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 Community,

Benson Tech Community Outreach - December through February - We are collecting items for the unhoused through Transition Projects. Items can be delivered to the main office - or, individuals are also welcome to order from the Amazon Wish List for them to be shipped directly:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/TEJ08U1AFTBG?ref_=wl_share

Transition has been a vital part of Portland for 55 years. Transition Projects provides individuals with services, resources, and tools they need to end their homelessness, secure housing, and maintain that housing.

Some statistics:

• Transition assists more than 10,000 people experiencing homelessness annually
• On any given day, they help meet the basic needs of nearly 500 people through their Resource Center
• On any given night, they provide a safe place to sleep for more than 800 people
• In any given year, they help place more than 1,000 people into affordable housing - and then support them in retaining that housing.

Website: Our Story — Transition Projects

One of the immediate ways that Transition supports unhoused neighbors is by meeting basic needs. One of the KEY items that they regularly run out of is new, adult underwear. The Benson Community can help, too!

Benson is collecting:

• new adult underwear, shoelaces and/or linens
• new/gently used adult shoes, belts, and/or blankets

Our hope is that this drive can keep them stocked for 2025. Please help in any way you are able, Benson Community! Transition is a 501c3 (nonprofit) and gift receipts are available -

• Please reach out with questions about the program to: Kelsey Stark, MPA, CVA, Volunteer Program Manager (She/Her/Hers), Office/Cell: 503.951.5542, kelsey.stark@tprojects.org
• Gift receipts are available through Jennifer Fields @ Benson - jefields@pps.net

FREE Therapeutic Writing Group for Students: During A Flex, beginning January 8, Room 210.

Any student is welcome. We will be trying out some writing techniques that help with processing life inspired by the Transformative Language Arts curriculum. No previous writing experience is required. Students are invited to share their writing, but they are not required to. Notebooks will be provided, but you are welcome to use whatever you'd like. Led by Jennifer Fields, classroom therapist.

Also please find our latest newsletter linked below - it will be our final installment of 2024 - the holiday season can cause a lot of stress.

We're hoping this information is helpful as you walk into 2025! Wishing you wellness, Benson MH Team

7th Edition: Benson Mental Health Support

The Benson Tech Mental Health Team

Hello,

Benson athletes are busy this week! Each program has at least one contest. Games hosted at Benson High School are bolded.

Monday, 1/6

Frosh/novice wrestling at McDaniel HS, 4 PM

Tuesday, 1/7

Boys basketball at McDaniel, frosh & JV at 5 PM, varsity at 6:30 PM

Girls basketball hosts McDaniel at Benson, JV at 5 PM, varsity at 6:30 PM

Wednesday, 1/8

Swim meet at Dishman Pool, 6:30 PM

Thursday, 1/9

Boys basketball hosts Wells at Benson, frosh & JV at 5 PM, varsity at 6:30 PM

Girls basketball at Wells, JV at 5:45 PM, varsity at 7:15 PM

Friday, 1/10

Boys basketball at Jefferson, frosh & JV at 5 PM, varsity at 6:30 PM

JV girls basketball hosts Jefferson at Benson, 5 PM

Saturday, 1/11

Varsity girls basketball plays Jefferson at Franklin HS, 5:30 PM

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.

Baseball info meeting for ALL RETURNING AND INTERESTED PLAYERS.

Wednesday Jan. 8th during Flex. Room 142/Manufacturing.

Winter workouts will start Jan 13th for anyone not playing a winter sport.

We are looking for athletes of all skill levels that want to play ball.

Dan Harrison

Benson Tech Baseball

Dear Benson Tech Families,

Come support and cheer on your Benson Tech Bowlers in this year's big District Tournament on Sunday January 26th at Mt. Hood Lanes in Gresham. Thrilling and exciting high school vs. high school competition happens all day from 8am to 4pm. We need you to wear your Benson Tech gear and bring your energy to support our students as they compete against the best bowlers in our region. The Boys team is looking its best in four years and has a good shot at qualifying for State. The State Championships will be in Klamath Falls this year, so we're hoping for a nice supportive turnout at this qualifying District Tournament on 1/26.

Please contact Bowling Advisor and Coach Jacob Patterson with any questions. Families and Community Members, please consider donating to Benson Bowling Club through our Bookkeeper to help cover costs of tournaments and required team jerseys. We are looking forward to bringing another Bowling State Championship banner to the new gym, thank you!"

Bowling Logo Graphic Link Here

Thank you!

Best,

Jacob Patterson (he/him)

KBPS Broadcasting Instructor

(503) 916-5100 ex.86320

jacpatterson@pps.net

www.kbps.am

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

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

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!

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)

For Seniors:

The deadline for submitting senior photos and senior quotes is rapidly approaching. It’s Jan 24, 2025. FOLLOW THIS LINK for all things related to seniors. If you are interested in free portraits taken by the BPHS photo department, January 17, 2025, after school is the date of the photo shoot. No reservations are needed. Just show up ready for a portrait!

The Yearbook and the photo department will be taking free senior portraits, after school, on January 17th. Families will get a copy of the photos as well.

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

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