
Principal's Weekly Newsletter
Benson Polytechnic High School December 12th 2022
A Message to our Parents/Guardians: Information Platforms for Benson Tech
Please be sure to follow me on Twitter @BensonTechPride.
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.
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/
Principal Wilson
Benson Tech Spirit Week
Benson Tech Fundraiser: Penny Wars
Benson Tech College Newsletter
For information on College Applications, Financial Aid/FAFSA/ORSAA, and Scholarships that Benson Tech students may qualify for, please check out Benson's 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
Questbridge Scholarship Announcement
Please click on the attachment below to read about the success of two of our Benson Tech students Milan Hawk who is a Questbridge Scholar and Hikima Edao who is a Questbridge scholar finalist.
Get Free WiFi Hotspots for Students from the Multnomah County Library
Hello,
The Multnomah County Library has free WiFi Hotspots for students who need them.
My name is Alonso Melendez and I work at the Multnomah County Library. I’m writing to you today to share the library’s free Tech Lending Program: WiFi hotspots are available now, without fees or bills, even if lost, stolen or broken.
The hotspots provide an unlimited internet plan that is unthrottled and can provide internet connectivity for several devices simultaneously. Students will be able to do their homework, and stream music or video without worrying that they will run out of data.
We currently have approximately 400 hotspots designated for students ready to borrow. With a Multnomah County Library card, eligible students can borrow a hotspot for the rest of the school year, due back on June 30, 2023.
Students must be low income, attending school in Multnomah County Residents, and have a library account in good standing, i.e. no bills over $50, or library exclusions.
You can request hotspots from the Tech Lending Program for students using this referral form, or you can provide students or their family/guardians my contact information:
Alonso Melendez
(503) 351-6219
And I will respond quickly to connect the student and their family with a hotspot.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.
Benson Tech Weekly Athletic Bulletin
Parents/Guardians,
Please click on the attachment below to access this week's Athletic Bulletin
Thanks
Mat Clark
Benson Tech Athletic Director
A Message from Benson's CTE Radio Instructor Jacob Patterson
Parents/Guardians,
AM 1450 KBPS, The Portland Public School radio station at Benson High School, is excited to announce a brand new partnership with local non-profit community radio station Portland Radio Project on 99.1 FM! PRP was co-founded by some KBPS alums and has been highlighting underserved communities and artists for almost a decade.
PRP reached out to KBPS and offered an hour of airtime to showcase work from KBPS broadcasting students. Our all-new one hour weekly show is called KBPS On PRP and airs every Saturday morning 8am to 9am on both AM 1450 KBPS and 99.1 FM PRP. We are all beyond thrilled about the new opportunity to showcase student work on a new outlet on the FM dial! If you'd like to support KBPS on PRP, please consider donating to Portland Radio Project. Now through December 31st, PRP is a part of the Willamette Week Give!Guide fundraising campaign where donors can support their favorite nonprofits and get some awesome incentives in return.
Your support of PRP helps programming like KBPS on PRP stay on the air. For more information go to prp.fm and click the big red heart! Thank you!
Here's the PRP donation link - https://giveguide.org/nonprofits/portland-radio-project
PRP website link - https://prp.fm
PRP streaming link - https://listen.streamon.fm/prpfm
KBPS website link - http://www.kbps.am
Holiday Concert
Benson Tech Parents/Guardians,
You, your family, and friends are all invited to a free holiday concert happening at the Marshall campus auditorium on Sunday December 18th from 2pm to 4pm. The 'Holiday Gift of Music' concert will be performed by the Rose City Pride Band's Wind Symphony featuring 50+ musicians and some of your favorite holiday songs! Benson's BATS team is producing the live show. Come join us and celebrate the holiday season through music.
THANK YOU :-)
Best,
Jacob Patterson (he/him)
KBPS Radio CTE Instructor
BATS Coordinator
Benson Bowling Club Coach
Communications Design Academy
Benson Polytechnic High School
3905 SE 91st Ave Portland, OR 97266
(503) 916-5100 ex.86320
A Message from Benson Radio Engineer Scott Young
Parents/Guardians,
Please note that holiday music will be played all month on www.kbps.am
The most unique and wide ranging holiday music on radio. All the timeless classics plus lots of good fresh songs by familiar artists. We think you'll like it!
Benson Tech Radio
A Message from Benson Tech Instructor Heide Goertzen
Announcing the Benson Tech Music Club
All are welcome (students and staff), including all musical styles and levels.
We will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays during lunch and Thursday afterschool in Room B-45.
Please sign up on the sign up sheet in the main office (by Eva Martinez)
We are hoping to perform some tunes during the month of December (before school and during lunch by the main entrance and during Flex) to celebrate each other.
See Ms. Goertzen (Room B-45) for more info.
Happy Holidays
A Message from the Benson Tech 9th Grade Team
Parents/Guardians,
We just want to remind everyone that the next report card in mid-December will be the last progress update. The first semester grading period ends on January 26th, and grades at that time will go on students' permanent transcript.
If your student needs to improve their grades, please encourage them to see their teachers during the Flex periods on December 8th and 9th. There will also be Flex periods the first three weeks of January leading up to Finals Week.
If your student is having trouble completing assignments due to difficulty managing their time and/or electronic devices, please take a look at this document (el documento en español) for ideas about how you can help them learn better self-regulation skills.
Thanks again!
The Benson Tech 9th Grade Team
A Message from the Benson Tech Boosters
Parents/Guardians,
Let's help raise money for Benson Tech Students while you do your holiday shopping!
As the holiday shopping season ramps up, please consider signing up for our Rewards programs that bring $$$ to our kids, free to you, for things you are buying anyway!
Amazon Smiles: From Amazon.com, select Benson TechBoosters under the Amazon Smiles sign up page.
Fred Meyer Community Rewards: From Fred Meyer.com, select Community Rewards, and sign up using Benson TechBoosters (or account AX717).
--
Go Tech!
Benson TechBoosters
Building Community
A tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) Organization
Rose Festival Court (Deadline to apply is Friday December 16th)
Please see the attached document which has information (Rose Festival Court Eligibility Requirements and FAQ’s) pertaining to the Rose Festival Court for 2023.
Thank you.
Eva Martinez Mercado
Benson Tech Rose Festival Coordinator
A Message from Benson's Career Coordinator Miranda Ryan
The Oregonian/OregonLive Career Day (Dec. 14). Get a behind-the-scenes look at the largest media company in Oregon and meet journalism professionals. Explore how the pros use tools such as video, photography, and social media to tell stories. Participate in hands-on learning, including a mock press conference. Learn about the skills and education needed for a career in journalism, communications, and media. IN-PERSON.
--
Miranda Ryan
Career Coordinator
Benson Polytechnic High School
Cell: 503-312-2774
Office: 503-916-5100 X:77201
Schedule a Meeting: http://bit.ly/BHS_careercalendar
Personal Learning Instructions: https://bit.ly/3D9V6r8
Career Website: http://bit.ly/bensoncareers
A Message from Benson's Community Care Club
The Community Care Club is hosting a donation drive to help Portlanders in need this Winter.
From December 1st to December 16th we will be collecting the following items:
-New unwrapped toys and children's books.
-New unused socks, gloves, and hats.
-New unopened travel sized toiletries.
-Canned or packaged non-perishable food.
All donated items will go to Portland Toy and Joy Makers and the Portland Rescue Mission. Look for the donation bin in the front entrance of the school. Donations may also be dropped off in the Makerspace classroom on B floor.
Contact Mr. Musick with questions: jmusick@pps.net
Jackie Musick
(he/him)
Makerspace Coordinator
Benson Polytechnic High School
A Message from Benson's Social Worker Caroline Bleckmann (Benson's Annual Gift Card Drive)
Greetings Benson Tech community:
Once again, we are collecting Fred Meyer or Winco (no other stores, please) gift cards to share with Benson Tech families who need help over the holidays. As you may know, 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/houseless and fending for themselves. Our students and families are so grateful for this help. Please help out if you are able!
What: Fred Meyer or Winco gift cards in any amount (no cash donations, please). Please write how much the cards are for.
· How: Please see below
· Mail: Caroline Bleckmann, LCSW, at Benson Polytechnic High School
3905 SE 91st Ave, Portland, OR 97266 Or You Can
· Drop off/send with your child: Leave with Norma Lawson, Eva Mercado, RoiSan Anderson or Shana Corah in the front office
· WHEN: Deadline is Friday, December 16th 2022
Tax Receipt: If you would like a tax receipt, please email Caroline Bleckmann at cbleckmann@pps.net by the deadline of 12/9/22.
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
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.
A Message from Benson's Attendance Secretary Norma Lawson
Parents:
If you have not completed the Yearly Verification process in ParentVUE yet, you will find that you have been locked out of access. This message will appear on your screen [see file attachment-Yearly Verification Message].
After selecting "Begin Yearly Verification" you will see this screen [See file attachment - Yearly Verification Screen]. Be sure to select 2022-2023 Yearly Verification only. Complete the Verification process. Your verification will be approved by the Attendance Office and your access will then be reinstated. If you have any questions, be sure to contact Norma at extension 86403.
Thank you.
Norma L. Lawson
School/Attendance Secretary
Benson Polytechnic High School
503-916-5100 Ext. 86403
A Message from Benson's Yearbook Advisor Ike Prahl
Hello Parents, Guardians, Friends, and Families!
It is time to order your yearbook!
You can do this through SchoolPay or by bringing cash, check, or card to Hazel Knox, our bookkeeper in room B-5. The yearbook is being sold at $45.
For local businesses that would like to sponsor the yearbook to offset the cost for additional copies, advertisement and sponsorship placement is available. Contact Ike Prahl (iprahl@pps.net) if you are interested.
Some people choose to remember their senior year by taking a custom portrait. If you have had a portrait taken by a professional or a friend and would like it in our yearbook, please submit the photo of your senior to our Google Form: tinyurl.com/3ue2fakp . If you struggle to access the form, try accessing it with your senior from their student.pps account.
Ike Prahl
BHS Yearbook Advisor
A Message from Benson's Attendance Coach Montreal Granville
Parents/Guardians please click on the link below to view directions in ParentVUE on how to enter/report future excused absences for your child.
https://support.pps.net/support/solutions/articles/8000090120
Montreal Granville
Student Attendance Coach
Benson Polytechnic High School
971-413-3134
A Message from Benson Social Worker Caroline Bleckmann
Don’t forget that the Benson Wellness Center in Room A-30 (next to the gym and cafeteria) is here to help keep you healthy! You can find us by following the signs to the Wellness center
across the hall from the gym. The medical providers have appointments Monday to Thursday from 1-5pm and you can drop in to speak with the school nurse or social worker anytime. We offer general health check-ups, sports physicals, sick visits, sexual health counseling, mental health counseling, vaccines, and COVID-19 testing.
We are also here to answer any questions you may have about your
body, health, and mind. You schedule your own appointments and come during school hours. Services are confidential, and we see all students regardless of ability to pay: this means if you're uninsured, it's free; OHP and private insurance are billed just like at any other primary care clinic.
Tell your student to stop by the clinic and register as a patient and to
pick up some school swag!
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
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.