Millions of students all over the Philippines have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has been going on for over a year now. To address this problem, significant changes were implemented in the nation’s education system. New modes of learning were introduced last academic year (2020-2021), including modular and virtual learning. Holy Cross College, the school with a heart, implements both.
On Monday, August 2, the HCC community officially welcomed Crucians – new and old – to the new academic year (2021-2022) with an orientation and overview of the school’s services.
Students from the Integrated Basic Education Department (IBED) and Junior High School (JHS) Department gathered in a virtual orientation with their teachers, advisers and other school administrators.
Ms. Arliza Reyes, IBED principal, cited the big changes the education system had to undergo last year but said HCC has since been well-adjusted. The school started developing its online educational platform, HCC Heart Cloud, in 2019, months before the pandemic.
Reyes also thanked parents for trusting HCC as their partner in their children’s education. She called for continuous support from the students’ guardians or parents through open communication with the teachers and advisers.
“Sinisikap naman po ng Holy Cross College, the school with a heart, na pagbutihin pang lalo ang pagbibigay serbisyo sa inyo na naaayon sa aming core values na Fides, Caritas, at Libertas,” she shared.
During the orientation, non-academic services were also introduced. These include the services of the Health and Sanitation Division, where students can book a teleconsultation with the school dentist or doctor.
For career guidance, individual inventory and psychological testing, students and parents can reach out to the Guidance and Counselling Services Department (GCSD), which is run by licensed psychometrician Ms. Anna Paula Franco. The Prefect of Discipline (POD), on the other hand, works with the GCSD through resolution or referral of offenses committed by a student. The POD also enforces good conduct among IBED and JHS students even when classes are held virtually.
For official school records, students, parents or representatives can proceed to the office of the registrar.
The school administrators, as well as HCC teachers, answered some of the questions and concerns raised by students and parents. According to School President Atty. Dennis C. Pangan, this orientation was crucial in practicing transparency.
Some of the concerns are the e-Learning Management System (e-LMS) and how teachers can guide students amid distance learning. The HCC Heart Cloud is the school’s educational platform where students and teachers can interact regarding modules, performance tasks, homework, and examinations. Outside the cloud, teachers are available to contact via their respective Facebook chat groups, in which students and parents can both become members. Reyes assured the stakeholders that HCC IBED teachers will accommodate students’ questions regarding their academics or parents who would like to monitor their children’s progress in school. There will also be quarterly parent-teacher conferences.
This marks the second year of flexible learning in HCC, but the teachers and school administrators are optimistic that HCC will welcome Crucians back soon.
Classes for this new academic year started last July 27, but enrollment is extended until August 06.
Register now and be a part of the school with a heart: https://hcconlineregistration.holycrosscollegepampanga.edu.ph