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.
November 3rd 2014
Important Messages To Our Parents From Principal Wilson:
I would like to say “Thanks” to all the parents and volunteers that help make the Parent Teacher Conferences an eventful endeavor for our teachers. Parents and members of the PTSA brought in dinner and snacks over the two days/evenings of conferences which allowed our teachers a chance to relax and keep up their strength during the conferences.
Thank you all for supporting our teachers.
There will be no school for students on Monday November 10th as this will be “Teacher Planning Day” for inputting grades by our teachers since the end of the 1st grading period falls on
Friday Nov. 7th
Please also note that there will be no school on Tuesday November 11th for teachers and students as this is Veterans Day.
Benson will be on a regular Thursday Tutorial Schedule this coming Thursday Nov. 6th
Period 1 8:15-9:37
Period 3 9:42-11:04
Lunch 11:04-11:34
Period 5 11:39-1:01
Period 7 1:06-2:26
Tutorial 2:33-3:15
New 2014-15 Bell Schedule
Parents I’ve attached the new district wide high school bell schedule. Please open the attachment and review the new bell schedule carefully with your Benson High student(s).
Site Council:
Meeting will be held on Wednesday Nov. 5th from 4pm-5:30pm in the Library Conference Room. Parents please come and be a part of this important team if you’re able as your valuable input is needed to help keep Benson moving in the right direction.
A Message From Our Counselor Steve Wren (The flyer is attached to this newsletter)
BLACKReach Opportunities
The University of Oregon in collaboration with Portland Public Schools, Self Enhancement Inc. and the Black United Fund of Oregon invite ALL African American students and their families to the Opportunities BLACKREACH program on Wednesday, November 19 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at Self Enhancement Inc. This is a great opportunity for students to get answers to their questions about the admissions process, learn about financial aid and scholarships opportunities to pay for college, important deadlines and all college related questions. Parents also have the unique opportunity to learn how to support their students to pursue higher education. Younger students will have an opportunity to learn what it takes to prepare for college and interact with college students from similar backgrounds. Dinner and childcare is provided so the entire family can attend. Please contact us if you have any questions, 541-346-1067, [email protected]
A Message From Our Counselors
Parents there has been a change in our Counseling Center. Benson now has three full-time counselors! There has been some shuffling of the counselors’ student case loads, but now students will be able to remain with their counselor all four years. Students will be assigned to counselors by last name:
Students A – G will have Amy Henry [email protected]
Students H – O will have Peg Schoettle [email protected]
Students P – Z will have Steve Wren [email protected]
The counselors will work together closely to make sure all students continue to receive the support they need to be successful.
Peggy Schoettle
Benson High School Counselor
(503)916-5100 x77135
Fall Blood Drive
Kudos to all that participated in the Fall Blood Drive last week. Your efforts will help to save countless lives throughout the greater Portland area.
Principal Wilson
Athletics
Congratulations goes out to all of our Fall participants in sports. A “Great Job” goes out to all the Benson athletes that participated in the fall sport season and I look forward to an exciting Winter season in athletics here at Benson in a few weeks. A special shout out goes to the Men’s Varsity Soccer team for making it to the first round of the 6A state playoffs in soccer. The Techmen played hard with pride and respect this past Saturday against the team from West Salem but were not able to advance to the second round of the playoffs. The Techmen soccer players can hold their heads up high on a great season and to all of our athletes from the fall season you guys and gals made us all proud here at Benson.
Tech Pride
A personal “Thank You” goes out PPS Athletic Director Marshall Haskins for working with the Benson Administration in getting us two new scoreboards for the new gym. The old scoreboards were on their last leg and Mr. Haskins was able to get the new scoreboards into the building and installed before the beginning of the winter sports season.
Benson Administration
This Week In Athletics
No Athletics This Week
A Message from Linda McLellan (Benson’s Fit2Live&Learn Teacher)
Congratulations to the following FRESHMEN voted by their peers to represent their class as
the CEO of the upcoming HEALTH FAIR. Go Leaders!
Alana Graves; Simon Criswell; Camille Franklin; Joseph Justice; Kainow Kaio; Chyna Mathews; Brylie Jenkins; Julian Scherer; Chantall Lewis; Sylvia Horvath; Jose Cruz-Flores;
A Message from Dave Mylet (Benson’s Yearbook Advisor)
Senior Baby Ads
Isn’t it amazing how far the class of 2015 has come? Show your appreciation for your future grad’s accomplishments through a baby ad in the 2015 Benson Yearbook. Reasonable rates for anywhere from a full page to 1/8th of a page. E-mail Dave Mylet at [email protected] with inquiries and orders.
Size Cost
Full page $100
1/2 page $50
1/4 page $35
1/8 page $20
Thanks,
Dave
Parents: An Important Message For Our Junior & Senior Girls Who May Be Thinking About Rose Festival
Attention All Junior & Senior Girls! Rose Festival time is here. Are you thinking about going out for Rose Festival this year? If so, you should plan on attending an informational meeting on Wednesday, November 5th during lunch in room 236. Ms. Jamison will go over the process and answer any questions you might have.
Ms. Jamison
Benson’s Rose Festival Coordinator
Parents: An Important Message From Jostens
Jostens will be here on Monday November 17th to deliver rings and collect Graduation orders. They will be in center hall during lunch working with your Senior students.
A Message From Kathleen Reid: Counseling Intern:
Parent Volunteers Needed During College Application Week:
Benson’s College Application Week will be taking place during the first two weeks of November. We would love to have the help of volunteers in assisting students with college applications.
Our goal during this event is to help every senior apply to at least one college. The “week” will take place Thurs-Fri, November 6-7 and Wed-Fri, November 12-14. Shifts are just 1 1/2 – 2 hours long.
No experience is necessary. Students will be prepped ahead of time, and staff will be on hand to direct volunteers.
If you are interested in helping, you can sign up using VolunteerSpot. It is really simple.
Here’s how it works in 3 easy steps:
1) Click this link to see our Sign-Up on VolunteerSpot:http://vols.pt/PnWz9o
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It’s Easy – you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on VolunteerSpot.
If you have questions or would like additional information, please email me at [email protected].
Kathleen Reid
Counseling Intern
Benson Polytechnic High School
503-916-5100
A Message from the District:
ANNUAL REPORT TO MILITARY RECRUITERS
PPS must annually report contact information to military recruiters for all 11th and 12th graders unless either the parent or student informs us that they wish to “opt out”. Opt outs are submitted on the Student Registration Form or a Student Opt-out Form. Please review the following process to prepare for this year’s report on November 3.
Military Recruitment Contact Lists
We will be producing the military recruitment contact lists as required by the No Child Left Behind Act on November 3, for all 11th and 12th grade students unless indicated in Synergy as “Yes” to the field “Exclude from Military Recruitment” on the Student screen > Additional Tab.
Step 1 – Registration/Verification Form Updates
Please make sure all “opt-outs” marked in the Permissions/Authorizations section on your school’s Student Registration/Verification form are entered into Synergy for your 11th and 12th graders by October 31.
Step 2 – Student Opt Out Forms
Students, as well as parents, must be given the opportunity to opt-out. Please communicate the following information to your students: “The No Child Left Behind Act requires school districts to provide the name and address of all junior and senior students to military recruiters, unless the parent or student informs the school district that they do not want that information provided to the military recruiters. Students can make their own decision that they do not want their name and address provided to military recruiters. If you are a junior or senior and do not want your name and address released to the military, please inform the school office no later than Tuesday, October 31.”
Kris Largé, Application Support Supervisor
x63135 [email protected]
Attendance/Tardy Policy
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 is marked absent from a class. You may also receive a call from teachers and/or administrators when a student is not attending classes on a regular basis or has an inordinate amount of tardies.
Benson has implemented a new tardy policy that started Monday September 8th in that if a student is late to class then he/she will need to go to the main office to get an admittance slip in order to get into class. Our goal is to get students focused on arriving to school and to class in a timely fashion so that classroom instruction can be maximize to its fullest potential and this can only happen if students are arriving to school on a daily basis and are also arriving to their classes on time.
Information Concerning TAG
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.
According to Oregon Law 581-022-1310, an intellectually gifted or academically talented student is one who performs, or has the potential to perform, at or above the 97th percentile on nationally standardized tests of mental ability or academic achievement. In addition, multiple criteria are used including social and behavioral data, academic history, classroom achievement, etc. No single test is to be used as the sole determiner of TAG identification.
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. IDPF 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 3rd, 2014.
A Message from Dave Mylet (Benson’s English Teacher/Yearbook Advisor)
Parents of Seniors:
The Benson yearbook is now accepting Senior Portraits and Senior Quotes. E-mail pictures to [email protected] or drop a clearly labeled photo CD in Mr. Mylet’s box.
The deadline for submissions is Winter Break (December 19).
Thanks,
Mr. Mylet
Dress Code Reminder
Parents please me mindful and remind your students that as the late summer/early fall weather is still warm outside that clothing with inappropriate symbols or signs relating to gangs, drugs, tobacco, alcohol or anything else is not acceptable. No sunglasses, du-rags, hats, bandanas, sagging pants, halter tops, exposed midriffs, low necklines, spaghetti straps, or holes and tears in clothing. No bare feet, spike jewelry, hanging belts and chains. Dresses and skirts, with arms at your side; need to be at the end of your fingertips in length. Skorts and shorts need to have a 4 inch inseam.
LÁMP:ARA
Latinos Adelante Mentor Program: Apoyo y Recursos Académicos
This year, Benson Polytechnic High School is excited to announce the development of a new Latin@ mentor program. Pairing Latin@ College Coaches with Freshman and Sophomore Benson Latin@ high school students, LÁMP:ARA (Latinos Adelante Mentor Program: Apoyo y Recursos Académicos) provides students academic, professional, and personal support. Through personalized mentorship, academic support, professional guidance, college preparation, and leadership trainings, the program aims to support participants in achieving their college/career goals and full potential as students at Benson High School.
Benson has Latin@ parents to thank for this new academic and professional resource.
Last year, Latin@ parents attended group meetings with Benson Staff to express how they felt Benson could best support their students. Latin@ parents felt that their children needed the following: a mentor program, more academic supports—tutoring, support classes during the day—and parent community meetings. In response to this expressed need, LÁMP:ARA was developed.
LÁMP:ARA aims to improve the academic and professional success, retention rates, and graduation rates of active program participants while fostering in students core civic and leadership proficiencies that will serve them personally and professionally.
While LÁMP:ARA focuses on offering services to a limited group of Latin@s, others are always welcome to visit room 122 to ask about college and career resources or to sign up for particular Days of Service.
Thanks
Teaghan Phillips | AmeriCorps Member
LAMP:ARA | Latin@s Adelante Mentor Program: Apoyo y Recursos Académicos
Benson High School
Tel: 503.916.5100 (ext. 77266)
Free Math Tutoring in the Career Center during Thursday’s Tutorial (2:33-3:15)
Benson Robotics Club
Parents, is your child interested in building robots? Benson has been home to a robotics club for almost 9 years! Please have your kids come to room E-127 after school on Fridays and build robots with the robotics club!
If your students are interested in forming/joining a club here at Benson
Student Clubs:
New and existing clubs! You need to fill out a club form for all new and existing clubs so that we can make sure we have the correct information on file about your advisor, who the student leaders are, when & where you meet and the purpose of your club.
Please have your students see Mrs. Murchison (Spanish Teacher) if they have any questions regarding clubs here at Benson.
Parents/Guardians: Here are some College Announcements for your Seniors.
National College Fair Location:
Oregon Convention Center
Exhibit Hall D
777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Portland, OR 97232
800/791-2250 or 503/235-7575
Fair Hours:
Monday, November 3, 2014
9:00 a.m. –12:00 p.m.
Register Now at www.gotomyncf.com
Parents: Programs For Your Seniors
The Ace Mentor Program- the program gives your Senior an opportunity to work with professionals in the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering fields.
Applications are due in the College Career Center by November 25th
Scholarships
Parents please encourage your Seniors to apply for these scholarships if interested.
Please see Ms. Ryan in the Career Center for further details.
- AXA Achievement Community Scholarship begins October 2014
- Scholarship America Dream Award begins October 2014
- Buick Achievers : for more information, got to www.buickachievers.com
- Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Deadline: January 9, 2015
- Gates Millennium Scholarship: Deadline: January 9, 2015
College Visits: Parents please encourage your Senior to attend this visitation in they are interested in attend one of these colleges.
All visits will be held in the Counseling Center. You must sign up in the Counseling Center for these visits.
11/4 Alfred State 9:00
11/5 Sweetbriar College 10:40
PPS Bond Development Committee Recommends Benson High School for the 2016 Bond Measure
Benson Polytechnic High School is one of the three high schools recommended for the planned 2016 bond. The PPS Bond Development Committee (BDC) delivered its recommendations for the high schools to be included in the planned 2016 & 2020 school improvement bonds.
The committee, made up of 21 volunteers from across Portland, provided its recommendations to Superintendent Carole Smith in a memo after meeting five times during the past six months.
In its memo, dated Oct. 8, the BDC recommended:
Continue the plan of re-building/modernizing high schools first, and include three high schools in each of the next two bonds.
Complete master planning for three high schools prior to Fall 2016 in preparation for a potential November 2016 ballot measure. In order to complete this master planning with full community participation, dedicate $1.5 million in 2012 school building improvement bond funds for master planning of three high schools.
The three high schools identified for 2016 consideration are Benson Polytechnic, Lincoln, and Madison. The three high schools identified for 2020 consideration are Cleveland, Jefferson Middle College, and Wilson.
“We are at the beginning of a 30-year program to re-build all of Portland Public Schools facilities, most of which are 60 years or older. We have been able to begin this historic effort thanks to the overwhelming support of Portland voters in 2012,” said PPS Superintendent Carole Smith. “I want to thank the volunteer members of the PPS Bond Development Committee for their service and for their thoughtful recommendations for the potential 2016 and 2020 school improvement bonds.”
In making the recommendations, the committee noted that an August survey of Portland voters by DHM Research gave PPS high marks for its management of the current school improvement bond.
“The committee was pleased to learn from the DHM survey that awareness of the bond is relatively high and that of the approximately 50% who are aware of the bond, PPS receives very high ratings for its implementation and management of the bond thus far. We strongly believe in the PPS plan to modernize and replace its entire infrastructure of school buildings by 2042,” wrote the committee.
The BDC informed Supt. Smith that it used three criteria for selecting the three high schools to be recommended for the 2016 bond.
“The committee was dedicated to making a high school recommendation based on clear criteria. The committee spent two full meetings considering different criteria and looking at how they would impact our recommendation. The committee also considered the results of a survey conducted by DHM Research which asked Portland residents to consider and rate criteria for prioritizing high schools for the 2016 bond (survey results and analysis attached),” wrote the committee.
The committee decided to prioritize the following criteria for developing its recommendations:
Facility condition
Improving facilities for the highest number of historically underserved students
High enrollment/overcrowding
The committee also concluded that each of the next two bonds should have two neighborhood high schools and one focus option high school.
The committee made special note of its decision to recommend Jefferson Middle College for the 2020 bond, despite rating high on two of the three criteria.
“The committee felt that it would be imprudent for Jefferson to go quickly into a master planning process when it is just now gaining momentum that could lead to much different & greater facility needs in the future,” wrote the committee. “It is the committee’s view that those needs…will allow for a much more successful master planning process at that time.”
The superintendent and the Office of School Modernization are expected to deliver their final official recommendations for PPS Board consideration and action in November, 2014. If approved, the high schools for the 2016 bond will be put on a timeline to complete master planning prior to voter consideration of the 2016 bond. Grant High School is scheduled to begin master planning as part of the voter approved 2012 bond in 2015.
Have a Great Week!
Curtis Wilson Jr., Principal
Benson Polytechnic High School
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