SCHOOL HISTORY

Unknown to the mother, ROSE submitted a proposal to the then Department of Education, Culture, and Sports (DECS), now the Department of Education (DepEd), Division of La Union, to open a special school in the province. The Division Office, under its Superintendent, Atty. Armando M. Aquino, advised project ROSE to coordinate with LGUs and NGOs. Mac-Mac’s mother, together with other parents of special children, persistently pursued the proposal and finally achieved a positive result.

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Enrollment grew each year, starting with one special child to three special children at the beginning of the school year 1997–1998. These students occupied one classroom at San Fernando North Central School, handled by one teacher, Mrs. Gloria C. Abad.

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Through word of mouth, enrollees from the province and adjacent provinces came to avail of the Center’s services. Enrollment increased each year, necessitating additional teachers. As the number of enrollees grew, so did the number of teachers.

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With a culture of excellence and genuine care for special children, the teachers participated in the “National Search for Outstanding Teachers.” In 2005, Mrs. Genevieve Ugay was recognized as the Most Outstanding Teacher for the Deaf, paving the way for her colleagues to excel. In 2007, Miss Brenda Ebreo joined the biannual search and won the same award. That year, Ms. Marife Ferrer was 1st Runner-Up in the Autism category, and Mrs. Zoraina Gonzales was a regional awardee in the Mentally Challenged category. That same year, the Center was recognized as the Most Outstanding SPED Center in the Philippines.

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In 2009, the Center opened its doors to high school students. It received support from international and national organizations such as the Rotary Club, Lions Club, Inner Wheel Club, Shriners International, OPSCI, as well as the Provincial and City Government, which consistently extended their support to the special children.

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Teachers continued to demonstrate passion, dedication, and commitment in teaching the growing number of learners with special needs enrolled at the Center. In 2011, the SPED Center was once again recognized as the Most Outstanding SPED Center in the Philippines. Mrs. Zoraina Gonzales was awarded Most Outstanding Teacher for the Intellectually Disabled, and Mrs. Rosebeth Gabay won 2nd place in the National Search for Outstanding Teacher for the Deaf. These accomplishments were made possible through the cooperation of supportive parents.

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Not only did the teachers excel, but the pupils and students also garnered recognition and awards at the division, regional, national, and even international levels in sports. Special athletes from the SPED Center have competed internationally in the Special Olympics Games held in China, Greece, Australia, the United States of America (Los Angeles), and most recently, Singapore.

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Special pupils and students also excelled in singing, dancing, and the arts during division and regional festivals of talents. Indeed, these DIFFERENTLY ABLED are ABLE.

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At present, SFC SPED IS has 520 enrollees and caters to the following exceptionalities: hearing impairment, intellectual disability, visual impairment, autism, and cerebral palsy. The senior high school currently offers the TVL strand, accommodating both special students (mostly hearing impaired) and regular students, practicing inclusive education and reverse integration.

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A notable milestone was the approval of the Center’s transition into an Integrated School, merging La Union SPED Center and San Fernando City SPED High School and renaming it “San Fernando City SPED Integrated School” in August 2017. This achievement was made possible through the initiative of the capable and visionary former Division Superintendent, Ma’am Fatima R. Boado.

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The SPED Center has come a long way, thanks to the continuous support of stakeholders, including LGUs, NGOs, parents, and the Schools Division Office – City of San Fernando, under the guidance of Dr. Sheila Marie Primicias, CESO VI, OIC – Schools Division Superintendent.

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At present, San Fernando City SPED Integrated School caters to children and young adults. It is staffed by a teaching powerhouse, with most teachers being SPED-trained, under the leadership of the school head, Dr. Emeliza P. Abulencia.

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