Family Handbook

Transcription

1 Family Handbook Saint Paul the Apostle Church Religious Education Department 313 North State Street, Westerville, Ohio (614) (614) [FAX]

2 Parish, School, Religion: Who We Are and What We Do The Saint Paul the Apostle Parish School of Religion is part of the educational arm of the parish community, responsible for providing religious instruction (known as catechesis), formation and sacramental preparation to children attending public or non-catholic private schools. With the help of several hundred well-trained adult and teen volunteers, we serve between 750-1,000 children annually. Our materials, methods and practices follow the Graded Course of Study issued by the Diocese of Columbus and approved for use by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. By the promises you made as parents at the Baptism of your children, you are the primary religious educators in your families. PSR exists to support you in this important work, and it is our privilege to partner with you and your family. With the commitment of others, we provide the children and youth of our parish a great environment for growth in their Catholic faith. The definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch, but also in communion and intimacy, with Jesus Christ. All evangelizing activity is understood as promoting communion with Jesus Christ. General Directory for Catechesis (1997), 80. Religious education cannot exist without being tied directly to the public work and worship of our Church. As such, PSR is available to children of parishioners of St. Paul and is an essential part of Catholic life which includes regular participation in the Sacraments and weekly attendance at Mass. The purpose of this Family Handbook is to provide you with the policies, guidelines and procedures designed to help accomplish our goal of providing quality religious education within a safe environment, relevant service opportunities, community expressions of faith and practices to keep our classes running smoothly. By registering for PSR you acknowledge these policies, and by understanding them you help us in our ongoing ministry to our students and their families. St. Paul the Apostle Church Parish School of Religion Family Handbook 2

3 St. Paul the Apostle Church Parish School of Religion Family Handbook 3

4 SUNDAY PRE-SCHOOL PSR For students aged 3 - Kindergarten. Sundays, during 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses Contact: Mrs. Leia Bame The Sunday Pre-School PSR Program is a religious readiness program designed to support the family in bringing the child closer to love and knowledge of God and Church. There is a strong emphasis on the expression of each child s individual response to God s love and each family s support of their child s unique faith development. Classes at all levels provide numerous opportunities for the child to learn through discovery and experience in an atmosphere of love and support. The importance of the parental role in the development of Christian attitudes is emphasized. Parents are also given suggestions on ways to nurture faith in their home. Children must be 3 years old by September 30 of the current year, and toilet trained. Please bring your child 5-10 minutes before the scheduled class time and check in with the teacher. Do not leave a child in the classroom unless a teacher and an aide are in the room. At the end of class, please wait in the hallway until the teacher opens the door. Children will only be released to their parents or a previously authorized adult. Please be aware that if sufficient staff is not available for any reason, (illness, etc.), Pre-school will be cancelled, and parents will be notified as soon as possible. Included with registration materials you will find the Transportation Information Form for each student in Sunday Pre-School as well as Grades 1-8. Please include any adult who has your authorization to pick up your student from class. Teachers and aides will keep track of who picks up each student each week. This information will be kept in the PSR office. The Three-Year-Old God Made Me program helps the children understand that God created them and made them good, happy, active, and special. The children s own abilities serve as the central springboard for each chapter. The Four-Year-Old God Made the World program helps the children learn that God made livings things, including people, holy things, the earth, and other wonderful surprises. A unique aspect of God s creation is the main focus of each chapter. The non-kindergarten 5 year old God Loves Us program helps children explore God's love as they are introduced to God's goodness show through words, actions, feelings, people, places, and things. Learning, growing, sharing and celebrating provide the foundation of each chapter. One special aspect of God's goodness is the foundation of each chapter. The Kindergarten Allelu! Growing and Celebrating with Jesus program nurtures a young child s natural tendency to seek a relationship with God, reinforcing a strong sense of community and love. The Preschool PSR program uses a holistic approach of activities, affirmation, music, teachings, prayer, games and play to discover and explore God's life offered to us in the liturgy through the Sacraments and through creation in our world. Discovery and emphasis is placed on the gift of their lives and to be able to identify themselves as a people of God who need to make good moral choices. Basic prayers will be taught and emphasized along with basic Catholic devotions. SUNDAY PRE-SCHOOL CLOSING POLICY When sessions are cancelled, parents will be notified by as soon as possible. Please refer to our Cancellation and Closing Policies (p. 9). St. Paul the Apostle Church Parish School of Religion Family Handbook 4

5 CHILDREN S LITURGY OF THE WORD For students ages 5 9. Sundays at the 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses Contact: Mrs. Leia Bame The Children s Liturgy of the Word (C.L.O.W.) serves the need to bring to our youngest parishioners in an ageappropriate celebration of the part of the Mass they are entitled to as part of the Baptized: This ministry is responsible for conveying to our students the form and dignity that the Liturgy of the Word calls for as part of the Mass, and an extension of the Assembly. This makes CLoW different in how materials are presented and shared, as opposed to a Pre-School or Elementary level PSR class. Our volunteer Catechists and class aides have as a priority the sharing of the Word of God. Our use of the Magnifikid! Publications and the Children s Liturgy of the Word guidebooks (Liturgical Training Press) ensure that students make the most of their time in class, ready to celebrate the remainder of the Mass with their families and discuss the role of the weekly Readings for Mass afterward. C.L.O.W. CANCELLATION POLICY When sessions are cancelled, parents will be asked to keep their children with them during Mass. Please refer to our Cancellation and Closing Policies (p. 9). St. Paul the Apostle Church Parish School of Religion Family Handbook 5

6 MONDAY NIGHT PSR Grades 1 6: 4:45 6:00 p.m. (Early), 6:30 7:45 p.m. (Late) Grades 1 6, Catholic Seeking Sacraments, and Special Needs: 6:30 7:45 p.m. (Late) Contact: Mrs. Mindy Hemmelgarn PSR for younger students incorporates a variety of learning styles that include but are not limited to: classroom prayer, discussion, craft activities, games, music (both formal and informal) and prayer services. We are committed to partner with parents and guardians to develop households in which the faith is shared and lived with vigor. Our goal is to provide a place in which our students learn to live their faith as well as to understand it, where they can experience Catholic identity, integrate Catholic values, and express Catholic beliefs. All chapters in the Sadlier textbooks correlate to six Tasks of Catechesis: 1. Pray: Catechesis teaches Christians how to pray with Christ. 2. Learn: Catechesis promotes knowledge of faith. 3. Celebrate: Catechesis promotes a knowledge of the meaning of the liturgy and the sacraments. 4. Share: Catechesis prepares Christians to live in community and to participate actively in the life and mission of the Church. 5. Choose: Catechesis promotes moral formation in Jesus Christ. 6. Live: Catechesis promotes a missionary spirit that prepares the faithful to be present as Christians in society. You can visit the Sadlier website, religion.sadlierconnect.com for more information. The website also contains information on Saints, activities for the family, online games and a variety of other topics. Although the Sadlier curriculum uses a spiral scope and sequence, (building on topics/themes each year), every grade does have a specific focus. Grade 1 concentrates on learning about God/Jesus/Holy Spirit and His love for us and the world. Students will also explore their role as members of the church, and how they can best live their faith. The Mass, sacraments, and Holy Days are some of the other topics covered. Grade 2 concentrates on Reconciliation and Eucharist as this is the year that the children receive these two sacraments. The sacraments are celebrated as a community and thus this concept of community is an integral part of their curriculum. While students in Grade 3 continue to learn about the Church, sacraments, and discipleship, their curriculum goes into more depth about the Mass. Discipleship and how the children can actively participate in the growth of the church are also discussed. Grade 4 concentrates on the Ten Commandments. Each commandment is given a full chapter so that the children can learn not only the commandment, but what it means to live out this commandment as fourth graders in today s world. The Grade 5 curriculum begins with an awareness that we proclaim the good news by what we say and do. Subsequent units continue with a more in depth discussion of the sacraments, the Beatitudes and the theological virtues. St. Paul the Apostle Church Parish School of Religion Family Handbook 6

7 The curriculum in Grade 6 focuses on the Old Testament and the history of God s people. Learning about the prophets and messages from God teaches students about the fulfillment of God s covenant in and through Jesus Christ. Students in grade six receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. (Textbook: We Believe, With Project Disciple including Venture Gospel Weeklies.) WEDNESDAY NIGHT PSR Grades 5 8. Wednesday evenings, 7:00 8:30 p.m. Contact: Mrs. Tara Ciaciura PSR for older students incorporates a community-building style of learning that includes small group prayer and discussion, service opportunities, guest speakers, and clergy involvement. We are committed to partner with parents and guardians to develop households in which the faith is shared and lived with vigor. Our goal is to provide a place in which our students learn to live their faith as well as to understand it, where they can experience Catholic identity, integrate Catholic values, and express Catholic beliefs. In addition to the Six Tasks of Catechesis, our textbooks feature content based on the seven Major Themes of Catholic Social Teaching, which are: 1. Life and Dignity of the Human Person 2. Call to family, Community, and Participation 3. Option for the Poor and Vulnerable 4. Rights and Responsibilities of the Human Person 5. The Dignity of Work and the Rights of the Workers 6. Care for God's Creation 7. Solidarity of the Human Family The Grade 5 curriculum begins with an awareness that we proclaim the good news by what we say and do. Subsequent units continue with a more in depth discussion of the sacraments, the Beatitudes and the theological virtues. The curriculum in Grade 6 focuses on the Old Testament and the history of God s people. Learning about the prophets and messages from God teaches students about the fulfillment of God s covenant in and through Jesus Christ. Students in grade six receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. (Textbook: We Believe, With Project Disciple including Venture Gospel Weeklies.) The curriculum in Grade 7 focuses on the New Testament, the life of Jesus, his teachings and the Sacraments. It presents Jesus call to become his disciple and how his teachings, his Sacraments and his Church nourish people for discipleship. Students in Grade 7 receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. (Textbooks: We Live Our Faith as Disciples of Jesus and Confirmation: Inspired By the Spirit.) The curriculum in Grade 8 focuses on the Big Questions that help the students to live holy lives. Discussing such questions and relating it to stories of Jesus and his life, the students learn more about themselves and their place in this world. The Church is presented from its beginning at the Pentecost event through its history, encompassing its teachings and tradition. It presents the mission of the Church, entrusted to her by Jesus, as the responsibility of all baptized Catholics. Students in Grade 8 receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and the Sacrament of Confirmation, which seals them with the Gift of the Holy Spirit as part of their initiation into the Church. (Textbooks: We Live Our Faith As Members of the Church & Confirmation, Call to Celebrate.) The cost to replace a textbook is $30.00, for all grades. St. Paul the Apostle Church Parish School of Religion Family Handbook 7

8 Sacramental Preparation for Youth Mondays: 6:30 7:45 p.m. (Grades 3-6) Contact: PSR Office Students who have not begun Religious Education classes by Grade 3, or who have not been baptized by age 7, will be entered into a program designed to be intensely focused on the Sacraments, Church history and saints. This is intended for those baptized Catholics who have never received formal religious formation, or students who are converting from another faith tradition. The Catholics Seeking Sacraments class is a two year program and includes both students enrolled in both public school and our parish five-day school. Students will remain with the same teacher and classmates for two years with the first year intended to teach students all of the information they should know before entering a classroom with students their own age at the completion of the Sacramental Prep program. The second year of preparation will be focused on immediate preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist. Both of these Sacraments will be scheduled near the end of the second academic year in the program. Registration is required, and space is limited. Students baptized Catholic will be charged the standard tuition. Students who are converting from another faith tradition will be exempt from tuition. PSR FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS Mondays: 6:30 7:45 p.m., multi-age Contact: Mrs. Mindy Hemmelgarn The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) stated in 1995, By reason of their baptism, all Catholics are equal in dignity in the sight of God and have the same divine calling. We strive to offer appropriate classroombased religious education regardless of a student s abilities or needs, and work with families to place all students in our classes. A Special Needs class for children is available during the Monday Late session. A parent/guardian or relative usually accompanies the student at class. Please contact the PSR Staff with any questions about Special Needs screening or PSR classes for those with a current IEP (Individual Education Plan) in their school system. PSR HOME STUDY PROGRAM Grades 3-6. Contact: PSR Office The PSR Home Study program is available for Grades 3-6 for those families who wish to work with their children at home, rather than place them in a weekly Religious Education class. This option can be helpful for students with behavioral difficulties, or when PSR lacks the appropriate number of volunteers to provide adequate coverage for our classes. We supplement our student text with the Pflaum Gospel Weeklies, in order to help parents integrate what they experience at weekly Mass with what their children are learning. Those who choose this option should indicate that they want their child in Home Study when registering for PSR, and complete a Home Study Application Form (Standard PSR tuition applies). Home Study families whose applications have been approved will be given the expectations, materials and requirements at a mandatory Parent-only Meeting in late September. Families applying for Home Study privileges are obligated to complete weekly online assessments to remain in good standing. Restrictions may apply; please contact the PSR Office for more information. St. Paul the Apostle Church Parish School of Religion Family Handbook 8

9 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL A week long in June. Monday Friday, 9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m. Contact: Mrs. Leia Bame Vacation Bible School at St. Paul is a summertime camp that brings together Catholic families in a fun, dynamic, and memorable week. The Preschool, Kindergarten Grade 4 programs are designed with each age group in mind. Volunteer adults and 5 th -12 th grade youth volunteers participate by leading interactive stations or as crew leaders. Our teen crew leaders guide our multi-age crews Kindergarten Grade 4 participants. Music, interactive Bible stories, crafts, games, and faith sharing are all part of our week. We explore our faith with all of its rich traditions. Adults who participate often remark that the week sparks their passion to learn more about our faith. Children enjoy being in their own multi-age crew, which are much like our adult small faith communities. Registration kicks off in March. Our program takes place on the St. Paul campus. CANCELLATIONS AND CLOSINGS In the event of a Level Two Snow Emergency, other inclement weather, or insufficient staff on Sundays, PSR Pre-School and/or Children s Liturgy of the Word will be cancelled. If any Westerville City schools have evening activities for the day, PSR classes for that day will be open as scheduled. Should a late storm arrive and Westerville City schools dismiss early, PSR classes will be cancelled. If the City of Westerville and/or Delaware County declares a Level Two Snow Emergency, all PSR classes, including Sunday Preschool, and activities are cancelled for that day. Families should exercise their best possible judgment in coming to class if any of the PSR programs are in session. Please contact the PSR office if your child cannot attend class due to weather related issues. To check on the status of class when weather may be threatening, parents and/or students can: 1 ) check the PSR section of the Parish website ( 2) the PSR Office stpaulreligiouseducation@gmail.com or, 3) call the Office at (614) St. Paul the Apostle Church Parish School of Religion Family Handbook 9

10 REGISTRATION Tuition rates, payment plans and opportunities for tuition reduction or waiver may be found in the PSR Registration paperwork. Forms are available online at Registrations in include a non-refundable $75 Registration Fee per family. Families of those who commit as weekly volunteers (teaching or non-teaching) have the Registration Fee waived; teaching and childcare volunteers have all tuition waived. Co-teaching volunteers will pay a $30 book fee per student up to three students. Aides, hall monitors and office assistants will pay $80 per student up to three students. Prompt registration for classes is critical. Monday and Wednesday Night PSR registration for any given year closes at the last class of the first semester unless a family moves into the parish. Pre-Registration for the next academic year is available for families currently enrolled in PSR from mid-march to early June. Families who pre-register assist PSR in obtaining advance information for book and material ordering, and will have the registration fee waived. SACRAMENT PREPARATION POLICY At St. Paul, First Reconciliation and First Eucharist are normally celebrated in Grade 2 and Confirmation is celebrated in Grade 8. Students work with special materials and have requirements for each Sacrament (Rehearsals for First Eucharist and Confirmation, Saint Projects and a retreat experience for Confirmation). Parents are required to attend Sacrament Parent Meetings, Workshops and Rehearsals, and provide additional information about their students. It is our policy that students are eligible for consideration for a Sacrament if they have been registered in, and satisfactorily attended, Religious Education in at least the two immediate years prior to reception of Sacraments. In keeping with this policy, consideration for class enrollment in Grade 2 is given first to students who have successfully completed Grade 1. Consideration for class enrollment in Grade 8 will be given only to students who have successfully completed Grade 7. Students not registered in 1 st grade, but wishing to complete First Communion in their normal 2 nd grade academic year, may be given the option to do 1 st grade at home over the summer provided that they are registered for second grade before the June 1 registration deadline. Any 2 nd grader registering for First Communion without having completed 1 st grade will be assigned to a 1 st grade class if registered after June 1 with no exceptions. Students registering for 8 th grade without having completed 7 th grade will be registered in a 7 th grade class without exception. TRANSFERRING FROM/TO ANOTHER PARISH Students who have attended another Catholic parish program and register for PSR at St. Paul must provide documentation from their former parish as to their religious education, which will then be credited to them. Those permitted to transfer into PSR during the year will have their tuition pro-rated. Religious Education credit will be granted only for work which follows a Graded Course of Study (a curriculum recognized by the student s former diocese or the Diocese of Columbus, and the student s former parish). PSR cannot accept prior work if it does not follow the standards of the Diocese of Columbus Department of Religious Education and Catechesis. Students registering at another PSR may request transcripts from this Office for previous work, which will be sent to that program s Director. St. Paul the Apostle Church Parish School of Religion Family Handbook 10

11 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION VERSUS SPORTS PSR assists parents in their carrying out their Baptismal responsibility as first educators of the Catholic faith to their children. This includes those parents who choose extracurricular programs for their children that may, on occasion, conflict with PSR class sessions. Parents are strongly urged to review our Attendance Policy and exercise good judgment in planning their children s schedules. If sports or other outside activities will be a known conflict, parents are encouraged to make an appointment with the Director of Religious Education to discuss the options available to them to complete PSR for the current year at St. Paul. A family should never feel that they must leave their parish to have their needs for religious education met, and so a reasonable solution will be sought that is mutually beneficial to all parties and will also satisfy the requirements for promotion to the next grade level. ATTENDANCE POLICY (GRADES 1 8) Our parish provides an opportunity for children to attend PSR each and every year, in support of the Baptismal responsibilities parents bear as first teachers of the Catholic Faith to their children. As our curriculum is based on a spiral scope and sequence, students engage their coursework in an age- appropriate manner each year as a part of their ongoing Religious Education. The vast majority of our students make this progress year after year, and the benefits are a testimony to the faith lives of the families in our parish community. In classes directly involving preparation for reception of Sacraments (Grades 1, 2, 7 and 8), regular attendance ensures the success of class-based communication, group discussion, reflection and community-focused action. Students in sacramental years (1, 2, 7, &8) are allowed 3 unexcused absences. All other students are allowed 6 unexcused absences. Regular attendance is critical for success. A student experiences greater and longer-lasting benefit and has increased confidence with consistent participation. Students registered in PSR are expected to attend classes and miss class only when there is an unavoidable reason. At the same time, children who are kept out of classes over one or more years become disadvantaged, and will be required to make up a portion of any Religious Education work they missed before they are re-enrolled in PSR. (A fee of $30 per textbook will apply.) If a student must be absent from PSR class, a parent/guardian must call the PSR Office (not the Catechist) stating the student s name, grade, classroom number and reason for the absence. The student should then submit the work covered in the missed class before the end of the next scheduled class. Each student is given a Class Syllabus at the beginning of the school year so that they can keep track of topics, complete missing assignments at home and assess their progress throughout the year. The Class Syllabi can be found on the PSR section of the parish website. ABSENCES AND ACCOUNTABILITY Students in good standing will have no more than twelve absences per year. If students miss a class for whatever reason, parents must contact the PSR office as listed above. Students will be asked to complete the chapter for that day at home and bring the corresponding chapter test to class with them the next week. Turning in the chapter test will show the student has received the information necessary to move on to the next chapter. Excessive absences or failure to turn in chapter tests from missed classes may result in a family interview with the Director of Religious Education or a member of the parish clergy. St. Paul the Apostle Church Parish School of Religion Family Handbook 11

12 ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL PROCEDURES, GRADES 1-8 ENTRANCES AND EXITS TO THE SCHOOL BUILDING The front door (by the flagpole) The doors in the glass hallway between Miller Hall and the school building (Monday Sessions only) The west door of the school by the Rectory These doors will be opened 15 minutes prior to the start of class. The doors at the west bus loop, leading to the Parish Activities Center, are only for students or parents with mobility issues. ARRIVAL Students enter through the above listed doors. Please check in with the Hall Monitor at the central table (between the School Office and the Gym) if you enter after the start of class. DISMISSAL In order to maintain a safe flow of traffic for children and families, all students must be picked up from their assigned classrooms by a parent or other authorized adult. Please park your car and enter the School building through the doors listed above. Catechists and Classroom Aides will monitor when each student leaves a classroom. Each student must have an authorized adult sign them out after each class. Authorized adults can be listed on the student s Transportation Information Form (see below). EARLY DISMISSAL Releasing students early from class is extremely disruptive to students and classroom progress; therefore early dismissal is permitted for emergencies only. Parents or responsible adults should enter through the front doors of the School and report to the table in the center hallway in front of the library if early pick-up is necessary. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION Included with registration materials you will find the Transportation Information Form for each student in Grades 1-8. Please include any adult who has your authorization to pick up your student from class. Catechists and Classroom Aides will keep track of who picks up each student each week. This information is kept in the PSR Office. PARKING Parking lots are across the street from the School on Moss Road, by Miller Hall in front of the Parish Office, and on the west side of the School building near the Church. To provide the safest environment possible for our families, we ask the following: Please note where there is assigned handicapped parking. Do not park in these designated spots unless you have a state-issued permit, and display the permit placard when parking. Local fire regulations state that no one may park in the road in front of the School. Traffic must be kept moving on these roads during dismissals. Parking along any part of Moss Road or in the Rectory driveway is never permitted during PSR class time. St. Paul the Apostle Church Parish School of Religion Family Handbook 12

13 SAFETY & DISCIPLINE POLICIES We strive to create an environment where students may learn and our catechists may teach safely and effectively. To do this, preparatory drills (fire, tornado, building lockdown) are conducted during PSR class time throughout the year. Basic and effective classroom rules also exist in the PSR classroom: 1. This classroom/activity is a safe place. Violence/bullying is never tolerated. 2. When a Catechist or Classroom Aide talks, everyone listens. 3. Respect is shown toward everyone. 4. Inappropriate language is never tolerated. Once the guidelines or rules of behavior are established in a classroom, students will know in advance the consequences of noncompliance: 1. When a student misbehaves the student will be made aware of the behavior and that it is unacceptable. A correction may be given by the Catechist. 2. If the behavior continues, the Catechist will inform the student that he/she will be sent to the Office. If the student must be sent to the Office, they will be escorted by a Classroom Aide. If an Aide is unavailable, a Hall Monitor may be asked to escort the student. 3. The student who has misbehaved and the Director will discuss the behavior in the Office and reach a conclusion about appropriate behavior during PSR classes. The incident will be noted in the student s file and the appropriate Classroom Folder. The student will then be returned to class. 4. The second time a student is sent from class to the Office, the Director will telephone the parents to inform them of the situation and set up a meeting with them to discuss the student s behavior. Both the event and the parent meeting will be noted in the student s file. The student may return to class if conditions permit. 5. The third time a student is sent from class to the Office, Step 4 will be repeated except the student will not be re-admitted to class without an accompanying parent. This will remain until the Catechist, the parents and the Director agree that the situation has been resolved and a Behavior Contract (or, if necessary, an Alternative Learning Plan) has been agreed upon. FOOD ALLERGY/SENSITIVITY ISSUES All known or diagnosed food allergies and/or dietary restrictions of PSR students should be noted at Registration in the Medical Section of the student s PSR Registration Form. Parents are also advised to notify their child s PSR teacher as soon as possible. Due to allergy and food safety concerns, food is never permitted in our classrooms. There are many students who have life-threatening allergies who use these classrooms throughout the day; for this reason we ask you to not bring in treats or snacks of any kind. There are occasions where food may be served in other locations on the St. Paul campus. If a PSR student preparing for a Sacrament has a food allergy and/or there are concerns about contact with the physical components of Sacraments (water, wine, unleavened whole wheat bread, perfumed oil), the PSR Office should be notified as soon as possible so Staff may work with parents to accommodate that student s needs. Serious allergy cases may warrant reception of Sacraments in an acceptable alternate format or reception of that Sacrament at an alternate date/time. St. Paul the Apostle Church Parish School of Religion Family Handbook 13

14 DIOCESE OF COLUMBUS HARASSMENT POLICY 1. Harassment can take many forms. Harassment can occur at any parish activity, and/or can take place in classrooms, halls, cafeterias, gymnasiums, or even at programs sponsored by the parish at other locations. It does not include compliments of a socially acceptable nature. Harassment is verbal or physical conduct that embarrasses, denigrates, or shows hostility toward a person because of his/her race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, age or disability or other protected characteristics. 2. It is the policy of the Diocese of Columbus to maintain a spiritually enriching environment in all programs and activities, free of all forms of harassment and intimidation. No participant, volunteer adult leader, or parish staff member male or female should be subject to unlawful harassment in any form, and specifically not to unsolicited and/or unwelcome sexual overtures or conduct, either verbal or physical. 3. Conduct which constitutes sexual harassment is prohibited. Sexually harassing conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following: Offensive sexual flirtations, advances, propositions; Continued or repeated verbal abuse of a sexual or gender-based nature; Explicit or degrading sexual or gender-based comments about another individual or his or her appearance; The display or circulation of sexually explicit or suggestive writing, pictures or objects; Any offensive or physical conduct which shows hostility or aversion toward an individual because of gender or sex; Graffiti of a sexual nature; Fondling oneself sexually or talking about sexual activity in front of others; Spreading rumors about or categorizing others as to sexual activity. Sexual harassment is not limited to conduct that is sexual in nature it also includes harassment that is based on gender. Gender-based harassment, which is also prohibited, is conduct that would not occur except for the sex of the person involved. An example would be referring to a woman by or as a female body part, or a demeaning sex-based term, or treating people differently because of their gender. The same prohibitions apply with regard to inflammatory or offensive comments or behaviors which are based upon race, color, age, religion, disability, or national origin. In short, working relationships between employees and volunteers must be based on mutual respect. Sexual harassment also includes the taking of, or refusal to take, any personnel or other action on the basis of a person s submission to or refusal of sexual overtures. No person should so much as imply that an individual s cooperation or submission to unwelcome sexual activity will have any effect on the individual s employment, assignment, compensation, advancement, development, program evaluation, participation in parish programs or activities, or any other condition of employment or achievement. Not all physical conduct is necessarily considered sexual in nature. (For example, a coach hugging a student after an accomplishment, a youth minister consoling an adolescent with an injury or physical conduct during athletic events would not be considered sexual conduct.) However, peer- based sexual harassment is a form of prohibited conduct where the harassing conduct creates a hostile environment. St. Paul the Apostle Church Parish School of Religion Family Handbook 14

15 4. A sexually hostile environment can be created by a parish employee, volunteer, youth participant, or visitor to the parish activity. 5. Any person who believes that he/she is subject to unlawful harassment or intimidation must contact the (a) program administrator (b) pastor, or (c) diocesan director of religious education. A complaint must be filed in writing. In the event that an individual alleges harassment by a director of religious education, or a pastor, the individual may file the complaint with the diocesan director of religious education. All complaints will be promptly investigated, and the person initiating the complaint will be advised of the outcome of the investigation. 6. Where it is determined that harassment has occurred, the appropriate authority will take immediate disciplinary action against any program administrator, volunteer, or staff engaging in harassment. The response shall take into account the individuals and circumstances. Such action may include, depending on the circumstances, disciplinary measures up to and including termination of services. 7. No retaliation against anyone who reports harassment will be tolerated. The Diocese prohibits such retaliation and will take appropriate responsive action if retaliation occurs. St. Paul the Apostle Church Parish School of Religion Family Handbook 15

16 Saint Paul the Apostle Parish School of Religion Staff Director of Religious Education (614) , ext. 379 Coordinator of Administration Mrs. Kris Erwin (614) , ext. 378 Coordinator of Elementary Curriculum Mrs. Mindy Hemmelgarn (614) , ext. 381 Coordinator of Middle School Curriculum Mrs. Tara Ciaciura (614) , ext. 380 Coordinator of Children s Ministries Mrs. Leia Bame (614) , ext. 385 lbame@stpacc.org St. Paul the Apostle Church Parish School of Religion Family Handbook 16