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sagada.org The Sagada Postboy |
The Sagada Postboy
Alumni Edition
SAGADA POSTBOY
Issue No. 02 Incorporation and Crafts Fair Highlight SMS Alumni Reunion SAGADA, MT PROVINCE - The 6th alumni homecoming of Saint Mary’s School here would not be all that ho-hum business meetings. A food and crafts sale and an arts exhibit shall be observed during the two-day event from April 10-12, 2003. But those shows are not meant to redirect attention from one among the main agenda of the homecoming which is to discuss a proposal of incorporating the school. Incorporating the school had been initiated the previous 2000 alumni homecoming which discussion and drafting of the articles of incorporation had been done the recent years. Bishop Edward Malecdan of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines reminded the alumni in a recent meeting, March 9, that said proposed articles should be forwarded to the Standing Committee for their review and endorsement. Said endorsement shall be forwarded to the Bishop for his necessary approval. The St Mary’s School Alumni Association, proponent for the creation of a SMS corporation, is one among the members of proposed educational institution. The EDNP Bishop shall sit as a permanent member of the Board of Trustees. “Though Saint Mary’s incorporation maintains a legal personality of its own to directly form, establish and operate programs considered essential to the growth and development of the institution, it shall remain to be a church-affiliated institution”, Atty Valentine Daoas, SMSAA member of the Board of Directors said. Bishop Malecdan pointed out that the land and the existing facilities of the school shall remain under the authority of the church. Saint Mary’s School stands on a sprawling three hectare land including the land where the school is built, the softball grounds, and the school gardens. The incorporation proposal intends to continue aims of the mission school which is to offer Christian education and “enhance avenues of learning in partnership with groups and individuals where students rooted in godly faith are directed towards academic excellence and civic leadership”. Beset by financial and structural constraints, proposals for incorporation came into view. The school currently is directly under the supervision of the church through the EDNP. A Management Council sits as a policy making body which forwards proposed actions to the Bishop. In the same development, the drive for maintaining quality education is a top concern alongside with maintaining financial stability. SMS placed ninth in a national exam in 1962. “In order to uplift the academic status of the school, it should offer good pay to invite good teachers,” SMS Administrator Bernice See said. SMS currently suffers from a P300,000 financial deficit. Currently, there are ten licensed faculty members with Bachelor of Science in Education degrees- majors in biology, math, political science, English, and economics. Two have masteral degrees while one is finishing her thesis requirements. Others have masteral units in education ranging from 9 to 30 out of the required 36 units. With 203 students the current school year, the teachers perform dual roles as registrar, property custodian, cashier, and school paper adviser. Three teachers were newly hired this year with the longest having served for 25 years. Meantime, the local-based steering committee invite alumni, friends, and guests who have art and craft works and food to sell to join the Alumni Arts, Crafts and Food Sale on April 10-12. All art works, crafts and food will be sold inside the rooms of SMS. Spaces will be rented out and no selling will be allowed in the campus grounds outside of designated areas. Please visit Mrs. Bernice See for details../Gina Dizon
March 29 is Pre-Homecoming Meet WITH INTENTS to initially discuss school issues and gather local views to be presented during the April 10-12 SMS Alumni Homecoming, a pre-alumni gathering is scheduled on the 29th of March here at SMS at 9 am. “Major issues to be discussed include the incorporation proposal of the alumni, financial state and proposed directions of the school, and quality education”, Mayor Thomas Killip, SMS alumnus and chairman of the local steering committee said in an alumni meeting here. Speakers for the March 29 pre-alumni homecoming include EDNP Bishop Edward Malecdan who shall be speaking on church-school structural relations, SMS Management Council Chairman John Guitilen to talk on the school’s state of management, and SMS Administrator Bernice See to provide updates on school situationer. SMS, since the Episcopal church in the Philippines became autonomous in 1990, depends on the school fees of students and the rest from other sources and donations including the church’s P200,000 annual subsidy. The school has an annual budget of P1.6 million. The establishment of the Sagada National High School makes it more difficult for SMS to exist with at least one half of the potential elementary school graduates of nearby Sagada Central School and Ambasing Elementary School flocking to the public high school because of free tuition offered aside from an enticing image of posing high academic ratings during division and provincial academic examinations. With the existence of the public high school a road away from SMS, alternatives are being posed including the conversion of SMS high school into a college where specialized courses shall be offered. Other ideas include that of establishing a technical institute offering technology courses instead as had been proposed during the previous millenium homecoming. Other suggestions refer to that of a vocational school offering practical courses including arts and crafts skills while others envision a quality kindergarten learning added to a secondary science high school. While other ideas are in the making, the proposed incorporation of the school emphasize a school with “ a relevant and comprehensive school program within a Christian atmosphere.”
Alumni Urged To Take Part in Reunion Committees AT LEAST 12 committees have been formed by the SMSAA officers and local steering committee in their recent March 7 meeting , to participate in the preparations and SMS alumni homecoming on April 10-12. These include committees on the program, food, registration, finance, technicals, parade, church services, sales and exhibit, physical arrangements, documentation and promotions. The program committee is headed by Mayor Thomas Killip, Class 1964, who shall draft the program for the event. April Mae Wanay Capuyan- Pagadian, Class 1994, heads the registration. committee. She convenes her members and draft the needed registration forms and guidelines, and undertakes pre registration for local alumni. Placards bearing class membership shall be prepared per class. Finance Committee chairman Serina Kilongan-Palpal, Class 1978, shall organize collectors during the homecoming. A registration fee of P150.00 shall be collected to cover three meals- welcome dinner on April 10, lunch and dinner on the 11th. Alumni belonging to Class 1997 to the present are considered non-paying participants. Parents who bring their children shall pay additional P50.00 per child. The food and accommodations committee is chaired by Rhoda Bondad- Aranduque, Class 1959, who shall manage meal arrangements. Both finance and food committees shall also convene their own respective members. The technical committee chaired by Joseph Caligtan, ensures that all electrical gadgets necessary for the affair shall be available. The parade committee chaired by Dave Gulian, Class 1979, ensures that system of parade is in order. The parade starts at 4:00 pm on April 10 with assembly to start 3 pm at Daoangan. The parade committee urges alumni to make the parade joyous and creative. The parade proceeds to the Church for the vespers. Rev Lioba Agnapan- Achawon, Class 1984, shall prepare the liturgy. Rev Fr. Jerry Sagayo, Class 1981, shall lead the 4 pm vespers on the 10th, while Bishop Edward Malecdan, Class 1971, and other alumni-priests shall celebrate the holy Eucharist on the 11th. Mr Frank Longid, SMSAA President, Class 1957, shall specially do the homily. The documentation and promotions committee involves the Postboy Staff and interested members who shall be responsible in ensuring documentation of the reunion proceedings, ensure updates for distribution through Postboy special issues, and publicize the event for broader participation. Efforts are being made to come up with a CD which serves as a promotional material for SMS. This committee invites everyone interested especially former Postboy writers and editors to send in articles for the SMS homecoming newsletter on or before March 30. Send your articles through Mrs See. Alma Bawing- Bagano, Class 1977; Patrick Pooten, Class 1971-1972; Nellie Capuyan- Ballola, Class 1967 ; and Ezra B. Aranduque, Class 1979, were identified to serve as emcees. Arsenio Sumeg-ang, Class 1994,coordinates the flow of the program. Nellie Ballola shall manage the workshop sessions. The secretariat headed by Bernice See and the local steering committee shall be responsible in ensuring implementation of planned activities. The local steering committee enjoins alumni to join working committees and make the alumni homecoming a memorable and productive gathering.
REMINDERS
Place your reservations for crafts and food sale. The earlier, the better.
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