Aim High for Junior High Online By: Mr. Jonathan T. Habana

On March 15, 2020, Covid-19 transitioned abruptly Philippine education from face-to-face to online learning. It was so sudden that the school community had to adapt quickly to what we thought then was just a temporary change, but we have learned to live with today as the ‘new normal’.

For School Year 2020-2021, to help parents adjust to the new mode of learning, Jubilee Christian Academy (JCA) held its first-ever four-day Online Parents Conference with the theme, “Triumph Over the Challenges of the New Normal” from August 12 to 17, 2020 via Google Meet.

 

 

Various sessions were organized for parents, guardians, and even students to know more about JCA’s online learning program. There were learning sessions with Dr. Lilian Gui on how parents can help children navigate this new season. There were also Meet the Principal sessions, as well, as Lesson Samplers which allowed parents to have a glimpse of what JCA online classes will look like.

Ms. Frances Rea R. Gaza, Junior High School (JHS) Principal, hosted the JHS Meet the Principal sessions for Grades 7 and 8 and for Grades 9 and 10. She engaged the parents by asking them “What are you thankful for today?” and “How will you face the GIANTS of 2020-2021?” Via Padlet, a web-based program that allows users to post on the walls virtually. It was an opportunity to be encouraged through counting the blessings each has received and imparting nuggets of wisdom with one another.

 

 

Ms. Gaza also presented the Praise and Thanksgiving items for SY 2019-2020 which included the successful completion of SY 2019-2020, the trainings of personnel to gear up for SY 2020-2021, the abounding hope, joy, and peace for all, and the provisions for the school.

This school year JHS will launch several new programs—the Intensive English Program for Grade 10, the Pre-AP program for Grade 9 Geometry and G10 English 1, and the new mode of learning through Google Suite. She also presented the guidelines for online classes: dress code, online learning space, Google Classroom, and Online Communication to continually uphold the aim of the school of quality Christian Education.

Online learning samplers were also made accessible for both students and parents, so they will be able to grasp how the teaching and learning process will take place online. JHS featured the lesson samplers for Filipino through Ms. Sauro, Mathematics through Mr. Verdan, and Social Studies through Ms. Velasco.

 

 

Since student learning will be done remotely this school year, Ms. Gaza encouraged the parents and guardians to support family engagement with the school. She emphasized that a strong and meaningful partnership between the school and the parents and guardians will help students know they are guided and supported as they navigate this new season of learning.

The Meet the Principal sessions were capped with a Question-and-Answer portion to give the participants an opportunity to find out more about the information discussed.

Overall, this year’s Online Parents Conference made the JCA parents confident in facing and overcoming the giants of the academic year ahead through the strong support of all the members of the JCA community and ultimately because the Lord promised in Isaiah 41:13, “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”