By: Manilyn E. Templo and Jeric J. Medina

August 18, 2021 was a red-letter-day for the Zamboanga del Norte National High School (ZNNHS) family as the newly-designated DepEd Region IX Regional Director (RD), Dr. Ruth L. Fuentes, CESO V, along with her delegation headed by Dr. Pedro Melchor M. Natividad, CSEE, Assistant Regional Director and Dr. Eugenio B. Penales, Curriculum Learning and Management Division (CLMD) Chief, graced the institution with their constant reassuring presence.

The valued visitors included Planning, Policies and Research Division (PPRD) Chief, Ms. Filma B. Catalan, Public Affairs Unit Head/Regional Information Officer, Ms. Dahlia A. Paragas, and Ms. Lucshil Pioquinto, representative of Finance Services Division (FSD) Chief, Ms. Elizabeth B. Tatel.

Suffice it to say that the humid afternoon was inconsequential to the school administrators and to the teaching staff who warmly welcomed RD Fuentes and her team as they were accommodated by no less than the vigorous leaders of ZNNHS, the workaholic and visionary School Principal IV, Dr. Joselito S. Tizon, and the dynamic Assistant Principal, Virginia E. Tagab, MAFIL.

Meanwhile, the City Schools Division Superintendent, Virgilio P. Batan, Jr., CESO VI, City Schools Division Assistant Superintendent, Lourma I. Poculan, CESE, School Governance and Operations Division (SGOD) Chief, Dr. Nur N. Hussien, and Curriculum Implementation Division (CID) Chief, Dr. Amelinda D. Montero, with the rest of the reputable District Supervisors headed by Dr. Janette A. Zamoras, PSDS for East District B, were in full support of the activity as they helped in giving a tour of the visitors in all corners of the school premises and gave snippets of trivia and updates on the school’s performance to the director and the regional personnel.

On the other hand, underscoring ZNNHS best practices and future plans, three (3) major components became everyone’s cup of tea during the visit as follows:

Basic Education – Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP)

It was indeed considered a milestone for ZNNHS as Dr. Tizon took the opportunity to present the BE-LCP of the large school before the presence of the RD, ARD and to the Dipolog City Division chiefs. On its second year in the new normal learning set-up, the former showed a comprehensive plan of action for the School Year 2021-2022 starting off with the enrollment schemes implemented by the school as mandated by the Guidelines on Enrollment for SY 2021-2022 in the Context of Continuing National Public Health Emergency due to COVID-19. Apart from these guidelines, the principal also presented other means of enrollment such as the drive-thru pick-up of enrollment forms and the implementation of the Enrollment Hub to ease the traffic in the campus.

He also shared the best practices done by the teachers from the past school year that will be improved and carried out this year.

As part of his thorough presentation, Dr. Tizon also proved to his audience that the current pandemic situation created multiple rooms of opportunities for learning as he showcased the various activities of the teachers and students, particularly of the recent success of the Climate Champs, Project CRISE of STEM-KAHIPSAKA, and the various fruitful culminating activities of the Junior and Senior High School departments.

Likewise, the SDS Batan reinforced the information by citing the impressive 4th STEM Expo, the participation of several ZNNHS teachers in the Division Research Congress, and the presentations of Grade 12 learners from HUMSS and STEM strands at the 3rd De La Salle University SHS Research Congress held in April 2021.

A Culture of Research

RD Fuentes, ARD Natividad and CLMD Chief Penales were among those who were impressed by the research developments initiated by the teachers. They unanimously agreed that the culture and love for exploratory studies, fact-finding, and solutions-driven analyses be continuously cultivated among the teachers and learners as these activities hone the skills needed by the 21st Century teachers and learners. The chiefs also encouraged the teaching and non-teaching personnel to develop school-based studies reflective of their experiences and observations from the last school year that can help the school and serve as a benchmark in improving and providing innovations for the division and the region.

Future Plans

A light discussion on the school’s future plans and other relative matters such as school policies and living through the new normal were shared over smiles, cheerful banters, and a delectable selection of Filipino kakanin (rice cakes) with fresh tropical fruits to give a refreshing boost to the hardworking delegation.

The ambience of the entire visit was an affirmation of the unity and strong support of the Region to the Division and its initiatives. Truly, the privilege of having been graced with the presence of these remarkable leaders in education has given ZNNHS superfluous inspiration needed to start a brand-new academic year with much enthusiasm and more strengthened series of action plans for its valued learners, stakeholders, and its dependable working staff.

In toto, the entire activity was a resounding success leaving an indelible lesson that with collective efforts amidst diversity, great and meaningful things are put to fruitions.

Mabuhay, DepEd Region 9!