January 2nd, 2013
Benson Polytechnic High School
Parent Newsletter
Letter from the Principal:
Hello Benson Community:
I want to wish you all a very happy new year.
January will be a busy month as we end the first semester. Be sure to check in with your student and teachers regarding assignments and grades. The semester grade is a permanent grade on the student’s transcript and credit is awarded for passing grades (D and above). Any incomplete grades or failing grades usually have to be recovered in evening or summer school. We do have limited opportunities for credit recovery online and teachers offer credit recovery on a case by case basis.
The Clackamas Town Center shooting and the school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut have prompted us to continue to review our safety procedures. During last year and this year PPS has provided training for all administrators and assisted us in evaluating our buildings to ensure we are being proactive in preventing violence and equipped to respond in case of emergency. We have conducted drills and have educated staff and students on the ways to respond in various types of emergencies. In addition to the education, drills and training we will be increasing the security of our school perimeter including keeping all doors locked except the front door. This will require students and staff to walk a little farther to enter the building. If students park in the back parking lot next to Buckman field, they will have to walk down the driveway next to the building and around to the front doors to enter. The administrative team will be meeting on January 2nd to review additional safety procedures and will keep you informed of any additions and/or changes. I ask for your patience as we continue to look for ways to make our building as safe as possible.
All visitors are required to stop at the main office and sign in where they will be given a visitors badge. Any visitor without a badge will be escorted to the main office.
Parents and students can help us keep school safe by reporting information. Students communicate via social media such as facebook and texting. If you hear of any messages that indicate a potential safety concern, please call the main office or the police. You can also help by discussing with your child the importance of being serious about our emergency drills and encourage them to report information they might have about a threat of violence.
Carol
Benson Website
Benson has a website which is maintained by students in the communications major. Students, Jorge Salazar and Derek Wong have recently updated the website. They have worked hard to add some features and ensure the information is current. Please visit http://www.bensonhs.net.
Tutoring Available
We have a tutor available Monday thru Thursday from 1:45-3:15 in the library classroom.
The volunteer tutor is a biochemist and is able to help students with the following subjects: chemistry, biology, anatomy, physics, geometry, algebra 1-2, algebra 3-4, pre-calculus and language arts.
PTSA News
Get ready for Benson winter sports season! Go to http://bensonptsa.org/ to order your Season 2013 Spirit Scarfs and Seat Cushions – order on line or get them at the games!
You will also find the PTSA meetings information, minutes, agenda and general good news about Benson.
Next PTSA meeting is January 15th at 7:00 p.m. in the library classroom.
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.
Equity
Our last equity workshop on Wednesday, December 12th included a racial autobiography shared by a staff member and a discussion of how our own experiences influence the way we view race and culture in our daily lives. Our next equity workshop will include another racial autobiography and an examination of grade data. We use the latest grade reports and disaggregate the data by race.
Here is the website for the Pacific Education Group. http://www.pacificeducationalgroup.com/
PEG provides equity training for all PPS staff.
Counseling/Career Center News
Scholarships due in December
· Better Business Bureau-Students of Integrity for 1000 Due-12/31
· Laws of Life Essay Contest for 5000 Due- 12/31
Scholarships due in January and February
· Profile for Courage Essay Contest Due-1/5
· GE-Regan Foundation Scholarship Program for 10,000 Due-1/10
· Sae Engineering Scholarship for up to 10,000, or full tuition . Due– 1/15
· Dell Scholarship Due-1/16
· Gates Millennium Scholars Due-1/16
· ESA Foundation Scholarship for 500-7,500 Due- 2/1
College Visits (located in the Career Center)
01/09 Harvard 10:00 a.m.
Career Information (located in the career center)
Manufacturing Career Day is on Friday, January 11th. Register now to get a spot. Forms are available in the Career Center.
Humane Society Career Day is January 11th. Register: http://www.oregonhumane.org or pick up an application from the Career Center. Registration deadline is January 7th.
See Miranda Ryan in the Career Center for more information.
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