Cup of Coffee

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor.

Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to hot coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is but normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups and were eyeing each other's cups.

Now if life is coffee, then the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, but the "Purpose of Life" doesn't change. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee in it."

So, don't let the cups drive you... enjoy the coffee instead.

Have a great day!

TECHNIQUES TO ENGAGE PUPILS IN SCIENCE ACTIVITIES
Contributed by: ROMINA B. LINGAS, MT - II

Schools and classrooms are unique social organizations composed of people who are very different from each other. Often teachers are confronted with different kinds of pupils. Some of them appear to be attentive, inquisitive, industrious and productive. There are also pupils who are not participating in class or not performing up to their potential and expectations of their teachers. Teachers tend to label pupils unmotivated. Sometimes, teachers become frustrated when most of the students appear to be unmotivated. Certainly, teachers would want as much as possible to reach and motivate pupils.

The following are some techniques by which we can encourage them to engage in science activities:


M o t i v a t i n g T e c h n i q u e s:-- I m p a c t o n P u p i l s

1. Eliciting Pupils’ prior knowledge.-- Helps bridge the gap between what is familiar and what is yet to be learned.

2. Getting pupils to talk about their experience.--Allows smooth flow of the lesson and it enhances their ability to communicate.

3. Using rap and songs, chant, jingle, poems, riddles, puzzles.-- Provides opportunity for the children to show their talents; it allows the teacher to discover and tap pupils’ potentials & it provides and opportunity to practice oral skills.

4. Conducting brainstorming sessions.-- Develops pupils’ thinking skills & it broadens viewpoints,values and opinions.

5. Engaging pupils in hands-on group activities.-- Pupils become more confident working with their peers; pupils become responsible in handling and or using materials; their ability to communicate enhances; pupils learn to accept responsibility & pupils learn teamwork.

6. Game/guessing games.--Develops sportsmanship.

MAYANTOC NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS

OATH OF OFFICE
Contributed by: SUSAN B. PAGADUAN, ESP - I

MAYANTOC - This yearmost anticipated event in the community, the Oathtaking Ceremony of the newly elected and re-elected Municipal Officials who will serve from June 30, 2007 to June 30, 2011. There were some 300 Mayantoquenians who graced the occasion composed of LGU officials, PNP, DepED Families, youths and supporters at the Mayantoc Covered Court.

The oathtaking kicks off at 9:30 AM with Hon. Judge Domingo R. Joaquin, the administering officer. The newly elected and re-elected officials were: Hon. Tito G. Razalan, Municipal Mayor; Hon. Iluminado E. Pobre Jr., Vice-Mayor; and the Sangguniang Bayan Members are: Dr. Anecita N. Magalued, newly elected; Venus R. Tomas, newly elected; Arturo M. Bueno, newly elected; Iggy R. Castro, re-elected; Virgilio Z. Manuel, re-elected; Francisco L. Santos, re-elected; Ferdinand Z. Manuel, newly elected; and Atty. Rey Christopher D. Fajardo, re- elected.

Brief enlightening and inspiring introductory lines from the Master of Ceremony, Mrs. Julita T. Baclig, ESP - II of Mayantoc Central Elementary Schoolafter a pose.

An opening prayer was led by Rev. Orlando Sagun, then the National Anthem conducted by Mrs. Roselyn R. Cacho followed by the Oathtaking Ceremony.

The first who took his oath Hon. Mayor Tito G. Razalan before the administering judge. Afterwhich Mayor Razalan delivered his message quoting: " I will reaffirm my pledge to perform with the best of my ability with sincerity and dedication, the support and confidence you've entrusted." He added, "through cooperation, unity and collective effort our vision to our municipal slogan 'DUR-AS MAYANTOC' will be possible." Thus he cited some of his plans for his last term: To improve Education - which he considered as the best investment and key to prosperity; To improve Agriculture, physical development of the municipality and allocate funds for PHILHEALTH worth P1.2 M for 5,200 recipients.

He then challenged his kababayan to support all his projects.

Hon. Vice- Mayor Pobre gave a challenging Closing Remarks.

FUNCTIONS OF THE SKELETAL SYSTEM
(TUNE: MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB)

Contributed by Romina B. Lingas

OUR 206 BONES FORM A RIGID FRAMEWORK
TO WHICH TISSUES AN ORGANS
OF THE BODY ARE ATTACHED.

IT PROTECTS VITAL ORGANS
LIKE THE BRAIN,HEART AND KLUNGS
WITHOUT OUR SKELETON
WE'LL JUST BE LYING ON THE FLOOR.

BONES SERVE AS STORAGE AREA
FOR CALCIUM AND PHOSPOROUS
WHEN THERE'S AN EXCESS IN BLOOD
BUILD-UP WILL OCCUR IN IT.

IT ALSO ALLOW US TO MOVE
COZ MUSCLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE BONES
WHEN OUR MUSCLES MOVE
THEY MOVE THE BONES AND WE MOVE.

BLOOD CELLS ARE PRODUCED BY
THE MARROWS IN OUR BONES
WHICH IS USED TO REPLACE
WORN OUT AND DESTROYED ONES.

NOW YOU KNOW HOW ARE BONES
HELP[ US MAKE LIVES MEANINGFUL
LET US TAKE CARE OF THEM
FOR LIFE TO BE ENJOYED MORE.

An Open Letter to SMARTBRO

Dear SmartBro,

Good evening! I want to share my interesting story in regards to SmartBro.. Since January 16, 2008, the day my Internet Provider (SmartBro) connected to my personal computer, the unit never rested for long, for time to time, my family uses it. I am blogging this message to share the benefits I owe from having an online PC. Foremost, my daughters are having fun using the Yahoo7Messenger, the Friendster, the Chikka messenger, online games, online review in nursing, etc..

But actually, since we have an internet connection, it gives continuous happiness to my family.
The best thing it provided really is when the results of the December 1 & 2, 2008 was relased in the internet/web on February 21, 2008. My daughter: Velicaria, Gracel Antonette Pablo have seen the results-- first hand, instantly & very fresh online. She was very glad then together with her grandmother (Inang Goyang), Aunt Thelma (Mama Em), Sister Grace IV (Ace) and Cousins: Jovelyn, Jeremiah, Rodolfo Jr. & Kimverly.

I have even witnessed the nice event when I arrived home in the afternoon for they are still infront the monitor showing the List of successful Examinees.
Then, I have the highest shout for joy exclaiming... "My daughter made it. I have already a nurse daughter!"

On Marech 18, my daughter had her oath at SMX, Mall of Asia, Pasay City. Thanks to SmartBro our Internet provider. My daughter, my wife and I have located the venue because we consulted the web.

The great experiences the SmartBro rendered and continuously share will be treasured and these will keep us using SmartBro.

Thank you and more power. I will be sending another success story soon. I hope my Graduating daughter Lovely Grace, a BSN candidate for graduation on April 8, 2008 will use Smartbro for her online review for her NLE.

Respectfully,

ANTHONY P. VELICARIA
Elementary School Principal
Mayantoc District
Tarlac Province
Region III - Central Luzon
Department of Education
Republic of the Philippines