Sanggunian's Letter to the LS Community

A LETTER BY THE SANGGUNIAN NG MGA MAG-AARAL TO THE LS COMMUNITY CALLING FOR AN EXTRA INITIATIVE IN WELCOMING THE FRESHMEN IN LIGHT OF THE DELAY OF ORSEM.

To the Loyola Schools Community,

As we begin school year 2009-2010, we welcome many things. We welcome the many lessons to be learned inside the classroom; we welcome our friends – old and new; we welcome our 150^th year as an institution of excellence, spirituality and nation-building; and we welcome all the hopes, dreams, and promises this year brings.

We start the school year with daunting circumstances that have proved our community’s power to unite and surmount challenges. Just recently, we have mobilized against the Congress’ efforts to form a Constituent Assembly. Our fight for social justice has taken a step forward with the recent passage of CARPER. We have taken measures to prevent the spread of Influenza a(h1n1) within the Ateneo Loyola Schools by observing the moratorium on large school gatherings, among other actions.

This Monday, we welcome our freshmen to the Loyola Schools community. While the moratorium on large gatherings has delayed the Freshmen’s Orientation Seminar (ORSEM) to July 3 and 4, the Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral is one with the ORSEM committee in its efforts to provide our freshmen with an accommodating, warm and jovial welcome-- truly done the Ateneo way from the first day of classes. Taking this into consideration, the Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral calls on the Loyola Schools community to join us in taking an extra initiative in welcoming the freshmen with the following simple deeds:

1) Wear blue or white on the first and second day of classes, respectively, as a communal sign of welcome and to easily be identifiable in cases of query by the freshmen;

2) Be sensitive to freshmen who may have difficulty finding their respective class venues among other possible needs;

3) Politely greet and, if needed responsibly offer assistance to the freshmen;

4) And promote the upcoming ORSEM and Sanggunian School Nights scheduled for July 3 & 4.

The Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral hopes that the aforementioned efforts will not only provide the freshmen with the necessary assistance they need upon the opening of classes; more than anything, the Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral hopes that the said measures will convey the communal spirit that the Loyola Schools has displayed against challenges over the past few months and the characteristics of unity, solidarity and excellence that the Ateneo de Manila has been known for as an institution.

The Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral welcomes you to School Year 2009-2010!

Let us welcome our freshmen, the Ateneo de Manila Loyola Schools way!

Sincerely,

Gregorio Ramon Tingson

President

Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila