Bayanihan 2020: Brigada Eskwela Virtual Kick-Off

June 1 to June 3, 2020, with the theme “Pagpapanatili ng Bayanihan Tungo sa Mataas na
Edukasyon Para sa Kabataan”, Saysain High School teachers and staffs, volunteer parents, and
GPTA Officers work hand-in-hand for the Department of Education (DepEd) Brigada Eskwela
2020 at Saysain High School.

It is considered that Brigada Eskwela is one of the most important programs of the Department
of Education (DepEd). This program brings out the spirit of bayanihan within the government
agencies, local government unit, private individuals or institutions, and other organizations.

However, with strict guidance and rules to follow because of the COVID-19 situation in the
country, this year’s “Brigada Eskwela” has been reconstructed to deviate from the traditional
concept of physical cleaning in school.

That being said, DepEd Regional Office conducted a virtual Brigada Eskwela Kick-Off Program
which includes orientation in the COVID-19 situation and scenerios; conduct of different
webinars (e.g. Psychological First Aid Webinar); discussion on the basic roles and
responsibilities of the principal, teachers, and parents; and debriefing of students.

SHS Enrollment 2020

Amid the public health emergency due to COVID-19 virus, Saysain High School’s teachers push
through and remain committed to provide learning opportunities to students in Saysain and other
remote areas.

With the help of Messenger application and phone call, teachers contacted parents and asked
questions from the Learner Enrollment and Survey Form (LESF). Through this practice, teachers
as well as parents are safe from physical interaction. According to Ma’am Ainelle Jordan,
teacher of SHS, “Malaking tulong po ang Messenger Application at phone call upang
matawagan ang mga magulang at maipa-enroll and kanilang mga anak. Sa panahon po ngayon,
napakahirap lumabas at ilagay sa alanganin ang ating kalusugan.” In addition, Ma’am Lorie
Ann Umali, said that “Mas magaan po sa teacher at magulang ang stratehiyang ito ng
enrollment sapagkat mas nakakasigurado po ang bawat isa na walang physical contact.’

As of September, based on data provided on Learner Information System (LIS) there is

approximately ____ enrollees (Female and Male) in Saysain High School for this school year
and the school is expecting more enrollees as the days grow short before the opening of classes
in October 5.

Brigada Eskwela Virtual Kick-off-School Level

In preparation for the opening of School Year this coming October 5, Saysain High School
created a video which was posted at Ma’am KrisGerald San Jose facebook presenting all the
activities of the school in this year’s Brigada Eskwela and encouraging all to participate and
donate for the betterment of the school.

Furthermore, an informative video was uploaded titled, “Kaalaman sa Darating na Pasukan”

which was posted at Saysain High School official facebook page. In this video, information
about Distance Learning and pointers in dissemination and resubmission of modules was
discussed. For students who do not have access on online platforms, the school disseminated
brochures containing all the information needed for the opening of classes such as schedule per
grade level and guidelines in dissemination and submission of modules.

“Yung mga video na posted sa FB at brochure ay malaking tulong para sa aming mga
magulang… kasi nung una di naman namin alam ang gagawin naming pag nagsimula na ang
klase. At least ngayon alam na namin. Hindi na kami malilito kung anong araw ba kami kukuha
ng modyul.” according to a concerned parent.
 Gulayan sa Paaralan 20’

The trend of #Plantitos and #Plantitas boost during Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).
People tend to use their leisure times in planting and taking care of their green gardens to avoid
stress and anxiety brought by the current situation in the country.

But it is different from Saysain High School (SHS)’s teachers, staffs, GPTA members and
parents. They used this trend to help on participating in the “Gulayan sa Paaralan at sa Tahanan”.
The said activity aims to help families of students whos’s source of food and income were
affected of this pandemic.

According to Ma’am Joanna De Leon, Gulayan sa Paaralan Coordinator, “Ang gulayan sa

paaralan ay matagal at subok nang activity sa paaralan na talaga namang kinaaliwan at
pinagaaralan ng mga studyante. Ngayon na may pandemya, ang mga natutunan nila sa
paaralan tungkol sa pagtatanim ay magagamit nila sa pag aayos ng sarili nilang bakuran.”

The said vegetable garden may be a small project but still be considered a blessing especially in
this time of crisis. Students must learn and understand the concept of harvesting the fruits of
what you work hard for. As to what the famous TV commercial always say, “Good things starts
from small beginning”.

School Opening: Orientation of Parents

The orientation of parents plays an important role for the opening of classes in these times of
change. Moreover, the school cannot stand alone without the support of parents for they will play
a vital part in guiding students grasp lesson on the brink of pandemic.

But before the orientation, the faculty of Saysain High School had a meeting for the preparation
of the opening of classes via ZOOM application. The purpose of this meeting is to ensure that all
faculty members are well-aware of the changes for the opening of classes.
In an effort to guarantee that parents will have a better understanding of how education will be
delivered to their children this School Year 2020-2021, Saysain High School’s teachers and
staffs, headed by our chairman for Task Force Orientation Mrs. Mercidita Balgos, officers of the
Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), and the Barangay Saysain Council headed by Kagawad
Gilbert Villanueva had an Orientation for the School Opening this coming school year last
August 6, 2020, 8:00 am at Barangay Saysain Covered Court. At the same time, parents and
teachers who were unable to be at the location of the meeting had an Online Orientation via
ZOOM application.

For parents who are far from the location, the school disseminated brochures containing all the
information needed for the opening of classes such as schedule per grade level and guidelines in
dissemination and submission of modules.

Pandemyanihan at Saysain High School

Although there is a limitation in physical involvement at school, no virus could stop the teachers,
parents, community stakeholders and the local barangay official of Saysain who were all set to
donate whatever they can for the betterment and safety of the school.

Based on the partial report from June to September, there is approximately P35,050.00 worth of
materials and equipment received. The donated materials include cleaning tools, disinfectants,
face mask (surgical or disposable), sanitizing materials (e.g. rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizers, and
soap), and printing materials (e.g. bond paper).

According to Mr. Joselito Alipio, the principal of Saysain High School, “Ang mga donasyon na
ating natanggap ay gagamitin sa paglilinis ng eskwelahan at paghahanda ng mga modyul na
gagamitin sa darating na pasukan. Lubos po kaming nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng nag donate.”
expressing his genuine appreciation.

Moreover, volunteers initiate the mowing and fogging of the entire school. Even though physical
reporting in school is not mandatory, every room and hallway were misted with disinfectant to
ensure the safety of staffs. Furthermore, teachers started preparing and adjusting on the New
Normal and the implemented Blended Learning for this School Year.

In addition, the teachers help in creating face mask for students. Aside from the donated
disposable face mask, teachers made sure that the school will provide washable face mask for
every students and parents.

All in all, the aim of the Brigada Eskwela which is to bring together all education stakeholders to
participate and contribute their time, effort, and resources to prepare public school facilities is
still achieved despite the pandemic.

Saysain High School Appreciates All Donations

COVID-19 pandemic may bring extreme changes to the lives of most Filipinos from different
parts of the country and around the world. But for some residents of Brgy. Saysain, Bagac,
Bataan it never served as a hindrance to extend help especially when it comes to the needs of our
future generation.

In connection with this, alumni, parents, GPTA members and teachers of Saysain High School
(SHS) gathered together with one cause: The Brigada Eskwela Donations. The said donations
were gathered from the month of June to September. Proceeds aim to enhance and improve the
school facilities and to aid the needs of school materials such as bond papers, printers, etc.

According to, Sir Joselito Alipio, school principal of SHS, “Kahit na may pandemya makikita
natin na talagang handing tumulong ang ating mga stakeholders upang sa ikagaganda at
ikaayos pa ng ating paaralan. Maraming Salamat po sa lahat ng nagtulong-tulong at sumama
sa paghahanda ng paaralan sa darating na pasukan.”

The said school materials will be used for the learning modules that will be distributed to our
students in accordance to the Department of Education (DepEd) protocols.

This is just a proof that no matter how huge this pandemic has caused us; it will never change
that fact that we Filipinos heal and move as one.
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