Reedley Blog

To add more fun and challenge in the commonly dreaded subject Math, the Grade School Math Department launched and now maintains a student-friendly, interactive bulletin board quiz bee that features various Math problems. The problems demand the use of different Math skills as they are simultaneously being learned in the Math classrooms.

Students both from Lower and Middle school often flock to the Math bulletin board to update themselves of the latest problems to solve and to know the winners of the previous week’s problem. “Students really get excited in visiting the board and passing their answers to the latest Math puzzle,” observed Ms. Janice Tabuno, Middle School 5 Math teacher. “It is a way for them to develop interest and enthusiasm in Math outside the classroom.”

It has already become a habit for 5 - Cypress student Ryu Won Hee (Julie) to drop by the Math board and attempt to decipher the current problem posted. One of the many weekly awardees of the Math Challenge board, Julie encourages the other students to keep up the hype and drive to actively interact with the challenge board. “The fun is just like the one we get in the classroom-this time, it involves the rest of my fellow Reesians in grade school,” she remarked.

Julie answering the day’s Math Challenge.

The Math Challenge  bulletin board problems started in the first quarter and will continue throughout the school year.

As an integrated project for English, Life Skills, Social Studies, and Science, the students of Lower School 3-Pine opened up their classroom for “Market Day” held last July 31, 2009. The students were tasked to sell their goods and prepare for their selling day by presenting advertisements to endorse their products.

The students were divided into four groups representing four different communities: Water, Land, Desert, and Grassland. Based on the profile of their communities, the students then proceeded to make bookmarks as their primary goods to sell. In addition, advertisements were designed by each community for them to present to the “market goers.”

“The Market Day project was an effective venue for the students to unleash their creativity in a very informative way,” remarked Ms. Amelia Zialcita, the class adviser and facilitator of the said activity. “The kids really had a lot of fun presenting their advertisements and selling their products to the guests, and they realized how hard it is to sell goods,” she added.

The whole grade school community was invited to 3-Pine’s Market Day. Fellow Reesians from various classes dropped by to buy their share of bookmarks from the “community merchants.” Teachers from different levels also paid a visit to interact with the advertisers and the sellers and to purchase goods in the little market.

“On the whole, the kids learned the value of perseverance. They were placed in the shoes of people who buy and sell goods to earn. Pride and confidence filled them for the whole duration of the activity,” Ms. Zialcita concluded.

Lower School kids with Looney Tunes Loot Bags.

After a long day of quarterly exams, the Lower School students of Reedley International School deserved to have a break. As I visited each classroom, I was expecting to see tired kids who just wanted to go home and rest. Instead, to my surprise, I saw happy youngsters running around, playing with each other and just having fun. I could see their excitement and eagerness to go downstairs to the Lee Kwan Yew Hall, where they would participate in one of the most unforgettable events this school year.

At 2:00 p.m., I heard kids lining up outside the double doors, anxiously waiting to go inside the hall. As a teacher, I thought that it would be best to tell the kids to line up properly and wait for the Looney Tunes Crew to set up everything for them. As a kid at heart, I wanted to run around and scream at the top of my lungs, especially when I saw pictures of Bugs Bunny, Tweety Bird, Sylvester, and other famous cartoon characters.

After everyone was done registering, it was time to start the program. The Looney Tunes Crew from Fitness First showed the kids activities, which taught them the importance of taking care of their bodies. The students participated in relay games, which enhanced their running to become faster. They also had games wherein they had to guess which cartoon character was being described by the host. Towards the end of the program, the Looney Tunes Crew held a raffle draw and gave out gift bags to all students. At the end of the day, seeing the laughter and happiness on the kids’ faces made me realize that nothing beats a healthy mind and a healthy body.

Lining up for the Relay Games.

To further gauge and assess students’ reading and writing skills, the Grade School English team launched the Literary Assessment Program with a literacy pre-test last July 12 - 16, 2009 in all grade school English classes.

Following Bonnie Campbell Hill’s literacy developmental continuums, the literacy level of each student was assessed and categorized under the appropriate literacy level (Preconventional, Emerging, Developing, Beginning, Expanding, Bridging, Fluent, Proficient, Connecting, and Independent). Based on the results gathered, a comparative analysis of data was done to track the progress of the students from school year 2007 up to the present, and a baseline data was established for the profiles of the new students.

Both reading and writing skills were assessed in the duration of the pre-test. Types of texts and oral reading, reading attitude, reading strategies, and comprehension and response were examined to assess students’ reading skills. Writing skills, on the other hand, were determined and categorized by looking into students’ written works, specifically the types of texts, content and traits, process, mechanics and conventions. Based on the results, teachers will be designing both structured and differentiated interventions to help students improve on their literacy skills.

A post-test will be conducted to evaluate students’ progress and to determine further action plans for each child. The said post-test is scheduled on February 2009.

STOP, SMILE, GO!

This school year, Reedley International School launched a new theme aiming to strengthen the value and culture of Family amongst the students. “Stop, Smile, Go!” was developed by the Office of Student Affairs to bring back the Good Morning/Afternoon culture in the entire school community. Students, teachers and staff alike are all invited to smile and greet each other at every opportunity to ensure that everyone in the community knows everyone. This project was also launched to urge the students to aim for excellence in everything that they do.

When you are visiting the school, we invite you to Stop, Smile, and Go and get to know the entire Reedley family.

Since libraries represent the power of knowledge where the collective wisdom of those who have both shaped and transformed the world in which we live in are held, Reedley seees the importance of motivating the students  to visit and to make full use of the school libraries.

“We have three strong campaigns for the entire school year to inculcate the importance of library among kids,” Ms. Maricar Rosales said, the grade school librarian.

“I am a Reesian Reeder”

To make reading a habit, the grade school library launched the ‘I am a Resian Reader’ campaign. In this campaign, students with the most number of read and borrowed books are rewarded quarterly.”We want to encourage our kids to visit the library since we have a new collection of exciting and informative books for them.” Ms. Rosales said. Won Min Yang of Lower School 4-Aspen borrowed and read 38 books making her the top “Reesian Reader” of the first quarter.

“I am a library Ambassador”

To further create library awareness,  a position for the Quarterly Library Ambassador was  assigned during the election of class officers. Each library ambassdor  is tasked to encourage  classmates  to borrow books from  the library, to remind them to return borrowed books on time and to assist the librarian with minor library tasks. The most active library ambassadors are  honored during the Quarterly Reading of Honors and each library ambassador receives the “I am a Library Ambassador” pin.

Scholastic Book Fair

To provide an opportunity for students, parents, and the school community to browse the collection  of one of the school’s literacy partners, Scholastic, Reedley scheduled  three book fairs for the entire school year. The first book fair was held last August 10-14, 2009 at the Lincoln Wing. The resident mascot, Harry Potter, was present during recess and lunch time on the first day of the fair making it truly memorable for the kids.

The Upper School Student Affairs Department of Reedley International School recently conducted the yearly Anti-Bullying Campaign (ABC). For this year, the theme is Kindness Overdose. This challenges each and every Reesian to show kindness to everyone and promote a bully-free environment. Bullying happens everyday, but we choose to not to see it and fail to make a stand against it.

During the ABC week, the Upper School Students made a commitment not to bully, be bullied, or be a bystander by wearing different colored ribbons that symbolizes their pledge: Red ribbon for bully, blue for bullied and a yellow ribbon for bystander.  Also, each student wrote a handprint of their personal commitment to have a bully-free school. These handprints were posted along the hallways to remind them of their commitments.

Upper School kids gather round and write their handprint commitments.

Showing kindness to people even to those who are unkind to them is truly the greatest act of kindness. The Reedley community hopes to instill this value to our students. During the ABC week, the Upper School student had an activity called the “Mix it Up Day” where the students were paired or grouped with other students from different year levels. They had lunch together and got to know each other more.  This activity helped in creating a school climate of respect, camaraderie, and unity.

With our Anti-Bullying Campaign, the Reedley community hopes to create a bully-free environment through Kindness Overdose.

In line with innovative education experiences, the Mathematics Department of Reedley International School has introduced the Dynamic Learning Program for the Upper School students for this school year.

Drs. Christopher and M. Victoria Bernido with our very own Ms. Rowena Gonzales, Ms. Ria Beth Cuevas and Headmaster, Mr. Jerome Castro.

Developed by Drs. Christopher and M. Victoria Bernido, the Dynamic Learning Program (DLP) was presented to the UN conference in 2007. Their research showed the following: That students need to think with their own minds and work with their own hands, that mastery is attained only through rigorous practice, that higher levels of learning can be attained only when the basics/fundamentals are mastered.

The DLP structure ensures that students learn to become independent. In DLP, the students copy notes, solve exercises, do guided group activities, answer drills under time pressure and keep a student portfolio. Instead of acting as a dominant figure in class, the teacher acts like a guide or facilitator of learning. DLP works on the premise of learning by doing. This also develops stamina, rigor, and discipline that are necessary in mastering the fundamentals of the subject.

The student portfolio is a very important component of DLP. The portfolio is a means to document and keep a complete record of the student’s work. It can also act as a reviewer for the student when they encounter any similar problems. The portfolio is available during Parent-Teacher conferences for the parents’ perusal to see their child’s progress in Math.

Greetings! May this letter find all of you well and safe.

SUSPENSION OF CLASSES

Due to the irregular and unpredictable rotation brown out schedule that was caused by the shutdown of a power transformer of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines in Dolores, Taytay , Rizal Province; Reedley International School has suspended classes on Friday October 9. MERALCO issued a statement that this may continue until Monday, October 12. If this is the case, Reedley will suspend classes for October 12 as well. The school will be releasing this announcement via email, the internet and SMS on Sunday, October 11. I believe that it would be better to be proactive and choose the suspension of classes, rather than have the students here when the brownout comes unexpectedly.

A handful of parents have wondered why Reedley does not have a Generator Set in the first place and the primary reason is that until this time, having a Generator Set would not have been a good investment for the school. If we purchased a Generator Set, it would have deprived much needed resources to more urgent and important expenditures, such as Instructional Materials, Field Trips, Salaries and Benefits of employees and the Academic Programs.

ADAPTING TO THE INTERRUPTIONS

There will be a special make up class on Saturday, January 23 for the day missed on October 9. And if there are no classes on October 12, then there will be a make up day on Saturday, February 13. These dates cannot be scheduled earlier as there are already make up days scheduled on October and November. Scheduling additional Saturday classes on these months would cause burnout for both students and the school personnel.

The compiled list of the make up class days are in the next section (Specific Calendar Changes.)

Also, I have decided to have a special grading system for this Second Quarter. This grading system takes into account that the reasonable demands for excellence must be redefined given the numerous interruptions to the momentum of learning of our students.

Letter mark
A+
Regular: Type III questions (in depth inferences and applications beyond what was taught) are answered correctly and completely
Revised for 2nd quarter: All or Some Type III questions are answered correctly and completely
A
Regular: Some Type III questions are answered correctly and completely
Revised for 2nd quarter: Some Type III questions are answered with assistance
A –
Regular: Some Type III questions are answered with assistance
Revised for 2nd quarter: Type II questions (Complex processes that are taught) are answered correctly and completely
B
Regular: Type II questions (Complex processes that are taught) are answered correctly and completely
Revised 2nd quarter: Some of the Type II questions are answered correctly and completely
B –
Regular: Some of the Type II questions are answered correctly and completely
Revised 2nd quarter: At least one Type II question is answered correctly and completely
C
Regular: Type I questions (Simple processes) are answered completely and correctly
Revised 2nd quater: SAME
D
Regular: Some Type I questions are answered correctly and completely
Revised 2nd quarter: SAME
F
Regular: Some Type I questions are answered with assistance
Revised 2nd quarter: SAME

Please notice that there are changes in the descriptors for the higher grades. This means that Reedley is accounting for the distractions to learning caused by the numerous cancellations of classes.

However, also notice that the standards for the minimum requirements for learning, which is represented with the marks of C and below, remain unchanged. This ensures that what the students need to learn, which are the basic simple processes for each measurement topic, is still required.

SPECIFIC CALENDAR CHANGES

Since the cancellation of classes occurred during the end of the second quarter, where each day is essential for assessments, the school will also be making some changes in the School Calendar.

Special Study Holiday (Make Up Day), students are not required to report to school, but will be given modules to work on.October 10, Saturday
Upper School 4 Batch Dinner October 16, Friday
Upper School Sportsfest October 23, Friday
Mini-Leadership Camp for Grade 3 and 4 students October 23, Friday
Make Up Class Day October 24, Saturday
ALL SOUL’S DAY, NO CLASSES November 2, Monday
Middle and Upper School Parent Teacher Conference (Report Cards for MS and US students will be released) – no Academic Class for MS and US students, instead Study Modules will be given November 5, Thursday
Lower School Reading of Honors November 6, Friday
Middle School Reading of Honors November 9, Monday
Upper School 1 and 2 Reading of Honors November 10, Tuesday
Upper School 3 and 4 Reading of Honors November 11, Wednesday
Days with the Lord November 13 to 15
Release of 3rd Quarter Progress Reports for all levels November 19, Thursday
Leadership Camp for Middle School and Upper School Class Officers November 20-21
Make Up Class Day November 21, Saturday
United Nations Week November 23 to 26
EID’L ADHA, NO CLASSES November 27, Friday
BONIFACIO DAY, NO CLASSES November 30, Monday
Economics Week for Upper School 3 students December 7 to 11
Western Association of Schools and Colleges School Visit December 9 to 11
Last day for 2009 for Upper School students December 17, Thursday
Grade School Year End party, last day for Grade School students December 18, Friday
Classes resume for 2010 January 4, Monday
Lower School Parent Chat for the 3rd quarter (Report Cards for Lower School will also be released) – no Academic Class for Lower School students, instead Study Modules will be given January 7, Thursday
Middle and Upper School Parent Teacher Conference (Report Cards for MS and US students will be released) – no Academic Class for MS and US students, instead Study Modules will be given January 8, Friday
Lower School Reading of Honors January 11, Monday
Middle School Reading of Honors January 12, Tuesday
Upper School 1 and 2 Reading of Honors January 13, Wednesday
Upper School 3 Reading of Honors January 14, Thursday
Upper School 4 Reading of Honors January 15, Friday
Make Up Class Day January 16, Saturday
Make Up Class Day January 23, Saturday
Lower School Spelling Bee January 29, Friday
Middle School Spelling Bee January 29, Friday
Junior-Senior Prom January 30, Saturday
International School Assessment Test February 4, Thursday
Make Up Class Day(if there are no classes on Monday, October 12) February 13, Saturday
Upper School Student Council Elections February 15, Monday
Grade School Student Council Elections February 18, Thursday
Middle School Day Camp February 19, Friday
Days with the Lord February 19 to 21
Last day of Assessment for Graduating Students March 3, Wednesday
Last day of Assessment for Undergrads March 8, Monday
Release of Promotions List and Year End Awards March 15, Monday
Lower School Awards Day March 24, Wednesday
Upper School 4 Baccalaureate Mass and Breakfast Ceremony March 27, Saturday
Middle School and Upper School Commencement Exercises and Year End Awards Day March 28, Sunday
Release of Final Report Cards March 30, Tuesday

FINAL WORDS

Typhoon Ondoy has damaged so many lives. Homes were destroyed, livelihoods were lost, loved ones perished. Let us work together to move forward. Let us all work hand in hand, for the sole purpose of forming your children – our students. Things will be back to normal. Things will get back on track. Things will get better.

Thank you very much.

Mr. Jerome Castro
Headmaster

Professor Danilo Antonio president of ACE Center for Entrepreneurship and Management and father of Angela Antonio (US 4 Northwestern) shares his experiences to the students

Habit # 2 of Sean Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens is  Begin With The End In Mind. With a clear picture of one’s goal, each decision and action could be chosen to help propel one towards the finish line. The US Career Options Week held last July 6 to 9, 2009, aimed to do just that - give the students a chance to realize what they ulitmately want to do with their lives.

US 3 students during the CAREOPS Week

Headed by Ms. Bernice Jungschlager of the Guidance Department, the Career Options Week was  especially tailored for US 3 students. The juniors will have to make important decisions regarding their choice of courses and colleges, as they enter into their senior year.

Reedley Alumni Karen Lena McKenzie talks about college life in the University of the Philippines

The US 3 Students listened as Upper School parents from different fields of specialization shared valuable nuggets of wisdom about their struggles and successes in their careers.

CAREOPS Head Ms. Bernice Jungschlager with the US 3 students

Several alumni from Ateneo De Manila University, University of the Philippines, University of Asia and the Pacific, College of St. Benilde, and University of Sto. Tomas talked about travails and triumphs as part of these top universities. The juniors were exposed to informative and practical presentations from schools such as University of Asia and the Pacific, International Education Specalists and Enderun college, to help them determine which schools suited their career paths best.