Benton Community School District

Benton Softball and Baseball, Week of June 17th, 2024 -Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau Benton Community Softball Monday, June 17, 2024, at Solon No. 2 Benton (19-3) vs No. 10 Solon (8-13) doubleheader. 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, at Van Horne No. 4 Mount Vernon (19-7) vs No. 2 Benton. Doubleheader. 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 21, 2024, at Brian Erbe End of Season Classic, Cedar Rapids Jefferson Bettendorf (7-11) vs Benton, 2:15 p.m. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (14-8) vs Benton, 5:45 p.m. Benton Community Baseball Monday, June 17, 2024, at Solon Benton (20-6) vs Solon (15-7) doubleheader, 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at Anamosa Benton vs. Anamosa (13-5) 7 p.m. Thursday, June 20, 2024 Mount Vernon (9-10) vs. Benton. doubleheader. 5 p.m.

Benton Community School District is proud to share Alumni Spotlights focusing on "Where are you now?" If you would be interested in sharing your post-graduation journey with us, we would love to hear from you! https://forms.gle/xe3KwMKkWkB8FLcN9

The Iowa State Board of Education has adopted an updated version of math standards for student learning. These teachers spent time learning about the updates from a team at the Iowa Department of Education. More evidence of the Bobcat Wheel in motion!

Administrators spent time in a leadership camp focused on standards and professional growth processes. This learning was delivered by Dr. Denise Schares from UNI and was made possible through a grant from the Kern Family Foundation.

High School Band and Choir recently traveled to Disney, Magic Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Epcot. While at Disney, they went to an "Engineering a Theme Park" workshop. Students were able to work with the staff at Disney, as well as each other, to design their own theme park. Everyone had a great time!

Atkins Public Library 480 3rd Avenue, Atkins, IA The 2024 Summer Reading Program is approaching fast! Our theme this year is Read, Renew, Repeat. Each week will be a different topic, but focusing on how we can reuse and recycle things we find in our everyday lives. We will be reading books, doing activities and crafts, along with having speakers come to visit us. If you would like to register your child (going in to 4 year old preschool through 5th Grade) please fill out the google form 2024 Summer Reading Program Google Form The dates and times are listed below, but you will also receive an email confirmation once you fill out the google form. Dates and Times: Please do not drop your child off until the time of the program each week, and if they are under the age of 10 they will need to be picked up within 15 minutes Preschool & Kindergarten: Mon., July 8th @10:00-11:00 am (Paint and Plant) Mon., July 15th @10:00-11:00 am (I'm Trying to Love Garbage) Mon., July 22nd @10:00-11:00 am (Cicadas) Mon., July 29th @10:00-11:00 am (Game Day) 1st-5th Grade: Tues., July 9th @1:30-3:00pm (Paint and Plant) Tues., July 16th @1:30-3:00pm (I'm Trying to Love Garbage) Tues., July 23rd @1:30-3:00pm (Cicadas) Tues., July 30th @1:30-3:00pm (Game Day)

Teachers and associates from across the district came together for shared learning today around the topic of Visual Supports in the Classroom. The Benton Community core value of Continuous Growth is in practice as this group collaboratively engages in this learning in order to support students.

Benton softball and baseball, week of June 10, 2024 -Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau BENTON SOFTBALL Monday, June 10, 2024, at Van Horne Marion (8-7) vs No. 2 Benton (11-3) (two games) Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at South Tama Benton vs. South Tama (0-10) (two games) Friday, June 14, 2024, Kiwanis tourney at Roland-Hennessy Diamonds Benton vs. Gilbert (7-4), 9:30 a.m. Benton vs. No. 10 ADM (10-6), 3 p.m. Saturday, June 15, 2024, Kiwanis tourney at Roland-Hennessy Diamonds Benton vs. Perry (4-7), 3 p.m. Benton vs. Roland Story (4-8), 7 p.m. BENTON BASEBALL Monday, June 10, 2024, at Van Horne. 5 p.m. (two games) Marion (15-1) vs. Benton (15-4) Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at Van Horne. 5 p.m. (two games) West Delaware (3-10) vs. Benton Thursday, June 13, 2024, at South Tama. 5 p.m. (two games) Benton vs. South Tama (1-12) Friday, June 14, 2024, at West Branch. 7 p.m. Benton vs. West Branch (5-4)

Bobcat softball will be hosting a Cancer Awareness night on July 1st. BC vs North Linn beginning 5:30pm. Check out the t-shirts available to support cancer awareness. Elite will be donating $5 per shirt back to the Tatum Schroeder family.

#BeABobcat #APlaceToBelong

"My favorite part about working at Benton is our kids/students. We have amazing kids that making come to work every day rewarding and truly enjoyable."

Congratulations to Quincy Gilbert, Casey Gessner, Ty Kulbartz, Kade Andrew, Caleb Gessner, and Jonah Gorsh. Way to go Bobcats!

My name is Jason West, Principal at Atkins Elementary. My wife and I along with our two boys live in the community of Atkins. We moved to the area from Des Moines in 2007 and have enjoyed being a part of such a great community.

Benton baseball and softball, Week of June 3, 2024 -Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau Benton baseball Monday, June 3, 2024 Benton 8, Independence 3 BC 001 100 6 - 8 I 000 300 0 - 3 Wyatt Rinderknecht had two hits, scored two and had one RBI. He had one double. Drew Fellenworth struck out 5. Benton 10, Independence 5 BC 216 010 0 - 10 I 021 011 0 - 5 Eli Patterson had two hits. Casey Gessner had one hit and scored one. He had one stolen base. Adam Roos struck out seven in five innings of work. Tuesday, June 4, 2024 Monticello at Benton, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, 2024 Iowa City Regina at Benton, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 6, 2024 Vinton Shellsburg at Benton, 5 p.m. Benton softball Monday, June 3, 2024, at Independence Independence 10, No. 4 Benton 9 Benton 4, Independence 3 Wednesday, June 5, 2024 Vinton-Shellsburg at Benton, 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 7, 2024 Benton at Waverly-Shell Rock, 5:30 p.m.

I chose to work at Benton Community in 1997 as a Business teacher at the MS/HS. It was my first teaching job out of college and I couldn’t have been happier. I was so fortunate to have fabulous mentors who helped guide me as a new teacher. I was also blessed that Benton provided me with a philosophical foundation of what it means to be a teacher. I left the district to pursue a head coaching position and instantly realized that not all schools were like Benton Community which I so naively thought. After a decade away from the district I received the honor of a lifetime through a phone call offering me the Benton High School Principal position from Mr. Zittergruen in 2007. Little did I know then that I would have another honor of a lifetime when I was offered the privilege of serving as the superintendent at Benton Community! My favorite thing about being a Bobcat is the ability to work side by side with students, staff, and a community that values education while also valuing the great people of this district. We have had a fabulous school year and accomplished so many positive outcomes. I look forward to next year and the improvements we can achieve working together as Bobcats! Dr. James Bieschke Superintendent

Benton softball and baseball, week of May 27, 2024 -Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau BENTON SOFTBALL Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at Van Horne No. 5 Benton 2, Monticello 1 M 000 000 1 - 1 BC 001 010 x - 2 Anna Glawe, 2 hits, 1 RBI, 1 double. Jessa DeMoss, 11 strikeouts in 7 innings Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at Van Horne Benton 7, Williamsburg 3 W 100 000 2 - 3 BC 003 031 x - 7 No statistics yet. Williamsburg 10, Benton 6 W 133 210 0 - 10 BC 100 013 1 - 6 No statistics yet. BENTON BASEBALL Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Van Horne Williamsburg (4-3) vs. Benton (6-4) 5 p.m. Friday, May 31, 2024 at East Marshall Benton vs. East Marshall (3-4) 7 p.m.

WaMaC teams are announced for girls soccer -Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau WaMaC East Division All-Conference Girls Soccer 2023-2024 First Team 1. Emily Bowe - Center Point Urbana 2. Lily Miller – Center Point Urbana 3. Addy Tupa – Center Point Urbana 4. Payton Libolt – Center Point Urbana 5. Marcelina Weber – Independence 6. Bella Louvar – Independence 7. Peyton Youngblut – Independence 8. Izzy Logue – Mount Vernon 9. Timber Scholl – Mount Vernon 10. Kennedy Moore – Mount Vernon 11. Katelyn Allison – Marion 12. Anna Shelton – Marion 13. Rose McAtee – Solon 14. Avery Kartman – West Delaware Second Team 1. Logan Keller – Center Point Urbana 2. Emerson Fleming – Center Point Urbana 3. Josie Klett – Center Point Urbana 4. Olivia Albert – Independence 5. Gracee Cornwell – Independence 6. Mackenzie Wilson – Independence 7. Clare Nydegger – Mount Vernon 8. Adeline Whisner – Mount Vernon 9. Miranda Sellner – Mount Vernon 10. Josie Logan – Marion 11. Amerie Hall – Marion 12. Grace Yetley – Solon 13. Audrey Heineman – Solon 14. Sarah Perez – West Delaware 15. Izzy Schmitz – West Delaware Wamac Recognition Award 1. Avery Sweeney – Center Point Urbana 2. Reese Johannes– Center Point Urbana 3. Emelia Lange – Independence 4. Claire Cahalan – Independence 5. Selah Hill-Dale – Marion 6. Kiaya Claypool – Marion\ 7. Cana Safo – Mount Vernon 8. Lillian Gaiser – Mount Vernon 9. Sofia Ortega – Solon 10. Sophia Link – Solon 11. Kayleigh Haan – West Delaware 12. Madelynn Zehr – West Delaware Girls Soccer Player of the Year (Wamac East Division) : Addison Lange – Independence WaMaC West Division All-Conference Girls Soccer 2023-2024 First Team 1. Sadie Burke – Vinton Shellsburg 2.Ashlyn Murray – Vinton Shellsburg 3. Addy Phippen – Vinton Shellsburg 4. Bree Swenson – Vinton Shellsburg 5. Halle Bormann – Clear Creek Amana 6. Eva Plathe – Clear Creek Amana 7. Alannah McKibben – Clear Creek Amana 8. Piper Nelson – Benton Community 9. Ashlee Michels – Benton Community 10. Sandreana Lamer – Benton Community 11. London Cook – Williamsburg 12. Clara Sinclair - Williamsburg 13. Andrea Padilla Olide – South Tama Second Team 1. Camden Erhardt – Vinton Shellsburg 2. Payton LeFevere – Vinton Shellsburg 3. Lainey Phippen – Vinton Shellsburg 4. Ashlynne Bode – Clear Creek Amana 5. Kendyl Malli – Clear Creek Amana 6. Ellery Sandersfeld – Clear Creek Amana 7. Haley McMahon – Benton Community 8. Ellie Williamson – Benton Community 9. Kiera Coffin – Benton Community 10. Alexis Dayton – Williamsburg 11. Cady Campbell – Williamsburg 12. Evelyn Fonseca – South Tama Wamac Recognition Award 1. Kennedy Donald – Benton Community 2. Evelyn Mahan – Benton Community 3. Addison Gisleson – Clear Creek Amana 4. Kylie Koehn – Clear Creek Amana 5. Valery Avalos – South Tama 6. Daniela Pantaleoni – Martin – South Tama 7. Mac Goodell – Vinton Shellsburg 8. Brynn Wilden – Vinton Shellsburg 9. Caitlyn Cronbaugh – Williamsburg 10. Maddie Kirby – Williamsburg Girls Soccer Player of the Year (Wamac West Division) : Halle Bormann – Clear Creek Amana

WaMaC all-conference boys soccer teams are announced -Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau WaMaC East Division All-Conference Boys Soccer 2023-2024 First Team 1. Jarret Koppedryer – Center Point Urbana 2. Brody Behrens – Center Point Urbana 3. Gage Peirce – Center Point Urbana 4. Tate Krebsbach – Center Point Urbana 5. Jordan Fischer – Marion 6. Cole Angell – Marion 7. Sawyer Udelhofen – Marion 8. Landon Tilkes – Marion 9. Luke Stephens – Mount Vernon 10. Gavin Plathe – Mount Vernon 11. Josiah Hale – Solon 12. Eli Freerks – Solon 13. Andrew Rottinghaus – Independence 14. Ethan Grawe – West Delaware Second Team 1. Jared Boesenburg – Center Point Urbana 2. Will Cardo – Center Point Urbana 3. Dan Grieff – Center Point Urbana 4. Colby Krupski – Marion 5. Patrick Flanagan – Marion 6. Tobin Holland – Marion 7. TJ Nosbisch – Mount Vernon 8. Jaxon Anderson – Mount Vernon 9. Ryan Locke - Solon 10. Collin Mckie – Solon 11. Campbell Schwartz – Independence 12. Tyler Nolan – Independence 13. Keegan Carnicle – West Delaware Wamac Recognition Award 1.Bryker Langfald – Marion 2. Brandon Cole – Marion 3. Drew Schellhorn – Center Point Urbana 4. Bradley Jones – Center Point Urbana 5. Carter Homan – Independence 6. Myles Reidy – Independence 7. Oliver Hinrichs – Mount Vernon 8. Matthew Mayhew – Mount Vernon 9. Bryan Petrie – Solon 10. Caden Mai – Solon 11. Adam Cook – West Delaware 12. Zach Kramer – West Delaware Boys Soccer Player of the Year (Wamac East Division): Cole Angel – Marion WaMaC West Division All-Conference Boys Soccer 2023-2024 First Team 1. Caleb Gessner – Benton Community 2. Ty Kulbartz – Benton Community 3. Quincy Gilbert – Benton Community 4. Parker Mitchell – Benton Community 5. Abdala Ebdala – Clear Creek Amana 6. Abner Godoy-Pacheco – Clear Creek Amana 7. Aiden Gross – Clear Creek Amana 8. Evan Streit – Clear Creek Amana 9. Logan Rethwisch – Williamsburg 10. Max Wodianka- Williamsburg 11. Caleb Mohr – Williamsburg 12. Braysen Dohermann – Williamsburg 13. Jeff Sieck – Grinnell 14. Jack Hoopes - Grinnell 15. Francesco Capozzoli – South Tama 16. Brant Dickinson – Vinton Shellsburg Second Team 1. Casey Gessner – Benton Community 2. Eli Kupka – Benton Community 3. Jace Biery – Benton Community 4. Cade Mineart – Clear Creek Amana 5. Luke Niblo – Clear Creek Amana 6. Jordan Alavez – Clear Creek Amana 7. Ian Stumpff – Williamsburg 8. John Eichhorn – Williamsburg 9. Gunnar Van Hyfte – Williamsburg 10. Brayden Graff – Grinnell 11. Beaux Blanchard – Grinnell 12. Eric Medina – South Tama 13. Ramiro Saqic – South Tama 14. Cal Lessig – Vinton Shellsburg Wamac Recognition Award 1. Jonah Gorsh - Benton Community 2. Troy Kupka – Benton Community 3. Jake Carlson - Clear Creek-Amana 4. Sam Strank – Clear Creek Amana 5. Anthony Torres – Grinnell 6. Brody Petig – Grinnell 7. Manuel Cervantes – South Tama 8. Amare Chavez – South Tama 9. Vann Lessig – Vinton Shellsburg 10. Kyler Messer – Vinton Shellsburg 11. Simeon Armbrecht – Williamsburg\ 12. Colby McMullin – Williamsburg Boys Soccer Player of the Year (Wamac West Division): Abdala Ebdala – Clear Creek Amana

"I chose Benton or rather Benton chose me 21 years ago. I have the pleasure of working with students and staff in our Norway Center as I have just completed my 5th year as the building administrator. Benton is a special place that I am proud to call home and excited for all the possibilities our own 4 children get to experience during their time here."

The Norway Intermediate student send-off was full of high-fives, smiles, hugs, and even a few bittersweet tears. Enjoy your summer, Bobcats!