Self Report #1 - University Science High School (USHS) Orientation

School: General Information and Academic Administration 

       University Science High School is a school under the auspices of the College of Education, Central Luzon State University. Based on the education calendar applied at the school, August 6, 2018 is the first day of the new school year for them. Therefore, on August 7, 2018 they started orientation activities for all students, especially for 7th grade students. As participants of SEA Teacher Batch 6 who will do teaching practises at the school, we were required to attend student orientation activities. We were introduced by teacher advisor, Ma'am Bang and asked to sing the Ampar-ampar Pisang song again in front of ± 422 students who were attending the orientation.

Students Orientation

During the orientation, we learned about the Grading System, Report Card, Sample Computation of Grades, regulations, rules and sanctions applied by USHS. In addition, in this orientation students are not only introduced about the curriculum and school rules, but also are given training to deal with emergencies such as fires and earthquakes. So that of the second day orientation, the school will bring the Science City of Munoz fire department, the Bureau of Fore Protection (BFP) and the Earthquake Drill.

1.1     School Profile

           

§  Location

Central Luzon State University Science High School, often shortened to University Science High School or USHS is located inside the campus of Central Luzon State University (CLSU), in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. USHS is not included in the Philippine Science High School System and is under the College of Education of Central Luzon State University.

§  History and Background

The University Science High School, established by virtue of the CLSU Board of Regents under the Board Resolution No. 1622 dated June 14, 1976 as a prime school for students who are inclined to pursue science and technology courses which the country needs for its massive and sustaining development programs. In 1978, Board Resolution No. 1780 was passed revising the curriculum and changing the name to Agricultural Science High School as an answer to the clamor for change of the traditional curricular offerings.

Further revision/enrichment of the curriculum was made in 1979 to strengthen the agricultural components and meet the needs of the students who seek admission to Agricultural Institutions of higher learning without prejudice to the original goal of preparing the youth for intensive training in science and technology. The school has opened its doors to interested applicants who qualify through screening by an entrance examination to fill up the limited slot of 80 in the first year level since 1978.

In 1983, the school was back to its original name, the Science High School, to respond to the schools' intensive emphasis in science and technology. Now in its more than 2 decades of existence, though a small unit in the University under the College of Education, the USHS has been an asset and will always be an asset continuously giving its share in making CLSU a bold name in the academic world where science and technology front the line in its educational thrusts by producing quality graduates.

§  Vision 

          The University High School aims to be at par with secondary science intuitions in the Asia-Pacific region.

§  Missions 

      To develop students who are highly competitive in Math, Science and Technology, and Communication (Asia-Pacific region).

§  Philosophy 

       The school believes that education is the prime instrument of national development and the key to excellence and global competitiveness.

§  Admissions 

       As a prerequisite for admission, prospective students must pass a comprehensive entrance exam. The top 80 qualifiers among an annual average of 400 applicants are selected. An additional ten slots are reserved for admission of the faculty/staff's children.

§  Personal Information

In The University Science High School (USHS), there are 422 students population in all grades; from grade seven until grade twelve. There are two units in this school i.e. Junior High School (JHS), consists of Grade 7 until Grade 10 and Senior High school (SHS) consists of Grade 11 and grade 12. The USHS is lead by their Principal, Dr. Mercedita M. Reyes. There are 20 teachers in this school. Some teachers are also lecturers in College of Education, Central Luzon State University.

1.2  Academic Support System

In University Science High School, there are two main buildings. Some classes are in the first building, but four classes of grade 7 and grade 11 are in the second building. The facilitations which provided in USHS are science laboratory, computer laboratory, library, canteen, faculty room, register room, basketball court, etc.

The main buliding of USHS

The Second building of USHS

Computer Laboratory

Science Laboratory

Basketball Court

Canteen Area (some buildings are still under repair)

Corridor

There is Tambayan, it is a place in front of the main building which is used to learn outside the classroom. That place is also commonly used by SBO (Student Body Organization) to hold meetings. And also, there is Umali Gymnasium which is close to the second building, it is used to be held an event, for example Orientation for students, school celebration or class competition, etc.

The Umali Gym

Tambayan

The USHS facilities in the classroom are adequate. Each classroom has air conditioners, fans, projector, other rooms have LCD TV. This School also has the CCTV cameras to improve school security and monitor student activities. This school also provided the internet network and loudspeakers (which is called as lapel)  to facilitate and accelerate the performance of teachers in carrying out their duties.

To provide a forum for students in order to express their creativity and develop their own potential, this school has several extracurricular activities and programs. There are Student Body Organization (SBO), Dance Club, Philatelist Club, Math and Science Club, Research Club, SMFILMEKK, Debate Society, Cultural Group, Yes-O, MEC, and SSC. Besides, this school also has celebrations every month. This celebration is an indirect learning place for students, as well as a moment of refreshing in the midst of busy learning activities. For example, the Buwan Ang Wikang celebration or National Languages ​​Week, can teach students to be proud and continue to preserve Filipino language culture.

Tagalog Day, Buwan ang Wikang Celebration

Tagalog Day, Buwan ang wikang Celebration

1.3  Teaching System

The teachers at USHS get a teaching schedule for 1 hour for 1 subject every day. Each teacher is free to use an effective learning approach. They can use the method of discussion, presentation, lecture, or giving projects to students. At the end of the learning they can also provide evaluation questions to test students' understanding of the topics learned that day.

1.4  Materials and Other Learning Sources

Actually, the teachers here do not prepare lesson plan, but they better prepare the syllabus. In carrying out teaching assignments, the teachers also use power point presentation, learning videos, books, and handouts for students.

1.5  Measurement and Evaluation System

The USHS will maintain its retention policy in consonance with Resolution No. 56-2002 of the CLSU Board of Regents approving the adoption of 80% as qualifying mark. But the students must have obtained a rating of at least 75 % Always Observed (AO) at the end of the school year (with at least 24 out of 32 Always Observed   rating in the report card).

In The USHS, the General and Quarter Averages will be reported in whole number, round up to the nearest whole number. Weight of each subject has 1 unit credit. In the above example, since there are 9 learning areas there must be a total of 9 units. For attendance The allowed number of absences given by DepEd is 20% of it. The total number of school days for the S.Y. 2018 – 2019 is 201.

The USHS also has their report card format for Junior High School (JHS) and Senior High School (SHS).

1.6  Curriculum

According to the Department of Education (Dep-Ed), the USHS uses K-12 Curriculum enriched by its purposed science curriculum. the K-12 curriculum that requires its people to study at least 12 years. Which elementary school for 6 years from the age of 6 years to the age of 11 years which is divided into the first 3 years is the primary level and the next 3 years is the intermediate level. Then secondary school for 4 years from the age of 12 years to the age of 15 years. With the first 3 years, there is a low junior high school level and 1 year upper secondary level, and a high school or vocational level for 2 years from the age of 16 to 17 years.

1.7  Teaching Plan (of My Major)

When observing with my cooperating teacher, he said that, actually the teachers did not prepare the lesson plan in writing. But if necessary, they make the lesson plan with a semi-detailed format. The things included in the lesson plan are :

a. Learning Objectives, about the goals that students must achieve after learning is complete.

b. Learning Materials, about topics or materials to be studied at the meeting

c. Media and Learning Resources

d. Teaching Strategies, about how the strategies used by teachers to orient learning.

e.  Learning Procedures, the stages of learning carried out from the beginning to the end of learning in detail. Learning procedures consists of :

§  Daily Routine

§  Apperception

§  Core activities

f. Developmental Task from Teacher's Activity, about the teacher's tasks in managing the class to run as expected.