CAS: Activity Log form now available for download!

CAS: Activity Log form now available for download!

New CAS microsite

I know this post should have preceded the other two posts below, and I apologize for any confusion brought about by the delay in announcing (and clarifying) the changes. YES, as you may have figured out by now, there is a new CAS microsite for Brent Subic.

Although this blog has served its purpose quite well in getting information and program procedures out to the public, the new microsite promises to make all this information and its different levels more accessible. The Navigation Panel at the bottom of each page should make it easier to jump from topic to topic, and there should be less digging through page links to get the information you need. Also, helpful information and tips previously shared as posts on this blog tend to get buried under all the more current material as the year progresses. This issue is easily circumvented with the new microsite with its unlimited static pages and the new forum feature. (Should you have a question or concern that is not directly answered in any of the individual pages of the microsite, you can start a topic in the forum, CAS Talk, created specifically to help facilitate discussion about issues, concerns, and ideas about the CAS program.) A contact page with an easy-to-use form is now also available, enabling site visitors an easy and convenient way to send questions, suggestions, or feedback without having to leave the site or open a separate browser window/tab for their mail client.

These and several other features of the new site have made the decision to migrate easy for me. One thing I do miss is not being able to use the "http://brentsubiccas..." url (yet). I believe it helped this blog show up in internet searches more often. The convenience, though, of having all the information I need for my students in one location outweighed this particular feature. Hopefully those of you who did find your way to this blog through your searches won't mind one more click to be re-directed to a more robust incarnation of this information portal. :-)

I am still in the process of migrating the rest of the information from this blog's static pages to their new home. Some of these pages received needed updates, others full re-writes to address the weaknesses of last year's program and processes. I encourage you to have a look at (and bookmark) the new CAS microsite if you have found any of the information on this blog useful. For the time-being, I will continue to re-post CAS-related material here to reach those of you who have subscribed to this blog (or may stumble upon it through a Google search).

(Got feedback, a comment, or suggestion for the new site? Something you'd like to see/featured? Please do let me know. Thanks.)

-mistahTee

UPDATE: POCCH Visit

Here’s a proposed breakdown of the activities for tomorrow’s interaction with the kids from POCCH:

4:00 - 4:15  Name tags, groupings, group cheer
4:15 - 4:30  Activity #1: Ping-Pong Relay
4:30 - 4:45  Activity #2: Elbow Tag
4:45 - 5:00  Activity #3: Human Bingo
5:00 - 5:40  Merienda and Playground time
5:40 - 5:45  Group photos and load up the bus

For those who can make it, let’s meet in the Spirit Shop at 3:15pm to discuss the basics of the activities and what possible role/s you can fulfill for the afternoon’s event. If you have something at that time, then just come see me any time during the day (except 3rd block coz I have class) so I can brief you and answer any questions you might have.
A big THANK YOU to those who have emailed to say that they will be helping out. See you all tomorrow.

Touching Base and Catching Up

Welcome back, guys! I hope you made the most of your vacation with your family and friends. Now it’s time to get back on track (well, at least for those who didn’t get to do any CAS work over the break).

I was very happy to receive a handful of proposals over the holidays, and even happier to hear about the work that some of your peers were doing while on vacation. Abbas and Akber were involved in a restoration project in Italy and I am looking forward to reading about their experiences and seeing the some of the photos they were able to take. Armand and William were actually involved in a medical mission with the Tzu Chi foundation even before we went on break last December. Cindy, together with a couple of other Juniors (Kevin and Solina, if I’m not mistaken) took riding classes at El Kabayo just a few weeks back. I know of a couple of seniors who were supposed to have done some CAS work as well, and I will let you know about their accomplishments soon. (I am waiting to hear from them first.)

This is all good news for those who were able to stay productive during the break. One reminder for these busy bees: please update your blogs with your journal entries. If your activity has concluded, then you have two weeks from the date of completion to write and post your final reflection. Then, we need to get the evaluation from your supervisor. Once these necessary steps are done, then we can update the status of your project from Finished to Complete.

We do have some ongoing projects that might be of interest to those of you who haven’t really gotten their feet wet in CAS. The outreach work with POCCH (Philippine Outreach Center Children’s Home) had a successful first visit last December and we’re looking forward to more regular encounters with the children this semester. Production is coming up, and so is the ISAC tournament. And of course, 2nd semester clubs are starting in two weeks as well. If you are interested in getting involved in any of these activities, or, if you have questions about what’s involved, then drop by the CAS office (or email me!).

Stay tuned for more updates and possible service activities.

Let’s welcome 2011 with positive expectations. Go Razorbacks!