Paskong Pinoy in SFAS

SFAS Christmas Extravaganza 2012 was held on a Friday night, December 14, 2012.  The school was magically transformed into one merry Christmas town. The proceeds of the show and disco was for the benefit of the SFAS faculty and staff.

The show started with the lighting of the covered court and the Christmas trees designed by the different grade levels.  The winners of the Christmas Tree Making Contest were the following:  

Grades 5 and 6 received the 1st place and Most Authentic awards; 

Grades 8 and 10 received the 2nd place, Most Lighted and Most Punctual awards;  

Preschool, 3rd place; 

and Grades 7 and 9, the Most Unique Christmas tree award.

A showcase of performances featured the teachers, staff, students, parents and guest performers. Visitors were amazed with the first Christmas School I.D. (like a Station I.D.), a tribute of how Franciscans celebrate Christmas, which was made possible through the effort of the Juniors. 

Guest performers, Mr. Joey Benin (former Side A Member) and his wife, Bing Ledesma-Benin (daughter of school owner, Mr. Jack Ledesma) rendered awe-inspiring song numbers that received applause from the crowd.

Everyone enjoyed the show, a musical and variety program which came in full force in bringing more ambiance to the holiday season.  

The administration, faculty and staff are very thankful for supporting and letting  the time of sharing and loving possible to all in this most celebrated time of the year.

A Glimpse of the Future

The very first Seniors Immersion Program was held last November 23, 2012, under the Career Program of the school's Guidance office and through the partnership of the Hacienda Tinihaban and Hacienda Lonoy farms and SFAS.

Senior students were given the opportunity to observe in one day what it would be like to work as a farm laborer, mechanic, teacher, nurse, etc.  Some of the working assignments were based on the student's chosen course for college. 

Students who wanted to become teachers were assigned to some SFAS teachers. 

Inside the shop at Hacienda Lonoy were Seniors who wanted to take up Mechanical or Engineering courses. 

And others took part in being under the sun with some farmers in Hacienda Tinihaban sugarcane farm for the entire day. 

This Seniors Immersion Program aimed to open a window wherein the students of SFAS may get a glimpse of what it is like to work, very much different from being a student inside a classroom.  

Search-In Circle 12 and 13

A challenge to live out the best in life, to make one's faith stronger and to provide an opportunity of knowing one's self, St. Francis of Assisi School offers yearly Search – In retreats among the Junior class. This is a three-day and two-night retreat held over the week-end in campus. 

Circle 12 had their retreat last October 26 - 28, 2012 and Circle 13 had it last November 16 -18, 2012.  Varied activities were given throughout the retreat that focused on self- appraisal, thinking about life, praying and knowing God better as well as knowing and bonding with their fellow retreatants. It was led by Sir JR Abello along with Ms. Yvette Jaranilla, the Junior's class adviser and the facilitators which composed of alumni and 4^th year students who are Search – Inners themselves.

CIRCLE 12

Kyle, Richelle, Althea, Clarice, Rorine, Aivic, Francis, Paul, Kurt, Niño, Cyrha, Joevin, Gleanne, Ken Rey, Eurilyn, Rysill, Christine, Rosalyn, Angelica and Keith

CIRCLE 13

Claude Allan, Steven, Joshua, Cherry Belle, Pryle, Rosemarie, Harvey, Ivan, Justine, Miguel, Jake, Cyrine, Gieselle, Lara, Theresa, Bernadette, R-jay, Eden, Thalea and Rodelmar

Search-In in SFAS was started last 2007 when Ms. Micmic Golez, School Administrator (Circle 1 of St. Scholastica’s Academy- Bacolod) and Sir JR Abello, Vice Principal (Circle 49 of the University of St. La Salle- Bacolod) decided to bring this program to the school but thanks to the power of the Holy Spirit, amidst limitations especially with financial, it continues until now thru the collaborated efforts of everyone, e.g. students, parents, Search-In alumni and donors.

Holy Rosary Month Celebration

The Feast of the Holy Rosary was celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi School the whole month of October.  Everyone, from students, teachers, and staff participated in  honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary thru praying the rosary.

The celebration started on October 1.  Every school day, all classes and offices stopped and  prayed one decade of the rosary at certain times of the day. 

The Holy Rosary Month culminated last October 25 where everyone gathered at the covered court.

Beautiful posters and colorful flowers from the little angels of the grade school level flooded the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In forming a human Holy Rosary, every bead of the rosary was represented by a student from each year level, teacher and staff, holding a blue or white balloon.  Everyone also prayed for the country, especially the victims of the tropical storm "Ofel" which hit Southern Visayas at that time. 

The school is a firm believer in the power of the Holy Rosary and Mother Mary’s love and care in bestowing guidance to the administration, faculty and staff, and students.

Club Meetings

Every year SFAS students (Grades 4 – 10) are given the chance to choose their own club to join with aligning their passion. Club meetings are held once a month for about one and a half hour with its goal to enhance the talents, skills, social and personality development of its member. There are 16 clubs for this school year.

HOMEMAKERS CLUB

Last October 19, the club went to GREENOS at 6^th Lacson St., Bacolod City and got the chance to observed the process of making a pizza.

 “Learning cannot just be found in the four walls of a classroom and having a field trip in a new place is fun especially in Greenos because you can see how they cook the pizza. And it was our first time to see it. “ -    Pryle Saluta, member 

OUTREACH CLUB

The club members did storytelling and played games with the children of the Day Care Center at Dunca-an, Silay City.

“I’ve learned to share what I have and I realize that many children needed our help. It is a nice feeling and it feels good to know that you have helped and make someone happy.”  - Thalea Segaya, member

“There are poor little children who need our help. Learn to share the blessings that God gave us.”  - Oliver Boiser, member

BOOK LOVERS CLUB

A true spirit of bayanihan was rendered by the club at Bayanihan Library of Silay City last October 19, 2012.  The members helped Mr. Gregorio Legarde, the librarian, in arranging and classifying books inside this newly established library of the city.

“I learned to arrange books. We separated them according to their genre."  -    Kenneth Marco, member 

“It’s not easy to be a librarian of a big library because it’s hard to arrange the books that were not put in their proper places. So we students/borrowers must return the books properly."  - Rorine Demegillo, member 

Two Special Days for SFAS

Forty-eight years is a major milestone for a school like St. Francis of Assisi School of Silay City Foundation, Inc. and the school had a two-day celebration!

The first celebration was held last October 4, 2012.   It was a day of remembering its patron saint, St. Francis of Assisi, as it was his feast day, and, likewise, celebrating the 97th birthday of the founder, Mrs. Marieta Locsin-Ledesma, whose example of simplicity and generosity continues to inspire many today. A thanksgiving mass, blessing of pets some students brought and contests like portrait-making and a quiz bee about the life of St. Francis of Assisi and the late Mrs.  Ledesma were held to remind the students of the life of simplicity and prayer which both shared.

Inspired by its theme “Save Mother Earth and Live a Life in Simplicity and Prayer,”  the 48^th Foundation Day was the second celebration held in October 7, 2012.  Amazing colors, creative costumes and enthusiastic dancers (even if the grounds were muddy due to rain previous day) during the field demonstration highlighted the morning festivities.  The groups who showcased the Kadayawan Festival (Grades 7 and 9) and the Pinta Flores Festival (Grades 8 and 10) won the dance contest against other groups:  the Hugyaw Kansilay, the Panagbenga Festival and the Masskara Festival.

Also the alumni who have graduated in 1988 and 1998 (celebrating their 25th and 15th year) hosted an Alumni lunch and it was a time to be refreshed with the opportunity of bonding, reminiscing and laughter among former classmates. 

In the afternoon, the families had their fun in different events like the volleyball tournament versus the faculty and staff of SFAS, vocal solo and dance contests. And the awaited part was the Raffle Bonanza draw that was sponsored by the Parents Council Association.

The two special days were truly successful celebrations again ... thanks to the spirits of St. Francis of Assisi and Mrs. Marieta Ledesma, as they continue to stay alive among the students, faculty and staff, administration, parents and alumni of SFAS!  

Electronics 101

Whether it’s attending workshops and trainings or visiting historical spots, educational field trips have always been a part of the academic life of SFAS students.

Last September 19, 2012, the SFAS Seniors visited the Department of Engineering at the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod City. The Seniors got the chance to learn basic electronics.

Facilitated by some Engineering students, the Seniors were given the opportunity to engage in hands-on exercises in reading diodes. They also watched a demonstration on making foam cement. According to the class, they learned to read and analyze the uses of a multi-tester and know the advantages of using foam cement instead of the common hollow blocks.

A special thanks to the Engineering Department of USLS, particularly under Engineer Katrina Azcona, the Dean, and Coordinator Engineer Rico Pelor as this is the third year they have opened their doors to our students and shared not only their valuable time but their knowledge and resources.

30 Stars = 1 FREE Day

Among the challenges Franciscans engage in year in and year out is the race to reach 30 stars and get a “Free Design Day”—a day to enjoy different activities OUTSIDE of the classroom.  No class! 

Last September 7, 2012, the Grades 1, 2, 3 and 5 classes had their Free Design Day as a reward for reaching 30 stars.  The Grades 1 – 3 classes chose to spend their Free Day in campus, as students brought their toys, board games and gadgets to celebrate and enjoy the whole day.   

“YES! I really enjoyed because we played some games like PSP and snake-and-ladder. We also ate native foods.” (Dianne Marie Gabiño, Grade 3 student)

“We had so much fun in our Free Design Day because of the different games.  We also watched the movie, ‘Nanny Mc Phee.’“ (Ricky Vince Cobrado, Grade 2 student)

“We enjoyed playing basketball!” (Gabriel Bonostro, Grade 1 student)

Likewise, with their class adviser, Ms. Jenny Lou Leonor, the Grade 5 students had their Free Day at the St. Francis Subdivision Clubhouse and swimming pool in Silay City (see pictures above).

 “I enjoyed our Free Design Day because I did many things there. We took pictures and played games. We did a lot of things!” (Thea Alexandra Aguirre, Grade 5 student)

To reach 30 stars, classes need to have complete attendance every day.  If there are no late or absent students in a day, the class gets 1 star!  In some school contests, winning classes are also rewarded stars as well.