Parents/Guardians
Parents you can also see and read about some of the good things happening here at Benson via my Benson Twitter Page. You can follow me via the @BensonTechPride link via Twitter.
June 1st 2015
A Message From Principal Wilson:
Parents/Guardians,
- Parents if you could help spread the word that Benson will be having is 2nd annual Freshmen Picnic here at Benson Tech out on the front lawn on June 2nd 2015 from 6pm-8pm to welcome in our incoming Freshman class to Benson Tech. This will give an opportunity for our students, staff and supporters of Benson Tech a chance to meet and greet our incoming Freshman class and their family members. There will be food, music, games, gifts and a positive atmosphere in store for our next class of Benson Techsters.
Please join us if you can and come out and support the incoming class of 2019.
- Parents please note that I’ve attached two photos of Benson’s float that was a part of Saturday’s Starlight Parade. A huge “Thanks” goes out to all the Benson student participants and especially Harrison Brown, Kevin Flink, Steve Naganuma, Matt Pellico and Nathan Swoverland for all their hard work in making sure that Bensons’ “Tractor Float” was up and running for the parade. Go Tech!! (And yes the second photo has a shot of Superintendent Carole Smith supporting Benson’s “Tractor Float.”
- Parents please note that this coming Thursday June 4th Benson will be on its regular Tutorial schedule with Tutorial happening at the end of the day (2:33pm-3:15pm).
- Parents please note that the first day of school for the 2015-16 school year will be on Thursday August 27th. Please be sure to plan your summer vacations accordingly.
I’ve attached a flyer from PPS in English and Spanish regarding this information.
- Parents please remind your Seniors to purchase their GRAD NIGHT tickets during lunch in the center hall on Monday and Tuesday of this week. The cost is $30. Your Seniors must have a signed release/registration form with them at the time of purchase.
A Message Regarding Senior Graduation:
Hello parents and guardians. As you may know, the long awaited senior graduation date is quickly approaching. Commencement is on Monday, June 8th, 2015 at the Memorial Coliseum from 5:30pm-7:30pm and there will be a mandatory graduation practice for seniors which will be at the coliseum on that same day, from 12- 2pm.
A Message from Benson’s Counselor Amy Henry
Congratulations to Beth Burczak who won the PEMCO Community Volunteer Award. She was recognized last week at the PPS Volunteer Recognition Event. Beth is a community volunteer who developed the Beyond Benson Program. Beyond Benson is a program that matches rising seniors with community volunteers to help seniors with their post high school plans. Well Done Beth.
Benson Counseling Team
A Message from Benson’s Cathy Skach (Digital Media Instructor & SkillsUSA Advisor)
After winning the Oregon SkillsUSA State competition, three of Benson’s finest – Allison Plager, Andy Lai and Brian Moreno of Benson Polytechnic High School – qualified to represent Oregon and compete at the SkillsUSA National Competition in Louisville, KY.
The SkillsUSA National Competition is huge. With 6,000 competitors nationwide. It’s a great learning experience, meeting people from all over the country and connecting with them. Unfortunately, the expense is high. Your funds will help pay for plane tickets, baggage fees, hotel, ground transportation and more. It’s estimated to cost each student plus their advisor nearly $1,000.
These future leaders are doing their part in fundraising selling Root Beer Floats, holding a bake sale and selling print items through our very own Tech Algebra program. Let’s help these kids out! Like everyone says, every little bit helps.
As of this writing, we have raised nearly half of what we need. Your generosity will help greatly to help make this trip a reality. To donate: http://www.gofundme.com/BensonSkillsUSA
Tutorial will be happening on Thursday June 4th
Schedule will be as follows
1 8:15am to 9:37am
3 9:42am to 11:04am
Lunch 11:04am to 11:34am
5 11:39am to 1:01pm
7 1:06pm to 2:28pm
Tutorial 2:33pm to 3:15pm
A Message from the school Nurse Laurel Merz
If you have a medication in the nurses office, please remember to come by and pick it up before school is out! Any medications that are left behind will be disposed of. Thanks!
A Message from Benson’s Counselors Regarding Summer School
Summer School Pre-Registration starts on Monday, May. 18th. Summer Scholars is an opportunity for students to retrieve credit for a failed class. The first session is June 29th – July 17th and the second session is July 27-August 14th. Students take one class per session.
The first step is meeting with your counselor for pre-registration. Students will then need to come to one of the in-person registrations to complete the process and be fully registered. The registration dates are: June 9, 10th, 11th from 4:30pm – 7:00pm and June 15th from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Please contact your counselor for more information.
Benson Counseling Team
A Message from Jessica Murchison: Benson’s Leadership and Activities Director
Student body elections are starting. Monday May 4th starts campaign week and students are very excited to be running for 2015-2016 Student Body Government. Voting will happen the week of May 26th-29th. We will announce 2015-2016 new Benson High Student Body (BHSB) on Monday June 1st.
Jessica Murchison
Spanish / Leadership / Director of Activities
Benson Polytechnic High School
503-916-5100 x77171
The District’s 60 Day Rule Regarding Seniors. Please be sure to read carefully.
For the remainder of the school year it is important for seniors to stay focused on doing the right thing in order to participate in graduation activities. According to Board Policy “…Seniors shall be disqualified from participation in commencement exercises and related activities if within 60 consecutive calendar days of the last senior school day they are found to be in violation of District Alcohol or Drug policy or any violation resulting in three or more days of suspension or more serious disciplinary action…”. This 60 day period begins Friday, April 3rd, 2015.
A Message from Christin Chambless (Benson’s PTSA President)
Dear Benson High School senior parents and students,
Benson High School PTSA is planning on hosting its Graduation Party on June 8, 2015 and we need more chaperones to help supervise the event. The PTSA is sponsoring a “Safe and Sober Grad Night Party” for the 183 students in the Graduating Class of 2015. This traditional all night event provides a safe and sober environment where the students can celebrate on graduation night. The prevention of alcohol and drug related tragedies on this special night benefit the entire community as a whole.
This event has not occurred in the past couple years but we are determined to bring this tradition back to Benson High School. Our plan is to pick up the graduates and bus them to the event at 10pm on June 8th and return them to Benson around 6am June 9th. The students will be provided with food, drinks and entertainment all evening.
If you are interested in helping support this event please reach out to PTSA President Christin Chambless at [email protected]
Thank you for helping us bring Grad Night 2015 back to Benson High school students!
Sincerely,
Christin Chambless
Benson High School
PTSA President
A Message from Steve Curley (Testing Coordinator) Regarding Smarter Balanced Testing
“Starting in May, Benson will be testing all 11th graders using the new Smarter Balanced Assessment. We will give 11th graders an opportunity to practice prior to testing in order to get used to the new interface. The Smarter Balanced is replacing the OAKS tests that we have all become accustomed to.
The following link has a lot of information about the tests including practice tests.
http://www.smarterbalanced.org/parents-students/
Look for more updates on testing in the coming weeks.”
Steve Curley
Learning Center Teacher/Special Education
Building Testing Coordinator
Free Math Tutoring
Available in the Career Center during Thursday’s Tutorial (2:33-3:15)
A Message from Miranda Ryan (Benson’s Career Coordinator)
Announcements:
Jobs:
• Office Assistant $ 9.25 must be 16 or older
• Apprentice Painting Positions open in May for student 18 years and older
• Youth Conservation Crew-Work outdoors from June-August making $9.25/hr.
Are you interested in MT. Hood Community College?
We are offering placement test prep workshops.
See the College and Career Center to sign up.
Job Opportunities with Summer Works
Applicants must be low income, between the ages of 16-21, and eligible to work in the U.S.
Apply at: www.worksystems.org/SummerWorks
Upcoming Career Days:
Join the 2015 Summer Crew ages 14-18. Food Works is a youth run organization in North Portland that runs a 2 acre organic farm on Sauvé Island, manages a business, works in the community, and builds personal leadership skills! This is a VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP Program. Participants can earn school credit for community service and work experience. The Summer Crew will also receive a $300 Stipend upon completion of each month of the program ($150 every two weeks). Applications are due June 23rd. Go to the Career Center for more information.
Scholarships
Parents please encourage your Seniors to apply for these scholarships if interested.
Please see Ms. Ryan or one of the three Counselors (Mr. Wren, Ms. Schoettle or Ms. Henry) in the College and Career Center for further details.
Beat the Odds Scholarship
The Beat the Odds scholarship is for students who will graduate in 2016, which means that eligible students are current juniors. The winners will be seniors when the award is given in November of this year. The deadline to apply for a scholarship is Monday, September 14th – which may be just a few weeks into the upcoming school year. This $10,000 scholarship is available for students who have made academic success despite hardships within their lifetime. The attached flyer has more information regarding this scholarship.
Benson Counseling Team
Buick Achievers Scholarship Opportunity:
For more information, got to www.buickachievers.com
Make It a Great Week!
Curtis Wilson Jr., Principal
Benson Polytechnic High School
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