What Parents Need to Know about CAS

The Heart of the IB Diploma Program

AIMS

 To develop students who are:  Reflective thinkers  Willing to accept new challenges and roles  Aware of themselves as members of communities  Active participants in sustained, collaborative projects 

Balanced

8 Learning Outcomes

 Increase awareness of your own strengths and areas for growth  Undertake new challenges  Plan and initiate activities  Work collaboratively with others  Show perseverance and commitment in your activities  Engage with issues of global importance  Consider the ethical implications of your actions  Develop new skills

Designing a CAS Program

 Make sure you have a balance of creativity, action, and service.

 Quality not quantity!

 Pursue a limited number of meaningful in-depth commitments rather than a large number of activities  Activities which integrate all 3 components are encouraged.

Creativity

 Regular participation in any form of art or craft, dance, drama, music, film- making, photography, forensics  May NOT count a class taken for credit or an activity required for a class (e.g. IB dance performance)  Designing and carrying out service projects is a good way to express creativity

Action

 Regular participation in sports or other forms of physical activity  Emphasis should be on learning a new skill or taking on a new role  Carrying out service projects may involve action (e.g. Habitat for Humanity)

Service

 ISB has lots of community service clubs and activities available to choose from – during the week, on weekends, and during GCW  Designing your own service project is encouraged but get approval from Mrs. Tananone first  Must fulfill a genuine need  Should involve collaboration with others

Service: What Doesn

’

t Count

 Activities for which you are paid or receive other benefits (such as missing school!)  Religious activities  Helping your family or a relative  Participation in ISB activities that benefit the HS student body (can count these as action or creativity)  Activities for which there is no adult supervision

Evaluation of CAS

 Self-reflection for each activity  At least 1 reflection for each activity posted on Managebac  Must demonstrate that you have met the 8 learning outcomes  Sponsor evaluation for each activity  Send “Supervisor Review” request forms to your supervisors via Managebac  Progress checks and interviews with CAS Coordinator

CAS and TSEA requirement

 One of the alternatives for IB diploma students  85% choose 40 hours of direct service to the Thai community (as part of their 50 hour CAS requirement)  Majority of those select a CS course during GCW