CAC High School Principal’s Notes

We returned after the long weekend to a busy week of learning, exploring, and having fun.

Yesterday, Grade 10 and 11 students sat the PSAT test, an opportunity for them to hone their exam taking skills ahead of the SAT or ACT exams which students may opt to take as part of their university application process. The test results will be available in mid December (online), and the counselors will hold a debrief session with the students during their Flex when we return after winter break.

While sophomores and juniors took the PSAT, our Grade 9 and 12 students engaged in a morning of well-being related activities. While there was no doubt a lot of fun, the intent behind these types of mornings is to help students understand the importance of balancing their heavy academic workload with time for socializing, self-care, and health-related activities.

The Grade 9 Wellness Retreat focused on the transition to high school through a well-being and health lens. In addition to connecting topics and themes to CAC Core Values / Mission and Strategic plan, explicit skills and strategies are taught to promote health and wellbeing while fostering a sense of belonging within the High School. The grade 9 homeroom teachers worked collaboratively to ensure a morning filled with learning and fun. Students participated in two “Let’s Get Moving” activity sessions in the first part of the day, followed by two “Mind Fit” workshops. One of these workshops, “Senior Wisdom” was run by members of our senior class. We would like to thank the PTO for generously supporting the event by providing participants with healthy and delicious morning snacks.

The theme for the Senior retreat was “Kid for a Day,” and centered on bringing the grade 12 community together for some fun and much needed free time to focus on a work-life balance, from games and movies, to academics and college applications. Students worked with homeroom teachers to design and lead workshops that promote Senior well-being. After enjoying a student-catered brunch on Bailey’s lawn, grade 12 students participated in a variety of activities, including a visit to the KG, college essay writing workshops, and dedicated study time in the library. The morning was capped off with a “kid’s movie” screening and workshops with grade 9 students.

As we head into the weekend, the CAC Model United Nations (CACMUN) event is well underway. Students began practicing and preparing for this significant event many weeks ago. It culminates in three days of debate, discussion and dialogue around important global issues and developing skills of being able to listen and understand multiple and diverse perspectives. CAC was proud to welcome student participants from seven schools around Cairo and beyond.

Next week, we are very excited to be launching this year‘s Week Without Walls (WWW) program in the High School, which is geared towards experiential learning. Students engage in a variety of activities that promote service, action, creativity, and exploration of the world around them. The activities take the form of on-campus or local day trips, overnight excursions in Egypt, and week-long trips abroad. Participation in a WWW activity is a CAC graduation requirement. This year WWW will take place February 26-March 2, with international trips leaving the weekend before.

Parents are cordially invited to an informational session on Tuesday, October 18th, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, starting in the theater. After a brief introduction to the WWW program and the procedures for selecting a trip or activity, parents will be invited to a “trips fair,” during which overnight trip leaders will be available to answer questions about the educational outcomes and itineraries. The WWW website will also contain details. Skyward registration requests for WWW will open to parents on October 19th. More information about registration requests, enrollment, and trip payments will be sent out early next week.

Finally, we have reached the end of the first quarter of learning and as such your child’s Quarter One Report card will be available for access in Skyward at 3:15 pm on Monday 17 October. Instructions on how to access this will be emailed next week. Don’t forget to mark your calendar for the Parent-Teacher-Student conferences that will take place on the 24th (after school) and 25th (all day) of October. Conference booking will be completed using Skyward starting Monday, October 17th. The HS office will send out instructions for making appointments in a separate communication on Sunday.

Upcoming University Visits and Events:

Thursday, October 20th: Large University Fair! High school students will attend the fair on Oct. 20th during the afternoon periods (times will be staggered by grade level during the last blocks of the day). Here is the list of 90 universities from 20 countries participating. Parents are invited to join the fair from 2:30-3:00 as well!

Dates for your Diary
• Tue 18 Oct: WWW 22-23 parent information meeting (Theater, 5:30 PM)
• Thu 20 Oct: University Fair at CAC.
• Fri 21 Oct: Degla Dash – community running / walking event in the wadi
• Sat 22 Oct: ACT test at CAC (sign up via ACT website required)
• October 24 & 25: Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences (Details to follow)
• Thu 27 Oct: PTO Halloween Event
• Mon 31 Oct: Grade 11 IB information evening for parents

 

Andrew Buckman               Rachel McCall
                HS Principal                  HS Assistant Principal

 

Counseling Department Announcements

Week of October 13, 2022

The PSAT standardized test administration was held on Wednesday, Oct 12th for all 10th & 11th graders. This test was great practice for students who may need to take an admissions entrance exam when the time comes to apply to universities in the US or around the globe. Thanks to the students who gave their full and focused effort during the exam, and thanks for the teachers who proctored the exam. The test results will be available in mid December (online), and the counselors will hold a debrief session with the students during their Flex when we return after winter break.

The Grade 9 Wellness Retreat took place on October 12th and was a huge success! The purpose of this annual retreat is to focus on the transition to high school through a well-being and health lens. In addition to connecting topics and themes to CAC Core Values / Mission and Strategic plan, explicit skills and strategies are taught to promote health and wellbeing while fostering a sense of belonging within the High School. The grade 9 homeroom teachers worked collaboratively to ensure a morning filled with learning and fun. Students participated in two “Let’s Get Moving” activity sessions in the first part of the day, followed by two “Mind Fit” workshops. One of these workshops, “Senior Wisdom” was run by members of our senior class. We would like to thank the PTO for generously supporting the event by providing participants with healthy and delicious morning snacks.

Upcoming University Visits and Events:

Thursday, October 20th: Large University Fair! High school students will attend the fair on Oct. 20th during the afternoon periods (times will be staggered by grade level during the last blocks of the day). Here is the list of 90 universities from 20 countries participating. Parents are invited to join the fair from 2:30-3:00 as well!

Claudia Bean, Jody Stiles, Kasey Semler
HS Counseling

General Announcements

HS Library

CAC Libraries – Parent Orientation – October 17th – 8am.

The CAC Libraries welcome parents on Monday, October 17th, at 8 am in the Cairo Room of the MHS Library to learn about what the libraries can offer you and your family. We will provide information about the online resources of the Library including Sora for e-books and audiobooks, a tutorial on how to search our library catalog, and a tour of the MHS and ES Libraries. Registration will be capped at 20 attendees for the session. We will arrange another date for anyone who is on the waitlist.
Use this form to sign up!

Books on Parenting in the Digital Age – Now on Sora!

If you are looking for more information on media, tech and digital parenting, there are e-books and audiobooks available on the Sora App. To find these books – go to Soraapp.com or download the Sora App on your device. Then click Login with Google and use your CAC account.

The Library is open After School and Saturdays!

The library is open until 4pm on Sunday/Monday/Wednesday and 10am – 2pm on most Saturdays! Stop by to check out books or get some work done.

Meghan Ennis
Library

From The Aquatics

Age Group swim Team fall 2022 Events.

Aquatics Office

 

The Well-Being through Service Fair – Feedback!

Click HERE to enjoy some photos from the event and share your feedback

Service-Learning Office

 

CAC HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL –
PARENT VOLUNTEERS
Your help is needed and much appreciated to make a great Halloween festival for the elementary school kids of CAC! Please review the available slots below and click on the button to sign up.
The event is October 27 from 3-6 on the ES field.
Thank you!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040D4DAEA829A2FF2-cachalloween

 

CAC PTO