Benton Community School District

Following first semester grades, our team cumulative GPA was 3.96 qualifying us for the IGHSAU Distinguished in Academic Achievement Award. Great job team! #BeABobcat #APlaceToBelong

Seniors: remember to vote for Senior Superlatives for the yearbook by Friday.

Join the student council in OCHO. OCHO stands for backward homecoming. This is a week full of fun dress-up and spirit days, along with a High School dance to finish off the week. We are excited to bring this to the Benton Community High School to give students something fun to do during these long winter months. This event will take place next week from January 30-February 3. The dress-up days include: Monday: Groutfit Tuesday: USA Day Wednesday: Anything but a backpack (it must be able to fit under a desk and not block any aisle, it must also be school appropriate), Thursday: PJ Day Friday: Neon Day. The dance will take place Friday, February 3, from 9:00-11:00 pm following the home boys' basketball game. The theme for the dance and game will also be Neon Out.

HS Baseball: there will be a baseball meeting for all 9-12th graders planning to play baseball during Block 5 TODAY in the student center.

I am a 5th grade teacher in Norway Intermediate. My hobbies outside of school include reading, fishing, keeping my many houseplants alive, and the occasional cross-stitching. This is my first year at Benton, yet I feel like I fit right in! Benton's staff and community allow me to love what I do. #APlaceToBelong

Question: What’s the long-term plan for the Atkins Elementary school? Response: Atkins Elementary’s $5 million addition and renovation is a priority with this bond referendum. It will provide MUCH-NEEDED space in the crowded cafeteria along with additional classroom spaces. Having attendance centers on the east side of the district will be important into the future to provide geographic proximity for families, equal opportunities for all students and be fiscally responsible. Future master planning will explore long-term opportunities in Atkins based on demographic projections and residential development in the Benton Community School District.

Congratulations! #BeABobcat #APlaceToBelong

Kindergarten and Preschool Pre-Registration will be Monday, February 6, 2023 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at both Atkins Elementary & Keystone Elementary. #BeABobcat #APlaceToBelong

Lacey Johnson teaches 5th and 6th Grade Band at Norway Intermediate. She and her husband Owen have two daughters Aurora (2 years) and Sylvia (7 months), along with two cats and a dog. Mrs. Johnson loves teaching band here at Benton, spending time with her family, reading, traveling, and being creative.

Snow and temperature conditions are causing slick conditions on many of our county roads. Benton Community & Central Lutheran are on a 2-hour delay this morning, Wednesday, January 25. No early morning activities. Early dismissal is canceled. We will have school after the delay until the end of the regular school day.

Morning activities for Wednesday, January 25th, including morning weight room, have been cancelled. The weight room will be open Thursday morning before school.

Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau WaMaC Girls Conference Wrestling Tournament Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, at Williamsburg 1 Independence 220.0 2 Vinton-Shellsburg 183.0 3 Williamsburg 146.0 4 West Delaware, Manchester 129.0 5 Mount Vernon 116.0 6 Solon 93.0 7 South Tama County 82.0 8 Clear Creek-Amana 71.0 9 Center Point-Urbana 70.0 9 Marion 70.0 11 Benton Community 56.0 Benton results 110 - Katilynn Guldner (3-26) placed 8th and scored 1.0 team points. Quarterfinal - Bree Swenson (Vinton-Shellsburg) 38-4 won by fall over Katilynn Guldner (Benton Community) 3-26 (Fall 0:18) Cons. Round 2 - Kara VeDepo (Solon) 23-14 won by fall over Katilynn Guldner (Benton Community) 3-26 (Fall 0:33) Cons. Round 3 - Katilynn Guldner (Benton Community) 3-26 received a bye () (Bye) 7th Place Match - Addison Klenk (South Tama County) 14-15 won by medical forfeit over Katilynn Guldner (Benton Community) 3-26 (M. For.) 115 - Bailey Davis (18-18) placed 8th and scored 4.0 team points. Quarterfinal - Ellie Weets (Vinton-Shellsburg) 39-10 won by fall over Bailey Davis (Benton Community) 18-18 (Fall 2:35) Cons. Round 2 - Addesyn Welcher (West Delaware, Manchester) 20-13 won by fall over Bailey Davis (Benton Community) 18-18 (Fall 0:31) Cons. Round 3 - Bailey Davis (Benton Community) 18-18 won by fall over Taylor Johannsen (South Tama County) 3-29 (Fall 1:38) 7th Place Match - Hayden Wade (Williamsburg) 17-21 won by fall over Bailey Davis (Benton Community) 18-18 (Fall 3:22) 120 - Alexis Northcutt (9-23) placed 6th and scored 3.0 team points. Quarterfinal - Olivia Primrose (Vinton-Shellsburg) 21-15 won by fall over Alexis Northcutt (Benton Community) 9-23 (Fall 0:39) Cons. Round 2 - Alexis Northcutt (Benton Community) 9-23 received a bye () (Bye) Cons. Round 3 - Anna O`Rear (West Delaware, Manchester) 20-14 won by fall over Alexis Northcutt (Benton Community) 9-23 (Fall 2:46) 5th Place Match - Addison Connelly (Williamsburg) 2-2 won by fall over Alexis Northcutt (Benton Community) 9-23 (Fall 1:57) 125 - Amanda Schnor (14-16) placed 6th and scored 7.0 team points. Quarterfinal - Amanda Schnor (Benton Community) 14-16 won by decision over Eryca Martin (Vinton-Shellsburg) 8-23 (Dec 5-4) Semifinal - Ava Garcia (Williamsburg) 20-21 won by fall over Amanda Schnor (Benton Community) 14-16 (Fall 2:42) Cons. Round 3 - Alannah Mahoney (Solon) 11-17 won by fall over Amanda Schnor (Benton Community) 14-16 (Fall 1:29) 5th Place Match - Eryca Martin (Vinton-Shellsburg) 8-23 won by fall over Amanda Schnor (Benton Community) 14-16 (Fall 4:54) 130 - Kaitlyn Bonewitz (10-25) placed 8th and scored 6.0 team points. Champ. Round 1 - Kasey Nevins (Mount Vernon) 11-18 won by fall over Kaitlyn Bonewitz (Benton Community) 10-25 (Fall 2:39) Cons. Round 3 - Kaitlyn Bonewitz (Benton Community) 10-25 won by fall over Eleanor Gnida (Solon) 12-18 (Fall 3:28) 7th Place Match - Kasey Nevins (Mount Vernon) 11-18 won by fall over Kaitlyn Bonewitz (Benton Community) 10-25 (Fall 1:40) 135 - Lizzy Wolf (32-8) placed 3rd and scored 20.0 team points. Quarterfinal - Lizzy Wolf (Benton Community) 32-8 won by fall over Jordan Wheeler (Marion) 13-13 (Fall 1:51) Semifinal - Dakota Whitman (Independence) 39-3 won by fall over Lizzy Wolf (Benton Community) 32-8 (Fall 1:55) Cons. Round 3 - Lizzy Wolf (Benton Community) 32-8 won by fall over Meika Neal (Mount Vernon) 13-13 (Fall 1:30) 3rd Place Match - Lizzy Wolf (Benton Community) 32-8 won by fall over Halle Bormann (Clear Creek-Amana) 16-18 (Fall 3:24) 140 - Carlie Sims (10-22) placed 6th and scored 3.0 team points. Quarterfinal - Abigail O`Rear (West Delaware, Manchester) 21-13 won by fall over Carlie Sims (Benton Community) 10-22 (Fall 3:44) Cons. Round 2 - Carlie Sims (Benton Community) 10-22 received a bye () (Bye) Cons. Round 3 - Kenleigh Trumblee (Independence) 18-25 won by fall over Carlie Sims (Benton Community) 10-22 (Fall 1:22) 5th Place Match - Alexis Anderson (Solon) 14-26 won by fall over Carlie Sims (Benton Community) 10-22 (Fall 3:45) 155 - Emma Fennern (5-28) placed 7th and scored 2.0 team points. Quarterfinal - Gracie Pickney (Mount Vernon) 21-7 won by fall over Emma Fennern (Benton Community) 5-28 (Fall 1:05) Cons. Round 2 - Livvy Petlon (West Delaware, Manchester) 10-23 won by fall over Emma Fennern (Benton Community) 5-28 (Fall 1:40) 170 - Jessa DeMoss (17-10) placed 8th and scored 1.0 team points. Quarterfinal - Justyce Dominick (Vinton-Shellsburg) 22-10 won by fall over Jessa DeMoss (Benton Community) 17-10 (Fall 1:54) Cons. Round 2 - Ella Goedken (West Delaware, Manchester) 20-23 won by fall over Jessa DeMoss (Benton Community) 17-10 (Fall 1:31) 7th Place Match - Harper Griffin (Marion) 14-12 won by medical forfeit over Jessa DeMoss (Benton Community) 17-10 (M. For.) 235 - Mo Brown (10-19) placed 3rd and scored 9.0 team points. Semifinal - Paige Wolter (Williamsburg) 13-5 won by fall over Mo Brown (Benton Community) 10-19 (Fall 0:32) 155-JVA- Laynee Armstrong (0-1) placed 2nd. 1st Place Match - Kendra Lux (West Delaware, Manchester) 1-0 won by medical forfeit over Laynee Armstrong (Benton Community) 0-1 (M. For.) 155-JVB - Laynee Armstrong (0-1) placed 2nd. 1st Place Match - Bailey Madura (Solon) 1-0 won by medical forfeit over Laynee Armstrong (Benton Community) 0-1 (M. For.) 170-JV - Laynee Armstrong (0-1) placed 2nd. 1st Place Match - Mililley Mason (Benton Community) 1-0 won by fall over Laynee Armstrong (Benton Community) 0-1 (Fall 1:41) 170-JV - Mililley Mason (1-0) placed 1st. 1st Place Match - Mililley Mason (Benton Community) 1-0 won by fall over Laynee Armstrong (Benton Community) 0-1 (Fall 1:41) #BeABobcat #APlaceToBelong

FCCLA: There will be a last minute meet TODAY during Block 5 to talk about a new project. All are welcome.

Benton School Board Names 3 Finalists for Next District Superintendent January 24, 2023 VAN HORNE, IA — The Benton Community School District School Board screened six semifinalists for the district’s next superintendent in closed session on Thursday, January 19. Following the session, the board named three finalists: Dr. James Bieschke, Matt Kingsbury, and Anthony Ryan. Dr. Bieschke is the current associate superintendent and school business official at the Benton Community School District, where he is responsible for overall operations by working collaboratively with district directors of business services, transportation, technology, food service, and buildings and grounds. He also works directly with administrators in the academic and physical operations of each attendance center. He is also a member of the American Association of School Superintendents and was a finalist for the Iowa Secondary Principal of the Year in 2018. Previously, Dr. Bieschke served as high school principal at Benton Community High School. Kingsbury currently serves as the high school principal in the Vinton-Shellsburg CSD. In this position he leads a 9-12 building with 460 students and 60 staff members. He oversees the high school budget, monitors committees, manages staff recruitment & evaluations, and is responsible for the alternative school program. Kingsbury is a member of the Vinton Lions Club, serves on the Grant Wood Induction Steering Committee, and was a 2015 SAI Principal of the Year finalist. He previously served as a high school principal at Durant CSD and Columbus Junction CSD. As the PK-12 superintendent and director of special education of East Marshall CSD since 2016, Ryan has focused on establishing positive relationships, providing opportunities for enhancing professional skills, and embracing effective communication. In addition, Ryan has served in the American Association of School Administrators and Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. Ryan previously was the PK-12 superintendent at Centerville CSD. Board members have been working with Grundmeyer Leader Services to conduct the search. As a next step, the board and stakeholder interview teams will conduct final interviews with each of the three finalists on Tuesday, January 31. The board will then discuss the candidates and reach a final decision soon after the formal interviews. The next superintendent will begin serving the Benton Community School District effective July 1, 2023. ###

My name is Jeanette Ziegenhorn. I teach both art and technology at Atkins and only art at Keystone Elementary. It is my 4th year here in Benton Community School District. I love traveling and exploring new places! My most recent adventure was to Medellin, Colombia.

Benton Community School Board and administration shared information at Atkins Elementary tonight about Facilities Improvements for the upcoming G.O. Bond on March 7

#BeABobcat #APlaceToBelong

Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau BC teams travel to Waverly for basketball; also face South Tama Benton Community girls’ basketball Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, at South Tama No. 4 Benton (13-2) 67, South Tama (1-15) 12 BC 26 26 6 9 – 67 ST 0 6 2 4 – 12 Scoring 15 points each for Benton were Emma Townsley and Jenna Twedt. Aubrey Kelly had seven rebounds. Twedt had five assists and five steals. Aburey Kelly had two blocks. South Tama statistics are coming. Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, at Waverly No. 4 Benton (14-2) 60, No. 9 Waverly-Shell Rock (10-4) 45 BC 14 19 12 15 – 60 WSR 10 15 7 1 3 – 45 Jenna Twedt scored 17 points. Emma Townsley had 15 for Benton. Piper Nelson added 12. McKenna Kramer had 11. Piper Nelson had five rebounds. Twedt had seven assists. Townsley had three steals. Waverly-Shell Rock was led by Katelyn Eggena with 19 points. Benton hosts Williamsburg (3-12) on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, and they travel to No. 7 Clear Creek Amana (11-2) on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023. Benton boys’ basketball Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, at Van Horne Benton (4-9) 66, South Tama (2-12) 38 ST 7 11 8 1 2 – 38 BC 16 14 13 23 – 66 Noah Franck led Benton with 23 points. Cael Kaestner had six rebounds. Owen Tjelmeland had six assists. With two steals each were Tjelmeland, Evan Daugherty and Easton Patterson. Franck had two blocks. South Tama statistics are coming. Benton travels to Williamsburg (10-3) on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, and hosts Clear Creek-Amana (2-10) on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023. Saturday, Jan. 21 2023, at Waverly Waverly-Shell Rock (10-4) 64, Benton (4-10) 60 BC 9 16 14 21 - 60 WSR 14 17 15 18 - 64 Wyatt Rinderknecht led Benton with 13 points. Blake Daugherty added 11. With five rebounds each were Rinderknecht and Kolby Wenger. Quincy Gilbert had three assists. Evan Daugherty had four steals. Noah Frazell led WSR with 20 points. GIRLS BC STC Field goals 21/47 3-pointers 9/23 Free throws 16/26 Rebounds 43 Assists 16 Steals 17 Blocks 4 Turnovers 13 Fouls 5 BOYS STC BC Field goals 26/55 3-pointers 9/23 Free throws 5/6 Rebounds 34 Assists 21 Steals 9 Blocks 5 Turnovers 18 Fouls 10 GIRLS BC WSR Field goals 23/50 15/36 3-pointers 9/26 5/15 Free throws 5/6 10/16 Rebounds 25 22 Assists 14 10 Steals 6 1 Blocks 0 1 Turnovers 3 9 Fouls 18 10 BOYS BC WSR Field goals 21/58 22/50 3-pointers 13/32 14/30 Free throws 5/6 6/10 Rebounds 29 30 Assists 16 17 Steals 6 9 Blocks 0 1 Turnovers 10 10 Fouls 10 10

Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau Benton bowling travels to Vinton Jan. 20, 2034 at Berry Lanes, Vinton BOYS Round 1 - Individual Games Game 1 Game 2 Totals 1. Brandon Schultz 170 203 373 2. Cade Volesky 182 138 320 3. Gage Offill 180 152 332 4. Brayden Boone 137 194 331 5. Mason Stone 183 123 306 6. Nathan Rottman 170 152 322 Total 1678 Baker Games - 697 Round 1 - 1,678 Match Total - 2,375 Vinton-Shellsburg Baker Games - 765 Round 1 - 1,655 Match Total - 2,420 GIRLS Round 1 - Individual Games Game 1 Game 2 Totals 1. Destiny Lindsey 131 124 255 2. Cali Nolte 134 105 239 3. Janessa Bries 164 139 303 4. Hope Heck 125 99 224 5. Sydney Rupp 103 100 203 6. Brooke DeRycke 156 150 306 Total 1327 Baker Games - 696 Round 1 - 1,327 Match Total - 2,023 Vinton-Shellsburg Baker Games - 748 Round 1 - 1,728 Match Total - 2,476 #BeABobcat #APlaceToBelong

HS Girls Soccer Players: Reminder to turn in your jersey money to Amy in the Activities Office by Thursday.