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

In the month of May we take time to reflect and celebrate the important role that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) have played in our shared history.

May was designated AAPI Month to commemorate the first Japanese immigrants to arrive in the U.S. in 1843. May was also chosen as way to remember the Chinese immigrants who worked tirelessly to create the first transcontinental railroad in America in May of 1843 and ending in May of 1869.

SENIOR CHECK OUT INSTRUCTIONS 2025

On Friday May 30th, 9:30am to 12:30pm

Enter from gym lobby

• Receive your check out card in the gym lobby as you arrive.

• You will receive any stoles, Honors cords, or other materials needed for graduation. There will be stations to visit to complete signatures on your check out card.

• You must return your completed check out card and attend the mandatory rehearsal to get clearance to walk in the graduation ceremony and receive your tickets.

Before you are cleared to walk at graduation and receive tickets, you must:

• Complete your senior survey. @ bit.ly/25seniorexit

• Return all library books and district Chromebooks/chargers. They can be returned to the library anytime on or before Friday May 30th.

• Pay fees, including library, athletics, and fines. They can be paid anytime on or before Friday May 30th with Bookkeeper, Sheli Bryan, sbryan@pps.net

• Complete all Personal Learning Requirements (CRLEs, Resume, My Plan Essay). Contact Career Coordinator Jzalana Bethune-Summers (jbethunesummers@pps.net)

• Clean out your locker and have it cleared by Scurity/Dean.

9:30 Check out

11:30 Senior video and MANDATORY REHEARSAL in the auditorium

12:15 Senior BBQ- served in gym, track is available (weather permitting)

12:30-1:30 Field Day/Yearbook Signing- clean-up

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Sara Callies (she/her/hers)

Vice Principal

Benson Polytechnic High School

503-916-5100

The Benson Tech Music Club will offer a band class this fall! We are requesting that all interested Benson Tech students with Middle school band experience (or comparable experience) come to our meeting in our brand new Benson Tech music band room on Thursday, June 5 during Flex B (9:50am-10:30am) to learn more.

P.S. Piano, violin, cello & bass instrumentalists welcome

FYI: Ms. Goertzen and current Benson music club members will meet interested students at the doors of the auditorium to take students down the stairs to the Benson band room.

Heide Goertzen

Dear Benson Tech Community,

Please note that the last Site Council meeting of the school year will be happening this coming Thursday May 29th at 4pm in Room 112.

Please come and join us if you can.

Principal Wilson

These awards began as community-led celebrations and, to raise awareness and support, became a single celebration in 2019. Past winners represent racially-diverse cultural and ethnic groups, and exhibit outstanding resilience, academic performance, personal development, and commitment to their culture. They also embody the district’s core values, which were identified through an extensive community process, and reflect our collective commitments to center students and racial equity in our work. Benson Tech students receiving All-Star Awards are listed below.

• API Voices (formally known as Golden Minds) for Asian and Pacific Islander student honorees

• (Daniel Bergin, Kaylee Nguyen-Luu and Trianna Joseph)

• New Portlanders for students honorees who’ve recently made Portland home

• Sí Se Puede for Latinx student honorees

• (Graciela Juan Domingo, Lovely Castillo Bojorquez and Maria Govea)

• Take Flight Native Pride for American Indian and Alaska Native student honorees

• Young, Gifted, and Black for African, Black, and African American student honorees

• (Farrah LeSueur, Noelani Reyes and Salihat Abdalla)

Hello Benson Tech Community,

I’m excited to share that Benson High School student-athletes played a vital role in securing the 2025 Rugby Oregon State Championship—our third consecutive state title as the Portland Grackles.

Please join us in celebrating the exceptional contributions of your students:

• Gloria Rivas-Ellis
• Vanessa Ramirez

A special recognition goes to Gloria, who has been with our program for all four years and has truly been the heart of our team. Her dedication, leadership, and determination helped shape the culture of our program and inspired players around her. She embodies the very best of what youth sports can offer.

These student-athletes brought energy, resilience, and community to the pitch. Their impact extended far beyond wins—they helped build a team where every player felt seen, valued, and part of something meaningful.

Our team, the Portland Grackles, was formed in 2021 when several single-school teams in Portland unified after COVID disruptions. Since then, we’ve grown into a dynamic and inclusive program built to meet youth where they are, regardless of experience, size, or background. Rugby is more than a sport—it’s a pathway for growing skills for life, building confidence, and strengthening community. Our mantra is "Rugby is for EVERY BODY."

We’d love to partner with you to bring this opportunity to more Benson students. Our summer and fall programming focuses on:

• Getting kids off the street and busy for summer
• Creating safer neighborhoods through team connection and accountability
• Offering free and scholarship-supported access to gear, coaching, and competition

We eliminate the barriers—offering meals, transportation support, trauma-informed coaching, and a culture where EVERY BODY belongs.

We’d be thrilled to connect and explore how rugby could align with Benson’s goals for youth development, wellness, and athletic engagement. Your support has already helped shape exceptional athletes—and we’re excited about the possibility of reaching even more students together.

With appreciation,

Traci Flitcraft
Executive Director, East County Rugby
Head Coach, Portland Grackles Girls Rugby
traci@portlandrugby.org
(503) 913-5605

Volunteers Needed

Dear Benson Tech Community,

We are in need of several underclassmen parents to help with the graduation ceremony. If you are available to help at Viking Pavilion on Wednesday, June 4th from 3:30-5pm please email jmitacek@pps.net. You are welcome to stay for the entire ceremony, but just need assistance at the start, checking wristbands, directing traffic and handing out programs.

Vice Principal

Benson Polytechnic High School

Greetings Senior students and families, please see the attached letter for important details about our graduation ceremony and Senior events coming up in the next few weeks. The attached documents are also being mailed home to families of all students graduating.

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.

Dear Benson Tech Families:

Please see the attached flyer for more information about openings in the Intensive Outpatient Program and Partial Hospitalization Program at Center for Discovery. PPS cannot endorse or recommend a particular provider, but families are welcome to contact the Center for Discovery to learn more!

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.

Dear Tech Families,

Please see the attached flyers for more information about free infant and children's clothing and baby gear in SE Portland.

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.

Attention Class of 2025 Families!!!

It’s ALL happening!!! It’s really THAT time!

If you would like to support our senior lunch in ANY way, please email mkennybrew@pps.net. We could really use your help.

Thank you,

Melissa Kennybrew

Senior Class Advisor

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.

Senior Clearance Notice

As part of senior clearance for graduation, students will need to have athletic fees paid and all library books and computers returned (or paid for). Please take a look at library accounts at this time to make sure there are no outstanding fines accrued for missing books. Notices were sent to students for missing materials that had been marked as lost.

ATHLETIC PAY TO PLAY FEE LINK If you have not yet paid the PIL Athletic fee for a sport this year, please do so before the end of the year. 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. Seniors will need to have this taken care of as part of clearance for graduation.

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.

Sheli Bryan (she/her)

Bookkeeper

Benson Polytechnic High School

546 NE 12th Ave.

Portland, OR 97232

503-916-5100 ext. 88412

Seniors: If you haven't completed your FAFSA or ORSAA, reach out to Kathleen (kreid@pps.net/971-238-8322) or Katie Clark (kclark@pps.net/503-894-4660) for individual support, if needed. These financial aid forms are required for Oregon Promise, which helps fund community college tuition.

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

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Kathleen Reid (she/her)

College Counselor/AVID Coordinator

Benson Tech High School

Call/Text 971-238-8322

Set up an appointment with me HERE

Portland Public Schools

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

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

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