Blue Danube School Philippines

For the giving of academic awards and for the computation of the final grades, ONLY MAJOR SUBJECTS WILL BE CONSIDERED (English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, and Filipino). Minor subjects (Values Education, Music & Arts, Physical Education, Home Economics & Livelihood Education, and German Language) will be graded as E for Excellent (96-100), HS for Highly Satisfactory (91-95), S for Satisfactory (86-90), MI for Must Improve (75-85), and F for Failed (74 & below), but will not affect the computation of final rating. Conduct, as well, will not affect the final grade of a pupil.


For the major subjects, we will be using the Base 50 rating system. This means that the computation is: THE RAW SCORE OF ANY TEST MULTIPLIED BY 50, THEN DIVIDED BY THE NUMBER OF ITEMS ASKED, AND LASTLY, ADDING 50. If the pupil, therefore, would make a perfect score, the grade will be 100%.


QUIZZES WILL COMPRISE 30%, THE MONTHLY TEST 35% AND THE PERIODICAL TEST 35% OF EACH GRADING PERIOD.


THE FINAL GRADE WILL BE COMPUTED BASED ON THE FOLLOWING QUARTERLY RESULTS: FIRST GRADING PERIOD (20%), SECOND GRADING PERIOD (20%), THIRD GRADING PERIOD (20%), AND THE FOURTH GRADING PERIOD (40%).


For Grade 6, THE VALEDICTORIAN SHALL NOT HAVE A FINAL GRADE LOWER THAN 90% IN ANY MAJOR SUBJECT. Otherwise, only a salutatorian award will be given, whereby THE SALUTATORIAN SHALL NOT HAVE A FINAL GRADE LOWER THAN 88%. In English Reading and English Language, the policy of WRONG SPELLING = FULL MISTAKE (0 point) will be implemented immediately from the start of the quizzes. In all other subjects, WRONG SPELLING = HALF MISTAKE (1/2 point) will be the norm until the end of the First Grading Period. Thereafter, wrong spellings will not be given half a point.


For all Elementary Levels, our usual practice of test retakes (THE AUSTRIAN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT PRACTICES THIS SYSTEM – their constant analysis and implementation of this practice make this system more plausible) if more than 50% of the class should fail would go on. The higher score among the two tests will be upheld and recognized. This ruling is, from the point of view of Blue Danube, for the general protection and good of pupils who might have needed more time in absorbing particular subject matters. A day or two would be given to have the retake. Our purpose is for pupils to learn and comprehend, not to catch and punish unprepared ones, especially if it is obvious that there was not ample time given to them to fully grasp the concepts. This policy is simply to assure that nobody is left out, unless the record shows that the pupil’s average performance is obviously poor. Arguments of unfairness to those who did well during the first test are understandable; but the inner perspective of the school and this particular policy had been written not to accommodate competing honor pupils but to ensure that all pupils, be they average, above average or below average in their performance, be given another chance. Those who did well during the first test can always improve their scores. We see the situation from the point of view of humaneness and of the general good. Justice, equality and fairness can only be authentic if they are carried in the spirit of humaneness and charity. When one puts himself in the shoes of others, it is much easier to grasp what Blue Danube wants to convey all the time: Meticulously comparing scores of your child with those of others from the point of view of competition will only invite selfishness, egoism, inconsiderateness, malice, blind and baseless accusations of favoritism, envy, vanity, bad behavior, and unhealthy competition. Without looking through the eyes of humaneness and charity, arguments on justice, equality and fairness will only end up in cruelty and loveless ness. Let us embrace the spirit of generosity and consideration to others. God will smile upon us if we do this.


Likewise for the Elementary Department, FAILING GRADES IN TWO MAJOR SUBJECTS MEAN AN AUTOMATIC REPETITION OF THE PUPIL’S PRESENT LEVEL OR RECOMMENDATION TO TRANSFER TO ANOTHER SCHOOL. Promotion to a higher level is therefore not possible. EDUCATIONAL LAW PROHIBITS US TO PROMOTE ANYBODY TO A HIGHER LEVEL IF HE OR SHE DOES NOT MEET THE ACADEMIC STANDARD AND REQUIREMENTS OF OUR SCHOOL.


TO FAIL IN ONE MAJOR SUBJECT MEANS TO TAKE REMEDIAL CLASSES IN SUMMER (MAY). IF THE PUPIL STILL FAILS TO PASS THE REMEDIAL CLASSES, IT HAS TO REMAIN IN THE SAME LEVEL OR MIGHT BE RECOMMENDED TO TRANSFER TO ANOTHER SCHOOL.


For Pre-School pupils who would perform quite poorly, the school can only advise in such cases. WE CANNOT FAIL PUPILS IN THE PRE-SCHOOL DEPARTMENT AS THERE IS NO EXISTING LAW REGARDING THIS.


FOR THE PRE-SCHOOL LEVELS, THERE WILL BE NO CHANGES: 0-10 MISTAKES WILL BE AN “A”, 11-20 MISTAKES WILL BE A “B”, 21 MISTAKES AND ABOVE WILL BE A “C”. All Pre-School pupils will be given a reviewer prior to tests just like in the Elementary Department, whereby for elementary pupils, no reviewers will be given for quizzes. For oral or written tests, the same condition will be required: a witness must be in the classroom.

PROF. MAG. ALFREDO FERRER (Catholic Theological University of Linz, Austria; Innsbruck University, Austria; University of Santo Tomas, Philippines: Graduate & Post-Graduate Studies in Theology, Philosophy, plus Professional Education with practicum) is the Director/School Head, and Acting Principal. All matters and final decisions pertaining to the whole school system and curriculum, most specially the academic upgrades and updates, up to the hiring and firing of every employee (including security personnel) under Blue Danube School Inc. of which he is the Corporate President, are under his jurisdiction.


MS. GERLINDE MÖRWALD FERRER (Bundeshandelsakademie and Bundeshandelsschule Perg, Austria; Johannes Kepler University, Austria: Commerce, Library Science) is the designated Acting Administrator. She is responsible for the management, organization and supervision of the school in general, including all its employees. She exercises full authority given to her by Prof. Ferrer in his absence or physical incapacity. Nobody, except the Director/School Head, may interfere with her decisions under her jurisdiction.


MS. ROCHELLE ORDA (Canossa College: Psychology) is the designated Guidance Counselor, Registrar & Administrative Assistant. As Guidance Counselor, she is responsible for the following: handling situations pertaining to problems of pupils’ behavior, manners & discipline, both in the Pre-School & Elementary Departments; implementing campus rules for all concerned individuals (pupils, parents & guardians, teachers & employees, and every person who enters the campus); following-up of deteriorating performances of pupils and employees. All these without exempting the teachers and school personnel from exercising their duties and obligations regarding order and discipline among pupils and themselves in and out of the classroom. Moreover, Ms. Rochelle is responsible for the continuing general instruction & guidance of pupils for them to learn, absorb and practice the spirit of Blue Danube in particular, and the spirit of humaneness, righteousness, humility and justice in general. She exercises the authority to represent the school for out-of-campus official matters.


As Registrar & Administrative Assistant, she is mainly responsible for the school registry & book-keeping of records and finances, entertaining inquiries and handling office transactions, payroll of all employees, updating all requirements of the Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Education, Bureau of Internal Revenue, Social Security System, Philhealth Insurance, PAGIBIG Funds and Mayor’s Office, among others. Although taking 9 units of masteral studies in Psychology in June, July & September, she will be holding Guidance & Counseling sessions on a regular basis for all classes. For the meantime, her sessions will depend on her availability. German Language lessons and Guidance & Counseling will be held on an alternating basis to accommodate all Elementary sections. For June and the first week of July, a brief repetition of last year’s basic German will be undertaken. Thereafter, we will move on to a more advanced level. IN ACCORDANCE WITH EDUCATIONAL LAW FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS, ONLY PROF. FERRER OR HIS DULY DESIGNATED ADMINISTRATOR, IN CASE OF INCAPACITY, CAN EITHER TAKE MS. ROCHELLE’S PLACE OR APPOINT A PERSON AS SUBSTITUTE IN HER ABSENCE.


MS. MYRA CORONADO (U.P. Diliman: Political Science, LSPU: Professional Education) is the newly designated Assistant Principal since the second semester of this school year. She is responsible for purely academic matters, working closely together with the School Head regarding curriculum, tests, lessons, among others. She is currently taking up M.A. Ed. Her area of responsibility is to assist the School Head in supervising teachers, pupils and practicants regarding their academic performance and to make sure that Blue Danube stays as an institution of solid and relevant learning.


MR. ALLAN FLORENDO (San Pablo Colleges: Computer Science) is the designated Office Clerk & second Administrative Assistant. He is responsible for all matters (and in the same manner) pertaining to Ms. Rochelle’s duties and obligations as Administrative Assistant.


THE ABOVE-MENTIONED PERSONS ARE ANSWERABLE TO AND TAKE ORDERS ONLY FROM THE DIRECTOR/SCHOOL HEAD OR HIS DULY DESIGNATED ADMINISTRATOR, IN CASE OF INCAPACITY. THEY HAVE THE MORAL DUTY TO FULLY SUPPORT THE SCHOOL HEAD IN ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE MISSION AND VISION OF BLUE DANUBE. THEY ARE BOUND TO UPDATE THE DIRECTOR ON ALL MATTERS WITHIN THEIR JURISDICTION ON A REGULAR BASIS.


Only the individuals mentioned above officially form the Administrative Team. NO OTHER PERSON OR GROUP OF PERSONS MAY TRANSACT, WRITE, SPEAK, CALL OR ACT IN THE NAME OF OR IN BEHALF OF BLUE DANUBE SCHOOL INC. WITHOUT PRIOR TALK AND EXPLICIT APPROVAL OF PROF. FERRER. DOING OTHERWISE WOULD NOT ONLY MEAN “CROSSING THE BORDER” BUT IS LIKEWISE A BLATANT VIOLATION OF THE EXISTING LAW AND ADMINISTRATION POLICIES AS WELL.

PRE-SCHOOL DEPARTMENT: Teachers Jenny, Rose, Jam, Ana, Myla and Linda (Masteral Studies in Education).


ELEMENTARY DEPARTMENT: Teachers Jossa (Scholar as Student), Rhea (Scholar as Student), Mean (Cum Laude – Scholar as Student), Myra (Teaching Assistant Principal, Masteral Studies in Education), Merriam, Flor (Scholar as Student), Reziel (Cum Laude), Manette (Scholar as Student), Mylen, Giewelle, and Ethel (Head Teacher: Filipino Department); Ms. Rochelle (Masteral Studies in Psychology – Scholar as Student).


“ATE” ISE is responsible for maintaining order & cleanliness in the administration office, comfort rooms at the left wing of the building, along the corridors, in the classrooms (after class hours), and assisting children in the comfort rooms. She is authorized to implement school rules and must be treated accordingly and with respect by parents, guardians, pupils and guests.


RAYMOND is responsible for maintaining order & cleanliness in the campus, back- and side yards, front garden, along the corridors and in the classrooms (after school hours). Regular cleaning of air-conditioning filters, electric fans, repairs of classroom furniture, etc. fall under his duties. During rush hours (9:30, 11:30, 13:30, 14:00), he will be assisting the security guards in keeping peace and order among pupils, parents & guardians, drivers and transportation operators. He is authorized to implement school rules and must be treated accordingly and with respect by drivers, parents, guardians, pupils and guests.


JUN is mainly responsible for the garden and cleanliness in the campus. He will also help in the classrooms after class hours. Regular cleaning of air-conditioning filters, electric fans, repairs of classroom furniture, etc. fall under his duties. During rush hours (9:30, 11:30, 13:30, 14:00), he will be assisting the security guards in keeping peace and order among pupils, parents & guardians, drivers and transportation operators. He is authorized to implement school rules and must be treated accordingly and with respect by drivers, parents, guardians, pupils and guests.


Security Guards are TEDDY (peace, security & order by the main building, left wing waiting shed and parking area during school hours – whole campus after school hours) and RESTY (peace, security & order by the main building, back entrance and right wing waiting shed and parking area during school hours – whole campus after school hours). Both should see to it that only authorized persons or vehicles may enter the campus and that everybody must follow campus rules, loading & unloading procedures and parking regulations. They should be alert in the real sense of the word, especially regarding the safety of the pupils. They are authorized to implement school rules and must be treated accordingly and with respect by drivers, parents, guardians, pupils and guests.


ALL PERSONS MENTIONED ABOVE HAVE THE MORAL DUTY TO FULLY SUPPORT THE SCHOOL HEAD IN ALL MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE MISSION AND VISION OF BLUE DANUBE. THEY ARE LIKEWISE ANSWERABLE TO AND TAKE ORDERS ONLY FROM PROF. FERRER OR HIS DESIGNATED ADMINISTRATOR, IN CASE OF INCAPACITY. AS DESIGNATED PERSONNEL, THEY ARE BOUND TO UPDATE THE DIRECTOR ON ALL MATTERS WITHIN THEIR JURISDICTION ON A REGULAR BASIS.

For the very thoughtful wishes, prayers, phone calls, text messages, cards, gifts, and emails during the Christmas Season and for the birthdays of both Ma’am Gerlinde (January 15) and Sir Freddie (September 22), our deepest THANK YOU and sincere GOD BLESS YOU. Your continuous support and prayers keep us going. Our way of showing this honest gratitude: In sickness and in health, we will always, and with the strongest of determination, do our best for the good of our pupils and for the smooth continuance of Blue Danube 2000’s mission and vision. For all of you with good will and intentions, Peace, Good Health and Harmony in your private lives are our wishes in return.

Due to recent, yet unverified reports on mishaps in other schools, it is but proper to emphasize the importance of the gate pass again. Without a gate pass, no pupil will be released unless the parent or guardian coordinates with the office.


The school IDs will be given to the pupils directly, but the individual and personalized gate pass should be picked up from the office by the guardian or parent. It is very critical whoever holds the gate pass. PLEASE BE REMINDED THAT ITS BEARER HAS THE RIGHT TO ENTER THE CAMPUS, PICK UP THE CHILD AND BRING HIM/HER HOME WITHOUT BEING QUESTIONED. THE GATE PASS GIVES THE BEARER FULL ACCESS TO THE SCHOOL AREA AND THE PEOPLE THEREIN AS WELL. We are therefore extra careful in handing it over.


After classes are over, the teacher will accompany the whole class along the corridor until the pick up point which is at both ends of the corridors, whichever is nearer to the classroom of the child. There, pupils will be released one by one to the bearer of the gate pass. IF THERE BE THE SLIGHTEST DOUBT FROM THE PART OF THE TEACHER, GUARD, SCHOOL PERSONNEL OR EVEN THE PUPIL, REGARDING THE CHARACTER OR CONDITION OF THE PERSON FETCHING THE PUPIL, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT NOT TO RELEASE THE CHILD. This is for the absolute safety of the pupil. We have done this often already. Only after contacting the parents or legal guardians will we let go of the pupil.


TRANSPORTATION OPERATORS SHOULD MAKE ARRANGEMENTS WITH THE PARENTS OF THEIR CLIENTS AS TO WHO WILL KEEP THE GATE PASS. SAID OPERATORS SHOULD SEE TO IT THAT THE CHILDREN ENTRUSTED TO THEM BY THE PARENTS MUST FALL IN LINE AND WAIT PROPERLY – NO PLAYING WHILE WAITING – AND ENTER THE VEHICLE WITHOUT TROUBLES OR DELAYS. THE PUPILS MUST WAIT INSIDE THE VEHICLES AND ARE NOT ALLOWED TO RUN AROUND. THIS IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OPERATORS AS SOON AS WE RELEASE THE CHILDREN. THE OPERATORS OR THEIR HELPERS MUST BE THE ONES TO ACCOMPANY THE CHILDREN.


The loss of ID or gate pass should be reported immediately to the Office. With IDs, there is not much of a problem. One should just order another at his/her own expense. Losing the gate pass is critical. Although we can always issue another one at your own expense, do not forget that anyone who has a gate pass has full access to the campus. The finder of a lost gate pass can misuse it. Be therefore careful in keeping and handling them. We request each person who would find a gate pass to deposit it without delay by the Lost & Found section at the Office.

to be continued

Dear parents, please feel free to inform the office if you see and believe that your child has good potentials in sports and athletic activities. Last year, we participated in badminton (first place), tennis (third place), and swimming during the Palarong Panglunsod of San Pablo City. This year, we will welcome more participants in additional fields, including chess, taekwondo, table tennis, among others. Although Blue Danube is in the first place for academic and character formation, we would want to promote special talents of children in the world of sports.

For the very thoughtful wishes, prayers, phone calls, text messages, cards, gifts and the surprise celebration for my birthday, my deepest THANK YOU and sincere GOD BLESS YOU. Your continuous support and prayers keep me going. My way of showing this honest gratitude: In sickness and in health, I will always do my best for the good of our pupils and for the smooth continuance of Blue Danube’s mission and vision. Peace, good health and harmony are my wishes for all of you.

Blue Danube congratulates its valedictorian of last year, Melissa Ferrer, for being the first honor student (first grading period) in her new school, San Pablo City Science High School! Despite the language handicap, she was able to perform well, both in academics and extra curricular activities, winning the Science Debate last week. Keep it up, but take care of your health first. Health before wealth and health before anything else. You have proven yourself since your Pre-School days. It is up to you if you want to push hard. We wish you the best.

After the First Grading Period, you will notice a qualitative change in the quizzes and examinations of the pupils. A more disciplined approach to learning and studying is therefore required. The adjustment period, specially for newcomers, is over. Blue Danube will slowly start imposing its academic standard. Pupils should get used to taking examinations within the time limit. This is what awaits them when they move on to higher levels, and, in the case of Grade 6, entrance examinations for high school will always be under time pressure. Good study habits and taking lessons seriously are now mandatory if pupils would want to maintain or attain high grades. Offering a solid and high standard in academics is what Blue Danube schooling is all about. It is for the good of the pupils. No more, no less.