Dear Parents and the School Community,
Let me introduce myself to our SSA-SF parents. I am Sr. M. Lydia Villegas, OSB, SSA-SF’s new Directress. Fifty years ago I was one of the two Junior Sisters assigned to be a member of the Sisters’ community in the old site. Little did I know that I would return as a Senior Sister. I am barely 2 ½ weeks here now in the new site.
This message comes with a certain urgency. We live in very challenging times when it is not possible to meet you all in an assembly. We are flooded by information from many sources. A week ago a group of HS and GS teachers came to see me asking how to answer best the parents’ query regarding instruction, schooling requirements, etc. We all agreed that the school would send regular information to our parents through our website. Until we are able to communicate and have face-to-face encounters, much would be done through social media.
We are thus asking you parents, teachers, and staff to be in a dialog mode with us, administrators of the school. We would appreciate queries and concerns directed to us, teachers, staff, and administrators. We shall create a mechanism that will give the official response so that we can all be working towards the attainment of TRUTH, RESPECT, TRUST, and COOPERATION for one loving and pulsating school community.
Challenging times, difficult, yet a fertile time to grow Christian attitudes and virtues. This sacred time of the pandemic provides the time and the space to live out full, human, caring, and compassionate lives.
We do not know how long this period of restricted movements will last. The more we cooperate with the safety guidelines in our homes, barangay, offices, public places, and school, the better chances we have of flattening the curve of the COVID-19 transmission and its eventual elimination.
As Christians and dutiful citizens of our country, let us help together to make every place SAFE for everyone.
- We trust that first and foremost proper hygiene becomes a personal responsibility;
- We put the welfare of the other first in our consideration; (meaning I may want to forego a safety measure to get to what I need, but charity dictates that I think of the other who may suffer from my disregard or indiscretion);
- We are mindful of the guidelines (use of masks, social distance, and precautions at work, etc.);
- Information be brought to legitimate bodies that can verify and act consequently;
- Be respectful of every person and his / her need for privacy. (Sharing names and information about others is not responsible. And when done via social media, the harm can be irreparable).
We welcome suggestions to make our school safe, smart, with its alternatives for learning (please note our new logo). I have asked the new principal of the Grade School and High School, Sr. Alexis Lamarroza, OSB to discuss and plan with the two units how best to safeguard the teachers’ exposure in and out of school during this time of preparation for classes, without sacrificing the fulfillment of our goals and objectives. A balance of work at home and school can still be mapped out.
For today it is still best to go by this guideline to prevent COVID-19 from spreading—
SUCCESSFUL INFECTION = EXPOSURE TO VIRUS x TIME
May we hear from you? God bless us all! Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Sister Lydia Villegas, OSB
