Bear Block at Cascade

A Minga announcement greets students as they enter the building, reminding them to sign up for activities for the upcoming week. Photo Credit: Vanessa Ibarra (12)

Since 2020, Flex, a 30-minute advisory period designed to provide academic support, has been part of Cascade High School’s schedule. During this time, students met with their advisory teachers to retake tests, seek help, complete homework, or learn about upcoming events. Flex was offered four days a week and functioned as a study hall where students managed academic and personal responsibilities. 

In 2025, Cascade High School updated both the structure and name of this period, introducing Bear Block. This new model retained the 30-minute length but moved the time slot to before lunch on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and occasionally Fridays. Bear Block uses an online management platform called Minga for attendance and activity registration. Minga defines itself as “a Campus Management Platform for hall passes, tardies, behavior, and rewards. Student accountability reimagined.” 

During the first month of the school year, students remained in their advisory classes while teachers and administrators prepared to implement the new system. Once Bear Block officially began, students and teachers gradually adjusted to the new structure.  

Each week, teachers planned different activities—most often offering study help or work sessions for their designated content areas to support students who may be struggling or need additional guidance. However, others used the time for enrichment activities, including club meetings, open gym, cribbage, embroidery, and other creative or community-building options. 

M.E.Ch.A Club Advisor Mailia Renner-Singer described the potential she sees in the new structure: “I actually really like Bear Block because I think there are a lot of possibilities that could happen during Bear Block. The issue is there is too much happening all the time it’s hard to get schedule in. Our M.E.Ch.A club only got one meeting for the whole month.” 

Students have also begun to notice the changes. “I think Bear Block is starting to provide structure for classrooms and students. The activities help students stay in one classroom and avoid students doing things they aren't supposed to be doing,” said senior Indica Mendoza. 

While many appreciate the added organization, others miss the flexibility of the previous Flex model. Under Flex, students could visit multiple teachers or choose how to use their time. Now, they must select one classroom per session, and each offering has limited space. This constraint has made it harder for some students to access help in multiple subjects and has created unequal participation across activities. For example, teachers like P. Fraker, who offers Open Gym, experience high demand, while others, such as those offering academic help sessions, sometimes see fewer attendees.

Another challenge has been that some students opt for enrichment activities when they would benefit more from the academic support offered by content-area teachers. Administrators and teachers are actively working to address this issue and encourage more purposeful student choices during Bear Block. 

Sports Medicine Club Advisor John Betz also reflected on the changes. “The flexibility is a little hard. Students that were assigned usually are the hardest to get in class. Due to them being more structured, I'm sure they are doing great things to get work done. But it is a little harder to get those students in class,” said Betz. 

Another challenge students face is the limited number of Bear Block days. Having only two or three sessions per week makes scheduling difficult for those balancing clubs, test retakes, and other responsibilities. “I believe that it would be more beneficial to have Bear Block every day,” said junior Ada Missal. “I know most people feel rushed with only two days of Bear Block. Clubs have to slam their meetings into two days; I miss out on club meetings because I also have other meetings.” 

Despite initial difficulties, both students and staff have adapted to the new schedule. The first few weeks were described as chaotic, but participation has since stabilized.

Many hope Bear Block will continue to improve as routines are refined.

Many hope Bear Block will continue to improve as routines are refined. “I like the new way Flex is organized; there are less people in the halls now. I do think it needs to be every day of the week. Only two days a week feels odd. It needs to be more consistent,” said senior Mylee Hobbs. 

As Cascade High School continues to adjust, Bear Block remains a work in progress—one that reflects the community’s ongoing effort to balance structure, flexibility, and student engagement.