Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS)

The Creativity Activity Service (CAS) requirement of the IB Programme takes seriously the importance of life outside the world of scholarship. It should challenge students to develop a value system by which personal growth is enhanced. CAS is an experiential learning programme involving students in new roles. The emphasis is on learning by doing new tasks that have real consequences (results/effects) and then reflecting on these experiences over time.

Creativity

The Creativity component asks students to become actively involved in a creative activity. This could include creative thinking in the design and carrying out of a service project (ie. Student Council, School Bands & Choir, School Newspaper, Art & Mural Clubs, etc). This often involves participation in dance, music, theater, or art. Students must become active participants, not observers.

Activity

The Activity component includes participation in expeditions, individual and team sports, and physical activities outside the normal curriculum. Activity could also be incorporated as part of a service project (i.e. student leader at Camp Robin Hood, Grade 9 Orientation, member of Dance Crew).

Service

Through Service students engage in projects and activities that are often the most transforming elements of the Diploma Programme. Service involves interaction, such as the building of links with individuals or groups in the community. The community may be the school, the local district, or it may exist on national and international levels. Service activities should not only involve doing things for others but also doing things with others and developing a real commitment with them. The relationship should therefore show respect for the dignity and respect of others.

Implementation of CAS

Grade 10 

• in late spring of Grade 10 all students enrolled in the preparatory classes for IB will attend a presentation by the CAS Coordinator which will outline the aims and guidelines related to CAS

• students will be reminded that CAS is a core element of the program providing an enriched and complementary set of learning activities

IBY1 (Grade 11)

• students will be set up on the Managebac online platform for the purposes of tracking their CAS Programme

• students will receive The CAS Guide and other guiding documents and forms (to be used for tracking and documenting their activities) to prepare them for the start of the CAS Programme

• students will be assigned a CAS Advisor who will communicate and track their programmes in person and via Managebac

• students are monitored through the ManageBac online platform

During IBY1 and IBY2 (Grades 11 & 12)

• at regular intervals, CAS Advisors will communicate and meet with students to review progress

• students will share ideas, concerns and the nature of their experiences with their Advisor

• student progress will be tracked by the Advisors and any concerns reported to the IB Coordinator for further review

Reflections

Students will be required to write reflections and about their CAS experience as part of their CAS documentation. These Reflections are entered and/or uploaded directly into the Managebac platform.

Documentation of CAS 

• all CAS activities for the IB Diploma need to be documented and signed by a supervising adult

• the supervising adult is required to sign the Supervisor Verification Form after each activity

• this Supervisor Verification Form is then uploaded into the Managebac platform for review by the CAS Advisor

CAS and the 40 Hours of Community Service (OSSD Requirement) 

CAS activities that are community service related and undertaken in IBY1 and IBY2 (Grades 11 and 12) can also count toward the 40 hours of community service that all students in Ontario must complete as part of their Ontario Secondary School Diploma requirements.