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

Benson Tech Teaching Staff,

Thank you all for what you do in supporting our students. Your compassion, desire and relentless effort in nurturing and educating our students is what makes you all so special. You are all Rock Stars!!

Benson Tech Administration

Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is observed in the United States during the month of May, and recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States

The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

The communities celebrated during AAPI Heritage Month have origins in the many countries that the Asia-Pacific region encompasses, which includes the entirety of the Asian continent, as well as the countries and territories that make up the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.

Please click on the attachment below to view some facts regarding AAPI Heritage Month.

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

Hi AP students,

AP testing takes place between May 6th and May 17th. Students will test at the Portland Doubletree Hotel (1000 NE Multnomah St, Portland, OR 97232).

Please make sure you bring:

• Photo ID (school ID or Government issued)

• Water bottle & snacks in a clear ziploc bag

• Black or blue pens & #2 pencils (not mechanical).

• Calculators & rulers if needed for your exam (calculator policy)

What to Leave at Home:

• Smartwatches or devices that connect to the internet or have bluetooth.

• Watches that beep or have an alarm.

• Highlighters, Mechanical Pencils, White-out

If you are testing with accommodations, you will be testing at Benson. You should have received a reminder sheet this week.

There is late AP testing available by request.

Please see Ms. Thomas in B-49 on A days if you have any questions.

Christy Thomas

Benson High School

AVID 10 /Government/Econ teacher

Pronouns: She/Her

** I work part-time on A days and will respond to emails when I'm in the building. If you need immediate assistance, please contact the main office at 503.916.5100.

Parents/Guardians,

For free Urgent Dental Health Care during the month of May please see the attached flyer.

Nurse Patty

A Message from the Department of Labor (DOL):

As the summer season approaches, we want to ensure that families have the information and resources to give to young workers so that they know their rights and are protected from harm. We believe we share a common goal in wanting high school students to have positive and safe work experiences. Many teens do not know what laws might protect them in the workplace at the start of their first jobs.

Child Labor violations have been increasing rapidly. In FY 2023, we concluded 955 investigations that found child labor violations, a 14% increase from the previous year. We found nearly 5,800 children employed in violation of the law, an 88% increase since 2019, and assessed more than $8 million in penalties, an 83% increase from the previous year.

Below are some resources the DOL has provided for families:

What jobs are off-limits for kids? | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)

YouthRules | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)

Child Labor Laws and Educators | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)

Child Labor Laws and Young Workers | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)

Child Labor Laws and Parents | U.S. Department of Labor (dol.gov)

Seniors - Some colleges have enrollment deadlines on May 1st. Be sure to track deadlines so you don't lose your spot. U of O and OSU have extended their deadlines to June 1st.

If you need financial aid assistance, please reach out to me by text at 971-238-8322 or email kreid@pps.net or Katie Clark (kclark@pps.net or 503-894-4660). We recommend completing FAFSA and/or making corrections ASAP!

------

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

Greetings Benson Tech Community!

Just a reminder that the Benson Tech Wellness Center is available to all students ages 7-21. Services are free, including for uninsured patients. Also: if you are having trouble getting into your child's primary care provider, there's good chance they could get an appointment here sooner!

Students just have to be registered as patients at OHSU: a one time phone call (503-494-8505). From there, they can come down between classes M-Th and talk to Brianna Westenskow to schedule an appointment.

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 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.

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

We will have a meeting this Thursday, May 9th, 2024 in B-45 (Ms. G’s room). We will be discussing next year‘s prom venue as well as our upcoming fundraiser.

Heide Goertzen

Class of 2025 Advisor

Hi Benson Tech Families!
We're excited to tell you more about the trip we're planning with EF Tours to Japan and South Korea in the summer of 2025! Travelers can attend the trip for the student rate until they are 20 years old. This means that current juniors and most seniors will be eligible to travel at the reduced rate.

Please be sure to register for an info session to learn about our upcoming travel opportunity: https://bit.ly/3PNvPf3

The Meeting is Wednesday, May 8th at 6:30pm. Can't make the meeting? Register anyway and I will contact interested families after the meeting.

Thanks,

Meredith McClanen, ND

Health Sciences Department.

Dear Benson Tech Families,

Please find our latest Benson Tech Mental Health Support Newsletter linked below. It includes information on: Mental Health Awareness Month, Roadmap to Black Mental Health, Trauma and how it impacts the brain, Mental Health Resources & more!

Be sure to check it out!

• Mental Health Newsletter 13th ed.- Benson Mental Health Support | Smore Newsletters for Education
• Archive of past Benson Mental Health Newsletters HERE

Wishing you wellness, Benson Mental Health Team

Senior Parent Meeting - Wednesday, May 15 @ 7 PM - all are welcome!

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

Friends of Graduates,

Jostens delivered cap/gown packages two weeks ago. If your and your student ordered items from Jostens, they were delivered as well. If you haven't had the opportunity to order a cap and gown yet, please do so asap by going to jostens.com and go to the Benson page. If you need more assistance , please let me know sooner than later (dmalone@pps.net). Remember too that that Graduation will be at Providence Park on Monday June 3rd starting promptly at 4:30. Ticket information will be coming soon.

Thanks,

Graduation Dan

Dan Malone

he/him

VP, Modernization

Benson Polytechnic HS at Marshall Campus

Hi Friends of Seniors and all things Graduation.

Some have reached out about tickets for the graduation ceremony which takes place at Providence Park on Monday June 3rd starting promptly at 4:30. Each grad has the opportunity to claim 12 tickets. All tickets will be requested through a google form. If families need extra tickets, there is a process that will be sent when the link to the form is sent. All tickets will be distributed electronically as it is through the system the Providence Park uses. Look for the link early in May

Dan Malone

he/him

VP, Modernization

Benson Polytechnic HS at Marshall Campus

Now that spring season sports are in full swing, we will be sending reminders for PIL Fees still due. If you have not paid for fall or winter sports yet, please do so as soon as possible or contact the bookkeeper, Sheli Bryan, sbryan@pps.net, if you have any questions. Fees can be paid on SchoolPay on this item link: https://pps.schoolpay.com/pay/for/Benson--PIL-Athletic-Fee/SUX9Ow, or with cash or check to the bookkeeper in B5. The fee is $200 per sport or $35 if you qualify for Free/Reduced meals. You only need to pay for the first two sports and there is no charge for a third sport in a year. Seniors will need to have these addressed before they can be cleared for the release of their graduation tickets.

Sheli Bryan (she/her)

Bookkeeper

Benson Polytechnic High School @ Marshall Campus

3905 SE 91st Ave.

Portland, OR 97266

503-916-5100 ext.86205

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

The PTA Clothing Center at Marshall campus will be available on Mondays and Thursdays, from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, by appointment. Students can get clothing center referrals from their school counselor or administration staff. Contact Tanesha Dawson to schedule an appointment (tdawson1@pps.net; C: 971-706-3332; O: 503-916-3216 Ext:63216)

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