CAS Update Template

You should use this template to guide what you submit for the required CAS updates. Certainly, you will not necessarily engage in activities that address all of the Learning Outcomes at each update. You are reminded, however, that all Learning Outcomes need to have evidence of completion in order for your CAS program to be certified. (This is a requirement for the IB Diploma.) For each learning outcome, list all of the activities that you have engaged in since your last update according to the Learning Outcome to which they relate. (Juniors writing th th their first update: list all activities since you started your CAS program during summer between 10 and 11 grades.) Next to each activity, note whether the activity relates to the Creativity, Action, or Service strand of CAS by noting C, A, or S in parentheses after the name of the activity. Then, write a brief statement about how you are making progress towards that specific Learning Outcome through at least one of the activities. Finally, you should choose one particular activity and write a more extensive reflection of at least one significant paragraph. Consider the questions on the CAS Reflective Guidelines as you write. This template can be filled in by hand and submitted. It is preferable, however, that you type in the information and email the document to mellis1@ycsd.york.va.us.

Learning Outcome
Increased their awareness of their own strengths and areas for growth

Relevant Activities (Include dates & approximate time spent)

Piano: January 7,14, 21, 28 (1 hour/week) Swim Team: Every day (4-6 hours/week) Cross Country: Every week day and Saturday (4-6 hours/week) from September to November Habitat for Humanity: January 5th and 12th (5-6 hours each)

Brief statement of progress towards Learning Outcome

I am learning that I am a quick learner, but I need to practice my bass clef for piano because previously I only played flute with the treble clef. I am learning that I have good form for swimming and running, but I am lacking in muscular strength and that is holding me back from my potential. Additionally, I realized that I need to learn how to take charge and find something helpful to do even when it comes to being surrounded by male adults (Habitat for Humanity). Likewise, I need to learn how to change the gun-hose attachment faster and cleaner. Right now, I look a bit like Im wrestling a snake.

Undertaken new challenges

Habitat for Humanity: January 5th and 12th (5-6 hours each) Piano: January 7,14, 21, 28 (1 hour/week) Swim Team: Every week day (4-6 hours/week) from November to January

I am construction-handicapped. I have used a hammer before, but I only knew the basics of carpentry. Now, I can put up the trim around a door and/or window all by myself and putty in nail holes! When I first got to the house we were constructing, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing! Additionally,

Planned and initiated activities

NATASHA House Club: No meetings yet, first three meetings planned out York County Youth Commission: Helped to plan bonfire and construct surveys; once every couple weeks for 1 hour (since September)

previously I always swam free-style and breaststroke and relays in swim meets, but now I am swimming the 100m butterfly, one of the hardest events. Likewise, I previously only knew how to officially play the flute, but I am taking lessons and am learning how to play piano. I had to actually correspond with the NATASHA House in order to receive the go-ahead with starting a club at York High. Additionally, I had to submit a club application to York High and explain my intentions for the club as well as securing an adult sponsor. With the York County Youth Commission, I am the chair person of the Student Relations committee and really headed the making and distribution of the surveys into schools throughout York County. With the Special Projects committee, we organized a bonfire for the youth of York County and it will take place February 22nd.

Worked collaboratively with others

NATASHA House Club: No meetings yet, had to correspond and work with the NATASHA House Habitat for Humanity: January 5th and 12th (5-6 hours each) Swim Team: Every day (4-6 hours/week)

I have learned that in order to work with others communication is key and compromise is king. Everyone must do his/her own task, but cannot be afraid of asking for help. When a part of a team, a kind of utilitarian perspective must be adopted in order for the entire team to succeed.

Learning Outcome
Shown perseverance and commitment in their activities

Relevant Activities (Include dates & approximate time spent)

Swim Team: Every week day (4-6 hours/week) from November to January NATASHA House Club: No meetings yet, had to correspond and work with the NATASHA House Piano: January 7,14, 21, 28 (1 hour/week)

Brief statement of progress towards Learning Outcome

I have learned that in order to succeed in my athletics and musical undertakings, I must practice just about every day and do my best every day, no matter how exhausted I am. I have learned that even when complications arise, I cannot give up but push on.

Engaged with issues of global importance

Cross Country: Every week day and Saturday (4-6 hours/week) from September to November NATASHA House: volunteered 2 times for 3-4 hours each NATASHA House Club: No meetings yet, had to correspond and work with the NATASHA House and plan the meetings to come

I personally come from a relatively wealthy family, but through the opportunities presented by these undertakings, I am realizing the connotations of being impoverished. I am able to put faces to the word homeless and understand the thoughts and feelings associated with homelessness and the sense of relief and gratitude those who were previously homeless now feel when they find stability.

Considered the ethical implications of their actions

NATASHA House: volunteered 2 times for 3-4 hours each NATASHA House Club: No meetings yet, had to correspond and work with the NATASHA House and plan the meetings to come Habitat for Humanity: January 5th and 12th (5-6 hours each) Piano: January 7,14, 21, 28 (1 hour/week)

I cannot have an us-them mentality and I must be very conscious of what I say and how I react and act to the folks I work with. Many of them still have a fight or flight mentality, and so it is up to me to help ensure an environment that feels stable and safe and welcoming. I now know how to correctly use a nail gun, putty in nail holes, and put up trim around doors and windows. Additionally, I can now play piano fairly well and am getting remarkably better! I am playing music with both hands that previously I would have thought impossible.

Developed new skills

Reflective Paragraph: On February 4th, 2013, I was interviewed by the Daily Press at the NATASHA House, a transitional shelter for homeless women and children, because of my planned and initiated activity of creating the NATASHA House Club at York High School for the purpose of raising funds and awareness for the NATASHA House. During this interview, I undertook a new challenge of overcoming my shyness when it comes to talking to individuals that I did not know. It was frightening because I was also filmed and had to watch as the journalist wrote down everything that I was saying. At the same time, though, I learned that I need to work on my confidence when it comes to speaking. The interview was important to me, because it made me realize that we were all collaborating together

to reach a common goal: promoting the goal of the NATASHA House. During this interview, in order for the photographer to capture some interesting pictures, I spoke with one of the residents and played with her baby. Although the conversation was initially for the purpose of staging pictures, speaking to her I really considered the ethical implications of my actions. What I do with the NATASHA House and the NATASHA House Club, I am helping actual people with children and lives of their own. If I do something wrong, I am not just damaging myself, but also someone else. Even young children. These children will grow up and have lives of their own and if I can give them hope, then they may grow up to be anything at all and reach their full potential. So many people around the world are impoverished, but it is new for me to be able to put actual faces, faces of people that I know, to the word homeless. Talking to this resident, I truly understood how she felt about everything, I was able to see things from her perspective. I realized that those who are fortunate CANNOT look down upon impoverished people because it is not their fault. One bad decision can render anyone poor. The homeless do not need to worry about others views of them because, as it is, they are afraid to go out in public an d have others, even their own children, see them because they are so ashamed. Rather than having an us-them relationship, I am realizing by looking back upon this experience that it is vital that we all work together. By analyzing my experience(s), I am realizing that impoverishment is not a choice and rather than blame being placed and homeless individuals being looked down upon, understanding needs to fill those aiming to aid and compassion is the key. Stability and happiness is all that those who are homeless desire, not mooching off of the government, not handouts, but simple natural rights that every individual deserves.

CAS COORDINATOR COMMENTS: Jess This is phenomenal work. I love how thorough and explicit your connections between your activities and your learning outcomes are. I am so proud of your work with NATASHA house, and how much perspective you have both learned and taught through your work with these women and their children. My only suggestion is that you remember that you dont have to address every learning outcome in every update. Yes, I am giving you permission to do less work! I would rather see you continue the quality of the reflections you have produced here than try to maintain the quantity and get overwhelmed during senior year.