SM Foundation turned over its 74th school building donation to the San Francisco Elementary School in Tarlac on May 6 in partnership with SM Prime. The two-storey, four-classroom school building came fully furnished with 200 armchairs, 16 wall fans, eight blackboards, four teacher’s table and chair sets, four toilets, and four wall clocks.
“We are truly grateful to SM Foundation for their generosity in sharing their blessings for the benefit of our school children,” School Principal Romeo Torno said. “The students will have a better environment for learning that will inspire them and even make them enjoy their studies. There is no way to fully express our gratitude. We at San Francisco Elementary School are indebted to SM for their generosity to our students.”
Torno added that the school building will be occupied by grade one and grade four students this upcoming school year.
The San Francisco Elementary School was established in 1950 to support the education of communities in Concepcion, Tarlac. Since 2013, the school has been implementing the Department of Education (DepEd)’s Special Science Elementary School Project which focuses on developing children who have keen interest and exceptional abilities in Science and Mathematics.
Parent Teacher Association President Almarissa Samaniada expressed her gratitude to SM Foundation. “Malaking tulong ang bagong school building sa pag-aaral ng mga bata upang maging mas maginhawa ang kanilang pag-aaral. Nawa’y lalo pang maging matagumpay ang SM Foundation upang mas marami pang mag-aaral ang inyong matulungan,” she added.
SM Foundation Executive Director for Education Linda Atayde said that the new school building is part of its support to DepEd’s initiatives in addressing the shortage in public school classrooms.
“With the donation of school buildings, SM Foundation has improved the quality of education by providing an environment conducive for learning that has increased student attendance, improvement in test scores as well as boost the morale of the teachers,” Atayde said.
Since 2002, SM Foundation has already built 74 school buildings with a total of 224 classrooms nationwide.
About SM Foundation
As the heart of the SM group of companies, SM Foundation is focused on social development and helps the underprivileged in communities where SM is present. SM Foundation was established in 1983 by Henry Sy, Sr. and Felicidad T. Sy, anchored in its founding principle of PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE.
Committed to serve, SM Foundation SUPPORTS COMMUNITIES by providing opportunities in education, healthcare, farmers’ training, shelter, disaster response, the environment and care for persons with special needs. SM works hand in hand with its host communities and helps create a positive and lasting growth that is felt by all.
For more information:
Mrs. Linda Atayde
Executive Director for Education Programs
Email: education@sm-foundation.org
www.sm-foundation.org