CREATIVITY
This is often the most difficult category to identify. Remember that this activity should involve using the mind to create. The goal of this activity is creation for personal growth and/or community benefit.
Examples
· Creation of bulletin boards for teachers.
· Development of agendas, program, or signs for meetings.
· Designing or developing plans for activities with senior citizens or children. Remember, going to the activites is not creativity. Planning is.
ACTION
This category involves physical activity that results in personal growth. Key words to remember are doing and moving.
Examples
· Playing on a sports team. All hours on the field count. Sitting on the bench does not. A total of 20 hours of practice time count per sport.
· Playing an instrument. All hours playing as a formal group will count. A total of 20 hours of practice time per instrument will count.
· Participating in a drama production. This includes on and off the stage. Off stage activities may involve other categories. Count only the hours spent in the process of drama performances or practice. Sitting and waiting does not count.
· Hiking, biking, walking, etc. with an organization
SERVICE
This is probably the easiest category to identify because one just has to remember that the action must benefit other and improve their existing situation. There may be service activities incorporated into other categories, too.
Example
· Helping in a soup kitchen.
· Helping a teacher outside the regular school hours.
· Performing at a senior citizens home.
· Tutoring.
There are “shades of grey” in classifying hours within activities. Please ask for help if you have any doubts. Activities do not need preapproval, but it is advisable to get approval for classification.
For example, if a 20-hour activity includes both creative and action elements, you must accurately divide the hours between thoe two elements.
It is also important to note the following:
· Family members cannot approve and sign the CAS Documentation Form
· Religious activities that have a secular purpose MAY qualify as CAS. However, if such activites devote much time to the advancement of the religion, they do not qualify as CAS. Confirm with the CAS coodinator if there are still questions on the topic.
· Approval for CAS hours FOLLOWS the completion of the activity. Forms cannot be written up in advance.
· Student Service Learning hours (SSL) may qualify as CAS. However, seperate documentation must be filled out to gain benefits from the activity in both forms (CAS and SSL).
Links
Home
Philosophy of CAS
Aims and Objectives
Creativity
Action
Service
Examples
IB Homepage
RMHS CAS Information
CAS Participation Documentation Form
