First Day as OIC-Principal

June 10 is the big day in Philippine education: the first day of school for school year 2008-2009. I reported for the flag ceremony at 6:00am. It rained earlier so I thought the ceremony was not conducted. But I saw the flag was already raised. After a short conversation with Mr. Balistoy, the English Subject Chairman, I learned that they have not conducted the flag-raising yet. I requested that the flag raising be conducted.

Many late enrollees came and I dealt with them. Transferees are scheduled to be back June 23. I requested for the names of the prospect transferees written on a piece of paper. Piece of cake. Nothing new to me.

At about 11:00am, Miss Capistrano, the new Principal of Golden Acres National High phoned to inform me that Dr. Victoriano, SDS, called to ask her to inform me that Usec. Vilma Labrador will visit me. That created firework in my head. I was requested to text the SDS that I received her message. And the SDS replied reiterating what was relayed by Ms. Capistrano. As a routine, I told the canteen manager to prepare lunch for the coming visitor/s. I also asked the Guidance to prepare a Welcome bulletin board.

The waiting minutes were dragging. I felt I was in the labor room of a hospital. It was not painful in any way. It was just agonizing and at the same time thrilling. I didn't recall the exact time when they finally arrived, about 12:20pm? The teachers requested that am classes be dismissed earlier. The PM students have arrrived and the campus is buzzing with young voices. The USEC commented how noisy it was in my school. The SDS helped me in explaining that the PM students have arrived. I was told to use the public sound system to ask the student to enter their classroom and be quiet. Some students did not hear the announcement. I repeated in the bilingual dialect. The USEC requested the present teachers to come inside the Principal's Office.

And we entered the Principal's Office. There the USEC delivered a short talk on the three A's that will help the teachers' job light: Awareness, Acceptance, Action. A teacher has to be aware of the situation and accept such so that she/he can take action. And the bigger announcement was made. "Your Principal is my niece." I kept the information all these time and there it is... I can no longer deny and why should I? She inquired on amenities like service vehicle, items, number of teachers.

I was a big shot after the visit. I felt they couldn't take me for granted anymore. Even the SDS was extra concerned for me not like before when she would tell me that I am poor in people leadership. A late emergency meeting was called at the Division office. I knew the looks in the eyes of the Principals and Supervisors... so this is the USEC's niece.