CAS, an acronym for Creativity, Activity and Service, is the community service requirement for students pursuing the full IB Diploma. CAS is an opportunity for students to help their communities and themselves. They are encouraged to choose goals that are realistic and purposeful and to work towards significant outcomes. Additionally, the planning process is an integral part of the CAS program.
•IB CAS is organized around three strands:
o Creativity—exploring and extending ideas leading to an original or interpretive product or performance
o Activity—physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle
o Service—engagement with the community in response to an authentic need
Students will be required to participate in CAS experiences that fulfill creativity, activity, and service over their two-year enrollment in the IB Diploma Program. Many of these CAS experiences are things that students are already involved in while other experiences may be new activities that students wish to explore. These are important CAS guidelines:
- Activities that students participate in inside or outside of school can count as CAS experiences as long as they are active participants in those experiences. Some examples include, but are certainly not limited to, Marching Band, participation in a sport, leadership role in a club, and volunteer work outside of school. Students may not use a paid experience as part of CAS.
- Students will be graded either as completing these reflections satisfactorily (“S”) or unsatisfactorily (“U”) which will go on to their report card. They will utilize our online ManageBac system to upload their CAS reflections.
- Qualifies as CAS Does not qualify as CAS
Volunteering at a voter registration drive Volunteering for a specific political candidate
Planning a food drive through your church Planning a drive to bring new members to your church.
Developing a new skill in a sport Playing a sport with no specific goal in mind
Choreographing a dance for a recital outside of school Choreographing a dance for your IB Dance class
Babysitting for free for a neighbor Babysitting for pay or for a family member
Organizing a fundraiser for a community group Organizing a fundraiser for your own needs
- Students will be required to submit 8 reflections over 2 years as follows:
Junior Year: MP1-1; MP2-2; MP3-3; MP4-2
Senior Year: MP1-1; MP2-1; MP3: Exit Interview & Summative Reflection of all of your CAS experiences
- Each reflection MUST have a minimum of 1 piece of evidence such as a picture or video.
•Each reflection will be written with the guidance of the form/outline/template provided that is both reflective and encompasses the learning outcomes. They MUST be uploaded to ManageBac.
Furthermore, students are required by the IB Organization to undertake in a CAS Project of at least one month in duration that challenges them to show initiative, demonstrate perseverance, and develop skills such as collaboration, problem-solving, and decision-making. The CAS Project can address any single strand of CAS (C, A or S), or combine two or three strands. Students use the stages of CAS (investigation, preparation, action, reflection and demonstration) as a framework for their CAS experiences and the CAS Project. Some organizations that students have worked with on their CAS Project include: Hope Children's Fund, Long Island against Domestic Violence, Island Harvest and The Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Your CAS reflections must:
• fit within one or more of the CAS strands (C-A-S).
• be based on a personal interest, skill, talent or opportunity for growth.
•not involve activities where you preach/teach your faith or speak about your religious beliefs although you may perform service through your religious institution (soup kitchens, carnivals, clothing drives, etc.).
•address each of the 7 CAS Learning Outcomes over two years
(some activities may address more than one Learning Outcome)
•be uploaded to your ManageBac account
Our IB CAS Coordinator is:
Mr. Joseph Zaidinski for the Class of 2023 & 2024
CAS Reflection Guidelines
CAS Project Planning template
CAS Project Execution and Reflection Template
12th Grade Presentation
11th Grade Presentation
1: Identify own strengths and develop areas for growth
Students are able to see themselves as individuals with various abilities and skills, of which some are more developed than others.
2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process
A new challenge may be an unfamiliar experience or an extension of an existing one. The newly acquired or developed skills may be shown through experiences that the student has not previously undertaken or through increased expertise in an established area.
3: Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience
Students can articulate the stages from conceiving an idea to executing a plan for a CAS experience or series of CAS experiences. This may be accomplished in collaboration with other participants. Students may show their knowledge and awareness by building on a previous experience, or by launching a new idea or process.
4: Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences
Students demonstrate regular involvement and active engagement in CAS.
5: Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively
Students are able to identify, demonstrate and critically discuss the benefits and challenges of collaboration gained through CAS experiences.
6: Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance
Students are able to identify and demonstrate their understanding of global issues, make responsible decisions, and take appropriate action in response to the issue either locally, nationally or internationally.
7: Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions
Students show awareness of the consequences of choices and actions in planning and carrying out CAS experiences.
CAS FINAL REFLECTION FOR SENIORS:
No word count but you should talk about your overall CAS experiences.
*Which experiences were the most meaningful and why?
*What challenges did you experience with your CAS activities?
*Were there any experiences that made a lasting impression on you? If so, why?
*Are there any activities you will continue to stay involved in after you graduate? If so, why?
*What lessons did you learn from your CAS experiences?
*Are there any activities you will continue to stay involved in after you graduate? If so, why?
Our CAS Coordinator is Mr. Zaidinski. Please contact the CAS coordinator should you have any questions.
Email Address:
jzaidinski@commack.k12.ny.us
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