Benton Community School District

Samantha answers the question, Why did you choose Benton? During one of my student teaching experiences I taught with Mrs. Gleason at Atkins Elementary, during my time there I fell in love with the community atmosphere of the district. Benton Community is truly a place to belong.

During the early release today, staff had the opportunity to review school-wide data, learn about behavior specific praise, and collaborate with their teammates.

Benton Runs at Grinnell CC Invite -Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau- Grinnell Invitational Sept. 5, 2023 Girls’ 5K Pella 18 Williamsburg 60 Benton Community 98 Grinnell 113 Newton 126 Knoxville 140 Benton girls 3 Jaida Lyons 20:31.2 16 Kyra Kauder 23:48.7 34 Layna DeMoss 25:42.7 39 Lizzy Wolf 26:01.8 55 Alex Welte 29:03.9 56 Libi Frese 29:03.9 65 Mary Phillips 32:13.6 Boys’ 5K Pella 18 South Tama 76 Williamsburg 90 Grinnell 101 Newton 131 Knoxville 139 Benton 173 Benton boys 23 Caleb Olson 18:43.5 46 Luke Lange 19:58.8 48 Noah Pickart 20:10.1 66 Brian Araiza 20:50.0 74 Marcus Ricklefs 21:27.6 78 Luis Araiza 21:40.0 81 Parker Mitchell 21:51.1 87 Colin Reiners 22:29.0 88 Ethan Schwake 23:15.4 92 Jonathon Sadler 23:45.4 104 Nathan Becker 27:48.6 113 Andrew Hines 31:46.8

Did you know Benton Community collaborates with Kirkwood Community College to offer students the opportunity to take a series of courses around patient care? These students were caught studying for their Health Careers course. A few specific courses within this sequence will provide the students with the option to earn their Certified Nursing Assistant license while in high school.

There was a great deal of excitement about library checkout at Keystone Elementary! Mrs. Welsh's 2nd grade class was showing off what they checked out on their way back to the classroom.

"My favorite thing about being a Bobcat is the students, parents and community members of this great district! I have been fortunate to serve this district and meet so many great individuals. The tradition of excellence that Benton is known for truly inspires people to work together to ensure Benton Community is always “A Place to Belong”!"

School will dismiss at 1:00 p.m. today, Wednesday, September 6. #BeABobcat #APlaceToBelong

Mac and cheese was on the menu today and proved to be a fan favorite!

Musical and Academic Excellence The Iowa High School Music Association has an academic achievement award based on the first semester grades of all students in that ensemble. Ensembles with over a 3.25 GPA are considered ensembles with Distinguished Academic Achievement. For the 2022-2023 school year both the Concert Band and Marching Bobcats had an average GPA of 3.59. While the members of the First Street Jazz Ensemble had an average GPA of 3.81. We are always proud of the numerous activities and sports that band students are involved in outside of band, but frequently do not get enough credit for their academics successes in the classroom. So if you see any of these students, please give them a big congratulations! They have earned it! -Mr. Jared Lancaster 9-12 High School Band Director

The Marching Bobcats performed in the Blairstown Sauerkraut Days parade on Saturday, Sept. 2nd.

Benton Volleyball -courtesy of Jim Magdefrau- Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 BCLUW Comet Round Robin Tournament North Polk 2, Benton 0 BC 14 19 NP 21 21 BCLUW 2, Benton 0 BC 12 21 BCLUW 21 23 Benton 2, Wapsie Valley 1 BC 18 21 15 WV 21 19 8

BC gets second win for season in non-district contest against Marion -courtesy of Jim Magdefrau- Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, at Van Horne Benton 38, Marion 7 M 0 0 0 7 – 7 BC 7 17 7 7 – 38 Benton’s Owen Tjelmeland was 3 for 4 in passing for 47 yards. Mayson Mitchell caught one for nine yards. Easton Pfiffner caught two for 38 yards. The Bobcats rushed for 287 yards. Owen Tjelmeland had 18 carries for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Brenden Heying had one carry for four yards. Blayke Heying had six carries for 38 yards and one touchdown. Carson Bruns had 25 carries for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Pfiffner had four carries for 26 yards. Pfiffner had 5.5 total tackles with five solo. Dylan LeFebvere had 4.5 tackles with four solo. Pfiffner also had one sack. Mitchell recovered one fumble. Jace Biery had one interception. Carson Nolan had two punt returns for 13 yards. Brody Timmerman had one return for eight yards. Eli Kupka had two punts for 59 yards. Benton (2-0) travels to Mount Vernon (2-0) on Friday, Sept. 8, at First Street Field.

Bobcats win 38-7

We've got S-P-I-R-I-T! Yeah Yeah! Fall pep rally today at the MS/HS!! Make sure to check out our activities schedule and see what our Bobcats are up to this fall season!

Bobcats host Marion tonight in non-district action. Freshmen start at 5 p.m. and Varsity at 7:30 p.m. Youth flag football, MYFA, and BC Middle School football teams will also be recognized at tonight's game. Get out under the lights tonight and support all our football programs!! Go Bobcats!

BC middle school students spend the morning cleaning up around the school campus showing Bobcat pride and responsibility. Thank you, Bobcats!

"I choose to teach at Benton because we have the best students and wonderful teachers that I feel so lucky to teach and work beside every day."

The early dismissal held today provided time for staff to calibrate after the first week of school, collaborate with each other, and prepare for fall assessments and other classroom related content.

Benton travels to Williamsburg for Cross Country - Courtesy of Jim Magdefrau- Williamsburg Invitational Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023 Williamsburg Recreation Department Girls’ varsity Williamsburg 64 PCM Monroe 72 Oskaloosa 88 Davis County Bloomfield 108 Benton Community 130 Newton 139 Montezuma 170 Grinnell 174 Waterloo Christian 234 Iowa Valley Marengo 247 Boys varsity Williamsburg 60 South Tama 66 Newton 85 Oskaloosa 85 Grinnell 102 Davis County Bloomfield 157 Benton Community 194 Lynnville-Sully 234 PCM Monroe 260 HLV Victor 265 Montezuma 314 Waterloo Christian 326 Belle Plaine 365 Junior varsity girls Williamsburg 27 Davis County Bloomfield 45 Benton Community 63 Newton 88 Junior varsity boys Williamsburg 30 Grinnell 49 Benton Community 84 Davis County Bloomfield 108 Oskaloosa 112 Newton 126 Benton results Varsity Boys 5K 9 Isaac Morris 18:39.4 18 Caleb Olson 19:00.3 46 Luke Lange 21:13.4 55 Marcus Ricklefs 21:41.8 69 Parker Mitchell 22:46.0 70 Luis Araiza 23:07.3 JV Boys 5K 7 Noah Pickart 20:30.0 16 Ethan Schwake 21:48.2 19 Colin Reiners 21:53.7 23 Brian Araiza 22:01.2 32 Jonathon Sadler 23:09.2 64 Nathan Becker 30:14.8 Varsity Girls 5K 2 Jaida Lyons 21:32.1 6 Abbie Jones 22:53.2 30 Kyra Kauder 25:25.6 44 Lizzy Wolf 28:12.7 61 Mary Phillips 31:29.5 JV Girls 5K 1 Layna Demoss 25:55.4 9 Libi Frese 29:01.7 24 Jessa Demoss 35:36.5 25 McKenna Kramer 35:36.7 26 Ana Glawe 35:49.9

My name is Kim Fisher and I serve as an Instructional Coach and PK-6 Curriculum and Professional Development Leader for the district. I was born and raised in this great district and am proudly entering my 19th year as an employee. I live in Van Horne with my husband (Ryan), and three boys (Aidan-7th grade, Brooks-3rd grade, Dierks-1st grade). I continue to choose Benton because this community molded me into the person I am today and I want to pay it forward to other Bobcats.