Atlanta International School

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CAS: Creativity, Action, Service

Creativity, Action, Service (CAS) engages students in reflective involvement beyond the classroom by fostering caring and socially responsible attitudes through participation in activities that reach beyond themselves and their books. Participation in CAS encourages students:

• to share their energies and special talents while developing awareness, concern and the ability to work cooperatively with others
• to develop a spirit of open-mindedness, lifelong learning, discovery, and self-reliance
• to learn new skills and develop attitudes and traits that will be respected by others, such as determination and commitment, initiative and empathy
• to open up the world of possibilities and grow in the knowledge of life, self, and others.

In preparation for this requirement and in keeping with the broader approach of fostering the development of the whole person, students are required to accumulate CAS hours in certain levels based on their grade:

Requirements for Grades 6 - 8

All Grade 6 - 8 students are required to accumulate 30 CAS hours each year (30 in Grade 6, 30 in Grade 7, and 30 in Grade 8) in order to advance to the next grade level. These hours may be completed in any combination but at least 5 hours must be completed for each category, with the balance of the 30 hours divided according to the projects in which the student decides to participate.

CAS Requirements for Middle School as a PDF (35 KB)

Requirements for Grades 9 - 10

All Grade 9 and 10 students are required to accumulate 60 CAS hours each year (60 in Grade 9 and 60 in Grade 1O) in order to advance to the next grade level. These hours may be completed in any combination but at least 10 hours must be completed for each category, with the balance of the 60 hours divided according to the projects in which the student decides to participate.

CAS Requirements for Grades 9-10 as a PDF (35 KB)

Requirements for Grades 11 - 12

All Grade 11-12 students are required to accumulate 150 CAS hours over two years during Grades 11 and 12. These hours may be completed in any combination but at least 25 hours must be completed for each category, with the balance of the 150 hours divided according to the projects in which the student decides to participate. Furthermore, at AIS it is expected that Grade 11 students will complete at least 90 hours of the 150 hour requirement before the end of Grade 11.

CAS Requirements for Grades 11-12 as a PDF (35 KB)

CAS Procedures

Any questions involving what constitutes a valid CAS activity should be referred to the CAS Coordinator.

The student is responsible for obtaining verification of completion of the activity from the direct adult supervisor of the activity. All CAS activities require adult supervision -- and please note that parents or other direct family members may not sign off on CAS activities. Advisors will then award and approve hours for CAS activities in which the student demonstrated personal growth and learning.

The student will complete a brief summary/reflection of each activity, to be maintained in a portfolio by each advisor. This portfolio of reflections will be reviewed periodically and advisors will summarize involvement in CAS activities on student report cards. Students will also use their portfolios for personal annual review at the end of the academic year.

Students are expected to take the responsibility to be actively involved over the course of each year and complete the appropriate reflection in a timely manner. Hours may not be compiled retroactively. Once an activity is completed, it should be documented with the advisor, who will tally the hours. Ongoing, year-long, or summer activities are valid for CAS hours and documentation may be done quarterly, by the semester, or at the end of the activity.

Students who have not completed their hours prior to the end of the school year will not receive a report card and their transcript will be held, until the required documented hours requirements are met.

Fundraising

Students wishing to engage in fundraising activity on behalf of a CAS group should review this policy.

CAS Fundraising Policy and Guidelines (PDF, 24 KB)

2008-2009 Fundraising Event Form (PDF, 23 KB)

CAS Festival

A CAS Festival is planned for September 11 in the AIS Auditorium. Students will have the opportunity to visit student and adult leaders and see informational displays of all of the CAS groups operating at AIS. Several new and exciting CAS opportunities are planned for the 2007-2008 school year.