A Message from Site Council and Principal Wilson
Community Athletic Meeting Regarding the Future of Athletics at Benson:
Benson Supporters, please join us for “Pizza and Dialogue” on May 21st at 7:00 P.M. as Benson’s Site Council is hosting a Community Athletic Forum in conjunction with PPS Representatives regarding the future of Athletics here at Benson Tech for the 2015-16 sports season and beyond. Athletics here at Benson are secure for the 2014-15 school year but noting is a given for the 2015-16 school year and beyond. The Benson Site Council needs your support as we invite Parents, Students, Teachers, Coaches, Benson Staff and anyone else that has an invested involvement in Benson Tech.
This will be a chance for you to get answers to questions that Site Council has prepared for District Representatives and you as a supporter of Benson Tech will be able to ask questions as well. The Benson Site Council is in the process of updating its Five Year Plan for the school to hopefully include a section of planned growth of its sports programs here at Benson and wants/needs your input. It is important that we have as many supporters of Benson Tech attend this important meeting. This is the time to voice concerns for the 2015-16 school year and beyond regarding athletics. As noted Pizza will be served and we will begin promptly at 7pm this coming Wednesday in the Auditorium.
Please pass this information on to anyone else you think would be interested.
Thank you,
Lisa Wilcke for the Benson Site Council & Curtis Wilson Jr. Principal of Benson Tech
2-Hour Late Opening Wednesday and Thursday
Parents/Guardians please note that on Wednesday May 21st Benson will be having its monthly 2-Hour Late Opening with classes starting at 10am on Wednesday. On Thursday May 22nd students have the option of taking advantage of the Monthly Advisory Session with teachers from 8:15am-10:00am. This Advisory Session is a very important time that students can make contact with their teachers regarding class issues, grades or be able to catch up on work from their classes. Please be sure to have your students take advantage of this opportunity this coming Thursday.
Senior Awards Assembly
Parents on Friday May 23rd from 10:55am-11:55am Benson will be having its Senior Awards Assembly in the Auditorium. This is the time to come and see Senior Students being recogonized by their teachers in the CTE Majors and Academic Courses for their outstanding work from this past school year. We hope to see you this coming Friday.
Principal Wilson
Parents/Guardians Please Remind Your Seniors of This Upcoming Important Meeting
A Mandatory Senior meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20th 9:15 in the Auditorium. If you do not have a 2nd period class, please make arrangements to be here early that day. Otherwise, students with a 2nd period class will be escorted to the Auditorium at that time for the Senior Meeting.
Ms. Carbone
A Message from Moses Davis: (Math/Computer Tech Teacher)
During the month of April and part of May the students of Introduction to Computer Engineering spent 20 hours (4 hours a week) breaking down, inspecting and building computers at the non-profit Free Geek.
The students built their own computer which they got to keep and also built 15 computers for the class to use.
They did a great job!!!!
Moses W. Davis
A Message from Brian Stauffer: (Community Bilingual Agent for Benson)
These students were recognized from Benson with an Honorable Mention Nomination in the Si Se Puede Latino Student Recognition Event.
Cynthia Aguilar-Arizmendi (10)
Valentin Sainz-Lopez (12)
Alfonso Perez-Cruz (12)
Yessica Martinez Mulet (10)
Lupe Urbano (10)
Bryan Hernandez (11)
Irving Gomez-Cruz (11)
Vanessa Aldaz (11)
Emily Pineda (10)
Hector Najera-Hernandez (11)
Daniel Soriano-Valencia was chosen to represent Benson in this Latino Student Recognition Event.
Congratulations to Daniel on this accomplishment.
On Tuesday, May 20, 2014, Portland Public Schools will celebrate the accomplishments of our Latino students with our third ¡Sí Se Puede! (“Yes, we can!”) Event to be held at the Blanchard Education Service Center from 6:00 p.m. to 8 p.m.
¡Sí Se Puede! is an opportunity for students to celebrate and inspire each other, build relationships outside their schools and share the rich diversity of their talents and experiences with the greater Portland community.
Each year, teams of teachers, counselors and administrators at all our PPS high schools embrace the chance to promote their Latino students who exemplify:
-Contribution to family, community and school
-Creative accomplishment
-Academic achievement
-Commitment to growth after high school
This year we are pleased to add 8th graders to our list of honored students. All 18 honored students will receive special recognition, a professional photo portrait and will be highlighted in a special commercial to be aired on KUNP/Univision and PPS Channel 28.
The May 20 celebration for our students and their families will feature music, children’s activities and food. Honorees will be asked to invite a teacher, administrator or member of the community who has made a difference in their lives to share in the festivities.
The true highlight of the evening will be when our honored students take center stage to display their creativity, speak their truth and/or share their vision of the future.
In the spirit of community, we welcome everyone at PPS to be an active part of the ¡Sí Se Puede! Event. Please join us on the evening of the event to catch your first glance at Oregon’s future leaders in business, science, politics and culture.
To ask about opportunities to connect your school or department with any of our Latino students or families, or how you can support or participate in the ¡Sí Se Puede! Event, please contact:
Veronica Bañuelos [email protected]. (503-916-3047) or
Francisco Garcia [email protected] (503-916-3097)
-Benson Admin Team
A Message from David Champion (Norse Hall/Benson Supporter)
As most of you know, we are having our annual Syttende Mai (May 17th) celebration at Norse Hall on Saturday, May 17th, 2014, highlighted by a parade, starting in front of Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th Avenue, at 3:00 p.m. It will first head north on NE 11th Avenue, right on NE Davis, then left on 12th Avenue to Lloyd Center, wrap around Holladay Park, and then return to Norse Hall, altogether around 1.5 miles. Since 2006, Benson has participated in the May 17th parade, usually the groups we support. Last year, the Benson Robotics Club, SkillsUSA, and cheerleaders walked in the parade, and, in the past, the Benson PTSA carried its banner in the parade. Last year, the parade included a band, school groups, two Viking ships, a police escort and over 450 people. It was also covered by KATU.
This year, we expect more people and more local media coverage, partly because this year, May 17th falls on a Saturday and partly because it will be a bicentennial celebration (May 17th is Norway’s Constitution Day-the constitution was ratified on May 17th, 1814). We’re inviting all members of the Benson community to participate in this year’s parade, in short making the parade a sea of blue-and-orange. So, the more people from Benson wearing Benson shirts along with more banners, the better.
Update:
Benson was well-represented at the May 17th parade, starting at Norse Hall on Saturday, May 17th, 2014. The cheerleaders did a very good of providing school spirit and the Benson Robotics displays were very popular with the young kids. Mr. Pellico fired up a tractor and trailer, which after decorated with orange and blue streamers made for the perfect Benson float.
The Benson Robotics Club did a very good job of entertaining the kids with their robots. Two elementary school kids, one who goes to Irvington and the other to Buckman, said they wanted to go to Benson when they got older so they could join the robotics club! Three of the cheerleaders, Crystal, Jacob and Arianna, also helped serve in the dining room. Several people present commented that they were all very helpful, polite and friendly, so they represented very well, indeed. Mr. Pellico’s idea of bringing a tractor and trailer, which the kids decorated, thereby making a Benson float, worked very well!
Several people cheered when the Benson float passed.
Thanks,
David
Extension of the School Year:
Parents/Guardians please note that the Portland School Board approved calendars for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 school years on March 31 and added two days to the current school year to make up for snow days. School will end this year on Friday, June 13. PPS closed all schools three full days this school year due to inclement weather: Dec. 11, Feb. 7 and Feb. 10. To make up the missed class time, June 12 and 13, originally scheduled as teacher planning days, will now be full school days. School will let out for summer break Friday, June 13 and planning days will move to Monday and Tuesday, June 16 and 17 for teachers.
Dress Code Reminder
Parents remind your students that as we move into warm weather that clothing with inappropriate symbols or signs relating to gangs, drugs, tobacco, alcohol or anything else is not acceptable as regard to PPS policy. No sunglasses, du-rags, hats, bandanas, sagging pants, halter tops, exposed midriffs, low necklines, spaghetti straps. No bare feet, spike jewelry, hanging belts and chains.
Thank You!!
-Benson Administration
Freshmen Daily Planner:
Parents/Guardians please remember that freshmen have a daily planner that will help parents monitor daily homework needs and due dates from teachers. The daily planner also contains contact information and email addresses of their teachers. Please also be aware of the automated phone calls from the school alerting you (parents) of absences/skipping by your child. This will allow you the opportunity to follow up with your child before the absences become a chronic issue.
A Message from Debbie Corning (Benson’s Bookkeeper)
The Bookkeeper will no longer be accepting personal checks for the rest of the school year.
Thank You
Parents; The District’s Sixty (60) Day Rule
Commencement Disqualification- Seniors may be disqualified from participation in commencement exercises and related activities if within 60 days of the last senior school day (June 3rd 2014) they are found to be in violation of the District’s Drug and Alcohol policy or any Level 3 or greater violation resulting in a disciplinary action of suspension.
THE 60 DAY RULE BEGAN ON Friday APRIL 4, 2014
Please make sure your Seniors are mindful of this as we move into PROM season and SENIOR celebrations!
-Benson Administration
A Message from Linda McLellan (PE Teacher; Fit 2 Live and Learn Class)
Freshmen Parents: If you want to check on whether your child has completed daily homework, the list of homework (which they do have each night) assignments & expectations are listed in their daily planner. Please ask to see that planner. In that planner you will also find teacher’s email addresses and other resource information to help your child navigate their High School experience.
This Week In Athletics
Track & Field:
Thursday May 22nd thru Saturday May 24th
State Track and Field Finals in Eugene
Time: TBD
A Message from the Benson Counseling Staff of Amy Henry and Steve Wren:
Parents here are a few things we want to make sure you don’t miss and communicate with your students.
Students:
Do you need to make up a credit? Then PPS Summer Scholars is for you! You must pre-register with your counselor between May 21st-June 17. Counselors are available before school, during lunch and after school for pre-registration. PPS Summer Scholars will be starting soon.
SENIORS–KEEP WORKING ON POST HS PLANS:
Going to an apprenticeship after Benson? – See your major teacher; update your resume.
Math Tutoring: The counseling center is now offering FREE math tutoring on Thursdays from 3:30-5:00pm for students in Algebra 1 – Pre-Calculus. Feel free to drop in any Thursday and get help with math in the counseling center.
COLLEGE VISITS:
All visits will be held in the Counseling Center. You must sign up in the Counseling Center for these visits.
Summer Opportunities For Your Kids:
Want to work this summer? Sign up for the Summer Works Program. See Miranda Ryan for more details
PLACE (Planning and Leadership Across City Environments): By signing up for PLACE you will work on real projects that directly involves you in planning Portland’s future. During this dynamic, interdisciplinary, and experiential summer program, you will learn from the city’s best minds as they grapple with decisions that shape Portland’s Future. Sign up in the Career Center.
International Summer Science Institute: Applicants to the international Summer Science Institute must have excelled in their science studies and demonstrated their interceded in scientific research beyond the classroom—in extra research projects, science competitions, summer programs, etc. Pick-up applications in the Career Center.
C. Wilson
Principal of Benson Polytechnic High School
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