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

Dear Benson Tech Families,

November is Native American Heritage Month. All month long, we are recognizing the history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous people to our city and communities. National Native American Heritage Month was recognized federally for the first time in the United States in 1990.

This commemorative month aims to provide a platform for Native people in the United States of America to share their culture, traditions, music, crafts, dance, and ways and concepts of life. This gives Native people the opportunity to express to their community, both city, county and state officials their concerns and solutions for building bridges of understanding and friendship in their local area.

Benson Tech Administration

Families, Monday November 25th we will host conferences by appointment only, and Tuesday, November 26th conferences will be drop-in style. Please see the attached letter about how to make appointments for Monday and for additional information about the times that teachers will be unavailable for breaks and meals on Tuesday. Conferences are a wonderful time to connect with teachers about your student's successes and needs. We ask that you limit conferences to 5 minutes when there are other families waiting so as many families as possible are able to connect with their teachers.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-uCbzl6WJI4uDFIQsaKHXb6x7kkXMlKAaC-ZdmMdWjQ/edit?usp=sharing

Sara Callies

Curriculum Vice Principal

Coming to Conferences? Check out the Student Store!

Get your Astro gear on November 25th or 26th during conference hours. We'll be located in the front hall with merchandise for sale. The Tech Enterprises class has some new long sleeved t-shirts printed and a variety of sweatshirts. There are many Astro t-shirts to choose from so get yours while the supply lasts. There will also be several student clubs selling items to benefit their groups. The Cooking Club will have cookies for sale and the Muslim Student Association will have Sambusas in the evening.

Bottle Drop Blue Bags Benefit the Student Leadership Fundraiser

Turn your deposit-returnable cans and bottles into funds for the Leadership class. We'll have a supply of bags available with the student store merch. Helping out is easy. Take a bag or two and fill them with your recyclables that are eligible for a deposit. When full, drop them off at any number of locations and use the sticker on the bag to open the door. Funds raised at this time will go toward their Schnitzer Cares grantmaking program for medical aid to underserved populations.

Sheli Bryan (she/her)

Bookkeeper

Benson Polytechnic High School

546 NE 12th Ave.

Portland, OR 97232

503-916-5100 ext. 88412

Students can earn Benson Pajama Pants by earning all A's on their Semester Report Card!

Colleen Johnston (Colleen the Dean)

Benson Polytechnic High School

Dean of Students & School Climate Coach

Office phone: 503-916-5100 ext. 88208‪

(pronouns: she/her/hers)

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.

Joe Mitacek he/him

Vice Principal

Benson Polytechnic High School

Dear Benson Tech Parents/Guardians,

As a token of appreciation, Lifetouch is offering discounts on school photography!

• 50% off a purchase of $50+ with code USNOV50
• 40% off a purchase of $40+ with code USNOV40
• 30% off a purchase of $30+ with code USNOV30

Valid through 12/1/24

To order, log in to your account on mylifetouch.com or create an online account. Don't forget to order your FREE Digital SmileSafe card!

More about the Smilesafe program here.

Thank you!

Roi San Anderson

She/Her Pronouns

Principal Secretary

Benson Polytechnic High School

503-916-5100 ext. 88401

Dear Benson Tech Families,

We’re going to Edinburgh and London in Spring 2026, and you’re invited!

Please be sure to register for an info session to be considered for this opportunity: RSVP Here for the Info Meeting Wednesday, Dec 4th at 7pm

In this info session, we’ll talk about:

• How this opportunity will benefit your student
• What we’ll see and do on our trip
• Everything that’s included in this experience
• How your child can earn academic credit
• How we’re keeping this safe and affordable
• How to enroll on this trip (before it fills up!) during EF’s risk-free enrollment period

There are limited spots on this trip, so we would love to have you attend this meeting to learn more about this exciting opportunity!

Thanks,
Meredith McClanen

Please note this is a non-school sponsored trip.

The successful schools survey is an annual event that helps us collect valuable information about how our community functions. Please take a few minutes to share your feelings about Benson Tech. We use the results to help prioritize needs and work towards school improvement. Please be sure to complete the whole survey and click submit at the end or your responses will not be collected. Your feedback is anonymous and we appreciate your time.

The survey can be accessed at the link below:

https://surveys.panoramaed.com/portlandor/fall24family

Benson Tech Administration

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 (She, Her)

Career Coordinator

Benson Polytechnic High School

Call/Text: (971) 471-9189

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

Winter Sports Started LAST WEEK!

The first day of the season was Monday, November 18. The link to registration is here. Payment is not required at registration. The winter sports available are basketball and swimming. The last day to register and get cleared is December 2. I'm happy to connect you with coaches if you have questions, just send me an email (jrussell@pps.net)!

Winter Sports Update

While we had hoped that the main gym and basement gym area spaces (wrestling room, locker rooms, athletic training room, and weight room) would be completed by now, they are not. This means that basketball will hold practices and home contests at Marshall Campus until the repairs are complete. Bus transportation to and from practices and contests will be provided. Wrestlers will participate for their neighborhood schools. All wrestlers who registered were notified by email and invited to a lunch meeting last week notifying them of the change and providing directions on next steps.

The hope is the repairs are completed in the new year before the winter season is over. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Winter Sports & Practice Locations

• Swim: Dishman Pool
• Wrestling: compete for neighborhood high school
• Boys and girls basketball: alternating between Marshall Campus and Benson's auxiliary gym

Jessica Russell

Athletic Director

Benson High School

• Sign up for sports at Benson here!
• Do you know of a current or former athlete who has done something awesome? Click this link to share their accomplishment with us.
• 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 Community:

Greetings Tech Community! Please see the attached link below for more information about legal help to prevent eviction.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/17lxfGyL2cEOrAjp4dHRiNKbAZDr9-qSbEWKvVH0Ej2I/edit?usp=sharing

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.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

It's November, and the holiday season abounds. Please find a holiday resource list below. We will keep it updated weekly. Lists fill up fast. Please get signed up as soon as possible for food, trees, toys, etc.

Please find our latest Benson Mental Health Newsletter linked below.

]This edition includes:

• Stress Awareness/Intervention,
• Holiday Support(s),
• Native American Heritage Month,
• Transgender Awareness Week NOV 13-19,
• Healing Justice,
• Addiction, Recovery, & Racism,
• Crisis and County Resources.

5th Edition: Benson Mental Health Support

Archive: Here

Wishing you Wellness, Benson Mental Health Team

Holiday Assistance:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1OcFLZ-ap5v7XuH1RZgWCphly7CTN5eAJFUsBVlNZ1CI/edit

Here’s to Quarter 2! Wishing you wellness, Benson Mental Health Team

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

Senior Students and Families,

Join us for FAFSA/ORSAA Help Night on Dec. 10th, from 6 to 7:30 pm. For questions or support with college, financial aid, and scholarship applications, please visit Katie Clark in the College/Career Center or Kathleen Reid in Counseling. For information on applying to college, how to prepare for the FAFSA or ORSAA, colleges visiting Benson, and other upcoming opportunities, check out the College Newsletter.

Upcoming Scholarships:

11-30-24 Juan Andrade Jr Scholarship $1,000 scholarship for Latinx students with a record of community service.

11-30-24 National Honor Society Scholarship Up to $25,000 for high school seniors who are members in good standing of an affiliated National Honor Society chapter.

------

Kathleen Reid (she/her)

College Counselor/AVID Coordinator

Benson Tech High School

Call/Text 971-238-8322

Set up an appointment with me HERE

Lots of yearbook info. Keep reading for links!

Yearbook info for everyone:

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:

Senior Portrait submission. Deadline: January 24, 2025. It is a tradition at Benson that families of graduating seniors can choose to have professional portraits taken; we can put them in the yearbook! Our amazing photography department also offers free digital portraits for seniors (date TBD).

• To submit your student's professional photo, follow THIS LINK and follow the prompts.
• To request more info about the free portraits through the school, email ghunting@pps.net to connect with Greg Huntington (yearbook advisor)
• Special senior portraits are not required; we'll use the official school photo if no submissions are made.
• All questions can be directed toward Mr. Huntington.

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

--

Greg Huntington

He/Him/His

Benson Polytechnic High School

10th Grade English

Benson Blueprint (Yearbook)

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