AFFLIP targets to strengthen Schools Networking; scholars express gratitude

Mr. Roger Saunders and Mr. Trevor Tiller
were welcomed by the AFFLIP Scholars

            July 7, 2015 DAVAO CITY. The Australian Foundation for Fostering Learning in the Philippines (AFFLIP) coordinators, Mr. Roger Saunders and Mr. Trevor Tiller visited Leon A. Garcia Sr. Elementary School today. One of focus of their visit was to strengthen the schools networking between the public schools of Talomo District and schools in South Australian primary schools. Schools in Talomo District were twinned with schools in South Austratlia; such as the LGES was twinned with the Wynn Vale Primary School.

Mr. Glen L. Pardillo discussed matters regarding
schools networking with Mr. Tiller.

     Mr. Trevor Tiller, AFFLIP Schools Network coordinator emphasized the need to establish or come up with a regular communication between each school. And this could be done according to him by setting up a Skype account wherein each school would have chance to connect through audio and video. Through this, he believed that this would further help each school to create an efficient conversational atmosphere, and the exchanging or sharing of ideas, information, cultures, traditions or anything under the sun which could be beneficial to students across the globe. Since the AFFLIP schools network aims to assist students to experience global citizenship (http://www.afflip.com/#!schools-network/c1iy2).

     During their first day visit (July 6 at the Talomo District Office), Mr. Tiller presented some students’ school projects from the South Australian schools such as the book entitled “My Place.” This book was a compilation of the students’ school works which describes their place which is actually their school. Another students’ project was the video presentation of a boy telling what he does every day. With these materials, learning becomes meaningful in a way that these Australian students knew that they would have “audience” from the Philippines or vice versa. Schools Networks offers exciting relevant global experience for both Filipinos and Australian learners.

LAGES band performance during the welcome
entrance of AFFLIP coordinators.

     
      Mr. Tiller solicited possible ways in which the foundation could be of help to  LGES. Though there were lot to tell but Mr. Glen L. Pardillo, LGES principal expressed his deep appreciation for whatever help the AFFLIP could extend to the school.

Mr. Tiller discussed the need to set up a Skype account for
teleconferencing between LGES and the Wynn Vale Primary School.

Busy as a BEE. Mr. Saunders was busy taking videos
or pictures during the short welcome program

     The AFFLIP scholars were also present on that day. They were with their parents

who also said their big thanks to the foundation. The AFFLIP school scholar coordinator, Mrs. Jessica A. Laguitao prepared a welcome program wherein parents of scholars talked and thanked the  AFFLIP for granting them the scholarship. Scholars namely: Emjay Demeterio & Jonalyn Mellores (Grade VI), Samatha Nicole Teleron & Lyka Mae Sanchez (Grade V), and Dennis Batislaong Jr. & Kathleen Capol (Grade IV) showcased their talents through singing, reciting poem and dancing.

Kathleen Capol and Dennis Batislaong Jr showed their best dance moves. Mr. Trevor loved their dance number.

Emjay Demeterio and Jonalyn Mellores expressed their Thank You
through a song number.

Lyka Sanchez and Samantha Teleron promised their best at
school by reciting a poem entitled "I Promised!"

      Parents told the AFFLIP coordinators how their son/daughter have been benefitted and inspired by the foundation. And in return according to the parents, their siblings strived hard to perform well in class. As one of the grantee’s sisters had said that the AFFLIP have brought her sister closer to her sister’s dreams. Certificate of scholarship was given to them by Mr. Roger Saunders, AFFLIP Scholarship coordinator

Mr. Saunders handed the certificate of scholarship to Samantha Teleron,
One of the AFFLIP grantees.

     Earlier, the AFFLIP coordinators were serenaded by the LGES band, trained by Mrs. Elna C. Puerto. Mr. Tiller and Mr. Saunders were impressed with the band performance and the warm welcome given to them.

Students of LGES gave their best welcome to AFFLIP. MABUHAY!

        The LGES teachers, staff and staff felt blessed to be one of the recipients of AFFLIP under the different flagships. They hoped that the AFFLIP would continue to give help especially in the development of the LGES students.

LEON A. GARCIA SR. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WELCOMES SCHOOL YEAR 2015-2016

           June 1, 2015, first day of school. Our school got a new sign board. Thanked to the Brigada Eskwela 2015 which had made our school ready for everyone.

School's new sign board.

School ground

Our working principal, Mr. Glen L. Pardillo.

Kindergarteen class at the stage with Teacher Karen Encabo.

Busy as a bee Grade One class of Mrs. Elmira Salazar.

Always start with a prayer. Grade One class of Miss Levy Sol Reyes.

Joyful Grade two class of Mrs. Femia A. Cainila.

Grade Two class of Mrs. Evelyn Sullano.

Grade Three Class of Mrs. Jean M. Taguiang.

Most colorful classroom. Grade III class of Mrs. Jessica A. Laguitao.

Grade Five class of Mrs. Liza Dumanglas.

Grade Five Class of Mrs. Jovelyn Montilla.

Grade Five class of Mrs. Elna Puerto.

Reading Time of Grade Six Class with Teacher Marisa Caturza.

Attentive grade six pupils of Miss Ginaliza Nomio.

Grade six pupils during their Quipper Time.

Grade Two Kite Flying Activity

Art Time!

AFFLIP School Visitation 2015: 

Awesome Experience!

Clever Class! Ms. Lyn Wilkinson with Teacher Djoanna Marie P. Bachinicha and the Grade II pupils.

     February 20, 2015 @ 2:00 PM, Friday. Our school welcomed once again the AFFLIP Board Members, Ms. Lyn Wilkinson, Mr. Pat and Mr John during their visit here at Leon A. Garcia Sr. Elementary School. They were accompanied by Ma'am Marilou A. Mendoza and Mr. Felix Suico. Mr. Glen L. Pardillo showed his best accommodation to the AFFLIP visitors. He, Sir Glen was thankful for the assistance extended to the school, the garden implements, the learning resources and the financial assistance extended to the four scholars; Emjay Demeterio, Jonalyn Mellores, Laika Sanchez and Teleron (whom they also had met).

     Mr. Pat, Mr. John and Ms. Lyn  visited the school gardens which were located at the back of the classrooms. They found some native vegetables growing healthy and productive. They also visited the on going expansion of the Feeding Center. Sir Glen was also eager to introduce Mrs. Fe Omega and Mrs. Michelle Masion to AFFLIP visitors since these teachers were exerting dedication to their profession and highly spirited inspite of their health condition. Ms. Lyn had a chance to observe Mrs. Djoanna Bachinicha class. Mrs. Bachinicha was having her Filipino Story Telling when Ms. Lyn sat on her class. Mrs. Bachinicha's class was commended to be clever because according to Ms. Lyn learning 3 languages on one setting was quite exemplary. Ms. Lyn also visited Mrs. Jessica's class and were awed when the pupils told her about the snakes they have read on the big books which were given by the AFFLIP Foundation. Ms. Lyn also relate her story about how her husband found two black and red snakes at the back of their house door.

     Their stay at Leon A. Garcia Sr. Elementary School lasted for few hours but the exchanging of ideas, experiences and learnings were remarkably enriching.

"BILLABONG?!": Learned this Aussie Word From This Literacy Training

REFRESHED! Participants of Literacy Training (from left to right: Mrs. Jessica A. Laguitao,  Mrs. Miira S. Ellevera and Mrs. Rowena Candog) have this once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the literacy expert Dr.Jenny Bennet.

OCTOBER 8, 2013, Dr. Jenny Bennet and Ms. Lyn Wilkinson of the AFFLIP met the Talomo Schools' English and Reading  Coordinators at the Davao City Special School for a Literacy Training. And according to them, the main purpose of their visit was to assess the learning process of the Talomo District, so that they would know what kind of help they could extend to the Filipinos. Since the AFFLIP wanted to implement a long term literacy program with the schools of  Talomo District.

Mrs. Miira Ellevera explains that the word "Billabong" in the Philippines is considered a clothing brand.

The training started with a WORD CLINE, wherein participants were grouped according to how the words they were holding related to other words in the group. It was fun, and the participants learned new words such as the "BILLABONG' which is an Australian word that means a dry channel.Challenges escalated as the activity continued. One good point about this activity was that Dr. Bennet pointed out that there was no such thing as wrong answers as to how the children would group themselves. But the important thing is children could develop their communication  and cognitive skills.

"Kraki, fefal, prudo?"

Then, the participants were given text which they could hardly understand. They were asked to answer some exercises.And Ms. Wilkinson told them that they chose this text so that they would feel the same way their students could feel everytime given with difficult exercises. And indeed, it worked but quite rewarded when some of the participants were able to give meanings or synonyms to hard words using contextual clues.

Pose-pose din pag may time. . . jejeje!

Next part, Ms. Wilkinson shared a good expository text which was the Shearing Process. This strategy could be used for teaching MTLBE or mother-tongue literacy since it was recommended to use text which children could relate. Between passages, pictures were displayed to develop the vocabulary skills of the learners. Ms. Wilkinson also emphasized the contextual clues as a helpful tool in understanding new words.

Before lunch break, participant were instructed to make a story board. On this strategy, participants were trained to make a story which they could utilize to teach several competencies. The artistic skills of the participants were show cased and were commended as "fantastic."

The training summed up with an EXIT CARD which participants were asked to jot down what they have learned or by writing what idea they have gained  or what suggestions they could give. Later part was the certificate distribution.

It was a very enriching training seminar, although some of the strategies were already employed by the teachers in their teaching-learning process, but there were modification in description. And the participants were thankful for how Dr. Bennet and Ms. Wilkinson expressed their  appreciation to the unsung heroes of the classrooms. They were awed with the versatility of Filipino teachers who hold the capacity to teach 3 to 4 languages. It was amazing according to them.

It's Nutrition Month here at LAGES!