Principal's Weekly Newsletter
Benson Polytechnic High School March 20th 2023
A Message to our Parents/Guardians: Information Platforms for Benson Tech
Please be sure to follow me on Twitter @BensonTechPride. (Twitter)
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
Special Schedule for Wednesday March 22nd (SAT Day for 11th Grade Students)
On Wednesday, March 22nd we will be on a special schedule for Career Exploration and the SAT test. School starts at 8:30am and students will be released at 1:00pm. Buses will depart at 1:35pm. Juniors will be taking the SAT test, please be sure they get rest the night before, eat breakfast, and arrive on time no later than 8:30am to help them do their best. Seniors will report to Warner Pacific College unless they have a field trip with their major. Here is the registration link. Grades 9 and 10 will be in the building working on Tech Show prep and projects with their 9th grade Houses and 10th grade Academies.
Benson Tech Administration
Senior Day Activities for Wednesday March 22nd
Seniors!
March 22nd, 2023 workshops at Warner Pacific University. Check-in starts at 8:30am.
This day is packed with useful information to help you navigate adulthood. During this time you will participate in workshops like:
Personal Budgeting, How to Build a Side Hustle, Cooking on a Budget and work life balance, and so much more. Please select your workshops NOW using the registration link below:
There is also a link below to see what specifically Seniors will be doing on SAT Day which is this coming Wednesday March 22nd.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NalzwYDV9DmuPo1wzESEpSrE30Cp_CWI/view?usp=sharing
SAT Prep Sessions for Juniors
The SAT test will be taken at Benson Tech by all juniors on Wednesday, March 22nd. Students interested in preparing for the English and Math sections of the test are invited to join teachers for subject specific test prep sessions on the following dates and times: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P4DKJUBYuR8NeGmWG6YAFuN8w1U8jF2-/view?usp=sharing
PPS Parent Focus Group for Parents/Caregivers of LGBTQ+ Youth
Please read the attached flyer for more specific details.
A Message from Benson's Social Worker Caroline Bleckmann
Parents/Guardians
Free Suicide Prevention Family Night
Families, you are invited to a Free Suicide Prevention Education Night at Franklin High School on Tuesday, 3/21. See the flyer for more details.
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
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.
Course Requests for Next Year Complete
Students and families, Counselors have completed the forecasting process for your student's classes next year. In the next week, you will receive a letter in the mail with the list of classes your student selected. If there are any concerns about the list you receive, please reach out to your Counselor before spring break. Course changes will not be allowed except in rare and extenuating circumstances after we begin building the master schedule at the start of April. Complete student schedules will be shared with students mid August.
Amy Henry (Last Names A to Gq) amyhenry@pps.net
Morgan McFadden (Last Names Gr - O) mmcfadden@pps.net
Christy Wheeler (Last Names P-Z) cwheeler@pps.net
Important Senior Information from VP Dan Malone
The " Senior" season is fast approaching. You will soon receive a letter outlining the important dates that will impact your Senior students between now and Monday June 5th 2023 when they walk across the stage at graduation. The ceremony will begin at 4:30pm at Providence Park. The only must do on the list today is making sure that a Cap and Gown has been ordered for your student. If not , please go to jostens.com and type in Benson Polytechnic in the find my school section and you will be connected to our Jostens rep, Brian Coushay.
Tickets are sent electronically and you will receive more information about that process in early May.
Until then, keep supporting your Senior and we will see you during the Senior festivities.
Thank you,
Dan Malone
he/him
VP, Modernization
Benson Polytechnic HS at Marshall Campus
A Message from the Benson Tech Mental Health Team
Parents/Guardians,
Please see the information below from the Benson Tech Mental Health Team.
“Things that can be equally true: You are resilient and need a break. You gave your all and need to back out. You are independent and still need others. You were sure and things changed. You are kind and have boundaries. Others have it worse and your pain is valid. You did your best and now you know more.” From @findyourshinetherapy
Each week our BHS Student Support Specialists (counselors, social workers, school psychologists, & therapists) will be including mental health awareness with an adolescent lens in the Principal Newsletter.
This week will focus on Spring Break (March 27-31).
Spring Break: If your family doesn’t have specific plans for the week, here are ways to inspire a teenager over spring break. Includes: 1. Start a Garden 2. Host a Movie Marathon 3. Volunteer 4. Apply for Summer Jobs 5. Work on Scholarship Applications (Seniors) 6. Prepare a Yard Sale 7. Plan a Vacation 8. Spend Time with Friends 9. Go Away for a Night. Source (click here). Also, here is an article on healthy activities during spring break. Whether you are traveling or staying home, it’s a way to think about physical activity that can be fun (not just hard work). Article Link (click here).
Here are some Portland Options from Go on a Spring Break Adventure in and around Portland - Portland Living on the Cheap. (Roller Skating!)
Spring Break Mental Health Supports:
As is always the case, it is OK to not be OK: If you need to talk to someone over the break, you may consider: (or, from our Wellness Center resources at the end)
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress and crisis resources for your loved ones
Text or call 988 to talk with a trained counselor
Help in Spanish: 988lifeline.org/help-yourself/en-espanol
Info for people who are deaf and hard of hearing: 988lifeline.org/help-yourself/for-deaf-hard-of-hearing
Website: 988lifeline.org/
Local Resources
Multnomah County Crisis Line - 503-988-4888 including mobile outreach (interpretation available and open 24/7)
Lines for Life General Line: Call 800-273-8255
Oregon Youth Line: Text Teen to Teen 839863
Teens have access to texting trained teen mental health responders
Upcoming Events - LifeStance Family trainings 2022-2023.pdf
3/21 (English) - Cannabis Awareness, (Spanish) was on 3/14
5/15 - Mental Health First Aid
Options for FREE training - Spring 2023: Cannabis Awareness and Mental Health First Aid. Sign up at the link above.
Here is a PPS page with supports for students and families impacted by gun violence.
A website on Digital Wellbeing: great info for families, youth & schools.
PPS Healthy Choices Bulletin
This newsletter has a curated list of substance use resources and also highlights student and family accessible services and activities, along with a referral process.
March edition and a link to archived Healthy Choices Bulletins.
Substance Use Resources, includes Request for Supports Prevention Strategies and
Wellness Resources
Benson Wellness Center with mental health supports
BHS Counseling Center with school counselors (by alphabetical order)
BHS Mental Health Team
Please See The Information Below Regarding Benson's Upcoming Lockdown Drill
Dear Benson Tech Families
Benson Tech will be participating in a Lockdown drill on Tuesday March 21st at 9:15am
Lockdown actions are initiated whenever there is an active threat against the safety of our school. This action includes “Locks, Lights, Out of Sight” and works to create a time barrier until our first responders can arrive at the scene. Lockdown emergency actions save lives, and conducting such drills helps to better prepare our staff and students if a threatening situation were ever to occur at our school.
We understand that these types of active threat drills can cause some anxiety for students and staff. Please know that our staff are working to connect with students in advance of the drill in an age appropriate way to help ease any anxiety and better support students who may be negatively impacted.
As a parent/caregiver, we wanted to share some additional resources that could help in connecting with your child(ren) in advance of this drill:
15 Ways to Help Your Child Through Crisis: Parent resource from KidsPeace
Helping Children Cope: Offered by ready.gov, this resource provides advice for helping children cope through disasters and emergencies.
Talking with children about terrorist attacks and school and community shootings in the news: from the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement
Talking with children about violence: tips for parents and teachers: from the National Association of School Psychologists
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network: this website offers guidance for trauma-informed care for children following a disaster or traumatic event and offers many resources including a Psychological First Aid training.
We do not expect this drill to disrupt the school day, and your child(ren) should be dismissed at the regular time. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact my office. You may also reach out to our district’s Emergency Management program through Security Services at 503-916-3000 to discuss any issues of emergency preparedness, drills, or security measures taken at PPS.
Sincerely,
Principal Wilson
503-916-5100
Benson Tech Athletics
Please click on the attachment below to get updated information regarding Benson Tech Athletics for the upcoming week.
A Message from Benson's Digital Media Production Instructor Steve Curley
Media Design Art Show
Media Design 4 students have been invited to exhibit their design work at Extracto Coffee Roasters, located at 2921 NE Killingsworth St. in Portland.
The work will be on display beginning March 4th and will be up until the end of the month so you have plenty of time to stop by and support our students and show some gratitude to a great local company who also happens to be part of the Benson family.
Posters are for sale through the cafe but we are also planning a poster sale in house for anyone interested in owning some of our amazing student designs.
Stephen Curley, He/Him
Teacher at Benson Polytechnic High School
CTE-Digital Media ProductionTesting Accommodations Coordinator
Senior Graduation Requirements
Dear Parents/Guardians of Senior Students
All seniors in Oregon are required to complete 4 components of the Personal Learning Requirements (PLRs) in order to receive a diploma, in addition to earning the required credits towards graduation. The four components are a Resume, two Career Related Learning Experience Reflections AKA CRLEs, and a My Plan Project. Portland Public Schools is sending letters to students and families this month that share the progress your student has made towards completion of the PLRs. Students were assigned the My Plan Project in their English classes last semester and they turned them into their English teacher. The other three items, CRLEs and the resume, are completed in various classes through the high school experience and are submitted directly to our Career Coordinator, Miranda Ryan.
Students can submit completed work to Ms. Ryan via this link. You can also reach out to her with any questions regarding completion of this important graduation requirement (mryan1@pps.net)
Thank You
Sara Callies
Curriculum Vice Principal
Benson Tech College Newsletter
For the latest information on college admissions, scholarships, financial aid, and related upcoming events, please check out Benson's COLLEGE NEWSLETTER. Always feel free to reach out to me (Kathleen Reid) or Katie Clark if you have any questions.
Kathleen Reid
College Counselor/AVID Coordinator
kreid@pps.net or 971-238-8322
Sign up for an appointment with Kathleen here
Katie Clark
College Coordinator
kclark@pps.net or 503-894-4660
Sign up for an appointment with Katie here
A Message from Benson's Career Coordinator Miranda Ryan
Career Opportunities:
Please see the Career Newsletter link for information on jobs, internships, and career opportunity events:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nadDd7P7ri7um3mwRaGFoll2pNf6I6JoFtO6u9TTSwI/edit?usp=sharing
Graduation Requirements
Attention!- All students need these four requirements to graduate:
Career-Related Learning Experiences 1
Career-Related Learning Experience 2
Resume
My Plan Project (Complete in 12th-grade English)
Please see the link for more information: https://bit.ly/3D9V6r8.
Miranda Ryan
Career Coordinator
Benson Polytechnic High School
Cell: 503-312-2774
Office: 503-916-5100 X:77201
Schedule a Meeting: http://bit.ly/BHS_careercalendar
Personal Learning Instructions: https://bit.ly/3D9V6r8
Career Website: http://bit.ly/bensoncareers