• Creativity - participating & enjoying the arts, other creative thinking
• Action - physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle
• Service - unpaid and voluntary exchange with a learning benefit

CAS provides a counterbalance to the academics of the IB curriculum, and  is a journey of self-discovery. CAS activities should vary in length and in the amount of commitment required from the student, but none should be trivial.  Students should be involved in at least one ongoing group project, with an international focus, that integrates creativity, action, and service.

Full Diploma students document 150 hours of CAS, and produce a final portfolio with ten reflections.  IB Honors students document 75 hours of CAS, and produce a final portfolio with five relfections.  Nancy Kolb, CAS Coordinator, will work with students to ensure students understand their CAS obligations, guide the reflection process, and support successful completion of CAS.                     

Seniors - go the managebac.com site to get the portfolio going!!

CAS should involve:

            -real, purposeful activities, with significant outcomes

            -personal challenge – tasks should be achievable, but also stretch the student

            -thoughtful planning, reviewing progress, and recording

            -reflection on outcomes and personal learning

Eight Key Learning Outcomes for CAS

• Increased awareness of their own strength and areas for growth
• Undertaken new challenges
• Planned and Initiated Activities
• Worked collaboratively with others
• Shown perseverance and commitment in their activities
• Engaged with issues of global importance
• Considered the ethical implications of their actions
• Developed new skills

Reflections

            Develop reflections by asking the questions:

• What did I plan to do?
• What did I do?
• What were the outcomes for me, the team I was working with, and others?
• How did I feel?
• What did the activity mean to me?
• What was the value of the activity?
• What did I learn from the activity, and how does that learning apply more widely?

Reflections can be developed with the guidance of the CAS Coordinator.  Writing is the best tool for reflection for some students, but it is by no means the only possible outcome of reflection.  Students can present their activities through scrapbooks, photo essays, videos/DVDs or weblogs. Students may provide journals or create varied portfolios.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteering at HPSH:

After School Tutoring with National Honor Society - Mondays/Wednesdays/Thursdays - after school in the LIbrary

Assist with 8th Grade Shadow Visits & Parent Tours

          Contact Ms. Kolb, Room 1311, for more information on these opportunities

Volunteering in the Community:

Highland Park Friendship Club -  Join a group of HP students volunteering at the Community Cultural Center @ Bridgeview-.  Volunteers join developmentally delayed adults in activities (examples include bingo night, computer fun, Italian cooking) or on field trips that have included Como Park Bonfires, Valley Fair and Mississippi River cruises.  The Center encourages Friendship Club members to plan their own activities as well.  See Ms. Kolb in Room 1311.

Hillcrest Recreation Center - Support youth sports and programming - Contact Bill McCann - 651-695-3706 or Bill.McCann@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Tutor at Homework Centers -

Volunteer Tutors needed at Rondo, Rice Street, Sun Ray, Dayton's Bluff, and Riverview Libraries - Monday through Thursday, 3 to 7 pm, or on Sundays at Sun Ray and Rondo, 1 to 4 pm.  Contact Rachel Kowarski at 651-266-7460 or Rachel.Kowarski@ci.stpaul.mn.us

Macalester Groveland Community Council - 651-695-4000

Bolder Options

     Volunteer as a runner or biker to help 10 to 14 year olds develop a healthy lifestyle. Call 612-379-2653, x. 221 or www.bolderoptions.org

Cedar Cultural Center

     Interested in music and cultural offerings?  Volunteer as usher or host - Contact Jason Koffman: 612-338-2674, x. 102 or jason.koffman@thecedar.org

Minnesota Childrens Museum

     Play Team members are volunteers entering grades 9-12 from high schools across the Twin Cities. They work together to facilitate early childhood programs for the young children and families who visit the Museum.  They also participate in our “Daily Development” activities, which are designed to help them build the skills necessary for success in school and the workforce.  Play Team members commit to two weeks and two weekends worth of shifts over the summer – they choose their shifts based on their own availability. 

             http://www.mcm.org/support-the-museum/volunteer-intern/Youth/

Are you an animal lover?  Two possibilities:

•      Feline Rescue: www.felinerescue.org

•      Humane Society: www.animalhumanesociety.org

Hospital Volunteer Opportunities

•      United Hospital - www.allina.com/ahs/united.nsf/page/volunteer

•      St. Joseph's Hospital - www.healtheast.org/st-joes.html

•       Childrens Hospital - www.childrensmn.org

Second Harvest Heartland Food Shelves - www.2harvest.org

Merrick Community Services - Youth Programs for Children on the East Side: www.merrickcs.org/volunteer.htm

Bridging - Volunteers welcome individually or in a group to help in furniture assembly or warehouse stocking and distribution.  Call 651-319-9295.

Check with Ms. Kolb -  Stop in Room 1311 or email: nancy.kolb@ssps.org-

Students - talk to Ms. Landreau or Ms. Kolb with your own ideas and suggestions!  You are often the best source of creative ways to support and enrich our communities.

****Do you know of volunteer needs for our students?  Please share!  Contact Nancy Kolb or Charlotte Landreau at 651-293-8940 or email Nancy.Kolb@spps.org or Charlotte.Landreau@spps.org