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, dismissal is at 1:45pm.

Our 6th Grade Science Camp in Arrowhead will be October 20th-24th. The total cost (including deposit) is $450. Students can register by completing the registration form and paying a $100 deposit. Deposits can be paid in the office (cash or check to Benton ASB only) or you may do so with your My School Bucks account at this link.

The first Saturday School of the year will be on 9/20 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.

If you click on the image to the left, you will find a helpful video on navigating school pick ups and drops offs. By following the guidelines in this video, traffic will move efficiently and the parking lot can be cleared out within 10 minutes. We encourage all parents to exercise a little patience, follow the guidelines, be respectful of traffic rules and our neighbors' driveways, and help us to keep students safe. Just a reminder, please don't park in private driveways and streets, or the Beatitudes church parking lot.

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.

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.

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