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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  • HeART of Portland Returns to Portland Art Museum April 16th

     This is the poster for the Heart of Portland event

    HeART of Portland, the annual celebration of local student artists, is returning to the Portland Art Museum (PAM) beginning April 16.

    The two-week fine arts showcase features work by students from across Portland Public Schools and is made possible by the Arts Access Fund, which also supports elementary visual and performing arts educators.

    2025 HeART of Portland kicks off with an opening reception at PAM on April 16 at 6:30 p.m. and concludes with the Miller Family Free Day on April 27. The opening reception will include musical and theatrical performances, as well as a set from the elementary school honor choir – made up of two singers from each PPS elementary – and the debut of the honor dance collective. 

    In addition, the showcase will feature more than 100 works of student visual art, handpicked by PPS arts educators, and a collaborative art project for K-12 students that embraces the rebellious spirit of the current PAM exhibition, Psychedelic Rock Posters and Fashion of the 1960s. 

    The reception and HeART of Portland exhibits are free and open to everyone. Please join us in lifting up our student artists!

  • Join Us for "The Ride Ahead"

    Portland Public Schools is continuing to host a series of events aimed at starting productive conversations about what is possible in the systems we create for our children with disabilities.

    As part of this series, we are excited to welcome you to a free screening of The Ride Ahead on Thursday March 20 at McMenamins Kennedy School. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the movie begins at 7:00.

    The Ride Ahead is a film about adult life with disabilities by a man with disabilities. It is the debut of 21-year-old Samuel Habib who, struggling to find his place in the world, decides to make a film that charts how a group of disabled adults navigate challenges and forge their own unique paths. The film serves as a roadmap for himself and others and illustrates the compelling power of one person truly determined to live life on his own terms.

    In documenting his journey, Samuel is following in the footsteps of his father, the filmmaker Dan Habib. You can learn more about their work here.

    Staff, families, and community members are all invited. Parking is free and McMenamins' full menu is available for ordering. We hope to see you there!

  • To Close or Not to Close? The Many Factors that Go into an Inclement Weather Decision

    In meteorological terms, Portland’s first big weather event of 2024 was the definition of a perfect storm. Frigid temperatures and high winds combined with snow and ice to bring down tree limbs, close roads, scramble traffic, freeze pipes, and knock out power for tens of thousands of residents.

    It was a metaphorical perfect storm for Portland Public Schools as well. Fallen trees cut power to multiple schools and others have suffered water damage from broken pipes. Lack of heat was also a problem, and impassable roads, paired with snowed-in and icy parking lots, made it impossible for buses to run safely. Those same conditions limited how the district’s facilities and operations teams can even assess the scope of the issues, let alone begin working on solutions. And icy sidewalks meant walkers have no safe route to school.

    This week could bring similar conditions to the Portland area, and PPS’s School Closure Team is ready to meet the challenge. The team convenes regularly during inclement weather to take all of the above into careful consideration. By now, families are quite familiar with how the district communicates these decisions. What’s perhaps less known is how district leaders arrive at such decisions in the first place. 

  • Free Screening of "Champions" as Part of Our Series Boosting Belonging, Equity, and Inclusion

    As part of our district's focus on events that center belonging, equity, and inclusion, we have been screening a series of films that we hope will challenge our perceptions about what is possible in the systems we create for our children with disabilities.

    The next film in the series is “Champions,” which will screen on Saturday February 8th at 2:00 PM at Lincoln High School. This event will also include first-hand testimonials from PPS students.

    This movie highlights the journey of a basketball coach who leads a team of players with intellectual disabilities. Through humor and heartfelt moments, the movie emphasizes the strengths, individuality, and value each player brings to the team and how inclusion enriches communities and creates positive, supportive environments.

    Staff, families, and community members are all invited. Parking is free and light refreshment will be provided. We hope to see you there!

     

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