DES principal defends year-end picnic at Micro Beach

The Dandan Elementary School has scheduled their schoolwide end-of-the-year picnic at the Micro Beach area to reward their students for all their hard work and a successful school year. However, its principal, Jonas M. Barcinas, is disappointed with a parent who has been campaigning against it

The event, which was supposed to take close to 400 DES students to Micro Beach for the school’s end-of-the-year picnic, turned sour when one parent called Barcinas expressing his concern about the risk factors of every child that’s supposed to go.

“He does not want his child to go but majority of our students will be going. A parent consent form was issued for our parents to sign whether they want their kids to participate or not,” Barcinas said. “It’s not mandatory but those that are not going or did not provide their parental consent will not be permitted to go for liability purpose.”

Barcinas said the event was not a spur of the moment; it was talked about a number of times during PTA meetings and school leadership meetings.

“Where was he when we needed his view or opinion? This parent is a very nice person but I am not sure what’s his point when I continued to assure him that we will have our students safeguarded by their teachers and parents that are going to be there and will monitor them every step of the way,” Barcinas said.

He added that this parent has also gone us far as contacting several lawmakers such as a Rep. Ralph Torres, Rep. Joseph Reyes, Rep. Tina Sablan, and Education Commissioner David Borja to dissuade the DES principal from bringing the students to the beach.

“No one should tell me what to do unless it is unethical or dangerous for our children. Yes, truly, there is risk involved but I am the leader and I planned for this field trip,” he argued.

“I am the principal of the school and if all my staff disagrees with this incentive then why didn’t they say something? If all the parents disagree with bringing our kids to the beach, why didn’t they say anything as well? Why only one of our parents, whom I truly know very well and respected so much. I respect his opinion but there is nothing he can do. I take this seriously, that’s why I have asked my staff that we be accountable for our kids because we do not want them to get hurt,” said Barcinas.

Along with parents chaperoning the event, Barcinas said that Boating Safety personnel will be at the site to ensure water safety, several staff are CPR certified, students underwent a safety briefing, and a first aid kit will be readily available at the site.

“For three years we had our school go down to do the same celebration at Obyan. No parent has ever contested or argued about it. They’re very happy that no one was injured at all because we did what we were supposed to do—safeguard our kids,” the school principal said.

“I would like to let this parent know that we do not just plan for 400 some students without proper chaperones,” he added.

On a lighter note, Barcinas said he hopes the students will have a great time and a safe one.