November 26, 2012
Benson Polytechnic High School
Parent Newsletter
Letter from the Principal:
Hello Benson Community:
Thanks to those of you who attended conferences. Teachers had many positive comments on how valuable it was to meet families and find out more about students. If you were unable to attend and wish to connect with teachers, please send them an e-mail or phone request.
Benson is hosting an information night this week for 8th graders and their families to learn more about Benson academic and technical programs. Please pass this information on to any relatives and/or friends interested in Benson. The session will be Tuesday, November 27th from 6:30-8:00 p.m. and will include a brief overview followed by tours and an opportunity to meet teachers.
Please note some important dates below: Financial Aid night, December late starts and scholarship application deadlines.
Carol
Food Drive
Seniors Thien-Kim Duong and Jessica Nguyen are planning a food drive for their senior project as members of National Honor Society. They will be hanging posters and will place collection boxes into the main office, VP office and counseling center. The food drive will run from November 26th-30th with the last day to donate food being December 3rd. On December 4th they will deliver the food to the Oregon Food Bank for distribution to families in need of food during the holidays.
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.
Special Education Informational Meeting An Evening with Mary Pearson,Director of Special Education
Learn about the future of Special Ed
in the Portland Public School District
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
6:30 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.
Beverly Cleary K-8, Fernwood in the Cafeteria
1915 NE 33rd Ave, Portland
Free admission
Open to all parents, teachers, and community members
Refreshments provided
Sponsored by SEPTAP www.septap.org
For questions or more information: [email protected]
Late Start
The late starts in December are the 12th and 13th
Upcoming Events
8th grade Info Night Tuesday, November 27 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the auditorium
Financial Aid Night Wednesday, November 28 6:00 p.m. in room 125
Senior Yearbook Pictures
Senior pictures are due December 10th. Communication students are willing to take senior portraits for a fraction of the cost of professional photographers. You can e-mail them at [email protected] to work out the details. Please send your finished photos to [email protected] or put in Mr. Mylet’s mailbox in the main office.
Talented and Gifted Identification Process
Portland Public Schools is dedicated to identifying and providing for the unique academic and social emotional needs of Talented and Gifted (TAG) students across the district. Our goal is to provide educational opportunities to students of all racial, ethnic, and socio-economic groups, to provide informational training to educators, and to provide consistent challenge for all students.
Each year, Benson conducts a process in order to identify and assess students for the TAG program. The first step in the TAG identification process is for parents or teachers to complete an Identification Process Form (IDPF) and submit the form to Vice Principal Jeandré Carbone. Forms are available in the Vice Principal’s office, or can be sent electronically by e-mailing Jeandré Carbone at [email protected]. . The deadline for submitting the IDPF is Monday, November 26th, 2012.
If you have any questions about the TAG identification form or process you may email Ms. Carbone or discuss the TAG program at parent conferences on November 19th and 20th. IDPF forms will be available at parent conferences.
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
Here is the website for the Pacific Education Group. http://www.pacificeducationalgroup.com/
PEG provides equity training for all PPS staff.
Benson teachers are strategizing on ways to build a sense of community and ways to get to know more about students’ cultures and traditions. At our next equity meeting, teachers will share their strategies.
*November is National Native American Heritage Month
The indigenous population of Portland is the 23rd largest in the United States and nearly 16,000 people, descended from more than 380 tribes/bands from across the nation.
Counseling/Career Center News
Scholarships due in November:
· Foundation for Individual rights in Education for 10,000– Due 11/25
· Cricket Wireless Good Sport Award for 1000-Due11/30 (Need Teacher recommendation)
Scholarships due in December
· Violet Richardson Award for 1,000 Due-12/1
· Elks Most Valuable Student Competition Due-12/7
· 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/Career
Microsoft Career Day November 29 ,2012 from
9:00-12pm. 1414 NW Northrup St. Suite 900. Register
online at www.hillchamber.org/stw. Seats will fill up fast, so
don’t delay!
FINANCIAL AID NIGHT!
Wednesday, November 28th at 6:30pm,
Room 125
Loans-Work Study– Grants
FAFSA-OSAC-SCHOLARSHIPS
Where do I start?
How will I pay for college?
What’s the difference between scholarships, loans, and grants?
What if I was born in a different country?
I don’t have a social security number, what are my options for financial aid?
What are FAFSA and OSAC?
2012 HOLIDAY FOOD AND TOY PROGRAMS
Below you will find some of the holiday food and toy programs that are offered throughout the city, for more information about services provided, or eligibility, please contact the Ben-son counseling department, or the service provider directly via the contact information listed.
SALVATION ARMY CASCADE DIVISION MOORE STREET CENTER
5325 N Williams Avenue Portland, OR 97217 Main phone: (503) 493-3925 http://www.tsacascade.org
SNOWCAP
(behind Church) 17805 SE Stark Street Portland, OR 97233 Main phone: 211 http://www.snowcap.org [email protected]
ST VINCENT DE PAUL-PORTLAND SOCIAL SERVICES
5120 SE Milwaukie Blvd Portland, OR 97202 Christmas Hotline: (503) 595-2292 Thanksgiving Food Box: (503) 235-8431 http://www.svdppdx.org [email protected]
CITY OF PORTLAND POLICE BUREAU SUNSHINE DIVISION
687 N. Thompson Street Portland, OR 97227 Intake: (503) 823-2102 http://www.sunshinedivision.org [email protected]
PORTLAND FIRE AND RESCUE TOY N JOY MAKERS
Contact For Info About Program:
Address: Toy N Joy Makers, Inc. 5916 NE Going St Portland, Oregon 97218 Office Phone: 503-823-0922 Office Fax: 503-823-0924 Client Request Line: 503-231-8697 e-mail: [email protected]
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