History
Cabalasan Elementary School: A Remarkable Educational Odyssey
For nearly nine decades, the school has stood as a beacon of education and opportunity for the students of Barangay Kabalasan, Baybay City, Leyte. As a public elementary school, it has played a pivotal role in shaping young minds and preparing them for a successful future. This article delves into the inspiring journey of Cabalasan Elementary School, tracing its milestones and honoring the individuals who have contributed to its enduring legacy.
Cabalasan Elementary School, founded in 1935 with the noble vision of providing quality education to students in Barangay Kabalasan, Baybay City, Leyte, emerged from the determination of the community under the leadership of the Tenyente de Baryo. This collective effort aimed to establish a nurturing educational environment empowering students to thrive. The early years were marked by challenging floods, prompting the school's relocation and reconstruction in the late 1950s.
Under the guidance of Tenyente de Baryo Pacomio Otadoy Gorgonio (1957-1959), Tenyente de Baryo Dodong Gitgitin (1959-1960), and Tenyente de Baryo Teodoro Gayo (1960-1961), the school moved approximately 25 meters from its original location, facing the Kabalasan river shore. Due to recurrent calamities, the road from Sitio So-ong in Brgy. Biasong to Sitio So-ong in Brgy. Kabalasan, on the western part of the barangay, gradually developed.
During the relocation and reconstruction, it was decided that the school would face the new road. The back of the school showcased the remarkable beauty of the vast land of sand and gravel along the Kabalasan river. Since its inception, the school has witnessed tremendous growth and development. The school's commitment to academic excellence and holistic education has propelled it to new heights. Significant milestones, such as opening the Grade 5 & 6 classes in 2003, launching of SBM-IMPACT as pilot school in 2013, have marked the journey. Academic achievements, including quiz bee, press conference, Math & Science competitions and; non-academic competitions such as asexual propagation, football, softball, athletic competitions are a testament to the dedication of students and educators alike. Also, pupils and teachers compete in various invitations in a non-DepEd institution like the VSU ATI-ROARS and 3As in Jackfruit with awards and meaningful experiences. Since 2004, the school has organized competitive athletes in several sports competitions like athletics, football and softball which most of them won & garnered medals during the District Meet/ City Meet/ Provincial Meet, Regional Meet and even Palarong Pambansa.
Throughout its history, the school has been fortunate to have had remarkable individuals who shaped its character and success. The visionary school heads and teachers have left an indelible mark on the school. Their unwavering commitment to student welfare, innovative teaching methods, and passion for education has been instrumental in shaping the lives of countless students. In the 1950s, the couple Mr. William Oppura and Mrs. Amparo Oppura taught at the school, handling Grade 1 to Grade 4 classes. The couple taught for several years in the school. Later, several other teachers served in the school, one of whom was Mrs. Osita dela Cerna in the early 1980s.
As the barangay had no site to build the school, Mrs. Osita dela Cerna sought permission from her cousin, the heiress of the land and concurrent Barangay Captain, Mrs. Concepcion Rubillos Gorgonio, to use a portion of her lot to build a 2-classroom school building. In 1984, Mrs. Alma Gorgonio Austero, one of the daughters of Barangay Captain Concepcion Rubillos Gorgonio, transferred to the school to handle Grade 1 and 2 classes. She spent her longest teaching years in Cabalasan Elementary School, teaching for more than 30 years by 2015.
In the school year 2003-2004, the school catered to Grade 1 to Grade 6 pupils. Grade 1 and 2 classes were handled by Mrs. Alma Gorgonio Austero, Grade 3 and 4 by Mr. Francisco Solante Salas Jr., and Grade 5 and 6 by Mrs. Helen Gorgonio Salas. In 2006, an immediate superior was assigned to the school. From February 2006 until October 2008, the first immediate school head assigned was Mrs. Moma Cagabhion Leorna. Mrs. Adela Cabahit Amistoso followed, starting her duty as school head from November 2008 to June 2011. In 2010, the school offered a Kindergarten class, firstly handled by Mrs. Gaisy Anthonette Salas Galvez. From that time onwards, the school has offered Kindergarten to Grade 6 classes. Afterward, the school handled a monograde and multigrade classes set-up depending on the number of enrollees.
Mrs. Helen G. Salas managed the school, assuming her duty from July 1, 2011, to June 11, 2014. This was followed by Mrs. Moma Leorna, who took on the role for the second time, starting from June 11, 2014, to April 15, 2015. Mrs. Gilda F. Escasinas supervised the school from April 16, 2015, to June 23, 2019. Mrs. Nora T. Omega followed the leadership from June 24, 2019, to August 21, 2022. From August 22, 2022, up to the present, the school has been managed by Mrs. Donna M. Balaresia.
Academic excellence lies at the heart of the school’s mission. The school consistently strives to provide students with a strong educational foundation. Noteworthy achievements, including winning and placing in awards, such as 2nd place in the District DAMATH VI Category (2015), 1st Place for the Pop Quiz in 3As in Jackfruit (2017) at VSU-ATI, 3rd Place in the Aral Pan Quiz and Poster Making Contest (2018), and many more, demonstrate the commitment of both students and teachers.
The school has garnered awards for teachers, recognizing their contributions not only as winning coaches in various contests but also for their outstanding performances. Mrs. Hope Marie Lourdes Salas Garciano was awarded as an Outstanding Teacher in Multigrade Education at the Division Level (2015) and received the Outstanding Research Presenter (Regional Level) award from the division office simultaneously. Mrs. Liezel Oracion Bravo was recognized as an Outstanding Teacher for a Zero Non-reader of Mother Tongue in Grade 1 at the Division Level (2016-2017). Mrs. Garciano achieved further recognition as an Outstanding Teacher in Multigrade Education at the Regional Level (2016). Remarkable research has been conducted at the school. "Study Habits of Grade 5 Pupils in school" was carried out by Mrs. Garciano in 2015 and presented at both the Division and Regional Levels in 2016. Similarly, "HOSTEL Strategy in Improving Reading Comprehension Level" by Mr. Francisco Solante Salas Jr. and Mrs. Garciano in 2020 was funded by the Basic Education Research Fund (BERF) and presented at the Division Level in 2020.
Beyond academics, the school encourages a thriving extracurricular culture, with achievements in sports such as consistent championships in Football Game during the City Meet and representation at the Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Meet (2015-2017), a championship in Softball Game during the City Meet and representation at EVRAA (2016), 1st Place in Athletics for some of its athletes during the City Meet until EVRAA, and representation in the Palarong Pambansa since 2004. The school has also consistently received awards as 1st Place in District Level Asexual Propagation since 2014, proving it to be a hub of skill, talent, and creativity.
At Cabalasan Elementary School, a commitment to community involvement is deeply embedded in its core values. The school proactively collaborates with the local community through a range of initiatives. Partnerships with community organizations, volunteer projects, and impactful programs such as the Alumni Association and Sponsored Sports Cup have cultivated a strong sense of social responsibility among students. These endeavors instill in them the significance of giving back and making a positive difference in their community.
Over the years, the school has encountered its fair share of challenges. The resilience of the school community, including students, parents, teachers, and administrators, has empowered the school to overcome obstacles. Key challenges faced by the school include frequently changing teachers' assignments in a monograde and multigrade class setup, declining learner enrollment, non-standardized classrooms or those in need of repairs, a shortage of learning resources such as reference books and learner materials, and broken furniture and fixtures (like tables and armchairs). Each challenge has imparted invaluable lessons, fostering a spirit of determination and adaptability that defines the essence of the school. As we reflect on our journey, we take pride in the collective efforts that have enabled us to surmount these obstacles. We remain committed to embracing future challenges with the same resilience and determination.
The storied history of Cabalasan Elementary School serves as a testament to an enduring commitment to education, the ceaseless endeavors of its educators, and the noteworthy accomplishments of its students and teachers. Evolving from its modest origins, the school has transformed into a dynamic public elementary institution, playing a pivotal role in molding young minds and fostering a passion for learning. The milestones accomplished, the academic distinctions earned, and the ingrained community engagement all exemplify the fundamental values that have propelled the school to remarkable heights.
Location
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Quality
Equity
Resiliency and Well-being
Figure 2. Hazard Assessment from Project NOAH
