Submitted to: Mrs. Floy Aguenza Chairman, SMDS Coop Board

ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT: Balara Scholarship Program, 2013-2014

In June 2013, SINAG, serving as the social action arm of the SMDS Coop, launched a scholarship program for deserving seniors at the Balara High School for the specific purpose of assisting these students in their preparation for entry into college. To implement this program, the Coop Board approved on May 18 a proposal submitted by the SINAG Education Committee providing assistance (financial and academic) to 10 top-ranked seniors during their final year in high school.

Summary of Accomplishments

1. Selection of Beneficiaries From a list of 20 top-ranked students in Section 1 of the senior class (recommended by the Administration, including the principal, guidance counselor, class teacher) 10 were selected based on the results of a written test and an oral interview. Final choice of scholars was made by the SINAG team.

2. Regular Meetings and Monitoring of Academic Performance SINAG volunteers met with the scholars a total of 14 times, including an initial meeting with parents/guardians. The sessions were devoted to English conversations (to improve oral communication skills), and English writing exercises (to address weaknesses in grammar and sentence construction). Grades were checked every grading period to ensure that the scholars maintained the required 85 per cent general average. At the end of the school year it was announced that the valedictorian and salutatorian of the senior class were among the 10 SINAG scholars.

3. Enrichment Activities Four extra-curricular activities (one per quarter) were offered: a classical music concert cum poetry reading, a visit to the Mind Museum, a Christmas musical performance, and a visit to the Ayala Museum. The scholars were required to submit a reaction paper after every activity.

4. Preparation for College Entrance Exams SINAG volunteers provided information and guidance in the process of choosing college coursesand suitable schools, giving the students practical tips on taking college entrance exams. Latest information shows that the class salutatorian has been awarded an Ateneo scholarship,4 have been accepted in private universities (Lyceum, New Era, Our Lady of Fatima, Rizal Technological U), 3 in PUP, and one in a special Creative Writing Program in UP (Malikhaing Pagsusulat).

5. Utilization of Funds The amount approved for this scholarship program was P150,000. Total disbursements amounted to

P67,777.25, leaving a balance of P94,222.75 (see attached Financial Statement fromDante Molabola). Proposal for the use of the balance: Since the objective of the program is to assist the scholars through college and enable them to graduate, we propose to purchase laptop computers to be awarded to two or three selected scholars (most promising candidates would be the valedictorian and salutatorian) as an incentive to motivate them to complete their college course. We can have a written agreement stipulating the conditions for the award and the responsibilities entailed.

6. Moving Forward We have received positive feedback from the scholars mainly on the encouragement and motivation, the broadening of their horizons through the enrichment activities, the discipline and sense of responsibility they have gained from the program. One area that needs to be strengthened when we undertake our next program is closer collaboration with the school, particularly the class teachers who could address more attentively the specific needs of students, such as the improvement of communication and comprehension skills.

MIMI DE JESUSChairperson, SINAG Education Committee