Principal's Weekly Newsletter

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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

Dear Benson Tech Families and Students,

Welcome to the 2026/27 school year. As a reminder the School Board adopted new policy and the Governor's Office enacted an Executive Order pertaining to cell phones. Board voted to ban cell phone use in schools for all PPS students and Governor Kotek’s Executive Order 25-09 prohibiting the use of personal electronic devices in all K-12 schools during the instructional day.

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 last school year and as we head into the beginning of this current 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 this school year.

1. Students cannot/should not/will not use their personal electronic devices from 8:30 am - 3:34.

This includes not using their non-PPS devices in:

• Hallways

• Bathrooms

• Lunch

• Stairwells

• Classrooms

• Courtyards during school hours

2. What's considered a Personal Electronic Device?

• Tablets

• Cell phones

• Personal laptops

• Smart Glasses and Smart Watches or other Smart Devices

• Wireless Earbuds and Wireless Headphones
  

• If it’s not a PPS Supplied Electronic Device -- it can’t be used

3. 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 throughout the school day as this may disrupt the learning environment.

If a Student Violates the Benson Tech Cell Phone Policy:

1. 1st Time In the Entire School Year:

2. 2nd Time In the Entire School Year:

3. 3rd Time In the Entire School Year:

4. Progressive consequences will continue to follow if the behavior continues throughout the school year.

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 continue to move forward with the Governor’s Executive Order of “Off and Away All Day.”

While we recognize that technology has made communication between families and their children more convenient, an essential part of education is helping students develop independence, self-discipline, and the skills they need to succeed without constant access to technology.

We understand that limiting student access to technology may at times feel inconvenient for families. However, this policy is intentional and grounded in our commitment to the academic growth and success of every student. We ask our entire community to be patient, supportive, and consistent as we implement these expectations. Together, we can create an environment where students are focused, engaged, and empowered to take responsibility for their own learning.

We are aware that families use their personal devices to be in frequent contact with each other throughout the day and that this will be a hard transition for some students and parents/guardians. We will support students as they work to gain self-sufficiency and independence, and we will do our best to facilitate student-family communication when it is necessary.

I strongly encourage families to begin having conversations with their students about this policy change so that they know what to expect when school begins on Wednesday August 26th for our 9th grade students and for all students starting on Thursday August 27th.

Please:

• Review the expectations and guidelines with your student.

• Do not call/text students during class time. Should you need to get a hold of your student during the school day, please contact the main office directly at 503-916-5100. We can send a note to your student or pull them from class to take your phone call.

Please remember that children tend to mirror their adults' reactions. It is important for guardians to talk to their children about this expectation in positive terms. Highlight the mental health, social, and academic benefits of taking a break from electronics during the school day. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via email.

Curtis Wilson Jr.

Principal of Benson Polytechnic High School

Research:

Teens spend 9 hours a day on devices (Dodgen-Magee, 2018).

Students earned an average letter grade and a half higher in the absence of mobile devices (Kuznekoff & Titsworth, 2013).

There are correlations between time spent looking at phones and reports of teen depression (Twenge, 2017)

https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/cellphone-bans-school-are-back-how-far-will-they-go

https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/05/23/surgeon-general-issues-new-advisory-about-effects-social-media-use-has-youth-mental-health.html

Dear Benson Tech Community,

Do you have a student who enjoys video games, computers, puzzles, storytelling, or figuring out how things work?

Benson's Computer Science 2 and Computer Engineering 3/4 courses give students a chance to turn those interests into real projects while learning how games and software are actually built.

Students learn programming by building games and interactive projects. They create, test, play, debug, and improve their own work while learning game design, programming, and problem-solving. As students advance, they tackle larger projects using languages such as C and C++ and learn more about how games, software, and computer systems work.

This year, students will create everything from small programming challenges to larger playable game and adventure projects they can make their own.

Students will also explore how modern tools such as AI are being used in programming and game development. They learn how to use these tools to generate ideas, troubleshoot problems, and improve projects while still understanding and taking ownership of the work they create.

You do not need to already be a programmer to get started.

If you like:

• Video games and game design
• Creating stories, characters, and worlds
• Solving puzzles and challenges
• Building things on a computer
• Experimenting with technology

then Benson's Computer Science program may be a great fit.

The goal is simple: learn real programming and engineering skills by building projects that are interesting, creative, and fun.

Want to see what you can build? Talk with your counselor about joining Computer Science 2 or Computer Engineering 3/4.

David Beckler
Computer Science / Computer Engineering

Dear Benson Tech Community,

Benson Tech FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics team 187 is looking for an adult volunteer to act as second coach to the team. It would entail attending two meetings per week (about 2 hours each) and four league meets in October, November, December and January. The league meets are on Saturdays and last about 3 - 4 hours. The team is also expected to participate in a tournament in January or February that is a full-day event. If they do well, they may be invited to a qualifying tournament or the State Championship.

It is a very rewarding experience helping students build confidence, solve real-world problems, and thrive through hands-on STEM projects. The coach does not need to be technical; the students have a lot of tech knowledge already. The coach acts to guide them in organization, project management, etc.

Please email John DeLacy (johncdelacy@gmail.com) if you can help out.

Thanks.

John

Schedules

We will be handing out paper schedules to students on the first day of school. Student schedules are also visible to you and your student online in ParentVUE or StudentVUE beginning on August 25th. Counselors will work with students on their schedules and are attempting to resolve any errors before the start of school. If a student’s schedule is marked ‘see counselor’ for a period they should go to the counseling office during that time to resolve the issue. We will not make schedule changes except for level changes or missing courses during the first week of school. Students can make appointments in the counseling office with their counselor before school, at lunch, and after school for general schedule concerns.

Students with Teacher Aide, Office Aid, Early Release/Late Arrival must come to the counseling office to pick up an approval form that must be signed by the student, family, and counselor. If they have not returned a completed form by 8/14 they will be assigned a class for that period.

Sara Callies (she/her/hers)

Vice Principal

Benson Polytechnic High School

503-916-5100

School pictures from Gear Up are ready!

Your child’s school pictures are now available! To view them online, please log in to your account at mylifetouch.com. If you don’t have an account yet, you can create one using your email address. You’ll need your student’s ID number or their portrait id and access code to locate their photos.

Thank you! —The Lifetouch Team

Joe Mitacek he/him

Vice Principal

Benson Polytechnic High School

Outdoor School Student Leadership Opportunity

Are you a 10th–12th grade student interested in leadership, the outdoors, and working with younger students?

Fall 2026 Outdoor School registration is now OPEN!

Outdoor School is looking for high school student leaders to help make Outdoor School an exciting and memorable experience for younger students.

Important Dates

• Registration opens: Friday, August 21
• Required Leadership Workshop: September 19–20
• Makeup Workshop: October 4
• Outdoor School sessions: September 29–November 6

What You Need to Know

Students must:

• Register online
• Receive parent/guardian and school approval
• Attend a required training workshop
• Be approved by Outdoor School staff

Please register as soon as possible! There is limited time to complete the approval and training process, and some Outdoor School sites may fill quickly.

Register here: signup.4ods.org

For questions, contact outdoorschool@mesd.k12.or.us.

This is a great opportunity to build leadership skills, spend time outdoors, and make a difference in the lives of younger students!

Naima Issak

Administrative Assistant II

(503) 916-5100

1) KBPS Sportscasting is recruiting PPS students now that want to learn how to broadcast live basketball and football games on the radio! No experience required. Sportscasting is open to any PPS high school student. We broadcast football games in the fall and basketball games in the winter. Sportscasting helps students become more powerful, confident communicators for future jobs. Great volunteer job experience for resumes. Read more and sign up on the KBPS Sportscasting Page.

2) Benson Tech Bowling is looking for new competitive bowlers to join our team! Any Benson student and any Portland-area high school student who attends a school that doesn't have a bowling team is eligible to bowl with us. Tryouts are Thursday Sept 3rd and 10th from 4-5:30p at Kingpins Portland. Practices will be on Mondays and Thursdays 4-5:30p at Kingpins Portland starting on Sept 14th. Students need a completed Bowling Permission Slip to attend. Benson placed 10th in the State Championship last year and we're looking for more! Join us! Please reach out to Coach Jacob with any questions jacpatterson@pps.net

Best,

Jacob Patterson (he/him)

KBPS Broadcasting Instructor

Office 503-916-5100 ex. 88130 or 88132

Listener Line (503) 916-KBPS

jacpatterson@pps.net

www.kbps.am

Contest Schedule This Week

Registration for the 26-27 is OPEN

Please sign up for sports at Benson year using this link. Fall sports started on Monday, August 17. For many programs, it isn't too late to sign up! The last day to register with an uploaded, updated physical exam form is Monday evening, 8/31. Please reach out if you have any questions!

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.

Benson Tech Students: would you like to travel to the Dominican Republic in the summer of 2027? Señorita Arias is now leading the “Exploring Health Sciences in the Dominican Republic.” Visit https://www.eftours.com/3094670AA to find out more about the trip.

Please note: you do not need to be a Health Occupations major to join this trip. This trip is not sponsored by Benson or PPS.

Reach out to bensonhstravels@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like more information!

Earn school credit, travel to Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca, support sustainability in community focused projects, learn from local guides, experience cultural immersion, and expand your mind!

Details: EF Trip led by Benson teacher Willow Weir-Mayorga

Sign up before October and get $150 off.

Informational Meeting: September 23 will cover our itinerary, logistics, safety, pricing, enrollment, and answer your questions. Sign up for the meeting here: Peru Service Trip Meeting

(Meeting will be at Benson unless city traffic changes interfere, then it will go online)

Welcome back, Tech Families!

Please see the attached flyer for information about the monthly free food market at Legacy Emmanuel Hospital.

Sincerely,

Caroline Bleckmann, LCSW, She/her

School Social worker, Benson Polytechnic High School

Benson Wellness Center

Youth Resources

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 school hours and when school is closed, if you or your loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call the crisis line at 988.

Families of Juniors in the 2026-27 school year who wish their student to take the PSAT on Wednesday October 14, 2026 must submit their name to Mr. Ustach for registration in Room 155 or email at tustach@pps.net. Only Juniors may register. If you wish your Junior to have accommodations, you must submit a request to the College Board by August 24, 2026. Here is a link to the request form Accommodations Request Form. PPS will not cover the cost of the test, so it will be at the families expense. The cost is $18.00 paid to the Benson bookkeeper by October 1, 2026.

Tom Ustach

Benson Tech

Testing Coordinator