Updated News From CAC

September 27, 2009


Dear Faculty, Staff, Students and Parents,

Thank you for your continued support.  In the past week, I have received well over 150 e-mails, phone calls, and visits from parents. This has provided us with excellent feedback regarding our online instruction for students. Overwhelmingly, the feedback has been extremely encouraging, supportive, and positive, by approximately a 9-1 ratio.   In addition, earlier today, I held a CAT  meeting for all representatives from elementary, middle, and high school.  Please let me take this opportunity to share some of the comments from that meeting:

  • Appreciation of the prompt action of the school
  • Students are embracing this new challenge with confidence
  • Students are receiving real assignments,  not just piles of homework
  • We have been able to communicate with teachers in a different way
  • Students have gained a new type of flexibility in their thinking toward school and life
  • We have a newfound appreciation for the school as the kids really miss CAC
  • The school has been transparent and responded quickly
  • The lessons are very clear, there’s been personal contact from the teachers
  • It is better than we had hoped for

Some areas of growth as we move forward this week as well as plans for the future have also emerged from this meeting. These comments are being looked at by the school and include:

  • There is too much work!
  • It is sometimes difficult for some students (of different ages) to work together at home
  • It is very difficult with only one computer or intermittent Internet connections
  • We have some confusion regarding deadlines due dates, and assignments
  • This has been a lot to handle for younger children
  • Access to support for some students has been difficult
  • Can CAC make a list of tutors available to parents?
  • Socialization and finding groups for my child to interact with has been problematic

As you may know, one area of critique has revolved around our decision to resume our IB and AP classes while continuing to limit access for all other students.  I would like to share with you that this is a philosophical decision taken in conjunction with the Leadership Team and the Board of Trustees, and has been a purposeful one.  While we are very aware of issues of equality and the need for all students to be served to the best of our ability, we are also extremely mindful of the guidelines imposed on us and by our desire to comply with our Egyptian hosts.  This is a decision I take full responsibility for, and we will continue to look for ways to serve all of our students in meaningful ways off-campus during this short closure period.

Based on further feedback (from parents as well as CAT members), we will hold a parent town hall meeting on Tuesday, September 29 at 5:30 pm in the theater.  The focus of this meeting will be similar to the format used with CAT representatives, and I will be asking for input based on the questions “What has gone well?”, and “What could or should we change?”  I will also take open questions from the floor during this meeting.

At this time, I would like to reiterate that our school’s co-curricular program is up and running once again with a few exceptions. Please contact your division school office should you have questions regarding whether your child’s activity will be taking place.  For your planning purposes, please be reminded that school transportation to/from CAC will not be provided this week but will resume as of October 7, 2009.

Finally, we are pleased to have re-opened our campus to ID cardholders (no guests please) during regular open community hours (5:00  - 7:00 a.m. &  5:30 – 10:00  p.m. on school days and  5:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. on weekends and during school holidays).  This includes the swimming pool, weight room as well as the usual weekend hours for the library. 

Once again, thank you for your support and for your feedback in helping us to have a positive response during this time.

 

With Best Regards,
Rob Mockrish, Ph.D.
Superintendent