Dear Bobcat Families,

I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving. We are now in the home stretch of our first semester. December is the month of finishing strong. Please take time to log on to PowerSchool and check your student's grades. Your student’s grades will be final on December 20th. Your student’s report cards will be mailed on December 23rd. We encourage all students to remain focused so they can finish strong academically.

Quarter 2 Benchmark Testing will occur on Tuesday, December 10^th, and Thursday, December 12th.  As always, please ensure your student gets plenty of rest, eats a healthy breakfast, and attends school each day prepared to learn.  Please remember that breakfast is served each morning in the cafeteria from 7:30 to 7:50 a.m.

December is also a great time for your yearly tax credit contribution. Tax credit contributions are a 100% dollar-for-dollar credit. For those who pay Arizona state taxes, for every dollar that is contributed, 100% will be returned in your state tax return. Single people can contribute up to $200 annually, and married couples up to $400 annually.  Many of our extra-curricular programs at Benson Middle School depend on tax credits to function. Tax credit contributions can be given to any club, sport, fine arts program, activity, or the greatest need. See the attached tax credit information, or contact Mrs. Sutton in the front office, for more information on how to contribute. I would like to thank you in advance for contributing your tax credits to any of our programs here at BMS.

Finally, the joy of the holiday season is upon us! As families begin to prepare, don’t forget to slow down and take time for one other. Distractions can easily get in the way of true family time. For our On TRACK Dare this month, we encourage you to have a No Technology Dinner Night with everyone storing cell phones and other distractions away and enjoying a meal or snack together. Enjoy this month’s On TRACK Dare and feel free to contact us with questions.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thomas Webb Sr., Proud Principal