Principal's Weekly Newsletter

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

Thank you to the teachers and staff of Benson Tech for all you do in supporting our kids throughout the school year. Your tireless efforts in working with and nurturing the students of Benson Tech is a pivotal piece of what makes Benson Tech such a special place to come and learn.

Thank you Benson Tech Teachers!!

You Are Truly Appreciated.

The Benson Tech Admin Team

Verselandia Poetry Slam

Benson High School students Zahra Faruqui and Tori Garduno-Tran, along with alternate St’xalq Friedlandar, took the stage at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall last Thursday night to compete in the Verselandia poetry slam competition. They faced strong competition from other Portland high schools as well as several metro area schools, making the evening both exciting and intense. With the previous two year champion having graduated, the field felt wide open and full of possibility for new poets to emerge. Zahra and Tori delivered well crafted poems that reflected careful preparation and confident performance skills. Their delivery showed strong rehearsal and intention, helping their pieces connect with both the audience and the judges. Despite the pressure of the moment, they represented themselves with creativity and authenticity throughout the night.

The competition itself was filled with emotional, intense, and intellectually layered performances, with some poets using humor to explore deeper social themes. Judges appeared more conservative in their scoring this year, with many contestants struggling to break the 9.0 mark. Zahra and Tori stood out by presenting poems that were both relatable and rooted in lived experiences, making their work engaging and meaningful. Their voices and poems added to the diversity of perspectives and themes shared on stage that evening. Although neither advanced to the top five after the second round, their performances were still impactful and memorable. Both students recognized the value of the experience and saw it as important preparation for returning stronger in next year’s Verselandia competition.

Carl Larson

On April 26th and 27th, Benson's Student Government attended the OASC (Oregon Association of Student Councils) Conference in Seaside, OR. We had a great time and this team got to celebrate their wins over this school year and bond with student leaders from around the state. See below for some pictures!

Go Tech!

Torin King (she/her)

Benson Polytechnic High School

Leadership, AP Art History, & Art Teacher

Activities Director

Student Government Advisor

Dear Benson Tech Community,

With graduation rapidly approaching, we wanted to reach out and let you know the steps we’re taking to ensure a safe, secure, and joyful event for everyone.

Graduation season is obviously an opportunity to spotlight the growth and accomplishments of our amazing students as they trade one stage of their lives for an exciting new chapter. It’s also a chance to recognize the hard work of our dedicated staff and our wonderful families in helping our students across the finish line. It’s important that we take the time to savor this moment together.

But we also want to acknowledge that, given the on-going federal immigration enforcement activities, there might be some anxiety around large public gatherings for many in our community. The fear people are feeling is real, and we understand why many families might want extra reassurance this year.

A few things to remember:

• We have a thorough and effective off-campus event safety plan that covers every aspect of event security.

• We work hand-in-hand with the PPS Security Team, venue security personnel, and local law enforcement leading up to the event to ensure adequate coverage and active collaboration between teams.

• All PPS graduations are private, ticketed events accessible only to staff, students, and select guests.

• We do not share student information with venue staff or any outside party. This includes immigration status.

• Staff and volunteers working graduation events have received training on secure off-campus event protocols and procedures, as well as PPS’s Federal Agent Safety Plan, which prioritizes heightened awareness, care, and readiness.

• We do not anticipate the presence of federal agents at our graduation ceremony, but we are prepared to act within our rights and in accordance with Oregon law at all times. This means not assisting or providing information to aid federal immigration actions unless required by court order.

We are fully committed to hosting a safe and secure graduation ceremony that honors the incredible achievements of every member of the Class of 2026. We cannot wait to celebrate alongside you.

Warmly,

Principal Wilson

Dear Families of PPS Graduates of the Class of 2026,

Congratulations to you and your graduates on their upcoming graduation from Portland Public Schools! Please review the following information for important guidelines for students and families at your graduation.

We know that this event is a major milestone in students’ lives, and we are hopeful that it creates lasting positive memories for all involved. We are excited to be holding graduations this year at Portland State University's Viking Pavilion, located at 930 SW Hall Street in downtown Portland.

The following guidelines are meant to ensure that all families are able to celebrate safely and to make the most of this memorable event.

The Viking Pavilion Guidelines include:

• Forbidden items: Please do not bring any balloons or liquids to the ceremony. There are water fountains and bottle filling stations for those who need to hydrate.

• Bags: Please note that bags will be checked at the Pavillion entry. Please limit any bags you bring. This will help keep the entrance lines moving.

• Seating/Photographs: Please do not leave your seat during the ceremony to approach the graduates for any reason. Professional photographers will be present at all ceremonies and families will have options to purchase professional photos or take pictures before or after the ceremony.

• Gathering: Families will have space to gather in the park blocks right outside the Viking Pavilion after the ceremony. Please be sure to exit the Pavilion immediately after the ceremony.

Thank you in advance for helping all graduates and their loved ones have a peaceful and positive graduation experience!

Greetings Benson Tech Families,

We are in the home stretch - only one more month until the end of school. While we have seen many students 'turn it on' following their quarter 3 report cards, this is the time to discuss with your students what needs to be done to get the grades they want on their semester transcript. For students that feel despondent about a class, I often ask them, "why would you want to put in the time to take the course again in summer or evening school when you could just double down and get the credit the first time?"

A reminder to students that Monday 5/4 is a 'B day' even though our last school day before the furlough day was also a 'B day.' This is making up for the SAT day where we ended up having consecutive 'A days.' Here is a look at how our student body is doing on attendance:

YTD 9-12 attendance percentage (including excused absences) 86.77%

Here is how we compare to the other comprehensive High Schools in the district:

Lincoln - 90.6%

Grant - 90.2%

Cleveland - 89.8%

Wells - 89.1%

Franklin - 86.1%

McDaniel - 84.4%

Roosevelt - 83.3%

Jefferson - 82.8%

Regular Attenders by Grade Level at Benson vs. High School average in PPS

9 - 67.1% - 70.4%

10 - 58.9% - 65.3%

11 - 49.8% - 60.7%

12 - 34.3% - 38.7%

Joe Mitacek he/him

Vice Principal

Benson Polytechnic High School

Seniors! We can't wait to see you at Senior Prom

Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance as tickets will not be sold at the door. This is a once in a lifetime event not to be missed.

Details:

May 9th from 7 PM to 10 PM

Jupiter Hotel Dream Tent, 800 E. Burnside St.

Tickets are $35 for one or two for $50

Tickets may be purchased from students during lunch or from the bookkeeper in room 120.

All students are asked to fill out a behavior agreement.

Only Benson seniors can purchase tickets and if the guest is not a Benson senior (including lower grade students or from other schools) they need to have a Guest Registration form signed and approved.

Forms are available in the Attendance Office.

Dress in what makes you feel like royalty.

Parents and Guardians, we would love your support as a volunteer chaperone. Here is a Sign Up site to let us know if you can join us or help with the clean up at the end. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4BA5AB2BA0F85-63757232-benson

Sheli Bryan (she/her)

Bookkeeper

Benson Polytechnic High School

546 NE 12th Ave.

Portland, OR 97232

503-916-5100 ext. 88412

Benson Tech Students,

Senior PROM ticket sales are happening from April 27 to May 08, and that Guests need to have their form approved that are attending PROM and must fill out a form prior to buying tickets by April 30th, to ensure that they are approved to go.

Attention senior students! Prom ticket sales are happening April 27th through May 8th.

Tickets are $35 for individuals and $50 for two people. Please remember, tickets will not be sold at the door!
To be approved to go, you must pick up and submit your forms by April 30th. You can find them in the Attendance Office or at the lunchroom table next to the 'Prom 26' poster.

This is your final high school Prom! Join us at the Jupiter Hotel, come with your friends, because you definitely won't regret being there for this night to remember!

The Benson Tech Senior Prom Committee

Senior Clearance and End of Year Reminders

As we approach the end of the school year, please make sure that you have paid the PIL fees for sports this year. In order to complete clearance for graduation tickets, seniors need to have fees paid, uniforms returned, library books returned or lost books paid for, and the Chromebook and charger returned, in addition to other graduation requirements. If you have any questions, please contact the bookkeeper, sbryan@pps.net.

Sheli Bryan (she/her)

Bookkeeper

Benson Polytechnic High School

546 NE 12th Ave.

Portland, OR 97232

503-916-5100 ext. 88412

TechBoosters Update May 4-8

1. Staff Appreciation Week (THIS WEEK!!): Calling All Crockpot Chefs
Staff Appreciation Week is here, and we still have critical gaps to fill—especially for Wednesday’s crockpot lunch, Crema Coffee (Ankeny) pickup on Tuesday.

If you’ve been considering signing up, now is the time. These meals only happen if volunteers step in, and we need additional support to ensure our teachers and staff are fully covered.

Sign up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050A4DA4AA2BA0FA7-63775300-staff/155373462#/

Even one dish or one pickup makes a measurable difference for Team Benson. Here's the full schedule.

Here's the full schedule

2. Thank You to Our Community Partners
We extend our thanks to several local businesses that have stepped up to support Staff Appreciation Week:

• Fire on the Mountain

• Prima Coffee

• Delicious Donuts (alumni-owned)

Their generosity helps make this week possible. We encourage our community to support these local businesses and return the favor when you can.

3. TechBoosters Social – May 20
Join us for a TechBoosters social on May 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Migration Brewing on NE Glisan.

We’ll have drink tickets and a raffle, and it’s a good opportunity to connect with others in the Benson community. More details to come as we get closer to the date. Watch this space!

4. Leadership Opportunities for Next Year
TechBoosters is actively recruiting for President and Secretary roles for the upcoming school year.

These positions play a key role in sustaining support for student programs, athletics, and teacher appreciation efforts. If you’ve been looking for a way to get more involved, this is a direct way to make an impact.

To learn more or express interest, contact: bensontechboosters@gmail.com

Parents/Guardians: As a reminder, cell phones and wireless listening devices are BANNED items on campus. As the sun has been coming out more, so have banned devices. Students who bring a cell phone/wireless listening device into the building (knowing its banned and can be confiscated), should keep the item in a bag or locker (i.e. out of sight).

Also please note that tablets and Meta Glasses are considered banned items as well.

Colleen Johnston

Dean of Students

Senior 60 Day Rule in Effect

On March 30th we will be 60 school days away from the graduation ceremony.

Any Portland Public Schools student found to be in violation of the student rights and responsibilities handbook calling for serious disciplinary action may not participate in the graduation ceremony.

Sara Callies (she/her/hers)

Vice Principal

Benson Polytechnic High School

503-916-5100

SEEKING NEW LEADERSHIP

Finally, TechBoosters is seeking a new president for next school year. If you are interested in helping guide and sustain the work that supports Benson students, faculty, and staff, then we encourage you to reach out to learn more: bensontechboosters@gmail.com.

Go Astros! Go Tech!

Kelly Janes, President

Benson TechBoosters

Athletic Contests This Week

Monday, 5/4

Softball vs Roosevelt (Buckman Field), 4:00 PM
Girls tennis vs Lincoln (Portland Tennis Center), 4:15 PM
Boys tennis at Lincoln (Washington Park), 4:15 PM
Golf at qualifying match (Heron Lakes), 10:30 AM

Tuesday, 5/5
Softball at Lincoln (Delta Park), 3:45 PM
Baseball vs Wells (Buckman Field), 4:00 PM

Wednesday, 5 / 6
Track & field at league meet (Jefferson HS), 4:00 PM

Thursday, 5/7
Softball vs McDaniel (Buckman Field), 4:00 PM
Baseball at Wells (Jackson MS), 5:00 PM
Boys golf at JV 9 hole (Heron Lakes), 1:30 PM

Friday, 5 / 8
Track and field Garden City Invitational (Silverton HS)
Boys tennis at Roosevelt, 4:15 PM

Jessica Russell

Athletic Director

Benson High School

Benson Band

We will be meeting Wednesday after school from 3:35 to 5 PM in the Band Room.

Ms. Goertzen

Meta Glasses are considered a "Personal Electronic Device" and, as such, have been banned by the district. If a student wears them to school, the glasses will be confiscated like a cell phone or wireless listening devices would be.

Please leave the Meta Glasses at home.

-

p.s. You matter -- you really, really do.

Benson Polytechnic High School

Dean of Students & School Climate Coach

Office phone: 503-916-5100 ext. 88208‪

(pronouns: she/her/hers)

Dear Benson Tech Community

May is Mental Health Awareness Month!

Please find our latest Mental Health Newsletter attached below. It includes: ways that you can inspire the conversation around mental health, join the NAMIwalk on May 16, Healing Stories, MMIWG Day is May 5 (wear red!), Resources/Crisis Supports, and more.

Newsletter, 11th edition: https://app.smore.com/n/j7fqb-benson-mental-health-support

Wishing you wellness, Benson Mental Health Team

2) Students for Mental Health Club - our 3rd year of participation! - Please join us for the NAMIWalks event on May 16.

Walk Day Details

Join us on Saturday, May 16th

Location: Peninsula Park, 700 N Rosa Parks Way, Portland OR
Route Length: 1/2 mile loop
Registration & Resource Fair Opens: 11:00 AM
Opening Ceremony: 1:00 PM
Walk Begins: 1:15 PM
Event Ends: 2:00 PM

Link to donate to the Benson Team and/or register and join us! Our goal is $250 raised, and we have already raised $100! https://www.namiwalks.org/team/82217

Dear Benson Tech Parents and Guardians,

We would like to share an update on how to report student attendance at Benson.
The following options can ONLY be completed by a parent or guardian:
ParentVUE
Benson Attendance Reporting Form (it can also be found on the Benson website)
Call the Attendance Office: (503) 916-5109
• Please leave a detailed voicemail if we are unable to answer your call.

When notifying the school of an absence, please include:

• Student’s full name (ID number if known)
• Your phone number
• Date(s) of absence
• Reason for absence
• If a COVID or flu test was taken: test date and result
• If the absence is due to illness, please list symptoms
  (Based on the information provided, our school nurse may contact you for follow-up.)

• Students arriving more than 15 minutes late must sign in at the Attendance Office.
• Students leaving early must sign out at the Attendance Office.
• If returning the same day, students must sign back in at the Attendance or Main Office.

Eva Martinez Mercado

Administrative Assistant II-Counseling

(503) 916-5100 ext. 88413

Please check out the college newsletter for information on college applications, financial aid, our big list of scholarships, and upcoming events. We have also added a link to great summer programs and opportunities.

Seniors: Please stop by the College/Career Center at lunch on Monday, May 4th, to celebrate your post-high school plan!

------

Kathleen Reid (she/her)

College Counselor/AVID Coordinator
School Counselor, Students with Last Names So-Z
Call/Text 971-238-8322
Set up a COLLEGE COUNSELING APPOINTMENT

For non-college-related appointments, click HERE

Parents/Guardians,

Please click on the link and attachments below to read about the Governor's/Portland Public Schools/Benson Tech Cell Phone Policy which goes into affect for the 2025-26 school year.

Students have done a great job during the 1st semester of the school year in not utilizing their cell phones when they enter the building and we want to continue on with that shift in cell phone use. Remember that we will be asking students to turn in their cell phones to the main office to be held by our Dean of Students or an Administrator if the cell phone is seen within the building during the school day.

Principal Wilson

https://docs.google.com/document/d/13jOZHqb2eYPXRSeXipBxTYU4NjmIUflA5_G6DR3sAEg/edit?usp=sharing (Cell Phone Letter to Parents/Guardians)

Cell Phone Reminder:

9th and 10th graders are expected to keep their cell phones in their lockers. Ipad's are not allowed, as they are basically large cell phones. Please keep those at home.

Additionally, wired headphones to a chromebook or CD player are okay with teacher permission on time/place. Wired headphones should NOT be connected to a cell phone (b/c it's a banned item).

Benson Polytechnic High School

Dean of Students & School Climate Coach

Office phone: 503-916-5100 ext. 88208‪

(pronouns: she/her/hers)

Benson Tech Parents/Guardians,

Picking Up Students: When needing to pick up your students from school during the day please be sure to call the attendance office ahead of time to let us know that you're coming to the school as we will need that time to locate your students class and have your student ready for you for pickup upon your arrival to the school.

Just call (503-916-5100) and you will be transferred to the attendance office.

Student Notifications: When calling to let the Attendance office know if your student will be out for a class period or more or for the whole day, PLEASE provide the reason why they will be late and/or absent. This will help us update their attendance correctly for them and you.

Thank you.

Benson Tech Attendance Office

ACTIVITIES UPDATES!

-CLASS OF 2026 PARENTS: We need you! If you are interested in volunteering this year to help put on events for our senior class, please email me at toking@pps.net. If you would like to make a donation to that School Pay fund, you can do that here: https://schoolpay.com/pay/for/Benson-Class-of-2026-/Sb8kM9V

Have a wonderful week,

Torin King (she/her)

Benson Polytechnic High School

Leadership, AP Art History, & Art Teacher

Activities Director

Student Government Advisor

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