There were big changes in CAS this year—one of which is that it is now called SL (Service Learning). We are looking forward to good things coming out of these changes.

Ms. Montero:

What were the changes to CAS? 

“The big changes are that CAS, is not called CAS anymore, it is now called SL (Service Learning). One of the other big changes is that now, the high school students are the leaders of the CAS activity. There are also some other changes in that we made the CAS (SL) more manageable and comfortable, and that we made the CAS (SL) be more specific and free.”

What was the motivation to change the CAS?

“Firstly, CAS was designed for the high school people, especially for grades 11 and grade 12. But then it changed and turned into a whole school thing. We started to count hours and made them write reflections, and I think it takes the freedom of the students to do CAS. So we changed it to make the students more free in doing this.

What do you think are the benefits of the changes in CAS? 

“The benefits are that students can volunteer to join the CAS, and that makes the student freer at doing things (they want) instead of doing things because the teacher tells you to do them. By having themselves volunteer by their own mind, they (have better opportunities to practice good) citizenship and leadership.”

Mr. Thuy

“Before there were some changes, there were some things like counting hours; the name was CAS, doing what the teachers ask… But now, those things are gone and there are some completely different things. There are no counting hours now, there is no name like CAS in middle school now, and there are some better policies and things to make the students understand the real meaning of the CAS (SL).”

Min Cheol Shin (Grade 6)

What do you think about the CAS changes? 

“I think there are some more supporting and volunteering to help other people, learning more kind of leadership by doing things by you and your hands, and yeah, I like the CAS (SL) more and better now.”

How do you feel about the CAS changes? 

“I feel very good about the CAS changes and I am kind of glad to be grade 6 when the CAS changed because CAS didn’t seem so familiar to me before and yeah… I am happy and glad about this CAS change.”

The Spark would like to give a big THANK YOU to the hard-working Service Learning teacher!

What about YOU? What do YOU think of the changes from CAS to Service Learning this year? How do you feel about it?

Feel free to respond through the comments section below.