Due to the ongoing pandemic, all schools in the country, even globally, had to adhere on the online set up, acclimating both parents and students to the new normal.  Hence, being first on the list to conduct its Virtual Parents’ Orientation are the TPES Kindergarten teachers who held it last August 20. To accommodate more than a hundred attendees, it was split into two sessions in the morning and afternoon via Google Meet. Prior to the meeting, rules were reiterated by Kinder teachers through the group chat of each section. Attendance was recorded via a uniform link throughout the 22 sections; and the link of the meeting was also sent to the group chats few hours before the virtual orientation commenced.

The orientation was emceed by one of our energetic Kinder teachers Mrs. Shiela M. Añano. The program was formally started by a remarkable opening message from our very supportive and dearest principal Mrs. Glenda D. Tabaquirao. Next was Mrs. Rowela R. Cadayona, the most understanding and diligent Master Teacher-in-charge in Kindergarten who introduced the ten active Kinder Teachers. It was then followed by a short discussion on “How to Support Child Mental Health During Pandemic” by Ms. Joan Kathlyn Fronda, our newly assigned school nurse. The Early Childhood Care Development (ECCD) Checklist was also explained by our jolly colleague Mrs. Mercury A. Gonzales. The School Learning Continuity Plan was presented by our school principal Mrs. Glenda D. Tabaquirao in the morning session and by Mrs. Rowela R. Cadayona in the afternoon session. Every bit from production to distribution of modules including health and safety protocols, learning platforms such as modular and blended learning (modular cum online) were also properly discussed. The school administration however is aware that there are still pupils who are incapable in participating in online classes or cannot be monitored by their teachers even via call and texts due to their lack of gadgets. Thus, the school has launched a program “Lumang cellphone mo, Sagot sa kinabukasan ko” to help these less-fortunate pupils. Indeed, quality education is not just what Timoteo Paez Elementary School adheres on; it is also to reach out to their clienteles with a helping hand and a genuine caring heart.

Thus, we can say that this first ever Virtual Parents’ Orientation, despite some inevitable and yet anticipated circumstances such as intermittent internet signals, first time parents in using media platforms who added some comical scenes, is indeed a successful one. Almost 75% or more than three hundred parents attended the said program, and truly cannot be underestimated. This only shows that this pandemic is not a hindrance in acquiring education not only for Paezeños but to all Filipino pupils.