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.

Winter sports are underway!

Our boys basketball played in our new gym for the first contests this weekend, with varsity toppling both South Medford and Grants Pass. Our girls program takes on Sherwood on Tuesday evening at Benson. Our swim team competed in their first meet Friday night at Dishman Pool. Wrestlers competing for their neighborhood schools faced off in their first tournaments and duals this week as well.

Reminders for Basketball Spectators

We are thrilled to kick off a great basketball season this winter hosting everyone in the new gym. Please remember that backpacks are not allowed in the gym and the rest of the school is closed. Tickets to the game are required, and they cost $5 for students (if you have your student ID) and $7 for adults. The ticket booth opens an hour before the varsity game tips off. We're fortunate to have an awesome concession stand, so we do not allow outside food or drink. See the schedule below to plan your trip to check out a games at Benson Tech!

Athletics Contest Schedule This Week

Tuesday, 12/10

Girls basketball vs Sherwood, JV at 5:45 PM and Varsity at 7:15 PM

Friday, 12/13

Swim has a PIL meet at Dishman Pool, 6:30 PM

Girls basketball @ Beaverton, JV at 5:45 PM and Varsity at 7:15 PM

Saturday, 12/14

Boys basketball hosts Glencoe, game times and location TBD

Jessica Russell

Benson Tech Athletic Director

Dear Benson Tech Community,

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

Includes: Holiday Support, Holiday Sensory Overload and Seasonal Affective Disorder, Free Eviction Defense, Effective Communication with Teens, Crisis and Community Resources, Upcoming Events: Winter Coat Drive 12/6, Sensitive Santa 12/7 and 12/8, Toy Giveaway 12/21, New Years Day Ride 1/1 & more!

The Benson Tech Mental Health Team

Dear Benson Tech Community,

AM 1450 KBPS presents the band Almost Monday live in concert at the Benson Polytechnic High School Auditorium on Friday December 13th. Auditorium Doors at NE 12th and Irving open at 3:40pm. Show at 4pm. This concert is free for the first thousand Benson HS students, staff, and family members. Seating is first come first serve. Disney recording artist Almost Monday live in concert at Benson High School Friday December 13th.

Jacob Patterson (he/him)

KBPS Broadcasting Instructor

(503) 916-5100 ex.86320

jacpatterson@pps.net

www.kbps.am

Dear Benson Tech Parents/Guardians,

Juniors and Seniors in the Construction Major received their Carhartt jackets embroidered with their name on Friday, a tradition that we hope to continue. Seniors have been working on building a nightstand cabinet, Juniors have been constructing the Stepstool from the Carpenters Union curriculum, and the Sophomores are building a tote caddy.

Updated photos found here., including group photos of students with their jackets. There is always lots of activity in Construction!

V/R,

Luke Hotchkiss

Building Construction

Benson Polytechnic HS

Instagram: @bphs_construction

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

As a reminder this is in regards to the inaugural Portland (High Schools) Nordic Ski Team (PNST) which will operate under Oregon Interscholastic Ski Racing Association Nordic (OISRAN). We have had a handful of kids sign up and are excited to expose more kids to this wonderful sport. No experience is needed and we will help kids get the equipment and instruction they need to compete (if they choose). We hope they develop a peer group with whom to enjoy the outdoors and engage in fun exercise.

This team is for all high school students in the Portland area regardless of Nordic Skiing experience. The goal is to provide a fun introduction to modern Nordic skiing and training with opportunities to race in the state's league, OISRAN. Nordic skiing is excellent cross training over the winter for other sports. Plus, it gives a break from the grey of PDX winters! Practices to be conducted by the coaches from Teacup/Mt Hood Nordic on snow at Teacup Lake Nordic trails and additional dryland practices in the Portland area.

If you have questions, please contact me (Amy) or Kelly Ryan, our OISRAN certified coach who will be leading this new team.

Email:

Amy @ adechet@gmail.com or

Kelly @ kelly@teacupnordic.org

Come join for a practice and try it out!

Just give us a heads up and we will let

you know the practice schedule.

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

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

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