Recent News and Updates

Good day Brent Families,

As many of you may have heard, we have good news on our continued quest to bring students back for face-to-face classes.

The Department of Education has released Memorandum No. 071, s. 2021, which recognizes “the unique nature of International Schools” and their “capacity to implement face-to-face classes outside the 120 pilot schools.” This is a very positive development, and it clears the way for independent approval via the Department of Education, Department of Health, IATF and our Local Government.

This recognition by DepEd is greatly appreciated given that Brent’s social distancing space is immense. Brent International School Subic covers four hectares for only 170 students in kindergarten through grade 12. Class sizes in kindergarten to grade two currently average about six students. Grades three through twelve average about 15 students per class. Classrooms average 80 square meters, which provides 4 square meters per person even for a class of 20. In other words, most classrooms at Brent will have a more socially distant seating capacity than restaurants operating at 50% capacity under modified community quarantine, where diners do not wear masks.

Additionally, we have vaccinated approximately 98% of our employees and further vaccinated other individuals who have close contact with our campus or our employees.

Once we receive permission to return to face-to-face instruction and know the final criteria, we will reach out to parents and students with a survey. We will then establish a timeline to make the transition back to the classroom as smooth as possible with that information.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the recently distributed Echoes. I know the team worked very hard putting together. I also wish everyone a restful All Saints break.

God bless you all.

Sincerely,

Mr. Brett Petrillo
Headmaster

Dear Brent Family,

The school year is well underway, and I want to let the community know that our teachers are continuing to refine the quality of our Home Learning program while also planning for the future.

The delta variant may have set back the timeline for when we return in person. Still, as vaccine availability increases, we look to the future with the hopeful anticipation of seeing our students face-to-face.

Once government mandates allow a return to campus, we will determine other safety measures based on the current context. We will further assess classroom capacity, among other issues, when the time is right.

Keeping children safe once in-person classes resume will be a multilayered approach.

Our own employees are now about 75% vaccinated, and we hope to be 90-100% in October. In addition to vaccinating employees, nursing staff monitor employee health as well as regional hot spots. Regular sanitation by our janitorial staff protects, as does social distancing measures and masks. Of course, personal hygiene practices also contribute to the safety of the whole community.

In the meantime, our focus is on delivering a quality Home Learning program that will academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually prepare our students for the future. Rest assured, we will continue to review and adjust as circumstances require.

Take care and God bless you all.

Sincerely,

Mr. Brett Petrillo
Headmaster

You are invited to our Grade 12 Parent/Student Info Session. This will be held on Thursday, September 2, 2021, at 7:45AM. The meeting will be through Google Meet and the meet link will be sent through your email.

You are invited to our Grade 11 Parent/Student Info Session. This will be held on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at 3:10PM. The meeting will be through Google Meet and the meet link will be sent through your email.

Good day Brent community,

The 2021-2022 school year is fast approaching. Our teachers are working tirelessly putting together the best educational program possible during this time of Home Learning, and we are motivated to continue our strong commitment to the Brent mission and vision.

As such I would like to share with you the Brent Subic Home Learning Framework.

The Framework is a set of inclusive and innovative strategies, approaches, and structures that will allow us to continue providing an education that lives up to the Brent name, even as we begin the school year from a distance.

I would also like to invite you to join us for a Parent Information Webinar on Wednesday August the 11th, from 2:00pm until 3:00pm. The webinar will be live through Google Meet, and can be joined by clicking on the link sent to your emails.

Parent Information Webinar
Wednesday, August 11 · 2:00 – 3:00pm
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: Please check your email

In addition, I will soon be sharing information with you regarding our online open house dates, also to be delivered live via Google Meet.

As always, thank you for your continued support of our school. I’m looking forward to seeing you (virtually) on Wednesday.

Sincerely,

Mr. Brett Petrillo
Headmaster

Dear Brent Families,

As we enter the month of July we want to give you some updates on the opening of the 2021-2022 school year so that you can plan accordingly.

The first day of classes will remain Monday August 16, as previously scheduled. As vaccines become more available we are able to begin visualizing the end of the pandemic, but we still anticipate the need for flexibility in coming months as the Philippines ramps up their vaccination program.

Taking into consideration current government mandates and anticipating the timeline of our own vaccine deliveries, we think it is wise to start the year online with a four-week transition period. We will target mid-September for a return to in person classes, pending government approval.

As always, Brent will remain nimble and adjust as circumstances change. We are prepared both for online education and for returning safely to in-person instruction. We will continue to provide our students with the best education possible regardless of changing circumstances.

Take care and God bless.

Sincerely,

Mr. Brett Petrillo
Headmaster