Transitional School provides a haven and hope for Oregon’s homeless
by Candy Puterbaugh
Like the homeless children she teaches, Principal Cheryl Bickle has experienced frequent moves. For 22 years the school she helped found struggled to find a permanent home, moving seven times. Finally, almost 10 years ago, the doors to the Community Transitional School (CTS) opened in NE Portland.
“We’re the only homeless school in Oregon,” says Cheryl. “Most of our students are from families with single parents who often do not work or have menial jobs that barely support the family. Many parents struggle with drug and/or alcohol addiction or psychological problems. CTS is a haven for these at-risk children, a stable environment where they feel comfortable among other children from similar backgrounds, and staff who understand their circumstances and are committed to improving the quality of their lives.”
Four buses transport students to the private school from homeless and domestic violence shelters, cheap motels, the floor of a friend’s home, and even cars and mountain camp sites. Half of the students move at least once during the school year, others eight to 10 times. Many arrive hungry, dressed in ragged hand-me-downs, unwashed and unkempt. The school is committed to teaching them curriculum and character.
“We have high expectations for the children,” Cheryl says. “They can’t use homelessness as an excuse. Ours is exactly like a regular, full-year school schedule, including PE, music, art and homework. And we offer a five-week summer school program.”
Many children enter CTS barely at — or more often one to three years below — grade level, and have attitudes and behavior that slow their learning. The core curriculum focuses on the basics of reading, writing, math and general problem-solving. Teachers work daily to instill social values such as kindness and honesty, as well as personal traits like perseverance, responsibility and self-worth.
A mix of activities supports that goal, including a coed volleyball team, a science fair and a talent show. On popcorn Fridays, students make and sell popcorn concoctions to raise money for charities like SmileTrain. They make and sell seasonal note cards and calendars to support water wells in Ghana. Weekly “I CAN” award ceremonies reward students who distinguish themselves in a positive way with a soda bearing an “I CAN” label. Jobs such as table and recess captain teach public service. School celebrations of holidays and birthdays are the only celebrations some students experience.
Both breakfast and lunch are served each school day, and family food boxes are sent home Fridays. New clothes, shoes and coats are donated by supporters, and organizations provide free dental services and eye care.
Founded in 1990, the school serves about 200 children every year, but average daily enrollment is 60 to 70 students ages five to 14, from families living in Portland and east Multnomah County. Four combined-grade classrooms teach pre-kindergarten to 8th grade.
When Covid came calling last March, CTS was at a disadvantage as few students had internet access. So, staff delivered school to the students. Initially, buses delivered and picked up schoolwork packets weekly, plus family food boxes. Switching to daily drop-offs resulted in markedly improved participation and performance. Last fall, teachers met with students where they lived, engaging in outdoor “sidewalk teaching” with portable whiteboards and masks. Teachers also called students and parents regularly. To make up for lost learning, students are now back in school part-time until July 28th.
Finding herself a principal and teacher of third through fifth graders at a school for homeless children came as no surprise to Cheryl.
“I was fortunate to be raised by two loving parents who provided my sister and me with a stable home life,” she says. “My family strongly believed in the opportunities education gave a person and the importance of helping those who needed help. Mine is not the kind of upbringing that is shaping the lives and character of our students, and I want to help change that.”
With a Bachelor’s in Social Work and a Master’s in Education, Cheryl was well equipped to help these students. In 1990, she joined the start of the YWCA Transitional School, which later became CTS.
“I didn’t conceive but inherited the idea and made it a reality,” she says. “We started in a few YWCA rooms with no desks, no furniture, no budget. We just went to fifth grade then. But the need increased. My classes had over 40 kids!”
Donations helped them expand. After locating in six different sites, sometimes being evicted, they raised money to buy land and finally built their own school.
“As a mother of five and grandmother of eight, I have shared in their anticipation and excitement as each fall rolled around and brought another school year,” Cheryl says. “And for the past 30 years, I’ve eagerly awaited and prepared for the start of a new school year at CTS, imagining the excitement on the faces of new and former students as they tumbled off the buses on the first day.”
Close to 93% of CTS funding is from donations by foundations, businesses, individuals and church and civic groups. Nearly 7% is from Multnomah County.
To make a donation, go to www.transitionalschool.org and click on “Donate”. There is a wish list and info on how to donate. Checks are often mailed or dropped off at the school at 6601 NE Killingsworth Street.