News

ParSci’s Brigada Eskwela Starts With a Goal to Thrive

by Thyra Rush C. Valenzuela

March 29, 2022

Source: The Momentum Fb page

On September 6, 2021, Monday, Parañaque Science High School's Brigada Eskwela Kick-Off Program for the school year 2021-2022 started streaming live on the Momentum's Facebook page at exactly 8:00 AM. The program was hosted by Ms. Ma. Irene Inventor, one of ParSci's English teachers.


Every year, the Department of Education (DepEd) conducts the National Schools Maintenance Week, also known as "Brigada Eskwela," in order for schools to be prepared for the opening of classes. Teachers, parents, students, and even the private sector are encouraged to help and work together in the development of each and every school. This year, with the theme "Bayanihan Para sa Paaralan", the school communities continue to work jointly with each other for a better school year ahead.


To follow through with the program, the preliminary videos were played, starting off with the Lupang Hinirang video from DepEd. After the singing of the national anthem, a prayer in the form of a song was led by Miss Carol Picache, a MAPEH teacher, Alliyah Jane Braga, a grade 11 student, and Krissy Nicdao, a grade 12 student. Following the prayer was the presentation of DepEd's Mission and Vision by Scarlet Gabrielle David, a grade 11 student.


Ms. Inventor proceeded with welcoming the audience who were watching the said program. She extended the school's thanks to the stakeholders, public and private sectors, parents, teachers, school administrators, local government units (LGUs), and the DepEd officials who helped make Brigada Eskwela possible. She also acknowledged all students from junior high up to senior high. The program continued with different speeches from remarkable individuals.


Mr. Ruel Grafil, the school's current OIC Principal, was then the first person to be introduced for his introductory remarks. He stated that Brigada Eskwela would not continue without the lifeblood of this program - who was the school's stakeholders and partners. "With the challenges that were brought about by the pandemic COVID-19, this year's Brigada Eskwela will continue and will never waver. We pledge to continue working together and do the best we can to maintain or even surpass what we have achieved in the past," he said.


Another opening speech was given by Ms. Ma. Estrellita Arceo, the Public Schools District Supervisor in District 8. "In the words of DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones, we must act together and learn from the past. We should innovate [from] one year of dealing with the impact of the pandemic. We cannot continue doing the way we did," she stated.


"We trust that you will join us in this endeavor. We trust that together we can initiate, innovate, and implement new ways for education," Mr. Maximino Santos Jr., Senior Education Program Specialist, said in his recorded speech, succeeding Ms. Arceo's remarks.


Government officials such as DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones, Honorable First District Representative Eric Olivarez, and City Mayor Edwin Olivarez expressed their goals and plans for students and teachers this school year. "Similar to last year, let us rise to the challenge and unite in [the] preparing of schools, learners, and ourselves for the new school year," Briones said in a recorded video as her ending statement.


Honorable Olivarez said he aims to support learners and students, especially the underprivileged.


"On the part of the city government, we shall continue to do everything in our power to help our teachers and students with all the support they need," Mayor Olivarez said. He further stated that quality education can only be achieved in the new normal if we empower students and teachers.


The program continued with the presentation of Brigada Eskwela's events. The numerous events, which included different programs, activities, trainings, and webinars are as of follows:

  • Psychological First Aid in COVID-19 Response by the EsP Department

  • Virtual Concert led by the MAPEH Department

  • ParaSciBayan Virtual Convergence

  • Gulayan sa Tahanan and Urban Gardening Webinar headed by the Science Department\

  • Journalism Camp led by The Momentum

  • Youth Participation in Mitigating Risk of COVID-19 Transmission at Home led by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines together with the Wash in Schools (WinS) team

  • Student Leadership Webinar 2021 by the Supreme Student Government (SSG)

  • #YOUthMatters: A Health Webinar by Red Cross Youth

  • Jump Rope Challenge and E-Sports Tournament by ParSci Athletic Club

  • Music and Arts Camp led by the Performing Arts Club

  • Summer Research Kamp (SUREKA) by the Research Department

  • Eye Care Webinar by the Senior High School Department

  • Brigada Pagbasa (Pampamilyang Pagbasa, Reading E-Camp 2021 with Myon) headed by the English and Filipino Department

  • Bayanihan Para sa Kalusugan: OK sa DepEd sa Paaralan at sa Tahanan: NDEP and SDRR Webinar

  • A Helping Hand: Adopt a Learner Program

  • Home Learning Space

  • ReConnect: Wifi Modem and Tablet Donation Drive


The focal persons for each priority project, Mr. Jeffrey Orosco, Ms. Theresa Baita, and Ms. Zenith Glorioso, appealed for everyone's support and assistance in all of Brigada Eskwela's events. They added that they would highly appreciate all donations of any kind.


Ms. Mercedita Ramos, the Brigada Eskwela Coordinator, thanked everyone for their unwavering support throughout these years, saying, "Ang ating brigada eskwela ay para sa bata, para sa bayan."


A call to action and response was given by the following: Miguel Santiago, a grade 11 student representing the student body, Marilyn Baculpo-Odulio, an alumni from the class of 1996 representing the ParSci alumni, Atty. Michael Santiago, the General Parents-Teachers Association (GPTA) president representing parents, and Mrs. Ruby Mendoza, the administrative manager of Antrak Logistics, representing stakeholders. "The ParSci Community looks forward to the Brigada Eskwela as an opportunity for stakeholders to collaborate with one another to ensure that no ParScian is left behind," Atty. Santiago said.

To end the program, Dr. Zenaida Regodon, Head Teacher III, proceeded with her closing remarks.


“Tara na’t mag-brigada, tara na’t mag-bayanihan para sa paaralan. Para sa bata, para sa bayan, sulong edukalidad!” Ms. Inventor stated, before officially ending the live program.




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