Bitag Grande Elementary School: "An Usher Towards Success."
VIOLETA B. UDAUNDO
School Principal II
Bitag Grande Elementary School is one of the biggest schools of Baggao West District. It is of great challenge and drive for the teaching staff to excel in achieving the desired learning outcomes and performance standards.
The school has its motto, “The BGES: An Usher Towards Excellence.” It is by this motto that we, the teachers of Bitag Grande Elementary School, are being guided and driven in attaining the school’s ultimate goal and that is usher the learners by studying hard in achieving excellence. The learners are being directed and urged to be promoted by rank as honestly as they can.
In behalf of the teachers of BGES, I invite everyone to be a part of our School Website because we believe that we need a community to build a school.
Opening of Classess is September 13, 2021
Conduct Parent's Virtual Orientation is September 13, 2021 at 2 o'clock in the afternoon
Distribition of modules is September 14, 2021
BY: Violeta B. Udaundo
The Learning Continuity Plan of Bitag Grande Elementary School, Baggao West District is anchored on the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan of the Department of Education wherein the primary concern is to ensure that all possible precautionary measures will be taken to achieve school’s goals and objectives and improve quality basic education despite of the present health crisis in our country.
The School Enhanced– BLCP was revisited and crafted by the School BLCP Task Force headed by the School Principal, Mrs. Violeta B. Udaundo on September 2,-4, 2021 taking into consideration the use of other learning modalities aside from modular distance learning in order to cater the needs of every learner. A careful planning and consultations with the internal and external stakeholders of education were done to come up with a comprehensive implementation of the chosen learning modality..
There are two hundred eighty interested school children who responded to the call of the school during the Oplan Balik Eskwela where their parents and guardians answered the Modified Enrollment Learners Survey Form. There is a remarkable increase of enrollment from 244 for SY 2020-2021 to 280 for this SY 2021-2022. As a result of the survey there are 190 learners who preferred Modular Printed Learning, 4 for Modular Digital Learning, 22 of them for Online Learning and 53 would like to use Blended Learning.
The BLCP task force decided to implement Blended Learning Modality which includes Modular Delivery Modalities both Printed and Digital, Online Delivery Learning through Virtual Classrooms via Google and Zoom Meeting, Messenger Video Chat room /Group Chatting and the use of Podcast Based– Instruction.
Different activities were discussed to the teachers regarding learning management which includes among others learners/class organization, School– Community Learning Plan, Weekly Home Learning Plan and learning performance monitoring. Learning resources were evaluated to determine the gaps and ways forward were implemented during the first two weeks of classes.
Teachers were tasked to prepare worksheets, modules, written summative tests and other learning materials vis-à-vis the Most Essential Learning Competencies aside from their participation to webinars as a venue to prepare themselves before the start of the school year.
On September 13, an orientation was conducted to the parents on how Modular Distance Learning and other learning modalities would be implemented particularly in the distribution and retrieval aspects. The parents were told that they would come and get the modules every after two weeks during Mondays and at the same time submit answer sheets and modules. The Assistant Schools Division Superintendent , Chelo C. Tangan, EdD and the Public School District Supervisor, Estrella D. Dimaya. PhD joined in this activity which made fruitful and meaningful for all the parents who attended the Virtual Orientation.
The implementation of the School BLCP for the first month of School Year 2021-2022 was indeed successful through strong collaboration of the School Head, teachers, parents and other knowledgeable others. Shared governance was very much evident.
By: Editha B. Leones
Preparation in every endeavor is necessary for an excellent outcome. The giving of orientation to parents for the activities to be done for the start of the school year 2021-2022 is an excellent preparation to begin this academic year. The teaching staff of Bitag Grande Elementary School spearheaded by Mrs. Violeta B. Udaundo , has just finished this undertaking today September 13, 2021. The activity was done virtually attended by the BGES parents, teachers, some barangay officials and PTA officials and some top management officials.
The barangay captain and the PTA president as well gave his Welcome Address. The barangay captain was very grateful to the DepEd top management officials who were present during the virtual orientation for the guidance they extended to our school because despite of the pandemic situation education is still possible.
The Public Schools District Supervisor Dr. Estrella D. Dimaya inspired and challenged the parents to perform their function as the spare teachers of their children.
“As we journey together for this school year 2021-2022, you serve as the director, driver and guide of your children’s studies.
We have prepared a lot of modalities in delivering learning to our learners but we can not do alone in carrying out the DepEd Mission and programs without your support. We need your unending support and partnership to this endeavor during this time of crisis so that we could be able to deliver the learning competencies that our learners need to learn.” Dr. Estrella D. Dimaya has these words to say in her message.
services as we can. As we journey together during this time of pandemic let us continue to support the activities and programs indicated in the school calendar. I know you are all receptive to change. Let us all be open minded to accept change. The best way to switch to global thinking is to get up and go on. There is simply no substitution for hands on, minds on and hearts on into a real experince.” she continued.
“As we continue to hurdle the difficulties brought by this COVID19, I implore God’s mercy to bless and guide us so that we could carry out our tasks entrusted to us.” she added.
The Assistant Schools Division Suprintendent Dr. Chelo C. Tangan shared her precious time in Bitag Grande Elementary School. She shared nuggets of wisdom that surely touched the hearts of all the attendees of the orientation.
First she requested to put off the audio of the gadgets of others whose audio were open. It really pays to put off the audio of our gadget when somebody is talking in a virtual meeting to avoid disturbance.
She gave an enlightment on the disadvantage of having several gadgets that are opened during a virtual meeting.
She appreciated the presence of 36 attendees during this orientation.
“I see the uniqueness in every gathering. This means that every school has their own wisdom and strategy to address gaps, issues and concerns.” she said.
“It is just proper to orient our parents. We appreciate Bitag Grande Elementary School for coming up with this parents’ orientation.”, she added.
“Although the teachers are very willing to do their tasks to teach the learners but because there are restrictions, it is not just easy to require the learners to go to school or it is not posible for the teachers to go house to house to teach. You are very lucky because Bitag Grande Elementary School was able to come up with this orientation.” she continued.
She also elaborated that the temporary learning is a virtual class. She also reminded the parents about the limitation of exposure to radiation. Too much exposure to radiation is not advisable to their children that is why there are regulations about that.
“Parents now realize that teaching is difficult. For me, teaching is very challenging because we do not only teach a subject but we mold your children. Hindi simpleng bagay na i-mold o hubugin ang pagkatao ng inyong mga anak. Kaya it would be a partnership and collaboration between you parents and us, as representative of the Department of Education in preparing for their future.” she emphasized.
“Accountability ang naibigay sa atin at ang kaakibat nito ay moral ascendancy. Mayroon tayong moral ascendancy kung tayo ay karapat-dapat na modelo, kung tayo ay karapat-dapat na magturo. It is very hard to teach if we do not exemplify o hindi mo ginagawa o ipinapakita. What is needed of us so that we can teach our children, learners, teachers, school head, first you should be an example, you are preparing a learner with complete faculties like cognitive aspect, emotion, spirit and soul. Ibig sabihin pagkaingatan ang learner na yan dahil kapag ang learner na yan ay mawala sa landas, pananagutan natin.” she emphasized.
The school principal Mrs. Violeta B. Udaundo presented and explained well what are the preparations that they need to know and the different things that they should receive from the teachers.
She was grateful with the presence of top management leaders as well with the barangay and PTA officials who were with the orientation. That was a very fruitful and successful orientation.#
Bitag Grande Elementary School headed by Mrs. Editha B. Leones disseminated properly the basic Education Learning Continuity Plan to parents, stakeholders, PTA and barangay officials on August 10, 11 and 12, 2020 at the school mini gym respectively.
The teaching staff of Bitag Grande Elementary School passed an invitation letter to the barangay captain and requested the help of the barangay councilors for the information dissemination of the scheduled meeting of parents per Zone about the holding of orientation of the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan.
The schedule was strictly followed in order to avoid large gathering. The parents from Zone 1 was scheduled on August 10, 2020, Monday 8:00AM. Parents from Zone 2 was scheduled Monday 2:00 PM (August 10, 2020). The parents from Zone 3 was scheduled last August 11, 2020, Tuesday 8:00 AM. Parents from Zone 4 was scheduled on August 11, 2020, Tuesday 2:00 PM. Parents from Zone 5 was also scheduled on August 12, 2020, Wednesday 8:00 AM and parents from zone 6 was scheduled on August 12, 2020, Wednesday 2:00PM. All the attendees of the said meeting were reminded to wear their facemask and social distancing was strictly followed. Sprinkling of alcohol to the attendees’ hands was not also neglected before they proceeded to the chairs prepared for them.
BELCP, what is all about? This was discussed comprehensively. As an introduction, Mrs. Leones has quoted from her readings specifically the DO No. 12 s. 2020 and she mentioned “(BELCP)Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan is not the work of one person alone. BELCP is the result of inputs from different units and field offices of the Department of Education; advice from the Philippine Forum for Inclusive Quality Basic Education(PFIQBE), counsel from the chairpersons of the House and Senate Committees on Basic education, Rep. Roman Romulo and Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, an online survey of more than 700k respondents; and an online survey of teachers’ readiness for distance learning delivery. All these contributions were integrated and harmonized by the Executive Committee and Management Committee under the direction of the DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones and drafted by her Undersecretaries ”
Mrs. Leones continued to let the program be it known thoroughly to everyone by sharing what she read about the BASIC EDUCATION LEARNING CONTINUITY PLAN (BELCP) prepared by the Division Office of Cagayan. “BELCP covers the essential requirements of education in the time of COVID-19,e.g. most essential learning competencies, multiple learning delivery modalities for teachers, school leaders and learners, required health standards in school and workplace, and special activities like Brigada Eskwela(June 1, 2020 to August 29,2020), Oplan Balik Eskwela and Partnerships. Partnerships initiative shall be implemented throughout the school year.”
“BASIC EDUCATION LEARNING CONTINUITY PLAN (BELCP)
Education can and must continue but only under the conditions and health protocols set by the DOH and WHO. Preventive measures will be put in place to secure the health and well-being of personnel and learners under the new normal. The IATF approved the BELCP of the
DEpEd as well as the proposal to open schools on August 24, 2020. The decision to open classes on August 24, 2020 was made in consideration of socio-economic factors such as the need to:
1. Avoid prolonged school disruption which is associated with a range of social risk for the youth
2. Encourage education-related economic activity
3. Resume school-managed support systems such as the school-Based Feeding program.
The BELCP of the DepEd as presented is hereby adopted the essential points which are as follows:
Opening of classes for the basic education shall be on August 24, 2020 and ending on 30 April, 2021.
Adoption of various learning delivery options such as but not limited to face-to-face learning, blended learning, distance learning, and homeschooling and other modes of delivery shall be implemented depending on the local COVID Risk Severity Classification and compliance with minimum health standards.
3. Conduct of curricular and co-curricular activities involving gatherings such as Science Fairs, trade fairs, school sports, campus journalism, festival of talents, job fairs and other similar activities is cancelled.
4. Because of the compressed school year, the secretary is exercising the prerogative to authorize the conduct of distance learning activities on Saturdays.”
She discussed the different learning modalities teachers may employ depending on the choice of the parents and learners and depending on the availability of gadgets at homes and on the local COVID risk severity.
MASTER PLAN on the implementation of the multimodal learning delivery
1. Modular Learning an individualized teaching approach that lets learners utilize self-learning modules which come in print and digital formats/electronic copy whichever is applicable in the context of the learners. This style of learning is built to fit into the modern days and times like what we are in today.
2. Blended Learning refers to a learning delivery that combines face-to-face with any or mix of online distance learning, modular distance learning and TV/Radio-Based Instruction. Critical for implementation will be the production of the needed teacher’s and learner’s learning materials as well as the support of media institutions like TV and radio stations. Suggested platforms/Resources/Mechanisms: Modules, Worksheets/Activity Sheets and the use of gadgets.
3. Online Distance Learning- it features the teacher facilitating learning and engaging learners’ active participation using various technologies accessed through the internet while they are geographically remote from each other during instruction.
4. Home Schooling – It is an alternative delivery mode(ADM) that aims to provide learners with equal access to quality basic education through a home-based
environment to be facilitated by qualified parents, guardians or tutors who have undergone relevant training.
5. Traditional Face-to-Face Learning- This refers to a learning delivery modality where the students and the teacher are both physically present in the classroom, and there are opportunities for active engagement, immediate feedback, and socio-emotional development of learners.
Other topics that were discussed wherein the retired school head Mrs. Dorna P. Parel, Principal 1 unselfishly and wholeheartedly extended her support and wisdom in the explanation of the following other topics:
1. Provision of learning Resources
2. Distribution of Modules
3. Discussion/Instruction
4. Assessment
5. Submission/Retrieval/Collection
After the discussion, an Open Forum followed. It was suggested by the parents that the Distribution and Retrieval of Modules shall be done at the same day to minimize and maximize their coming to school. The teachers disagreed with their suggestion because they stuck with the prepared Weekly Home Learning Plan and it was even consulted to the district supervisor. All of them agreed on the schedules of Brigada Eskwela and Bayanihan for the Clean-Up Drive given by the teachers.
The three-day meeting ended up with contentment because of the positive attitude showed by the parents and stakeholders.