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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM
FAMILY HANDBOOK

      Dear Parents and Guardians:

Legal Issues

            The office needs to be made aware of and given information pertaining to legal issues involving students enrolled in the program. These include but are not limited to adoption and custody.

Parent Involvement

              Parents are the first catechists. Parent involvement is crucial in Religious Education. Listed here are some of the ways you can live out that commitment:

• Make worship with your child at Saturday / Sunday Mass a priority.
• Register, in the parish if you have not already done so, and support the parish in whatever way possible.
• Review the Code of Conduct with your child and enforce the code.
• Attend parent meetings as they pertain to your student.
• Engage your child in conversation about what he / she learned in class.
• Work on religious education homework with your child.
• Assist your child in getting to school on time with his / her book and any materials needed.
• Check for notices sent home from the catechist.
• If possible, volunteer in the program. For a list of possibilities see “Volunteers.”   Volunteers are always needed!!!

Registration

              Re- registration occurs in the spring for the following school year. New registrations are accepted up to January of that school year. After January 1 of the school year, students already attending classes in a Religious Ed. program or Catholic school will be registered but placed in the preceding grade level. For example a grade 4 student registering after Jan.1, will be placed in grade 3 class. This includes the first year of preparation for sacraments.

              Additional information regarding registration of students into sacrament preparation classes, either the 1st or 2nd  year, is found in the Sacrament Preparation section.

Sacrament Preparation

                  All sacrament programs at St Anthony’s ask for two years of preparation. Upon satisfactory completion of the 1st year, students will be placed in grade 2, or 2nd year of preparation for Eucharist. To allow for a full preparation in the sacrament year, students will need to be registered in the parish program by October 1 of that year. Students, who are registered after October 1, will be placed in the first year of preparation for the sacrament which they are learning about.

In all cases we need to have a copy of your child’s Baptismal Certificate on file.

First Reconciliation

              Children in 2nd through 8th grades who are preparing for First Reconciliation usually receive this sacrament prior to First Eucharist at a family oriented service prepared for the comfort of both children and their parents.

 First Communion

              Children usually receive the sacrament in the 2nd grade, after completing two consecutive years of study in the basics of the Catholic faith, including the meaning of the Eucharist. Children in grades 3 through 7 who have been baptized but have not yet received First Eucharist, spend their first year of preparation in their grade level class.

              The second year they attend a class for older students preparing for Communion where they study the same topics as their second graders but with a curriculum appropriate to their age. Once they have received their First Communion they return to their grade level for continuing education.  First Communions are held in the Spring.

Grade Level Themes & Prayers

• Grade K                        Creation

• Grade 1                         God’s love for us 

• Grade 2                         Jesus and the preparation for Reconciliation
• RECONCILIATION
• FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 

• Grade 3                         The Church 

• Grade 4                         Commandments 

• Grade 5                         The Sacraments 

• Grade 6                         The Old Testament 

• Grade 7                         Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life 

• Grade 8                         The Spirit Sets Us Free

                                                                CONFIRMATION

Discipline

              As mentioned in the Code of Conduct, students are expected to show respect and consideration for themselves, other students, catechists, and all other adults associated with the program. In addition the catechist is to be considered the authority in the classroom. If difficulties do arise, students will be asked to report to the Religious Ed. office. From that initial meeting, it is hoped that together the student and catechist and if necessary, the DRE and parents will work out a solution that will meet the needs and expectations of everyone.

Emergency Closings

              In the event of a closing for any reason, the Religious Education Office or your Catechists will call..       The message on the Religious Education answering machine will also reflect the closing.     In addition, please check the web page which is constantly updated.   In addition, every effort will be made to contact each catechist who in return will make every effort to reach each of his or her students.

Policies and Procedures --Absences

              Families are asked to witness to their students about the importance of a religious education by making attendance at class sessions a priority. If however it is necessary for a student to be absent, we ask that you call the office at (609) 448-0141 ext 33 to let us know even if you have already informed your student’s catechist. It is the policy of the office, to assure the safety of all our students, to phone the families whose children are reported absent.

              If attendance records show a number of consecutive absences or if any student misses more than two (2) sessions before January, the family will be contacted to inquire about the student and see if the office can be of help. This student could be in danger of not completing the material necessary to progress. Please know that we will work with you.

***Students in the first or second year of sacrament preparation who miss more than three (3) sessions before January, will need to meet, along with a parent or guardian, with the Director of Religious Education to discern the student’s readiness.

Code of Conduct

• Students are expected to behave in a manner that shows respect and consideration for their classmates, fellow students and all catechists.

• Students are expected to respond to the instructions of the catechist and/ or aide . The catechist is the authority in the classroom. If a situation exists that requires a third party, students and families are asked to refer to the discipline section of the handbook.

• Students are expected to act with respect toward the property and materials associated with the parish of St Anthony of Padua and its Religious Education Program.

• Students are responsible for bringing their books to class each week, recording their homework assignments (if any) and completing those assignments.

• Students are asked to respond to any request from their catechist to put the classroom in order before they leave.

• Students are expected to know and follow the classroom and building rules that have been posted in each of the Classrooms.

Communications

              Communications between families, catechists and the office can be handled in a variety of ways. Our Web Page hold the current information, please check on a regular basis.  The weekly parish bulletin is an important source of information. Please read the bulletin every week to check for information and changes. In addition, flyers are a common way to send news home. Please ask your student and/or check their folders on a regular basis. It is the policy of the office not to give catechist’s phone numbers out. If you need to reach your child’s catechist, call the office at 448-0141 x 21 and we will forward the message to the catechist.

Confidentiality

              Information regarding student’s medical, legal or special needs is used in an effort to better serve the student. The catechists are made aware of any needs and the importance of keeping any such information confidential.

Curriculum

              Each grade builds on the ones before, focusing on a specific area and the introduction to certain prayers. In addition to particular prayers being introduced, each book has a section in the back with various prayers and practices.

              We will use a variety of Curriculums to meet the needs of all students and to be able to cover topics with a variety of texts. Listed are some of the Publishers we will be using:

William H. Sadlier, Inc.

Resource for Christian Living.

Harcourt (Brown- Roe) Publishing Co.

Pfalum Publishing Co.

Loyola Press

Confirmation

              Confirmation candidates are usually 8th graders who have successfully completed at least 2 years of study, service and prayer in preparation for the sacrament. Confirmation is usually held in the Fall. Students who have not attended a religious education program for several years, may be required to take a review course prior to entering the first year of Confirmation preparation.

              Confirmation Sponsors: Each candidate must select a sponsor who is at least 16 years of age, and who is fully initiated in the Catholic Church. The person chosen must not be prohibited by the law from exercising the role of sponsor. The sponsor may be the candidate’s godparent but may not be the child’s parent. The sponsor may be male or female for any candidate.

If not a registered member of St. Anthony of Padua, the sponsor must obtain a sponsor’s certificate of Eligibility from the parish where they are registered.

              Confirmation Name: The candidate must select a Confirmation name. The preferred name is the Baptismal name because it expresses the relationship between Baptism and Confirmation. If a new name is chosen, it should be the name of a recognized saint of the Church. A name may not be given which is foreign to Christian sentiment. The newly chosen name does not have to be gender consistent.

Baptism

              Families of students between the ages of 5 and 14 seeking Baptism are asked to contact the Religious Education Office for information on preparations and to make arrangements for Baptism.

Safety

Parents and students are asked to follow all safety and traffic rules and behave in a manner which does not jeopardize the safety of themselves or others.

• In the parking lot, please be extra cautious when arriving and leaving, when driving and walking, especially just before and after classes.
• Parents of students in Pre- K and in grades K through 2 are asked to pick their children at the classroom. Parents of students in grade 3 and up are asked to use their judgment in determining the best way to pick up their children.
• Please do not line up your car by the curb to wait for children to be dismissed.
• Inside the building, walk at all times.
• Refrain from rough play.
• Use furniture and materials properly.

              In the interest of the safety of all students and drivers, it is always preferred that students, regardless of age, be met inside or that the door of the building by the adult and that they walk with that adult to their vehicle.

              Any student who has not been picked up when the catechist is ready to leave will be brought to the Religious Education office to wait and if necessary make a phone call.

Tuition

                  The tuition for this school year is $100 for one student,

                  $185 for two students and $260 for three students..

Additional Fees

There is a $75 Sacrament fee for Holy Communion.

There is a $75 Sacrament fee for Confirmation.

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Volunteering

There are many ways that parents and guardians can volunteer in the Religious Ed program. If you are interested in finding out more or volunteering, please call the office at 448-0141 x 21.

                  We are always in need of the following!

Catechist

              Prepares and facilities lessons each week. Each catechist is given a guide that includes the student’s text and suggestions, background material and activities that can be used.

Aide

              Assists a catechist in a variety of ways. Hall Monitors act as an extra pair of eyes, ears, hands etc. Monitors are asked to be available to catechists for a variety of tasks. They are also there to remind students when it is time to get to class and to return to class after trips to the rest room. Monitors are asked to help keep discipline, but primarily the monitor’s job is to alert the office of any discipline or other problem.

  Substitute

              Fill in for a catechist at the time and in the grade of your choosing.