April 22nd, 2013
Benson Polytechnic High School
Parent Newsletter
Hi Everyone,
Thanks to all who participated in the Benson Clean-up Day on Saturday. We have partnered with the Kern and Buckman neighborhood Associations for the past two years and appreciate their help with getting rid of our trash and yard debris.
Please note the schedule changes for Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. There is information below about the activities for Tuesday. We have worked very hard to provide activities for students while the juniors are taking the ACT test. All sophomores will be visiting college campuses and must turn in a field trip permission form to participate. Sophomores who do not turn in a permission form will participate in activities at Benson. See more information below.
Have a good week,
Carol
Schedule
This week we have some schedule changes. Please note the following:
Tuesday, April 23rd: ACT testing Students dismissed at 12:50 (lunch will be served)
Wednesday, April 24th Late Start Classes begin at 10:15 a.m.
ACT Testing Day-Tuesday, April 23rd
On the Act testing day all juniors will be taking the ACT test. This test is free of charge and is used by colleges. It also provides an opportunity for students to meet essential skill requirements for graduation.
We are on a special schedule that day with dismissal and lunch at 12:50.
Freshmen will be viewing a film called “Bully” and reading articles about issues related to bullying. They will use the information to practice a writing task. An opt out form will be sent home this week if you would prefer your student did not see the film. The film has received positive reviews and comes with resources for teachers. Here is a link to information about the film.
http://www.thebullyproject.com/
Sophomores will be visiting college campuses for tours and information. Permission slips will be sent home this week for the field trips. Some groups will travel via Tri-met and some will travel via school buses. Trips will be chaperoned by teachers.
Seniors will be viewing the film, “Bully” and participating in short de-brief about issues related to bullying. They will spend part of the morning working in their majors. Here is a link to information about the movie.
http://www.thebullyproject.com/
Benson Clean-up
The Benson Clean-up, in partnership with the Kerns and Buckman neighborhood associations, was a huge success. Because of the work that was done last year, we were able to focus on some new areas. There were approximately 60 adult, student, staff, alumni and neighborhood volunteers. Thanks to the PTSA, Alumni Assoc. and Barry Phillips for organizing the event. Bob Brown, Chuck Heil, Susan Hargrave, Lisa Wilcke, Robin Wolfe, Christin Knight-Stanner, Don Chambless and other PTSA members organized and helped at the event. Benson alumni Chuck Heil, Tammy Hite, Neil Galash, Donald Wear, Rob Johns and others secured donations of bark dust and were on hand to help on Saturday. Also, thanks to the neighborhood associations for partnering with us and providing dumpsters for our trash and yard debris. PPS district maintenance personnel were able to mow the front lawn on Friday which also helped. Thanks to members of the alumni association for picking up the mowed grass and edging the entire front sidewalks and walkways. Alumni and PTSA also provided trucks and trailers to haul the debris to the dumpster site. A special thanks to all of the students who showed up to work on Saturday. Most of the baseball and softball team members and their coaches worked the entire time. Following the clean-up, the softball team had practice and the baseball team went to see the movie “42” which is a biographical story of Jackie Robinson. We appreciate the time and effort contributed by those two sports teams and coaches.
Here are some pictures of the event.
Ms. Carbone weeding and raking around the bushes in front of the school.
Students learned how to prune bushes.
Courtyard area. Previously weeded and cleaned by Mr. Ryan (social studies) and Mr. Thompson (math). We plan to turn this into a park like area for students and staff.
Our neighbors have complained about the PPS parking lot. Barry Phillips supervised a clean-up crew to pick up trash, pull weeds and spread bark dust.
The front lawn, freshly mowed and edged.
Some of the student volunteers.
Mr. Phillips was very busy organizing student work crews.
The result of hard work from parents, students, alumni and friends of Benson High School.
Celebrations
Gates Millennium Scholarship Awarded
Congratulations to Benson senior, Kevin Truong, who recently won the Gates Millennium Scholarship.
The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program selects 1,000 talented students from across the nation each year to receive a good-through-graduation scholarship to use at any college or university of their choice. Recipients are provided with personal and professional development through leadership programs along with academic support throughout their college career.
Skills USA Competition
27 Benson students and their advisor, Cathy Skach, went to SkillsUSA competitions on Saturday at Sabin Schellenberg Professional Technical Center. 16 students placed with a total of 4 GOLDS, 5 seconds, 5 thirds, 2 fourths, and a sixth. Here are the results!
Automotive: 2nd place-Kevin Craig
4th Place-Lance Vigil
Carpentry: 4th place-Matthew Mattson
Computer Maintenance technology: 2nd place-Noah Krebs
Digital Cinema Production: 2nd place-Arthur Jackson and Juan Mera-Bravo (team of 2)
Electric Construction Wiring: GOLD-Evan Wagstaff
2nd place-Ricky Wade
Precision Machining: 3rd place-Joey Wallberg
6th place-José Bastida
Sheet Metal: 3rd place-Simon Chau
T-shirt Design: 3rd place-Cardeana Burton
Television (Video) Production: 3rd Place-Nicole Findley and Cardeana Burton (team of 2)
Web Design: GOLD-Jorge Salazar and Derek Wong (team of 2)
Pin Design: GOLD-Elaine Vu Pham
The pin design is a special honor because it will be the pin we all wear to national competitions and students trade with other kids for pins from other states. The really cool designs become so sought out that they become worth multiple pins in trade. Elaine’s design is first-rate and likely to become one of the pins that become “hot” property. Here is a pic of Elaine’s award-winning pin.
Students going to nationals include:
Elaine Vu Pham, Derek Wong, Jorge Salazar, Evan Wagstaff, Isaiah Catabay, Schanelle Wallace, Thao Ly
Portland Public School Equity Grant Awards
We have just learned that Benson will receive a $45,000 equity grant for the 2013-14 school year. Each year, the local organization All Hands Raised, awards grants to schools. Grant funds are used to provide supports and opportunities in schools that serve high numbers of students from low income areas and students in underserved populations. We have used these funds in the past to provide credit recovery opportunities, tutoring and family outreach.
Z Man Scholarship Talent Competition
This Friday evening at the University of Portland Chiles Center, Benson sophomore Alexis Whitney will compete in a talent competition with other PPS students. The winner will receive a scholarship. Tickets for the event are $10 and can be purchased from the bookkeeper.
Site Council
The next site council meeting will be May 7th at 4:00 p.m. in the library classroom.
Teaching and Learning/Equity
The “Fit to Live and Learn” research team is collecting data on the freshmen. They will then work together to compile and synthesize the data.
PLC groups are preparing to make presentations to the staff about the work they did this year.
Benson Alumni Association Picnic
Join us at the Benson Community Picnic on Saturday, August 17th 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
Equity
We will continue to discuss culturally responsive teaching.
Here is the website for the Pacific Education Group. http://www.pacificeducationalgroup.com/
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 May 14th at 7:00 p.m. in the library classroom.
Dress Code
A reminder about school dress code:
No undergarments may be visible (including sagging pants)
No strapless tops
Shorts must have at least a 6 inch inseam
No half or cropped shirts (midriff cannot be showing)
Skirts and/or dresses can be no shorter than fingertips when arms are extended.
Please review the student handbook for more detail about the dress code.
Students who come to school with improper clothing may be given a t-shirt to wear, may serve detention and/or parent/guardian may be called to bring other clothing.
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
- 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.
v SCHOLARSHIPS:
See the Career Coordinator for more information on scholarships.
Scholarships in April
- Zeta Phi sorority, incorporated, Oregon Dove scholarship for $500 awarded to an individual due- 4/29
- Humanist of greater Portland offering $2,000 scholarship due-4/30
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