C reativity, A ction, S ervice The IB CAS Program

1. Creativity, Action, Service The IB CAS Program Fairhope High School, Spring 2012

2. Whatis CAS? Creativity, action, and service are at the heart of the IB Diploma Programme. Through CAS experiences, it is hoped that students will learn to get along with others and be productive members of the broader community. Research suggests that there is a clear connection between community service programs in which students may engage and the later civic involvement of adults. Some students said: “CAS involvement was critical in shaping my identity.” “I am still involved in my community as a result of my CAS activities.” “CAS increased my awareness of society’s ills and offered a chance for me to do what I could to alleviate them.” “CAS involvement enabled me to form connections with people and groups who were similarly committed to social reform.”

3. Students who serve… …grow academically and personally. …learn about people’s differences and develop respect for those who are different. …gain leadership skills. …begin to think about solutions to community problems. …stop thinking only of themselves. …become committed to the improvement of their own communities. …learn about working with others and teamwork. …develop knowledge of social responsibility.

4. The Focus: 8 Key Learner Outcomes • Reflecting on the CAS experiences is the key! • Increase awareness of own strengths and areas of growth. • Undertake new challenges. • Plan and initiate activities. • Work collaboratively with others. • Show perseverance and commitment to activities. • Engage with issues of global importance. • Consider the ethical implications of your actions. • Develop new skills. • See page 2, CAS Curriculum

5. What does CAS look like? Tutoring Key Club/GSC Activities Beach Clean Up Habitat for Humanity Superintendent’s Council Zumba Hospital volunteering Raising money for charities Bicycling Running for Water Drama participation Dance Band FEEF Council Nursing home volunteer Blood Drive Booties for Babies/Knitting for Troops Teaching Baton-Boys and Girls Club UNICEF Drive Santa America Serving Meals for Homeless Art Shows Recreational activities for orphans and elderly people Beach clean up Response to natural disastersRed Cross Model UN Council And other approved IB student proposals

6. CAS Activity Proposal (Yellow Sheet) In addition to your name, title of activity, entity where activity will be completed, the category of the activity, whether it is 18-month, global, group, or self-initiated, number of estimated hours, and time span for activity, you will complete the following for a proposal: 1. What is the actual task(s) that you will undertake? 2. Who will be involved in the planning of this activity? 3. What are your personal goals for this activity? 4. What are the goals of the organization/agency with which you will be working during this activity? 5. What will be required to make your goals for this activity achievable? 6. How will you review your progress toward reaching these goals? 7. What are some potential and reasonable consequences of this activity for other people and for yourself? 8. How will the task extend you as a person? 9. How will the activity extend you as a person? 10. On which of the 8 Key Learning Outcomes will you reflect, and what personal insights do you anticipate will be gained from this activity?

7. CAS Steps • Complete an Activity Proposal (YELLOW SHEET) • Page 7, CAS Curriculum. • This MUST be submitted at least 5 days prior to beginning an activity. • After approval via email or spreadsheet, begin activity and log hours. • (BLUE SHEET), Page 12, CAS Curriculum. • Reflect on activity, documenting Key Learner Outcomes. • Essay, oral, presentation • Submit dated reflection with signed, dated Log. • Look for approval of reflection via email, then enter hours on spreadsheet. • Make appointments with CAS Coordinator at least each semester. • YELLOW SHEETS and BLUE SHEETS are available in the library.

8. Reflection is to be INTROSPECTIVE and a Self-evaluation Broad Overview: ¨What did I plan to do? ¨What did I do? ¨What were the outcomes for me, the team I was working with, and others affected by the activity? *****CONSIDER THE 8 KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES***** Specific Detailing…consider, where appropriate, the perspectives of yourself and others, during each state of the activity (before, during, and after): 1. Summarize what you did in the activity and how you interacted with others. Include planning, fulfillment, and any follow-up. 2. Explain what you wished to accomplish through this activity and how those goals were fulfilled (or not) and/or how they evolved into other accomplishments and goals. What was the VALUE of the activity to you and others involved? 3. Address problems, difficulties, and challenges faced in the completion of the activity and how they affected you, the project, and the final outcome. 4. Detail which of the 8 Key Learning Outcomes were accomplished and how those outcomes affected you and those with whom you worked.

9. What is not CAS? 1. Any class, activity or project which is already part of the student’s Diploma Program. 2. An activity for which a student is personally rewarded either financially or with some other material benefit including internships or work done for a business entity, even when not paid. 3. Doing simple, tedious and repetitive work that does not involve meaningful interaction with others. 4. A passive pursuit, such as a visit to a museum, the theatre, art exhibition, concert or sports event. 5. All forms of duty within a family. 6. Work experience which only benefits the student. 7. Fund-raising with no clearly defined end in sight. 8. Activities associated with or promoting a specific political party or ideology.

10. Activities and Hours In addition to documenting the 8 Key Learner Outcomes, a distribution of 150 hours over 18 months will look like this: C-Creativity (40 hour minimum) A-Action (40 hour minimum) S-Service (40 hour minimum) No more than 70 hours in any one category will be counted. See page 3, CAS Curriculum

11. Schedule of Acquired Hours Summer 2013 – 50 hours by Aug. 9, 2013 (includes 10 hours for 18-month project) Fall 2013 – 25 additional hours by Dec. 10, 2012 Spring 2014 – 25 more hours (100 total by now) Summer 2014 – 25 more hours (125 by now) Fall 2014 – 25 more hours by Dec. 1,2014! (150) Goal: Have all hours done by Dec. 1, 2014! February 1, 2015 – Final documents due March 1, 2015 – Submission of CAS/SFS form

12. B9.7 CAS Programme Evaluation and Completion* Schools are responsible for evaluating candidates’ CAS activities and performance according to the performance criteria given in the Creativity, Action, Service Guide. Coordinators must notify the IB office whether or not candidates have completed their CAS programme by completing the appropriate electronic form on IBIS by 1 June/1 December in the diploma year. Candidates who fail to complete the CAS requirement by 1 June/1 December in their diploma year are allowed one further year only in which to complete it. This further year expires at 1 June/1 December of the year following the main diploma session. This allowance of one year is available because there is no retake category for the CAS requirement. *IBO Handbook of Procedures for the Diploma Programme 2013, B9 Creativity, action, service, page 3. Fairhope High School’s deadline for all CAS documents to be turned in is February 1 of the senior year. The goal is to have it completed by December 1 of the senior year as a senior’s spring semester is very busy! The final CAS document, the green sheet, is due March 1 of the senior year. While the IBO does not require completion until June 1, the senior IB student will not be eligible to receive the IB stole at the Senior Awards Day, will not be able to wear the stole at graduation, and will not be able to attend the IB Senior Banquet.

13. CAS Diploma Requirement IB Diploma candidates are required to complete the CAS component in order to receive the IB Stole on Senior Awards Day and the IB Diploma. CAS activities must be: (1) UNPAID, (2) supervised at all times by an adult over 21 who is not a family member, And (3) not part of a credit class for school. Additional requirements: ¨ All students will complete a “CAS Plan for Completion” by April 16, 2013. ¨ At least one activity must last a minimum of 18 continuous months and must begin during the summer before the candidate’s junior year. ¨ At least one activity must be completed while working with a team or group. ¨ At least one activity must be initiated, planned, organized and fulfilled by the student. ¨ At least one activity must be global in nature. ¨ At least one activity must emphasize a commitment to the global community.

14. CAS Plan for Completion In an effort to organize your thoughts about the CAS component of your IB Diploma Program, please complete the following tasks and submit them to the CAS Coordinator on or before April 16, 2013. Submissions should be placed in the CAS basket in the library office. The “Plan for Completion” must be submitted and approved before any activities are initiated. Part “A” “Self-review” In a written narrative, describe: 1.Activities in which you already engage that might be used for CAS 2.Other areas of interest that might provide CAS activities 3.Activities that you can explore for each of the three components of CAS—Creativity, Action, and Service 4.Areas of personal strength 5.Areas of personal weakness that can be targeted for development 6.Personal goals for achievement within CAS Part “B” “Begin with the end in mind” After reading the entire CAS Journal, review the “Completion Document” at the end of the CAS Journal. In a written narrative: 1.Describe the role of the 8 Key Learning Outcomes (not the outcomes themselves) and your responsibilities and intentions for achieving them. 2.Identify the activity that you will use to achieve the 18-month requirement and indicate when you intend to begin the activity. 3.Identify at least one activity that will be completed with a team or group. 4.Identify one activity that will demonstrate interest and commitment to the global community. 5.Identify one activity that will be self-initiated and planned. This narrative should be type-written. It will not be “graded” but should fully explore each item listed above. Students may consult with the CAS Coordinator while planning this narrative.

15. STUDENT AGREEMENT DUE APRIL 16, 2013 I have read the CAS guidelines and policies and understand that a minimum of 150 CAS hours is an IB diploma requirement. I understand that Fairhope High School’s International Baccalaureate Programme does not sponsor activities. Instead, it provides students with guidance, direction, and support. The IB CAS Coordinator will provide students with suggestions to on-campus and off-campus activities which students may choose; however, no particular activity will ever be required. When a student chooses to participate in an activity which is not sponsored by the school, it becomes the parents’ and student’s responsibility to schedule both events and transportation. The parents must assume all legal responsibility for the student’s safety. I will submit documentation each summer and academic semester of my 11th & 12th grade years on or before the published deadlines. The published deadlines include but are not limited to completing and documenting at least 50 hours by the summer deadline of my 11th grade year and a minimum of 125 hours by the summer deadline of my 12th grade year. I understand that if I do not submit the 150 documented CAS hours on or before the deadlines published on page 6 of this curriculum , I may be removed from the IB Program, will not receive the IB stole, and will not qualify for the IB diploma. ________________________________ ____________________________ ____________ PRINT Student’s Name Student’s Signature Date _____________________________ _________________________ ____________ PRINT Parent’s Name Parent’s Signature Date ******************

16. PARENT AGREEMENT DUE APRIL 16, 2013 I have read and agree to the statements made in the preceding “Student Agreement.” I understand that failure to meet the published deadlines for completing CAS activity hours and submitting documentation for those hours may result in my child being removed from the IB Program and will disqualify them for the IB Diploma. Completion of CAS is required by the IB Organization in order to earn the IB Diploma. I will review my son/daughter’s CAS progress periodically and help monitor their progress toward CAS goals and deadlines. I understand that selecting, performing, and documenting CAS activities is my son/daughter’s responsibility. I will assume responsibility for my child’s safety when they are engaged in or being transported to or from CAS activities. The Faculty and Staff of Fairhope High School or Baldwin County Board of Education will not be responsible for the safety or well-being of my child while my child is engaged in CAS activities. __________________________________ ___________________________________ PRINT Parent’s Name Parent’s Signature ______________________________________________ _______________ Parent’s email address Date

17. In Summary… CAS is a required component for all IB Diploma students. CAS is intended to create and nurture well-rounded students. CAS aims to develop students who are: *reflective thinkers who understand their own strengths and limitations and who identify goals for personal growth. *willing to accept new challenges and new roles. *aware of themselves as members of communiteis with responsibilities toward each other and the environment. *active participants in sustained, collaborative projects. *balanced as they enjoy and find significance in a range of activities involving intellectual, physical, creative and emotional experiences. *globally open-minded and sensitive to those who are different than them.

18. CAS Responsibilities of the IB Student *READ the CAS Curriculum Guide carefully! *READ Additional Guidelines and Policies, page 4 and Timeline for Activity Hours and Due Dates, page 6 twice! *Brainstorm the CAS Plan of Completion, page 11, with your parent! *Complete the Plan and turn it in to Mrs. K by April 16, 2013! *Turn in Student Agreement, page 8, and Parent Agreement, page 9, by April 16, 2013!