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

Dear Benson Tech Community,

I wanted to share an update on our Computer Science students who recently represented Benson at the Oregon Game Project Challenge (OGPC), held at Western Oregon University on Saturday, May 2nd.

Benson Team Members:

⦁ Noah Johnson-Green

⦁ Zan Hedberg

⦁ Henson Danhorn

⦁ Emmett Navarra

Our team competed alongside approximately 50 teams from across the region, presenting original video games they designed and programmed. Throughout the event, our students demonstrated strong technical skills, clear communication, and excellent teamwork as they explained their design process, coding decisions, and problem-solving strategies to judges.

Benson students being judged during the OGPC contest at Western Oregon University

While the team did not place this year, their performance reflected the high level of preparation and understanding they have developed through our program. They represented our school with professionalism and confidence and showed that they are fully capable of competing at this level.

Events like OGPC provide valuable real-world experience by combining computer science, creativity, and public presentation. Our students left the event with a clearer understanding of industry expectations and new ideas for improving their work, which will directly inform future projects in the classroom.

I am proud of the work our students are doing and the continued growth of our Computer Science program. Opportunities like this play an important role in preparing students for future pathways in technology and related fields.

Thank you,

David Beckler

Computer Science

Summer Scholars Registration Opens May 19th!

If you earned a credit (F) in a core class, please contact your counselor, before the end of the school year, to register for Summer Scholars.

Classes will be 9:00-12:00 Monday through Friday on the following dates:

Session 1: June 22 - July 9 (no class July 3)

Session 2: July 13 - July 29

Classes for both sessions will be held at the same 4 sites that were available last summer:

Benson HS

Franklin HS

McDaniel HS

Roosevelt HS

Unfortunately, grade improvement and acceleration are no longer offered at Summer Scholars. If you have any questions, please contact your school counselor.

--

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 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,

It was notable this week that many seniors started to come see me about extra graduation tickets. A reminder that if your student had below 90% attendance back on March 11th when we went over end of year events with Seniors, we shared they would have to improve their attendance by May 22nd in order to receive extra tickets to the ceremony (all graduating students receive 10 tickets regardless). If you need any clarification on where your student was in March and where they are now, you can email mgranville@pps.net for the information.

Here is a look at Benson's student body attendance for this school year - 86.75% (including excused absences)

Regular Attenders by Grade Level (90% or better)

9 - 67.8%

10 - 58.2%

11 - 50%

12 - 34.9%

Joe Mitacek he/him

Vice Principal

Benson Polytechnic High School

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

1. 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!

2. 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

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

Monday, 5/11

Softball @ Wells (A Park), 4:00 PM

Tuesday, 5/12

Track & field at JV Districts (Cleveland HS), 4:00 PM

Softball vs Jefferson (Buckman Field), 4:00 PM

Golf at Regional Tournament (Stone Creek)

Wednesday, 5/13

Baseball @ Lincoln (Gabriel Park), 5:00 PM

District Tennis Tournament (Portland Tennis Center)

Thursday, 5/14

Track & field at JV Districts (Cleveland HS), 4:00 PM

Softball @ Grant (Wilshire Park), 4:00 PM

District Tennis Tournament (Portland Tennis Center)

Friday, 5/15

Baseball @ McDaniel (Glenhaven Park), 4:00 PM

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

Jessica Russell

Athletic Director

Benson High School

Benson Tech Band

Last Benson band meeting for the year is this Wednesday from 3:35-5pm. Join us for a party to celebrate our first year back and to brainstorm plans for next year

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.

------

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