Volume Issue 01
The Official English Publication of Quezon City Science High School
BEACON OF TRUTH · BASTION OF INTEGRITY
f
Like our facebook page facebook.com/qcshstheelectron
LVI
X
Send us an email electron.qcshs@gmail.com
Follow us on X @electron_qcshs
NEWS
OPINION
FEATURE
SCIENCE
SPORTS
QCSHS’ 56TH FOUNDATION DAY: A COSMIK CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE, UNITY, AND TRADITION Festivities fill the air as Scientians celebrate foundation with grandeur.
PAINTING OVER CRACKS IN THE WALL DepEd’s solution to issues regarding education is just as useful as paint tapered onto cracked walls.
A SENIOR’S LETTER TO HER FRESHMAN SELF The journey to the end is not the smoothest, yet you can now only cherish what has transpired.
SCIENCE JOURNO KAMI National nuclear agency tours campus journalists and teaches the essentials of science writing.
SCIENTIANS HAIL VICTORIOUS IN DISTANCE SWIM SUPER SERIES Scientian swimmers rise first from the tough waters of competition.
PAGE 02
PAGE 06
PAGE 10
PAGE 14
PAGE 18
QCSHS backs plan to revert to old sked BY SYEIRA DELA CRUZ, SAMANTHA AMURAO, AND VHEA TATAD
Q
UEZON CITY SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL (QCSHS) students favored reverting to the old school calendar according to a survey conducted by The Electron in February. Out of 324 student-respondents, 66.4 percent or 215 respondents were in favor of reverting to the pre-pandemic school calendar, beginning in June and ending in March. Meanwhile, 32.7 percent or 106 respondents preferred the current school calendar, beginning from August and ending in June. Three respondents did not prefer any particular schedule. “The June to March school calendar is a more convenient and beneficial time to study due to better weather conditions. It is more suitable for vacation to fall in summer. It is the calendar that we are used to,” said one student. Based on the survey, 65.1 percent
or 211 favored the possibility of opening the next school year this June instead of August while the remaining 34.9 percent or 113 disagreed. “With most facilities unsuitable for the sweltering heat of summer in the country, it presents more challenges to the already embattled education system scarred by learning losses and academic deficiencies pre-existing and caused by the pandemic,” one respondent said. QCSHS Supreme Secondary Learner Government (SSLG) President Cassandra Austria also favored the old-school calendar but said that the change should be gradual. “Let’s do the changes gradually. ‘Wag biglain yung teachers na icu-cut natin ng May [ang school calendar] and io-open agad [ang mga paaralan] ng June kasi maco-compromise ‘yung pahinga, ‘yung mental health [ng teachers], and etc,” said Austria. There are also those who expressed
GMA holds JHS Quiz Bee at Quesci
their concern with the opening of classes this June. “I’m not in favor of opening the classes this June kasi ica-cram nila yung lessons into one and a half months tapos ie-expect nila na same type of quality of education ang makukuha natin. Also, magiging rushed yung vacation kaya hindi makakarest nang maayos na nakakaapekto sa teachers and students,” said grade 10 student Ace Balmaceda. The Department of Education (DepEd) confirmed that it was in the process of amending an old department order to “gradually revert” the start of the school year to June after facing difficulties in holding classes in the summer months of April and May. The department clarified that the transition back to the traditional June-March academic calendar will be gradual and will be implemented
in phases to minimize disruptions to students and education personnel’s vacation schedules. QCSHS faculty president Donnabelle Banzon highly recommended the return of the old-school calendar. “Our country is not apt to what western countries have in terms of the seasons. Because we are not the same in terms of the climate, we know that the normal climate during summer from March to the beginning of June is very hot. Healthwise, it’s not really conducive to learning so we cannot actually insist,” said Banzon. Grade 12 teacher Norman Tabios requested support that the teachers will need from the administration and the DepEd to help them be prepared in case classes will open this June. “Dapat ma-address talaga yung issues in relation to the number of students per class; ‘yung ratio ng mga teachers to students. Dapat din
ATIONAL CAPITAL REGION (NCR) REGIONAL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL Quezon City Science High School (QCSHS) was extended an invitation to participate in GMA’s weekday morning program “Unang Hirit.” The program featured a quiz bee competition held for Junior High School (JHS) students on September 26, 2023. Facilitators of the competition were GMA artists Cheska Fausto and Sean Lucas who ensured an engaging and lively event. QCSHS representatives were Samantha Izra de Guzman and Kenzo
Miguel Tayko of Grade 10-Galileo and Grade 10-Curie, respectively. Grade 10 Enhanced Science teachers Rachel Cuasing and Mary Ann Jaramilla were also both present in supporting the school representatives along with QCSHS principal Carolyn Simon. The competition was separated with an easy and a difficult level. De Guzman and Tayko each received 10 points for the easy level and 50 points for the difficult level. Tayko emerged as the champion of the competition. Winners of the competition were given cash awards. De Guzman was
magkaroon ng parang masusing pagaaral in terms of how the curriculum should be laid out or applied across different school levels or different year levels. Parang laging may bago nang may bago na binibigay sa mga teachers, as a result di kami prepared sa gagawin namin,” Tabios said. Principal of QCSHS Carolyn Simon acknowledged the preparations that the school will need in preparation for the opening of classes. “The class program is one of the important considerations, also the number of teachers that we need which the division office has to provide us as of the moment. Another thing, of course, the teachers are the main concern for this because if they can’t get a good vacation there will be other concerns on the part of the teachers,” said Simon. IN NUMBERS...
Which school calendar do you prefer?
PHOTO BY ACE BALMACEDA
66.4%
BY ACE BALMACEDA
N
PHOTO BY JONEY TOVERA
Photo | QCSHS grade 8 students unite in prayer during the flag ceremony at the school grounds on February 26, 2024 (Monday).
prefer JUNE - MARCH
32.7% prefer AUGUST - JULY
“It was both a humbling and exhilarating experience to represent our school in this friendly match. This is a great honor for me and, of course, for our school, allowing us to showcase our knowledge and areas where we can improve.” Tayko said. Tayko also emphasized the significance of this opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities not only of their school but also of students locally and internationally.
“It’s a humbling experience, and I’m deeply appreciative of the opportunity, which, in my heart, surpasses any award. To be selected among over 300 students in our batch is an honor I will always cherish,” De Guzman said. She also added that this competition has shown her that the true blessing lies in the knowledge and experiences gained to which she is thankful for.
Are you in favor of the next school year starting on June?
65.1% ARE in favor
34.9% ARE NOT in favor
INFOGRAPHIC BY MIKO OPINION AND JANNA ESCOTO