New classes at Cascade

 In the office, CHS counselor Meche Grace works to prepare for next year. Grace is working diligently on student schedules for the 2025-2026 school year. To prepare the schedules, she’s figuring out what teachers want to teach, looking at the student surveys for preregistration, and using all that information to create the master schedule for registration. Photo credit: Jacob Harris 

Next year at Cascade High School (CHS), there are going to be some new classes arriving, some even offering college credit. There will be new opportunities for fresh experiences for the student body.  

Nutrition and Wellness 

One class being offered will take place while most Kodiaks are still asleep at 7a.  This class will be taught by Mr. Haberberger. To take this class, students must complete Living Skills, have acquired their food handler’s card, and be a full-time multisport athlete. Additionally, Mr. Hab’s signature will be required for participation. 

“In the class, you are going to get here at 7:00 and you’re going to work out. After that, you’re going to cook and eat a nutritious breakfast,” said Mr. Hab. Overall, this class is great for those looking to improve their nutrition and athleticism. 

Event Planning  

Do you want to plan events? Do you want to create amazing parties? If so, Event Planning might be for you.  This dual-credit, college-in-the-high-school class will be taught by Ms. Robison.  This Eastern Washington University class requires that “students learn about the varying aspects of professional event planners, what it takes to be a successful event planner, and the processes used to design, plan, and execute various events.  Students will practice and apply their skills by putting leadership into action in order to improve the overall school culture and climate on the CHS campus.”  This class is worth three college credits and fulfills the requirement for elected ASB officers. 

“I think it’s going to be a really good opportunity for people who want to go into the field of event planning and will strengthen the skills of student leaders at Cascade,” said Robison. Generally, this class is perfect for those interested in a career in event planning and an excellent opportunity to earn some college credits. 

English Essentials  

Did you fail English 9 or 10? Are you missing just that one annoying English credit? Consider English Essentials. It’s a class that will be taught by Ms. Weil and will help you retrieve that credit if and only if you attempted and failed English 9 or 10.  

“English Essentials covers the building blocks of all English Language Arts classes. It will help you strengthen your foundational English skills so that you can succeed in any English class,” said Weil. All in all, if you’re missing the credit, and you would like an alternative way to make it up, English Essentials might just be the class for you. 

Critical Conversations 

Do you want to be heard? Do you want to engage in fruitful conversations with people about critical issues? Then Critical Conversations is for you. Taught by Ms. Weil, this class is all about learning to speak respectfully and listen actively.  

“This class is for speakers who want to learn to listen, and listeners who want to learn to speak,” said Weil.  All things considered, this class is good for whomever wants to learn how to converse and debate properly. If that sounds appealing, give it a try. 

Chicano Studies 

Do you want to learn about the origins of Latinx culture in the United States? Are you interested in the struggles and trials of the Chicano culture? Then Chicano studies is for you. This class is taught by Mrs. Renner-Singer. In this class, you’ll learn about the customs, language, and the issues of cultural identity of the Latinx people. This class is a college-in-the-high-school class worth five college credits through Eastern Washington University. 

“The heart of Chicano studies is what does it mean to be Mexican American, so it’s about identity,” said Renner-Singer. Altogether, if you’re interested in the culture, and want to learn all about the history of Chicano people, then Chicano studies is the class for you. 

In summary, next year, Kodiaks will see an addition of history, language, fitness, and career building classes to their options. As a bonus, college credits are also in the mix. Make sure to take advantage of these unique offerings when you register this month.