Bridger Creative Science News
October 18, 2024
Dear BCSS community!
One of our ongoing goals here at Bridger Creative Science School is to increase the number of Black and Native students reading at grade level across our system. I’m proud to say that last year we made some strong gains in that effort, and that this year we are starting out strong in our efforts to strengthen our Literacy muscles all over the school! We are now offering targeted, small group, instruction to students who are working hard to develop their reading skills in grades 1-5! Our Reading Interventionist, Rheta Rabe, has had extensive training in the Science of Reading and collaborates frequently with our classroom teachers to assess and monitor student growth, using evidence-based materials and strategies tied to what students use in the classroom every day. In addition, we are proud to welcome SMART readers back to our school this year! These amazing volunteers spend time twice a week reading one-on-one with students in grades 1-3. We love our SMART readers and the important relationships they form with their reading buddies over the course of the year.
Finally, coming soon, we have an opportunity for a few folks to join our team in support of growing BCSS readers! We have access to some grant funding specifically geared towards early literacy and what is called High Intensity Tutoring. Through this grant, we will be able to hire 2 or 3 Educational Assistants (EAs) who will work 12 hours each week tutoring students in grades K-3 in foundational literacy skills. The Learning Acceleration department will hire and train these EAs, but they will work exclusively here at BCSS with our students. We are looking to recommend folks from our community who are interested in taking this work on. If that’s you, please email me at twicker@pps.net.
Kindly, Tarehna Wicker Pronouns: she/her Principal: Bridger Creative Science School Email: twicker@pps.net Phone: 503-916-6431 Cell: 971-895-2091 The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be ignited.
Important Dates
October 23 Early Release 12:45 pm
October 24th Concert "Discovery" 4th and 5th grades Perform
October 25th Fall Ball 6-8pm
Reporting Attendance
Please welcome our new Registrar Admin Assistant II Ally Symons. Please forward all of your attendance emails to Ally at asymons@pps.net as well as their teacher. Joanna Goebel is working at a different school so please do not email her with attendance information. Thank you
Please Do Not Park in Bus Zone
The bus zone is on 80th and Market. We have 3 busses needing to park here before and after school.
Goodbye Message from Mandy Torres
Dear Bridger Creative Science Community,
For the past two months I have had the pleasure to learn and grow as the Mid-level PE teacher at BCSS. It has been exciting to see students grow in their knowledge and experience as young athletes. We’ve had the opportunity to hone our skills in a variety of group games, new sports like team handball and pickleball, and continue developing skills in the more familiar sports like volleyball, soccer and football. We’ve enjoyed lunch tournaments, resulting in worthy opponents and victorious champions.
It is with a bittersweet sweet sentiment to inform you that this was my last week at BCSS. I am pursuing a new and exciting path with teaching- Spanish. This was not an easy decision to make, nor did I make it lightly. I leave with hope that the students will continue to develop their skills, fitness and physical literacy this year. I also leave with gratitude for all that I’ve experienced.
I wish you all the best for your present and future endeavors!
Sincerely,
Mandy Torres
Physical Education Teacher (6-8)
Hiring Educational Assistant
Position: Limited Term Educational Assistant Reading Support
Hourly Rate: TBD by HR
Hours: 3 days per week, 4-7 hours per day, 30 weeks
Start Date: Oct 1, 2024, to Jun 21, 2024
(Excludes the weeks of 12/23-1/03 & 3/24-3/28)
Job Description:
Educational Assistants will provide reading support to students in grades K-3 who need additional foundational literacy support under a licensed teacher's direction. Reading support will take place at K-5 & K-8 schools in small groups during the school day during WIN Block or before and after school (to be determined by the school administrator). Specific duties will include:
Orientation and training will take place after hiring is complete.
EAs will work under the direction of a licensed teacher.
EAs will be matched with students based on literacy needs.
EAs will participate in weekly meetings with a licensed staff member.
Continued professional development will take place throughout the school year.
All materials and activities will be provided.
SUN Mortgage Support Information
Hello Families,
SUN has funding for mortgage support. It is open to the entire school. If you are interested please fill out this Mortgage Google Form.
If you have any questions my contact info is below:
Bridger SUN Cell Phone Number (Cindy): 971-276-3843
marisol@latnet.org
SMART Readers
Are you looking for a way to help students in our community? SMART Reading is looking for Volunteer Readers to read with kindergarten through third grade students at Bridger Creative Science School. This volunteer position is a great way to get involved and help kids get excited about reading! If you or someone you know is interested in volunteering, please visit https://smartreading.org/volunteer/ or call 971-634-1628.