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and face to face (if it is allowed). The blended experience is used to tailored learning and teaching contexts
that draw on a combination of distance, electronic approaches and face to face. It aims to effectively
enhance the targeted teaching and learning experiences and outcomes of both the teachers and students.
Distance learning or distance education, also called e-learning or online learning form of education is
another mode of teaching. Physical separation of teachers and students during instruction is the norm and
the use of various technologies is encouraged to facilitate learning in the “new normal.” The OSJ Schools
have a decent internet connection but the problem lies in the connectivity of the students in their homes.

Another way of educating students in the “new normal” is through the use of Learning Packets which are
appropriate learning and instructional materials from online sources or prepared by teachers and used
offline by students. This is used by our OSJ Schools for the nursery and kindergarten pupils and for those
students who do not have the connectivity for online classes. If the public health situation allows and
with proper guidance on physical distancing and health standards in schools, a face-to-face instructional
method may be done, where course content and learning materials are taught in person to a group of
students or class.

The administrators and principals of all OSJ Schools, the subject coordinators and all teachers underwent
rigid training on the new technology and “new normal” environment and the role of parents are emphasized
through seminars, curriculum orientation and proper communication.

PARTNERS IN THE EDUCATION OF THE YOUTH IN THE “NEW NORMAL”
The idea of Joseph Marello on the partnership of Church, school and family is so true in the present situation
where parents and guardians spend much time with their children and are partners of the school in the
growth and learning of the children and students. The OSJ Schools as Catholic institutions, provide several
programs and activities for the parents. Aside from the spiritual exercises given to parents and students,
these programs are for their orientation and information which take into consideration the learning set
up and the style of teachings and learning processes that will be adapted by the schools under the “new
normal.” The duties of parents include being with their children in spiritual activities and familiarity with
the online tools and platform used by their children. They must also involve themselves with those online
educational platforms and support their children in this new learning.

The beginning of the Academic Year 2020-2021 has been a stressful year for our students and teachers. We
have been placed in situations we did not ask for. We have experienced hardships we never imagined and
the pandemic’s effect on the economy and employment. We have seen things we never thought we would
and troubled by what we see and hear. We fear for our families and loved ones. We worry on the uncertainty
of the future. But, we have learned from our past experiences that God will never leave us. We are only here
through His mercy and grace and I am believer that He will bring us through a brighter tomorrow. It is a
reminder to all of us, that God is still here among us, in spite of this pandemic.

I was grateful for the reminder. I was equally grateful on the day I walked around the school, when I saw that
book and the empty school and a bag filled with all the clothes and belongings left in a student’s locker
months ago, when the school suddenly turned into a Zoom session and in virtual reality. To me, at least, and
maybe to all of you, the schools adjusted slowly and then all at once. We are teachers and students. And we
still are. We can learn a lot by looking back and comparing the past months to the present. It is revealing
to see which schools or communities have mostly moved past COVID-19, and which are still taking it very
seriously in their mission in education.

It is helpful to remember what those anxiety-ridden days and weeks were like in our schools, towns and
cities, and what this virus does to all of us. Maybe it is good to walk and reflect on our life and its lessons
and the education of the youth in the “new normal.” But it is also good to plan for this new journey of our
interconnected lives. Vaya con Dios!