February 4th, 2013
Benson Polytechnic High School
Parent Newsletter
Letter from the Principal:
Hello Benson Community:
The enrollment window opened on Friday, February 1st and closes on February 22nd. If you or someone you know is intending to apply for the lottery to attend Benson, please pay attention to the enrollment window dates.
The first semester has ended and grade reports will be mailed at the end of this week. If your student failed a class first semester, please contact the counselor to strategize on ways to recover the credit. Teachers will be working with some students and you should be made aware that they have an opportunity to finish work and/or projects to have the grade changed.
I look forward to working with you the rest of the school year. Please share any questions and/or concerns.
Carol
1st Semester Exams and Grades
The semester grades are permanent and are recorded on the transcript. Students who fail a class will have to make up the credit in evening school, summer school or online. In some cases, teachers will work with students to complete work and will issue a grade change. This is usually only an option for students who are close to passing.
Year of the Snake
Oregon’s Vietnamese Community celebrated the New Year on Saturday, February 2nd. Here is a link to an article in the Oregonian about the event.
http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2013/02/oregons_vietnamese_community_c.html
Teaching and Learning
The article below speaks to the importance of having hands-on learning opportunities for students. Thanks to Cathy Skach for sharing.
A Huffington Post article says that, in a kind of backlash against the test-driven curricula that have prevailed in many schools over the past decade, there’s a growing interest among educators and parents in giving kids more hands-on, experiential learning projects. Read the article at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joshua-glenn/hands-on-learning_b_2316955.html
Equity
Monday is National Day of Courage in honor of Rosa Parks 100th birthday. Here is a link to the article in the Huffington Post. This topic could be used as a writing prompt for students to share their own stories of courage, to write about people they think are courageous and/or to make commitments to acting courageously. If you have ideas on how to use this in your curriculum, please share at our Tuesday staff meeting.
Rosa Parks is considered the first lady of the civil rights movement. She showed tremendous courage by refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama on December 1, 1955.
Here is a link to Leonard Pitts, Jr.’s commentary this past Sunday. He speaks to the courage of Rosa Parks as well as commentary on untruths about guns and civil rights.
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2013/02/calling_out_the_untruths_on_gu.html
During future equity sessions, teachers will continue to examine and reflect on the ways grading practices impact students of color and ways we can implement grading practices that are equitable.
Here is the website for the Pacific Education Group. http://www.pacificeducationalgroup.com/
PEG provides equity training for all PPS staff.
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 February 19th 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.
Counseling/Career Center News
Career Days
- National Engineer Week Event for Sophomores and Juniors is Wednesday, February 20th. Applications are in the Career Center.
- Western Oregon University Criminal Justice Career Day is March 6th. Applications are in the Career Center
- OHSU Annual Multicultural Health Science & Engineering Career Center on February 22nd. Register at www.ohsu.edu/diversity by February 8th.
- Abby’s Closet, in conjunction with TJ Maxx, is again sponsoring a $1,000.00 scholarship for one well-deserving, college bound girl, graduating in 2013. All applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5; intend to attend a trade school, community college, university, etc. and plan to attend the Abby’s Closet Prom Dress Giveaway to get a free gown to wear to their prom or senior formal event.
Complete details about the scholarship are available at www.abbyscloset.org, which includes a link to the actual application as well. The application deadline is February 18, 2013.
- Sign up for Spring Term Evening Scholars begins on Monday, January 14. If you need to make up classes, please see your counselor to register for night school. Space is limited.
- Portland Parks and Recreation is looking to hire people for summer employment. See Ms. Ryan in the Career Center for more information.
- The Eagle Program is a paid Internship program. Only sophomores are eligible to apply for this two year program. Find applications in the career center.
- OHSU Cure is an 8-10 week paid internship. Applications are due April 5, 2013. www.ohsu.edu/diversty
v SCHOLARSHIPS:
See the Career Coordinator for more information on scholarships.
Scholarships due in February:
· Al Forthan Memorial Recovery Scholarship for 4,000. Due-2/11
· Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship for 24,000. Due-2/15
· Confederation of Oregon School Administrators for 1,000. Due- 2/21
· Links Incorporated Academic Scholarship. Due- 2/22
· Links Incorporated Arts Scholarship. Due- 2/22
Scholarships due in March:
· Schweiger Memorial Scholarship Due-3/1
· Young Women in Public Affairs for 1,000. Due- 3/5
· Albert Lee Wright, Jr. Memorial Migrant Scholarship for 3,000. Due-3/15
· Jiffy Lube –Teen Driver Scholarship for 2,500. Due- 3/25
· Future Connect Scholarship Due- 3/31
v COLLEGE VISITS:
All visits will be held in the Counseling Center. You must sign up in the Counseling Center for these visits.
- If you are planning to go to Portland Community College Next Fall, come and meet PCC’s Representative, Roberto Suarez. He will go over scholarships, programs, help you plan a day to take the student placement test, and help register for classes. Thursday February 7, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. in the Career Center.
- Want to go to a Community College? Sydney Eustrom will be visiting from Mt. Hood Community College on February 5th at 10: 00. See you in the Career Center.
- 2/6 Clackamas Community College 10:00
- 2/8 Linfield 8:15
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