The University of Northern Philippines strengthened its commitment to holistic student development and meaningful community engagement as Dr. Marifel Acena, Head of the Student Welfare Services Office and Program Head of the Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling under the College of Arts and Sciences, shared her expertise during the First Semester Parenting Seminar of the Philippine Science High School–Ilocos Region Campus (PSHS) on September 4, 2026.
The seminar brought together parents, guardians, and school personnel from across the region through a hybrid learning platform held at the Philippine Science High School–Ilocos Region Campus in San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur, and via Zoom. Anchored on the theme “Partners in Discipline: Strengthening the Parent–School Partnership in Raising Responsible Pisay Scholars,” the activity emphasized the shared responsibility of families and schools in shaping learners’ values, behavior, and overall well-being.
More than a forum on discipline, the seminar highlighted the importance of strong and sustained parent–school collaboration in helping students navigate academic demands, personal challenges, and social responsibilities. By bringing key stakeholders together, the initiative sought to foster a more supportive environment where parents, guardians, and educators can work collectively to nurture responsible, resilient, and well-rounded Pisay scholars.
Dr. Acena served as a learning resource provider, drawing on her expertise in student welfare and guidance and counseling to highlight the critical role of parents and schools in shaping responsible, resilient, and well-rounded young people. Her discussion centered on positive discipline, effective parent–school communication, and adolescent development, emphasizing that discipline goes beyond correcting misconduct or imposing punishment. Rather, she presented it as a continuing process of character formation, values development, and responsible decision-making that helps learners understand the consequences of their actions while developing the capacity to make better choices.
She further highlighted that nurturing responsible behavior is a shared responsibility between the home and the school, with parents and educators serving complementary roles in establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate behavior, and providing consistent guidance. Dr. Acena encouraged parents to respond constructively when scholars commit mistakes or fall short of expectations, viewing such moments as opportunities for reflection, learning, and growth rather than simply as occasions for reprimand. She also urged parents to maintain open, respectful, and sustained communication with the school, stressing that timely dialogue and active collaboration can help address concerns before they escalate and enable adults to respond more effectively to learners’ needs.
Particular emphasis was placed on the academic and socio-emotional pressures faced by high-ability learners, who may encounter demanding expectations alongside the challenges of adolescence.
Through this partnership, UNP and PSHS aim to build a stronger ecosystem of care where Pisay scholars can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. This activity highlights UNP’s vital role in extending guidance and mental health services beyond campus to nurture resilient, responsible, and future-ready youth.
