20th NY Paaralan sa Konsulado opens for Fil-Am kids

Paaralan sa Konsulado (PSK) students sing the “Lupang Hinirang” during the flag ceremony preceding the short program during the Opening Day of the PSK held at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center on June 30, 2018. CONTRIBUTED

NEW YORK – Fifty-eight excited Filipino American students started at the 20thPaaralan Sa Konsulado (PSK), which opened June 30 at the Philippine Center with.

Teachers, volunteers, parents, and organizing partners accompanied the enrollees during the morning’s program, and throughout the day.

A flagship project of the Philippine Consulate General in New York (PCGNY) in partnership with the Association of Fil-Am Teachers of America (AFTA), PSK is a summer school with a curriculum focused on lessons about the Philippines. PSK offers classes for young Filipinos and Filipino Americans aged 6-16 years old.

The program runs for five Saturdays during summer. This year, it will be held from June 30 to July 28, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Group 1 students ages 6 to 8 (left) enjoy their art class. (PCGNY Photos). Group 2 students of PSK ages 9 to 11 (right photo) explore the different islands of the Philippines in their geography class. CONTRIBUTED

During the opening ceremony, Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville C. Tate shared a story about the talents and works of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal and reminded the children to share his legacy and to be proud to be Filipino. He also thanked the teachers and parents for continuing the effort of teaching children about where they come from and what their culture means.

In her inspirational remarks, Marilyn Diosa, a PSK alumna who was with the first batch to join the PSK in 1999 and who is now a grade school teacher in New York City, shared how she was initially overwhelmed, but eventually had a great time at PSK. She encouraged the children to enjoy and be open as it will be an opportunity for fun, new memories, friendship and inculcate the love of Filipino culture and values.

Dr. Roxanne Cajigas, president of AFTA introduced the teachers, volunteers, and the PCGNY officials. She also welcomed the children and assured the parents that the five Saturdays would be full of fun and learning. She also encouraged the parents to be involved in the planning of the Culminating Activity, which is scheduled to be held on 28 July 2018.

Following the program, the classes of the three group levels formally started.

For 20 years, PCGNY and AFTA have continued to find ways to innovate and improve the curriculum of the PSK, and this year promises to be even more interesting for the PSK students, with the program’s lineup of activities.

For more information, visit www.newyorkpcg.organd www.facebook.com/PHConsulateNY