Showing posts with label Special Education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Special Education. Show all posts

COVID-19 Chronicles: Kids' Online Classes Begin Again

 2021 August and September

It's weird but it's the start of the classes again. Weird because we're used to classes starting in June, but because of the pandemic, the kids started their online classes in August (Dana) and September (Dylan). 

By now, we've had one year of this "new" mode of teaching and the kids have grown accustomed to it.  

For these two, they actually prefer it! :)

Covid-19 Chronicles: Start of 2020-2021 classes for Dylan & Other happenings

2020 October to November

Highlights of this post include:

- Start of Dylan's Online Classes

- My Birthday

- Dana's 1Q Online Exams

These may seem trivial but in this new world where Covid-19 rules, these are all milestones of the New Normal.  This is how we cope with being indoors and managing to stay sane despite it

COVID-19 Chronicles: September is Dylan's preparation time for his Online Classes

2020 September

One of the highlights during this month was Dylan getting this Cherry Mobile Magnum 10 tablet from the City of Manila, thru Mayor Isko Moreno.  

All currently enrolled students in public schools in Manila will get one, including a SIM with 10GB of Data.  We received a Globe SIM Card but I don't know if everyone did.

Anyway, more of that in the post so just read on :)

Dylan's Year-End Party in School

10 December 2019

Today was Dylan's Year-End Party. At first, we weren't sure if we were able to attend because we had to think about Patrick's state at home. But, for the same reason that we made time for Dana, we also needed to make time for Dylan.

So, we headed to his school for their Year-End party.  Dylan had fun!  There were fun games, delicious food and amazing prizes.  :)

It was worth making time for him and see him socializing and enjoying himself with his classmates :)

Legarda Elementary School's 97th Founding Anniversary

24 September 2019

Over the course of a few weeks, Dylan, his classmates and the rest of the school have been busy preparing for the 97th Founding Anniversary of the Legarda Elementary School. 

This is Dylan's first social gathering with his new classmates since his teacher resigned and I'm certainly proud of him for adjusting well and participating fully with their dance routine. 

Dylan's swimming outing with classmates at SM Sun Residences

23 August 2019

Condominiums with pools are sprouting in Manila and residents (and their guests) have the privilege of swimming at their leisure.  This post tells of Dylan's outing with his classmates and provides a few details on what to expect if you were to swim at SM Sun Residences.

2019 National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week (NDPR) activities at Legarda Elementary School

23-25 July 2019

It's that time of the year when the students of the SPED department are in the spotlight.  It's the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week at Legarda Elementary School and everyone - students, teachers and parents got busy with preparations and participation.

Opening and closing ceremonies were held at the auditorium while various other activities were held in respective classrooms.

Check out what Dylan's class was up to!

Celebrating Family Day at the Kids' Respective Schools

2019 February/March

This February, the kids were busy with their respective celebrations of Family Day in their schools. 

The highlight of Dana's Family Day is their award-winning performance of their Hip Hop Dance number.

Dylan's class had a lot of activities so you'll see a lot of pictures of those :)

Still, all of it was good fun! :)

2018 National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week

26 July 2018

Actually, the NDPR week was originally scheduled for July 17-23.  Unfortunately, the Philippines was beseiged by typhoons and strong southwest monsoon rains which led to the suspension of classes during most of this week.

They were only able to do their Arts and Crafts activity on Thursday and the rest of the activities were scheduled today.  Dylan spent the past couple of days practicing with his other SPED schoolmates for a dance routine they were scheduled to perform for everyone. :)

The NDPR week is meant to spread awareness about the different disabilities, like Autism, Hearing Impairment, Intellectual Disability among others and to help people understand that "We are Different, But Not Less".

Newly-painted chairs and tables for Dylan's classroom

01 December 2017

What a way to greet the first of December (the official start of the Christmas season) by donating our time to Dylan's classrooms continuing renovations.  Today, we focused on fixing the tables and chairs and then painting them.  We also installed a "gate/fence" at the door so that the door can be left open but the kids can't easily run outside.  It was tiring but very fulfilling!  Thanks to everyone who helped!

Dylan's UN Day : Tasting dishes from different countries

19 October 2017

It's that time again for United Nations' Day!  This time, I'm glad this it's not about the costume but the culture of the nation that's being taught so Thanks Teacher Ressie!

The kids were asked to select a country and bring to school a sample of the dishes that represent it.  Dylan naturally gravitated to Japan and we brought several helpings of Tamago Onigiri :)

Dylan's Foundation Day participation in school

28 September 2017

This is another first for Dylan education-wise.  Today, he celebrated the school's 95th Year Anniversary together with his classmates, schoolmates, teachers and staff.  They prepared a dance routine and performed it as part of the school's Foundation Day Celebration.

As any parent with a child on the autism spectrum, events like these mark milestones to be remembered.  It's special because it shows your child's progress in dealing with crowds. It shows how your child copes with a specific routine (like dancing) and ability to follow directions.  It tests your child's patience while waiting for his turn.  Dylan exceeded all of these today and I'm so proud of him!

Dylan's class is a beneficiary of a former preschool's educational materials and furnishings

09 September 2017

A great big Thank You to Mommy Myles, Daddy Jovy and Sir Ramil of Books for a Cause for granting us the privilege of receiving much-needed educational materials and furnishings from your former preschool.  We are in awe of your generosity and your kindness will go a long way because all this will help so many generations of Special Education/Autism students. Thank You !

Dylan helps with his class' room renovations

27 August 2017

What I've learned now that Dylan is in public school is that if you want something done for the class, you have to do it yourself.  Today, my co-parents and I banded together to put up bulletin boards and Teacher's whiteboard and constructed stacking shelves for Dylan's class.  Dylan was very excited to be part of a project like this and it taught him the value of working hard and appreciating the end result.

NDPR Finale: Sports Festival!

21 July 2017

The theme today is Speed because today is the last day of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation celebration at Dylan's school! Their final activity is a Sports Festival and all Special Education classes are participating.  That is why Dylan is wearing a "The Flash" shirt while I"m wearing a Ferrari shirt LOL

Assembly time was at 0730 and yep, even though it's a bit early for Dylan, we were both up and full of energy at this time of the morning haha

There were a number of sports activities that each class can participate in.  Parents and teachers had prepared several loot bags for the kids who participate and special prizes for those who win in friendly competition with other classes.

Dylan participated in all 7 activities though it's too bad I failed to take pictures or videos of some of them because I was busy assisting and cheering him on haha

NDPR Week Continuation: Film Showing and Food Festival

19-20 July 2017

Continuing with the celebration of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabiliation Week, Dylan's class participated in a Film Showing (Day 3)  and a Food Festival (Day 4).

You may wonder why there's a Film showing during NDPR week.  It's actually to test how long these kids can sit, focus and watch a full-length movie.  To normal people, sitting still for the whole length of a movie is a breeze.  But for special kids like Dylan and his friends, it's actually pretty difficult.

On Day 4, the food festival was done to encourage kids to prepare their own meals and to teach them to appreciate good food.  The kids made waffles!

Dylan's class is Munting Aklatan #95 thanks to Books for a Cause

20 July 2017

Today, Dylan's class became Munting Aklatan #95.  We were fortunate to be the beneficiaries of books for Dylan's Autism class courtesy of Sir Ramil Sumangil from the Books for a Cause advocacy.

Books for a Cause receives any and all books (and even toys) and in turn donates these to people who need them.  Thank you for our books!! :)

Opening of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week at Dylan's school

17 July 2017

Today is the opening of the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation week at Dylan's school.  All Special Education classes came together to participate in the opening ceremonies.  Dylan isn't averse to attending large gatherings and is actually pretty stable when it comes to social events so I wasn't worried.  He was actually pretty excited to participate when he found out that they were supposed to dance in front of everyone.

It was truly an enriching experience for both Dylan and me because we got to see and interact with other Special Kids and Teens and we marvel at their capacity and determination for learning!  Kudos to the kids! Thank you to to their teachers and parents for their patience and support.  The future looks bright for all of us!

Dylan's Nutrition Month Celebration in School (2017)


14 July 2017


It was Dylan's Nutrition Month celebration today!  I actually dread these school events because it would mean having to be "artsy" and creative when making the costumes and props.  BUT, if it meant that my child will be enjoying himself, then I'm on board.  And today, Dylan really enjoyed himself!

Dylan is back in school!

12 June 2017

Last June 05, classes in public schools began nationwide.  It was Dylan's first day back to school after awhile and I was apprehensive because it was also the first time that we will be part of the public school system.  Private SPED (Special Education) schools are pretty expensive so we considered ourselves fortunate that there was a public school which has a Special Education department near us.  We didn't have to shell out any money for tuition.  Still, we felt a bit of a culture shock as we continually adjusted with our new environment.