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Beven Byrnes Featured on 101 FM News KXL for Women’s History Month
Bridges Middle School and Executive Director Beven Byrnes were recently featured on FM News 101 KXL as part of the station’s Women’s History Month coverage.
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Autistic Barbie and Bridges: A Conversation About Representation on FOX 12
We were honored to have our Executive Director, Beven Byrnes, featured in a live interview on FOX 12 Now with Greg Nibler, a weekday livestream highlighting breaking news and important local conversations.
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Bridges Executive Director Spotlighted During National School Choice Week on KATU Afternoon Live
During National School Choice Week, KATU Afternoon Live featured an important conversation about how families can find educational environments that truly meet their children’s needs — and Bridges was proud to be part of that discussion.
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Bridges Middle School Awarded National ASE Larry Marone Grant
We’re proud to announce that we have been selected as a 2025-2026 recipient of the ASE Larry Marone Grant, a national honor recognizing excellence in art education within special education settings.
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Supporting Neurodivergent Students in Middle School: cityCURRENT
We’re thrilled to share that Beven Byrnes, Executive Director of Bridges Middle School, is now featured on the cityCURRENT Show, a nationally syndicated program celebrating changemakers and community impact. In this inspiring episode, Beven—also a mom, advocate, and author—shares her personal journey and deep conviction that education must be designed to meet students where they…
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From Portland to the World: Why This Moment for Neurodiversity—and Bridges—Matters
Last week, a conversation that began with a single idea—representation matters—traveled farther than we could have imagined. According to our media release report, coverage of Bridges’ response to the autistic Barbie resulted in over 500 media placements across major national outlets, regional newsrooms, and international publications, with a potential reach exceeding 135 million readers worldwide.
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Belonging, in a Box: Why Mattel’s Autistic Barbie Matters
When Mattel introduced its new autistic Barbie, it did more than add another doll to the shelf—it opened a door. For many children and families, that door has been closed far too long.
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Supporting Neurodivergent Littles Through Travel, Family Events & Schedule Changes
Travel, holidays, and family gatherings can be exciting moments, but for neurodivergent young children, they can also be overwhelming. Loud environments, unfamiliar faces, and disrupted routines often create sensory and emotional challenges that families must navigate with care.
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Our Executive Director Gives Testimony in Support of Safety, Stability, and Compassion for Portland’s Kids
Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at City Hall, leaders from three Portland schools, including our own Executive Director, Beven Byrnes, delivered clear, compelling testimony urging the Portland City Council to reject proposed mid-year cuts to the City’s Impact Reduction Program (IRP) and other vital sanitation, safety, and outreach services. Representing students from preschool through high school,…
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Rethinking “Extended Time”: A Closer Look at What Truly Helps Students with ADHD
A recent Education Week article by Elizabeth Heubeck, titled “Does Extended Time on Tests Actually Help Students with ADHD?”, takes a critical look at one of the most widely used classroom accommodations: giving students with ADHD extra time to complete assignments or exams. Rather than relying on external controls, like rigid break schedules or extended…
