THE SHINING COPPER

• The Power of Saying
• Thank You
• PRINCESS CELINE L PINEDA
• 07 opinion
• THOUGHTS
• Why school uniforms matter?

BRYLE ZION V. PARREÑO the shining copper

THE OFFICIAL SCHOOL PUBLICATION OF LABO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIVISION OF MARINDUQUE MIMAROPA REGION

ISSUE 1 VOLUME 1. JUNE-DECEMBER 2025

At Labo Elementary School, students can choose whether to wear school uniforms. In public schools in the Philippines, wearing uniforms is not required. This is based on DepEd Order No. 065, s. 2010, and it was confirmed again in 2022 by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte. The main reason for this rule is to help families save money. Students who already have uniforms can continue wearing them if they want, but they are not forced to wear them.

Saying "thank you" might seem like a small thing, but it has a big effect. When we show gratitude, we make other people feel appreciated and respected. Gratitude is not only polite. It helps build good relationships with friends, classmates, teachers, and even family members.

At school, saying thank you can make a big difference. For example, if a classmate helps you carry your books or answers your question, saying "thank you" shows that you notice and appreciate their effort. Teachers also feel valued when we thank them for helping us understand lessons or guiding us during activities. Even a simple "thank you" can brighten someone's day.

Gratitude is also important at home. Saying thank you to parents, siblings, or other family members can make them feel loved and respected. It can be for anything, like helping with chores, preparing meals, or simply listening when we talk. These small words help create a positive and happy environment for everyone.

Even though wearing uniforms is not required at Labo Elementary School, there are many good reasons why students are encouraged to wear them. School uniforms may look simple, but they play an important role in helping students feel comfortable, confident, and ready to learn each day. Wearing a uniform is not just about clothes--it is about learning good values and building a positive school environment.

First, uniforms help students feel equal. When everyone wears the same school uniform, it does not matter if some students come from families with more money while others have less. All students look the same, so no one feels shy, embarrassed, or different because of what they are wearing. This helps prevent teasing. bullying, and unfair comparisons about who has the nicest, newest, or most expensive clothes. Second, uniforms help students focus more on learning. When students wear uniforms, they do not have to spend time thinking about what clothes to wear every morning. This saves time and helps them come to school feeling calm and prepared. In the THINK & SHARE

Read Everyday, Grow Everyday

EMMANUEL MATTHIAS F. ESPERANZA classroom, students can pay more attention to their teachers, listen carefully to lessons, and finish their schoolwork on time.

Third, uniforms help make the school safer. When all students are wearing the same uniform, teachers and school staff can easily recognize who belongs inside the school campus. If someone who is not wearing the uniform enters the school, adults can quickly notice and check. This helps protect students and makes the school a safer place to learn, play, and grow. Feeling safe in school helps students learn better and feel more relaxed.

Fourth, uniforms help build a strong school community. Wearing the same uniform makes students feel proud to be part of Labo Elementary School. It reminds them that they belong to one school family where everyone learns together, helps one another, and follows the same rules. When students feel a sense of belonging, they are more likely to respect their classmates, teachers, and school property.

Fifth, uniforms reduce pressure on students to follow fashion trends.

Some students may feel stressed when they think they need to wear stylish or expensive clothes to fit in. Wearing uniforms removes this pressure. Students do not need to compete with others or worry about being laughed at because of their clothes. Instead, they can focus on studying, playing with friends, and enjoying school life. Even though wearing uniforms is optional at Labo Elementary School, uniforms still teach students important lessons. Wearing a uniform helps students learn how to dress neatly, follow school rules, and show respect for school policies. Teachers can also guide students on proper behavior while wearing uniforms, which helps students develop discipline, responsibility, and self-control.

In the end, the decision to wear uniforms is still up to students and their families. Some students feel comfortable wearing uniforms, while others prefer wearing their own clothes. What truly matters is that all students feel safe, respected, confident, and ready to learn at Labo Elementary School, whether they wear a uniform or not.

Reading is one of the most important skills we can practice every day. It is not just about learning from textbooks; reading stories, comics, or even instructions helps us understand the world better and makes our imagination grow. When we read, we explore new places, meet new characters, and learn about different ideas, all without leaving our home or classroom.

Saying thank you' shows that we notice and appreciate others. Even small words of gratitude can brighten someone's day and make the world kinder

Practicing gratitude helps us notice the good things around us. It reminds us that even small acts of kindness are important. When we say thank you often, we encourage respect, kindness, and friendship. Gratitude also makes us feel happier and more positive because we are focusing on what is good in our lives

The power of saying thank you is real. It costs nothing but can mean a lot. When we thank someone, we show that we care about their efforts and feelings. Saying thank you can also inspire others to be kind and thoughtful in return.

So let's try to use these words every day. At school, at home, and anywhere we go. Being grateful helps us become better people and makes the world a kinder place. It is a simple way to make friends, strengthen relationships, and create a happy and respectful community.

Reading also helps us become smarter and more creative in many ways. When we read stories, our minds become active. We try to guess what will happen next, understand the feelings of the characters, and imagine the places and events in the story. Sometimes, we even imagine ourselves as part of the story. This helps us think deeply and understand other people's emotions and experiences better.

Reading is not only about stories. When we read instructions for games, recipes, or school projects, we learn how to follow steps and solve problems. These kinds of reading help us think carefully, make good decisions, and finish tasks correctly. Reading also helps us learn new words, improve our spelling, and speak and write more clearly.

Making reading a daily habit is very important for every student. You do not need to read for a long time right away. You can start with just 10 or 15 minutes each day. You can read before bedtime, during your free time at school, or while waiting for your turn in line. Little by little, these short reading times can become a fun and meaningful habit. It is also important to choose reading materials that you enjoy. You can read comics, short stories, fairy tales, magazines, or books about animals, science, or adventures. When you enjoy what you read, reading does not feel like a chore. Instead, it becomes something exciting that you look forward to every day.

Reading every day is not only for schoolwork or exams. It helps us grow as learners and as people. When we read often, we become better thinkers because we learn new ideas. We become better students because we understand lessons more easily. We also become better friends because reading teaches us kindness, patience, and understanding of others

So let us make reading a daily habit. Books are full of amazing adventures, lessons, and dreams waiting to be discovered. When we open a book every day, we open our minds to a brighter and more exciting future.