DBA News Corner...

Circular Letters

From the Office of the Rector

May 25, 2020

Dear Parents & Guardians,

The COVID-19 pandemic has caught us all by surprise. But nonetheless, we were able to rise up to the occasion and was able to conclude the school year using alternative modes of delivery of instruction.

The Council of the Work has been meeting for several times to discuss our Learning Continuity Plan for the next school year. We shall now give you our plans so far. It will be followed by an infographics of this presentation.

I. NO GRADUATION, MOVING UP AND RECOGNITION DAY CEREMONIES:

Pursuant to DepEd Order 2 and Memorandum 42 suspending all graduation, moving up rites and other mass gathering due to Covid-19 pandemic, the DBA has opted to be on the side of prudence and safety. There will be NO graduation rites for our Grade 6 pupils, the Grade 12 students and the moving up ceremonies of Kindergarten pupils and Grade 10 students. Recognition day is also cancelled as mandated by the order.

II. ISSUANCE OF CARD AND ENROLMENT:

With the lockdown, our Salesian Educators faced a daunting task of evaluating and giving grades to our students. Thanks to their diligence and hard work, they were able to compute the grades of their students and were able to deliberate on them through online meetings and other platforms for discussion.

For this reason, the ISSUANCE OF CARD will be on the following dates:

June 1, 2020 

June 2, 2020 

June 3, 2020 

June 4, 2020 

June 5, 2020 

The ONSITE ENROLMENT of both the New and Old students will be on the following dates:

June 1, 2020 

June 2, 2020 

June 3, 2020 

June 4, 2020 

June 5, 2020

Nb. Please follow the social distancing and health protocols when going to school.

III. ONLINE ENROLMENT:

The Online Enrolment will be rolled out this year to allay fears because of the pandemic. It gave us the opportunity to harness this area of service which the school can provide for our clienteles. It will be on May 28-29, 2020 and all the days of the Onsite Enrolment schedules June 1-5 (follow the infographics on ONLINE ENROLMENT AND ONLINE PAYMENT).

IV. ONLINE BRIDGING PROGRAM:

As agreed upon by the Don Bosco Educational Centers (DBEC), we shall have the ONLINE BRIDGING PROGRAM on July 27 - August 14, 2020 for all our students to answer the need to reinforce the competencies lacking in the last quarter of SY 2019-2020 due to school lockdown. STUDENTS and PARENTS ORIENTATIONS on the Bridging Program and GENYO Learning Management System will be on July 27-31, 2020.

V. ORIENTATIONS ON MENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS:

In response to the intervention of DepEd Sec. Leonor Briones to provide all our student a debriefing and give due care for their mental health and safety, DBA will conduct from  ORIENTATION ON MENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOL on August 17 - 21, 2020.

VI. IMPORTANT SCHEDULES:

August 24, 2020 is the start of the new academic year and we will have FULL ONLINE classes (Kinder - Grade 3 will have modular approach (to be explained by the letter from the Principal). The 2nd to the 4th quarters will be HYBRID mode of learning (combination of online, modular and face to face). This is subject to the situation of the health concerns of the pandemic. The a possibility of full online classes will be offered in case the health situation turn to worst. Infographics of the EXCELSIOR Learning Continuity Plan of DBA will soon be out upon the approval of DepEd.

We look to May 2021 as the ending of our academic year.

VII. COLLABORATION:

DBA is doing its best in responding to the pressing need of our situation. We need your utmost cooperation and understanding as we journey together in this uncertain times. With our close collaboration and common desire to give quality education to our Bosconians, we will STRUGGLE together and surely will WIN TOGETHER!


In Don Bosco,

Fr Jose Armando G. Cortez, SDB

Rector


From the Office of the Principal

May 25, 2020

Dear parents and guardians;

Greetings of Peace!

We do hope that you and your families are all fine and still on top of everything despite worries and anxieties brought about by unprecedented experiences and challenging moments of our lives.

The recent pandemic has not only humbled every person’s profound image of himself, but also shaken every strong foundation of beliefs and principles, bringing before us the very truth that nothing lasts in this temporary time, and nobody holds what rests before us. But these have taught us to become resilient, stronger, and hopeful. Despite the difficulty brought about by the unexpected lock down, the school was able to deliver the academic provision through on-line platform. 

As an institution which partners you in the growth and development of your children, much of crucial planning and discussions have been taking place to address the challenge of a drastic shift to the “new normal” being looked into by the government and the institution itself. Our school administrators with their respective management teams continue to work overtime, meet on-line, and prepare “head on” to a more challenging year ahead (school year 2020-2021) without compromising the health and safety of all; students, lay mission partners and parents.

However, the school must first ensure its continuous and smooth operation; sustain stability and maintain its capability to serve the clienteles/students and preserve/keep its employees (teachers, office personnel & maintenance staff) by at least keeping the school above water. We do understand that the pandemic has caused financial instability among families’ livelihood, but we do hope the plight of the school to continuously exist, gains empathy and draws support from the stakeholders and dear parents.

It is in this light that we humbly ask the parents/guardians to help the school pick up its financial capability, regain its stability, and assume normalcy by settling your financial obligation, despite economic difficulty.

The distribution of your sons’/daughters’ documents (cards, diploma, awards, and certificates) will be on the first week of June (schedule will be posted). May we ask you to settle your financial obligation before the said days. Thank you and God bless us all!

Note:  should you have any queries on mode /type of payment kindly contact the following numbers: (045) 458-1417 / 09152649210 (Monday to Friday, 10:am to 3:pm only)

In Don Bosco;

Bartolome C. Calinawan

Principal


News and Articles

DBA LEARNING CONTINUITY PLAN 

From the Office of the Principal

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Bosconians;

Greetings of peace!

Let us be one as Don Bosco Academy family in facing the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, and emerged as one in adapting our school to be responsive to the signs of the times. Not of this kind can shake the stronghold of the Salesian System of education that has produced young men and women who are “honest citizens and good Christians.” Let be one in living up to our motto: “Luctor et Emergo!” I struggle and I win in this challenging times.

It has always been the passion and commitment of the institution to rise above all quandaries and predicaments and continue deliver quality education. We share now the institution’s decisive approach as it gives to you its Learning Continuity Plan (LCP) in this time of the pandemic. The institution is confident that without prejudice to students’ and educators’ safety and wellbeing, desired high level of education is attainable. The simplified Learning Continuity Plan is as follows (subject to adjust with the pronouncement from the government and other pertinent agencies):

· On Health-Safety, and Wellness of Students, Salesian Educators, and Stakeholders.

The school expresses the same sentiments, worries and anxieties brought by COVID 19, and it exalts the principle of preservation of Life before Learning (Maslow before Bloom). We adhere to this principle thus heed to the mandate, directives and guidance of the Department of Health (DOH), Inter Agency Task Force (IATF), and judicious/scientific thoughts and analysis of other minds. Therefore, distance learning is the optimum option that ensures safety and protection among members of Educative Family.

· On Delivery of Academic Provision

With thorough considerations of factors contributory to the balance of safety and continuous learning, the institution adopts the following Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM):

DBA will adopt Full Online/Distance Learning from First to Fourth Quarters. This delivery of instruction has limitless access to tools and instruments that facilitates learning experience using the Information & Communication Technology (ICT) platform. This provides learning continuum within the safe parameter of the home but in no prejudice to learners with connectivity-difficulty (Teacher-made Module in either soft or printed copies shall be provided);

a. Kinder to Grade 3: These pupils, though at distance learning mode, shall be provided with Teacher-made modules which are simplified and self-directed, thus minimum supervision is required. Coordination and partnership between teachers and parents play a vital role in this setup. Parents are expected to facilitate, help in the completion of the task in a given weekly time parameter. Presentations like demonstration, and Tutorial Videos on desired competency are also embedded in the program. Assigned task on printed medium shall be fetched by an adult in school for those who don’t have printers at home others wise flash drive is also an alternative. The kids shall then work on them at their own learning paces. These will be collected at the end of the week for markings, simultaneously a new task shall be given for the next week’s activity.

b. Grade 4 to 12: Adopt full ICT platform with maximum utilization of “GENYO” Learning Management System (LMS). Through this Learning Management System, Bosconians can build their own learning by accessing the assigned task in a timely manner. Embedded in the system are the Synchronous (real time session by Zoom or Google Meet with the subject teacher) and Asynchronous (own pacing) modes with activities that are crafted and prepared ahead of time. Text books can also be utilized. In this mode teachers will be able to help them in the learning content and evaluation. Parents can also monitor the progress of their children using the same account.  Nevertheless, separate modality shall be served to those with difficulty on connectivity. (they shall be provided with teacher-made modules and other learning materials).

· On Parents and Students Readiness

- Survey was conducted through to determine the readiness of the parents and students in terms of connectivity, availability of needed electronic gadgets, and the presence of parents/guardians to assist the learners. With 573 respondents, data shows that 90.7%, satisfactory response and are willing embrace online learning. The institution realizes the importance of a common understanding on the purpose, operation, and limitations of the LMS (and other modes of delivery of instruction modes) therefore, orientation and training for students, parents and guardians shall be conducted. The last week of July is intended for the said training/orientation.

· On Teachers Readiness

- The utilization of the GENYO Learning Management System is merely a tool to accomplish the task of delivering academic provision. The quality of instruction and degree of learning experience greatly depend on the teachers’ creativity and application of various pedagogical strategies. Therefore, teacher training is an essential element together with the skill in the utilization of the LMS. This shall ensure effective teaching-learning experience. Teachers are tasked to attend series of webinars to enhance creativity and effectivity under flexible modality. Training shall commence in the early weeks of July. However, the preparation/design of the teacher-made modules, online activities under Synchronous and Asynchronous modalities shall start in the beginning of June.

· School Infrastructure and System Readiness

- The institution must adhere to the “new normal” that this pandemic created for it to be responsive to the times. To address this, the institution made a decisive move of ensuring continuous and stable connectivity by requiring technical assistance from the proprietor of the GENYO Learning Management System to improve their capabilities. To provide stable and fast connectivity, the school will utilize its computer laboratory for teachers to delivery online learning activities. The provider is likewise bound to provide teacher trainings to optimize the hardware and maximize the capabilities of the school’s Learning Management System.

Should you have any other concerns, please don’t hesitate to share with us. You may reach us through the channels below:

Email:  dbamabalacat@one-bosco.org

We thank you for your continuous support in the growth and formation of our children. May the good Lord with the intercession of Mary Help of Christians and of St. John Bosco, protect and preserve us from all dangers. God bless us all!

Luctor et Emergo!

Intramurals 2019

T.E. Baluyut / M.K. Ponio 

The JHS Student Council successfully organized this year’s intramurals entitled “EVITARE: Nature Beyond Compare” last Sunday, September 29. 

A Rhythm of Love Play

Anonymous

Fr. Jose Armando Cortez, SDB made live once again the “A Rhythm of Love” play which was performed at the St. Francis de Sales Auditorium.

#RideHome

Angelo Jose Miguel Gozun 

Mabalacat City- Don Bosco Academy’s YouthFest concert last January 31, 2020 boasted a star-studded lineup of performers namely, Ben&Ben and Kiyo with Alisson Shore.

The concert was one of the highlight events of Don Bosco Academy’s 64th Foundation Days celebration, featuring OPM talents Ben&Ben, who were former Bosconians of Don Bosco Technical Institute Makati, as well as rappers Kiyo and Alisson Shore.

DBA's 64th Founding Anniversary

Patrick Liwanag  

Don Bosco Academy successfully celebrated its 64th founding anniversary last February 2, 2020. 

Boscontinuous: How Far Can You Go?

Charles Dela Cruz 

“I didn’t want to go, pero surprisingly nagenjoy ako!” “Diko inexpect na ganto kasaya”. 

KATHA 

T. E. Baluyut 

Inorganisa ng SIUALA ang kauna-unahang kompetisyong pampanitikan sa paaralan na pinamagatang “KATHA".

Step UP 3

Charles Dela Cruz 

Intensity club once again held the annual step up competition last January 31, Friday at Don Bosco Academy’s gymnasium.

INDAKAN 2019

M. J. Soto

Matagumpay na idinaos ng Kapisanan ng mga Mag-aaral sa Filipino o KAMFIL club ang kanilang taunang Indakan.

Backstage

Jett Balanza 

The play premiered on March 10, 2020 was portrayed by Ahiszas Hizon (Set A) and Toty Portugez (Set B) as Czeslaw Joswiak; Migz Salvador (Set A) and Jaspher Fontillas (Set B) as Edek Kazmierski; Jas Santos (Set A) and Jett Balanza (Set B) as Jargoniew Wojciechowski; Ryle Mallari as Edward Klinik; and Justin Serentas (Set A) and Jasper Dela Cruz (Set B) as Francis Kesy.  The play deals about friendship, betrayal, faith, loyalty, and more. It happened during World War 2 when Torn Poland was invaded by the cruel Nazi forces.