FFS Cebu Community in Action

The Holy Rosary Family Farm School in Brgy. Tanibag, Pinamungahan, Cebu is really seriously looking at opening the newest FFS in the Philippines this coming SY 2008 - 2009. The association met last Sept 13 and 14 to plan their actions that would ensure the opening for the school next year. They identified 5 major challenges they needed to overcome which include 1) Building Construction, 2) Department of Educations requirements, 3) Training of tutors, 4) School Promotion and 5) Establishment of Committees to handle the concerns. The said activity was attended by 28 members of the association and two (2) collaborators. Also present during the activity is the Barangay Chairman.

Below are some pictures that depicts the resolve of the community to have their own school in operation next year.

The Action Planning Activity

Rain poured during the activity that caused the members to cramped inside the borrowed barangay tent for refuge. Their members did not complain about the rain but instead proceeded with their agenda for the day. It is interesting to note that the members present during the meeting include members who have incoming students as well as those without a child to enter the school by the following year.

The Construction Activities

The following day (September 14, Friday) saw the continuing activity at the school site. Several volunteer community members (both males and females) are already up as early as 6 in the morning to continue the construction of the school building.

While males tended the building, the female members of the association tried to tidy the school premises by cutting the grasses that grow in the school premises. They also prepared the meals for the males.

What's in Calabanga?

There were talks of a new FFS brewing in Calabanga.

The NPT visited the place last August 24, 2007 and had a meeting with the officers of Calabanga Towards Rural Development Inc on the possibility of opening a FFS next school year (SY 2008 - 2009). Present during the said meeting are the President, Vice President and two officers of the association.

The visit was highlighted by the identification of major concerns/issues that would ensure the opening of the school next year. Identified concerns include 1) infrastructure, 2) teacher and faculty complement, 3) type of school (coed or exclusive), 4) Financing, and 5) Security. The concern on infrastructure seems to be the major stumbling block on the opening of the new FFS at Calabanga. It was agreed that there is a need to identify committees that will look into the different concerns and come up with specific timetable in connection to the possible opening next school year. Though very much enthusiastic for a new FFS in Calabanga, the officers are also aware of the works ahead and the possibility of moving the opening for SY 2009 - 2010 if the concerns identified are not met accordingly.

Jerome with the Grade 6 students

Groundwork at Siniloan, Laguna and SATAFECAN in Borongan

The Family Farm Schools in the Philippines is really moving forward. Just this month, the NPT visited two new areas where the Family Farm School concept was introduced. Everytime, the visits were characterized by the presence of community leaders from each area wanting to learn more about the FFS system and how it can be introduced in the locality. Below are some snapshots of the meetings and discussions with the groups.

NPT visit to Siniloan, Laguna (July 17, 2007)

NPT visit to Sta Fe, Borongan, Leyte (July 20, 2007)

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The representatives of the Management Council of all the Family Farm Associations in the Philippines convened at Living the Gospel Renewal Center, Banilad, Cebu City last June 18 - 22, 2007 to hold the 2nd FFS Management Councils' Seminar. The activity is a continuation of the first general assembly last November held at TREES, Los Banos Laguna. From that activity came the words:

"SA PAGKAKAISA NATIN MABUBUO ANG ATING KINABUKASAN

SA PAG-ULULUPOD NATON TANAN ATON MATIGAYON ANG ATON
HANDUM SA ATONG BUAS DAMLAG

SA PAGHIU-SA NATO MAKAB-OT ANG ATONG KAUGMAON"

Thus, it set the stage for the 2nd FFS' Management Council Seminar!

Participants of the 2nd Management Council General Assembly

PAKSA PLANNING

An important activity in the Family Farm School is the PAKSA planning. Together with the parents of the students, the team of tutors prepare the formation plan for the coming school year. The activity highlights the participation of the parents in the pedagogical aspect of the Family Farm School. It is in the paksa planning that the parents contribute their share in the formative activities of the school.

Below are some pictures of the PAKSA planning conducted in the three (3) newest FFS in the Philippines.

Canili Family Rural Development School
Canili Area, Aurora

Capoocan Family Rural School
Capoocan, Leyte

Paraclete Family Rural School
Tacloban

BASIC PEDAGOGICAL TRAINING

The Family Farm School family is growing! This coming school year (2007-2008) will see the opening of three (3) new Family Farm Schools. Though they’ll be using different names, they nonetheless will be adhering to the four (4) pillars known to the Family Farm School System. Two new FFS will be established in Region 8 particularly in Tacloban. They will be known as the Family Rural Schools. Another one will rise in Region 3 which will be called the Canili Family Rural Development School. This will jack up the total number of FFS in the Philippines to ten (10) this year.

To prepare them for the work ahead, tutors from the three (3) new schools underwent a two (2) – week basic pedagogical training last April 16 – 25, 2007 held at DFFS Compound, Brgy Dagatan, Lipa City, Batangas. A total of 12 new tutors from the new schools attended the training; six (6) coming from Canili FRDS in Aurora, Quezon, three (3) from Capoocan FRS and another three (3) from Paraclete FRS, both located in Tacloban. They were joined by six (6) more new tutors from Balete and Gelacio Yason Family Farm Schools.

The training is the first of two parts and forms an intensive grounding on the principles and basics of the Family Farm School system. They were oriented on the four pillars of the Family Farm School system and how it guides the operations of the schools. The participants were able to complete 10 of the basic pedagogical training modules. Lectures, workshops as well as study visits were utilized during the training proper. They likewise simulated some activities in the normal operations of the school such as the conduct of a family visit, study visit and the making of the formation plan.

The second phase will consist of an immersion process where the new tutors will experience first hand the many principles and basics they’ve learned during the training period. When school starts by June 2007, all the new tutors will be asked to stay in a school to do the work of a tutor. In order not to disrupt their own school operations, the new schools will have to send only one or two tutors at a time for the said immersion. The remaining tutors will follow after the first batch of tutors has finished their immersion process. They will engage themselves in the normal operations of an existing school and act as if they are part of the team of tutors of an existing school. They will be given the roles and responsibilities pertinent to their designation in their own schools; e.g. a tutor will be given the normal load of a regular tutor while an academic head or principal will be given the corresponding load. A senior tutor will be assigned to the new tutors to act as their mentor during the duration of the immersion process.

Advisories ;)

SCHEDULE OF FFS VISIT

For your information, we have posted the schedule of visits to your respective FFS. Please be advised accordingly:

GIYFFS - Feb 12 - 13, 2007
Dingle FFS - March 08 - 09, 2007
Batangas FFS - Week of March 12 - 16, 2007
Bais and Lanao FFS - Week of March 19 - 23, 2007

WORKSHOP ADHOC

Likewise, for those who are part of the ADHOC committee tasked for the registration of the National Union of the FFS in the Philippines, please be advised that there will be a 3-Day Workshop on the matter to be held from February 28 - March 02, 2007 at DFFS Compound, Brgy. Dagatan, Lipa City. The said workshop hopes to develop plans for the National Union and come up with a Logical Framework to guide us in our quest for federating the FFS in the Philippines. It would greatly help us in our workshop if you can bring with you developmental plans for your respective associations. Likewise, please bring with you a copy of your mission-vision-goals statements. You may also want to bring other pertinent documents and materials regarding your association such as the profile and baseline data, number of membership, etc. all of which we will try to consolidate.

You may contact us (Jerome, Lorna, or Ato) for any concerns about this matter. You may contact us at telephone number (02) 8993332, (02) 8992931 or at our respective cellular phone numbers. Or you may want to email us at ffsapilipinas@gmail.com

Lastly, we strongly advice you to please visit our blog regularly for information and activities.

Announcement

We are requesting all Family Farm Schools & Family Rural Schools to submit articles regarding their associations and pictures of activities. Kindly write captions for every picture you submit. Submit the articles & pictures through our email address ffsapilipinas@gmail.com not later than February 9, 2007.

This will be used for our blog and newsletter.