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

The Homecoming Dance is Saturday, 10/24 in the Commons from 7-10 p.m. and the theme is INTERGALACTIC The entrance will be located next to Buckman Field and guests should bring their Student ID's to check in. Ticket sales for the dance are ongoing with prices rising each week. Sales are happening in the commons near the student store, and $20 at the door (as prices have gone up each week), no guests from outside Benson, sorry.

- Chaperones needed at the Dance - use this link to sign up.

- SPIRIT WEEK: Dress up, have some fun, show your school spirit!

• Monday: Album cover/Band Tee (Tunes day)
• Tuesday: Dynamic Duos
• Wednesday: Dress as your type
• Thursday: Out of this World
• Friday: Country Club vs. Country

- Our Fall Sports Pep Assembly will be on Thursday during Flex -- athletes should prepare to participate in the sports walk with their team gear.

Let's make it a great Homecoming!

Torin King (she/her)

Benson Polytechnic High School

Leadership, AP Art History, & Art Teacher

Activities Director

Student Government Advisor

If you are able to help with supervision or clean up during the Homecoming Dance on Saturday night, please sign up on this Signup Genius site and we will communicate with more details. There are early and late shifts. Thank you for helping to make this a fun and safe event for our students.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0C4BA5AB2BA0F85-66727906-benson

Greetings Benson Tech Families,

The news out of Bend last week leaves us all with heavy hearts. While the numbness of these kinds of stories is, sadly, not new to us, their proximity here in Oregon brings an added sense of care and concern for our neighbors and community.

In moments like these, we are reminded how important it is for our children to feel safe, supported, and connected to the adults around them. At school, we hold that responsibility close. Each day, we strive to create an environment where students are not only ready to learn, but also know they are seen, valued, and cared for. The relationships we build with our students matter, and so does the sense of belonging and security we work to foster in our classrooms and throughout our school.

We know that events like these may bring up questions, worries, or emotions for children and adults alike. Please know that we will continue to meet our students with care, compassion, and attentiveness, making space for their questions and feelings as needed. We are grateful for the trust you place in us each day, and we remain committed to partnering with you to ensure every child feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.

As we head into a new week, I hope we can all find comfort in the care we extend to one another and in the small, meaningful ways we show our children that they belong and that they are never alone.

Saturday October 24th we will be hosting our Homecoming Dance in our Commons Area. The theme is ‘Intergalactic Hoco.’ Those attending should head to the Buckman Field entrance (under the radio tower) from the Glisan St. Sidewalk. The dance will take place from 7:00pm-10:00pm - students can buy their tickets in the Commons during the lunch hour, this week the tickets are $15 each and go up to $20 at the door. Students must be in good standing in order to attend the Homecoming Dance.

Benson Student Body Attendance rate YTD (includes excused absences): 90.38%

Percentage of Regular attenders by grade level:

9th-72.81%

10th-70.49%

11th-65.53%

12th-48.94%

Joe Mitacek he/him

Vice Principal

Benson Polytechnic High School

AP Exam Registration is open!

All students wishing to take an AP exam in May must register by November 2nd.

Directions at:

AP Exam Registration Directions

ccr.pps.net

Contact kstolte@pps.net or ibruer@pos.net with questions.

Kayla Stolte, M.A.T.

(she/her)

Math Teacher
Benson High School

AP Computer Science Could Be Coming to Benson! Have Your Say!

Interested in game development, cybersecurity, programming, or creating apps?

Benson is exploring new Computer Science opportunities for the 2027–28 school year, including a possible AP Computer Science Principles course.

We want to hear from you! Whether you've taken Computer Science before or have never written a line of code, your input can help shape future course offerings.

The survey takes about 2 minutes to complete.

Take the AP Computer Science & CS Course Interest Survey

Davie Beckler

Benson Tech Computer Science Instructor

Tier 2 Attendance Intervention Plan (85%–89% Group)

• Target Audience: 98 students currently hovering between 85% and 89% attendance.




• Ultimate Goal: Elevate all 98 students to a minimum of 90% attendance.

Action Steps

1. Immediate Outreach & Scheduling
   • Who: Attendance Coach.
   • Action: Call the families of all 98 identified students.
   • Objective: Secure a designated date and time for an individual student/family meeting.







2. ASERT Team Review
   • Who: Attendance Coach & ASERT Team.
   • Action: Bring this specific cohort list to the next ASERT meeting.
   • Objective: Collaboratively brainstorm tailored support strategies and review any known barriers for these students before individual meetings begin.







3. Individualized Support Mapping
• Who: Attendance Coach & Student.
• Action: Conduct the one-on-one meetings.
• Objective: Create and sign a personalized attendance success plan that addresses their unique challenges (e.g., transportation, morning routines) and maps out the path to 90%.

Montreal Granville BS, MS

Student Attendance Coach

Mgranville@pps.net

Benson Polytechnic High School

971-413-3134

Refer a Student to me by filling out this quick form!

From the Benson Mental Health Team:

Hello Benson Tech Community - Please find our first two Benson Mental Health newsletters linked below (the 1st is in the archive link). Our team works to provide information that moves us all toward well being. Hoping this finds you moving toward that space.

2nd edition - you'll find information on: Looking for an outside therapist, Sankofa Counseling on campus, Lunch Group/Mental Health Club, Healing Stories Alliance, Indigenous People’s Day 10/12, Y’all Summit 10/17, BEAM Village 12/11, World Mental Health Day 10/10 , Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Crisis/Community Resources, & more.

• 2nd Edition: https://app.smore.com/n/gerxn-benson-mental-health-support
• Archive of MH Newsletters

Wishing you wellness, Benson Mental Health Team

A Message from the Benson Swim Team:

Swim Team season Starts November 16th!! Benson Swimming has grown tremendously in the last 4 years and have had some great success! We always need new swimmers to keep growing! So if you can swim well and would like to join other swimmers at Benson for the Winter sports season, DO NOT WAIT, sign up now it is not too soon.

Steve Espe

Benson Tech Swim Coach

Seniors and Parents and Caregivers of Seniors:

Please join us for FAFSA/ORSAA Completion Night on Wednesday, October 21, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. in the Benson Library.

Financial aid experts and knowledgeable volunteers will be available to help students and families complete the FAFSA or ORSAA and access financial aid for four-year colleges, community colleges, scholarships, and trade/career programs.

Please bring:

• Your Chromebook
• Social Security Number, if you have one
• A copy of 2025 tax returns for parent(s)/caregiver(s) and the student, if applicable

Pizza will be provided, and Spanish interpretation will be available.

Hello Benson Tech Families,

I have some exciting news to share. Your student is invited to join us on an educational travel experience with their peers to Europe in Summer 2028.

My name is Andy Scheirer and I am a math teacher here at Benson Tech. I am excited to be traveling again with EF tours and your students. This past summer I went to Ecuador on an EF tours with some Benson students and it was an incredible Trip. It was great to see the students experience a new culture and get travel experience with the structure of a tour company. I am thrilled to be exploring Europe in the summer of 2028.

Students become more aware of themselves and others when they travel. They develop confidence, explore new ideas, and mature in ways that can surprise us. Students who join this opportunity will learn about themselves and the world, grow their social skills, and set themselves apart in future schooling and careers.

To learn more, please join our informational meeting on October 22nd at 7:00 PM.

Please register here: https://bit.ly/3UP5HpP

We will discuss:
- Why we see this as a valuable opportunity for our students
- What we'll see and do on our trip
- Everything that's included in this experience
- How we're keeping this safe and affordable
- A $150 discount available for early enrollment

A parent or guardian must attend. Can't make it? Choose "No, but send info" on our registration page so you don't miss out.

Best regards,

Andy Scheirer

Advanced Math Teacher at Benson High School

ascheirer1@pps.net

College Application Presentation

Please click the link above for a preview of how to fill out the college application.

--

Sincerely,

Morgan McFadden

School Counselor- Benson High School

Work Cell (with text): 971-231-4149

Caseload: Last Names G-Ma

To schedule an appointment, use the following link: Ms. Morgan

Dear Tech Families:

Come get your Flu and COVID vaccines in the Benson Wellness Center!

By appointment only: if you have never been seen by our providers you will need to register as a patient by calling 503-494-8505.

Please talk to any adult in the clinic if you have questions about how to do that! Or call 503-418-0409.

Sincerely,

Caroline Bleckmann, LCSW, She/her

School Social worker, Benson Polytechnic High School

FYI: The Benson Band will be playing at our first Benson Assembly this Thurs. Oct. 22 at 9:52am. Come out and support us!!

Do you like to argue and prove your point? Benson Mock Trial is looking for committed members! Join us every Tuesday & Thursday in Room 11 (Mr. Morris' room in the basement) from 3:40pm-6pm. Dinner is provided. Contact Ms. Goertzen: hgoertzen@pps.net with any further questions.

Do you like to argue? Do you want to understand the proceedings in a courtroom and how to engage? Then Benson’s Mock Trial Team might be for you. Come check it out! We practice every Tuesday and Thursday after school from 3:40pm-6pm. Dinner is provided! Email Ms.G with questions or for more information at hgoertzen@pps.net

Any student that requested a locker through the sign up form has been assigned a locker! Students should check their PPS email and look for one from the Dean of Students, cojohnston@pps.net.

Colleen Johnston

Dean of Students

Contest Schedule This Week

Tuesday, 10/20

• Volleyball vs Jefferson, 4:30 / 4:30 / 6:00 PM

• Boys soccer @ McDaniel

• Varsity @ MHS, 7:00 PM

• JV @ Glenhaven Park, 4:15 PM

Wednesday, 10/21

• Girls soccer @ McMinnville, 7:00 PM

Friday, 10/23

• Varsity football vs Lincoln (Marshall Campus), 7:00 PM

Register for winter and spring sports at Benson!

Please sign up for sports at Benson using this link. Winter sports include swimming, wrestling, and basketball. Athletes who want to participate on the first day of the winter season need to register by November 9 at midnight. The first day of the season/tryouts is November 16. All athletes need to be fully cleared (including the physical exam form filled out by a medical provider) to participate.

ASB Stickers

Benson Tech will offer ASB stickers for purchase this year to benefit the Athletics Department. If a student or their family purchases this sticker, the student will have free admission to all regular season contests held at Benson HS for the entire 2026-27 school year. A student ticket for a regular season contest costs $5 a game, and we are selling the stickers for $20. The sticker will go on their school ID card, so they can show that at the ticket booth for free admission to regular season home games at Benson HS. Students may pick up the stickers from the athletic office or the bookkeeper after they have purchased it on SchoolPay, or in person. Funds from the ASB sticker sales will go back to Benson Tech athletes to pay for varsity letters, athletic training supplies, uniforms, team gear, and equipment.

Attendance Reminders

Fall rosters have been finalized, so we will begin running attendance reports and holding athletes out from contests and practices if they are in violation of the PIL/PPS athlete attendance policy. I've included the policy below for reference.

Athletic Attendance Procedure
1. Attendance at school for the entire day is a prerequisite for participation in an athletic contest or practice. School related activities or appointments with at least 24 hour notice and approval by the administration do not fall under this regulation. Emergency situations may be reviewed by the administration.

2. As soon as it is verified that a student athlete has an unexcused absence from any class (including being marked late after tardy), they will not be permitted to participate in the practice or contest that day.

Pre-arranged absences that are excused:

• A school-related activity

• An appointment, but only if an athlete’s parent/guardian received prior approval for the absence from the athletic director or a school administrator

• A situation deemed to be an emergency by the athletic director or a school administrator

Unexcused absences:

• The athlete attending an appointment that parent/guardian did not obtain prior approval

• The athlete not attending a class for reasons not deemed to be an emergency by the athletic director or school administrator

Jessica Russell

Athletic Director

Benson High School

Please email jacpatterson@pps.net or NatashaC@gw-inks.com if you have any questions.

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

Congratulations to Eric Conklin and Melanie Elliott on each winning 2x Benson Tech bleacher seats in our Back-to-School Night raffle! Thank you to everyone for engaging with us. We look forward to working with you all over the coming year.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Congratulations to the Benson Class of 1985 for their three-peat championship in our Ready! Set! Go TECH!! fundraiser. Together, we raised just over $5,600 to support Benson's clubs and teams over the coming year.

Learn how these funds support Benson students on our website:

https://bensontechboosters.org/ready-set-go-tech

Are you receiving our newsletter? Add yourself to the list here.

The Benson Tech Boosters

From the Bookkeeper

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 account so you have a saved history of your payments in one place. Here are some of the direct links for specific items.

Athletic "Pay to Play Fee" For students participating in PIL Benson teams, the fee is $200 per sport for the first two sports per year and the fee for a third sport is waived. If you qualify for Free/Reduced Meals, the fee is $35. If you have not yet paid for fall sports, please do so as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please contact the bookkeeper, Sheli Bryan.

ASB Sticker Purchase a $20 sticker for your student's ID to get them into any home game during the regular season. Proceeds go to support Benson athletic programs. The regular cost of student admission is $5 per game. The sticker can be picked up from the bookkeeper in room 120 once purchased.

PE Uniform for 9th Graders All families of 9th grade students are asked to pay $20 to cover the cost of the PE shirt, a combination lock, and to help support the costs of the PE/Health course.

Student Activity Fund Families who are able are asked to contribute funds to school-wide activities each year. The school operational budget does not cover all the needs for our programs. We rely on voluntary contributions 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 support activities and events. Thank you!

Sheli Bryan (she/her)

Bookkeeper

Benson Polytechnic High School

546 NE 12th Ave.

Portland, OR 97232

503-916-5100 ext. 88412

Pre-order the Benson Blueprint (2027 Yearbook)!

This year's staff is assembled and excited to get started making the book.

Follow THIS LINK to Josten's website to take advantage of early-bird pricing. Hurry! Prices go up in October!

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