Prescribed Subject 1 Terms and Questions Uploaded

Juniors,

I have just uploaded the Prescribed Subject 1 term list and review questions. There are twenty terms and four questions. Hopefully, you have worked ahead enough on the MacMillan book and questions that this should not be too burdensome.

Great CAS Opportunity!

The Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network is doing a “paddle pickup” at Lake Munson on Saturday, 28 September. Please make contact with Kelly Langston at (850) 717-8702 if you are interested. The event will include kayak training and clean up of the lake, and therefore can count as either creativity and service.

Senior CAS Meetings Next Week

Good morning, seniors! This is a reminder that you have all signed up for CAS meetings this coming week. Please show up for your appointments. Mrs. Kraft and I will see students in the order they are signed up, unless a student is not in the room, in which case we will move on to the next student. Please bring your portfolios, as we will take a quick glance at them, and be ready to answer questions about your goals and learning outcomes. The meetings must take no longer than nine minutes each, and will run from 2-3:30 every day but Thursday in my classroom. See you then!

Final CAS Plan Reminder

The junior CAS plans are due tomorrow by 2:30pm. Slug lists will go up in all IB classrooms on Wednesday. Remember, something is better than nothing. I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ve got planned for the next 18 months!

CAS Plan Revision on the Website/CAS Teams

This is for the juniors. I have uploaded an updated version of the junior fall CAS plan assignment on my CAS website. There are no changes to the assignment, but I have expanded the explanation of the CAS teams in response to some student confusion, some of which is bordering on the edge of panic. As was explained more briefly in the older version, the teams are first and foremost intended for you to provide each other with mutual accountability and advice. I have seen great results in CAS in the past when students engage in “crowd-sourcing,” as groups of students who are volunteering in the community often receive information about new activities and opportunities before the CAS coordinators. It is also an opportunity for students with stronger CAS programs to mentor students who are having problems. The CAS team may also serve the secondary role of providing a launching pad for your collaborative group project. This is not mandatory though, and you may fulfill the requirement of a collaborative long term project elsewhere. Some students have been frustrated with the amount of latitude offered here, and seem to desire a clear, definitive and authoritative command on my part that the team must be one or the other, either a “support group” or a “project group.” The purpose of CAS is for the student to creatively design and implement his own plan, and set and meet his own goals. Therefore, I am allowing you a degree of freedom in how you set up your team to best meet the needs of your own personal CAS program. I also ask that you read any instructions I have provided and the JSRHS CAS Handbook thoroughly before proceeding with your plan, asking questions, giving advice to others, or jumping to conclusions. After this has been done, questions by email (please observe the professional standards of courtesy and respect) or in person are welcome.

New Deadline for Junior CAS Plans

The junior CAS plan is now due on Tuesday, 10 September. Students have been asking me what is expected, so I have revised and re-posted detailed instructions on the CAS website. I have also revised and updated the CAS handbook for this academic year. Please read it carefully with your parents: many of your questions about CAS will be answered in the handbook.

CAS Opportunity at Oak Ridge Elementary School

Oak Ridge Elementary School is in need of mentors and tutors. If you are interested, please see Mr. Harrington about contact information.