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CASA Live! 2024-2025 Digital Programs What is CASA Live! ? Students in grades 11 and 12 begin the process of assisting with the development of the End of Year Performance titled, CASA Live! , starting the first week of school. Each week, students from all programs work together in the Integrated Arts curriculum. Six various art disciplines: dance, theatre, music, film and media arts, visual arts and creative writing, collaborate to discover a theme, and develop the end of year program while cultivating an appreciation for the various art disciplines. Students in grades 11 and 12 begin the process of assisting with the development of the End of Year Performance titled, CASALive!, starting the first week of school. Each week, students from all programs work together in the Integrated Arts curriculum. Six various art disciplines: dance, theatre, music, film and video, visual art and creative writing, collaborate to discover a theme, and develop the end of year program while cultivating an appreciation for the various art disciplines. During the course of a 9-month period, students break into small groups consisting of various arts disciplines to discuss and create scenes that later develop into fully realized components of the performance. Each class is asked to embellish scenes, using dialogue, music, prop suggestions, movement, and film interpretation as related to the chosen theme and thesis. The result? An artistic rendering of a theme more closely related to performance art than a high school musical or narrative play. More importantly, students learn the art of working together --- all the highs and lows of collaboration that accumulates into an original, crowd-pleasing performance for the community to enjoy. 2024 CASA Live! 2021 CASA Live! 2023 CASA Live! 2019 CASA Live! 2022 CASA Live!

Matthew O'Connor School Operations Manager moconnor@casa-arts.org 717-732-8450 ext. 7514 EDUCATION: Temple University B.S. in Sport and Recreation Management Concentration in Event and Entertainment Management What brought you to CASA? I didn't attend CASA for high school, but my younger sister Riley was a student here from 2019-2023. She was a big part of what made me interested in working here after graduating from Temple, and I really wanted to feel like I was contributing something positive with what I was doing during my day. Where did you work and what was your role prior to coming to CASA? I had worked in a few different roles during college (including a lot of time at independent movies theaters like Midtown Cinema here in Harrisburg during the summers between semesters), but my first professional experience was an administrative internship with Open Stage of Harrisburg in 2022. That's what largely got me interested in staying in arts-adjacent fields and places when I was thinking about what I wanted to do after graduating. I originally majored in Sport and Recreation Management at Temple, so that allowed me to work at a few different major sporting events and teams over the course of my time studying in Philadelphia, including helping set up some of the promos for when the Phillies went to the World Series in 2022 and when the Eagles played in the NFC Championship game in 2023. What is your favorite part of working at CASA? I love the environment and the people I'm around. It's great being surrounded by things like art and music all the time as well as extremely talented students who have a passion for that sort of thing, too. What is your connection to the arts? How are you an artist? I've always been a movie guy. Since I was a little kid, some of my earliest memories were watching classic movies with my parents, and to this day it still makes me really happy introducing people to a lot of the older things they might not have seen yet. I've also been working hard at improving my electric guitar playing, though I think I have a while left to go to catch up to the skill level of our musically inclined students. What do you feel is your impact on our school community, students, and culture? I'm not always the most visible person at CASA, but I make sure a lot of the essential but behind-the-scenes tasks and duties are taken care of for the students here. I'm like the Samwise Gamgee of the Academic Wing. What advice do you have for our students? There is no rush. It's alright if you don't know exactly what you want to do with your life right now and way more people than you realize feel the same way. My career path has been all over the place so far, but I don't regret a second of exploring new things after graduating high school and finding the many different subjects and fields I liked to spend my time around. Take your time, try out all you can find that looks interesting to you, and enjoy the ride. Do you advise any clubs at CASA? I advise the Dream Big Society! Fun facts about Mr. O'Connor : I collect vinyl, and I have what essentially amounts to an entire basement full of records sitting at home in various shelves and milk crates. My first album (and still my favorite of all I own) was The Stranger by Billy Joel and my favorite bands are Blink-182, The Menzingers, and My Chemical Romance.

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ENGLISH / LANGUAGE ARTS CASA requires students to have 4 credits of English/Language Arts for graduation. English/Language Arts courses are offered both live-taught and online. LIVE-TAUGHT ENGLISH / LANGUAGE ARTS COURSE OFFERINGS WORLD LITERATURE I Course Overview: This course examines great works of literature from around the world. Students will develop the skills to analyze and respond to various forms of literature, including epic poetry, biography, fiction, and nonfiction. The course begins by exploring some highly influential ancient pieces, and works its way forward to present-day literature. Throughout this process, students see that although language and customs change, human beings today have many of the same experiences, ideas, and feelings that they had thousands of years ago. With that knowledge, students can relate to and learn from ancient and modern authors and can then share what they learn with those around them. Students have the opportunity to practice different skills, including reading and analysis, speaking and listening, acting, grammar, writing, and vocabulary development. Students also learn how to use various tools for review and to reinforce understanding. This course is offered to students in grade 9 and is offered at both College Prep and Honors levels. Units of Study: Cultural Myths and Heroes Personal Journeys The Alchemist Defining Courage and Teaching Tolerance WORLD LITERATURE II Course Overview: In this course, students continue to expand their knowledge of great works of world literature from ancient to modern times. Students study various forms of literature including drama, fiction, nonfiction, and historical fiction. Through their study, students learn how to analyze and respond to the literature in greater depth and gain a greater understanding of how literature reflects changes in language and customs. Students also work to improve their communication skills through reading and analysis, speaking and listening, acting, and the study of grammar and vocabulary. Students learn to use various tools for review and understanding. At the end of the course, students will take the Pennsylvania Literature Keystone exam; passing at the proficient or advanced level is required for graduation in the state of Pennsylvania. This course is offered to students in grade 10 and is offered at both College Prep and Honors levels. Units of Study: Myths The Fall of Man and the Power of Redemption Research Paper Magic Realism Rhetoric: Speech and Debate AMERICAN LITERATURE Course Overview: This course will have students read and analyze American literature texts with a focus on historical context. This course will progress through various periods of American history. Students will be introduced to multiple genres of literature and be challenged to interpret each piece of literature soundly and handle literary techniques skillfully. Students will also work to improve your communication skills through reading and in-depth analysis, speaking, and writing skills. This course is offered to students in grade 11 and is offered at both College Prep and Honors levels. Units of Study: Pilgrim and Puritan Literature Literature of the American Revolution and Research Paper Romanticism Transcendentalism Realism/Naturalism The New Negro Movement Modern Literature BRITISH LITERATURE Course Overview: This course will have students read and analyze British literature texts with a focus on historical context. Beginning with Anglo-Saxon literature, we will work our way through British history as the school year progresses. You will be introduced to multiple genres of literature and be challenged to interpret each piece of literature soundly while handling literary techniques skillfully. You will also work to improve your communication skills through reading and in-depth analysis, speaking, and writing skills. This course is offered to students in grade 12 and is offered at both College Prep and Honors levels. Units of Study: Anglo-Saxon literature Arthurian literature Medieval literature Renaissance literature Romanticism literature AP LITERATURE & COMPOSITION Course Overview: This course cultivates the reading and writing skills that students need for college success and for intellectually responsible civic engagement. This course guides students in becoming curious, critical, and responsive readers of diverse texts, and becoming flexible, reflective writers of texts addressed to diverse audiences for diverse purposes. The reading and writing students do in this course will deepen and expand their understanding of how written language functions rhetorically: to communicate writers’ intentions and elicit readers’ responses in particular situations. Annotation of required texts will be a major aspect of this course. This course is offered every other year to students in grades 11 and/or 12 based on teacher recommendation. AP LANGUAGE & COMPOSITION Course Overview: In this course, students investigate rhetoric and its impact on culture through analysis of notable fiction and nonfiction texts, from pamphlets to speeches to personal essays. The equivalent of an introductory college-level survey class, this course prepares students for the AP exam and for further study in communications, creative writing, journalism, literature, and composition. Students explore a variety of textual forms, styles, and genres. By examining all texts through a rhetorical lens, students become skilled readers and analytical thinkers. Focusing specifically on language, purpose, and audience gives them a broad view of the effect of text and its cultural role. Students write expository and narrative texts to hone the effectiveness of their own use of language, and they develop varied, informed arguments through research. Throughout the course, students are evaluated with assessments specifically designed to prepare them for the content, form, and depth of the AP Exam. This course is offered every other year to students in grades 11 and/or 12 based on teacher recommendation. ONLINE ENGLISH / LANGUAGE ARTS COURSE OFFERINGS English I English II English III English IV SAT Reading & Writing Back to Academics

Ashika Dhaurali Special Education Classroom Assistant adhaurali@casa-arts.org 717-732-8450 EDUCATION: B.S. Criminal Justice, Purdue University (Anticipated Graduation: May 2026) What brought you to CASA? I started high school at an arts school, but after my family moved to Pennsylvania, I found myself in a more traditional high school setting. It just didn’t feel like the right fit—I missed the creativity and the energy. I discovered CASA and joined as a senior in the Theatre department. CASA soon became like home, and now I’m grateful to give back. Where did you work and what was your role prior to coming to CASA? I worked as the Youth Coordinator for GCRPPB. My work focused on mobilizing refugee communities and advocating for the freedom and rights of political prisoners in Bhutan. I organized national rallies, co-authored pieces, led youth leadership development initiatives, and lobbied at the UN and on Capitol Hill. What is your favorite part of working at CASA? My favorite part of working at CASA is being surrounded by students who are unapologetically themselves. They’re not lost or “bad” or “difficult”—they just need someone who understands. Being that person, even for a moment, is my favorite part of being here. What is your connection to the arts? How are you an artist? I started acting in middle school and continued through my freshman year at the Youth Performing Arts School (YPAS). After moving to Pennsylvania, I joined CASA as a senior in the Theatre department, where I acted, assistant directed, and worked in sound and tech. I later continued my artistic journey with Gamut Theatre in Harrisburg as both an actor and stage manager. For me, being an artist means telling stories in all forms—on stage, behind the scenes, and in the way I move through the world. What do you feel is your impact on our school community, students, and culture? When I was younger, there were a few rare adults who really saw me—who didn’t try to fix me but just sat with me in whatever I was feeling. That kind of presence changed my life. I know what it feels like to walk into school carrying things no one else can see. So, I show up with patience, softness, and honesty. My impact, I hope, is giving students the kind of care that doesn’t ask them to earn it. What advice do you have for our students? Take your time figuring things out. You’re not behind. You’re becoming. Don’t ever shrink yourself to fit into spaces that were never built for you. The right people—the ones who truly see you—will never ask you to be less. They’ll meet you where you are, and they’ll stay. Do you advise any clubs at CASA? Not officially—yet. But I’m always here to support student-led projects, especially around mental health, identity, or storytelling. Fun facts about Ms. Dhaurali : While paragliding in Nepal, I told the instructor I’d always wanted to try bungee jumping but hated the feeling of stomach drops. He laughed and said, “I can show you—for free.” Before I could react, he flipped the paraglider upside down and we went into a full freefall over Fewa River. I screamed the whole way down—but it was one of the most unforgettable moments of my life. .

WORLD LANGUAGE CASA offers World Languages courses that are live-taught and online. These courses are available for students in grades 9-12. Both French and Spanish are offered at levels 1 through 4. LIVE-TAUGHT WORLD LANGUAGE COURSE OFFERINGS FRENCH I Course Overview: This is an introductory course, where students will be exposed to the French language through reading, writing, speaking and listening activities. Students will also explore the culture of France and other French-speaking countries. Units of Study: Introduction to French Bon Appétit Qu’est-ce qu’on fait? Paris Le monde personnel En ville Le Shopping Le Temps Libre Qui Suis-Je? Tour de France FRENCH II Course Overview: French II continues to develop basic concepts in French language and culture including French pronunciation, grammar, and geography. Students will enhance and further develop their use of French through a balanced development of all four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Language acquisition will expand to include longer conversational exchanges and reading for meaning and pleasure in the past, present and future tense. This course is designed for students successfully completed French I. Units of Study: La Rentrée Les Repas Le Passé La Géographie de la France Loisirs et Spectacles Le Sport et La Santé La Maison Le Passé Composé et L'Imparfait Les Artistes Francaises La Voiture SPANISH I Course Overview: This is an introductory course, where students will be exposed to the Spanish language through reading, writing, speaking and listening activities. Students will also explore the culture of Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries. ONLINE WORLD LANGUAGE COURSE OFFERINGS French I, II, III, and IV Spanish I, II, III, and IV German I and II Back to Academics

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This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. < Back Pathways Center for Grief and Loss This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. The Pathways Center for Grief and Loss, in Mount Joy, offers groups for all ages to help them cope with the loss of a loved one. Additional helpful resources are provided on their website. https://www.hospiceandcommunitycare.org/grief-and-loss/ Previous Next