CAS @ Nations https://casatnations.wo rdpress.com/ CAS for Parents CAS @ Nations https://casatnations.wo rdpress.com/

The IB hexagon CAS forms part of the central IB hexagon CAS is a requirement of the IB diploma

What is CAS? Creativity Activity Service Students must complete CAS experiences regularly over the 18 months of the IB diploma

The Ethos of CAS The idea is that students carry out meaningful activities throughout their IB programme that are not directly related to their IB academic subjects The student should take on a new role through each CAS experience

CAS aims to develop “global citizens” with a sense of social responsibility and understanding of the needs of the world around them. Students should be actively involved in planning a personal CAS programme. Provides the opportunity to do something the student has always wanted to do.

Coherence in the Core Support, and be supported by, the academic disciplines Foster international-mindedness Develop self awareness and a sense of identity

CAS provides the opportunity to formally acknowledge a student’s out of school activities Each CAS programme should contain a variety of experiences

Skills, talents and interests Students should approach their CAS by thinking about what they can do and what they would like to do. Opportunity for self-determination, collaboration, accomplishment and enjoyment.

NEW CRITERIA NEW EXPECTATION... It is very important that we give a clear message to students, parents, supervisors and teachers on the expectations of CAS.

Creativity definition: Exploring and extending ideas leading to an original or interpretive product or performance Examples: creative writing

Activity definition: Join a tennis club Physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle Examples:  Train for an upcoming running race and set a goal for yourself. Join a tennis club

Service definition: Collaboration and reciprocal engagement with the community in response to an authentic need Examples: Interaction with groups in the community Letter writing for Amnesty International Working with PTA events

The CAS Project At least 1 month duration that challenges students to show initiative, demonstrate perseverance and develop skills such as collaboration, problem-solving and decision-making

The CAS Project Students need to focus on the learning outcomes when planning their projects The project must be collaborative and sequential series of experiences developing greater engagement

The CAS Stages Investigation Preparation Action Reflection Demonstration

What is not CAS… CAS is not a point-scoring system. The “ethos” of CAS should be considered at all times Anything assessed in IB diploma subjects Any activity where the student is personally rewarded (financially or otherwise) Simple, tedious, repetitive work *

What is not CAS… Religious devotion Work experience which only benefits the student Unsupervised activities Visits to museums, art galleries or sports events Working in a children’s home when there is no contact with the children

The 7 Learning Outcomes 1. Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth 2. Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process 3. Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience 4. Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences 5. Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaborative. 6. Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance 7. Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions

How is CAS run at Ecolint? CAS experiences and projects must be carried within and throughout the 18 month period of the IB DP course in years 12 and 13 Students taking the IBCP do Service Learning and have special sessions with the CAS Coordinator Information about CAS can be found in the curriculum guide and Nations site: https://casatnations.wordpress.com/

The Role of the CAS Coordinator Communicate the CAS rationale to the rest of the school community Maintain student CAS records Determine the suitability of CAS projects Notify students of CAS opportunities Report concerns to parents

The role of the CAS advisor (Homeroom teacher) Meet regularly with the student to review progress in relation to the IB learning outcomes Write school report to parents Monitor the CAS folder and pages in ManageBac Helping students complete CAS progress form and CAS completion form

The role of the CAS Experience Supervisors To confirm the student’s active participation in the activity To comment on student’s performance and attitude in relation to CAS learning outcomes

How students organise their CAS All CAS activities must be approved by the CAS coordinator and/or the Advisor before they start Students should keep a regular log of their activities in ManageBac All activities must have an adult supervisor (not a family member)

Keeping a Record Every student has a CAS mentor advisor with whom they evaluate their progress in CAS against the Learning Outcomes There are interviews and checkpoints where the CAS mentor reviews current progress The blog is kept to journal the student’s personal progress

Reflections Students must reflect on their involvement and personal development through their CAS activities This is why it is important that their activities involve real tasks with real consequences These reflections should be completed on their blog

CAS timeline: MARCH - Final Deadline Year 12 October – interview 1 February – Checkpoint 1 (reflection) June – reflection and report (concerns flagged) Year 13 September – Checkpoint 2 (reflection) October – Interview 2 (concerns) February – Final reflection and interview 3 MARCH - Final Deadline

Communication with students CAS notice board opposite Room 422 Notices on the CAS website Information is delivered by email and IB registration teachers Students may email or see me directly

Communication with Parents Progress reports are sent to parents at each reporting session Letters are sent out if there is concern over an individual student’s programme

Communication with the CAS Coordinator If you have a CAS question or comment see the website https://casatnations.wordpress.com/ Specific questions by email lola.robledo@ecolint.ch

What can you do? Any activities you think fulfil CAS requirements can be offered to the students once approved by the CAS coordinator Check with me if you are not sure Each student’s CAS programme is individual, the more opportunities they have, the more they can get out of it! Take an interest in what the students are getting out of their CAS projects.

Why bother with CAS? CAS is a great way to see the students in a different environment and find out how they think and feel about the world Opportunity for university and job applications It is important that students find a suitable balance between their subjects and their non-academic activities

Ecole Internationale de Genève Any Questions? lola.robledo@ecolint.ch CAS Coordinator Campus des Nations Ecole Internationale de Genève