Blue Danube School Philippines

“Hunger is, as such, negative. But nevertheless, it is a much lesser evil in comparison to Greed. In fact, there is no plausible comparison between the two. Hunger can be stilled with a generous portion of a decent meal. But greed? Greed is insatiable. No amount of portion, be it generous or little, can satisfy greed. It is not a mere virus of the society, but a malignant cancer that should be taken away as soon as possible, in order to save what is still left of what has been once a healthy part of social life. Greed can be found nowhere else but in the very core of human beings infested and corrupted by it. Money, power, influence, property, or all of the aforementioned are the ‘foods’ of greed: Foods that will never fill up a bottomless hole. People from all walks of life are both victims and carriers of this cancer. I am not for eliminating walking cancers, my friend. But we can do something directly against the situation:

DO NOT FEED THEM.
DO NOT ALLOW THEM TO INFEST ANYBODY, FROM TODDLERS TO ADULTS.
DO NOT DEAL WITH THEM.
DO NOT WORK FOR OR WITH THEM.
AVOID THEM WITH ALL YOUR POWER AND DETERMINATION.
DO NOT VOTE THEM INTO OFFICE, WHETHER GOVERNMENTAL OR ECCLESIASTICAL.
DO NOT SHOW RESPECT FOR THEM BECAUSE THAT WILL SEND A DEADLY SIGNAL OF TOLERANCE, ACCEPTANCE OR IMMORAL INDIFFERENCE.
DESPISE THEM AND LET THEM FEEL THAT THEY ARE DESPISED.
DON’T GET CARRIED AWAY BY THEIR SWEET TALKS AND PROMISES.
NEVER EVER ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THEM. CANCER CELLS SPREAD RAPIDLY. BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, THEY HAVE GOTTEN YOU ALREADY.

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.

May the spirit of Blue Danube 2000 live on with the unrelenting help of God and the dedication and selfless sacrifice of every team member!

Blue Danube is not just an educational institution. It is a way of life... a vocation... a dream... a haven of genuine passion for service to our present society, particularly to children in their early formative stage.

Mr. & Mrs. Ferrer planted a seed in the year 2000 that grew into a young, yet strong and healthy fruit-bearing tree. Members of the administrative staff, the whole faculty and personnel should see to it that this tree would continue to grow. They should strive to maintain and promote the Mission and Vision of the school as they were eight years ago.

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, Masteral Studies) 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, Masteral Studies) is the Assistant Principal. She is responsible for purely academic matters, working closely together with the School Head regarding curriculum, tests, lessons, among others. 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) a designated Office Clerk & Administrative Assistant. He is responsible for all matters (and in the same manner) pertaining to Ms. Rochelle's duties and obligations as Administrative Assistant.

MS. KAREN MERAÑA CHAO (Laguna College: Computer Science, Scholar as Student) a designated Office Clerk & Administrative Assistant. She 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. NO OTHER PERSON HAS THE RIGHT TO MEDDLE WITH THEIR WORK OR TELL THEM WHAT OR WHAT NOT TO DO. 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.

ELEMENTARY DEPARTMENT: Teachers Jossa (Scholar as Student, Masteral Studies), Rhea (Scholar as Student, Masteral Studies), Mean (Head Teacher in Mathematics, Cum Laude, Scholar as Student, Masteral Studies), Myra (Teaching Assistant Principal, Masteral Studies), Flor (Scholar as Student, Masteral Studies), Manette (Scholar as Student), Mylen, Giewelle, Jennifer (Scholar as Student, Cum Laude), Grace (Scholar as Student), Jenna (Scholar as Student), Maricris (Scholar as Student), Ethel (Head Teacher in Filipino), Reniel (Scholar as Student, Academic Excellence Awardee, Cum Laude), Christian, Rocel, Chel, Ms. Rochelle (Scholar as Student, Masteral Studies).

ATE ISE is responsible for maintaining order & cleanliness in the administration office, comfort rooms at the left wing of the main 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, comfort room at the right wing of the main building, 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, 16:30), 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, 16:30), 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.

STRICTLY NO RUNNING, PUSHING, ELBOWING, SHOUTING AND OVERTAKING ALONG THE CORRIDORS, in the classrooms and canteen, as well as in the playroom. No bullying or fighting anywhere in the campus. Eating or drinking while walking along the campus or in the office is prohibited. Shouting and fooling around in the comfort rooms are in the same manner not allowed. Blue Danube takes behavior and discipline very seriously.

HITTING OR HURTING SCHOOLMATES, cursing, saying bad or indecent words, committing lewd and immoral acts, bringing pornographic materials, RUDENESS AND DISRESPECT TO PERSONS OF AUTHORITY EITHER IN WORDS OR IN ACTIONS, REGULARLY DISTRACTING CLASSES IN WHATEVER MANNER, vandalism in any form, writing or carving on walls, desks, chairs and other school facilities, stealing, taking or borrowing things against the will of the owner or without his/her permission, cheating, threatening classmates, touching or exposing private body parts, writing "love letters" to persons of authority or schoolmates (IT IS TOO EARLY FOR SUCH MATTERS - FOCUS ON LEARNING FIRST!), tampering and forging exercises/test papers/report cards/certifications, making false accusations or ganging-up on a pupil or a group of pupils – all these will have disciplinary consequences, first with verbal warnings from the Guidance Counselor, then with a written warning from the latter, and if still repeatedly done or no improvement is seen, with either suspension or dismissal from the school in written form.

Destroyed facilities or materials shall be replaced or paid for by the pupil's parents or legal guardian. Blue Danube is not here for mere academic formation, but for character formation as well. All rules and decisions are made for the good of each pupil. Just as we had been consistently advising children to strictly follow school rules, we ask your support, dear parents & guardians, in reminding them, too, whether at home or in the campus, about the importance of abiding by our policies.

Along the corridors of the main building, it is emphasized that children walk along the rails (outer lane) and not at the side where the classroom doors are. We can easily avoid unwanted accidents if this would be followed. In case doors would be opened, they will always be safe if they take the outer lane.

PUPILS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER THE CLASSROOMS OF OTHERS AT ANYTIME. PERMISSION FROM THE OFFICE IS REQUIRED. You are not allowed to leave the immediate premises (within the perimeter of the steel fences separating the parking space from the main building area) during school hours. If the steel chains by the exits/entrances at the end of both corridors are put on place, no pupil is allowed to go out without permission from the Office.

Private toys, gadgets and games do not need to be brought to school. You have all the time to play with them after classes. They are not allowed at Blue Danube. The same rule applies to wearing or bringing expensive jewelry or materials. Loss or damage to such can be avoided if you will stick to our regulations. The school will not be responsible for losses of such.

If, during recess or lunch break, the pupils would want to eat with their parents or guardian, they should go to the canteen. Otherwise, pupils should EAT ALONE in their classrooms. Parents or guardians should hand-over their food or drinks by the entrance/exit. The ruling stands: NO PARENTS OR GUARDIANS ALLOWED ALONG THE CORRIDORS AND IN THE CLASSROOMS. Only if they have anything to do with the Office may they enter the main building. Parents & guardians should repeat and explain these basic policies to their children.

READING AND SIGNING ALL NEWSLETTERS IS OBLIGATORY, AS STATED IN THE LEGALLY BINDING ENROLLMENT FORM & CONTRACT. UPDATED POSTS ON BILLBOARDS AROUND THE CAMPUS AND CANTEEN SHOULD ALSO BE READ BY PARENTS & GUARDIANS AS WELL AS PUPILS. Problems will always arise if notices, newsletters and memos from the Administration are not read and followed. Nobody is exempted from campus rules & regulations. Just as we do our part in giving our best for the academic and character formation of your children, so should you do your part as well. We are teaching your children to behave and follow rules. Grown-ups should set the example for young ones IN AND OUT OF THE CAMPUS.

Decency in action, words, and clothing is mandatory for all who are within the campus. We are very particular about the following: Shouting, laughing/talking/whistling/singing LOUDLY, private sound systems that can be heard by others, putting feet on chairs/tables/benches, cutting toe/finger nails, CREATING A SCANDAL IN WHATEVER FORM, entering the campus under the influence of drugs or alcohol, bringing deadly weapons, DISRESPECT & ARROGANCE TO SCHOOL PERSONNEL, TEACHERS, SECURITY GUARDS AND PERSONS BELONGING TO THE ADMINISTRATION, entering classrooms without permission from the Administration, tampering with exercises/test papers/report cards/certifications, malicious mischief and grave misconduct like telling jokes in a very bad or insulting taste, RUMOR MONGERING, CREATING INTRIGUES, SPREADING LIES, LIBEL, SLANDER, ALWAYS COMPLAINING TO OTHERS INSTEAD OF GOING TO THE OFFICE, THUS CREATING A VERY NEGATIVE ATMOSPHERE, WHETHER AT THE CANTEEN OR ANYWHERE ELSE, vandalism, grave threat to any person, lewd or immoral acts, bringing of indecent or pornographic materials, UNSOLICITED MEDDLING WITH THE AFFAIRS OF THE FACULTY OR ADMINISTRATION, will be dealt with accordingly (legal actions, if necessary). Any person can be banned from entering a private school campus if a major rule or norm would be blatantly broken. The enrollment of your children here is voluntary and not coerced or forced. You must therefore abide and accept our school policies.

Nevertheless, rest assured that whatever parents or guardians might do against school policies, YOUR CHILD WILL NOT SUFFER ANY CONSEQUENCE. Just as there is no room for favoritism here, so is there absolutely no place for REVENGE or PICKING ON CHILDREN. THIS PRACTICE OF OUR SCHOOL IS PROVEN THROUGH THE YEARS. Blue Danube is here to support, guide and educate pupils. Our priority will always be your children. All others are secondary.

As per school policies, TEACHERS, PERSONNEL, SECURITY GUARDS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CHAT OR ENTER INTO LONG PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS WITH PARENTS OR GUARDIANS. This is a preventive measure against possible favoritism, envy, jealousy, false accusations and malicious thoughts – for short, to avoid eventual problems that might arise from such situations. In the same manner, PARENTS AND GUARDIANS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CONFRONT, ARGUE WITH OR VERBALLY ATTACK ANY TEACHER, PERSONNEL OR SCHOOL AUTHORITY.

FIGHTING OR QUARRELING AMONG ADULTS WITHIN THE CAMPUS IS ABSOLUTELY AGAINST OUR POLICY OF HARMONY AND DECENCY. OUR SCHOOL IS NOT THE PROPER VENUE TO SOLVE PERSONAL PROBLEMS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE EDUCATION OF YOUR CHILDREN.

All matters will be discussed intelligently, objectively and decently at the Guidance Counseling Office if the problems have something to do with our pupils. We strictly deal with facts and evidences only. Not with opinions or personal whims. Blue Danube has its clear regulations and policies.

NEVER EVER CALL A TEACHER OR ANY PERSON WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION “INENG; HIJA, TOTOY OR HIJO. Though young, our team is a team of professionals. Thus, due respect should be given to them.

If you have guests, please notify the office. Our “ONE PUPIL – ONE GUARDIAN” rule still stands.

OUR VISION is to see that the seeds that we planted and nourished would, in the future, be trees, mightily standing and deeply rooted, bearing fruits and giving shelter to all living creatures. FROM NOTHING COMES NOTHING. But nobility and decency, wisdom and knowledge, righteousness and moral ascendancy, can only result in something beautiful, something so deeply humane, something so wonderfully divine. In the end, all these would lead to that what we ardently and fervently wish: TO BE ABLE TO BRING BACK HUMANENESS TO HUMANITY. May the God of this universe remain our sole fountain of strength and determination. Only through godly eyes will we see our role in His creation".

"Many people have I known, whose measure of their fellowmen is: rich or poor, famous or unknown, powerful or powerless, strong or weak, good-looking or not good-looking, belongs to the upper social class or belongs to the lower social class, has lots of material belongings or has less material belongings, has the latest in fashion & trend or has old fashioned stuff, has the most expensive things or has the cheapest in the market, intelligent or not intelligent, talented or not talented, always on top or always at the bottom, has many influential friends or has no influential friends, and so on and so on until one gets dizzy with the long list of this crap.

MY FRIEND, IF EVER YOU WILL TRY TO MEASURE SOMEBODY, I ADVICE YOU TO LOOK CAREFULLY WHO IS: THE OPPRESSOR OR THE OPPRESSED, THE CHEAT OR THE HONEST, THE CROOK OR THE RIGHTEOUS , THE RUDE OR THE POLITE & KIND, THE ARROGANT OR THE HUMBLE, THE AGGRESSIVE OR THE MEEK, THE LOUD & NOISY OR THE QUIET & SERENE, THE AGGRESSIVE OR THE PEACEFUL, THE UNJUST & UNFAIR OR THE JUST & FAIR, THE INHUMANE OR THE HUMANE, THE ONE WHOSE GOD IS MONEY & WEALTH OR THE ONE WHOSE SLAVE IS MONEY & WEALTH, THE ONE WHO WOULD SUFFER PATIENCE & ENDURANCE OR THE ONE WHO WILL STEP ON FELLOW PEOPLE JUST TO REACH A GOAL, THE ONE WHO TREATS HUMAN BEINGS LIKE ANIMALS OR THE ONE WHO TREATS ANIMALS AS IF THEY WERE PEOPLE, THE ONE WHO HAS NO RESPECT FOR OTHERS' FEELINGS OR THE ONE WHO HAS UTMOST RESPECT FOR OTHERS' FEELINGS, THE ONE WHO SUCKS THE LIFEBLOOD OF OTHER PEOPLE OR THE ONE WHO WOULD DO WHAT HE CAN TO HELP EASE THE BURDEN OF HIS FELLOWMEN, AND LASTLY, THE ONE WHO TAKES OR THE ONE WHO GIVES...

"Money per se (as such) is not evil. It can be useful or it can be misused, just like power. It can be used for godly purposes or it can be worshiped as a god. It all depends upon us. Let us choose wisely. Money should be our slave. Not the other way around".

From the diary of A. Ferrer, 1985, Karachi, Pakistan:

"Some people have a strong tendency to look for faults, loopholes, weak points, petty and insignificant matters regarding everything that is in front of their eyes. It is a pity to see them focus and concentrate on one particular imperfect leaf or bark of a tree because in doing so, they will lose sight of the grand beauty of the forest".

From the diary of A. Ferrer, 1985, Zürich, Switzerland: