CONTINUITY OF LEARNING PLAN

PHILIPPINE CONTEXT

On March 10, 2020, the President of the Philippines suspended classes on all levels
across the archipelago to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Classes have
remained suspended for almost two months since then, as the number of infections and
deaths increase despite the strict implementation and extension of the Enhanced
Community Quarantine across the country. With the COVID-19 vaccine still in the
testing stage and its availability in the Philippines will take longer than expected, there is
a big probability that schools may remain closed for months.

It is within this context that De La Salle Santiago Zobel School (DLSZ), as a Catholic
Institution, reaffirms its commitment to the educational principle of continuity of learning
for its students.

CONTINUITY OF LEARNING DEFINED

Continuity of Learning is the continuation of education in the event of a prolonged

school closure or student absence. It is a critical component of school emergency
management, as it promotes the continuation of teaching and learning despite
circumstances that interrupt normal school attendance for one or more students.*

With the prolonged closure of schools brought about by the coronavirus pandemic,
DLSZ ​prioritizes the health, safety and wellness of all members of the community.
DLSZ’s Continuity of Learning Plan (CLP) is implemented in cases where teaching and
learning needs to continue off-site or onsite in both Alabang and Vermosa Campuses
but with modifications depending on the prevailing scenarios brought about by the
pandemic. With that, the CLP has been created to serve as a ​guide for the entire
school community to ensure a smooth transition to the “new normal” of home based
online distance learning​ and ​hybrid class setting​.

Online distance learning (sometimes referred to as remote learning) happens when

classes are conducted online, in remote locations, where teachers and students do not
necessarily have to meet in person, in the physical school. Instead, classes meet via
online learning platforms based on identified schedules. The types of online distance
learning are:

Synchronous learning** ​is a type of remote learning wherein the class is

conducted in real-time. In a synchronous class, the teacher and students log in to
a single online platform and carry out tasks throughout the allotted time. Students
may virtually attend class together via video conference, livestream, or chat. We
have Google Hangout for synchronous meetings.

Asynchronous learning** is a type of remote learning where students are

provided with content and tasks that they need to accomplish within a time frame,
using an online platform such as a learning management system (LMS).
Interaction between the teacher and students (and among students) does not
take place in real-time. No face-to-face class meeting happens, even
online.Students engage in class materials and complete work at their own pace,
typically within a given timeframe, often using discussion boards to drive
peer-to-peer engagement. In describing their experience of shifting school
completely online, Concordia International School in Shanghai explained that
asynchronous instruction worked best for deep learning, whereas synchronous
instruction was essential for maintaining relationships.***

Hybrid Class Setting is a combination of synchronous,asynchronous and face-to-face

class meetings where the students and teachers are physically present in school. This
happens  when  students  in  a  class  are  divided  into  two  groups,  each  group  having 
face-to-face  meetings  with  the  teachers  on  alternate  days  twice  a  week  and  doing 
online  activities  on  the  remaining  week  days.  The  reduced  number  of  students  per 
class will allow the students to practice proper social distancing. 

DLSZ’S CONTINUITY OF LEARNING POLICY

DLSZ is a dynamic learning community and responds to the needs of the changing
times. Today, DLSZ carries on its mission to be relevant with the implementation of the
Continuity of Learning Plan given the following national or local scenarios that may
occur and directly impact the overall operations of the school.

● When a national disaster occurs, such as in the scale of the COVID-19 pandemic
where schools and offices are closed for a prolonged period of time, the school
will implement the ​online distance learning​.
● When schools are allowed to open and admit students into the campus but with
remaining hazards, such as virality of pandemics without the availability of
vaccines, the school will conduct the ​hybrid class setting but with the
necessary safety measures in place. In this scenario, parents may opt not to
send their children to school but should ensure that the latter undergo ​online
distance learning.
● When schools in a particular city are ordered closed due to an isolated disaster,
such as major flooding or volcanic eruptions, only the affected campus will
implement the ​online distance learning​. Classes in the other campus will go on
as usual.

All relevant information and necessary guidelines will be disseminated to the school
community through various platforms - on the DLSZ website and Family Portal, in an
email to all parents and employees, in postings on DLSZ’s official Facebook and Twitter
accounts, and SMS messages sent to registered parents and employees.

Given DLSZ’s wide experience in the delivery of Next Generation Blended Learning
(NxGBL), we are confident that we will be true to our commitment to offer quality,
relevant, and holistic education to our students with the implementation of the Continuity
of Learning Plan for AY 2020-2021 as a response to the prolonged disruption of schools
due to Covid-19. We recognize however, that much of its success will depend on the
collaboration and cooperation among the students, their parents, teachers, and the
non-teaching personnel.

CONTINUITY OF LEARNING IN DLSZ’S CONTEXT

As an educational institution, DLSZ continues to uphold the Catholic standards**** and

the Lasallian brand of excellence not only in academics but also in the arts and sports.
Hence, strategic directions and well-studied action plans and initiatives, such as
investments in infrastructure and human resources, are carried out by the school
administration to ensure the delivery of quality, relevant, and holistic education to our
students.

Vision Mission Statement

DLSZ aims to form Lasallian Achievers for God and Country who live the Gospel values
in the light of the Lasallian tradition of the guiding principles of faith (religio), zeal for
service (mores), and communion in mission (cultura).

The school is committed to the pursuit of Lasallian excellence through a world-class

learner-centered environment that promotes relevant and progressive learning through
a holistic formation leading to the transformation of society.

Educational Philosophy and Objectives

Inspired by the ideals and teachings of our founder, St. John Baptist De La Salle, the
DLSZ Curriculum is designed towards the formation of the whole person in a continually
changing environment. Lasallian learners are reflective, creative, critical, and
resourceful problem-solvers who are globally-competent. DLSZ educators are lifelong
learners who possess the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes to effectively
facilitate learning among the students. *****

In recent years, DLSZ has been at the forefront of delivering Continuity of Learning to its
students by carefully looking at various scenarios and solutions involving Educational
Technology (EdTech). With the implementation of the PEARL Program in AY
2012-2013 and the transition to Next Generation Blended Learning (NxGBL) thereafter,
the school has had seven (7) years of head start with online classes. The school has
been able to pivot to a blended model given online learning tools and the proper
professional development of its faculty.

In fact, DLSZ has been selected by Apple, Inc. as an Apple Distinguished School for its
“continuous innovation in learning, teaching, and the school environment” since 2016.
The school is also recognized as a Microsoft Showcase School for the vision and
innovation in teaching, learning and assessment, computational and critical thinking as
exemplified in the school’s Robotics program, creativity and collaboration as seen in the
EdTech Initiatives like Minecraft for EDU projects, as well as its willingness to promote a
growth mindset among educators and students.****** ​These are testament to the
school’s trailblazing efforts in the use of technology as a teaching and learning tool, as
well as in its adoption of innovative technology in our office management systems.
To adapt to the rapid changes in the educational landscape, the program evolved into
the Next Generation Blended Learning (NxGBL). This pedagogy involves a mix of
face-to-face instruction - such as the use of multimedia, mobile devices, software
applications - and digital references to enable dynamic and personalized learning
processes that aid in the development of 21st century skills among our students. This
facilitates “anytime, anywhere” learning where students become independent learners.
Our students have been trained to become critical thinkers, to be creative and
collaborative. Parents, who have been proud witnesses to their children’s creativity and
remarkable presentation skills, welcome this shift towards continuous learning. ​This
has proven to be effective in the delivery of continuous learning and has helped
educators guide the student-learners and parents whenever class disruptions occur.

As the school continues to invest heavily in technical and professional development

programs, our teachers, administrators and support staff have been inspired to pursue
the Educational Technology certifications from Apple, Google and Microsoft. Several of
them have also been tapped to share the school’s best practices to fellow educators
through seminars, training and workshops via DLSZ’s SparkEd Center, as well as in
various educational and professional conferences here and abroad. To date, we have
been considered a benchmark for K-12 EdTech by international and local schools.

DLSZ PRIORITIES AND CONSIDERATIONS

DLSZ prioritizes the health, safety and welfare of its students and employees. Hence,
with the Continuity of Learning Plan, the school operates with an understanding of the
complexities of home lives, and the mental, emotional and physical strain that the
pandemic has brought upon everyone.

Mental Health Support

The school aims to reach out to the members of the community who may have been
gravely affected by this pandemic - students who are possibly anxious about the loss of
the structure of regular schooling or those who worry about parents or loved ones
working as frontliners; teachers and/or support staff who are suddenly overwhelmed
with expectations, among others. Our guidance counselors/mentors are available for
emotional or mental health support and have offered their services since March 31,
2020. You may send an email to ​dlszcares@dlszobel.edu.ph ​with the following
details: ​Name of Student, Grade/Section and Reason for Referral/ Concern. ​Your email
will be directed to a corresponding guidance counselor who has volunteered for this
purpose.

Teacher Training

The Academic heads, together with their councils and select teachers, have been
meeting online regularly to lay down the groundworks for the further training and
preparation of teachers in light of the “new normal” school setting. This May, they will
continue to undergo training on distance learning modules, additional technology skills,
digital citizenship and data privacy, social and emotional learning, among others. We
have also sought the help of our educational consultant, Dr. Miguel Rapatan in
conducting teacher training and in providing research-based online learning initiatives.

Students’/Parents’ Virtual Orientation

By the third week of June, parents and students will undergo basic training and
orientation to prepare them for the actual roll out of online distance learning. Parents will
get a glimpse of how synchronous classes will be conducted and will get access to their
child’s LMS for downloading lessons/modules for offline work. It is crucial that parents
give feedback on their experience by filling out the online evaluation form after the
orientation. Since we are ​after the holistic development of our students, the series of
orientation during this period will include online talks delivered by the School
Counselors that will help students develop coping mechanisms to appropriately adapt to
the changes related to their upcoming learning experiences​.

Continuity of Values and Leadership Formation

DLSZ will continue to facilitate online activities to the students and employees that
promote the Lasallian core values of Faith, Service, and Communion. Separate
modules and learning packets will be available either as part of the student’s academic
lesson or interspersed in between online classes. Likewise, student clubs will be
conducted on scheduled days to allow students to mingle with their peers online.

Reconfiguration of Learning Spaces in the DLSZ Campuses

All learning spaces, such as classrooms, libraries, hallways, canteen, clinics,

auditorium, in the Alabang and Vermosa Campuses are currently being reconfigured to
allow students to practice social distancing when DLSZ is already allowed to conduct
in-school classes. The school is also purchasing additional safety equipment, such as
face masks, thermal scanners, portable wash basins, foot disinfection mats, alcohol
dispensers, etc, for use by the students and employees.

The number of chairs and tables in each classroom will be reduced to half. Markings will
also be placed on seats in cafeterias, assembly areas and school vehicles and on the
floors along corridors. These will be done to ensure social distancing.

TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS TO ENABLE CONTINUITY OF LEARNING

Email
Audience: Faculty, Staff, Parents and Student’s DLSZ gmail will be used for all major
communications and announcements.

DLSZ Website and Family Portal

Audience: Parents and Students

The ​DLSZ Family Portal is the official communication channel between the teachers
and parents. Parents should check the DLSZ Web Page on Online Distance Learning
and the Family Portal ​for updates regularly to ensure they are well-informed of materials
associated with their child(ren)’s learning such as schedule of weekly lessons, learning
targets checklist, etc.

Learning Management Systems (LMS)

The following are the LMS / Applications that teachers, parents and students will be
using during Online Distance Learning. Teachers will utilize this for distribution of
learning activities and worksheets, as well as submissions of learning tasks and
homework.

SEESAW
Audience: Kinder to Grade 3
This will be used as the platform for monitoring/consultation, feedback, follow-up,
text/ message/video announcements to parents, direct messages to students.

GOOGLE CLASSROOM
Audience: Grades 4-12; BRafeNHS Grades 7-12
 This will be used for private / group discussion for monitoring and feedback.
Google Meet live conferences and consultations and Hangouts Chat as“Breakout
Rooms” for discussion/ small group consultation.

SCHOOLOGY
Audience: Grades 7-12

MS TEAMS:
Audience: Grades 7-12

EDMODO
Audience: BRafeNHS Grades 7-12

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To ensure the successful implementation of DLSZ’s Continuity of Learning Plan (CLP),

the academic community is thus enjoined to do their part and fulfill their responsibilities,
as follows:

Leadership Team
● Create, publish and disseminate DLSZ’s Continuity of Learning Plan to the
school community.
● Establish clear channels of communications between faculty, staff, families and
students in the implementation of the plan.
● Support teachers, students and families as they transition to DLSZ’s Continuity
of Learning Plan.
● Assist the academic units in implementing the Continuity of Learning Plan and
ensure high-quality of learning experiences for all students

Academic Heads and Subject Area Coordinators

● Help all teachers and teams in the implementation of DLSZ’s Continuity of
Learning Plan.
● Provide models and examples of exemplary online distance learning lessons.
● Support teachers and teams as they design appropriate methods to assess
student learning and in developing strategies to differentiate their instruction.
● Collaborate with other members of the unit or department to design online
learning experiences for students.
 ● Communicate regularly with students and/or their parents to ensure they have
success with online distance learning.

Subject Teachers and Homeroom Advisers from Kinder to Grade 12

● Provide for home-based/online learning sessions, class schedules and
timetables.
● Identify different modalities (blended, distance and remote) and platforms for
delivering learning
● Update learning modules according to school’s curriculum report data
● Work together with other members of the unit or department to design online
distance learning experiences for students.
● Disseminate weekly calendars to parents and students
● Communicate frequently with students and, as needed, with their parents.
● Monitor the progress of students and provide timely feedback to support
students’ learning.

Guidance Counselors
● Conduct individual and/or group counseling interventions to address students'
day-to-day personal, socio-emotional, and career concerns.
● Serve as liaison for communication between the school and students/parents
who are in crisis and in need of support /assistance.
● Provide information on effective strategies and techniques to positively cope with
the personal and socio-emotional difficulties due to the pandemic/crisis.
● Manage an online system of requests for counselling/crisis support

Librarians
● Collaborate with colleagues to find resources for high-quality online distance
learning experiences and research.
● Produce appropriate library orientation videos for each grade level.
● Regularly check in with subject teachers to identify ways to support their design
of online distance learning experiences.
● Maintain and update online library sites for obtaining resources.
● Be available for teachers and students as needed for support.

Lasallian Formators and Ministers

● Coordinate with academic units regarding integration of values and advocacies
in the lessons/modules.
 ● Coordinate with academic units regarding the schedule and conduct of
co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, leadership formation, arts and sports
programs for students.
● Collaborate with fellow ministers and counsellors to prepare online resources for
the students’ and employees’ continued Lasallian formation and wellness
programs;
● Be available for students, employees, parents who may need spiritual guidance,
community service and volunteering opportunities.

Technology Support Team

● Review and develop how-to tutorials, ensuring teachers, students and parents
have the necessary manuals to excel in an online distance learning environment.
● Continually monitor the needs of teachers, students and parents and
troubleshoot their challenges, as needed.
● Ensure availability of DLSZ Information Systems (e.g. Family Portal, SIS, HRIS,
etc)
● Be available in person or remotely to provide on-demand tech support help.
● Audit usage to identify students or parents who may be unavailable or out of
reach.

Students
● Complete assignments and other tasks with integrity and academic honesty
● Attend and actively participate in all scheduled and guided videoconferences
● Exert best efforts to meet timelines, commitments and due dates.
● Observe applicable provisions from DLSZ Student Handbook in online distance
learning situations
● Comply with DLSZ’s Digital Citizenship Policy and Mobile Learning Device
Policy, including expectations for online etiquette.
● Ensure appropriate clothing and setting for online interactions.

Parents
● Secure means of access to and ways of learning in flexible online and offline
learning
● Establish daily routines for students to reach optimum learning experiences
● Define the physical space for their child’s study
● Monitor online platforms to check for announcements and feedback from
teachers
● Provide constructive feedback to school personnel concerned using appropriate
channels of communication, such as the Contact Us tab in the DLSZ Website
 ● Attend the onboarding by third week of June to get acquainted with the online
distance learning set up

Sources:
*Supporting Continuity of Teaching and Learning During an Emergency. Readiness and Emergency Management for
Schools (REMS) Technical Assistance Center
https://rems.ed.gov/docs/Supporting_Continuity_of_learning_and_education.pdf)​
**Almario and Austria. Helping K-12 Schools Transition to Post-COVID 19 Times.
***SMA Flexible Plan for Instructional Continuity. Updated as of 3/12/2020. St. Mary’s Academy, Inglewood, CA.
https://smabelles.org/pdf/OPPS1.pdf

****Philippine Catholic Schools Standards forBasic Education Distinguished by a Culture of Excellence

*****DLSZ Student Handbook AY 2019-2020 Edition

******DLSZ Website

International School of Zug and Luzern Continuity of Learning Plan - March 2020
https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1586352065/zug/ysm1ngoi5lnbse583rrj/ContinuityofLearningPlan.pdf

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