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It’s Back to School!
In aftermath of Soudelor, MCS opens with enrollment boost
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Posted on Sep 04 2015
Despite the islandwide damage caused by Typhoon Soudelor, Mount Carmel School opened this past week with a 15 percent enrollment boost from last year with a student body of over 440 students. The number exceeds the school’s projection for 430 students and marks a 75-percent enrollment increase from three years ago when enrollment was around 250.
School president Galvin Deleon Guerrero expressed his appreciation for the students’ families. “In this time of hardship, we appreciate the confidence that parents have invested in the school by sending their children here,” he said. “We know that is a sacrifice, one that we will honor by doing our best to give our students the best.”
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- Fr. Ryan Jimenez, Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, left, and Fr. Rey Rosal, school chaplain, kick off the 2015-2016 school year by celebrating Mass with the MCS family. (Contributed Photo)
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- Second grade students Alana Hayes, right, and Joseph Brandon Pangelinan, are hard at work in the first week of the 2015-2016 school year. (Contributed Photo)
Despite power and water challenges still affecting the island, MCS was able to procure generators and make the most of available CUC water to ensure that students had working restrooms, air-conditioned classrooms, and Internet access. “It’s important that we provide our students with a comfortable environment conducive to learning,” said school principal Frances Taimanao.
Amalina Evangelista, a senior, appreciates the efforts of the school. “Because so many out there don’t have power and water, I feel very blessed and fortunate. …I feel like it’s a haven for students.”
Preparations for the school year were delayed by the impact of Soudelor. However, soon afterwards, the school family came together to clean debris, repair damage, and ready the campus for the new school year. These efforts culminated this past Saturday, Aug. 29, as Knights, AlumKnights, parents, and supporters came together for a campus cleanup.
The first day of school started with the annual opening day Mass, which was celebrated by Fr. Ryan Jimenez, Apostolic Administrator for the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, and concelebrated by Fr. Rey Rosal, school chaplain. Due to a lack of electricity at Mount Carmel Cathedral, the Mass was held in the school’s cafeteria. Asked why the Mass was held there, Deleon Guerrero explained, “We wanted to emphasize to our students that our faith and sacraments can and should still continue regardless of our situation.”
In his homily, Rosal encouraged students “to get out there and serve your communities, letting your deeds show everyone your faith and your character as Mount Carmel School students.” (MCS)
