by Arabella Balderama

The second semester in the ASHS officially opened last January 3, 2023, in light of DepEd Order no. 44 s. 2022, which gave private schools the freedom to implement blended learning.

The schedule for the third quarter was stated in a memorandum from the school principal dated December 14, 2022, following the alternating onsite days for grades 11 and 12 during the whole month of January to February 3.

Additionally, a revised schedule was provided for February onwards, following one online day per batch: Tuesdays for grade 11 and Wednesdays for grade 12, with the intention of bringing back the full five-day school week next school year. 

Aryann Dacquel, a grade 11 student, shared her sentiment regarding the schedule adjustment, saying, “I don’t think that I would do well or my body would handle the consecutive days of going to school,” due to the reduced days of staying home one can combat fatigue from onsite classes.

Despite this, Dacquel acknowledged that the February schedule might help their batch adjust to full face-to-face classes next school year, as the routines will be introduced slowly and “stronger boundaries” between academics and personal life will also be established.

Meanwhile, Railee Seantel De Vera, a grade 12 student, had seen opportunities to shed light in the upcoming months. Although, the new schedule might be demanding for some students, teachers, and workers.

“It will give more chances for the ASHS community to implement onsite activities and generally, meet one another especially with the juniors and seniors. The social environment will be more lively since three years ago when the COVID-19 entered the Philippines. It’s also notable that students learn more effectively in a face-to-face set-up, so we may see an aptitude in the academic engagement and study habits of the learners with this in mind,” De Vera said.

In the same memorandum, students were also advised to wear their respective uniforms beginning January 9, 2023, until the end of the school year.

“I am very fine with mandatory wearing of uniforms, since they are designed to protect and monitor a specific group of individuals,” Dacquel said in a statement. 

She also noted that the ASHS uniforms are gender-neutral and promote inclusivity, allowing students to express themselves freely without being limited to distinctive clothing for males and females.

However, some students saw downsides with regard to uniforms. 

“It was additionally expensive to buy the uniforms because we only got them … months before we graduate,” De Vera ended.