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

LGBT Pride Month, often shortened to Pride Month, is a month dedicated to celebration and commemoration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender pride. Pride Month began after the Stonewall riots, a series of gay liberation protests in 1969.

June is Pride Month which is a time to reflect on the long and resolute battle that members of the LGBTQIA+ community have waged in the name of love and equality — free to live their lives openly without fear of violence, discrimination, or persecution.

Benson Tech respects and appreciates all who walk our hallways and will always believe in supporting equality and love for our students, staff and community.

Benson Tech Administration

Benson Tech Senior Parents/Guardians,

Here is what was shared with your students during Senior Check out. We appreciate your efforts in supporting these steps to ensure a very successful graduation ceremony. Note the information about pictures and diplomas in point #5.

Graduation Ceremony Expectations

Graduation is an important rite of passage for our school community. It is a time to celebrate the graduating class but it is also a time to celebrate the many individuals and parents who have worked side by side with their students to get to this very important point in their lives. With that we want all students to know the following expectations for them during the graduation ceremony. Ticket orders must be placed here: https://forms.gle/CmcUkGiyRVqLAYx8A

1. Bring just your cap/gown/medallion and cords to the ceremony. There is NO place to store backpacks, purses, etc during the ceremony. You will not return to the seat you started in once you cross the stage.

2. Keep your gown zipped up and mortarboard (cap) on throughout. Caps can come off after the changing of the tassel and please don’t toss them in the air as there will not be a chance to retrieve the cap due to the way we are exiting this year.

3. When you are approaching the stage, please no antics. This ceremony will be live streamed so we are telling you now to save anything you may think of doing until you are out of the arena.

4. You may decorate your cap but it must be tasteful and not derogatory in any way. If you have questions as to the appropriateness of your idea for your cap, please ask an administrator before you start the process.

5. A reminder that you will receive a diploma cover when you cross the stage and shake Mr. Wilson’s hand. There will be a formal picture taken of that moment and another picture of you after you exit the stage. Those pictures will be able to be purchased from Visual Impressions (visualimpressions.org) after the ceremony. Diplomas will be available here at school on the 4th. The rest of the diplomas will be mailed on the 5th. Anyone who has an issue during the ceremony will need to meet with Mr. Wilson prior to getting your diploma.

6. Please be appropriately dressed underneath your gown. This could include clothes that you consider dressed up. Even if it is warm, please plan accordingly. If there are rain showers in the forecast, there will be clear ponchos available. With the amount of walking that you will do during the ceremony and with the number of stairs that need to be traversed, it would behoove you to wear shoes that are both comfortable and stable. Feet in heels may have a hard time by the time the ceremony is completed.

7. When the ceremony is over you will be led on a path that will put you onto 18th St at the exit. Please share with all who are coming that Providence Park will have 18th St closed for the 30 minutes after the ceremony with the exception of the Max trains that will continue to run. All BPHS families will be directed to the south end of 18th while the next set of families enter for the next graduation. Lincoln HS may be a good meeting spot for you and your family after the ceremony as they are graciously opening their patio to us for this very purpose.

8. Providence Park has a strict no balloons, stickers, confetti, glitter, noisemakers, and outside food or beverage policy, so please leave those items at home.

The Seniors celebrated with Hawaiian, Vietnamese, and Mexican food, had snowcones, water balloon fights, and hang out time out on the lawn, and hotdogs and candy were donated to the senior class as well. The inaugural school-wide senior clap out with 9th, 10th, and 11th graders was a big hit! What an exciting las day for our Benson Tech Seniors. Thank you to all the Senior Parent Volunteers, Benson Tech Leadership Students, Jennifer Fields and Melissa Kennybrew for spearheading this last day event for our Seniors.

Benson Tech Senior Parents Support Group

A huge congratulations to the Benson Tech Seniors who were a part of the Benson Tech Escalera program in conjunction with Latino Network. The Escalera Seniors had their graduation ceremony at Mt. Hood Community College on Saturday and what a proud achievement to see our Latinx Seniors graduate from the Escalera program. We look forward to seeing them all again for the Benson Tech Graduation Ceremony on Monday June 3rd at Providence Park.

Benson Tech Administration

Congratulations to the Benson Tech Students who were honored at the PPS All-Star Awards Ceremony on Thursday May 30th. These students were selected from a District committee to represent our students of color within PPS. The categories were Take Flight Native Pride, Young Gifted & Black, API Voices, Si Se Puede and New Portlanders.

Congratulations to Cil Xu Sasqet S. Friedlander Jr. (Take Flight Native Pride), Lulu Kennybrew & Shaleeah Harris (Young Gifted & Black), Aiden Yee (API Voices) and Giosvel (Gio) Sosa Alujas (Si Se Puede).

Benson Tech is proud of our students and their cultural heritage.

Benson Tech Administration

I would personally like to thank the PE/Health department for allowing me the opportunity to spend the day teaching our freshmen students Zumba and for allowing me the opportunity to get to know my freshmen students just a little bit more before they take off for the summer. All I can say is that it was a joyous day spending the time with my freshmen students and I thoroughly enjoyed teaching the three (3) PE classes last Wednesday.

Go Tech

Principal Wilson

Yearbook Distribution

If you ordered a Yearbook, Please pick it up from the bookkeepers office as soon as possible. If you purchased a book, you should have received a confirmation email last week. There is a waiting list for remaining books to be sold so those students should look at their email to see if one is available. If you are not sure if you bought a book, you can email the bookkeeper, sbryan@pps.net.

Thank you,

Sheli Bryan (she/her)

Bookkeeper

Benson Polytechnic High School @ Marshall Campus

3905 SE 91st Ave.

Portland, OR 97266

503-916-5100 ext.86205

Graduation diplomas will be mailed out to the address we have on file, if you recently moved or if you need the diploma delivered to a different address please email me ASAP: emartinezmercado@pps.net

Regards,

Eva Martinez Mercado

Administrative Assistant II

(503) 916-5100 ext. 86407

Congratulations on rounding the quarter to your student's final quarter of high school! We sent out letters to senior households over spring break that outline important dates and information that will help you complete graduation requirements on time, and take advantage of all the celebrations and fun activities that are happening over the next couple of months. Here is a copy of the letter that was sent out: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MsB4O7s7i9WK0dubkorf2K7db8JOM7m8_JMwEl1aP68/edit?usp=sharing

Seniors 60 Day Rule in Effect Beginning Tuesday April 2nd

Commencement Disqualification: Requires that seniors be disqualified from participation in commencement exercises and related activities if within 60 consecutive calendar days of the last senior school day they are found to be in violation resulting in three or more days of suspension or more serious disciplinary action.

Sara Callies (she/her/hers)

Vice Principal

Benson Polytechnic High School

503-916-5100

Chromebook Returns for Students Grade 9-11

All PPS student chromebooks and chargers must either be returned or checked out after submitting a permission slip (English Espanol) to keep it over the summer. Permission slips to keep chromebooks must be returned to the library or main office by no later than June 13th. Any device that is not returned or checked out will be disabled.

Chromebooks for grades 9-11 must be returned by June 14th. Any student leaving Benson to attend another school next year must return their chromebook to Benson and cannot be checked out for the summer. Chromebooks will be returned to the library on the following dates and times:

Grades 9-12: Thursday, June 13th 2:00-3:30, Friday, June 14th 11:45-3:00 pm

Sara Callies (she/her/hers)

Vice Principal

Benson Polytechnic High School

503-916-5100

Parents/Guardians,

Please be sure to open the attachment that showcases Portland's Black Scholar Graduates from PPS. Please note that all the students listed in the Portland Observer Newspaper has a GPA of 3.5 and above. Congratulations to the 15 Benson Tech Black Scholar Student Graduates who were recognized by the Portland Observer.

Dear Benson Tech Families & Staff,

Please find our Benson Mental Health Newsletter linked below. It includes information on: crisis and resource support, as well as a celebration of PRIDE Month with an extensive free or almost free list of options for this summer. As we move into this final push, we wish you wellness - Benson Mental Health Team

Mental Health Newsletter, 15th edition: Benson Mental Health Support | Smore Newsletters for Education

Jennifer Fields, LPSC/QMHP (she/her)

Social Emotional Skills Classroom Therapist, Call/Text 971-710-6501

Benson Polytechnic High School - Benson Calming Room link

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

BHS is located on the traditional land of the Clackamas and Cowlitz Tribes.

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

Rising Seniors-

Meeting Tuesday (June 4th) during lunch in B-45 (Ms. G’s room). We will be discussing prom venues, and our sales from our Aqua Fresca fundraiser.

Please help support the Class of 2025 as we begin our preparations for the 2025 School Prom.

https://pps.schoolpay.com/pay/for

Heide Goertzen

Class of 2025 Advisor

Summer School Registration is now open! Here is a link to the summer session info (i.e. dates, times, locations, etc.): https://www.pps.net/pess

Two reminders:

a)Summer school is ONLY for students who have failed a class (no original credit and passing a class with a D are not allowed to register). Evening Scholars will be open next year for these students.

b)Registration is through your counselor: we are available before school, during lunch and after school.

--

Amy Henry (she/her)

School Counselor

Benson Polytechnic High School at Marshall Campus

Working with Students with the Last Names A-Gq

503-916-5100 x86434

Please see the attachment below regarding Summer School Information

Exciting New Courses For Next Year: Computers and Metalworking Electives

We are excited to be able to share some new electives for next year. We are now offering Intro to Computers and Metalworking as electives for all students. We are also offering Study Hall as an alternative to TA. If you are interested in these new courses, come to counseling to get your name on the sign up sheets by the end of this week.

Sara Callies

Curriculum VP

Athletics Registration for the 24-25 School Year is OPEN!

Please click this link to register to play any PIL sport next year. You do not need to pay the PIL fee or commit to playing the sport next year at this time. Registering puts you on the coach's contact list so you will hear about any preseason or summer offerings, as well as information about the season once it draws closer. Please also remember that all athletes need a physical exam form signed by a healthcare professional every two years. Families turn the form in by uploading it onto their online registration.

--

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.

On Wednesday 5/15 and Saturday 5/25 Latino Network's programs, Escalera & Early Escalera was able to take students to Providence Park to enjoy the Portland Timbers play vs San Jose Earthquakes on 5/15 and vs Kansas City on 5/25. Each student received a ten-dollar voucher for food to be able to purchase snacks at the stadium. This field trip was to celebrate the student's leadership not only in programming but also at the school site. It was also to create community among the participants.

Please see this week's COLLEGE NEWSLETTER for some really great opportunities, like a college essay-writing workshop, a summer architecture program, and an application to be a student advisor to the Oregon School Board. Plus, information on the FAFSA, a scholarship list with upcoming deadlines, college admissions updates, upcoming events, and more.

Be sure to complete your FAFSA or ORSAA. If you need assistance completing forms or interpreting financial aid awards, please text me at 971-238-8322 or email me at kreid@pps.net or Katie Clark (kclark@pps.net or 503-894-4660).

------

Kathleen Reid (she/her)

College Counselor/AVID Coordinator

Benson Tech High School

Benson College Info Webpage

Call/Text 971-238-8322

Set up an appointment with me HERE

Not Too Old For Summer Camp!

High schoolers are not too old for summer camp. Although the summer can be a great time to relax it is also a great time for students to build skills in other areas.

If your students is not obligated to attend summer school there are opportunities for enriching experiences in and around Portland. The Willamette Week put out this guide:

https://www.wweek.com/summer-camp-guide-2023/

Additionally, this site has some opportunities to volunteer or enter into internships. One internship, the OHSU one, is a great opportunity for a student in the Health Occupations Program at Benson.

https://www.collegeboundandready.com/useful-resources-portland-summer

Portland Parks and Rec Also has opportunities for students and families:

https://www.portland.gov/parks/spring

Warmly,

Christina Thompson Pronouns: she/her/hers

ESL Teacher, Benson High School

(503) 916 - 5100 x 86232

cthompson@pps.net

PE uniforms for 9th graders are $20 for the year. If you have not yet paid, please do so as soon as possible so we will have the funds to buy them for next year's class. A second set or replacement is $15. Here is the SchoolPay link for uniforms: https://pps.schoolpay.com/pay/for/Benson--PE--9th-Grade-Uniforms/SdXKDdQ. Thank you!

Sheli Bryan (she/her)

Bookkeeper

Benson Polytechnic High School @ Marshall Campus

3905 SE 91st Ave.

Portland, OR 97266

503-916-5100 ext.86205

Dear Benson Tech Community,

As we look ahead to the upcoming school year I wanted to reach out before the school's transition back to the newly remodeled Benson Tech. I wanted to remind the Benson Tech Community early that next year, with school being back at the new Benson Tech building that PPS will be discontinuing the yellow bus transportation services for students in accordance with ODE guidelines. All students will continue to be provided HOP passes in order to utilize Tri-Met as needed.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to our PPS Transportation offices.

Brandon Coonrod

Interim Director

Student Transportation

bcoonrod@pps.net

Ph. 503.916.6901 Ext. 77295

District policy states that students have 3 school days to resolve absences.

Transportation via Portland Public Schools (school bus) are excused tardies.

If the student doesn't let the attendance office know that this is why they are tardy, there is no way to know. The office does not track who is on what bus or whether they are present.

There is a code for Late Bus (LBS) which can be marked to excuse that type of tardy.

Tardies for emergency situations in getting to school (vehicle malfunctions, police action and other types of emergencies) may also be excused but again, the office will need to be made aware of these,

Tardies due to missing a bus, getting up late, etc. are not excused tardies.

Students calling in / emailing their own attendance absences / late / tardies / etc will NOT be considered excused absences.

Excused absences will be noted accordingly from parents / guardians and/or students over 18 years of age.

To reach attendance, you can call 503-916-5100 X86271 and/or email bensonattend@pps.net

Benson Tech Attendance Team

Charitable Contributions

Item Link

(NEW) Donation Link to support the Class of 2025

https://pps.schoolpay.com/pay/for

Senior Donation Link to support the 2024 Senior Prom and the Senior BBQ

https://pps.schoolpay.com/pay/for/Benson--Class-of-2024/ScFFcPb

GENERAL DONATION - BENSON https://pps.schoolpay.com/pay/for/GENERAL-DONATION--BENSON-/SeFNCY

ART PROGRAM DONATION - BENSON https://pps.schoolpay.com/pay/for/ART-PROGRAM-DONATION--BENSON-/SbMaPfE

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT DONATION - BENSON https://pps.schoolpay.com/pay/for/SCIENCE-DEPARTMENT-DONATION--BENSON/SeyAd7s

LIBRARY DONATION - BENSON https://pps.schoolpay.com/pay/for/LIBRARY-DONATION--BENSON/ScTVMTs

HEALTH SCIENCE (HOSA) DONATION - BENSON https://pps.schoolpay.com/pay/for/HEALTH-SCIENCE-HOSA-DONATION--BENSON/SGsYQX

Fees

Item Link

PIL ATHLETICS PAY TO PLAY, $200 PER SPORT OR $35 IF YOU QUALIFY FOR FREE/REDUCED LUNCH https://pps.schoolpay.com/pay/for/Benson--PIL-Athletic-Fee/SUX9Ow