“It feels good to learn more about mental health because I get more educated and you can consult your feelings better.” – Mikhaila Mikhaila V. Soliba, 5-Chrysolite
The plane of sleepless nights and early mornings has just finally taken off through a celebration of diverse talents and wit in the recently concluded 1st Semester Culmination of the Elementary Department, November 22-24. No words can express the pride the teachers hold upon seeing the exhibit of the elementary’s grand performance tasks — a display of honor and excellence.
Indeed, it is no doubt that Elementary Sagradans live up to its vision to be the learning hub for creativity and innovation. After two quarters or 16 weeks of rigorous preparations, countless virtual practices, and discussions, the time has finally come. Sagradans from Grades 1-6 faced their teachers, and proved their ownership and mastery for all the days spent in the virtual classroom.
In pursuit of exploring each grade level’s main focus, what really caught my attention was the performance task of Grade 5 students, the Mental Health Awareness Campaign. A sensational topic that has been stressed and magnified during the pandemic where life just turns like a water that goes by so fast. Grade 5 students conducted an awareness campaign that elevates the importance of mental health. How about you? How have you been in these trying times? Where do you get the strength to move forward?
Everyone has their fair share of daily struggles, and not all of us are as strong as the others. Upon interviewing some grade 5 students, their common denominator is the beauty that the campaign holds. They emphasized the importance of awareness to the community, in which norms are defined by the majority, and how one can prevent mental health issues if only they opened up without apprehensions.
Meanwhile, nature may have been healed through the lack of mobility, still, it takes time and conscious human efforts to recover. This is what the Grade 2 pupils emphasized dwelling on the major consequences of water pollution, while the Grade 4 level focused on the repercussions of pollution in general. After all, without nature, we may cease to exist. On the other hand, the Grade 6 pupils presented a comprehensive research on Covid19 such as the available vaccines, the healthcare facilities, and its economic impact to the country through a webinar. Lastly, the Grade 3 students provided a home prevention program in combating Covid19, and the most important one, the family’s state and relationships during these virtual times tackled by the lovely Grade 1 pupils.
In light of this, teachers conducted a series of probing and questioning aligned with the performance standards set by the education sector. The elementary Sagradans showcased once more how powerful their spirits are despite the challenging times brought about by the pandemic. Some grade levels finished the culmination for two (2) days, while some took (3) days, nonetheless, the time spent both by the teachers and the students are all contributory to the so-called “shared success”.
Finally, this culmination does not only measure the students’ academic skills, but more so the significance of mutual understanding regardless of individualities whether in idea generation or in decision-making. After this celebration, expectations and competence are about to be elevated in the quarters to come. Brace yourselves and witness another milestone that transcends from one screen to another.
Written by: Sir Robert A. Aquino
