FAQ page 4

Ans.: "The inculcation of Christian values and responsible leadership is integrated in the school’s programs. This is done through the deliberate integration of Christian values education into the school’s academic, athletic, aesthetic (e.g. music, drama, and dance) programs, and other extra-curricular activities (e.g. student government, publications, clubs)."

"While Christian Education is not taught at SMS as a separate formal subject, considerable time and effort is made to ensure the inculcation of Christian values and strengthen the spiritual development of SMS students. The celebration of school Mass and Friday Vespers are regular features of the school’s weekly calendar. Hymn practice, in preparation for school masses, is also held every Friday prior to vespers. Morning prayers are said during the flag raising ceremony. Moral values such as respect, responsibility, compassion, repentance, and integrity –including applications and implications--are discussed and debated upon during classes in English, Social Studies, Filipino, and in homeroom. Reflections are written by students and encoded in Computer classes for submission to homeroom advisors.

The effectiveness of our “Pastoral Program” which encompasses Christian and values education becomes evident in the positive manifestation of student behavior—be it towards elders, teachers, parents, peers, or themselves.

The other key element in the forward movement of character development among SMS students is the ownership of the entire staff and faculty in inculcating the proper values and standards. Discipline and student behavior are no longer the sole purview of the principal and/or guidance counselor; all who work at SMS are accountable for the active enforcement, support, and follow-up of the student code of behavior. The clergy and staff at the SMV parish support this integrated approach as they focus on the periodic homeroom themes (such as respect) in their sermons, commentaries, and homilies, and apply the themes to assigned epistles and gospels to strengthen the message already conveyed by the SMS faculty.

Finally, student involvement in Church affairs is encouraged and nurtured. The appointment of an SMS faculty member as youth minister/advisor, has enabled SMS student volunteers to work with children in Sunday School, serve as acolytes and readers during services, and support church activities.

School mass is regularly held every 2^nd Wednesday, and Vespers, including Hymn practice, regularly every Friday afternoon."

Source of Ans.[Please read the following to learn more about Christian Ed at SMS, Sagada, Mt. Prov., Philippines as espoused by its Principal, Dr. Dennis Gomowad Faustino]:

VIII. Is there a percentage deducted for operational expenses as regards donations channeled through SMSS Alumni and Friends Foundation [SMSSAFF] or remitted directly to St. Mary's School of Sagada, Inc. [SMSSI]? If so, how much?

Ans.: Donations to specific projects channeled through SMSSAFF or remitted directly to SMSSI are spent one hundred percent on the project or projects specified by the donors. Donations earmarked specifically for operational purposes will, of course, be spent specifically for operational expenditures. Currently, however, officers and the members of the Board of Trustees of either SMSSAFF or SMSSI do not get any monetary remunerations; they serve purely on a voluntary basis.

In the near future, SMSSAFF plans to fund part of its operational expenses [i. e., for office supplies] from SMSSAFF membership fees.

IX. Why is St. Mary’s School authorities pirating prospective students from near-by schools like St. James High School, Besao?

Ans.: St. Mary’s School, Sagada will never pirate students from any school. It will, however, aggressively undertake informational campaigns about the world-class educational environment taking shape at St. Mary’s School. The idea is to give every student in the Philippine Cordilleras, particularly nearby schools [as well as sister institutions in the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines such as St. James, Besao; All Saints Mission, Bontoc; St. Paul’s Balbalasang and St. Alfred’s Tamboan] the opportunity to partake of the modern facilities and high standard of learning being offered by St. Mary’s School.

The vision for St. Mary’s School is to make it a source of quality education such that students will be attracted to it even if they have to qualify, study and maintain the academic and non-academic standards set by the school; and tuition fees will not be an issue for the parents.

It maybe pointed out that no amount of convincing will attract students to St. Mary’s School, if the students and parents are not attracted by the faculty, facilities, curriculum and reputation of the school.

You may specify a particular SMSS project as a preferred beneficiary or your donation [See Help Options and the answer to FAQ #5]. The following are the current priority projects of the School

Please consult your tax consultant/advisor to make sure that your donations are tax-deductible.