Benson Blogs

October 14th 2013

A Message From Principal Wilson:

I would like to say how excited I was to visit with Benson’s own BotFest seminar that was put on by our own Robotics Club here at Benson Polytechnic High School this past Saturday from 10am-3pm in the cafeteria.  Our students hosted other likeminded students who love engineering, science and technology and gave demonstrations on how to build robots, keep notebooks and the work that goes into a robotics competition.

This year’s BotFest was specifically oriented towards rookies and the Benson robotics staff and students did a terrific job in organizing the event.

I’m looking forward to BotFest 2014

New Basketball Coaches:

I would like to announce that Benson has hired two new basketball coaches for our men’s and women’s basketball program.  Earl Clark  (Benson grad) and Eric Knox will lead our basketball programs this upcoming season.  Mr. Clark will be leading the men’s program and Mr. Knox will be leading the women’s program.  Both coaches will bring hard work, excitement and a committed attitude to our program.

Let’s welcome both coaches to the Benson family.

A Message from Vice Principal Carbone

Attention: There will a special schedule this week!!

Wednesday, October 16th – Early release 8:15 to 12:00 PM (lunch at noon)

Thursday, October 17th – Late opening 10:00 to 3:15 PM (optional advisory from 8:15 to 10:00 AM)

The State of Oregon is asking all districts to administer the PSAT test to all 10th graders this year at no charge.  Benson Polytechnic High School will be administering the PSAT to all sophomores and some juniors at 8AM on the morning of Wednesday, October 16th, 2013.

We expect all 10th grade TECHMEN AND TECHSTERS to be prepared to take this test on Wednesday by: having a good night’s sleep Tuesday night followed by a good breakfast; coming with a pencil and calculator; and being on time at 8AM on Wednesday.  Bringing a snack to eat during the break is recommended.  Late students will not be admitted to the test.

If you have any questions about the PSAT test, feel free to contact Jeandré Carbone at [email protected] or 503-916-5100 x77126

Special activities are also planned for freshman, juniors, and seniors.  All grades are expected to attend.

Thursday will be a late opening for our monthly advisory period.  The advisory is scheduled from 8:15 to 10:00 to provide extra support for students in classes where they are having difficulty.  If your son or daughter needs extra help in a class, all teachers will be available in their classrooms on Thursday morning to provide that extra help.  Please take advantage of the opportunity and send your student to the advisory period.

A Message from Amy Barras

HealthCorps Happenings at Benson High School:

This past week, Chef’s Club had their first meeting.  Students were taken on a tour of the kitchen and they learned basic knife skills. They practiced chopping, slicing, and dicing by making a fall- inspired, fruit salad. Chef’s Club will meet every Tuesday from 3:30-5:00 pm in room k-2 (next to the cafeteria kitchen). All students are welcome to join at any time!

On Saturday, October 12th Chef’s Club students will make breakfast and lunch for BotFest! The menu includes turkey and veggies wraps and a couple other fun surprises.

Benson’s Documentary “The Heart of the Matter” is scheduled to show on October 16th at the school. For a sneak peak to hear about the HealthCorps program and the film check out this link to Health Currents Radio: http://pearlnaturalhealth.com/2013/10/podcast-health-heart-matter/

Keep your eyes peeled for the next podcast scheduled to air in a week with an interview from our student, Maya Brown, her Mom, and Health/PE teacher, Katie Meyer.

Facebook! Like our page: HealthCorps at Benson High School for the latest updates from Ms. Amy, health tips, pictures, videos and more.

Amy’s Fun Fact: A pair of feet have 500,000 sweat glands and can produce more than a pint of sweat a day.

A Message For Our Seniors:

Benson High School  Class of 2014:    Graduation Information Packets were handed out in Senior English.  It contains information about ordering your Senior’s graduation announcements, Cap & Gown  and other cool graduation products.  Be sure your student brings the information  packet home.  Graduation orders need to be placed on:  October 17th at school.

School Meals

Students who were receiving free or reduced-price meal benefits at the end of last year must fill out a NEW meal application for the current school year in order to receive school meals or other fee reductions such as athletic fees or low cost internet.  Students who have NOT submitted a NEW application will be required to pay full price for school meals starting Monday, October 14th.  It is easy and confidential to apply online for free and reduced-price meals.  You will find the link to the online application on our school web site.

Breakfast

All students can get breakfast free of charge.  Breakfast will be served from 7:45-8:15.  Please encourage your students to arrive to school on time in order to receive breakfast.

Attendance

One of the main reasons students struggle in school is poor attendance.  Please help ensure students attend every day and arrive to school on time.  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.

Site Council

If any parents or students are interested in being a part the Benson’s Site Council team we will be having our monthly Site Council meeting on Tuesday Oct. 15^th in the Benson Library classroom which is located in the Library.  The meeting will go from 4pm-5:30pm.  Please consider being a part of the Benson Site Council team.

PTSA

If any parents or students are interested in being a part of Benson’s PTSA (Parent, Teacher, Student Association) we will be having our monthly scheduled meeting on Tuesday Oct. 15^th in the Benson Library classroom which is located in the Library.  The meeting will go from 7pm-9pm.  Please consider being a part of the Benson PTSA team.

National College Fair

Friday November 1st from 9am-12:00pm and Saturday November 2nd from 1:00pm-5:00pm at the Oregon Convention Center (777 NE MLK BLVD)   Admission is FREE and Parking is $10.00

September 30th 2013

A Message From Principal Wilson:

Parents/Guardians

Any juniors wanting to re-take the PSAT on October 16th are encouraged to do so. This is a great opportunity to meet state benchmarks and prep for the SAT.  If your son or daughter is interested in taking the test or have a question about it, contact Mr. Curley in room 221.   The cost is $14.00 payable to the bookkeeper.

Homecoming Football game is this Friday here at Benson (Buckman Field) against Cleveland and will be played at 4:30pm.  Please come out and show your support to our Football team.  Please be sure and tell your students that from 4:30pm-5:30pm any Benson student that has their student ID card will be allowed into the Homecoming Game for FREE!!  In order to get into the game the student must have their Benson ID card with them to enter the game.  No Exceptions!!

Homecoming Dance is this Friday after the Homecoming Football Game and will go from 7pm-10pm in the old gym.  Tickets are $5 if purchased early and $7 at the door.  If you would like to help chaperone the dance please make contact with our Activities Director Rachel Draper for more information on how you can help with this event.  Ms. Draper’s email address is [email protected]

Please note that if your student loses their ID card the replacemetn fee for the card is $50 to the bookkeeper.  Please make sure your students are watchful of their ID cards.

Spirit Week is this week please let your kids know that: Tuesday,  Twin Day, Wednesday, Blast to Past; Thursday, Formal Day;  Friday, Class Colors     9^th– White         10^th- Blue         11^th– Orange        12^th – All Colors

National College Fair is this Friday, November 1^st 9:00 am to 12:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 2^nd 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  It will be held at the Oregon Convention Center (777 NE MLK BLVD).   Admission is FREE.  Parking is $10.00

Students who were receiving free or reduced-price meal benefits at the end of last year must fill out a NEW meal application for the current school year in order to receive school meals or other fee reductions such as athletic fees or low cost internet.  Students who have NOT submitted a NEW application will be required to pay full price for school meals starting Monday, October 14^th.  It is easy and confidential to apply online for free and reduced-price meals.  You will find the link to the online application on our school web site.

KBPS

KBPS will broadcast the Benson/Cleveland game that will be played at Benson, Friday Oct. 4th at 4:30.  In case any parents can’t make it to the game.

A Message from Nurse Schlater

Dear Parents,

According to Portland Public School  policy, our high school  students can carry and self administer necessary  medication if the proper medication forms are filled out and  turned into the office.

For over the counter medications to treat such things as headaches and menstrual cramps, you and your student need to fill out, sign and return the Self-Medication form and the Authorization for Medication Administration by School Personnel.

For prescription medications such as asthma inhalers, we also need the  Oregon Licensed Physician area of the medication form to be filled out and signed by your health care provider along with the Self-Medication Agreement and the Authorization for Medication Administration by School Personnel.

These forms can be found on the PPS web site or picked up from me, the school’s nurse. I am at Benson on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays. and Fridays. I am at LLewellyn Elementary on Wednesdays.

Please call me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Cindy Schlatter, RN

Benson PHS :503-916-5100 ext. 77109

Llewellyn ES:503-916-6216

September 16th 2013

Hello Everyone,
I would like to welcome Parents & Guardians to the start of the 2013-14 school year. I am excited to be leading the charge as the new Principal here at Benson Polytechnic High School. A little bit about myself in that I’ve been with PPS for 23 years as a teacher, coach, and administrator. I enjoy being around students and have dedicated my life in helping kids become successful through many different endeavors. I have a lovely wife and two great sons and believe that family communication is paramount in regards student success. The Benson staff here is fantastic and I have a great administrative team to support me here at Benson Polytechnic. One of the things that I want to do is to let parents know that I’ll be doing this weekly blog/post to let parents/guardians know what’s happening here at Benson and trying to keep everyone updated about the good things that are happening here in the school. So with that being said I look forward to meeting many of you throughout the school year.
Curtis Wilson Jr.
Principal

Parents/Guardians:
Please note that you’ll be getting Synergy Logins either late this month or early next and if you have an email on file you will receive it electronically. Here is a link with more information and a screen shot of what it will look like. http://www.pps.k12.or.us/departments/information-technology/8258.htm

Desmond Spann of Writers in the Schools will be working with Mr. Naganuma’s senior and sophomore Radio students this quarter. Here is an information statement from the WITS web site.
“Writers in the Schools (WITS) is a program of Literary Arts, an arts nonprofit in Portland, Oregon whose mission is to engage readers, support writers, and inspire the next generation with great literature.
WITS employs poets, fiction writers, essayists, graphic novelists, journalists and playwrights to teach semester-long writing residencies in Portland’s public high schools. In addition to getting students excited about reading and writing, WITS provides professional development for teachers, visits with world famous authors and provides transportation for high school groups to attend Portland Arts & Lectures.”
Here is a link to the WITS Blog featuring Desmond Spann in Mr. Naganuma’s classroom last school year.
http://witspdx.com/2013/04/02/wits-in-action-desmond-spann-at-benson-hs/

Here is also a video link to a OPB-TV feature story on Desmond Spann.
http://watch.opb.org/video/2322657078/

Late Start:
The third week of every month we have two late starts. On Wednesday and Thursday of that week, staff participates in professional development in the morning and classes begin at 10:15. On Thursday, teachers are available in the room for “advisory” to assist students.

Back to School Night:
Parents please note that Back to School Night will take place Tuesday Sept. 16th starting at 6pm in the Auditorium and that at 6:30pm parents will be able to go and visit their students classes and be able to listen to some of the good things that are going on with their student’s teachers and instructors in regards to their subject matter. Please remember that this time is not considered Parent Conferences as this will take place later in the fall. Back to School Night is a time to visit the school and to visit some classes and be able take in all the good things that Benson is gearing up for this upcoming school year.

Two messages from Mr. Mylet (English Teacher)
2014 Yearbooks are available for pre-order:
Order your student a copy of the 2013-2014 Benson High School Blueprint. Orders can be made using cash or check through the bookkeeper, or you can order online at jostens.com. The cost is $50 through January, when the price goes up to $60. Order early and save. E-mail Dave Mylet at [email protected] for details.
Senior Pages
Want to honor/embarrass your senior in the yearbook? Senior pages are currently available in the 2013-2014 yearbook. You can choose from a full page spread all the way down to 1/8th of a page. Please e-mail Dave Mylet at [email protected] for details and pricing.

KBPS Info:
Parents/Guardians please know that KBPS broadcasts all of the school board meetings, so if you are interested in what is going on with the school board meeting but cannot attend the meeting you can listen on 1450AM on your radio, kbps.am on the internet or by using the tunein app on your smart phone.

TechGeometry Information:
Congratulations to Mr. Hryciw for receiving a $7000 donation for TechGeometry at JELD-WEN Field Friday night.
TechGeometry will be starting their first project – riveting a Tech Orange belt to wear.
TechGeometry parent night is Wednesday, September 25th in room 228 from 6:00pm – 7:30pm for families of all TechGeometry students.
Food & childcare will be provided.

Site Council:
Benson’s Site Council will be having their first meeting on Tuesday Sept. 24th from 4:00pm-6:00pm in the Benson Library.

PTSA:
Benson’s PTSA will be having their first meeting on Tuesday Sept. 24th from 7:00pm-8:30pm in the Benson Library.
Congratulations:
A huge congratulation goes out to our own Benson High freshman Joshua Wentzel who was selected as one of 30 national finalists for the 2013 Broadcom Masters of Science and Engineering Competition which is a leading science, technology, engineering and math competition for middle school students. Joshua was the only finalist from Oregon. Joshua and the other finalists from around the country will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. from the Broadcom Foundation and Society for Science. In Washington D.C. students will showcase their science fair projects and compete as teams in a four-day STEM competition for awards and prizes including the top education award of $25,000 presented by the Samueli Foundation.
Great Job Joshua and good luck in Washington D.C.

June 10th, 2013

Benson Polytechnic High School

Parent Newsletter

Hi Everyone,

This is the last week of school for students.  Please note the finals schedule below.

The class of 2013 will graduate on Monday night at 5:30 p.m. at the Coliseum.  You must have tickets to attend the graduation.  There is a mandatory graduation practice at the Coliseum at noon on Monday for seniors.

I am very proud of this group of seniors and look forward to the ceremony tomorrow evening. 

Carol

Senior Schedule

Graduation Practice (mandatory)      Monday, June 10^th @ Noon    Memorial Coliseum

Graduation                                          Monday, June 10^th @ 5:30      Memorial Coliseum

Exam Schedule

                                     June 12                      June 13                       June 14                                                                                                                                                               

8:15-9:45                       Per 1 – Finals            Per 2 – Finals               Per 7 – Finals

9:50-11:20                     Per 3 – Finals            Per 4 – Finals               Per 8 – Finals

12:10-1:40                     Per 5 – Finals            Per 6 – Finals              Make-up

1:45-3:15                       Make-up/Grade       Make-up/Grade           Grading. 

Class of 2017 Celebration

The PTSA is hosting a celebration for the incoming 9^th graders on Tuesday, June 18^th at 6:30 p.m.   This class will be the 100^th graduating class from Benson High School.  This will be an opportunity to welcome students and families to Benson.  Light refreshments will be served.  Families will receive a Benson seat cushion and incoming 9^th graders will receive a Tech Pride t-shirt.

Celebrations

Congratulations to Katie Meyer, Linda McLellan and Amy Barras.   The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation with the General Mills Foundation awarded $10,000 for the Fit to Live and Learn Program at Benson.  Over 1,200 organizations applied for one of these grants and 50 were selected for monetary awards.  The $10,000 grant for Benson was the largest grant.  

Congratulations to the following Benson staff members who are retiring at the end of this school year.

Dorothy Rowland             Paraeducator 2

Dorothy first started working for PPS in October, 1974, as a (part-time) dance accompanist at Jefferson High School.  She played music for dance classes at Jefferson from 1974-1976.  She returned to PPS to do dance accompaniment in the early ’80’s.  By that time the Jefferson dance program had expanded, and she played not only at Jefferson, but also at a couple of its “feeder” dance programs in the middle schools.  She continued with that work through June of 1990.

In September, 1998, she began working (full-time) for PPS as a Special Education Assistant (Paraeducator 2).  And that’s what she’s been doing ever since!

One of the great joys of her work as a paraeducator has been the opportunity to witness (up-close) classroom teachers in action.  She says that she is in awe of teachers and what they do. 

Dan Brown                          Special Education Teacher

Dan has worked as a classroom special education teacher for 33 years.  He started in 1979 at a rural high school in Michigan.  Taught there three years then moved to Portland, landing a Resource Center Room job at Grant High.  He was at Grant five years then was granted a sabbatical to enter a program at the U of O that focused on secondary transition issues for special education kids.   After that year study sabbatical he taught one year at Gregory Heights Middle School.  The next 10 years he taught at Jefferson High.  The highlight of those years and his career was developing  a high school work experience program he named the Job Sample Program, that was designed for moderately impaired teens.  The program’s duration was four years and it is the work of which he is most proud.  He was then “reconstituted” out of Jefferson, along with the entire staff.  At this point he left the district to become a Resource Center teacher at Newberg High School.  He was there two years.  He then went to Oregon City High School also as a Resource Teacher for one year.  After that year he returned to PPS and Grant High School as a Learning Center teacher.   He was at Grant until last year, when he transferred to half-time work at Benson.  Dan says it was an honor to work with so many interesting and dedicated staff.

Kathy Lloyd                         Health Occupations

Kathy starter her career at Benson High School in 1987.  She was hired to develop and teach Medical Assisting to juniors and seniors.   In 1989 she started a Health Sciences Program at Madison High School.  She was at Madison from 1989 until 2007.

In 2007, Kathy was the first in the State of Oregon to write and have approved a Program of Study for Madison’s Health Sciences Program.  She developed a strong partnership with Providence Portland Medical Center for student clinical experiences along with countless medical clinics.

In 2007, she returned to Benson High School to teach Medical Professions and Medical Profession Survey to juniors and seniors.

Kathy looks forward to staying active and spending time with her grandchildren, parents and children.  She plans on subbing and volunteering in PPS. 

Benson Alumni Association Picnic

Join us at the Benson Community Picnic on Saturday, August 17^th from noon-4 p.m. at Blue Lake Park.  Free hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided.  Bring a side dish or dessert.  There is a $5 per car entry fee charged by the park.

http://www.bensontechalumni.org/

Twitter @bphsaa

PTSA News

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 June 18^th.  More information to come.

May 27th, 2013

Benson Polytechnic High School

Parent Newsletter

Hi Everyone,

Note the corrected dates for Benson graduation:  Monday, June 10^th. 

The end of the school year is fast approaching with seniors graduating on June 10^th and the last day of school for everyone else is June 14^th.  June 12-14 are exam days (see exam schedule below).  It is important that students finish up any missing work in the next two weeks and communicate with teachers regarding assignments and tests.  

Have a good week,

Carol

Senior Schedule

Senior Exams                          June 3 and 4

Last Day                                 June 4

Senior BBQ                            June 5

Graduation Practice (mandatory)       Monday, June 10^th @ Noon    Memorial Coliseum

Graduation                                          Monday, June 10^th @ 5:30      Memorial Coliseum

Exam Schedule

                                     June 12                      June 13                       June 14                                                                                                                                                               

8:15-9:45                       Per 1 – Finals            Per 2 – Finals               Per 7 – Finals

9:50-11:20                     Per 3 – Finals            Per 4 – Finals               Per 8 – Finals

12:10-1:40                     Per 5 – Finals            Per 6 – Finals              Make-up

1:45-3:15                       Make-up/Grade       Make-up/Grade           Grading

Exchange Students

Youth for Understanding (YFU) international students are coming to Portland! They are seeking local families to host high school exchange students for the 2013-2014 school year. Families of all shapes and sizes are welcome to host. Please visit: www.yfu-usa.org for more information or call (303) 270-0068 X 7244.  They are looking to place several students at Portland Public High Schools including Benson.  

Writing the College Essay

There will be a workshop at Benson this summer to help seniors write their college essays.  The workshop is sponsored by the Oregon Writing Project at Lewis and Clark College.  There are two scholarships available for Benson students and applications are available in the main office and from English teachers.

Here are the details:

Writing the College Essay

June 24-28, 2013

9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (noon)

@Benson High School         546 NE 12^th Avenue

Celebrations

Spring sports are coming to a close.  Congratulations to all athletes and coaches for their hard work and for representing Benson.   The baseball and softball teams competed very well this season and have a good outlook for next year.  Thanks to both teams who volunteered for the Benson Clean-up Day.  

Congratulations to men’s tennis players and their coach, Fred Wong.  The following athletes qualified for state men’s doubles:

Kahleil Johnson and Peter Hoang

Congratulations to women’s tennis players and their coach, Deane Larsell.  The following athletes qualified for state women’s doubles:

Tina Do & Jessica Nguyen   

Amy Le & Haley Cottrell

Congratulations to the track and field coaches (head coach-Leon McKenzie) and the following athletes who qualified for events at the state track meet:

Jazmine McKenzie                 

Chaquinn Cook          

Katie Darke           

Kinnah Rhodes       

Tiara Moxley            

Jaquan Warren        

Cameron Retherford 

Darian Romero         

Ethan Whitlow            

Devon Sweeting       

Benson Alumni Association Picnic

Join us at the Benson Community Picnic on Saturday, August 17^th from noon-4 p.m. at Blue Lake Park.  Free hamburgers and hot dogs will be provided.  Bring a side dish or dessert.  There is a $5 per car entry fee charged by the park.

http://www.bensontechalumni.org/

Twitter @bphsaa

PTSA News

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 June 18^th.  More information to come.