CAC High School Principal’s Notes
Thank you for reading this week’s Highro-Glyphics!
This has certainly been an unusual and challenging week. But I personally take comfort in how the CAC community pulls together even if, for a time, we are physically apart.
Spring Break travel plans have obviously been disrupted for nearly everyone, but it is still a much needed break. We hope you and your family have an enjoyable week, wherever you happen to be. Stay safe!
Principal’s Notes Highlights:
• E-Learning
• Skyward opening
• IB Exams
• Spring Break
• CAC Alumni Unite
• Campus Access
• Second Semester Exams
E-Learning
Thank you for helping your students to stay engaged in e-learning. Students, teachers, and parents have given generally positive feedback.
Some things to bear in mind:
● March 29 is a planning day for teachers. Students will not be expected to be engaged with classes that day.
● March 30 will be for classes in blocks EFGH. We will continue the 2-day rotation of ABCD/EFGH for as long as we are using the e-learning platform.
● When we return to e-learning, it is important that students try to maintain a regular schedule.
● We have had good feedback regarding live Google Meet sessions. Though e-learning remains asynchronous, students should make every effort to attend live sessions. When possible, teachers will record live sessions for the benefit of those who have connectivity problems or other issues.
● Teachers will begin marking engagement using the attendance function in Skyward. If you see an “N” in your student’s attendance, it means their participation has been below expectations during that week. Please see the note below regarding the Skyward Gradebook.
● Teachers will continue to be available for office hours for a given class during the block that class would meet according to the two-day rotation. Of course, students may contact teachers by email at any time, but they should not expect to receive replies outside of regular school hours.
● In times like these, it is important for you and your family to look after your well-being. Teenagers need structure and predictability. They also need social contact–”social distancing” should not mean “isolation.” Here are some articles I have found helpful:
○ How to Talk to Your Child About the Coronavirus (New York Times)
○ Coping with Stress (World Health Organization)
○ Distance Learning Tips for Parents
Skyward Gradebook
The gradebook section of Family Access on Skyward will be open Monday, March 30 and will remain open as long as we are engaged in e-learning. This will provide students and parents a way to track completion of assignments. Be aware that teachers may post assignments that have not been graded, or even collected, therefore a mark with of * (asterisk) is not cause for concern. However, a mark of “0” means that the work is overdue, and that it has been factored into the semester grade.
IB Exams
At present, we plan to hold IB exams as scheduled. The IB Organization has stated it will announce any changes by March 27. We will send an update if necessary. Students in Year 2 IB classes should plan to attend through April 30.
Spring Break
E-learning classes will be taking a break from March 20-29.
#CAC Alumni Unite Around The World
Many of our parents are CAC Alumni. Today this message was sent to you and Alumni everywhere:
You are blessed to be part of a global alumni community of more than 17,000 alumni in over 90 countries. This means that in difficult times that everyone of us are facing in light of the evolving impact of Corona Virus (COVID-19) around the world, you don’t have to face it alone.
Home is where the heart is, and CAC will always be home for our alumni. Saying this, we want to encourage you to share a “virtual” coffee, lunch, or snack with an old CAC friend or teacher and hangout like old times to revive old memories, stories, and catch up and thus find comfort in each other’s company. When you do this, take a photo/video of yourselves during your “virtual hangout” and share it on your social media accounts and on ours using the hashtag #“CAC Alumni Unite Around The World”. Let’s support each other and show the world our “eagle spirit”.
Best Regards,
CAC’s Advancement Office
Campus Access
Please see Dr. Harris’ email from earlier today.
Second Semester Exams
Second semester exam dates are June 1-2 for seniors in non-IB/AP classes and June 3-8 for grades 9-11. Please keep in mind while you plan your summer travels that seniors are able to depart after graduation and underclassmen after their final examination. Please note that no exams will be given early.
Jerry Duggan Rachel McCall
HS Principal HS Assistant Principal
Counseling Department Announcements
HS Parents,
we know that this is a period of adjustment for students as they transition to the new E-learning school day and new routines. Counselors are checking in with students via email throughout this week, and as always, feel free to reach out to us if you need anything. We will continue to be part of the support system at CAC for your students, and we know that there may be times when they are feeling stressed and need to speak with a trusted adult. We will continue to partner with our CAC parents to offer that support to the students.
Here are some articles that may be useful and informative for you and your family as you navigate through the new rhythm of the day the next few weeks:
Dealing with Stress during Coronavirus (Common Sense Media)
Talking to Kids about Anxiety around the Coronavirus
Juniors
Our university planning meetings have moved online! If you haven’t already scheduled yours with your counselor, be sure to do so. Have your packet from Junior College Night handy so we can discuss your transcript, your testing strategy, and your timeline for university applications.
Claudia Bean, Stephanie Barker, Cameron Simon
HS Counseling
General Announcements
Sora is open 24/7
The CAC libraries will be closed for the duration of the spring break, but you can still access hundreds of ebooks and digital audiobooks through Sora, the online reading app.
Download Sora, find our school (type in Cairo and you’ll see it), use your CAC single-sign on when asked for your Follett account, and explore our options.
You can customize your experience by clicking on the Preferences button of the Explore page (the one with the binoculars).
Josianne Fitzgerald
MHS Head Librarian
Athletics:
Season 3 tryouts are scheduled for April 5, 6 and 8, 2020. A season 3 online sign up process will be sent to students during the week of March 29.
Season 2 Athletic Awards will be rescheduled at a TBD date.
We will keep you updated on any changes.
CAC Athletics
IB Art Exhibition
From 16th-19th March the exhibition will run daily from 3:05-6:00 pm in the MS auditorium.
HS Art Department