STUDENT EDITION: December 16, 2008*Volume 28, Number 12

LPS CHRISTMAS PROGRAM AND PARTY ON DECEMBER 19

LPS Christmas Program 2008, to be held on December 19, from 7:30 to 10:00 A.M., has as highlight a short dramatic play about the Nativity by the High School students. This year, Ma Inah Concepcion Rarugal serves as narrator, with Rizchelle Ann Brena acting as Virgin Mary and Rosmund Tolentino as Saint Joseph. The play is written and directed by Miss Rosa A. Aguirre. Lady Dianne de Mesa and the Paruan brothers- Philip Thomas, Tim Patrick, and Paul Thaddeus provide Songs throughout the play. Every grade and year level presents each own part, either in songs, dances, or dramatic skit. The program is divided into three parts with different sets of emcees: 1) Preschool level – Mark Ebron and Angela Reyes, 2) Elementary – Chelsea Claire Gonzales and Matt Jaypril Tolentino, and 3) High School – Dean Carlson Alejandrino and Richelle Alejandre. All parents, relatives and friends are invited to attend our Christmas Program 2008 and give encouragement to their children. The Christmas party by grade or year level follows just after the program.


FIFTY EIGHT LPS STUDENTS TAKE FIRST COMMUNION

A total of 58 students from Grade 4 to First Year High School took their first communion at the Saint Augustine Parish Church last December 7, from 4:30 to 6:00 P.M. with Reverend Father Jessie Somosierra officiating. The boys wore white long sleeve shirts, black pants, black necktie, and black shoes, while the girls were in white gown with white veil. The kind father in his homily stressed the role of a good Catholic child, his or her obligations based from the Ten Commandments of God that were handed down to us through generations from the time of Moses. The touching part was the taking of communion at the same time by child and parent, child by Reverend Father Jessie and parent by a lay minister. There was a perfect attendance of parents in this important Catholic activity. A day before the first communion, the children individually had their confession after the First Friday Mass in school with Father Jessie officiating. All 58 children had undergone Catechism classes under the catechists from Saint Augustine Church every Thursday from October 2 to November 27. Now, these children know how to pray, know about God, and know how to be good Catholic boys and girls.


Important Notes from the Teachers

1. Administrator’s Tests. Administrator’s Tests on January 16, 19, and 20 to be administered by the Administrator and Principal with the help of selected teachers. These set of tests measure the Process Skills of children, mostly in the form of Standardized Tests that measure grade or year equivalent. There is nothing to prepare since these test pertain accumulated knowledge, mostly application of what have been learned already. Standardized tests are given once a year; there will be no special tests of any kind later on.
   
2. Simbang Gabi. We are going to have the LPS “Simbang Gabi” at the San Isidro Chapel on December 17 (Wednesday), starting at 7:00 P.M. We request for the attendance of all LPS parents and children, especially those residing in San Isidro.
   
3. Experimental Research. Since the experiments of most of the fourth year students are still in progress, they should come to school during Christmas vacation for watering the plants, applying needed chemicals, weeding, controlling of pests, doing needed observations and gathering of data. They should prepare a Christmas vacation schedule and submit to Dr. Ventura on or before December 18. The school will be open when needed as per schedule (Date, Time of Arrival and Estimated Completion of Work).
   

What I can give my parents this Christmas?

This Christmas I plan to give my parents rosary for them to continue being faithful to each other. I will give them my love, I will not give them problem, and wish them the best of health and long life.

By Ma. Swetenia Sabarias, Grade 5

I will give my parents a letter, and I would say in that letter all the things, the love, that they gave me. I will make that letter very nice, something that it will be treasured throughout life. I will mention how grateful I am in their love and care, for bringing me to a beautiful school, and in that letter I would say

“ Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”

By Laisa Mae B. Espenilla, Grade 5

Christmas is coming and I got to think what I would give to my parents. I can give them bracelets because they are simple but very nice. For my mother, the bracelet should be nice but affordable, which I can either buy or make it myself. It should be colorful so that it is easy to notice, but wait, that is for my mother! Boys usually don’t wear bracelets, so I will give my father instead a watch, because boys are busy and with the help of a watch, they can see the time. They can wear it anywhere too like bracelets.

By Ma.Hannah C. Maghuyop, Grade 5

This Christmas, I can give my parents something different. I can give something that doesn’t need money. I can give them good grades so that they would be happy. I can be obedient, diligent, and thoughtful.

By Joseph Gabriel A. Anit, Grade 6

What I can give my parents this Christmas? I will give my mother and father chocolate because they like to eat chocolate. They buy chocolate from Robinson that is sweet.

By Shaira Claire D. Velasco, Grade 6

I may give electronic gadgets to mommy and daddy. But to mommy, I’ll give her something nice to wear and to daddy, I’ll give him a DVD of his old favorite show. I’ll give mommy a red cellphone and a nice pink watch. I’ll give her a red cellphone so I can have her black MP3 cellphone that I like very much.

By Vernon V. Ventura, Grade 6

Giving gifts to my parents is one of plans this Christmas. I don’t want to give them material things but I will tell to them that I will study hard so that I’ll be an honor student again and this manner they will be proud of me.

By Ma. Reyina Anne Turtur, Third Year

My parents are my inspiration in life. They give me support whenever I need them. And this Christmas I want to give them higher grades as gift. I will be patient in studying and focus in the lessons that are difficult for me.

By Nikkie Nathalie D. Velasco, Third Year

I will give my parents this Christmas higher grades because they are very happy for me. And I will give my parents this Christmas tender loving care and a great hug and many kisses. I will give my sister a cute stuff Teddy Bear.

By Jhalyl V. Casan, Third Year

My Most Unforgettable Christmas

Last December 25, 2007 was my most unforgettable Christmas. My family prepared special gifts, delicious foods, and decorative stuffs at home to celebrate and to give thanks for the entire year that would pass by. I bought some special gifts for my little cousins and for my only “inaanak.” My mom told me that I should be thankful to every blessing that God gave to us, and she told me further that I should pray and give thanks to the Lord because Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ. So we went first to Church to pray and after that we returned home and prepared foods for our “Noche Buena.” In our “Noche Buena” everybody was happy and excited, our eyes seemed to be like Christmas lights that glow so bright. We sang “Christmas In Our Heart.” After that my Mom led the prayer for giving thanks for the food and for the celebration that we had. We ate our food then had our exchange gift activity. My Auntie was the one who gave me a music book. It was the most unforgettable and special gift that I received in Christmas because I really prayed hard that someone would give me a music book.

Christmas will always be in my heart, as time passes by it will never change up to the very end.

By Lady Dianne A. de Mesa, Second Year

Two years ago my family in my father’s side organized a reunion for Christmas. That time, I didn’t know what to do or what to prepare because I was not attached to them. Exactly Christmas evening, December 24, we went to my grandparents’ house. There, I was surprised because there were many people. Children and teenagers like me also. Most of them are older than me. It was awkward to talk with them because they knew each other and I could see that they were close with each other. Yes, they do recognize me, but I didn’t recognize them because I was only seven years old the last time I went there. One of my cousins, Ate Czarelle, approached me because she noticed I was alone. She told me, “Shaira, you are a teenager now, time is so fast because last time I saw you, you were only a small child.” Then, she brought me to her group and everybody talked to me. I was surprised because some of them were already working, others were College students, and some even had their families of their own already. Slowly, I mingled with them, learned a lot from them who were already successful in life. They gave me some words of wisdom, that with those inspirational words, I began to be close to them. I received lots of gifts in this family reunion, mostly books. At that time I was not fond of reading books but after this reunion, I learned to like reading already.

That Christmas was the most unforgettable for me because I learned so much. I learned many things that make me a much better person now.

By Shaira Janina E. Manalo, Fourth Year

EDITORIAL: Christmas, Philippine Style

Christmas is the time to celebrate the birth of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. It is on December 25, but in the Philippines, Christmas songs are aired in the radio and television as early as September. We are all supposed to be happy during Christmas. How do we celebrate Christmas in the Philippines?

Traditionally, the essence of Christmas is well expressed in attending and completing the “Simbang Gabi” which starts on December 16 and ends on Christmas day of December 25. In our community, the “Simbang Gabi” is from 2:00 A.M. and we have to wake up early to go to church. After the mass, people would buy Christmas goodies lined up outside the Church like the “puto bumbong” and hot “bibingka.” Upon reaching home, we children should not forget the “mano po, itay, mano po inay.”
Christmas, Philippine style, is not complete without the carolers who come now and then during this season, singing their best Christmas songs, and we in the house are obliged to give something in cash or in kind in return, in the spirit of Christmas. It is also the period when our houses, and even our yards, are colorfully decorated with lanterns and lights that makes this season “Merry and Bright.”

It is a Filipino custom to celebrate Christmas with family and relatives, usually held in the ancestral house of our grandparents. After the mass in Christmas, we have the “Noche Buena” of sumptuous foods (most delicious throughout the year with imported fruits even) and gifts for everybody. Some clans hold this very special day exactly on the eve of Christmas, but due to many constraints, holding a Christmas luncheon in the ancestral house would already suffice. Usually lola, with help from her daughters and daughters-in-law, prepares the food, to be shared to everybody in the clan. This party is a sort of reunion for the sons and daughters have already families of their own, but as a tradition, would come home for the Christmas party with the olds. Of course, the party is preceded with a prayer, thanking the Lord for all the good things for the entire clan. As expected everybody is happy with interesting stories of every child, of every “apo” who makes good in school or in work. There are some touching stories that would make everybody cry. Games and singing of Christmas songs like “Ang Pasko ay Sumapit,” and “Feliz Navidad” follow. The party usually ends with our exchange gifts. Since it is a common practice to have the “Tito” and “Tita” as the “ninong” and “ninang, ” Christmas gifts for the inaanak are given to the children with the “mano po ninong, mano po ninang.” In case the “ninong” or “ninang” did not attend the party, the “inaanak” would visit him or her in the house after the party.

Christmas in the Philippines is a thanksgiving for all the good things that we had for the whole year, lots of prayers, and family reunion to be one good God-fearing family, with the values of gift giving and gift receiving. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU!

By MICAH MARIE GALAPON and ROBERT DHEM MONES

MESSAGE FROM MRS. EMMA C. VENTURA, PRINCIPAL

We have Christmas Program 2008 to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! It is the time of sharing what we have through gift giving and gift receiving. An important aspect of the program is the discovery of talents and giving of provisions for the expression of these talents. It is like in the VISION Newsletter where we ask everybody to write for a certain topic then select one or two for publication. It is noteworthy that we have many good writers, so that now and then unfamiliar names appear as authors of articles. In every program, we showcase also discovered talents in singing, dancing, and acting. Also, our programs are quite long because we include everybody, to give chance to everyone a chance to show his or her talents.
During Christmas season, we oftentimes see small children with their tantrums in front of their favorite toys in department stores, with parents quite confused on what to do to pacify their child. Perhaps we can avoid this unwanted scene by preparing our child for the inevitable. First thing to do may be is to teach our children how to budget their own money and later on let them buy what they like with their own. We parents can help by training them how to save from their own allowances and what their godparents or grandparents give. Then, the child would enjoy buying on his or her own. Then, the second thing is for us parents to learn how to say “NO” for very expensive or worthless items. Maybe it is not easy but we parents must discipline ourselves by restricting ourselves in giving in because one mistake would destroy the whole system already. HAPPY PARENTING!

Please do not forget our ADMINISTRATOR’S TESTS on January 16 (Friday), January 19 (Monday) and January 20 (Tuesday) to confirm children who will be promoted to the next level next year, and of course, for the honor roll. The Administrator’s tests are mostly for process skills, thus questions are mostly on the application of what they have already learned, skills in manipulating simple scientific instruments, writing composition, reading comprehension, solving problems in Math, and similar items.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!


School Calendar

December 16 to 18 (Tuesday to Thursday) – Third Quarter Tests
December 17, 7:00 P.M., Wed, San Isidro Chapel – SIMBANG GABI for LPS (please bring your mass offerings)
December 19, Friday – 7:30 to 10:00 A.M. – Christmas Program (all levels)
10:00 to 12:00 A.M. – Christmas Party (by grade or year level)
December 20 to January 4 – Christmas Vacation (Fourth Year students should prepare their schedule to maintain their experimental set-ups)
January 5 (Monday) – Resumption of classes
January 7 (Wednesday) – LPS 32nd Founding Anniversary (regular classes)
January 16 (Fri.), 19 (Mon.) and 20 (Tues.) – ADMINISTRATOR’S TESTS


VISION (STUDENT EDITION) EDITORIAL STAFF

Richelle Andrea Alejandre, Editor-in-Chief
Chrystelle Jaraplasan, Associate Editor
Jelriz Joi Lanip
Claire Alyssa Tanghal
Maria Victoria Veterana
Micah Marie Galapon
Noah Batacan
Sheena de Jesus
John Morris Garcia, Managing Editor
Beatrice Anne De Guzman
Miss Rosa A. Aguirre, Adviser
Miss Marivil Francisco, Adviser

LEAD EDITION:November 21, 2008*Volume 28, Number 11

SIR ALBERT AND SIR CHRISTOPHER HURDLE LET

Mr. Albert Rivera, Mathematics teacher, and Mr. Christopher Escondo, TLE teacher, passed the Licensure Examinations for Teachers (LET) given last August. Mr. Rivera is a graduate of Bachelor in Secondary Education, major in Mathematics from the Dalubhasaan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo (DLSP), while Mr. Escondo is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education, major in Electricity and Electronics, from the Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU), San Pablo City Campus, and seven years ago. They joined Mrs. Guillerma Ventura, Principal, Mrs. Zenaida Quintos, Guidance Counselor, Miss Rosa Aguirre, English and Filipino teacher, Miss Janice Joy Paguio, Science teacher and Mr. Rhandy Punzalan, History and Sibika teacher, in the list of LPS professional teachers. Congratulations!


AND NOW THERE ARE FOUR

If the sweet melodies become louder and longer, it is because we have added another pair of love-birds in the cage. It is indeed a joy and sort of inspiration to watch those four colorful love-birds do their singing and acrobatics.


CSO PRESIDENT DONATED TWO CEILING FANS

Shaira Janina Manalo, President of High School Central Student Organization donated two electric ceiling fans that are now installed in the Prayer Room and Library Reading Room. Thank you very much!


SUMMARY: PARENTS-TEACHERS MEETING, NOV. 15

The parents and teachers meeting last November 15, Saturday, were held by classroom to give parents and class adviser sufficient time to discuss children's performance and other pertinent matters. Parents were also given a chance to see the other teachers of their children. Here is the summary of the meetings:

1. There will be Christmas Program and Party starting at 8:00 A.M. of December 19 (Friday). The contributions and costume were discussed. Everybody agreed.
   
2. The Administrator's Test will be in January to be given and administered by the School Administrator and Principal by themselves. This series of tests will confirm the honor students, those who will be promoted to the next level in June, and those who will be retained in the same level next school year. Those who were missed by the teachers, but are really good and able to meet minimum standards in the honor roll, as per LPS quality of education, will be included. Inclusion of exceptionally bright students to the Honor Roll in final grading period is common.
   
3. Main problems in High School and Intermediate Grades are absences, cutting of classes, and quarreling among themselves. Concerned parents went to the Guidance Office. Inability to correct these problems may lead to failed grade, if not outright dropping from the class. We should like to tell parents that petty quarrels among children are part of growing up that parents should not be involved in these quarrels. It is noticeable that after sometime, these children forget their problems and then would play together again. That parents should not try to scold or touch the other children, for definitely, the problem would no longer be among children, but would be elevated among parents already - things that nobody likes to happen.
   
4. Main concern of teachers in TLE or HELE and the Sciences is the inability of some children to bring needed materials. Advice to teachers is to assign those "Things to Bring" several days earlier. It is important to have those materials, or else the child will have nothing to do.
   
5. Honor Roll is the main concern of parents who diligently follow up their children. Some parents question why their children are not in the honor roll anymore, when last year, they were first, second, or third. Also in the ranking, which changes with the periods or with year levels. What happened? Teachers understand parents' concern, and if possible should like to have more honors, but then, we are limited to just 10 percent of the whole class, meaning, that those in the top 10 percent normally get the honors, except in cases where nobody is qualified, or where one or two additional children are exceptionally bright, as per LPS standards. Grades depend entirely on the present performance; there is no bearing anymore of the past year or past quarter. To solve this controversy, we have the Administrator's Tests in January to confirm honor students. But, in some cases during the quarter upon the advice of the class adviser, the Administrator may give evaluation or Standardized Tests to remove any doubts once and for all.
   
6. We should like to repeat here what we have written before in this Newsletter. Honor Roll is just to encourage children, and their parents as well, to study better. In some advanced countries like Japan, there is no honor roll, no cum laude, no Valedictorian, for these countries believe that once you graduate in their schools, you are that good, the best, already. We cannot do that here. We observed that those graduating as Cum laude, Magna Cum Laude, or Summa Cum Laude in College were mostly not in our honor roll before at LPS. What happened? Indeed, intellectual ability changes with time and environment. Thus, our purpose as a school is to prepare them for College, whatever course they may take and whatever College they may go later on, although we admit that U.P. is our basis. It is indeed very nice to hear from our graduates comments like this, "when I was at LPS, I was just an ordinary student, but now that I am in College, I usually top the tests, and my professors have nice things to say about our school."
   
7. We advise parents to keep the Academic Report Cards as clean and neat as possible because this is a permanent school record.
   

MESSAGE FROM MRS. EMMA C. VENTURA, PRINCIPAL

We do not have yet a new teacher to replace Mrs. Marynette Salabsabin in Grade Two. Instead we re-arranged our teachers' schedule, and those Grade Two subjects were easily accommodated. Of course, affected teachers get overtime pay. Not that we are very choosy in getting new teachers. It is just evaluating the compatibility - matching everything of the applicant with us, and it does not mean that the applicant is not good. In fact, some applicants have cum laude, or have already passed the LET, showing well preparedness for teaching. It seems that the Grade Two children are more responsive with many teachers, who teach based from their fields of specialization, thus we can easily identify and solve learning deficiencies. Perhaps, departmentalizing Grade Two is a blessing in disguise; we better shelve our plan to get new teacher for the meantime.

As requested by our Grade Two class adviser, we gave yesterday Standardized Tests in Reading Comprehension, Composition Writing, Spelling, and Mathematics. I agreed because we have just shifted to departmentalized system, thus Standardized Test results would be helpful in defining weakness and strength of every pupil. What we want is to solve academic problems.

I appreciate very much the concern of parents toward their children's studies, but may I remind you not to overdo it, for the sake of your own children. Let us guide them, but let them play and grow up as happy normal children. Let us not force the issue for a particular child has its own strength and limitations. We should already be happy when our children get good grades; indeed 85% is already very high. Let us guide them to develop good study habits that they may carry up to College and even after.


SCHOOL CALENDAR

November 24 and 25 (Monday & Tuesday, 8:30 to 10:30 A,M.) - First Research Evaluation (4th Year)
December 1 (Monday) - Holiday (Bonifacio Day), no classes
December 5 (Friday) - First Friday Holy Mass at LPS (First Confession right after the Holy Mass)
December 7 (Sun, 4:30 P.M.) - First Holy Communion, Saint Augustine Church
December 16, 17 and 18 (Tuesday to Thursday) - Third Quarter Examinations
December 19 (Friday) - Christmas Program and Party
January 5 (Monday) - Resumption of classes
January 16, 19 and 20 (Friday, Monday & Tuesday) - Administrator's Tests (all levels)


VISION (LEAD EDITION) EDITORS: Miss Rosa A. Aguirre and Miss Marivil Francisco

STUDENT EDITION: November 15, 2008 *Volume 28, Number 10

ISSUANCE OF 2ND Q REPORT CARDS ON NOVEMBER 15

Report cards for the second quarter are issued today, October 15, 2008, Saturday, 8:00 A.M. The class adviser explains the mechanics of grading, gives test papers to parents, and discusses things to improve class performance. Parents can ask any question, and be entertained by the teacher, regarding their children, individually or as group. If there is any question or thing to be explained further by the other teachers, the parents may go and see those teachers.

We follow the Averaging System of grading where second quarter grade is not affected by the first quarter; and the final grade will be the average of four quarters. With this system, students will have to work harder. In this quarter, 96% is the highest possible grade, with 94% as cut-off for the honor roll.

By John Morris Garcia

EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIP 2008

Last October 25, LPS, both elementary and high school, had an educational field trip in Rizal Shrine at Calamba City, Bioresearch at Sucat, Parañaque, and Enchanted Kingdom at Sta. Rosa City. We visited the birthplace of Dr. Jose P.Rizal, our national hero saw some of his things like clothes and household items, still there after more than a century. Bioresearch is like a mini zoo, full of animals, including honeybees, fishes of many varieties, butterflies, and many other things of educational value. Enchanted Kingdom is the last destination with many rides that can make you scream so loud. And the firework was the most awaited event that night. It was a jaw breaking event because of the formed shapes and colorful lights seen from up above.

By Anne Beatrice de Guzman

UNIT SPORTS MEET

The Unit Sports Meet is being held at the Sta. Cruz Sports Complex, Sta. Cruz, Laguna from November 13 to 15, 2008. Unit II is composed of Los Baños, Alaminos, Bay, Calauan, Pila, and Victoria municipalities. Little People’s School has Guian Crisostomo for volleyball and Nico Aldipollo for table tennis for Bay District. Both of them are fourth year students. The games are still going on.

By Sheena Jean de Jesus

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION ON DECEMBER 4, 2008

LPS children from Grade 3 to First Year will have their First Holy Communion on December 4, 2008, Thursday, 8:00 A.M. at St. Augustine Parish Church. In preparation for the First Communion, our students attended the weekly Catechism classes held every Thursday, from October 2 to November 27.

On December 3, Wednesday, at 3:00 P.M., Rev. Fr. Jessie Somosierra will come to LPS for the First Confession of our students. Parents and relatives, as well as their teachers, are requested to attend this Holy Mass on December 4 to witness this most important event for Catholic children.

By Claire Alyssandra F. Tanghal

MRS. MARYNETTE SALABSABIN RESIGNS; MRS. NELIA LANIP TAKES OVER AS GRADE-TWO ADVISER

Mrs. Marynette Salabsabin, resigned effective November 17. 2008 due to her only child’s lingering illness. As a loving mother, she chose to devote her time for her very sickly child for the remaining school year, a situation that all of us should understand. Thus, for the meantime that we do not have yet any replacement, we are distributing her teaching loads among our teachers, with Mrs. Nelia Lanip as the Grade 2 adviser. Grade 2, therefore, becomes departmentalized with different teachers: Mrs. Nelia Lanip takes Math, Arts and Music, Miss Marivil Francisco gets English (Language), and Miss Janice Joy Paguio has Science, among the other teachers.


PREPARATION FOR CHRISTMAS PARTY & PROGRAM

Christmas is the time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is on December 25, but we started to feel the Yuletide season as early as September. Here at LPS, we started it by having our Christmas program.

Traditionally, we, the high school students prepare skit presentations for the Christmas party to be held after the Third Quarter examination. Presently, we are busy practicing for our skits. Also, before our Christmas party we have to buy something for our “monitas” and “monitos.’ In addition to this, we have activities for our Values Education subject.

On December 18, LPS will be having its Christmas party, and also the Christmas program in which every level will present its special numbers. Pre-Elementary, Elementary, and High School will perform.

In Pre-Elementary, there will be many dance numbers; the Kindergarten will dance to the tune of Feliz Navidad. Preparatory has Jingle Bells. The Elementary pupils will all dance to the tunes of the following: for Grade One-Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Grade Two – Bump It… Christmas, Grade Three-Rudolf, the Red Nose Reindeer, Grade Four- Christmas Medley, Grade Five-Joy to the World and Santa Babe, and Grade Six-Winter Wonderland.

High School will prepare a skit, as part of Values and MAPEH subjects. The themes for the following year levels are: First Year- Early Relationship; Second Year- Fraternity and Sorority; Third Year- Vices; and Fourth Year- Early Marriage.

By: Christelle T. Jaraplasan, Jelriz Joi Lanip, Anne Beatrice de Guzman and Micah Marie F. Galapon

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTS

We the High School students keep on planting carabao grasses in our grounds; those already planted started to grow. Schoolmates, we must keep up the good work.

We hear joyful music everyday, thanks to the songs of the lovebirds, courtesy of Mr. Baby Fuentes, who died recently. Having nobody to take care of them anymore, his wife Mrs. Aeolie Fuentes of Pila, Laguna decided to give them as a gift of memory. Thank you Councilor Fuentes, don’t worry, we shall continue taking care of them.

The Science Laboratory is under renovation. More cabinets are added, some of them with glass doors to serve as display of our equipment and tools, and some to keep our collected samples of vegetation, animals, rocks, soils, and so on. Even the tables are renovated using Formica sheet to make it a real laboratory. The Science teachers are preparing the Rules and Regulations of Using the Science Laboratory to keep it in good shape all the time, including the borrowing of needed materials for experiments. Ultimately, the floor will be tiled using the items we collected from our caroling last year. Unfortunately, they are not yet enough to cover the whole laboratory room.

Lastly, but not the least, the one-fourth hectare school farm beside the Guidance Room and TLE is now being cleared, to be planted with different kinds of vegetables and medicinal plants. At present, we have some chicken of Mrs. Ventura, with the very handsome rooster crowing now and then giving our school the healthy farm atmosphere.

By Christelle T. Jaraplasan, Richelle Andrea M. Alejandre, Claire Alyssandra F. Tanghal, and Ma. Victoria D. Veterana

EDITORIAL: On My Own

For the first time in my life, I was given the chance to prove that I am not a baby anymore. Unexpectedly, my family allowed me to join the trip without a chaperone. I felt that I’m on my own.

When I came home that night after the trip, I felt very happy because I really enjoyed the whole trip with my friends and classmates. Also, I knew that no one was watching my every move. Before, whenever we had Educational Field trip, my family never failed to be with me. I understood them. Perhaps, they just wanted to protect me. Now, I’m glad that my Mommy and Daddy trusted me to be on my own in this field trip. It didn’t come directly from them, but obviously they implied through saying, "Oo na, sasama ka". That was very overwhelming, it means that my parents, my entire family, already treat me not a baby anymore but as a young adult now, able to join the trip by my own. Thank you very much my family for your love and trust in me. Rest assured that I will always be a good girl, always in my mind of all the things you advised me to remain as a good, trustworthy and dependable girl. That helped me gain my self-esteem and self-reliance, which I believe are very important in establishing myself to the society.

As if I have reached another higher and important level in my life in this field trip.

By: Richelle Andrea M. Alejandre

FEATURE: Letters to Santa (Observe the progress in Composition Writing in the different levels)

Dear Santa,
My wish this coming Christmas is to have a happy country. I wish to my grandmother is to have strong bones. I wish my brother and friends to have good future.

Charisse A. Panisales (Grade 2)

Dear Santa,
Thank you for making my wishes come true last Christmas. I have my wish; my wish for my family is to have good relationships, good health, and longer life. My wish for myself is to be more intelligent. I hope I will be the 1st honor this next grading. My wish to my teacher is to be more powerful in teaching us. I hope they will give me good grades. I hope my wishes will come true.

Corina Faye D. Rosario (Grade 3)

Dear Santa,
I am good this year. I followed my parents’ and grandparents’ orders. I helped my teachers in cleaning the classroom. I took good care of my pets. How did you do the job in just 10 hours? I want to know. Maybe you can tell me by inserting a letter in my present this Christmas. I wish there are no more wars in the world.

Sincerely yours,             
Voltaire Ventura (Gr. 4)

Dear Santa,
My best friend Honey and I are doing well in our studies and friendship. It’s getting harder and harder and our grades are getting a little bit lower than last time. But I will never give up but instead I’ll try even harder. Most of all, I’ve got a favor to ask you. Please, I would like you to solve every problem in my school and also the issues between my classmates. This is my last favor and I will believe in you to solve these. I also want the teachers and our parents to be happy this Christmas. I believe in you and I will always do good deeds. Thank you!

Respectfully yours,                            
Chelsea Claire P. Gonzales (Gr. 5)

Dear Santa,
I hope you will come to my house and give my gift this Christmas. I would like some fruits for our Christmas Eve. Also, I want happiness to me this Christmas. Santa, I also want some favors. I want all my relatives, family and friends have their gifts this Christmas because I don’t want to see them sad and lonely. For me, I want to be the first honor again because my mother is begging me to have a diploma on the stage. I hope you will grant all my wishes because I want them for everyone’s happiness. Thank you very much. Truly I am.

Paul Angelo D. Suiza (Grade 5)

MESSAGE FROM MRS. EMMA C. VENTURA, PRINCIPAL

Mrs. Marynette Salabsabin, resigned the other day. We, of course, sympathized with her but then, we must look also after the children of her class. Mrs. Lanip was the first Grade Two teacher at the start of classes in June and I thought of returning the favor to her as class adviser. Then, I looked at Miss Francisco to take remedial measures in English, and she agreed to do her best to make them write good sentences, and then paragraphs, within a month’s time. We must sustain the analytical minds of our bright grade two pupils and I gave the assignment in Science to Miss Paguio. After all of these, then maybe we can get a replacement of teacher Marynette.

I am afraid that we have been too engrossed in academics that we tend to forget MAPE or PHEM in our curriculum. Thus, I instructed all our teachers to teach also Music and Arts, for indeed these are also very important in overall training and development. I asked Mr. Rivera and Mrs. Tanghal to form a Music program for all levels. This Christmas, we shall have a formal program where all children will have songs, dances, and dramatic plays as a way of observing the birth of our Lord and Savior. Parents should come for who will applaud for your children after the performance if not you parents. I know that your children like to sing, dance, and show their best, and I know that their nice stories do not end after the performance, but will continue during dinner and siesta time at home. We all know that children grow and improve because they know that their parents are always there to love and care for them.


SCHOOL CALENDAR

November 15 (Saturday) - Parents and Teachers Meeting; Issuance of Second Q Report Cards
November 17 and 18 (Monday and Tuesday) - Monthly Tests (for November)
November 24 (Monday) - First Evaluation of Experimental Research (Fourth Year Class)
December 4 (Thursday, 8:00 A.M.) - First Holy Communion (First Confession on Dec. 3, 3:00 P.M.)
December 16 and 17 (Tuesday and Wednesday) - Third Quarter Examinations
December 18 (Thursday) - Christmas Program and Party


VISION (STUDENT EDITION) EDITORIAL STAFF

Richelle Andrea Alejandre, Editor-in-Chief
Chrystelle Jaraplasan, Associate Editor
Jelriz Joi Lanip
Claire Alyssa Tanghal
Maria Victoria Veterana
Micah Marie Galapon
Noah Batacan
Sheena de Jesus
John Morris Garcia, Managing Editor
Beatrice Anne De Guzman
Miss Rosa A. Aguirre, Adviser
Miss Marivil Francisco, Adviser


HONOR ROLL, FIRST GRADING PERIOD

KINDERGARTEN
John Carlo Martinez, 94.00

PREPARATORY
Mark David Ebron, 94.70
Erick Michael Monserrat, 94.00

GRADE 1
Charles Arwin Rosario, 95.99
Daniella Silab, 95.16
Marnella Manarpaac, 94.08

GRADE 2
Dan Kennedy Hipona, 95.35
Charisse Panisales, 94.03

GRADE 3
Corina Faye Rosario, 95.20
Ma. Consuelo Barredo, 94.08
Guadalupe Ebron, 94.00

GRADE 4
Rhizza Marie Solmerano, 94.80
Voltaire Ventura, 94.02
Exequiel Viñas, 94.00

GRADE 5
Chelsea Claire Gonzales, 95.00
Matt Jaypril Tolentino, 94.94
Paul Angelo Suiza, 94.62
Ma. Hannah Maghuyop, 94.02

GRADE 6 A and B
Ynno Barredo, 95.02
Joseph Gabriel Anit, 94.46
Noah Batacan, 94.02
Jessa Matanguihan, 94.00

FIRST YEAR
Sheena Jean De Jesus, 94.63
Marjorie Aguinaldo, 94.18

SECOND YEAR
Rosmund Tolentino, 95.16
Lhorian Jane Lapitan, 94.07

THIRD YEAR
Richelle Andrea Alejandre, 94.43
Christelle Jaraplasan, 94.12
Claire Allysandra Tanghal, 94.02
Ma. Reyina Anne Turtur, 94.00

FOURTH YEAR (nobody qualified)

STUDENT EDITION: October 17, 2008 *Volume 28, Number 9

SEVEN OF CLASS 2008 GO TO UP; THREE TO DLSU

Seven of LPS Class 2008 qualified to study at the University of the Philippines, Los Baños: Meehris Galapon, Valedictorian (B.S. Chemistry), Prince Consebido, Honorable Mention (B.S. Applied Math), Lance Kristofer Ramirez, Honorable Mention (B.S. Biology), Rick Julius Cruz (B.S. Agriculture), and Rudolph Rose Revilla (Forest Ranger). Leoren Anna Forcadilla, Salutatorian, and Anna Rose Orlina will enroll at UPLB this second semester in B.S. Agriculture. Meanwhile, Joy Laroza (B.S. Nursing) and Krissandra Sarmiento (B.S. Agribusiness) are enrolled at De La Salle University, Dasmariñas Campus. Aira Vitales qualified at DLSU for the second semester with B.S. Civil Engineering. Carmela Pajutan, Honorable Mention, also passed UPCAT but decided instead to enroll at Far Eastern University for her B.S. Nursing.


VALUES EDUCATION CONDUCTS DEBUT PARTY

The birthday party of Jean Claire Tolentino and Shelumiel Ortiz, which is an activity in the subject of Values Education, under Mrs. Emma Ventura, was held last October 10 in the school. This activity aimed to teach our High School students the proper way of celebrating a Debut Party. Debut is the formal entrance to society. The Debutante is a young woman in her 18th birthday making her formal entrance into society. Thus, during the party, every high school student was assigned a part: 18 roses, 18 balloons, 18 shots of wine, 18 symbolic gifts, 18 well wishes, 18 candles and 18 of them led by the celebrants danced the traditional “Cotillion.” In her opening address, Mrs. Ventura explained the school objective in teaching our children the conduct and discipline of formal gatherings like Debut Party. Every child was given a chance to talk by greeting the celebrants, and taught how to behave in a party.

By: Christelle T. Jaraplasan

LPS PREPARES FOR DEP-ED INSPECTION

The school continues to prepare for inspections from the Department of Education (Regional and Division):

1. Indexing of books and references. The library is already improved with tables and chairs in the reading room and research section. Expected completion of indexing is October 31.
   
2. Cementing of frontage of Administration Building and pathways leading to Library, Canteen, and TLE Shop are already completed. Pathway from Medical Clinic to Grade One room will be done next.
   
3. Repair of plant nursery house and transfer of garbage pit to the adjoining School Farm 2. The nursery house is already repaired, and at present the garbage is being collected.
   
4. Clearing of school farm 1and planting of different vegetables.
   
5. Improving school grounds by planting Bermuda grasses and improving landscape gardening. This is a project of Values Education Club with Dean Carlson Alejandrino as President. Half of the school grounds are now planted with grasses.
   
6. Painting of roofs of all buildings is 50% completed.
   
7. Improvement of Science Laboratory.
   
8. Improvement of Medical Clinic. The divider of the medical clinic is already installed, and the sink for the dental clinic is now ready for use.
   

By: Richelle Andrea M. Alejandre

CATECHISM CLASSES AT LPS

Little People’s School Incorporated has catechism classes from Grade 4 to First Year High School held every Thursday, 2:00 to 3:00 P.M. for those who will take the First Holy Communion. It already started last September 25, and will continue until November 28 this year. There are 8 catechists from the Saint Augustine Parish, Bay, who are handling these classes. Students from Grade 4 to First year who attended these catechism classes will take their first Holy Communion on December 4. This is a project of the school with Reverend Father Jessie Somosiera, Saint Augustine Parish Priest.

By: Claire Alyssandra F. Tanghal

EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIP ON OCTOBER 25

On October 25, 2008, LPS will conduct its annual field trip (elementary and high school). Places to be visited are: Rizal Shrine in Calamba City, Bioresearch in Sucat, Parañaque, and Enchanted Kingdom in Sta. Rosa City. There will be a spectacular fireworks competition in Enchanted Kingdom. This field trip will be part of the co-curricular activities for the second quarter.

By: Richelle Andrea Alejandre

FOGGING ACTIVITY EVERY OTHER SATURDAY

We conduct fogging with our own Fogging Machine every other Saturday to drive away insects, especially mosquitoes that cause the dreaded Dengue Fever. Fogging is not only done inside classrooms but also in comfort rooms and in the grounds, especially for the trees and other plants around.



EDITORIAL: Why is Educational Field Trip a Big Part of Our Schooling?

Educational field trip is a journey that serves as training for our mind to see other places other than where we live. Educational field trips are part of studying because it’s not all about fun. These include sight seeing and knowing history of the place, or studying the details of a process or things found in the outside world.

In the previous years, we went to Bicol Region, Baguio, and Ilocos Region. We realized from these trips that seeing tourist spots in books and other references is not enough. If we want to widen our knowledge, we must go out from our classrooms to see the beautiful wide world outside. That is why every school has educational field trip every year. We can easily capture in our minds the scenes we had read in books if we will see them personally. Seeing the real Mayon Volcano, the Ancestral Houses of Vigan, the Malakanyang of the North in Paoay, Ilocos Norte, the Philippine Military Academy, the Lourdes Grotto, and the Strawberry Farms in Baguio are experiences of a lifetime. Going to other places is not just about walking and taking pictures. We should also observe the environment and the manners of people living there. Indeed, it is enjoyable to see the Igorots in their splendid costumes in Baguio. Viewing the mansions in the middle of the farms in Ilocos Norte is something worth studying; how come the Ilocanos are industrious prosperous people?

Reading history books is the first step to recognize a place. We may ask people living there about stories on why this building is made like this, who were the popular people who lived there, and everything related to the place. We later on realized that things are really changing.

In the previous years, we went to far away places. This year, the school decided to go to nearby places where there are plenty to see. First, we shall visit the Rizal Shrine in Calamba City; Rizal being from Laguna and our National Hero, thus we should have a comprehensive knowledge about him. Then, we shall proceed to BIORESEARCH (an Educational and Research Park) in Sucat, Paranaque, where we shall have a full view of the Honey House Gallery, Vermi Farm/Composting to produce organic fertilizer, the Rockdove and Butterfly Garden, the Wildlife Farm (more than 2,000 varieties of plants), Vegi-Map of the Philippines, an inner study about our animal pets (over 2 million pets), and many others. The final stop will be Enchanted Kingdom, where we shall be enchanted until evening, especially with the display of fireworks.

Educational field trip is part of studying because in observing those things, we can apply History, Science, Math, English and other subjects to our everyday life. It is an enjoyable way of studying!

By:Anne Beatrice de Guzman

LITERARY: Wishes and Messages for the Teachers
(Editor’s Note: This Literary Section is in honor to our teachers on the occasion of Teachers’ Day on October 5, 2008)

Thank you for all the things you have given us especially in teaching us everyday. We hope that many teachers will do their best to give lesson everyday. Thank you for your patience. We are sorry for our being noisy in your class.

Nikki Galang (4th yr.)

Dear teachers,
I want to thank you for teaching me in my lessons especially my teachers in Grade 3. Thank you for giving me good grades this 1st grading period. I learned many things. I wish that all of you will stay longer here in LPS. I wish you would have more power and strength to teach the children and to serve the school. I wish you all the happiness. Be confident. Be happy always and always smile. Again thanks to all.

Corina Faye Rosario (Grade 3)

My wish to all the teachers is to continue their teaching in school. And thank you for inspiring us to learn everyday; always be happy everyday. Happy World’s Teachers Day!

Anton John Mingi (Grade 4)

Happy teachers’ day to all LPS teachers! I just want to thank you for teaching my schoolmates and me well. And I wish that all teachers in LPS will become more successful in their own fields.

Laisa Marie Garcia (Grade 5)

I wish that teachers would be happy in their lives. My messages for my teachers are thank you for all the patience and for all the good things that they have done to all the students. I am very sorry for all the mistakes I have done.

Janine Curibot (Grade 6)

My wish for the teachers is that they would have good health so that they can continue teaching us students, to help us realize our mistakes. My message to them is may they continue to teach with long patience, especially for the naughty students.

Morris Garcia (2nd yr)

To all the teachers, I’m so glad that I reach this goal, thank you to all of you for sharing your knowledge. Thank you for the patience you gave us, even though we are sometimes so noisy in the class.

Nicole Banasihan (3rd yr)

FEATURE: My Wish for This Coming Christmas

Christmas is near now because the month now is October. Everyone is receiving a gift on Christmas day. We also have our own wishes on Christmas. I have my own wish on Christmas day. I wish that this Christmas my family and I would celebrate together.

That is my wish because many Christmases have passed that my family and I were not together. I miss celebrating with them. I wish also that my mom would come back here in the Philippines to celebrate the Christmas day. She is only arriving here during summer vacation. My father is in Bulacan that’s why we only see each other during Christmas. My aunt is taking care of us because we three are independent now. We don’t have relatives in our house. So, I wish that in Christmas day my family and I would celebrate it together.

That is my wish for Christmas day. I hope that it will be come true.

By: Anne Betina de Guzman (1st yr)

Every one of us, especially kids have wishes like toys, places that they haven’t visited yet, etc. I’m not a child anymore to wish for toys like dolls. But, my wish for Christmas is to visit my Dad in the place where he works.

My daddy won’t be here for Christmas so I wish to visit him in Miami, Florida. I want to have one-week cruise with him because he works in a ship, if I will be given a chance. I want to spend more time with him because we were only together for two months when he was here in the Philippines. I also want to see the places he works and how he works. In addition to that, I’d like to see if his work is very hard, and how he entertain the guests.

I have only one wish for Christmas and that is to be with my Daddy even for only one week. And I have no other things to wish for.

By: Sheena Jean de Jesus (1st yr)

VISION (STUDENT EDITION) EDITORIAL STAFF
Richelle Andrea Alejandre, Editor-in-Chief
Chrystelle Jaraplasan, Associate Editor
Jelriz Joi Lanip
Claire Alyssa Tanghal
Maria Victoria Veterana
Micah Marie Galapon
Noah Batacan
Sheena de Jesus
John Morris Garcia, Managing Editor
Beatrice Anne De Guzman
Miss Rosa A. Aguirre, Adviser


School Calendar
October 16 and 17 (Thursday and Friday) – Second Quarter Examinations
October 25 (Saturday) – Educational Field Trip for all Grade and Year Levels
November 1 and 2 (Saturday and Sunday) – All Saints Day and All Souls Day
November 17 and 18 (Monday and Tuesday) – Monthly Tests (for November)


Message from Mrs. Emma C. Ventura, School Principal

Our system of grading has shifted from “CUMULATIVE” to the “AVERAGING” where grades of the first quarter have nothing to do with grades of the second and succeeding grading periods. The final grade in every subject is computed as average of the four grading periods. This is the reason why grade in the first quarter started with the upper limit of 95%. It is very difficult to maintain grades with the Averaging System. We expect big fluctuations, no guarantee that honors be maintained. I noticed frustrations of some parents with the low grades of their children in first quarter. Unless the children study more, there will be more frustrations in the second and succeeding grading periods. An advice to those aspiring to be in the honor roll is for them to maintain good study habits.

It is indeed very difficult to maintain an honor this time. As long as the child is in the honor, whether first, second, or whatever, this is satisfactory performance already. I advise parents to guide their children with their study habits, for when the children got the system, then the honor will come automatically. It is not good to force the child to study hard to maintain good grades without establishing good study habits. I observed that children normally relaxed as they go up the ladder of education that it is very rare for the first honors in the pre-elementary and primary grades to be able to maintain their ranking in the intermediate and high school. For when the child grows up and has already mind of his own, he will not follow his parents anymore. But if the child has already established good study habits, then studying the lessons becomes automatic, and honors come automatically also.

A lesson we learn from the Practicum of Values Education is that children like to learn our valued customs and tradition like in the conduct of the Debut Party. I asked our teachers in English, History, Science, and others, to come up with co-curricular activities that would make lessons in the classrooms more lively, interesting, and meaningful.

We are preparing our school for inspection by DepEd. We got our Government Recognition about 20 years ago and it is high time for DepEd to come and see us again. What we like to show is a clean, orderly and well-maintained campus. May I expect the cooperation of everybody in this endeavor?