September 24, 2012

Benson Polytechnic High School

Parent Newsletter

Letter from the Principal:

Hello Benson Community:

Monday is an opportunity for students to get picture re-takes, student ID’s and bus passes.  Pictures will be taken in the auditorium during lunch. 

One of the main reasons students struggle in school is poor attendance.  Please help ensure students attend every day.  We have an automated phone system that calls parents when a student has missed a class.  You may also receive a call from teachers and/or administrators when a student is not attending regularly. 

You are invited to the PTSA meeting and the Booster Club meeting this week.  See details below.

Carol 

Back-to-School Night

It was great to meet some of you at back-to-school night last Tuesday.  We tried a different format that was more like an open house instead of following the bell schedule. I would appreciate any feedback you have regarding the format.  Include any suggestions you have for next year’s back-to-school night.

[email protected]

Late Arrival and Early Release

You should check your student’s schedule and know whether or not it includes a late arrival or early dismissal.  Most students have at least one period in which they could choose one of these options as well as a tutorial (study hall), teacher assistant, office assistant, library assistant, peer mentor or career center mentor.  We do not allow freshmen or sophomores to have an open period in the middle of the day.  Juniors and seniors may have extended lunch if they are on track to graduate.   If a student has a late arrival we offer a late breakfast at 9:30.  We have a volunteer that monitors the cafeteria during the last period of the day for students who stay on campus for athletics or other after school activities. 

Breakfast

All students can get breakfast free of charge.  Breakfast is served from 7:45-8:30.  Those students who have late arrival can get breakfast in the cafeteria from 9:30-9:45.

Free and reduced lunch applications have to be filled out every year.   The forms are available in the main office.

Upcoming Events

Picture Retakes                   September 24                     During Lunch in the Auditorium

(this is a change from the original date that was communicated)

PTSA                                      September 25                     7:00               Library Classroom

Booster Club                        September 26                     6:00               Room 125

Booster Club

We would like to explore the possibility to creating a Benson High School Booster Club.  Please come to our first organizational meeting on Wednesday, September 26 at 6:00 in room 125. 

Equity

Here is the website for the Pacific Education Group.  http://www.pacificeducationalgroup.com/

PEG provides equity training for all PPS staff.

Last week during the Wednesday late start the staff read and discussed an article that explained the importance of getting to know students cultural backgrounds, pronouncing names correctly and providing a welcoming atmosphere in the classroom.

We will all be working this year on building a sense of community with our students and families.  Benson is a very diverse school and our families live throughout the city and region.  Many of our students speak two languages and it is important for us to recognize and respect the many different experiences, cultures, races and ethnicities that our families bring to Benson High School. 

 

 

 

 

Carol Campbell

Principal