Casans listen to Mr. Ramon Belizario for his assessment after the earthquake drill last Tuesday, 9 June 2015 at the quadrangle of the CDN Pacita 2 Campus.

On Tuesday, 9 June 2015, Casans were trained on how to react during an earthquake via a drill that was led by Mr. Ramon C. Belizario at the CDNSHS Pacita 2 Campus, San Pedro, Laguna.  Students and teachers alike were instructed in their respective classrooms before the alarm was sounded to signal the beginning of the drill.

As expected, the first try was haphazard as the students did not take the practice seriously.  The second one was much more organized and done in just under three minutes from the moment they left their respective rooms until they were all formed in the quadrangle which is the designated area for the Casans to gather.

Mr. Belizario announced that this year, the evacuation drill will be done quarterly.  “The next exercises will be unannounced to practice their preparedness for impending disasters,” he stressed.

The drill is one of the ways in which CDN trains the students to be Scientific-Minded and to face whatever comes in the future.

From May 27 to 30, 2015, teachers from the Pacita 2, Phase 6 and Calamba branches together with some staff members went through a team building process which included the dreaded rappelling supervised by Branch Administrative Officer Mr. Ramon Belizario.

More than 10 activities were prepared for the CDN employees who were fielded into 5 teams of 12 members each.  The innovative games and exercises were exciting and effective as the members had to find strategies that would make them successful at planning and execution.  However, most, if not all of the participants, had second thoughts on whether to go through the courage-testing Rappel exercise where one had to dangle from a rope while navigating the wall by walking backwards from the 4^th floor to the ground.  Watching the teachers go through this station was thrilling and proved to be one of the most memorable highlights of the summer.

CDNSSI CEO Ms. Farah Acierto Cabanban spearheaded the activities together with VP Dr. Mark G. Acierto who both encouraged the employees to participate as the event was designed to make them more effective, enthusiastic and innovative.

On the third day, the teams went all the way to an island in Nasugbu, Batangas for the final stage of the event and to beat the heat of summer before classes start.  In the end, Team Violet na Malupet emerged as the champion after tallying scores garnered in the different contests.  It is worth noting that said team was the most diverse in terms of campuses as they were the only group that was composed of employees from the three different branches.  Ms. Farah said that “Despite the perceived weakness of the group, they overcame the obstacles because of strategic planning, focus and doing their best at everything.”

The group had one last exciting experience as they boarded the boats back to the main island.  Everybody had to wade in waist-deep water to get to the boats because the vessels could not get any nearer.  Judging from the faces of the teachers when they got to the Pacita 2 campus to get their salaries Saturday evening, the team building exercise was a successful though a very tiring event.

Last Saturday, the 6^th of June 2015, a record number of attendees came for the Parents’ Orientation of the different levels at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the CDN Pacita 2 Campus.  The CEO, Ms. Farah Acierto-Cabanban was on hand to welcome the parents as were EVP Dr. Mark G. Acierto and VP for Finance Ms. Milagros G. Asiddao.

Mr. Richard Pustasa, Principal of the Science High School, introduced several guidelines in connection with the new grading system as recommended by DepEd.  Although Mr. Herbert San Pedro explained the new concepts to the parents in detail, those who had questions were encouraged to approach concerned parties for further clarification after the session.

As the first session was intended for parents of Grade 7 and other transferees, the Prefect of Discipline, Mr. Ramon Belizario then presided with a discussion of the rules and regulations of the school including sanctions for offenses.  This was followed by a session for parents of students in the Grades 8, 9 & 10 levels where new concepts were introduced and old rules were reiterated.

Dr. Mark G. Acierto and Ms. Farah Acierto-Cabanban listen intently with parents during the High School Department’s Parents’ Orientation.

After the Secondary Level assemblies, the Elementary Principal, Ms. Shirley Bermido took charge of the meetings for parents of Pre-School pupils and other transferees.  She welcomed the attendees and promised them a fruitful year ahead with the help of the faculty members who were presented to them.

The last session in the afternoon was dedicated to parents of pupils who were already enrolled in CDN in the previous school year.

Over-all, the orientations went well and the fact that a great number of parents came for the meetings augurs well for a productive and successful year ahead for Casa del Niño Montessori and Science High School.