My Life as a Learner : 2012

As a satisfied parent with two kids studying at the Mahatma Gandhi International School (MGIS Manila), I’ll answer your queries as honestly and concisely as I can.

The essence of all the above questions may be summed up as:

Why should I send my child to International School MGIS (Mahatma Gandhi International School)?

Individualized teaching- Generally, less than 10 students per class; in rare cases, maximum of 15 pax per class

Comfortable indoor learning environment; air conditioned, spacious, sanitized classrooms; Smartboard facilities, computer sets, ICT Room, E-Library, Physical Library etc.

Outdoor learning- MGIS students regularly explore different places outside of the school for experiential learning as integrated in their subjects/ units of learning.

Potentials are determined, recognized, enhanced and supported. (Here’s just one out of the many examples I can give. There’s one incoming Grade 6 student, James Ketcher, who loves singing. The teachers have always believed in his potentials. Hence, he was diligently coached and guided by MGIS Music and Theater Arts specialists. Right now, he’s ready to perform for The King and I at Resorts World Manila this September 2012).

· AT MGIS

We let your kids think
We don't teach religion;we teach VALUES
We respect individual and inter-cultural differences and freedom of expression
No Haircut Policy! ( We don't require to have your kid's head shaved--but proper grooming is maintained)
Students’ opinions are heard

Most of all, at MGIS

The teachers who are all specialists in their respective subject area are PASSIONATE about teaching, practising empathy towards the learners

The staff are supported towards being life-long learners where they are being sent to local and international conferences and seminars regularly; thus, assuring that MGIS 21^st century educators will acquire the competence you expect in teaching your child

International and professional quality performing arts is taught to students at all levels. Each year, before the end of the last term, MGIS comes up with a school-wide play/musical, participated by all students, faculty and staff. Last SY 2011-2012, we had Notre Dame de Paris-- French Version; the year before, we had Cats the Musical

MGIS connects daily with parents and students through our state-of-the-art online facilities/programmes

MGIS listens to suggestions, addresses your needs, and cares for your kids the way you would at home.

Lastly, at international school MGIS:

WE SERVE THE COMMUNITY

WE CELEBRATE WITH THE WORLD

WE VALUE NATIONALISM

WE PROMOTE INTERNATIONALISM

WE LOVE THE EARTH

WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

MGIS FRENCH TEACHER

MGIS FOOTBALL HEAD COACH

MGIS IB

MGIS Founding Headmaster and Faculty

Related Posts:
Cheers to the MGIS Manila 2013 Graduates

MGIS Cambridge International Exam Wows the Inspector

US Embassy Recommends MGIS to Americans

IPC Philippines- MGIS Launches the D.E.A.R. Literacy Programme

Teaching Style Philippines: Integrating Values Through Art

Published : International School Educator Cherry Doromal

internationalschoolmanila.blogspot.com/2013/03/intern… #IB #internationalbaccalaureate #philippinescholarship #internationalschool #internationalschoolmanila
— cherry moriones(@cherrymdoromal) March 4, 2013

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

A DOZEN SECRETS TO ENJOY YOUR WORK

A DOZEN SECRETS TO ENJOY YOUR WORK
(and MAKE OTHERS ENJOY WORKING WITH YOU)
By: Dr. Cherry Moriones-Doromal

Is coming to work a struggle to you? Do you feel you’re dealing with unlikable personalities? Loads of responsibilities with deadlines? Fatigue? Low pay? Unsatisfactory working environment? Long hours of inconvenient travel? Etcetera? Whew! That’s exhausting.

From my Linked In account, a Dale Carnegie Training Consultant and Enthusiasm expert asked: “What is that one quality that is essential in all aspects of life?” The thread has been running for more than a month now, and still, various opinions arise to this very minute.

Why do you think so? It's because different people think differently and each of them would like to share his own views.

The point is, in all aspects of life, such as in our work, happiness is how we personally define it. Not because you're a CEO, you are happy. Or not because you're at the entry level in an organization, you are unhappy.

My range of exposures to different working environment locally, internationally, online and offline allowed me to come about with tips to enjoy work such as these 12:

1. Be thankful about your work each day, and look forward to another day.

2. Have an optimistic attitude towards your boss and colleagues.

-No negative vibes, please.
-No badmouthing, as well.
-Be an encourager than a critic.

3.   Do not be a burden or create any burden in your organization.

4.   Have a CAN DO IT attitude.

5.   Subordinates: Obey first before you explain. (I didn’t mean before you complain!)

6.   Bad: Don’t THINK you’re better than your boss; he won’t be in his position for nothing.
       Worse: Don’t SAY you’re better than your boss. (Unless you wish to lose your job!)

7.   Boss or superiors: Don’t think your men are idiot, moron or stupid. Trust them. Reward them,   too.

8.   Be a continuous learner. Complacency is dangerous.

9.   Stop that crab mentality. Be happy with one’s achievements and accomplishments.

10.   Be open to and consider suggestions and criticisms.

11.   Adjust to your environment; life will be less complicated. One common mistake is that we tend to change our environment in favor of us…(Technically, that's fine, but be sure you're ready to face conflicts.)

12.   Be a good virus! --In other words, be contagious in a positive way.

Let's all enjoy our work, and in turn, make others enjoy working with us!

Dr. Cherry Moriones Doromal, BMB, LLB, MBA is the Former Editor of The Manila Bulletin Online (http://www.mb.com.ph) and now Manila Bulletin contributor and Marketing Director/Generalist Educator at International School MGIS (http://www.mgis.com.ph)

Other posts by this author:
To Spank, or Not To Spank: That is the Question
How To Discipline the Child with Minimal or No Spanking
Dating Ideas for Married Christian Couples
More Eats Coming Up
Other Writings by Cherry Moriones Doromal:
http://www.mb.com.ph/node/316971/the-anti-stress-science-facebook

Ways to love your old newspapers

http://www.mb.com.ph/node/316497/ways-love-your-old-newpapers

Wow eating manners!

http://www.mb.com.ph/node/315715/wow-eating-manners

Freeze it!

http://www.mb.com.ph/node/302629/freeze-it

Journal of a Practical Mom

http://www.mb.com.ph/node/302131/journal-a-practical-mom#comment-7014

Honoring a decade of happy marriage

http://www.mb.com.ph/node/303986/honoring-a-decade-happy-marriage

Summertime ironies are cool

http://www.mb.com.ph/node/315042/summertime-ironies-are-cool

On Sowing and Reaping

http://www.mb.com.ph/node/324542/on-sowing-and-reaping

Leave the crab behind

http://www.mb.com.ph/node/325936/leave-crab-behind

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

To Spank, or Not to Spank: That is the Question

Dr. Cherry Moriones- Doromal, BMC,LLB,MBA

Overview

MGIS MANILA, Philippines-- Whether to employ or not to employ spanking in disciplining the child has been a debatable issue among many parents worldwide. Of course, the amount or type of discipline in each home depends on the values and beliefs of parents.

Cherry Doromal (3rd from left) with International School MGIS students

Is it unlawful to hit your kid, in the first place? One of my blog readers asks if there is an exact law prohibiting spanking in the United States. I checked on online resources and there seems to be no prohibition, except for prohibition of corporal punishment in schools.

In our local law in the Philippines, we have RA 7610 or the Anti-Child Abuse Law, while the much awaited Anti-Corporal Punishment Bill is underway. However, even if spanking as a method of discipline is by some means allowed, when done incorrectly, the same may lead to child abuse.

The National Child Abuse Statistics for Children in the U.S. says that over 3 million child abuse cases are reported every year. In 2011, Children’s Advocacy Centers around the country had reported to have served over 279,000 child victims of abuse. That is in the U.S. alone, and it does not include the unreported cases.

Biblical Bases of Spanking as a Form of Discipline

In the Book of Proverbs, the Bible specifically touched on the issue of spanking. Here are the verses:

“He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.” Proverbs 13:24

“Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.” Proverbs 23:13

“Punish him with the rod and save his soul from death.” Proverbs 23:14

These verses, I believe, must not be misinterpreted as encouraging the parents to hit their kids. Take note of the word “careful” in Proverbs 13:24 and the phrases, “he will not die” in Proverbs 23:13, and “save his soul from death” in Proverbs 23:14. Contrary to these contexts, child abuse cases nowadays are brought about by careless punishment to the kids, leading to violence, rage, and sometimes, death.

Did you know that the phrase "Spare the rod and spoil the child" is not from the Bible but from Samuel Butler's "Hudibras", a 17th Century satirical poem? The poem, like his novel, “The Way of All Flesh”, was authored to depict and condemn violence against children. Paradoxically, this phrase is now used to rationalize corporal punishment and other castigatory actions against children.

About 90% of U.S. Parents Spank, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics

While studies show how a huge number of parents and pediatricians support the practice of spanking, experts explicate that effective discipline is attained through these three components:

A loving, supportive relationship between parent and child

When a child does something off beam, there must be a cause or some causes for that. A supportive parent has to endeavor to determine the reason behind the wrong done, and once established, the cause needs to be resolved. Furthermore, it is important to communicate the issue with your child, and let him clearly know what is wrong and what is right. Be careful, though, that your action be misconstrued as spoiling him. For instance, tell your kid that you are there to support him in doing the right thing, but let him know that you are not amenable to the wrong done.

Use of positive reinforcement when children behave well

In school, we often exercise the reward system by giving awards, stars on work, and good grades. Positive reinforcement may also be used by commending the child when something good is done by saying, “Great job!”, “You are so helpful!”, or “That’s my boy!”

Just to share a bit, at the Mahatma Gandhi International School (MGIS) in Pasay City where I teach, the school employs purely positive reinforcement on kids. No punishment for not doing one’s homework, no stressful haircut policy, no spanking, no suspension, no yelling at students for not wearing the prescribed uniform— and it is a great surprise for me to see how the students grow up to be law- abiding, very respectful, responsible, loving, and simply outstanding individuals.

But, of course, ours is international school, and it is depressing to realize that our local schools seem to find it a bit difficult to follow the same rule on account of many factors, such as crowded classrooms where the teacher-student ratio is just beyond belief.

In an interview, Mr. Lawrence Buck, Headmaster of Mahatma Gandhi International School (http://www.mgis.com.ph), explains that over the years, their secret at MGIS has been the individualized approach in teaching, where each student’s needs and learning conditions are understood and dealt with by the teachers in special ways. “Unlike in other schools, we have only a few slots in each class, about only 15 students or less; hence, we strictly, yet caringly, focus on the best ways our students can learn”, Mr. Buck added.

Use of punishment when children misbehave

Although in this particular area, the most common punishment being employed is spanking, there are other alternatives other than spanking which may be used in disciplining the kid, such as, not having him do his favorite thing to do. For instance, no computer games or no swimming until the child perfects his homework.

It is dreadful to note that the findings of recent researches show hitting of children influences the latter to become hitters themselves. Authorities say children who experienced corporal abuse tend to become aggressive or violent in the teenage and adult years. Studies also show that the most dangerous criminals were frequently threatened and chastised in childhood.

Today, about 29 countries made it illegal for a parent, teacher, or anyone else to spank a child, and 113 countries ban corporal punishment in schools. In fact, a throng of psychiatrists, sociological researchers, and parents as well as child rights groups propose that we all earnestly reflect on prohibition of physical punishment of children in any form.

To sum up, the safest way to bring about laudable behavior in our kids is temperate instruction, supported by a tough foundation of love, understanding, and respect while inculcating inner values in them, as against ostensibly "ideal" behavior founded on fear.

Dr. Cherry Moriones Doromal, BMB, LLB, MBA is the Former Editor of The Manila Bulletin Online (http://www.mb.com.ph) and now Manila Bulletin contributor and Generalist Educator at International School MGIS (http://www.mgis.com.ph)

More Posts by this Author:
I.S.? MGIS!
How To Strengthen Parent-Teen Relationship
How to Teach the Bible to Kids
Try This at Home
A Dozen Secrets to Enjoy your Work
More Eats Coming Up
Through Strong Winds

Monday, May 7, 2012

I.S.? MGIS!

REPOST

Reference: Manila Bulletin

30 April 2012

SCU Section,Page G2

I.S.? MGIS!

Manila, Philippines-- International school MGIS or Mahatma Gandhi International School makes sure its students educators, and staff spend local summertime in an enjoyable and exciting manner, even if, technically, school year has not yet ended, since the academic term of international schools ends in June.

The entire school, for instance, had visited the Mind Museum, just before the Holy Week break.

Having a global set-up patterned after world-class British schools, MGIS also celebrated with the world Earth Hour 2012, within the campus and beyond.

Last Easter, MGIS partnered with Manila Hotel’s Neverland Easter Adventure where the school sponsored Photo Booth, Painting Booth and Live Sketch Booth, with Mr. Albert Magsumbol of Papercut Philippines as one of the guest artists.

“At MGIS, the continuing learning of teachers and staff is vastly supported”, says Headmaster Lawrence Buck. “Some of the teachers were sent last week for trainings abroad”, Mr. Buck added. MGIS Marketing Director and Manila Bulletin writer Dr. Cherry Moriones Doromal was also sent by the school last April 17 to 18 to the National Social Marketing Congress for School Success, organized by the Center for Learning and Teaching Styles Philippines, with Mr. Henry Tenedero as the Congress Director and Dr. Reynaldo Faustino as Congress Co-Director.

Last Friday, April 20, the Primary Years Programme (PYP) students explored Mother Earth in another Eco-Adventure field trip at the Forest Eco-Camp in Laguna.

Meanwhile, everybody is just excited for the Campus Sports Day on April 30 with Honorable Vice Mayor Marlon Pesebre as the Guest of Honor. Afterwards, the students will all rehearse for the upcoming school play “Notre Dame De Paris” to be presented in June.

For more information about MGIS, log on to http://www.mgis.com.ph or call at 7761165-67.

More posts by this author:

The Teacher as a Learner
How to Teach Bible to Kids
How to Discipline Child with Minimal or No Spanking
Dating for Married Christrian Couples
10 Secrets to a Peaceful Family Home
How to Strengthen Parent-Teen Relationship
Take Time with your Loved Ones

A Dozen Secrets To Enjoy your Work
Cherry's Youtube Channel
The MGIS Channel
The Manila Saturday Club Civic Association Inc.
Cherry Online
007 Security Agency Inc.
Proaxis Events and Entertainment

Monday, April 9, 2012

International School—Tidbits of MGIS Easter Event at the Manila Hotel

Easter Sunday, Manila Philippines-- International School MGIS had three spectacular booths at Manila Hotel’s Neverland Easter Adventure, held at Garden Alfresco, Manila Hotel on April 8,2012:

Located at the entrance, MGIS Booth #1 welcomed its guests with egg-shaped chocolate goodies for kids, MGIS Tigers bag tags, as well as art materials to be used during the art session.

Now,sneak a quick look into our painting session:

At the access to the main venue, noteworthy were the Audio Visual Presentations (AVPs) and infomercials prepared by the MGIS Marketing Team, presented on a clear LCD screen.

Parents were each given an MGIS kit, complete with information about the school, with our latest school journal attached. As a bonus,they were invited to a live sketch session at MGIS Booth #3 with our guest artist Mr. Albert Magsumbol of Papercut Philippines.

Booth #2 : Located strategically beside the main stage was the delightful MGIS Photo Booth where everybody had fun changing their looks before taking individual or group shots. Patrons were assisted by our awesome MGIS teachers, who were mostly in character to match the theme.