Bridger Creative Science School

Encouraging students to be independent
thinkers, learners, and problem solvers

7910 SE MarketPortland, OR 97215Ph (503) 916-6431Fx (503) 916-2612

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The CSS Community Newsletter

Current Bridger CSS Information

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Principal's
Message

  • Hi there, Tarehna WickerI'm Tarehna Wicker, and I’m thrilled to be the Principal of Bridger Creative Science School (BCSS). When I’m not at school, you’ll likely find me playing drums and singing in a band with my husband, Brandon, and two other PPS teachers. Music is a big part of our lives, and so is gaming—our family, including our two amazing kids, Clara and Luna, loves playing Dungeons & Dragons together and just about any game we can get our hands on.

    As someone who is neurodivergent, I’ve always had a deep connection with students who have learning differences. This perspective shapes how I approach education and strengthens my commitment to making sure that every student feels seen, supported, and celebrated. I believe in creating a school environment where all students, regardless of background, can thrive and where equity is at the forefront of everything we do.

    Before stepping into the role of Principal, I taught nearly every subject in K-8 schools, which gave me a well-rounded understanding of what our students need to succeed. Now, as an administrator, I’m focused on eliminating the racial predictability of educational and social-emotional outcomes, ensuring that every student feels welcome, happy, and proud of who they are during their time with us.

    I’m so excited to be part of the BCSS community, and I look forward to continuing this journey with all of you!


     
    Constructivism is the idea that meaningful knowledge is actively constructed rather than passively absorbed. 

     

    In a constructivist classroom, students are asked questions and invited to use what they already know to construct new ideas (creative) then test those ideas in context (science) in order to arrive at answers through experience and critical thinking. 

     

    At  Bridger Creative Science School, teachers guide students through this practice of inquiry and discovery to promote curiosity, confidence, and connection— toward learning, toward themselves and each other, toward community— so that students may use these tools throughout their education and into adulthood.

     

     

District News

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  • Student Filmmakers Showcase Their Monster Talent

    The assignment their teacher gave them was simple – make a short film that begins with a phone call and ends with someone hanging up. Benson first-year students Dylan Martinez-Torres and Dariel Soriano Zamora ran it all the way to a small city populated by two very big and rather iconic monsters – Godzilla and Hedora.

    The result, Sorry, Wrong Number, is one of the more than 90 films entered into the annual Best of PPS Film Festival. The festival is a celebration of exceptional student filmmaking that includes a showcase at the historic Hollywood Theatre. 

    The fourth annual installment of the festival took place on May 21 and included a screening of 13 standout films. The films came from all over PPS and ran the gamut from Dylan and Dariel’s monster short to documentaries, film noir, and broadcast journalism. 

    Read More
  • Join the Climate Crisis Response Committee

    If you are a passionate student or community member that wants to make a difference at PPS, apply to join the Climate Crisis Response Committee! This is a committee that reports to the PPS Board of Education.

    On the committee you will learn about how PPS is making progress towards our climate justice and sustainability policies, provide input and recommendations to the PPS Board on how to better support PPS staff as we advance these policy goals, and connect with other passionate members of our PPS community from diverse backgrounds, knowledge areas, and lived experiences.

    No previous professional experience in climate change or sustainability required! Students can apply via this form. Community members can apply here.

    Deadline to apply: June 6. 

  • Students Dance Their Hearts Out at This Year's Earthstock

    Earthstock 2025 was a huge success!

    Each year, special education students from across the region gather at Portland's Crystal Ballroom for a truly unique and uniquely joyful high school dance. 

    Earthstock began in 1992 at the request of a young student who was confined to a wheelchair and was disappointed he couldn’t attend the high school dances because of transportation issues. There were 60 kids at the first event. Earthstock now entertains more than 700 students, staff and volunteers, and is rapidly becoming one the largest events of its kind in the country. 

  • Author and Former PPS Teacher Visits Skyline

    Students at Skyline school were recently treated to a visit from PPS teacher-turned-graphic novelist Aron Nels Steinke. 

    Steinke is the award-winning author and illustrator behind the popular Mr. Wolf's Class series. He also taught at Skyline during the 2015-16 school year.

    During his visit to Skyline, he opened up to a group of third, fourth, and fifth graders about how he got started as an author despite struggling to read and write in school. He also read a short excerpt from his newest book, Speechless. 

    Speechless tells the story of Mira, a sixth grader who spends her first year of middle school finding herself and her voice. Skyline students were some of the book's first readers. We can't wait to see what Mr. Steinke writes next!

     

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