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

Annual Gift Card Drive

Greetings, Tech community: Once again, we are collecting Winco (no other stores, please) gift cards to share with Benson Tech families who need help over the holidays!

Teens are often overlooked in holiday giving. So many of our students are doing the most: helping pay bills, taking care of younger siblings, and sometimes even going without necessities so youngers and elders will have enough. Some of our students are homeless and fending for themselves. We also have many wonderful families who need a little extra this time of year.

Our students and families are so grateful for this help.

Please help out if you are able!

• What: Winco gift cards in any amount (no cash donations, please). Please write how much the cards are for

• How:

• Mail: Caroline Bleckmann, LCSW, c/o Benson Polytechnic High School

546 NE 12th, Portland, OR 97232 OR

• Drop off/send with your child: Leave with the Principal's Secretary Roi San Anderson in the front office

• WHEN: Deadline is Monday, December 9th.

For tax receipts email cbleckmann@pps.net!

Sankofa Therapy

Sankofa therapists prioritize the mental health needs of BIPOC students, have immediate openings, and take Oregon Health Plan and most private health insurance plans.

Check out this link about how to refer your teen, but, keep in mind, teens have to agree to the service. You're also welcome to contact me or your student's School Counselor for help or more information.

Legal Support

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.

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

Hello Benson Tech Families and Staff - Please find our latest Mental Health Newsletter linked below.

Mental Health Newsletter, 6th edition:

click here - November 19

Includes:

• Time-sensitive Holiday Support(s),
• Bereavement and Grief,
• Crisis and County Resources.

Wishing all wellness during this time of thanks and giving - Benson Mental Health Team

2) Any student is welcome to participate in a new, free therapeutic writing group that will meet during "A" Flex in room 210. We will begin in January 2025 - no writing experience is required or necessary. Sharing is optional. Questions are welcome: Jennifer Fields, QMHP/classroom therapist, jefields@pps.net, room 207

Flyer Here

Europe, here we come!

Dear Benson Tech Families,
A group of Benson travelers are going to Switzerland, Italy, France, Spain this Summer 2025, and it's the last call to join in this amazing opportunity!

When students travel, they expand their knowledge of the world around them, discover more about themselves, and grow more confident. These skills are critical for creating the global citizens of tomorrow, and we would love to have your student join us on this adventure.

The final information session for this trip will be 12/4 at 6:30 p.m. on Google Meet. 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

Limited spots remain, so be sure to RSVP for the meeting here: https://rsvp.eftours.com/j3kds83

*This trip is made possible through a partnership with EF Tours. This is not a PPS/school sponsored trip.

Torin King (she/her)

Benson Polytechnic High School

Leadership, AP Art History, & Intermediate Art Teacher

Activities Director

Student Government Advisor

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 Has Started! Last Day To Register is Monday December 2nd!

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 2nd. 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 Families,

We are holding a fundraiser event on December 17th, an afternoon where riders will volunteer to wax boards for a donation. Think car wash but waxing snowboards and skis. The riders will have an opportunity to wax their own boards and learn how if they haven't done it before.

Please see the PDF flyer of the event.

Regards,

Denisse Moreno

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.

------

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