by Aya Ecaldre || Photo Credit: Floydalyn Nitura

After two academic years of virtual learning, the Philippine Science High School – Eastern Visayas Campus (PSHS-EVC) finally opened its doors to Grades 10-12 students for limited in-person classes last September 5, 2022.

Prior to the opening of classes, virtual orientations for students were held via Zoom, last August 3, 2022 to September 2, 2022.

The first day of the orientation centered on ALA (Alternative Learning Activity) and SCALE (Service, Creativity, Action, and Leadership Enhancement) talks. Headed by Mr. Dennis Juabot, the ALA Coordinator, the orientation included presentations from representatives and advisers of each group. After two academic years of no implementation, the school’s existing (i.e., Pisayaw, SUGA, ACTS, Muskianta) and new (MUN, Rondalla, and Sikatala) ALAs now welcome students from Grades 7 to 10. In the afternoon, Ms. Nikki Rabe led the SCALE Talk for the SYP students.

On the second day of the virtual orientations, September 1, 2022, different units such as the Guidance and Counseling Unit (GCU), Health Services Unit (HSU), Registrar, Discipline Office (DO), and Residence Hall Unit (RHU) laid the foundation for their respective departments by conducting separate orientation sessions.

The Salubong: Pisay Spirit Day, facilitated by the Student Alliance (SA) last September 2, 2022, concluded the orientation week. The event consisted of games, elections, and organizational meetings that aimed to ignite the Pisay spirit among the batches, provide an avenue for scholars to interact, and offer helpful insights to each other. As the event was coming to an end, an open forum where students exchanged their inquiries and concerns regarding Pisay followed the program.

In-campus classes formally opened on September 5, 2022, at the PSHS-EVC Gymnasium. The flag ceremony was preceded by a short program that included the induction of the Student Alliance, batch, class, and club officers led by Ms. Yvonne Esperas, the Campus Director. Kendra Osias, the SA President, also delivered her inaugural message and quoted, “It is because of a collective effort that we have made it this far, and it will be because of a collective effort that we’ll do it again.” The introduction of faculty and staff from different units followed, headed by Mrs. Anariza Gozon, the CID Chief.

On campus, students, faculty, and staff are still required to follow health protocols such as completion of health declaration forms upon entry, wearing masks, and social distancing.

For the first two weeks of September, Grades 10 to 12 students will attend in-person classes, while Grades 7 to 9 will have their classes virtually. After those two weeks, the cycle repeats, but this time, students in Grades 7 to 9 will have in-person classes, while students in Grades 10 to 12 will attend online classes. The implementation of this alternating schedule is to ensure that there is no overcrowding on the campus as per health protocols. However, due to the unstable electrical connection on the campus, Schedule 2 (half-day classes) is currently being followed. According to the Office of the Campus Director, Schedule 1 (whole-day classes) will be implemented once a stable electricity supply is restored.

Despite the challenge of readjusting to blended learning, scholars express their excitement as they once again experience in-person classes.

Jade Mendiola, a Grade 12 student, shared that despite her nervousness about the new school year and college applications, she is excited to finally meet her batchmates and other people at school after more than two years.

According to a Grade 9 student, Natalie Narrido, she looks forward to having better academic discussions in-person compared to the online setup. “I’ll have a chance to spend more time with my friends who live far [away],” she added.

“The discussions will also be much clearer and easier to understand because we won’t struggle with the internet connection,” Samantha Corona from Grade 8 remarked.

Grade 10 student Sachi Adricula stated that she’s happy because, unlike in online learning, where you have to go through everything alone, you at least have your friends and peers with you in face-to-face classes.