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

I would like to thank the Benson Tech PE Department for allowing me the opportunity to spend two days last week teaching Zumba to the 9th grade PE/Health classes. I have been doing this for over a decade here at Benson Tech with my 9th graders and this is an awesome way for me to spend some time with my freshmen students.

Principal Wilson

Benson Tech Students,
As we begin to wind down this school year with less than 3-weeks of school remaining one of the concerns that we are starting to see is an uptick of Cell Phones and AirPods creeping up among students in and out of classes.

Please be aware that Cell Phones and Air Pods are banned items by Benson Tech, Portland Public Schools and the Governor’s office. Once school begins at 8:30am Cell Phones and AirPods and other electronic devices need to be out of sight and off and away all day including in the hallways and at lunchtime. If we see these items we will ask for them and you can meet with the Benson Tech Administration staff regarding the return of these banned devices back to you.

I know that we are getting close to the end of the school year and students are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel for summer but I am asking you all if we could just stay the course with Benson's cell phone policy over these last few weeks and bring in the summer on a high note.

We got this!!

Principal Wilson

Countdown to Senior Clearance and Graduation
Seniors, please take care of as many of the final tasks as possible in advance so that the check out day runs smoothly and without surprises (or long lines). On May 28th, they will receive a checklist card. If items are already taken care of, it will be pre-signed. Once all items are signed off, they will receive their graduation tickets. Items include PIL 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

Summer School Registration is now open!

Need to make up credit for a failed academic core class?

Here is Information with a list of course offerings and at which high school.

Please let your student's school counselor know by email or students can make appointments in the counseling department.

BHS counselor's contact information HERE

Christy Clement (Wheeler) she/her

School Counselor, students with last name Mc-Sn

503-916-5100 x 88419

Benson Polytechnic High School

546 NE 12th AVE

Portland, OR 97232

https://bensonhs.net/

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

Dear Benson Tech Community,

Twelve Construction students participated in the Construction Industry Education Foundation Design Build Competition on Wednesday and Thursday May 13-14th. 19 teams from 18 schools across the region as far away as Ontario OR and South Medford competed. Each team was given a set of materials to build a 8'x12' shed. 12 teams competed in that shed build, we were among 7 teams that participated in the 'open' division where we could modify the design and supplement the materials as needed. We built a 6'x8' sauna for Richard Fulton, who retired from Benson last year. We did not win any prizes, but we were among only 3-4 teams that completed their project in the time allotted. We left Benson at 0630 both days and traveled to the parking lot of Chemeketa Community College in Salem with two trailers full of tools and materials. Work started with a safety brief at 0745 and continued until 1600 on Wednesday and 1500 on Thursday. But after clean up, loadout (a non-negotiable term of receiving the building materials was removing them from the site by the end of the day Thursday) and a stop for fro-yo, we made it back to Benson by 1900 on Thursday.

It was some of our proudest moments as educators. The students worked hard all day both days, overcame some mistakes, communicated well with each other and worked in teams beautifully. Camila Reyes (Senior) was our Project Manager and Jacob Powell (Senior) was our Designated Safety Person. There were close to 300 total teenagers working in that parking lot and I did not hear of any injuries, it was quite the spectacle. Rounding our our team was Liam O'Connor (12th), Christian Juan (12th) Oscar Rogue (12th), Caleb Butler (12th), Jack Parker (11th), Henri Chaney (11th), Treyvon Haile (11th), Henry Rosales (10th), Cody Jones (10th) and Chloe Alexander (10th). It was an excellent way to cap off the school year, and we should be set up for success next year with some returning veterans. Link to photo album. There's a lot of pictures, the 'play highlights' button at the top does a good job summarizing.

Friday afternoon Camila, Christian, Oscar, Caleb, and Logan Taylor (12th) went to Richard's house and successfully unloaded the trailer of sauna panels and installed them in his backyard. It was quite the feat lifting the roof into place, but Benson students are strong and capable. I think if you ask them the toughest part was the mental part of showing up when you are so tired after a long week, but the feeling of accomplishment of seeing their work installed and a happy customer was worth it.

Luke and Dave

V/R,

Luke Hotchkiss

Building Construction

Benson Polytechnic HS

Instagram: @bphs_construction

Benson Tech Community Celebration

Saturday, August 22nd, 2026

Noon-3pm

546 NE 12th, 97232

Join us for an afternoon of celebrating all things Benson Tech!

This family-friendly event is an excellent opportunity for current, former, and future students and their families to (re)visit Benson Tech before the new school year gets under way.

The celebration will include:
- Tours of the school

- The opportunity to engage with members of the school community
- Food trucks
- Benson Tech gear for sale in the student store
- Class Reunions (1966, 1996, 2001, and 2006)

For more information, please visit the Benson Polytechnic High School group on Facebook, or email the BPHSAA (Alumni Association) at info@BensonTechAlumni.org

Dear Benson Tech Community,
Broadcasting students from the Portland Public School's radio station at Benson HS will be live on-air from the Portland Rose Festival City Fair this year! Sunday May 24th and Saturday May 30th from Noon to 4pm. Come meet the KBPS crew, broadcast live on-air with us on AM 1450 and KBPS.am, and score some swag. We're excited to join the magic of the Rose Festival while teaching students about live remote broadcasting, and the importance of community engagement and community service. There's more info at KBPS.am and rosefestival.org - Come join the Voice of the Portland Public Schools, AM 1450 KBPS at the Rose Festival City Fair! See you there or tune in to hear the live broadcast!

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

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,

A reminder to Seniors that if students (who were below 90% attendance on March 11th) are wanting extra graduation tickets, they must be raise their attendance from where it was by this Friday. Here is a look at where the Benson student body is for their attendance:

Year to date 86.7% (including excused absences)

Regular attenders by grade level:

9th - 67.5%

10th - 57.9%

11th - 49.7%

12th - 34.4%

Joe Mitacek he/him

Vice Principal

Benson Polytechnic High School

Join TechBoosters for a casual community social on Wednesday at 6:00 PM at Migration Brewing on NE Glisan.

RSVP Here (not required, but appreciated)

The first 25 attendees will receive a complimentary beverage ticket. After that, beverage tickets will be $10 per person. Each beverage ticket also doubles as a raffle entry for Benson Tech gear, including stadium seats and T-shirts.

We’ll also have our Benson Tech jams available for purchase, both marionberry and apricot.

Whether you’re already involved or just curious to learn more, we hope you’ll stop by and spend some time with the Benson community. This is a great opportunity to meet other Benson families, reconnect with familiar faces, and learn more about how TechBoosters supports Team Benson throughout the year.

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

The Benson Tech Boosters

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

Postseason Information

Congratulations to the following athletes who have competed in the OSAA’s postseason events so far!

• Boys golf (regional tournament on Tuesday, 5/12)

• Sam Savoie

• Girls tennis (varsity district tournament Wednesday through Friday, 5/13-5/15)

• Carlyta Barfield

• Adora Tran

• Amelia Clowers

• Esme Dawkins

• Alaysia Adams

• Olivia Barzoloski

• Celeste Siquina Calderon

• Kamiyah Hill

• Sarinem Kasanmoesdiran

• Cherish Mercado

• Autumn Carabajal

• Brenda Martinez

• Boys tennis (varsity district tournament Wednesday through Friday, 5/13-5/15)

• Landon Mah

• Christian Lara Shelton

• Weston Elias

• Del Goff

• Felix Miller

• Jud Ellenwood

• Miles Barrett

• Darius Williams

• Liam Peck

• Malcolm Raeke

• Ethan Saunders

• Django Ring-Huerta

Contest Schedule This Week

Monday, 5/18

• Softball vs Franklin (Buckman Field), 4:00 PM

• Last home game!

Tuesday, 5/19

• Softball @ Cleveland (Woodstock Park), 4:00 PM

• Last game of the season!

• Baseball vs McDaniel (Buckman Field), 4:00 PM

• Last game of the season!

Wednesday, 5/20

• Track & field @ varsity district meet (Lincoln HS), 4:00 PM

Thursday, 5/21

• OSAA state tennis tournament (Tualatin Hills Tennis Center)

Friday, 5/22

• Track & field @ varsity district meet (Lincoln HS), 4:00 PM

• OSAA state tennis tournament (Tualatin Hills Tennis Center)

Postseason Information

Below are the postseason schedules shared with me so far. Please note they are subject to change. Please reach out to head coaches for updated information.

PIL District Tennis Tournament Schedule

PIL JV District Track & Field Meet Day 1 Schedule

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 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.

------

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

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