CAS Info for Parents

What is CAS?

CAS stands for Creativity, Activity and Service and is at the heart of the IB Diploma program. It is one of the essential elements in every student's Diploma Program experience (along with Theory of Knowledge (TOK) and the Extended Essay). It involves students in a range of activities alongside their academic studies throughout the Diploma Program. Successful completion of CAS is a requirement for the award of the IB Diploma.

Involvement in CAS over the two years in the diploma program helps students grow as a whole person and develop their abilities in terms of physical fitness, creative pursuits, and serving others. Besides being involved in CAS over the two years on a weekly basis, each student will complete one CAS project. A CAS project fits into at least one of the three strands: creativity, activity, or service; is collaborative; and lasts at least a month from start to finish.

What's a CAS Advisor?

CAS Advisors are parent volunteers who help shepherd a small group of IB diploma students through CAS. They are essential to the success of the Inglemoor IB program. They are also able to offer students diverse perspectives and provide valuable "real world" feedback to our students.

CAS Advisors are involved in:

• Helping students understand what qualifies as a CAS experience
• Approving activities, or letting students know what needs to happen before they can approve them
• Reminding students to describe activities thoughtfully in 3-5 sentences
• Ensuring that students’ reflections are thoughtful and fully developed
• Reminding students to upload supporting evidence
• Conversing with students about CAS progress several times over the course of the program

How does being a CAS Advisor work?

CAS advisors are assigned a small number (usually 8-10) of students, not including their own child. Students propose CAS experiences on Managebac, a web-based tool used to complete the CAS portfolio. When students propose an experience, their advisor gets an email. Advisors can click on the link in the email to log onto Managebac, where they can approve the experience or suggest changes.

Students will have two deadlines each semester, once towards the beginning of the semester to propose CAS experiences, and once at the end of the semester, when their reflections and evidence are due. These would be the times you would be most engaged in supporting the students.

Managebac also has an app, so CAS advising can also be done from a mobile phone.

Is there any training involved?

The CAS Coordinator will run a training in the fall for new volunteers. The CAS Coordinator is also available for questions any time.

How can I sign up?

To learn more or volunteer, email Elizabeth Lund at elund@nsd.org.