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

Pride Month, sometimes specified as LGBTQ Pride Month, is a month-long observance dedicated to the celebration of LGBTQ pride, commemorating the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer culture and community.

Chromebook/Charger Summer Care and Collection

All students received a permission form to either return their chromebooks over the summer or keep them at home. Students and guardians are responsible for care of chromebooks over the course of the years they have one checked out, which is a value of $515. Students must have returned a signed permission form to keep their chromebooks over the break. Students not returning to Benson must return their chromebooks and charger. Chromebook collection will occur in the library on Wednesday, June 11th at 2pm, and Thursday, June 12th at 12pm.

Locker Clean Out June 10th

Students that were assigned lockers will have an opportunity to clean out their lockers on June 10th at 2pm. All lockers must be cleaned out fully by June 12th and any materials left behind will be disposed of.

Sara Callies

VP of Curriculum

Dear Benson Tech Community,

All Benson students who played in middle school band and are interested in participating in the Benson Band in the fall, please come to our kickoff celebration on Monday, June 9 from 11:03am-11:36am in the Benson Band Room.

Benson Tech Music Club Social Media Platforms

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Email

If you have any further questions, please contact Ms. G (Room 277) or at hgoertzen@me.com

Heide Goertzen

What is the greatest gift of summer break? TIME! In an effort to help inspire students and their people toward creative uses of their time this summer, our mental health team puts together this annual newsletter of free or almost free options for students. Please check it out! It includes:

• summer reading programs
• information on free gym memberships
• volunteering, job, and internship possibilities
• Portland Community College teen-centered classes (gazillions of them!)
• Arts for All
• Discovery Passes
• Access Pass for summer recreation
• Free for All events
• Mermaid and Rose Festivals, PRIDE, Juneteenth, and more!

Being active allows for the release of "good brain chemicals" - more in the newsletter toward that end - good chemicals are good stuff!

Reminder for summer 2025: all student service providers are on summer break. All inquiries as of Monday, June 16 should go to outside service providers. The Benson Wellness Center is open ALL summer though! Regional and Local crisis and support services are provided in the newsletter as well.

Newsletter Link: https://app.smore.com/n/ry620/edit?ref=show_author

Wishing all a beautiful TIME this summer - see you in September! Benson Mental Health Team

--

Jennifer Fields, she/her, LPSC/QMHP

Classroom Therapist, Call/Text 971-710-6501

Benson Polytechnic High School - Calming Room link, Life After Graduation link

Resources/Crisis Support - in the case of emergency, dial 911

BHS is located on the traditional land of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, Stl’pulmsh (Cowlitz), Clackamas, Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla

"Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public" -Cornel West

Dear Benson Tech Parents/Guardians,

Benson will administer the PSAT exam on Tuesday Oct 14, 2025 for Juniors who wish to take it. PPS provides the SAT in March at no cost to students, but will not cover the cost for The PSAT which is $18. The PSAT is an introductory exam for the SAT, and good college preparation practice and can qualify them for the National Merit Scholarship. If your child would like to take the test, please submit the name to Benson Testing Coordinator Tom Usach to tustach@pps.net. If your child needs accommodations for testing, you must submit a request to the College Board at this link accommodations.collegeboard.org by August 25, 2025.

Tom Ustach

Benson Polytechnic High School Testing Coordinator

tustach@pps.net

Congrats to the Class of 2025! We are so proud of you.

Please check out the College Newsletter for information on applying to college, financial aid, scholarships, upcoming events, and summer opportunities. This information could be especially helpful for current juniors/rising seniors.

------

Kathleen Reid (she/her)

College Counselor/AVID Coordinator

Benson Tech High School

Call/Text 971-238-8322

Set up an appointment with me HERE

Dear Benson Tech Community:

Please see this link for more information about Summer EBT. You can direct all questions to summerebtinfo@odhs.oregon.gov.

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.

Students interested in enrolling in summer school should meet with their counselors.

Registration will be open starting May 12th.

There will be two sessions for students to take courses this Summer:

• Session 1: June 23- July 10 (no class July 4)

• Session 2: July 14- July 30

Classes will be held Monday - Friday, 9:00am-12:00pm at each of the sites listed below.

Courses will be offered at four High School locations across the Portland Area

• Benson High School

• Franklin High School

• McDaniel High School

• Roosevelt High School

Breakfast and lunch will be provided for students.

No Charge to register.

REMINDER: Summer Scholars registration is only for credit recovery or "off-track" retrieval.

No Grade Improvement (including D's) or Credit Advancement is available for students.

JUNIORS: Want to Get Into College and Get Money to Pay for It?

You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

Beyond Benson Mentors are expert volunteers who have been helping Benson students get into college and get the money to pay for it - for over 10 years. They’re ready to help YOU with:

Building a college list that fits YOU
Applications and essays (without the stress)
Finding scholarships you actually qualify for
Completing financial aid (FAFSA/ORSAA)
Meeting deadlines so you don’t miss out

Students who work with a mentor are more likely to get into schools they love — and get more financial aid.

Want a mentor next year? Here’s how to say YES:

Go to bit.ly/26college

Fill out the super-short form — takes less than 1 minute.

Spots are limited. If you’re thinking about college at all, this is for you. Don’t miss your chance!

Check out the College Newsletter for information on applying to college, financial aid, scholarships, upcoming events, and summer opportunities.

Registration for the 2025-26 School Year is Open!

Get registration crossed off your to do list early and ensure you receive information about summer programming by signing up today. Use this link to register. Payment is not due until your athlete makes a team.

Online Workshops for Incoming 9th Grade Athletes and Families

We've scheduled two online workshops for incoming 9th grade students and their parents or guardians who are interested in participating in athletics. These are optional, but are a great way to meet others who will be joining the Benson athletics community next fall! These workshops are led by PIL partner Positive Coaching Alliance. Links to the meetings were sent via email to families who have confirmed their attendance at Benson Tech on 5/15. There is more information about the workshops available on the athletics page of the Benson Tech website.

--

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.

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

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

Dear Benson Tech Community,

By now, you have likely heard that the Board voted to ban cell phone use in schools for all PPS students beginning next school year. The decision came after the Board spent months receiving feedback and public comment from educators, families, and students.

At Benson Polytechnic High School, we recognize that cell phones are an important part of our students' lives and can be used for various purposes such as communication, education, entertainment, and safety. However, we also believe that cell phone use in the classroom can be a source of distraction, disruption, and disrespect and cell phones can sometimes interfere with our students’ learning process and our school climate. We have had our current cell policy in place since the beginning of the school year and as we head into the second semester of the school year we want to begin to prepare our students for being able to navigate the school day without the use of cell phones starting with the upcoming school year. Therefore, we have revised our current cell phone policy for the the remainder of this school year as we approach the District's new cell phone policy of "Off and Away All Day" which will take place during the 2025-26 school year.

Our current cell phone policy will remain the same for the remainder of this school year except for one piece that's italicized and listed below.

1. Students are not allowed to use cell phones/wireless devices during class time, including in the hallways. This includes texting, calling, browsing, gaming, social media, or any other activity that involves the use of a cell phone.

2. During class time, cell phones and wireless devices must be stored away at all times by the student and must not be visible or accessible to the student.

3. Students may use their cell phones before school, at lunchtime, and during passing time. However, students must follow the school rules and expectations regarding appropriate interactions and respectful behavior when using their cell phones.

4. We ask that parents call the school office at (503) 916-5100 if there is an emergency and they need to reach their child. The office staff will relay the message to the student or the teacher as soon as possible. Please do not call or text your child directly during class time as this may disrupt the learning environment.

If a student violates the Benson Tech current cell phone policy:

1. A first violation will result in the cell phone being taken and delivered to the main office where the student can pick up the phone at the end of the day. (New)

2. A second violation will result in the cell phone being held in the main office until the parent or guardian can come to the school and pick up the cell phone.

Please note that due to some extenuating circumstances there will be a few exceptions to this policy. We appreciate your cooperation and support in enforcing this cell phone policy. We believe that this policy will help us create a positive and productive learning environment for all our students and staff as we begin to prepare for the District's new cell phone policy of "Off and Away All Day" starting in 2025-26.

Benson Tech Administration