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PURPOSE OF THE STUDENT HANDBOOK

A school exists to help the parents in their God-given responsibility of educating their own children.  Each school is unique in its purposes and strategies, therefore, parents have to discern if a particular school is its right partner in forming their children.

This Student Handbook serves to orient about the purposes of the school, its programs, policies, rules and regulations.  It helps parents determine if they should partner with SMILE in the education of their children.  When they enroll, both learners and parents express their willingness and determination to abide by the purposes, programs, policies, rules and regulations of the institution.

The rules and regulations are meant promote peace and respect, maintain order, and to help the learners attain the vision, mission, goals and objectives of SMILE Christian education. Learners are encouraged to look upon the observance of school regulations in this light.  Compliance with school rules and regulations is not the sole responsibility of the student but also of his/her parents. The Supreme Court has ruled that parents’ refusal to follow the rules and regulations of their child’s school may be a legal ground for denying their child re-admission. (Tan vs. Court of Appeals, 199 SCRA 212, as cited in p. 420 of Education law and the Private Schools, Revised Expanded Ed., Sarmiento 2009)

ST. MARY’S INITIAL LEARNING EXPERIENCE (SMILE)

GENERAL INFORMATION

PURPOSE

As a Christian school, St. Mary’s Initial Learning Experience exists in response to God’s call to build a school for His poor in preschool, elementary and secondary levels of education, forming learners to become good Filipino Christian leaders.

 

PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

SMILE educational philosophy is Christian and eclectic, adopting the most effective in the different educational philosophies in order to form its learners to become good Filipino Christian leaders.

 

VISION

Learners and personnel at SMILE will become good Filipino Christian leaders who authentically live out their identity as temple of the Holy Spirit, the best Filipino, and a follower of Jesus Christ.

 

MISSION

St. Mary’s Initial Learning Experience (SMILE) is a loving community that provides outstanding Christian education in the complete preschool, elementary and secondary levels.

It is our mission to successfully develop our learners through excellent academic, non-academic and spiritual programs to become GOOD FILIPINO CHRISTIAN LEADERS who bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit, exhibit good Filipino traits, submit to Jesus Christ and His teachings, demonstrate desirable performance character traits, socio-emotional skills and 21^st century skills, and efficiently shepherd others toward good goals.

 

GOALS

St. Mary’s Initial Learning Experience aims:

1. To develop the moral character of learners that will make them the best persons God intended them to be;
2. To instill in the members of the school community good Filipino traits that will make a positive difference in the community;
3. To initiate in the members of the school community knowledge of the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, and a personal relationship with Him;
4. To develop in the academic community the knowledge, 21st century and socio-emotional skills, as well as performance character that will make them excellent transformative shepherds.

OBJECTIVES OF PRESCHOOL EDUCATION

1. To foster the moral and socio-emotional development of the young learners so that they will eventually become their best selves – loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, self-controlled, prudent, courageous, respectful, obedient, pure, and helpful individuals;
2. To advance the preschoolers’ natural abilities and potentials through various carefully selected experiences so they will do their best work;
3. To stimulate in the pupils a foundational love for themselves, their family, peers, community and God;
4. To teach the preschool pupils the basics and beyond basics of reading, writing, speech, mathematics, science and the arts.

OBJECTIVES OF GRADE SCHOOL EDUCATION

1. To provide values education that will improve moral character of learners developed in preschool;
2. To initiate effective patriotism in the graders;
3. To introduce the person of Jesus Christ;
4. To provide excellent educational experiences that enhance knowledge, 21^st century skills, performance character, and socio-emotional skills that prepare them for honest and gainful work.

OBJECTIVES OF SECONDARY EDUCATION

1. To nurture in the secondary learners a strong Christian moral character;
2. To imbue the secondary learners with the identified good Filipino traits;
3. To instill the values and teachings of Jesus Christ in the life of the secondary learners;
4. To strengthen 21st century skills, performance character and socio-emotional skills of learners that will equip them for gainful endeavor, outstanding tertiary schooling, and excellent transformational shepherd-like leadership in a global world.

CORE VALUES

The basis for all programs and actions in the school are the fruits of the Holy Spirit:

1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self-Control

CLARIFICATION OF TERMS

For SMILE, the following terms are defined as:

CORE VALUES – fruits of the Holy Spirit, these define what “good” means  and clarify the atmosphere we want to achieve in the school community as we interact with one another

GOOD FILIPINO TRAITS: (10)

adaptable, family-oriented, flexible, grateful, honorable, hospitable,  ingenious, joyful, polite, resilient

CHRISTIAN: a person who submits to Jesus Christ and His teachings

LEADER:  a person who demonstrates desirable performance character traits, socio-emotional skills and  21st century skills, and efficiently shepherd others toward good goals

DESIRABLE PERFORMANCE CHARACTER TRAITS:     (10)

dedication, discipline, excellence, independence, integrity, neatness, persistence, planning, punctuality, thoroughness

 

DESIRABLE SOCIO-EMOTIONAL SKILLS: (10)

self-awareness, self-confidence, self-management, social awareness, personal responsibility, positive thinking,  positive relationship skills, respect, service, tolerance

 

21^st CENTURY SKILLS:

1. Learning Skills: creativity, communication, critical thinking, collaboration
2. Life Skills: flexibility, leadership, initiative, productivity, social skills
3. Literacy Skills: information literacy, media literacy, technology literacy

 

 

HISTORY

St. Mary’s Initial Learning Experience (better known as SMILE), was founded in 1990 by Mr. Julius and Mrs. Ma. Livinia Suico-Bajo. Utilizing the garage and terrace of their family residence at 011 Pandango St., Lanzona Subdivision in Matina, Davao City, they started the school with only 20 preschoolers– 12 Nursery, 4 Kindergarten and 4 Preparatory pupils. Classes were held only morning, with the Kinder and Prep combined in one class under the tutelage of Mrs. Bajo herself, and the Nursery under the tutelage of Mrs. Priscilla Salvaña. With these two veteran teachers from what was then the Immaculate Conception College, SMILE was able to put itself in the map as producing very fast readers, good leaders, musically- inclined pupils and confident achievers. Its preschool graduates always made it to the honor roll in elementary, exhibited strong leadership skills, and often qualified for the premier schools such as Philippine Science High School and the University of the Philippines. Mrs. Salvaña went back teaching at ICC (now UIC), but under the guidance of Mrs. Bajo, the new teachers were able to keep up with the tradition of academic excellence. Eventually, additional classrooms eventually became necessary.

Under the initiative of their daughter, Mrs. Julie Anne Bajo-Litob, SMILE began other co-curricular programs and traditions beginning the year 2000.  The SMILE Family Day, with the theme, “Building Families, Building a Better World,” was one. Children’s missionary formation, parents’ ongoing formation and outreach followed. Stage productions also began, and with it, the necessary screening and training of participants.  A yearbook, later renamed “Radiance”, was also created.  Moving-Up Ceremonies to give character trait awards to all learners in all levels started in the year 2012.

Aiming to evangelize Filipinos starting with children, SMILE opened the Grade School department in June 2007 by opening its doors to the first batch of Graders. A parents-teachers association called SMILE Supreme Family Council (SSFC) was then established, through the initiative of Mr. Mario Gigayon. Mr. Ashley Chiu was its  first president.  In 2010, the SMILE flag was created and the SMILE Hymn was composed by  Mr. Joseph Bajo.  In response to DepEd’s K-12 curriculum, SMILE dissolved the Preparatory Level and graduated its last batch of Preparatory preschoolers in March 2012. In March 2013, the first batch of grade school students graduated. They were 23.

In June 2014, the school opened the Play School Level. 5 Playschoolers moved up in March 2015. That same year, Mr. Benjie Edejer arranged and recorded the SMILE Hymn.  In 2017, with the help of Ma’am Katrina Angela Posadas, a video of the school hymn was released.

In April 2018, SMILE Preschool and Elementary Department was granted Department of Education Recognition.  In May 2019, Secondary (Junior High School) Department was granted permit to operate.  On its opening, the Junior High School had 20 learners – 14 Grade 7 and 6 Grade 8 learners.

In July 2020, during the first school year of COVID-19 pandemic, SMILE shifted to modified hybrid online education.  The pandemic situation gave rise to a unique curricular program called SMILE Way.  In August 2021, it started to accept a few enrollees to a modules-based program.

Blessings continued to abound as the school strove to improve its curricular, co-curricular and spiritual formation program,  as well as the its facilities.  SMILE expanded its campus in stages by the grace of God. In 1995, an annex building was inaugurated. In 2006, the school occupied the whole old house of the Bajo family. The ancestral home of Mr. Julius Bajo was purchased in 2008 so in June 2009, the first phase of the permanent concrete school building was opened. In June 2011, the second phase of the building, built by Engr. Catillo Litob, was inaugurated. In June 2016, the new Preschool Building in Sambalilo Street was blessed. Also, the property spanning Sambalilo to Curadang Streets was fenced, housing the athletic field and the swimming pool. Furthermore, the old campus along Pandango Street was improved with bigger classrooms and a Social Hall.  In July 2018, a small multi-purpose hall in Curadang Street, called “Holy Spirit Hall”, was opened.  On October 21, 2018 Fr. Marbendear Morallas presided the Mass to bless the mini-covered court called “St. Mary’s Court”, as well as to consecrate and bless SMILE as a school.  From 80 square meters in 1990, SMILE grew and is blessed with 2,000 square meters in 2017; from 20 to more than 300 students.  In School Year 2020-2021, the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a shift to distance learning modality.  With that shift, SMILE’s geographical boundaries expanded. God’s providence is indeed limitless!

The excellent quality of SMILE’s elementary education was confirmed when the National Achievement Test result revealed that SMILE Class of 2015 placed fourth among 149 private schools in Davao City. It made its mark in DAPRISA and City Library interschool speech contests. Its first basketball team, co-founded by SMILE parent, Mr. Sherwin Santos and Coach Teacher Nico John Malmis in the SY 2016-2017, made a name as a clean and competitive team.  Andrei Cabagtong was the first team member who made it to Palarong Pambansa in April 2018.  SMILE had consistently ranked well in DAPRISA public speaking competitions, but in SY 2019-2020, it placed top 3 to champion in all categories from Grades 1 to 6.  The school has also consistently performed well in DAPRISA spelling competitions.  However, during the first year of the pandemic, SY 2020-2021, it won top 5 in all levels from Grades 1 to 6.  SMILE’s Junior High School department joined the DAPRISA Math-Science Contest for the first time also in March 2021. It also won top 5 in all levels from Grades 7 to 9.

SMILE grader graduates starting with the first batch passed the Philippine Science High School as alternate qualifiers – Viola Mae Bermejo (2013), Gabrielle Gamboa (2015), Angelica Claire Barecuatro (2016) and Stephanie Francine Bajo (2016).  Ralph Lauren Mangubat (2017) passed the Philippine Science High School Davao Campus entrance exam. Other passers to the same campus are Kurt Dallin Romualdo (2018), Trisha Mae Maitim (2019), Czarina Patrice Roque (2021) and Margaux Louise Salanatin (2021). Josh Christian Litob (2021) was the first SMILE grade school graduate to pass the Philippine Science High School Main Campus.

As a batch, the Class of 2018 surpassed the academic achievement of previous batches in that they had the biggest number of passers to other stiff entrance examinations as follows:  SPED Bangkal and Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School STE Program:  Justin Angelo Acuña (Top 3), Shagred Santos (Top 24), Yannah Ashley Bajo (Top 25), as well as 4 others.  Indeed God has been gracious to our school!

God’s special call for SMILE became clear as teachers gathered in 2006 to reflect on the philosophy, vision mission, goals and core values of the school. In 2016, they reflected on the same and prayed about the future path for the school. In 2018, all administrative and teaching personnel re-visited, re-affirmed and further clarified the philosophy-vision-mission-values of St. Mary’s Initial Learning Experience.  The revisions are now reflected in this Handbook.

SMILE is God’s school, its Church – an institution called to form God’s people into good Filipino Christian leaders.

 

SCHOOL SEAL

The book symbolizes education.  The lighted torch on which the book rests symbolizes Jesus Christ, on Whom the whole education process is rooted.  The Blessed Virgin Mary is our model of Christian discipleship.  The rays symbolize the Holy Spirit whose gifts and fruits transform the Philippine society into an authentic People of God.

 

SCHOOL FLAG

The first batch of Grade 4 learners designed the school banner in September 2010.  Its symbolism has been clarified in 2018.  Green symbolizes life which comes from and is lived according to God’s purpose. Yellow stands for the sun, the rays of which affect everything in our world.  Education in SMILE aims to affect the society in which its learners belong.

 

PARENT’S RIGHTS, RESPOSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS  

(mainly from Education Act of 1982)

1. Parents have the right to organize themselves with the teachers in the Homeroom Group Chat for the purpose of providing reminders and information relating to the school program.
2. Parents have the right to access any official record relating to the children who are their parental responsibility, subject to some guidelines.
3. Parents have the right to address their concerns to the School Administration through the Class Adviser.
4. Parents have the duty to help carry out the educational objectives in accordance with national goals.
5. Parents have the duty to enable their children to obtain elementary education and shall strive to enable them to obtain secondary and higher education in the pursuance of the right formation of the youth.
6. Parents have the duty to cooperate with the school it has chosen to be its partner in the implementation of the school program.
7. SMILE parents must respect, uphold and reinforce the academic policies, financial and enrollment policies, campus security policies, discipline code, and the school rules and regulations, thereby encouraging their children to do the same.
8. SMILE parents must promptly meet their financial and property obligations to the school, according to the enrollment contract; take seriously the monthly account statements and notices for account conference (for those delayed in payment), all of which are paperless in the time of pandemic.
9. SMILE parents must demonstrate respect to self, parents, teachers, the school, and the authorities. They must show support to their children by attending Parent-Teacher conferences. They are encouraged to attend parenting formation, meetings and school activities.
10. SMILE parents must contribute positively to the school community and be discreet in giving feedback to the Administration, which is always ready to listen. Suggestions for improvement, clarifications and concerns should be communicated privately to the Homeroom Adviser during reasonable hours. If no action is taken, the SMILE Administrator may be directly informed through text.  Appointment with her may also be requested through direct message at the school’s Facebook page.

In no instance should concerns about the school or any member of the SMILE community be discussed through the Homeroom group chat, social media or public fora.

SMILE parents must refrain from mentioning the name of the school when ventilating personal views or airing complaints through social media or other platform.

11. SMILE parents must respect the school it has chosen also by not recording, posting or broadcasting online classes and activities without getting consent from the Administrator.

LEARNER’S RIGHTS, RESPOSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS

(mainly from Education Act of 1982)

1. Learners have the right to receive, through competent instruction, quality education relevant to national goals and conducive to their full development as person with human dignity.
2. They have the right to school guidance and counseling services for decisions and selecting their future fields of endeavor.
3. They have the right of access to their own school records, subject to confidentiality.
4. They have the right of issuance of official certificates, diplomas, transcript, graduation credentials and other similar documents within 30 days from request, subject to guidelines.
5. They must exert their utmost to develop their potentialities for service, particularly by undergoing an education suited to their abilities, in order that they may become assets to their family and to society.
6. They must uphold the academic integrity of the school, endeavor to achieve academic excellence and abide by the rules and regulations governing their academic responsibilities and moral integrity.
7. They must promote and maintain the peace and tranquility of the school by observing the rules and discipline, and by exerting efforts to attain harmonious relationships with fellow students, the academic staff and other school personnel.
8. They must participate actively in civic affairs and in the promotion of the general welfare, particularly in the social, economic and cultural development of the community and in the attainment of a just, compassionate and orderly society.
9. They must exercise their rights responsibly in the knowledge that they are answerable for any infringement or violation of the public welfare and of the rights of others.
10. SMILE learners must behave and act as good Filipino Christian leaders including but not limited to:
    1. refraining from all forms of violence including but not limited to fighting, creating disturbances; denying others the use of school facilities, carrying or using any weapon in school premises; intentionally injuring others, exposing others to risk or danger of bodily harm or injury;  threatening or intimidating others; hurting the feelings of, and threatening the Christian spiritual life of others in any way
    2. caring for their health and the health of others by avoiding the possession, use, or trafficking of cigarettes, alcohol or dangerous drugs;
    3. promoting justice and order by refraining from any unlawful activity
    4. developing integrity and good work ethic by refraining from intentional or habitual tardiness, unexcused absences, cheating, sloppy work, or acts that can affect the rights and opportunities of others to receive a good education; and
    5. demonstrating desirable Christian values, performance character traits, socio-emotional skills and 21st century skills, as well as leadership toward good goals.

TEACHER’S RIGHTS, RESPOSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATIONS

(mainly from Education Act of 1982)

1. Teachers shall be deemed persons in authority when in the discharge of lawful duties and responsibilities, and shall, therefore, be accorded due respect and protection.
2. They must perform their duties to the school by discharging their responsibilities in accordance with the philosophy, goals, and objectives of the school.
3. They must be accountable for the efficient and effective attainment of specified learning objectives in pursuance of national development goals within the limits of available school resources.
4. They must render regular reports on performance of each learner and to the latter and the latter’s parents and guardians with specific suggestions for improvement.
5. They must assume the responsibility to maintain and sustain his professional growth and advancement and maintain professionalism in his behavior at all times.
6. They must refrain from making deductions in students’ scholastic rating for acts that are clearly not manifestations of poor scholarship.
7. They must participate as an agent of constructive social, economic, moral, intellectual, cultural and political change in his school and the community within the context of national policies.
8. SMILE teachers must set an example as good Filipino Christian leaders.

 

ENROLLMENT POLICIES

(mainly from Manual of Regulation for Private Schools)

1. A learner has the right to enroll in SMILE upon meeting its specific standards and reasonable regulations as well as the requirements prescribed by law.
2. When a learners enrolls, it is understood that he is enrolling for the entire school year (except for Pre-K).
3. No learner shall be officially enrolled unless he presents the proper school credentials on or before the end of the enrollment period for the school term.
4. For purposes of enrollment, the name and other personal data or circumstances of each learner as indicated on his birth certificate shall prevail.
5. Testing and enrollment is at least 1 week earlier for SMILE learners. Slots for sectioning shall be filled on the first to enroll, first served basis.
6. After conference with the Administrator, a learner is entitled to transfer to another school provided he has no unsettled obligations with SMILE. To those who have no unsettled obligations, SMILE shall issue the following transfer credentials: uncancelled report card with certificate of eligibility to transfer duly signed by the school head. The release of transfer credentials may be withheld for reasons of suspension, expulsion or nonpayment of financial obligations or property responsibility of the learner to SMILE.
7. Temporary or provisional enrollment may be allowed and is conditioned on the submission of valid enrollment documents and transfer credentials on or before the last day of the school year. A provisionally-enrolled learner shall not be enrolled in the next higher grade or level for the next succeeding school year if he has not submitted those enrollment documents and transfer credentials on or before the specified period.  Whatever credits for the subjects he may have passed shall not be recognized.

 

FINANCIAL POLICIES

(mainly from Manual of Regulation for Private Schools)

1. It is understood that when a learner enrolls, he is considered enrolled for the entire school year, except for Pre-K. If he wishes to withdraw enrollment, he may do so based on the following guidelines:
2. A formal letter must be written, addressed to the Administrator of the school, requesting for cancellation of enrollment.
3. A virtual interview with the Administrator follows, after which she authorizes the dropping of the learner’s name from the roll, issuance of transfer credentials and computation of refund, if any.
4. Computation of charges and refund will depend on the date the letter is actually received by the Administrator. Computation is as follows:

During enrollment period:   10% of Enrollment Fees shall be charged

On the 1^st week of classes:  First monthly tuition, 10% of Enrollment Fees, and 100% of Learning Resources shall be charged, whether the learner has attended school or not

On the 2^nd week of classes: First monthly tuition, 20% of Enrollment Fees, and 100% of the Learning Resources shall be charged, whether the learner has attended school or not

After 2^nd week of classes: the full payment of the whole year’s fees shall be charged, whether the learner has attended school or not.

2. Tuition is a monthly obligation paid by the learners. Enrollment Fees encompass services and fees from Enrollment period until the end of the school year.  The schedule of fees and payment for the current year is considered an integral part of the Enrollment Contract.  Learning Resources include online and offline resources, as well as printed books or materials.
3. Paperless statements of account shall be sent by the Cashier through the learners’ learning management systems every month. Those with accounts amounting to 2 or more monthly installments shall be scheduled for conference with the Administrator. Notice for Accounts Conference will be sent through the Class Adviser.
4. Payments may be paid at the Cashier’s Office or through bank transfer. Online transaction Records must be forwarded immediately to Martha’s Wok via Messenger.  Receipt must be obtained after every transaction.  These should be attached to the Financial Record and presented when seeking clarification about pupils’ accounts.
5. For bank transfer done through GCash, InstaPay, or any other online platform, the following are the bank details of the school:

Account Name:                   SMILE Inc

Savings Account #:            2 7 8 0 5 7 7 3 1 4

Bank Name:                        Chinabank

(or China Banking Corporation for InstaPay)

Branch:                                Davao Matina

The name and grade level of the child must be indicated on the receipt itself.  Take a picture of it and send to the FB Messenger of the Cashier, which is Martha’s Wok.   Soft copy of the receipt will be sent the same way.  Hard copy may be picked up from the Cashier’s Office on the Office Hours of designated days.

6. Cash payments are preferred, although on-date checks cleared by the bank (only) may be accepted. On-date checks should be issued to Mary’s Initial Learning Experience, Inc.
7. Examination permits are required for all quarterly exams in Grades 1-10. These are required for all monthly tests in Pre-K and Kinder.  These permits are issued when the accounts are paid up until the current month.

For monthly tests in all levels, examination permits are automatically issued when accounts are updated as of the current month.  When the account is only one monthly installment, the Cashier approves the promissory form.

For the final major exam, the permit is issued only if all property and financial obligations up to May are paid up and the school clearance is fully signed.

8. Promissory forms obtained from the Cashier may be accepted and approved one week prior to the first and second quarterly exam only, subject to the following guidelines:
9. The account due is not greater than one 1 monthly installment as indicated in the Payment Scheme.
10. The due amount shall be fully liquidated after 15 working days from the last day of the examination.
11. If payment is not done, the next promissory letter will be disapproved.
12. Parents of learners with accounts greater than one monthly installment need to see the Administrator for account conference BEFORE THE SCHEDULED EXAMS.
13. The school has the authority to rescind the enrollment contract and bar the learner from attending classes in case the parents / guardian fail to pay two consecutive monthly installments of the due and demandable school fees indicated in the current schedule of payment. However, the learner shall be readmitted as soon as the tuition and other school fees are paid, provided that he/she shall be solely responsible in keeping up with the lessons, assignments and taking examinations during the school days that he/she was not allowed to enter school and attend classes.

 

 

CODE OF DISCIPLINE:

Rules and Regulations

Members of the SMILE school community – learners, parents and personnel – are expected to always behave as good Filipino Christian leaders both in and out of the online school.  The following are the rules and regulations for the online school, applicable to all:

1. Courtesy, respect and the core values must be observed at all times and in all circumstances.
2. Learners are expected to come punctually and regularly in all classes every school day. The Class Adviser and subject teachers must be informed if the learner cannot attend class, assessment or activities due to loss of internet connection in order to be excused.

Those who have been authorized by the Administrator to enroll for module type of education do not need to attend classes and will be graded in a different way for the Performance Task on Class Participation.

3. At the discretion of the teacher, the first or last 10 minutes, or a break within the class time will be designated as “socialization time.” The learners will be unmuted and allowed to speak with each other.
4. Learners are expected to attend classes in decent / appropriate clothes and to use a headset or earphone. They are expected to turn their camera on and to pay attention during virtual classes in order to be counted as present for the session. Their microphones will be muted during class, unless called to recite. During live virtual exams and performance tasks, however, the microphone will be turned on. Their study area is preferably in a well-lighted, quiet place, free from distractions, and away from the bedroom.
5. Learners are expected to manage their time so that they can accomplish their asynchronous tasks 3 hours every school day.
6. Per DepEd Child Protection Policy (DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2012), learners must conduct themselves, in accordance with their level of development, maturity and demonstrated capabilities, with a proper regard for the rights and welfare of other persons. They are expected to respect other persons’ rights regardless of opinion, status, gender, ethnicity and religion, as well as everyone’s moral and physical integrity. All must refrain from discriminating, gossiping, name-calling and laughing at others’ misfortune or mistakes; saying or doing anything that is inappropriate or provocative; participating in behavior that is illegal, unsafe or abusive; marking or damaging in any way others’ or school property including books; engaging in fights or any aggressive behavior; introducing into the campus or possessing prohibited articles (violent toys, weapons, drugs, alcohol, noxious substances, cigarettes and lewd/indecent materials); and performing similar acts that cause damage or injury to others.
7. All are encouraged to know and understand that illegal access to data and libel are covered under RA 10175.
8. Complaints and suggestions should be addressed first to the Class Adviser and then to the Administrator. They are not to be discussed with other learners, other parents, other school personnel who have no authority to act on these. They must not, in any situation, be discussed in any group chat, social media or similar platform.

 

Sanctions

(DepEd Child Protection Policy, DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2012,

Manual of Regulations for Private Schools)

The Code of Discipline is intended to assist the learners in making their life in SMILE meaningful, peaceful, safe and orderly. Violations of the code will be met with appropriate sanctions. Disciplinary sanctions enable pupils to attain the goals of the school, teach them to take responsibility for the actions, teach them respect for law and authority, form in them the correct character, protect the rest of the learners and the school’s good name, as well as prevent repetition of violations of school rules and regulations.

In disciplining the learners, the standard takes into account the special rights of children as embodied in Article 1 Section 2 of RA 7610, to wit:

“The best interests of children shall be the paramount consideration in all actions considering them, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities, and legislative bodies, consistent with the principles of First Call for Children as enunciated in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Every effort shall be exerted to promote the welfare of children and enhance their opportunities for a useful and happy life.”

Note 1: All members of the school community, including learners, parents, guardians and school personnel, are expected to adhere strictly to Discipline Code.

Note 2: “Out of the campus” is a broad term that can mean when the learners are representing the school in activities outside the campus. It can also mean they are not representing the institution officially in any activity but are wearing the school uniform or are identified with the school.

Note 3: Offenses may be classified as either Minor or Serious.  Serious Offenses could be the basis for non-readmission of a learner in SMILE, regardless of his/her academic performance.  Minor offenses that are habitually done are considered Serious Offense and are meted sanctions as such.

Note 4: Definition of Terms:

Bullying or peer abuse– willful, aggressive behavior committed by a learner towards another learner in a school setting, which results in physical and mental abuse, harassment, intimidation or humiliation. It may consist of any one or more of the following: threats to inflict a wrong upon the person, honor or property of the child or on his/her family; stalking; taking of property; public humiliation; deliberate destruction of child’s property; physical violence; requiring sexual or monetary favors; restraining the liberty of another learner.

Cyber-bullying– bullying done by an individual or a group with the use of communication or information technology. It employs electronic technology in harassing, embarrassing, maligning, or psycho-emotionally harming another person or group. It is a deliberate, usually repeated, and hurtful behavior.  Cyber-bulling may involve name-calling, insulting, or giving offensive remarks. It may be indirect and involve spreading rumors, telling distasteful stories, or isolating the victim from his/her friends or class.

Other acts of abuse by a learner – other serious acts of abuse committed by a learner upon another learner not falling under the definition of bullying

Corporal punishment– kind of punishment or penalty for an offense which is carried out for the purpose of discipline that includes physical, humiliating or degrading punishment, including but not limited to the following: blows on a child’s body; striking a child’s face or head; pulling hair; twisting joints; cutting or piercing skin; dragging, pushing or throwing a child; forcing a child to perform physically painful or damaging acts; deprivation of a child’s physical needs as a form of punishment; deliberate exposure to fire, ice, etc. that can cause discomfort or threaten a child’s health, safety and sense of security; tying up a child; confinement; verbal abuse, including threat of bodily harm, swearing, cursing, ridiculing or denigrating the child; forcing a child to wear a sign, undress or to put anything that will make the child look or feel foolish, which humiliates the child in front of others; permanent confiscation of learners’ personal property, except when such pose a danger to the child or to others; other analogous acts.

Positive and non-violent discipline– proactive approach to teaching that helps children develop appropriate thinking and behavior and fosters self-discipline

 

 VIOLATIONS OF THE STANDARDS OF ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE

In the case of minor offenses committed in his presence, a teacher or school official, in his capacity as substitute parent, has the authority to impose appropriate and reasonable measures in the interest of good order and discipline.

 

1. Minor Offenses

Below is a list of offenses that are considered minor, also applicable to adults:

1. Habitual tardiness (three times excused tardiness constitutes half-day absence)
2. Habitual non-compliance with homework or any schoolwork, or no school materials
3. Improper use of cellular phones or other gadget
4. Noisiness, shouting, frequent standing or disturbance of others
5. Acts, or gestures that deliberately annoy another person
6. ONLY A FEW TIMES:  Cutting class, loitering or going out of the school premises without permission
7. ONLY A FEW TIMES:  Childish quarreling
8. ONLY A FEW TIMES:  Disregard of the language drive (English for Kinder level and older)
9. ONLY ONCE:  Use of vulgar/ cuss, negative, deliberately annoying and inappropriate language; gossiping; disrespectful language (More than once is a serious offense.)

Procedure for Minor Offenses:

1. Anyone who witnesses or discovers the commission of a minor offense shall report immediately to the Class Adviser or any teacher.
2. The Class Adviser renders judgment on the offense. The consequence shall be commensurate with the nature and gravity of the offense. Interventions may be any of the following or combinations thereof:
3. a) reprimand by the class adviser with anecdotal report
4. b) conference by the class adviser with the parents or guardian regarding the said offense
5. c) conference of pupil with the Guidance Counselor or Coordinator
6. d) conference with and reprimand by the Administrator in front of the parents
7. f) restitution
8. g) confiscation

 

 

 Serious Offenses

In the case of serious offenses, the teacher or school official shall submit a report to the school head who may cause the institution of appropriate disciplinary action to the erring leaner, if warranted by the circumstances of the case.  Due process shall be observed.

The following are considered serious offenses, also applicable to the adults within the school community:

Minor offenses repeatedly done

Frequent and continuous disregard of the Rules and Regulations of the school; encouraging others to do the same

Serious or gross misconduct unbecoming of a SMILE learner

Any form of dishonesty, cheating, stealing, shoplifting, opening the bag, getting things of others without permission, asking money from another, repeated asking things/ food from another

Forgery, signing own cards, tampering with school records or documents of any kind; securing or using forged school records, forms and documents

Vandalism or malicious marking, writing on, damaging or destroying school property or that of others through gum, pen, ink, paint, carving or any means

Engaging in endangering behavior, such removing fire alarms, unnecessarily setting off alarms, tampering with fire extinguishers, sitting on ledges, dropping objects from buildings, refusing to conform to safety protocols, reckless driving, rough play, or any other action that might lead to loss of life or injury, whether done intentionally or out of recklessness or gross

Grave acts of disrespect, which consist of any word or deed which holds in contempt any school personnel as well as any person in authority; attempting to bribe any school personnel

Fighting, inciting fights inside or outside the school; hazing in any form or manner whether inside or outside the school premises; physically hurting oneself or another person; doing any act of physical violence of a sexual nature;  initiating and/or participating in activities resulting in injury or moral damage to persons.

Discrimination, acts of abuse, extortion, rudeness, intimidation, threats, circulating gossip or damaging stories, hooliganism, or any other form of bullying

Abusive language against or about another, name-calling, slander, vulgar language or cuss words; any act by word or deed that degrades or debases the dignity of a person

Carrying or using any kind of weapon which could endanger the life or health of anyone

Truancy, unexcused absences, cutting class, more than 5 times tardiness in a month

Gambling in any form

Possessing obscene literature and indecent pictures or videos, or sharing the same with others

Smoking within 100 meters from the school, being intoxicated due to alcohol, drugs or other mind-altering substances, or possessing the same

Membership in unsanctioned organizations or groups

Pranks or acts that hurt or threaten the safety, health, physical or moral integrity of another person

Plagiarism, possession or use of physical or digital notes, using any form of leaked items in assessments, providing a false reason for failure to meet a deadline, falsely claiming to have submitted work; making or receiving any form of communication that may be interpreted as giving or soliciting help during assessments; or any other form of cheating

Threatening, without justification, with bodily harms or lawsuits any individual inside the campus

Falsely accusing another student; lying at the hearing on the charges against himself / herself; talking maliciously about a member of the school community or the school itself

Refusing to identify the pupil who violated a school regulation when he / she knew the pupil

Using, possessing and selling of cigarette or prohibited drugs, whether inside or outside the school

Immorality; committing acts of intimacy or lewdness inside or outside the school; delivery of a lewd or offensively indecent speech/ communication, which contains sexual metaphors; any look, speech or act toward another person that is lascivious in nature; indecent attire or social media posts/ messaging;

Instigating, leading or participating in concerted activities leading to stoppage of classes; disrupting classes; preventing any learner or school personnel from entering the premises or discharging their duties

Unauthorized use of the school’s name in any public statement or activity; defamatory comments about the school or any member of the school community

Romantic relationships; inappropriate and public display of affection; possessing, viewing, showing, or distributing indecent/pornographic materials or media; wearing or posting anything indecent or scandalous in nature; initiating, engaging in, or promoting indecent and/or offensive behavior

Absences of more than 20% of the prescribed number of class or laboratory periods during the school year or term shall be given a failing grade and given no credit for the course or subject.

 

 Procedure for Serious Offenses:

1. Anyone who witnesses or discovers the commission of a serious offense shall report immediately to the Class Adviser, who shall assist in accomplishing a reportorial form, which contains the following information:
2. a) Nature of the offense
3. b) Date and place where the offense was committed
4. c) Name/s of the suspect/s and witness/es if there are any
5. d) Name of the complainant
6. e) Date of filing
7. The Class Adviser shall report to the Administrator, who shall call for a meeting with the learners concerned and their parents.
8. Depending on the gravity of the offense, the Administrator may right away impose warning, penalty or reprimand, if warranted, in the presence of the parents or guardians. Interventions may be any of the following or combinations thereof:
9. a) Counseling
10. b) Probation status
11. c) Community Service
12. d) Failure in Character Education/Values (disqualified from academic honors, DO 74, s. 2012)
13. If the offense is grave, the Administrator may also initiate the filing of Administrative Penalty with due process.
14. a) The Administrator shall create an Ad Hoc Disciplinary Committee composed of the class adviser, two other teachers, an SSFC representative and herself as chair.
15. b) The Ad Hoc Disciplinary Committee shall inform the learner/s named in the report and the witnesses, including his/her/their parents of the nature and cause of the complaint. Part of the letter is the statement, “You may be assisted by a legal counsel/lawyer or your parents during the meeting, or you may waive this right in writing and in the presence of a counsel.”
16. c) The Committee shall conduct the investigation by ascertaining the facts and hearing the evidences presented. It can decide to give a reprimand, referral for counseling or impose administrative sanctions/penalties based on the merits of the case. Administrative Penalties merit disqualification from academic honors (DO 74, s. 2012). These are as follows:
17. preventive suspension
18. one to three days suspension from classes but reporting in school for guided study

iii. suspension from classes for more than three days and banned from the school premises for the duration of the suspension

Note: A written promise of future exemplary conduct signed by the pupil and countersigned by his parents or guardian shall be required as a condition for readmission after suspension of one or more days.

1. exclusion or dismissal from the school
2. expulsion (with permission from the Secretary of Education)
3. d) The decision of the Ad Hoc Disciplinary Committee shall be in writing.
4. e) The decision of the Ad Hoc Disciplinary Committee on suspension or expulsion cases may be subject to appeal 5 days after the decision is made known. The appeal must be made in writing addressed to the SMILE Board of Trustees.
5. If the cases are child abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination and bullying, the Administrator convenes the Child Protection Committee for identification, referral and appropriate action. The said committee is composed of the following:
6. a) School Administrator – Chairperson
7. b) Guidance Counselor/Teacher – Vice Chairperson
8. c) Representative of the Faculty – Senior teacher designated by the Faculty
9. d) Representative of the Parents – the SMILE Supreme Family Council President or other officer designated by the SSFC Board
10. e) Student Government President
11. f) Representative of the Community – the Barangay Captain or his/her representative

 

Anti-Bullying Policy

PROTECTIVE AND REMEDIAL MEASURES TO ADDRESS CHILD ABUSE, EXPLOITATION, VIOLENCE, DISCRIMINATION, BULLYING & OTHER ACTS OF ABUSE

1. PROCEDURES IN HANDLING BULLYING INCIDENTS IN SCHOOLS:
2. First Offense
3. Complaint is filed or notice is given to the class adviser of any bullying or peer abuse incident.
4. Class Adviser reports to the School Head.

iii. School Head informs the parents/guardian of the victim and the offender during the meeting called for that purpose.

1. Victim and offending child are referred to the Child Protection Committee for counseling and other interventions.
2. The penalty or reprimand, if warranted, may be imposed by the School Head in the presence of the parents or guardians.

Note: The School Head ensures that the appropriate interventions, counseling and other services are provided for the victim/s of bullying.

2. Second Offense
3. (after the offending child has received counseling or other interventions) Penalty of suspension for not more than one week may be imposed by the School Head, if such is warranted. (disqualified from academic honors, DO 74, s. 2012)
4. During this said period, the offending child and the parents or guardians may be required to attend further seminars and counseling. The Directress also ensures that appropriate interventions, counseling and other services are provided for the victim of bullying.

iii. Depending on the gravity of the bullying done by the learner, other non-punitive measures may be imposed on the offender.

PROCEDURES IN HANDLING BULLYING THAT RESULTS IN SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURIES OR DEATH:

(When appropriate, it shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Re-public Act 9344 and its implementing rules and regulations.) In all cases where the imposable penalty on the offending child is suspension, exclusion or expulsion, the following minimum requirements of due process shall be complied with:

a) The child and parents or guardian must be informed of the complaint in writing.

b) The child shall be given opportunity to answer the complaint in writing, with the assistance of parents or guardian.

c) The decision of the School Head shall be in writing, stating the facts and reason for the decision.

d) The decision of the School Head may be appealed, as provided for in existing rules of the Department of Education.

OTHER ACTS OF VIOLENCE OR ABUSE BY A LEARNER ON A FELLOW LEARNER

These shall be dealt with the provisions of Republic Act 9344 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.

1. PROCEDURES FOR COMPLAINTS AGAINST SCHOOL PERSONNEL
2. Complaint against any school personnel is filed in writing directly to the Administrator for quick resolution.
3. He/She will then act according to due process. Administrative, civil or criminal case may also be filed, as the gravity of the case requires.
4. The Administrator shall inform the complainant in writing of the action done.
5. The Administrator will also refer the Personnel for counseling as needed.

 

ACADEMIC POLICIES

(based on Manual of Regulation for Private Schools, DepEd memos)

Effective School Year 2021-2022, a headset or earphone is required for all classes and virtual sessions in order to facilitate the learner’s concentration and to minimize background noises during class.

Care will be taken to ensure the validity of the summative assessments as well as the integrity of the learners. Bathroom and other breaks need to be taken before entering the Zoom session for all live written tests and performance tasks, which form part of the summative assessments.  Intellectual dishonesty is to be avoided.

The subject teachers should be informed beforehand if internet connectivity is slow on the day of the summative assessment. They will be around during the assessment to guide the learners and collect all the papers or products at the end of the 1 or 1.5 hour test.  For fast and older learners who do not need the teacher’s guidance, they can answer on their own and submit their test/ work before the allotted period is over.

Written tests are time-bound and done in front of the teacher (live but virtual). The number of questions may be few, depending on the competencies covered for each month, but the total items may be greater. This is because for Understanding, Applying, Analyzing, Evaluating and Creating, points shall be given for honesty, independence, clarity of explanation, completeness of answer, and other like scoring rubrics.

Since tests are done live, should a learner experience internet connectivity interruption, the parent and/or learner must take a screenshot of their problem and immediately inform the subject teacher, requesting to be excused.  In this case, the test shall be immediately unsent and a new test shall be given on another date or time.

For very younger learners who need parent’s assistance with technology up to the second quarter, the camera and microphone must be on during the entire duration of the test in order to ensure the validity of the test.  If the policy is not followed, the test is rendered invalid, and overtime fee is paid so that all the subject teachers can make a new set of tests for the particular learners.

Parents may help their children by reviewing the learner prior to the scheduled task, or by translating or explaining during the actual test, but never by giving the actual answer. Coaching is cheating, which is a serious offense.  It merits penalties as such.

Cheating in any form during any test will lead to a zero score in the particular test, on top of sanctions for serious offenses. Cheating in any form during any of the first 3 quarterly exams will lead to a zero score in the particular exam, on top of the sanctions for serious offenses. Cheating in any form on the final exam will lead to failure in the subject, on top of the sanctions for serious offenses.

Performance tasks may be asynchronous or live time-bound. They may be written, product, skill, oral, presentation, or performance-based.  They may also be either teacher-determined or learner’s choice.  Lastly, they may also be collaborative – just one task but to be scored in one or several subjects.  Scoring rubrics shall be announced at least 2 weeks before the deadline.

A learner who has not taken the scheduled exam or performance task with no valid reason will be given a zero score for that particular assessment.

Since SMILE is a Christian school, Bible sharing forms part of the Performance Tasks in Values subject. Only 1 Bible sharing is recorded in every quarter as follows:

 

Level of Engagement

4 points: When called to participate:  contributed to the class activity by offering quality ideas and asking appropriate questions;  consistently showed positive, respectful and cooperative attitude to the teacher and classmates during the session

3 points: 1 component is missing

2 points:   2 or more components are missing

0 point:   unexcused absence

Focus

4 points: Consistently attentive and on task; showed himself / herself on camera 90% of the time

3 points: 1 component is missing or inconsistent

2 points:   2 components are missing or inconsistent

0 point:   unexcused absence

Attitude during prayer

4 points: Maintained reverential (respectful) attitude during prayer; actually prayed / joined the prayer

3 points: 1 component is missing or inconsistent

2 points:   2 components are missing or inconsistent

0 point:   unexcused absence

 

The DepEd and SMILE Core Values are reflected in the Graders and High School Progress Report Card. These are rated as Always Observed (AO), Sometimes Observed (SO), Rarely Observed (RO), and Not Observed (NO). The behavior of a learner is graded by all his/ her subject teachers as a 16-point performance task in Values subject as follows:

 

4 Always Observed              3 Often Observed     3 Sometimes Observed

2 Rarely Observed               0 Not Observed

MAKA-DIYOS   (4-3-2-1-0)

Outwardly expresses one’s belief in God; prays willingly and reverently

Respects the spiritual beliefs of others

Exhibits positivism, hope and confidence in God; is resilient

Is honest, fair, and righteous with correct moral conduct (even outside class)

MAKATAO   (4-3-2-1-0)

Is serene, gentle, patient, harmonious, and forgiving

Communicates respectfully, tolerates differences, and is sensitive to others’ feelings

Is self-controlled

Is collaborative, kind, helpful, compassionate and grateful to others

Is friendly, polite and has positive relationships

MAKABANSA  (4-3-2-1-0)

Demonstrates pride in being Filipino; exercises rights & responsibilities of a citizen

Does tasks with careful planning, ingenuity, thoroughness and excellent quality

Behaves appropriately in the family and in class

Obeys rules and regulations, accepts correction, and is disciplined during class

Is determined, dedicated and persistent

MAKAKALIKASAN  (4-3-2-1-0)

Is economical, orderly and neat

 

In order to encourage learners to be lifelong learners, ensure student participation during virtual classes in all subjects, and to prevent possible addiction to non-academic online activities, daily class participation is recorded as a performance task. The scoring is for only 5 virtual classes per quarter, to make allowances for unforeseen circumstances, such as but not limited to low internet connectivity.

4 points: There is evidence that the learner is consistently attentive and on task.  When called to participate, he/she contributes to class discussions by offering quality ideas and asking appropriate questions.  He/She consistently shows positive, respectful and cooperative attitude to the teacher and classmates during class.  The camera is on 90% of the time.

3 points: 1 component is missing or inconsistent

2 points: 2 components are missing or inconsistent

1 point:   3 components are missing or inconsistent

0 point:   unexcused absence

For those whose children really cannot attend any of the virtual classes for the whole school year, a virtual conference with the Administrator is needed so that a module type of learning may be arranged.

Independence and intellectual honesty are given importance. If a learner has some diagnosed learning disabilities or special needs, a virtual conference with the Administrator must be requested so that adjustments may be arranged.

 

Asynchronous tasks serve to help learners master the competencies. Although the correctness of the answers do not form part of the grade, for Grades 4 and older, the submission of 5 accomplished Required Asynchronous Tasks are graded as part of Performance Tasks as follows:

4 points- Submitted proof of accomplishment of the required asynchronous activity on time, and there is evidence of extra care and effort in performing the task;

3 points- Submitted proof of accomplishment of the required asynchronous activity on time, and there is evidence of some care and effort in performing the task;

2 points- Submitted proof of accomplishment of the required asynchronous activity on time

1 point- Submitted proof of accomplishment of the required asynchronous activity but late by 4 weeks

0 point- Submitted proof of accomplishment of the required asynchronous activity but late by more than 4 weeks, or did not submit at all

Only 5 required asynchronous tasks in each subject for Grades 4-10 are included in the computation of grades.

To prevent learners from failing any subject at the end of the year, the subject teachers, Class Adviser or Academic Coordinator may call for a virtual Academic Conference for the parents of learners whose raw scores are below expectation as of the monthly test. Non-attendance in the said conference means that the learner cannot take the Quarterly Test.

 

In preschool levels, checklists, anecdotal records and report card with letter grade are used. The other provisions in item No.2 apply. The new age requirement set by DepEd shall also apply for admission to the next preschool level.

 

An addition to or reduction in the grade for involvement in co-curricular activities, absence or misconduct may be allowed when the following conditions are present:

1. A learner more than 20% of the prescribed number of class or laboratory periods for the whole year. His failure here is due to academic deficiency caused by his absences which are not excused by the Directress.
2. The Administrator may excuse the absences if she considers the reason valid. When absences cannot be avoided, the pupil will be given alternative methods and materials that correspond to the given topics/competencies that were or will be missed.
3. The misconduct of a pupil may affect his final grade in Character Education.
4. The Administrator may authorize the addition of points to representatives of the school to interschool contests, provided that an appropriate issuance was given before the contest; provided further that the adjustment is relevant to the subject content and requirements.

 

Progress Report Cards reflect the learners’ level of achievement and quality of performance. They are presented to the parents only during Card Day Conference after the 1st to 3rd quarter. They are finally released by the Registrar in summer. They will be submitted at the Registrar’s office during enrollment period.

 

Grading System, Promotion and Retention of Learners

1. No learner shall be given completion of or graduation from a program or course unless he has enrolled and successfully fulfilled the enrollment requirements, faithfully and regularly attended classes, and acquired a reasonable proficiency in each subject.
2. The grading system set forth by the Department of Education shall be the basis of the grading system of SMILE.
3. The minimum grade needed to pass a subject is 60, which is transmuted to 75. The lowest grade that can appear in the report card for any quarter is 60. The final grade and the general average are written as whole numbers.

The  Transmutation Table is found in the PDF format of this handbook.

 

Effective School Year 2021-2022, the grade for every subject in every quarter shall be based on at least 1 recorded monthly test and one quarterly performance task. Both or these form part of summative assessments on the content and performance standards that describe the knowledge, abilities and skills that learners are expected to demonstrate. The quarterly test shall be computed usually as a written test, although the SMILE Administration may opt to announce at the start of the quarter to compute it as a performance task.

 

Specific percentage weights for written work and performance tasks vary according to the learning area.

 

The general average is obtained by dividing the sum of the final grades of all subjects divided by the total number subjects in the grade level. The final grade in a subject is the average of the grades in the four grading periods.

 

In Grade Six and Ten, a learner must pass all subjects in order to be promoted.

For the undergraduate levels, a final grade of at least 75 in all subjects means promotion to the next grade level. A failure in 3 or more learning areas means that the pupil is retained in the same grade level. A final grade of less than 75 in 1 or 2 learning areas means the pupil must pass the summer remedial classes in the said subjects. Otherwise, he/she is retained in the same grade level.

 

Remedial Classes in summer are conducted for those who failed in one (1) or two (2) subjects. The learners must pass these in order to be promoted to the next grade level.

1. Summative assessments are also given during remedial classes. These are computed, weighted and transmuted in the same way as the quarterly grade.
2. The equivalent of the Final grade for remedial class is the Remedial Class Mark.
3. The Final Grade at the end of the school year and the Remedial Class Mark are averaged. This results in the Recomputed Final Grade (RFG).
4. If the Recomputed Final Grade is 75 or better, the learner is promoted to the next grade level. Otherwise, he/she is retained in the same grade level.
5. The teacher of the remedial class issues Certificate of Recomputed Final Grade, which is noted by the Principal. This is submitted to DepEd and attached to Form 137 and School 3Form #5.
6. If the RFG is below 75, the learner must be re-assessed immediately for instructional intervention. If the learner still fails in the intervention, he/she is allowed to enroll in the next grade level in the succeeding school year with continuous provision of tutorial services (DO 13, s. 2018).

 

Academic Scholarship and Tuition Discount

In Grades Two to Ten, the learner who got the highest general average in SMILE the previous school year enjoys 20% tuition discount in the current year.

Loyalty discount is given to SMILE Grade 6 graduates who enroll in SMILE Junior High School.

During the pandemic, school-based tuition discount is given to all SMILE Junior High School learners, provided that they have satisfactory behavior, and maintain at least a passing grade in all subjects in the final rating.  The said discount is automatically forfeited when they transfer to another school, when there is a failing grade in any subject in the final rating, and/or once serious offenses have been committed, the penalties of which include rescinding the school-based tuition discount.

 

Awards

(DepEd Order No. 36, s. 2016; 18, s. 2021: recognizing outstanding performance and achievement)

CLASSROOM AWARDS:

1. Character Traits Awards are given to all learners for positive traits and attitudes, or to recognize significant improvement in their behavior. Awardees are given ribbons by the Adviser during the Moving-Up Ceremony at the end of the school year.
2. Conduct Awards are recognition for Grade Four learners and older who have consistently and dutifully carried out the core values of SMILE and DepEd as indicated in the report card. They must have obtained a rating of at least 75% AO (Always Observed) rating in the report card. They also must have not been sanctioned with offenses punishable by suspension or higher sanction within the school year. The ribbon is given during the Moving-Up Ceremony.

GRADE LEVEL AWARDS given during the Graduation, Completion or Recognition Ceremony:

1. Academic Excellence Award. At the end of the school year, medals are given to learners from Grades 1 to 10 who have attained a General Average of at least 90 and passing Final Grade in all subjects. The class advisers will give to the Academic Committee the list of qualified learners to be awarded during the Recognition / Graduation Ceremony at the end of the school year.  A simple quarterly Reading of Honors gives due recognition to these awardees.  The list of honors is alphabetically arranged and the actual general average of each learner is submitted to DepEd but not announced in the assembly.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARDS (GRADE SCHOOL TO HIGH SCHOOL)				AVERAGE GRADE
1.  With Highest Honors				98-100
2.  With High Honors				95-97
3.  With Honors				90-94

2. Special Awards for Grade School and High School. Medals are given to champions in various competitions / quiz bowls within the school level only – Best in Math-Science, Reading Comprehension, Spelling, Science Project, Public Speaking.
3. Performance Awards for Preschool. Medals are given during Recognition Day to preschool learners who bested their classmates in specific learning areas – Best English Communicator Award, Star Reader Award, Budding Mathematician, Awesome Artist Award and Best in Poem Recitation.
4. Loyalty Award. A SMILE medal is given to learners who have studied at SMILE from at least one preschool level up to Grade 6 and 10.
5. Special Recognition. Learners who have represented the school in an exemplary way and/or won in official interschool will be recognized through a congratulatory tarpaulin and/or a Certificate of Recognition.  The actual certificates, medals, trophies and/or plaques received by the learners from the various activities or competitions shall also be used to publicly acknowledge the awardees in giving honor to the school.

How to Determine the Awardees

An Awards Committee shall be organized by the Principal at the beginning of the school year. The AC is composed of 3 teachers who are not related within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity to any of the candidates for awards.  Chairperson could be any of the teachers.  It shall be guided by DepEd guidelines in establishing the processes of and timeline in accepting nominations and determining qualifiers for the Recognition / Graduation Ceremony Awards. It shall communicate with the school community the processes involved in giving awards. It shall handle the deliberation for honors and recommend to the Principal the result of evaluation or deliberation for approval.

 

 

CAMPUS SECURITY

(Health and Security Policies for the Time of COVID-19 Pandemic)

Since the first school year of pandemic, SMILE has adopted a modified hybrid distance learning mode of delivering education.  Absolutely no child is allowed to enter the gate.

Most transactions (inquiry, enrollment and payment) will be done online.  If this is not possible, it is recommended that transaction be done by phone or at the drive-through gate.  Only as a last recourse will face to face transaction be done inside the school.

For the parents and school personnel who will be entering the school premises, the following are the strategies and adaptations in place:

 

 

1. At the gate before entry:
   1. An interview is done first. If the person or a household member has cough, cold, fever, diarrhea, body pain, persistent headaches, sore throat, or is COVID positive, he/she cannot enter the premises.  Instead, he/she must transact through Facebook Messenger of SMILE School Davao or telephone, or just pick up their documents outside the gate.
   2. Face mask and face shield must be donned.
   3. Foot bath with chlorine solution for the footwear
   4. Thermal check
   5. Alcohol spray of the hands
   6. QR Code scanning
2. Non-contact greetings are used.
3. Physical distancing of 2-3 meters with other people from all sides is maintained.
4. All who enter the gate will use their own pen, when one is needed.
5. All lavatories that are strategically located near the gate have germicidal soap.
6. Handwashing with germicidal soap for 20 seconds is done after transaction in school.
7. Sanitation of tables, chairs, cash and plastic shield outside the Cashier’s Office is done after every transaction.
8. Chlorine solution in the foot bath of all gates is changed daily.
9. Wiping of door handles, bannisters, tables, and light switches with multi-purpose cleaner is done daily.
10. Desktop computers, tables and gadgets for online classes care of the teachers-in-charge of the said equipment are sanitized daily.

Additional campus security policies are the following:

1. Not allowed inside the campus and its immediate surroundings: firearms, deadly weapons, cigarette, liquor & prohibited drugs.
2. Courtesy must be practiced at all times, whether physically, through the use of phone, technology or through the internet.
3. Personnel on duty have the right to refuse entry of persons and let them transact only at the gate.
4. Posting of pictures of learners by the school and personnel is done only with parent’s consent.
5. Posting of pictures of classes is done only with Administrator’s consent.

March 30, 2021

Dear SMILE Parents,

Praised be Jesus Christ!

I hope that we are all preparing for a meaningful, reflective and blessed Holy Week.  There are many recollections and Holy Week activities online.

Do please be reminded of the following:

1. Final Exams are as follows:

April 11-13    Grade 1-3

April 12-16    Pre-Kinder and Kinder

April 14-16   Grades 4-9

To secure exam permit, please settle po including the April installment of fees. For Grades 1-9, please check po the mCourser of your children for the statement of account. For Pre-K and Kinder, the Class Adviser will send it to you through Messenger.

2. Please send the formal picture of your child to the Class Adviser through email. It is needed for the digital certificates. The teachers are already starting to make the digital certificates for Recognition, Moving-Up, Kinder Completion and Graduation Ceremonies. All ceremonies will be live (real-time) through Zoom.

Pictures for digital yearbook are only voluntary.  Please submit the best picture of your child taken during online class, performance task, or during a Zoom presentation.

3. Grade 6 please settle the Recollection Fee as scheduled.
4. April 19 Start of Preschool Academic Contests (championships)
5. Year-End Ceremonies, which both learners and parents will attend:                                     April 28 Moving-Up Ceremonies for all undergrad levels                                                         April 29 Recognition Ceremonies for Honor Students in all Undergrad Levels                  April 30 Baccalaureate Mass, Kinder Completion Ceremony, and Grade 6 Graduation Ceremony

6. For those families that have not yet claimed their children’s school ID and enrollment contract, please claim these from the school gate. Kindly double check first if you have actually submitted the soft copy of your child’s ID picture. I understand that some have not done so yet, so the ID company did not make for those learners until now.

 

Thank you very much. God bless and protect all families! Please stay safe po.

 

With my prayers for everyone,

Teacher Julie

School Administrator

ONLINE SCHOOL POLICY MEMORANDUM NO. 2020-07

Date:               March 10, 2021

To:                   All Grade 1-9 SMILE Faculty, Learners and their Parents

From:              The Administrator

Re:                  Live Online Performance Tasks, Integrity, and  New Rubrics for Asynchronous Tasks

The purpose of SMILE as a school is to develop good Filipino Christian leaders.  What this translates to in terms of the curricular program have been discussed in the parents’ as well as the learners’ orientation.  This includes independence of learners in answering exams.  Behavior Indicators in the learner’s progress report card include honesty, determination, dedication and persistence.

In order to give clarity, consistency and efficiency in the implementation of academic policies for the rest of School Year 2020-2021 and onwards, the following are the guidelines for implementation effective March 2021.

1. The policy on independence of learners in answering extends to exams, written tests, performance tasks and asynchronous tasks. Scoring rubrics shall specify learner’s honesty and independence in doing these academic requirements.  As with physical classes, a task that was not done independently merits a zero because it is cheating and shall also merit penalties for serious offense.  Other persons may help by reviewing the learner prior to the scheduled task, or by translating or explaining during the actual test, but never by giving the actual answer.

 

2. Scheduled Performance Tasks for March and April shall be live / real-time, especially for Spelling, Reading and Math. Careful measures must be taken by the subject teachers to make sure the honesty and integrity are upheld, such as but not limited to the following:
   1. For the duration of the test, each learners should be in a quiet and undisturbed room alone. Only a Grade 1 or 2 learner may have a companion to address issues on technology.  However, the companion must show that he or she is not coaching the learner.
   2. The learner should never set their microphone on mute, and the camera should always be on. Issues on technology should be fixed before the scheduled performance task.
   3. Learners should ALWAYS face their cameras throughout the test, capturing and showing the upper half of their body. It is best that they are using earphones or headset in order to avoid going too near the screen.
   4. The actual time for a live performance task is short. The learner doing the live performance task must never leave the Zoom or physical room during the test time.
   5. If the learner leaves the virtual live performance task due to internet connectivity problems, the answer will not be counted. However, the parent or learner may request for another set of questions on another day after sending a screenshot showing that there was an internet connection problem.
   6. Questions, clarification or request for translation will be done by the learners before the teachers says, “Go!”
3. The following is the new set of scoring rubrics for required asynchronous activities, which form part of performance tasks for each subject in Grade 4 to high school:

 

	ABOVE GRADE LEVEL SKILLS   – 2 points	AT GRADE LEVEL SKILLS   – 1 points	BELOW GRADE LEVEL SKILLS – 0 point
Accomplishment and submission (scored for each of 6 required asynchronous activities)	Submitted proof of accomplishment of the required asynchronous activity on time *Subject teachers shall check the answers to both required and not required asynchronous activities.  These scores have no bearing on the actual numerical grade for the quarter.	Submitted proof of accomplishment of the required asynchronous activity 1-3 days after the deadline.	Did not submit proof of accomplishment of the required asynchronous activity

 

 

 

 

Please be guided accordingly.

Mrs. Julie Anne Bajo-Litob

 

Copy furnished:

Subject teachers

KITE Academy / My School

Just2Easy / J2Webby / News

Homeroom Group Chats

ONLINE SCHOOL POLICY MEMORANDUM NO. 2020-06

 

Date:               February 28, 2021

To:                   All Grade 1-9 SMILE Faculty, Learners and their Parents

From:              The Administrator

Re:                  Public Speaking Collaborative Performance Task

 

Public Speaking is an annual competition in SMILE.  Basis for selection of the finalists is the score for the performance task in public speaking.  The learners were given their pieces in January and will be allowed to submit the video of their performance not later than March 21, 2021.  The said ONE PERFORMANCE TASK will be submitted to and scored by the teachers in English, MAPEH, and Values subjects for the Fourth Quarter.

The following are the categories / genre:  Grade 1 Poem Recitation;  Grade 2 Storytelling;  Grade 3 Declamation;  Grade 4 Oration;  Grade 5 Interpretive Reading (final piece will be deployed on March 18);  Grade 6 Creative Story Re-telling (final piece will be deployed on March 18); Junior High School – Extemporaneous Preaching (final Bible passage for the original persuasive preaching will be deployed on March 18).

In order to give clarity, consistency and efficiency in the scoring for the performance task in public speaking, the following are the Rubrics:

 

ENGLISH	18 points for Grade School and Junior High School for the performance
	ABOVE GRADE LEVEL SKILLS – 3 points	AT GRADE LEVEL SKILLS –     2 points	BELOW GRADE LEVEL SKILLS – 1 point
A. Physical Presence	Body language shows confidence and compelling stage presence Concentration is clear. Eye contact with virtual audience is engaging.	Comfortable, confident body language	Timid or stiff, unsure Body language reflects nervousness
B. Intonation, Pace and Articulation	Intonation, rhythm and pace are skillful. Enunciation and pronunciation are correct.	Intonation and pace are correct. Enunciation is mostly correct.	Tone is unnatural, inappropriate, boring or monotonous. Pacing is uneven. Enunciation needs much improvement.
C. Evidence of Understanding	Masterfully interprets the piece/ Bible passage for the audience, deftly revealing its meaning.	Conveys meaning of the piece/ Bible passage well	Obscures meaning of the piece/ Bible passage.
D. Mastery	The speaker memorized the whole piece and skillfully executes the actions. For Grade 5: The speaker did not get lost in reading after looking at the camera. For Grade 6: The speaker perfectly recalled the main characters, beginning, conflict and end of the story. For High School: The speaker masterfully developed the content of the speech / preaching.	The speaker memorized the most of the piece and actions. For Grade 5: The speaker got lost in reading after looking at the camera only a few times. For Grade 6: The speaker recalled most of the main characters, beginning, conflict and end of the story. For High School: The speaker developed the content of the speech / preaching.	The speaker did not memorize the most of the piece or does not have appropriate gestures. For Grade 5: The speaker got lost in reading after looking at the camera too many times. For Grade 6: The speaker recalled at least one: main characters, beginning, conflict and end of the story. For High School: The speaker was unable to develop the content of the speech / preaching.
E. Dramatic Appropriateness of Delivery (face and body)	Non-verbal communication style reflects internalization of the piece All gestures and movements serve to clarify the meaning of the text. If dialogue is employed, characters are believable to listener. The natural voice is differentiated from character voices. The speaker maintains clear spatial relationships for the characters and narrator, if any.	Literary piece/ preaching is enhanced by style of delivery – any gesture, facial expression and movement are appropriate to the piece. Characterization is appropriately done through voice and spatial relationship but it is not consistent.	The piece/ preaching is overshadowed by significant distracting gestures, facial expressions, inflections or accents. Delivery was not appropriate to the genre or piece (over or under-emoting).
F. Overall Performance in Public Speaking	Over-all performance was captivating and masterful. The piece / preaching was presented efficiently and keeps listeners’ interest throughout. Performance / preaching was convincing.	Sufficient recitation; Lacks meaningful impact on the audience	Ineffective or inappropriate recitation/ preaching

MAPEH	9 points for Grade School and High School for the video
Quality of Video	Video project is excellent and was skillfully done	Video project was satisfactory	Video project felt/ appeared  dissatisfactory
Voice and Volume	Voice is very clear and crisp. Volume is appropriate.	Most words are clearly uttered,	Many words were mumbled. Volume is too soft or too loud.
Punctuality	Project was submitted on time	Project was submitted 1-5 days after the deadline	Project was submitted 7 or more days after the deadline
Values	6 points for Grade School and High School for Attitude
	ABOVE GRADE LEVEL SKILLS – 3 points	AT GRADE LEVEL SKILLS –     2 points	BELOW GRADE LEVEL SKILLS – 1 point
Effort	Project submitted shows evidence that this was meticulously done and was the learner’s best work	Project submitted shows that there was some effort.	Project submitted shows that there was only minimal planning and effort.
Cooperation during Rehearsal	Learner participated actively during the graded rehearsal	Learner participated during the graded rehearsal	Learner did not participate during the graded rehearsal

 

 

Please be guided accordingly.

Mrs. Julie Anne Bajo-Litob

 

Copy furnished:

Subject teachers

KITE Academy / My School / Bulletin

Just2Easy / J2Webby / News

Parents’ Group Chats

ONLINE SCHOOL POLICY MEMORANDUM NO. 2020-03

 

Date: October 12, 2020

To: All Grade 1-9 SMILE Faculty, Learners and their Parents

From: The Administrator

Re: Additional Scoring Rubrics for Performance Tasks Part 3

 

The first quarter is over, and the learners and teachers have all adjusted to online schooling.  The school community is now ready for more stringent bases for grading.

In order to improve student participation during virtual classes, encourage them to be lifelong learners, and to prevent possible addiction to non-academic online activities, additional performance tasks shall be in place effective October 15, 2020.  The scoring is for 5 virtual classes per quarter, to make allowances for unforeseen circumstances, such as but not limited to low internet connectivity.

Also, the Behavior Indicators of the DepEd and SMILE core values indicated in the progress report card, have been revised to suit online education.  Just like in the previous school years, these shall also be scored by all the subject teachers and then consolidated and averaged as performance task in Values subject.

Additionally, in celebration of the 30^th founding anniversary of SMILE, the learners will be allowed to choose ONE performance task, which will be scored by the teachers in 6 subjects.

In order to give clarity, consistency and efficiency in the scoring of the said Performance Tasks for the rest of School Year 2020-2021, the following are the scoring rubrics for various tasks applicable to all subjects.  Teachers may adjust the weight depending on the grade level / age group of the learners.

Please be guided accordingly.

Mrs. Julie Anne Bajo-Litob

 

Copy furnished:

Subject teachers

KITE Academy / School / Bulletin

Just2Easy / J2Webby / News

 

PERFORMANCE TASK SCORING RUBRICS

1. CLASS PARTICIPATION (revised) – 10 points

	AT GRADE LEVEL SKILLS   – 2 points	BELOW GRADE LEVEL SKILLS – 1 point
Level of Engagement (scored for every session X 5 times only)	There is evidence that the learner is consistently attentive and on task. When called to participate:  contributes to class discussions by offering quality ideas and asking appropriate questions Consistently shows positive, respectful and cooperative attitude to the teacher and classmates during class		1 component is missing *IF A CHILD CANNOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY VIRTUAL CLASS BECAUSE OF INTERNET CONNECTIVITY, GADGET ISSUES, OR ANY OTHER REASON, THE PARENT MUST TEXT OR CHAT WITH THE PARTICULAR SUBJECT TEACHER IN ORDER FOR THE CHILD TO BE EXCUSED FROM THAT PARTICULAR SESSION ONLY.  AN ALTERNATIVE TASK MAY BE CREATED WITH PERMISSION FROM THE ACADEMIC COORDINATOR.

 

2. ASYNCHRONOUS ACTIVITIES – 12 points (only for Grades 4-9)

	AT GRADE LEVEL SKILLS   – 2 points	BELOW GRADE LEVEL SKILLS – 0 point
Accomplishment and submission (scored for each of 6 required asynchronous activities)	Submitted proof of accomplishment of the required asynchronous activity on time *Subject teachers shall check the answers to both required and not required asynchronous activities.  These scores have no bearing on the actual numerical grade for the quarter.		Did not submit proof of accomplishment of the required asynchronous activity

 

3. SCHEDULED BIBLE SHARING OR PRAYER SESSION (revised) – 9 points

	AT GRADE LEVEL SKILLS   – 3 points	BELOW GRADE LEVEL SKILLS – 2 points
A. Level of Engagement	When called to participate:  contributed to the class activity by offering quality ideas and asking appropriate questions Consistently showed positive, respectful and cooperative attitude to the teacher and classmates during the session		1 component was missing *IF A CHILD CANNOT PARTICIPATE IN THE VIRTUAL SESSION BECAUSE OF INTERNET CONNECTIVITY, GADGET ISSUES, OR ANY OTHER REASON, THE PARENT MUST TEXT OR CHAT WITH THE VALUES TEACHER IN ORDER FOR THE CHILD TO BE EXCUSED.  AN ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE TASK MAY BE CREATED BY THE VALUES TEACHER.
B. Focus	Consistently attentive and on task Showed himself / herself on camera 90% of the time		Inattentive sometimes Turned off the camera most of the time even when internet signal was good
C. Attitude during prayer	Maintained reverential (respectful) attitude during prayer Actually prayed / joined the prayer		1 component was missing

 

4. BEHAVIOR – 12 points (scored by each subject teacher but computed in Values subject and reflected in the Report Card)

3 Always Observed 2 Sometimes Observed 1 Rarely Observed 0 Not Observed

MAKA-DIYOS

Outwardly expresses one’s belief in God; prays willingly and reverently

Respects the spiritual beliefs of others

Exhibits positivism, hope and confidence in God; is resilient

Is honest, fair, and righteous with correct moral conduct (even outside class)

MAKATAO

Is serene, gentle, patient, harmonious, and forgiving

Communicates respectfully, tolerates differences, and is sensitive to others’ feelings

Is self-controlled

Is collaborative, kind, helpful, compassionate and grateful to others

Is friendly, polite and has positive relationships

MAKABANSA

Demonstrates pride in being Filipino; exercises rights & responsibilities of a citizen

Does tasks with careful planning, ingenuity, thoroughness and excellent quality

Behaves appropriately in the family and in class

Obeys rules and regulations, accepts correction, and is disciplined during class

Is determined, dedicated and persistent

MAKAKALIKASAN

Is economical, orderly and neat

5. LEARNER’S CHOICE TECH PRESENTATION ON SMILE FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY          – 12 points (scored by subject teachers in Science, EPP / TLE, MAPEH, Values, Filipino, Araling Panlipunan)

This may be any performance task using technology such as but not limited to digital art, AVP, blog, persuasive speech, written poetry, spoken poetry, rap, original song, prayer video or dance.  A dance project will use the official dance music of “Smile” by the Perkins Twins (Official Video).  In any chosen performance task, some words are needed – whether spoken or written in either English or Filipino.

The project will be sent through Just2Easy to all the subject teachers in Science, EPP/TLE, Values, Filipino, Araling Panlipunan, and MAPEH.  The theme is “Thank You, God, for Blessing and Sending SMILE the Past 30 Years…and Still Counting.”  The content of the projects may extend outside the theme to include either personal blessings or personal mission.  Rubrics are as follows:

	BEYOND GRADE LEVEL SKILLS   – 3 points	AT GRADE LEVEL SKILLS   – 2 points	BELOW GRADE LEVEL SKILLS   – 1 point	DISSATISFACTORY   – 0 point
Science and EPP/ TLE
Use of Technology	Technology was skillfully used in making and submitting the project	Technology was used – but not skillfully – in making and submitting the project	Technology was used only in submitting the project	Technology was not used at all
Punctuality	Project was submitted before the deadline	Project was submitted on time	Project was submitted 1-7 days after the deadline	Project was submitted 8 or more days after the deadline
Values
Values of the content and punctuality	Good Christian values are very evident in the project	Good Christian values are glimpsed at in the project	No Christian values are glimpsed at in the project	Values glimpsed at in the project are worldly or are opposite to Christian values
Originality and effort	Project shows evidence that the work is originated and made by the pupil himself/herself with a little help, Shows evidence that this was meticulously done and was the learner’s best work	Project shows evidence that the work is originated and made by the pupil himself/herself with some help, Shows evidence that this was carefully done and was the learner’s best work	There is evidence that this was done with much help from someone else. Project shows that there was only little planning and effort.	There is evidence that this mostly done by or totally copied from someone else. Project shows that there was only minimal planning and effort.
Filipino
Conventions	Grammar, word choice, spelling and composition or speech conventions were used masterfully	Grammar, word choice, spelling and composition or speech conventions were used correctly	Grammar, spelling and composition or speech conventions had some errors	No words were used at all
Punctuality	Project was submitted before the deadline	Project was submitted on time	Project was submitted 1-7 days after the deadline	Project was submitted 8 or more days after the deadline
Aral Pan
Positive contribution to SMILE or the world	Project has a potentially positive effect on SMILE/ the world	n/a	Project has a potentially positive effect on the creator but no effect on SMILE/ the world	Project has no potentially positive effect on anyone
Relevance to the theme and punctuality	Project is relevant to the theme and was submitted before the deadline	Project is relevant to the theme and was submitted on time	Project is somewhat related to the theme or was submitted 1-7 days after the deadline	Project is not related to the theme or was submitted 8 or more days after the deadline
MAPEH
Quality	Project is excellent and was skillfully done	Project feels / looks alive and satisfactory	Project feels appears less than satisfactory	Project appears dissatisfactory
Presentation and punctuality	Style is compelling, appeals to the audience and was submitted on time	Project has no effect on the audience and was submitted on time	Project has no effect on the audience and was submitted 1-7 days after the deadline	Project has no effect on the audience and was submitted 8 or more days after the deadline

 

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