HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM US TO YOU!

As you know, students in grades 2-6 took the Reading and Math Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) tests in late November.  We are sending home the family report in a labeled, sealed envelope this week.  Overall, I am pleased with the results.  

The Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) out of the United States is a world-renowned, research based, not-for-profit organization that produces assessments to help educators measure growth and proficiency of their students.  They are the creators of the MAP test.  

In the spring, NWEA researchers used data across several years to make projections about learning during the time of Covid and school closure.  Their initial predictions were that there would be learning loss, that it would be much more significant that learning loss associated with summer break, and that the greater loss would be in math.  Taking the research and projections into account, we adjusted the Lower School timetables to add more instructional time in math.  

I am happy to announce that the majority of students made gains between Fall 2019 and Fall 2020! 

MAP data is used for teaching and learning in numerous ways.  It allows teachers to understand where your child’s skill strengths and areas for growth are.  It enables us to see where our students fall among the norms of other same grade peers.  We are able to pinpoint exact areas for skill development in order to differentiate in the classroom.  

Please be on the lookout for the Family Report this week

Elizabeth Phillips 

Despite many set backs (google being down worldwide at the time of the LIVE ceremony launch) and change of plans due to the current pandemic, our Grade Six class of 2020 graduates were celebrated this past Monday, December 14th 2020. It was a memorable ceremony that was broadcasted live on our Facebook page. Though Grade six parents could not attend physically, they were with us in our hearts and spirits! 

We would like to thank the PTC members who gifted our graduates with unique sweaters that we have seen them wear the next day! That alone is a proof of their gratitude and most probably enjoying the "cozy" feeling it brings during these rainy days! (scroll the pictures to see)

A big thank you goes to our organization committee for all of their support in making this event happen and with great success!

Parents of Grade Six Graduates (current Grade 7) please stay tuned as we will deliver a USB stick of the entire ceremony and pictures for each student once it is ready.

We wish these new 7th Graders many years of academic success and memorable moments with us here at CAS.

May 2021 Examination Session update: As an IB World school, we strictly follow the official communication coming from IB. Despite many rumors circulating on social media, there is no plan to cancel the IB Exams in May 2021. The IB organization takes into consideration the world pandemic situation and adjusts the examination elements. Parts of the components were removed from most subjects, and the examination schedule was updated to reflect these changes. The Internal assessments (now in progress for our seniors) will be all uploaded for external marking that takes place along with the internal evaluation. The Academic Integrity becomes the most important as no student work can be submitted without the teacher's authentication. Using Turnitin to check for similarities is not enough. The direct interaction with the teacher/supervisor must take place regularly. 

Please spend 5 minutes watching the video prepared by IB students winner of the "Academic Honesty" contest organized by IB a few years ago.

Academic Honesty | IBO Competition Winner (Film/Animation)

DP Evaluation 2021: Our work on the self-study continues. Last Wednesday, during the PD afternoon, time was assigned to complete Section C - Curriculum in IB subjects groups. Despite a large amount of evidence we need to collect, teachers are confident they will complete Section C by June. 

Mr. Rose's grade 11 IB English students created digital portfolios of their work, designing their own websites using Weebly as their digital platform. Students curated exemplars of their work that reflected mastery of the learning objectives for the first term. They then metacognitively reflected on each piece, assessing their strengths and areas of growth, as well as setting goals for the winter trimester. Students then presented their portfolios to their parents, who were given the opportunity to provide feedback on their child's learning. They will continue to add to their portfolios over the course of the school year.

Digital Portfolios highlighted this week:

Rim Es-Sagar 

Aya Oquadi 

Dany Kaanan 

Zineb Sebti 

"Do you own a telescope or binoculars? CAS needs your help!

Upper school science teacher Collin Cherubim is organizing a Star Party to share the wonders of the cosmos with students, staff, and families. Mr. Cherubim will take us on a journey through our solar system and beyond (safely outdoors). But he can't do it without your help! To make our Star Party truly spectacular, we need to host at least one telescope, and ideally binoculars. 

If you are interested in supporting the event and are willing to loan your instrument(s), please contact Mr. Cherubim as soon as possible: ccherubim@cas.ac.ma. Your support is appreciated!"

Thank you!

Collin

January 11th - No School 

We seek to share information on our Alumni to our community and it is also an opportunity for the Alumni to stay in touch! Please email us pictures and updates and we would be happy to share them!

We are eager to hear from you! Email us at the following email address: alumni@cas.ac.ma

Click on the link below to bring you to our biographies of our new teachers, staff and administrators

Meet the New CAS Teachers, Staff & Administrators