CAC High School Principal’s Notes
Dear parents,
This is the last edition of Highro-Glyphics of this school year, and the last edition I will write as CAC’s High School Principal.
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to all of you for your support, especially during the challenges of the pandemic. Thanks in part to your efforts, we successfully opened our school and kept it open, when so many schools couldn’t do the same. Thanks especially to the PTO and the Booster Club, who in their own ways did everything they could to keep our spirits up and hold our community together.
I also want to thank the amazing CAC teachers and staff, who went above and beyond this year to create a safe, welcoming, quality learning environment for your children. Please consider sending a note of thanks to a teacher or staff member who helped your student persevere and grow this year.
Today our seniors had their final graduation rehearsal, followed by a brunch celebrating their transition to alumni (and featuring a class dance of “The Hustle”). Finally, they experienced an uplifting “Cap and Gown Walk” through campus, to the enthusiastic cheers of students and staff from the Elementary, Middle, and High Schools. Tomorrow the class of 2021 graduates in front of the Pyramids, an always special occasion made even more remarkable by the circumstances of this year.
On Tuesday, we held our final assembly of the year, and I would like to close out my last Highro-Glyphics by sharing with all of you a portion of my closing remarks:
Someone once asked me if there is one word that comes to mind when I think of CAC, and I didn’t hesitate to reply: Community.
All that we do here is grounded in building, and holding onto, community. Our mission is to learn, explore, and have fun, and we take that seriously—we are after all, an educational institution. Educating you and getting you ready for the next phase of your life is what it’s all about. But what makes that job special at CAC is the great community we have. The adults do a lot of that community building—through the PTO, and the Booster Club, and the teaching, and the coaching, and yes, the administrating. Really, though, you as students drive all that. From my first day, I was struck by how welcoming you are when people join this school. How much you want to know your teachers and administrators, and how much you want them to know you. And to me that comes through everywhere, all the time: in how you want to talk to me at lunch; how you ask me to make TikToks with you; how you want me to cheer for your grade during Spirit Week; how you want to know if I’m going to see you at the next ISAA tournament; how you want me to know about your service projects; how you invite me to club meetings; how you ask me to speak at ceremonies; how you come to me when you want something changed; how you dropped in to Google Meets with me during the lockdown; how no matter how tired you get of being told to keep your masks on and spread out, you do those things; how, even when you ask for something I can’t give, or when you disagree with a decision I’ve had to make, you accept it; how, when I say good morning at the back gate, you say it back; and how I can tell you’re smiling behind that mask.
I am very grateful to you, students, for welcoming me and my family into your community, and I hope I have helped you to keep building it. I’m going to miss you and this remarkable place more than I can say. So I will say only this: Thank you, and ma’a salama.
Principal’s Notes Highlights:
● Weekly Wellbeing Message
● Second Semester Exams
● Off-Campus Privileges During Exams
● Skyward Gradebook and Report Cards
● Returning Textbooks and Materials
● Summer Break
● Campus Lunch Announcement
● Withdrawal Procedures
Well-Being Weekly Message
This week’s message: Positive Accomplishments
What is an area in which you once had low ability but can now perform quite well? How were you able to make this change?
If you would like to share any activities or comments from this reflection, please email wellbeingreflections@cacegypt.org.
Wishing you a happy summer,
PreK-12 Wellbeing Committee
Second Semester Exams
Second semester exams continue June 6-7. The exam schedule is posted in the HS Morning Announcements. Once students are finished with their last exam, they are done for the school year!
Off-Campus Privileges During Exams
Students in grades 9-11 who already have off-campus privileges will be allowed to leave campus right after their last exam for the day. No special pass is needed, if there is already a yellow stripe on a student’s ID card. If parents wish to rescind this privilege, please email the HS Office.
For students who do not have off-campus privileges, their parents may approve temporary privileges to leave campus early during Exams Week. In these cases, parents should email the HS office to give temporary authorization, and the student should stop by the HS Office with his/her ID card.
Skyward Gradebook and Report Cards
Skyward gradebook will be closed for student and parent viewing today at 4:00 pm while teachers finalize semester grades. Report cards will be posted June 15 at 10:00am.
Returning Textbooks and Materials
All textbooks should be returned directly to your teachers as soon as you finish your exams between now and June 7th. Between June 10th and June 14th, students can drop off their books at the HS Office. After those dates, it will be the student’s responsibility to return the books in August. The Admissions Office will accept returned textbooks ONLY for withdrawing students after June 14th. Please note that Skyward will be blocked for students with missing textbooks/items (including report cards).
Summer Break
Students do not need to return to school after they complete their last semester exams, unless they need to return checked out items. We hope everyone enjoys a well-deserved summer vacation. Classes for the 2021-22 school year begin August 17. We anticipate we will be fully open with face-to-face classes.
Campus Lunch Announcement
Zentro, Sincerely V and Coffee Bean now available for pre-order via Spare.
CAC, in partnership with Spare Payments, provides a cashless system for these items.
The Spare system uses smart technology connected to a mobile application on which you will be able to recharge your son/daughter’s balance and set a limit for their spending. Accounts may be recharged via credit card in-app or with cash on campus at Booster Club and at CSA Maadi at Power Plant Store. Please find the stores working hours at the end of this letter.
The menu of pre-order items from Zentro and Sincerely V are available in the Spare app. To view the menu, click on “Online Store”. Zentro and Sincerely V have their menu available one week in advance. Orders for the same day are accepted till 7:30 AM.
Coffee Bean will also be available in the Spare app. To view the menu, click on “Online Store” in the app; then select the items you wish and purchase. Pre-purchase will be available 3 pm – 9 pm the day before pick up. Please note at this time, Coffee Bean will limit online selections to pre-ordered salads; other items may still be purchased on site using cash or with IDs linked to Spare.
If you still haven’t activated your Spare account, please follow the instructions here.
NOTE: Zentro and Sincerely V orders will be picked up from outside the HS Office. Coffee Bean orders will be picked up from the on-campus vendor.
*** Booster Club Working hours are Sunday to Thursday from 8:30-10:00 am and 1:30-2:45 pm except school holidays and during parent teacher conferences for all divisions.
*** Power Plant Store working hours are 8:00 AM till 5:00 PM every day.
Withdrawal Procedures
Moving on from CAC at the end of the year?
To help us with our planning for next year, and In order to prepare your records in time for your departure if you haven’t already done so, please use the link below to let us know if you are withdrawing from CAC at the end of this year.
https://www.cacegypt.org/index.php/cac-withdrawal-request
Jerry Duggan Rachel McCall
HS Principal HS Assistant Principal
Counseling Department Announcements
Juniors:
On June 14th, students enrolled in IB courses will receive an email with a PDF of June predicted scores attached. We will send this whether students are full IB candidates or certificate candidates so students have the information on how they are doing in IB courses.
Students were emailed a powerpoint that explains how IB scores can be used in university research. Please see your counselor if you have any questions prior to summer break.
Seniors:
Seniors were invited to attend a Finance at University session with Mr. Knox Thursday after graduation practice. Students learned about how to manage their own personal finances as they embark on their new journey!
All Grades
CAC HS Counseling Resources Webpage
Summer programs, virtual events, and scholarships will be updated until June 14, 2021. Activity on this site will return in August. Students and families are encouraged to look at our CAC HS Counseling Resources Webpage for information about the different university application systems around the world, and application essay writing tips & tricks.
• Link to Home Page
• Upcoming Virtual Events
• Summer Programs
• Scholarships
Suggestions: We would also like to receive feedback and understand what information you feel may be missing from our webpage. Please feel free to fill out this form to give us this feedback.
Claudia Bean, Kasey Semler, Cameron Simon
HS Counseling
General Announcements
Moving on from CAC at the end of the year?
To help us with our planning for next year, and In order to prepare your records in time for your departure if you haven’t already done so, please use the link below to let us know if you are withdrawing from CAC at the end of this year.
https://www.cacegypt.org/index.php/cac-withdrawal-request
Thank you
Registrar’s Office
Student Physical Requests for 2021/22
Dear Parents,
If your student will be entering grades 3,6 or 9 next school year, we ask that he/she is seen and examined by a doctor, and a physical form completed and sent to the health office on or before the first day of school in August.
We are more than happy to accept early completed physicals as of now, either by email or hand-delivered to security at the front gate.
https://www.cacegypt.org/PDF/Student_Physician_form.pdf
Best regards,
Nagla and Claire
CAC Health Office
Athletic and Activities announcement:
We highly recommend that all CAC student athletes, activity participants, and coaches receive COVID- 19 full vaccination in summer 2021, if possible.
See below the 2021-2022 ISAA Host Table- Tentative.
Multiple activity options and ISAA tournament participation may be possible next fall and later in the 2021-2022 school year. Leagues/event organizers may require all sponsors, coaches, and student-athletes to be vaccinated to participate.
Link to ISAA Tournaments 2021 – 2022 Host Table
Scott Fitzgerald
Activities and Athletics Director
Hassan-Webb Aquatics Center Summer Announcements/Schedule.
This summer, CAC Aquatic facilities will continue to follow COVID-19 protocol.
Operational hours from 9:00 AM till 7:00 PM.
To participate in water activities, a sign-up procedure is required for CAC community members/alums, and done through the CAC dashboard.
Starting Sunday, June 20, 2021. CAC will continue to offer Private Swimming Lessons for children. Our swim lessons are a great way to ensure your child develops a respect and love of the water. Small class size(3 max) ensures safety and maximum individual attention. Swimming Lessons will be taught by qualified instructors.
Days: Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Time: 9:00-10:00 AM.
10:00-11:00 AM.
All lessons will be 45min sessions.
Price: 250 LE per child.
Family package: 1 child 250. 2 children 350LE and 3 children 450LE.
Payment to be done through the CAC cashier.
To book a class or classes for your child or children please sign up on the link form below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfox-aauXOacsSlreO5ie1bpfSnXhy5jwNojGTrSWF-nyU6Pg/viewform
**Please be present on the pool side during your child’s scheduled session with the instructor.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact us:
tpetrovna@cacegypt.org
ralbadri@cacegypt.org
Summer checkout for families Saturday, June 5
The CAC libraries will be open this Saturday, June 5, for families wishing to check out books for summer reading. The libraries will be open on an extended schedule, 10 am to 4 pm. You must have an appointment. Book it through the CAC parent dashboard.
Summer checkout is for patrons who:
• Are returning in August
• Have a cleared library account – please return all of your books, even if they are not overdue. We will renew them for you until August.
All summer checkouts are due back in August, on the first day of school. Any books that are lost or damaged will need to be paid for.
To book an appointment, log in to the CAC website and look for “CAC Campus Facilities Online Appointment.” Follow the prompts to choose a 30-minute slot. If you have trouble logging in to the CAC website, please contact mabdelhady@cacegypt.org. Please note that you can only book for one library a day, so if you want to visit both libraries, you will need to book using two different accounts, e.g., one for each parent.
We are not doing curbside delivery or processing any holds. Patrons must check out in person with their own CAC ID card.
Sora is open 24/7 all summer long!
The library will be closed from June 10 until August. However, Sora is open all summer long. Download the Sora app for your mobile device or log in to soraapp.com. When you are asked for your Follett account, they mean your CAC single sign on.
Here’s a screencast for how to access Sora.
If you have problems logging in to Sora, please contact Amira Youssef in the tech department: ayoussef@cacegypt.org.
Josianne Fitzgerald
MHS Head Librarian
Spirit Store Mega Sale
New PTO Executive Board
President: Tatiana Foda
Vice President: Umme Kulsum Zamena
Secretary: Sarah Nafei
Outreach Coordinator: Sara Salaheldin
Treasurer: Salma Zaky
ES Liaison: Mariam Faltas
MS Liaison: Nina Shabrawy
HS Liaison: Sirisha Lanka
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging: Laura Valdez Pagliaro
PTO