Please be sure to follow me on X (Formerly Known As Twitter @BensonTechPride.) (X)

Please be sure to go to our PPS/BHS Website at www.pps.net/benson for important school information, events and school activities that will be happening throughout the school year. (PPS/Benson Tech Website Calendar)

Parents/Guardians please be sure to download the Trivory App for up to date information regarding Benson Tech. This is a great communication tool for Benson Tech and we highly encourage all parents/guardians and students to stay connected with the school by downloading the app. https://trivory.com/

(Trivory App)

Principal Wilson

Beginning Feb. 1, schools, museums and communities across the nation will mark the start of Black History Month — a celebration of Black history, culture and education.

The history of the month dates back almost a century, and the way it is celebrated and evolved has created history in itself.

Black History Month wasn't always a monthlong celebration. In February 1926, historian and author Carter G. Woodson created Negro History Week. It was a weeklong celebration in an effort to teach people about African-American history and the contributions of Black people.

This effort was made under the umbrella of an organization he founded in September 1915 called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, or ASALH.

"I think Black folks understood what they had contributed to America's historical narrative, but no one was talking about it," said Kaye Whitehead, the organization's president. "No one was centralizing it until Dr. Carter G. Woodson was in 1926."

After he passed away in 1950, the members of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, which Dr. Woodson was a member of, did a lot of groundwork to encourage celebrating the week. The fraternity was also responsible for the push to extend the celebrations to a full month. Eventually, in 1976, President Gerald Ford became the first president to issue a message recognizing the month.

Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today.

Benson Tech Administration

Dear Benson Tech Community,

Please click on the link below to read the message from Portland Public Schools regarding their steadfast support of our LGBTQ2SIA+ youth in our communities.

https://secure.smore.com/n/7t0cr-supporting-our-lgbtq2sia-community

Portland Public Schools

Let’s join Governor Tina Kotek in celebrating the amazing School Counselors across our state and especially here at Benson Tech. National School Counseling Week 2025, "School Counseling: Helping Students Thrive," is celebrated February 3rd-7th, 2025, to focus public attention on the unique contribution of School Counselors within U.S. school systems. National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact School Counselors have in supporting students' mental health and well-being, academic achievement and career planning for their future. School Counselors help create a safe and supportive learning environment for each and every student regardless of students’ background or circumstances. The Benson Tech Administration would like to personally thank Amy Henry, Morgan McFadden, Christy Wheeler and Kathleen Reid for all they do in supporting our students throughout the school year.

Benson Tech Administration

SAT/PreACT Update

The SAT exam will be held on March 5th, 2024. This exam is for current 11th grade students only. This exam will be digital and will require school issued Chromebooks. No sign up needed.

The PreACT exam originally scheduled for October 16th, 2024 has been moved to March 5th. This exam is for 10th grade students and will be a paper/pencil exam. No sign-up needed.

More information and updates will be forthcoming as we near the testing date.

Semester 1 Report Cards

Students and families, semester one report cards will be viewable on StudentVue and ParentVue under the documents tab by January 30th. This year Portland Public School is using all electronic report cards, unless there has been a special request for a paper copy to be mailed to you. Contact Shana Corah at scorah@pps.net with questions.

Semester 2 Class Schedules

Schedules for semester 2 are visible on StudentVue and ParentVue. Schedule change requests will only be considered for student missing courses or needing a level change. Teacher or elective course preference requests will not be considered. Students must drop by counseling before school, at lunch, and after school. Counselors will not be available during class time for course change requests. The last day to drop or change classes is February 19th.

Forecasting for Next Year's Classes

Current students in grades 9-11 will be receiving lessons and having consultation with their counselors in the coming month in order to choose their courses for the 25-26 school year. Forecasting is a great time to talk with your student about their high school and post high school plans. Our course guide and counselor forecasting presentation resources are viewable on our school website at pps.net/benson under the counseling menu. The dates for course selection by grade level are as follows:

Current Juniors: Jan 29-Feb 3

Current Sophomores: Feb 4-7

Current Freshman: Feb 10-13

--

Sara Callies (she/her/hers)

Vice Principal

Benson Polytechnic High School

503-916-5100

Latino Network invites you to a community forum to learn more about:
Federal changes to immigration laws and practices, how to protect your family and community how school districts are protecting their students and families, how to prepare for these times with the Protect your Family package Information about resources offered by Latino Network

When: Wednesday, February 5th, 2025
Hours: 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Where: La Plaza Esperanza, 16515 SE Oak, Portland

Please do not park in the Boys and Girls Club parking lot. Please look for space on nearby streets. Please share this invitation-only in trusted spaces. Do not share it on social networks or in WhatsApp groups.

Latino Network les invita a un foro comunitario para conocer más acerca de:

• los cambios federales a leyes y prácticas migratorios,
• cómo proteger a su familia y comunidad
• cómo los distritos escolares están protegiendo a sus estudiantes y familias,
• cómo prepararse para estos tiempos con el paquete Proteja su Familia
• Información sobre recursos que ofrece Latino Network

Cuándo: miércoles, 5 de febrero, 2025
Horario: 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Dónde: La Plaza Esperanza, 16515 SE Oak, Portland

Favor de no estacionarse en el estacionamiento de Boys and Girls Club. Favor de buscar espacio en las calles cercanas.

Favor de compartir esta invitación únicamente en espacios de confianza. No lo compartan en las redes sociales o en grupos de What's App.

Seniors (and Parents) -

Please make sure to complete your FAFSA or ORSAA as soon as possible. Some funds are first-come, first-served.

Join us in the College/Career Center on Thursday & Friday at flex for OSAC Snack Attack. Get support completing important applications to get money for 4-year college, community college, trade school, and more...plus there will be DONUTS!

For information on applying to college, how to apply for the FAFSA or ORSAA, and other upcoming events and opportunities, check out the College Newsletter. If you have questions, please reach out to Kathleen Reid, College Counselor, kreid@pps.net or Katie Clark, College Coordinator, kclark@pps.net

February 6th – McDonald’s HACER Scholarship deadline (2.8 minimum GPA, Latinx background)

Please make sure to complete your FAFSA or ORSAA as soon as possible. Some funds are first-come, first-served.

For information on applying to college, how to apply for the FAFSA or ORSAA, and other upcoming events and opportunities, check out the College Newsletter. If you have questions, please reach out to Kathleen Reid, College Counselor, kreid@pps.net or Katie Clark, College Coordinator, kclark@pps.net

------

Kathleen Reid (she/her)

College Counselor/AVID Coordinator

Benson Tech High School

Call/Text 971-238-8322

Set up an appointment with me HERE

Benson's AVID 11 class is giving you the best reason to indulge in a dozen (or two) Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Until February 9, 2025, 50% of your order will go to the AVID 11 class who will donate all proceeds to support youth in foster care. Simply buy online, visit your local store & redeem using your code. Treat yourself or even gift them to friends and family here: grouprai.se/krispykreme53950sa

Greetings, Tech Families!

• The Benson Wellness Center offers Sports Physicals! Check out the website for information about how to schedule. Students are welcome to stop in room 107 before/after school, during lunch, and between classes to schedule an appointment. Parents can call 503-418-0409. Messages left on Friday will be returned the following Monday. You can also use mychart

The Snacks and Stress group starts in a couple of weeks. It's for 9th-10th graders who are struggling with the effects of stress: anxiety, depression, and harmful habits. See the flyer for more details, and feel free to contact me with any questions!

Sincerely,

Caroline Bleckmann, LCSW, She/her

School Social worker, Benson Polytechnic High School

For all meeting requests click here or use google calendar for PPS employees

Benson staff referral form

Benson Wellness Center

Benson Community Resources

Cell/Non-urgent texting: 503-729-3486

Monday-Friday, 8-4:00

How can the School Social Worker help me?

Outside of office hours, if you or your loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call the Multnomah County Crisis line at 503-988-4888.

Career News: Please check out Benson Tech's Career Opportunities board for an updated list of current opportunities for all grade levels. If you have any questions or need help applying, please connect with Jzalana Bethune-Summers, Career Coordinator, in the College and Career Center or email jbethunesummers@pps.net.

Thank you!

Jzalana Bethune-Summers

Benson Tech Career Coordinator

Dear Benson Tech Community,

Our Mental Health Team is available to support our students and their people. Please know that you are welcome to reach out for support. Looking forward to the 2nd half of the school year!

• “We are not our trauma. We are not our brain chemistry. That’s part of who we are, but we’re so much more than that.” ― Sam J. Miller

Archive of Mental Health Newsletters. Wishing you wellness, Benson Mental Health Team

Thank you!

Wishing all wellness - Benson Mental Health Team

Benson Outreach for the Unhoused: All Community Members are invited to participate in the outreach for Transition Projects - Benson donations will be used to support the Unhoused community in PDX. You are welcome to drop off items @ Benson or directly with Transition Projects. We are collecting through the end of February. More Information HERE. Gift receipts are available via Jennifer Fields, jefields@pps.net

Free Therapeutic Writing Group - A Flex, Room 210 with Jennifer Fields, classroom therapist

Students are welcome at any time on any A Flex. It isn't a class that moves through lessons, it's simply guided writing to process life.

Announcing: The Blossom Ball! 2/22

Our second school dance will take place Saturday, February 22nd in the Commons from 7-10 p.m.

Tickets will be sold in scaled pricing--Don't wait, take advantage of $5 tickets starting February 3rd!

Notes:

- We will need a lot of adult chaperones! If you are interested/able to chaperone for any period for this event, please complete this form or email toking@pps.net.

- Outside guests are welcome but need to complete a Guest Approval Form. The window for this is 1/13-1/31. The form can be picked up and returned to the main office.

- Attire is semi-formal.

Torin King (she/her)

Benson Polytechnic High School

Leadership, AP Art History, & Intermediate Art Teacher

Student Government Advisor

Activities Director

Interested in Playing Boys Volleyball?

Benson would like to offer boys volleyball if there is enough interest. Since this is an emerging OSAA sport, the deadline to register is earlier than other spring sports. We need to register the team with the state by February 3rd. For this reason, please register for boys volleyball by Thursday, 1/30, so we know if we have enough interest to form a team. Use this link to register.

Sign Up for Spring Sports!

Spring sports registration is open! Use this link to register by February 25 to ensure your athlete is cleared to play on the first day of the season (March 3). While many athletes who register after February 25 may still participate in the season, they likely will not be cleared to participate on the first day. Athletes may not participate until they are cleared (registered with a valid physical exam form uploaded to their account). If there is enough interest in softball, baseball, tennis, golf, or volleyball, coaches may need to make cuts or close registration. All sports registration will close no later than March 21, so any athletes who are not cleared by that date will not be allowed to play that season. Bottom line: register NOW & get cleared before the deadline if you want to play a sport this spring! Below are the spring sports Benson offers.

• Track & Field
• Softball
• Baseball
• Tennis
• Golf
• Boys Volleyball (registration deadline is 1/30!)

New Athlete Registration Platform

You've likely seen the emails from PPS announcing that the district is switching to a new online registration platform starting this month called Play On Sports. The district recommends that families download a copy of your athlete's most recent physical exam form from the old system (ArbiterSports) so you're able to easily upload it to the new system.

Go Astros!

--

Jessica Russell

Athletic Director

Benson High School

• Sign up for sports at Benson here!
• Need a blank physical exam form? Links are below.
  Languages: English | Spanish | Vietnamese | Chinese | Russian | Arabic | Chuukese | Japanese | Somali | Ukrainian | Marshallese | Swahili
• Here is a link to the Benson Wellness Center, where you can schedule a physical exam.

Dear Benson Tech Families,

One of our neighbors, Concorde Career College, north of our campus on Irving street has begun towing cars not labeled with their parking permits. It has come to our attention that people in the Benson Tech community have been using their parking lot. Please DO NOT use their parking lot when visiting our campus; getting towed results in $350 in fines. This has especially been problematic during evening events. Please be aware of parking signage when visiting Benson Tech and remember that our school district is not responsible for parking fines.

Vice Principal

Benson Polytechnic High School

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As Senior Class President, I am excited to reach out to you on behalf of the Senior Class Board. This year, our goal is to create a strong sense of community for all seniors and to make unforgettable memories, and we need your support to make it happen!

We’re asking for your help through donations, which will directly fund events such as prom, the senior barbecue, and other activities designed to celebrate our journey and leave a lasting impact on our class. Whether big or small, your contributions will ensure that we end this year on a high note. Contributions of any amount can be made online through SchoolPay at this link: https://pps.schoolpay.com/pay/for/Class-of-2025/SchsL6G

To stay updated on all our events and activities, be sure to follow us on social media:

Facebook: @BensonSenior

Instagram: @benson_class_2025

TikTok: @bhs.senior.class

Thank you for your time, generosity, and support. We couldn't do it without you!

Sincerely,

Noelani Reyes

Senior Class President

Attendance Updates / Changes

Per District Policy, it is the parent's / guardian's responsibility to clear unexcused absences within two school days or 48 hours of the absence or the absence(s) will remain unexcused.

Parents / Guardians may contact Attendance:

Phone: 503-916-5100 select Attendance

Email: bensonattend@pps.net

Thank you!

Benson Tech Administration

Lots of yearbook info. Keep reading for links!

Here is the link to the Benson Orbit Newspaper Bensonorbit.com

Yearbook info for everyone:

Happy New Year…BOOK!

A Benson Blueprint Yearbook is the perfect gift for the holiday season and New Year!

For Everyone:

Reserve your yearbook today! Don’t wait! DON’T BE LIKE LIAM! (student-produced original advertisement)

Got great photos related to this school year? Is your student doing an extracurricular activity? A sport or club? The yearbook would love to print your photos of your student! Here's how to share: FOLLOW THIS LINK to Josten's sharing portal and we'll get the image(s) in front of the staff. And Thanks!

Still need to reserve a 2025 yearbook? ORDER TODAY!

Yearbook information just for seniors:

Sponsor a yearbook program is back: To help make our yearbook more accessible to our whole community, we are again selling senior ads. Reserve a quarter-page to honor your graduate with photos and/or a personalized message. The cost is $45. For every ad purchased, we buy a yearbook for an Astro who needs it. Learn more ABOUT SENIOR ADS HERE

If you are needing to pick up your student(s) during school hours for appointments, etc..please allow at least 30 minutes BEFORE they need to leave for their appointment / pick up.

Due to the size of our new building, it gives staff time to find your student and have them meet you in the office or out front.

You can call or email the attendance office with these requests.

PH: (503) 916-5100 --- choose attendance line

Email: bensonattend@pps.net

Thank you for your assistance.

Benson Tech Admin

Parents/Guardians of our Senior Students,

Please be sure to read the attached letter from my office regarding the venue change for our Graduation Ceremony scheduled in June.

Principal Wilson

SchoolPay Information for Payment of Fees and Donations

SchoolPay is the online tool for families to make payments for fees and donations easily from home or a mobile device. We recommend that you sign in and use your SchoolPay account so you have a saved history of your payments in one place. HERE is the link with more information and to get started. If you have any questions, please contact the bookkeeper, Sheli Bryan.

ATHLETIC PAY TO PLAY FEE LINK For students participating in PIL athletics, the fee is $200 per sport for the first two per year and the fee for a third sport is waived. If you qualify for Free/Reduced Meals, the fee is $35.

PE UNIFORM FOR 9TH GRADERS LINK All families of 9th grade students are asked to pay $25 to cover the cost of the uniform, a combination lock, and to help support the costs of the PE/Health course.

Suggested Donations

STUDENT ACTIVITY FUND LINK Families who are able are asked to contribute funds to school-wide projects, classes and programs each year. The school operational budget does not cover all the needs of our students, classrooms, programs, activities, and building/equipment improvements. We rely on voluntary contributions from families to enhance the overall experience for our students. As the school year progresses, we will highlight needs as they arise for teachers and student groups. Individual teams and teachers may be sharing information as well. If you are able to contribute a suggested $25, or whatever you can afford, to our Student Activity Fund, these dollars will help fund school-wide activities for all students. Thank you.

Sheli Bryan (she/her)

Bookkeeper

Benson Polytechnic High School

546 NE 12th Ave.

Portland, OR 97232

Parents/Guardians,

Please be sure to read the attached memo from my office that covers Benson's New Cell Phone Policy.

Thanks

Principal Wilson