Are you guys ready for the new school year? Because here at APEC Schools, we got it all for you! The start of classes is soon to come. The Department of Education released a date for the start of the school year 2022-2023. Although private schools like APEC can start earlier, APEC Schools decided to go with the given date and implemented an online boot camp and orientation that will guide and practice students’ skills and familiarize them with the tools and activities that will be used during regular classes.

The boot camp happened two weeks before the regular classes, while the orientation was held before the start of regular classes. The orientation and boot camp was successful as it completed the objectives; it gave students the opportunity to get to know the learning facilitators, other students, and staff. It helps the students to be aware of the school’s policies, grading system, and other school-related matters that they need to know. This also gives the student a chance to get to know everyone, to avoid culture shock, and to practice their time management as soon as the classes start. The boot camp and orientation was a big help to students, especially to the new ones. It trained the students as early as possible in the things that they might encounter and experience in terms of advanced knowledge in tools, presentation, group communication, class participation, active listening, and critical thinking.

Do you guys wonder how everyone in the school had their first regular class experience? A new student from Grade 7 named Lyle said that he felt nervous on the first day of school, but as the days passed, he felt comfortable, and that’s exactly what everyone loved about APEC Schools; they will make you feel comfortable in your surroundings. A new grade 9 student named Alaija said that her first time in APEC Schools was good, and during her first week with us, she got to learn a lot. Jack from grade 8 also said that his first day experience was a bit neutral, and Jesh from grade 10 shared that her first day was fine and her best experience was that she got to interact in real life with her classmates and learning facilitators.

As we are slowly recovering from the pandemic, we can now transition from face-to-face classes; however, for the safety of the students, APEC Schools Roxas and other branches decided to have full online classes for Quarter 1 and blended for the start of Quarter 2. It is a great opportunity for students to slowly adapt and develop their new modes of learning, communication, and participation. Students’ return to school went well and hopefully it will continue until the end of the school year. This encourages us to embrace John Wooden's wise advice: "Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."