Pattao National High School now slowly opens it doors to its students as the school conducts simulation today, June 3, with the Grade 10 and Senior High School students in preparation for the limited face-to-face classes amid the ongoing COVID_19 pandemic and the looming threat of Omicron variant.

“Indeed, we are back to school and of the two-year hiatus, dwelling just inside our homes, this feeling seems like new to us, being afraid of the start of classes, and being excited to meet teachers and old friends,” said Bethia Kirsten Agurilla, a Grade-10 student.

Meanwhile, in the conduct of the simulation activity, health protocols are really observed despite sacrificing time and students lining-up in meters and all students subject to the activity are fully vaccinated.

“Though there were challenges encountered in the said activity like failure to bring snacks, and failure to follow arrows and directions, with these being met and solved through this simulation, I know we are now geared up for face-to-face classes”, said Melanie Asuncion, the SSG adviser.

On the other hand, Bernadette E. Gorospe, the school principal, hopes that today will mark the start of battling the fear and braving the pandemic to push through with the implementation of the face-to-face classes.

“We are witnesses of our students’ learning statuses during the pandemic thus I hope this will be the best move to answer their clamour’” said Gorospe.

She then recognized the concerted efforts and the collaboration of the administration, teachers, parents, students, PTA Officers, Barangay Officials, and other stakeholders which made this activity be realized.

As of today, no major challenges were met and no incidents of fevers and other indicators of virus acquisition were recorded.

With a total of 107 parents, 37 teachers and 6 teachers, the SHS Department conducted the face to face graduation meeting last May 31, 2022 at the School’s Gymnasium.

The SHS Coordinator, Ma’am Geraldine Mahinay initiated the meeting by announcing he scheduled date for Graduation which will be held on July 2, 2022. She also presented the Application Form for Graduation to the parents to inform them that their children should complete their academic requirements and be able to pay their fees first to qualify them for graduation.

In addition, Ma’am Lianne C. Puruel discussed matters like pictorial, attire and the breakdown of fees for graduation. It is agreed that the fees will be categorized into three according to the parent’s preference in the pictorial. The former PTA President, Mr. Oscar Arellano also spearheaded the realization of the SHS project 2022 which is the Concrete Reading Kiosk for the Senior High School Department.

In order to have the possible face to face graduation, the SHS Department together with the Grade 10 were asked to conduct the face to face simulation. With just a few day preparation, the SHS teachers were able to prepare their classrooms with labelled arrows signage and the necessary documents like list of learners, parent and teacher’s vaccination status, and the documentation.

Senior High School students were scheduled per batch for the brief dry run of the face to face simulation. They were tasked to follow the health protocols –handwashing, taking of body temperature through thermal scanner wearing of facemask and following of the markers printed.