By: Jhoanna Co
School year 2019-2020 is off to a strong start at Santa Barbara Catholic School.
On August 1 and 2, 2019, SBCS faculty and staff gathered for professional development training with certified personalities trainer and Virtues Project facilitator Ms. Palou Abustan. The training expanded on how The Virtues Project can be applied to school settings. Ms. Abustan led the group in role playing exercises and meaningful reflection.
One of the highlights include practicing the virtues to acknowledge, guide and correct students. Kinder teacher assistant Mrs. Wilma Willander shared an “a-ha moment”, “I finally found out that the way I’ve been addressing matters, especially quarrels in the classroom, is actually wrong…instead of ‘don’t do this or
don’t do that’, I can say ‘what will happen when you do this?’. This year, I will practice using the virtues more.”
The goal of the Virtues Project training was to equip teachers with understanding, knowledge, tips and techniques to successfully apply the Virtues in creating safe, caring and high performing learning environments.
On August 7, SBCS welcomed students and their families to a new school year. When asked how they feel, Christian a sixth grade student said, “I am happy to be back because I get to see all my friends.” Beatrice, another sixth grade student, also shared “SBCS teaches me to draw closer to God and to be more productive. I am happy to be back!”
On August 9, the SBCS community gathered for the annual Mass of the Holy Spirit held in the Petrie Gym. The Mass was presided by Fr. Dan Bien, assisted by Deacon Ron Pangan. In the afternoon, the first student assembly was held where Principal Sr. Maria Rosario Gaite, RSM also welcomed 75 new students.
It’s just the beginning, but SBCS is committed to providing a quality Catholic education that focuses on educating a child’s mind, heart and spirit. SBCS received its full accreditation from WCEA in June 2019 following a successful accreditation visit in February 2019. A full accreditation is one of the highest levels a school can receive in a six-year period.