December 2, 2011 Meeting of 6-1 and parents at PILMES

Imagine this in the US: A Principal thinks the highest achievers are not giving all they can academically and morally, so she calls a meeting of all parents and has all students stand assembled for an hour and a half lecture.

 There is so much emphasis on education, so much riding on the future of each Filipino child. The well-being of families, communities and the nation is affected. The principal, from what I understand, was admonishing the pupils to live up to their responsibilities as highly capable scholars and at the same time telling parents to be sensitive to this pressure their children are under. Parents were attentive and quiet throughout. Toward the end I looked over and all the pupils had silently sunk down to the floor, tired from standing but still quiet and respectful.
 
 Only a few of the parents had questions or comments, this father being one of them.
His daughter is an excellent student and is away at academic and extracurricular competitions. He wondered if the added challenges are being taken into consideration when pupils return to the classroom. He was assured that they are.

The knife he is holding is called a bolo, at least as common as a penknife in the States, but obviously more apparent! (They are so handy I bought one for myself. It will be good for chipping kindling.) Check out the next blog (Christmas Decorating) to see why he had it with him.