A very special story opens young readers’ hearts to special kids
A very special story opens young readers’ hearts to special kids
IT’S PROM season and a good time to highlight this school year’s Bench-INQUIRER in Education serial reading program, which came with a fun story written by Cyan Abad-Jugo.
In “A Very Special Prom,” the award-winning writer gave students with special needs a prom hosted by nondisabled peers. The disability awareness theme came with a touch of youthful romance.
This is the eighth serialized story for young readers Bench has supported since 2008. This year’s new partner teachers were: Katrina Aglaua (Bangkal Elementary School), Marcelo Cruz III (Bayugo Elementary School), Aida Nido and Kalayaan Javier (Gen. Vicente Lim Elementary School), Patria Bringas (Legarda Elemen--
tary School), Arlene Palma and Reymund Lozano (Nemesio I. Yabut Elementary School), Marlina Ortiguerra (Notre Dame of Greater Manila), Evangeline Ramirez (Pembo Elementary School), Sheryl Galin and Gremicilla Roque (Rizal Elementary School), Mary Grace Sumalinog (San Antonio Village Elementary School), Katherine Martinez (San Juan Elementary School), Mary Anne San Diego and Neriza Caidic (San Vicente Gulod Elementary School), Eleanor Mendoza (South Cembo Elementary School), Leny Ilao and Marites Rapas (St. Jerome Emiliani Institute), Bianca Chloe Bonifacio and Ernie Brizuela (Tuloy Sa Don Bosco Foundation).
Returning partner teachers included Rosan Aclo and Rhea Sinigayan (Isaac Lopez Integrated School), Leora Ferry (J. Zamora Elementary School), Abigail Marie Tizon (Kabayanan Elementary School), Monina Millafre (Maximo Estrella Elementary School), Norbert Pineda (Meycauayan West Central School), Sheryll Mamba (Ninoy Aquino Elementary School), Lorena Fontillas (Olongapo City Ele- mentary School), Marites Galvez (Pantubig Elementary School), Myra Regalado (Pembo ES), Joseph Villegas (Pinaglabanan Elementary School), Jeniffer Tolentino and Judy Mercado (Saluysoy Elementary School), Marivic Faicol (San Beda College Alabang), and Ma. Lucila Anatalio (San Juan ES).
Most partner classrooms were festooned with buntings during the run of the series. The students also created “cosmic fiesta” decorations inspired by the story.
“My fifth-graders enjoyed making and hanging banderitas and ‘aliens’ around the room,” Galvez said.
Sumalinog’s class organized and held a prom where the students came all dressed up.
Palma asked her students to design prom gowns for girls. Ramirez’s students also got busy drawing prom wear, while Ferry’s class focused on dioramas of the prom.
Lozano videotaped his students role-playing a new kid in school trying to make new friends. Mendoza’s students wrote a script about relating to a new student. And Bringas’ accelerated English class formed groups to sing songs to make people happy.
Faicol’s students learned that “kindness is never wasted,” as did Regalado’s class.
“Sorry for their grammar lapses. They belong to the last section and expectation is always less, but my heart is so proud of these kids,” said Aglaua of her students who wrote thank-you letters.
“Thank you for a great story and we look forward to the next one,” Martinez said.