St. Cletus Religious Education Program

Transcription

1 St. Cletus Religious Education Program Table of Contents Page Class Schedule... Inside Cover Pastor s Welcome... Director s Welcome... School Year Communications... Family Correspondence Envelopes... Catechetical Mission Statement... Pastoral Staff... Religious Education Board... Joint Service Projects... Program Information Grades Curriculum... Junior High... Liturgy of the Word Prayer Services... Children s Catechumenate... Sacramental Preparation... Reconciliation... First Eucharist Parent... Handbook Confirmation... Special Sacraments... Catechist Enrichment Program... Becoming a Catechist... Early Childhood Program...

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3 CONTENTS Class Schedule Grades Class Schedule Grades 7-8 Director s Welcome... 1 Catechetical Mission Statement... 2 Becoming a Catechist... 4 Communications... 4 Program Information Grades Curriculum Junior High Dressing for Mass Special Sacraments (see Sacramental Preparation) Liturgy of the Word Prayer Services Sacramental Preparation Reconciliation First Eucharist Confirmation Catechist Enrichment Program Early Childhood Program... 16

4 Policies and Information Non-Discrimination Policy Enrollment Policies Registration of New Families Registration Fees Class Size Abused and Neglected Children Classroom Policies Conduct Arrival Time Tardiness Security Drop-off and Pickup Procedures Closing Time Early Dismissal In Case of Absence Absence Policy Make-up Work General Information Emergency Closing Change of Information Lost and Found Electronic Devices Right to Amend Bible School Blessing Policy Booklet Agreement... 31

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6 September, 2014 Dear Parent, Welcome! I am looking forward to a great year with the children of St. Cletus exploring God s love for us through prayer, sharing, scripture, and service. This is the Year of the Strong Parent. The catechists and I are here to assist you in nurturing and instructing your child in the Catholic Faith. If we may be of any help to you, please contact us. Our goal is to help form faith-filled children. We are here to serve! Hopefully our Handbook will answer questions that you might have about the role and policies of our program. A schedule for the year is also included. Please note that unforeseen circumstances can occur resulting in a change of schedule. You will be notified. Our newsletter and other important notifications will be sent electronically to those families with addresses. Please notify us if you do not receive it electronically, but first please check your spam folder. Remember that you can always check the parish web site Religious Education tab for postings of the latest RE NEWS! Please pay special attention to our Drop-Off and Pick-Up Policies and Procedures, our Absentee Policy, and our Early Dismissal Policy found in our handbook. These policies were written for the protection of all of our children. Please be aware and follow them for the safety of all of us, including our parent parking patrol! Thank you for choosing the St. Cletus Religious Education Program for your child. May our community grow as we worship, learn, and celebrate the Good News of the Gospel together. Peace, Mrs. Paulette Bolton 1

7 St. Cletus Religious Education Office 700 West 55 th Street, Room 105 La Grange, Illinois (708) Fax (708) Web site: Director: Mrs. Paulette Bolton Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Barbara Campbell Office Hours: Tues., Wed., Thurs. - 9:00 AM 3:00 PM (Evening appointments are available by calling the office.) Sunday - 8:30 AM 1:00 PM Monday (class dates only) - 9:00 AM 7:30 PM The Office is CLOSED on Fridays and Saturdays. Catechetical Mission Statement We the members of the St. Cletus Parish Religious Education Program are part of the St. Cletus Parish Family who assist parents as they teach, practice and pass on the faith to their children attending the public schools. We strive to build a feeling of unity and belonging to our parish family through prayer services, liturgies, sacramental preparation and celebration, service experiences and classroom instruction and discussion. 2

8 THE CATECHISTS The catechists engage in a sacred task, built on the Catholic tradition, enriched and enlivened by the lives and examples of faithful Catholics to assist parents in their role as educators of the faith. We are called to a ministry that helps our parents and children experience a sense of belonging to our faith community. The St. Cletus Catechetical Ministry seeks to teach children from early childhood through eighth grade. We conduct Religious Education classes for the non-parochial school children of St. Cletus Parish in grades 1 6 on Sunday mornings (9:15 10:45 AM) and on Monday evenings (6:00 7:30 PM). Seventh and eighth grade students gather at 10:45 AM on Sunday mornings for Mass followed by instruction. Pre-school classes are held for children ages 3 5 from 9:30 to 10:30 AM Sunday mornings. 3

9 Becoming A Catechist Parents are encouraged to become involved in our program. If you are interested in becoming a Catechist, a substitute Catechist or office helper, please call the Religious Education Office at (708) Training is available for all new catechists. Ongoing faith development and formation are open to all catechists. All volunteer catechists, aides, office helpers, etc. must have an application on file in the religious education office, a background check completed, AND attend a Protecting God s Children Workshop required by the Archdiocese. As an additional form of Protection for our children, we participate in the Child Protection Program (Child Lures) which presents to students at appropriate age levels strategies to protect and defend themselves from strangers. If a parent does not want his/her child to participate in this once a year session, the parent MUST notify the director and fill out a Safe Environment Training for Children Parental Declination form which will be placed in your child s folder. Communications You are always welcome to call us with questions you may have. A telephone answering machine will take 4

10 your call when we are unable to do so. Your call is important to us and we will answer it as soon as possible. Information concerning the Religious Education Program frequently appears in our parish bulletin and on our Web site at Announcements and notices are sent home electronically or by catechist notes which appear in your child s religious education folder. Please check your child s religious education folder WEEKLY to stay advised of what is happening in class and in the program. During the school day, for security reasons, please enter the building using the school office door (painted with a red apple) near Morrissey Hall or the flagpole door by ringing the doorbell #3 located near the drop box. When school is not in session and the Religious Education Center is open, please use the flagpole entrance and ring the doorbell #3. It is best to call ahead to be sure someone will be available to assist you. The Catechists and Director are generally not available for conferences during class hours. Please schedule appointments to discuss any concerns you might want to address. 5

11 STUDENT FOLDERS AND TOTE BAGS Parent correspondence, flyers about upcoming events, and program information will be sent home in the religious education folder via the Oldest or Only student of each family. Parents are asked to check the folder after each session and return it empty of notes for the next class. The empty folder indicates you have received and read the materials enclosed. 6

12 About Our Program Grades 1 8 The Religious Education program seeks to support parents in their role as primary religious educators. Parents put faith into action by modeling the Christian lifestyle and by living Gospel values. Parents are expected to work with their children, not only by modeling faith, but also by reviewing the lesson taught in class and by helping the children with any homework a Catechist may have assigned. Parents are encouraged to attend Mass with their children, take time to pray with their children and help them learn the content for their grade level. Attendance at class is not a substitute for participation at Mass. In the classroom, catechists draw upon the students experience of faith and help the students reflect on those experiences in the light of the Scriptures and teachings of the church. They seek to build small Christian communities within the classrooms, enabling the students to share their faith and grow in it. During the year, opportunities are provided for the students to participate in prayer, service and liturgical experiences. 7

13 Students are expected to bring their textbooks and folders to each class. Students in grades 1 6 are also expected to bring their Bibles. Students who have lost their Bibles or textbooks, may order them from the Religious Education office. A $15.00 fee will be charged for a replacement Bible or textbook. About Our Curriculum Alive in Christ Our Sunday Visitor Grades 1 6 The Alive in Christ series is a holistic series of educating children in the Catholic Faith based on Scripture, the Liturgical Year, and Catholic Doctrine, including the Catholic Social Teachings. An interactive Web site supports each grade level. Please use this great tool for learning at Grade 2 students will use additional textbooks on Reconciliation and Eucharist in the months prior to the reception of those sacraments. Grade 8 students will use additional text on Confirmation in preparation for the reception of that sacrament.. Detailed descriptions of topics covered in each grade level are listed below. These include the major areas of concentration for each grade level. Alive in Christ is a spiraling curriculum, which means that every year the themes repeat but the material covered deepens as the students understanding matures. 8

14 The focus of 1 st Grade in RE is on the theme of Jesus Christ. The children are taught that God, our Creator, made each person special. They will learn that Jesus, the Son of God, is our friend and brother, and that He is human just as we are. They also learn that the Holy Spirit is our source of strength, peace and joy. The first grade children begin to learn that they belong to the Church through the sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist. The focus of 2 nd Grade in RE is on the theme of preparing for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. In Second Grade each lesson presented to the children has at its core, the love of Jesus Christ. The children will grow in relationship with the Trinity as they see God presented as a loving Father who forgives them, Jesus as one who gives us the gift of himself, and the Holy Spirit as one who calls us to serve others. The children learn about the Church rules for living a life of love, the Sacraments and everlasting life. The children who have prepared for two years will receive the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. The focus of 3 rd grade in RE is on the theme of the Church. Children will learn how our Catholic Church is universal and worldwide, and how it is organized. We are the community of baptized Christians who believe in God and follow Jesus with the help of the Holy Spirit. We will also focus on our parish community, and learn how to build missionary mindfulness by talking about the work of the Church in various parts of the world and how our faith is expressed among diverse cultures. We will learn how together in the Church, we are the Body of Christ, with Jesus as the head. 9

15 The focus of 4 th Grade in RE is on the theme of the Moral Life. Children will learn what is means to be a disciple of Jesus, how they are called to live their lives. Children will learn about making choices especially in moral dilemmas that they are faced with every day. God gives us grace, the Ten Commandments, and the Church to help us make good choices and deepen our relationship with him. Knowing and understanding God s laws will help us to strengthen our conscience and assist them in making good decisions. Jesus teachings on the Beatitudes and the Great Commandment will also help to guide them. The focus of 5 th Grade in RE is on the theme of the Seven Sacraments. The children will take an in-depth look at the Seven Sacraments and the Rites of the Church. The children will learn that the Sacraments are signs of the new covenant made through the life and sacrifice of Jesus. In these Sacraments, visible signs and divine actions give grace and allow us to share in God s work on earth. Children will also learn about the Four Marks of the Church and how they distinguish the Roman Catholic faith from other Christian faiths, and bring the Church s mission to the world. The focus of 6 th Grade in RE is on the theme of The Word of God in the Old Testament. This year the children will study Sacred Scripture and begin to connect the events of salvation history. They will learn about the prominent figures in Old Testament history, such as Abraham and Sarah, Moses, David and the Prophets. They will see how God is always faithful to Israel. The students will learn about the connection of Jesus to Adam, the fulfillment of the covenant, the Passover Sacrifice, and the Commandments. Finally, they will 10

16 transition into the early Church, and our collective role in the Body of Christ. The focus of 7 th Grade in RE is on the theme of Jesus Christ and the New Testament. This year is a natural progression from 6 th grade s focus on the Old Testament and salvation history. The students will focus on the person of Jesus Christ both human and divine. They will also focus on the books of the New Testament Gospels, Pauline letters, Pastoral letters and apocalyptic books. The goal is to aid their understanding of the New Testament authors, their audiences and the different emphases they present. The students will examine the role of the Holy Spirit - as advocate, guide and source of gifts and talents. They will discuss why the Church is called the Body of Christ, and why we all have an active role in this holy body. The focus of 8 th Grade in RE is on the theme of The Church and the Sacrament of Confirmation. This year will be filled with preparations for the Sacrament of Confirmation. We will focus on the Trinity, with special emphasis on the Holy Spirit. We will learn how the Church is holy because Christ is holy and because the Holy Spirit lives within her. In turn, the Church helps us to grow in holiness, especially in prayer and worship. As we continue to focus on Confirmation, we will learn that we have a special place in God s Church, using the gifts, fruits and charisms we receive from the Holy Spirit. 11

17 Grades 7 and 8 Confirmation Preparation Program (Sundays 10:45 AM-1:00 PM) The Confirmation Preparation program is a two year process for students in 7 & 8 th grade. The 7 th & 8 th grade students attend the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass. Students may sit with their families or their classmates. After mass, the students proceed immediately to the school building for class until 1:00 PM. 7 th grade students begin a focused preparation period for Confirmation by attending a Commitment Ceremony with their families in the fall of the 7 th grade. They present a pledge to participate in their continued faith formation and receive Service booklets in which they will journal about their service experiences. Homework may be given and is expected to be completed and returned. The 8 th grade students will use the Alive in Christ text, as well as an additional text focusing on the preparation to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Dressing for Mass Just a few simple reminders about dressing appropriately for Mass. How we dress makes a statement about the event or activity we are attending or engaged in. Going to the gym or the beach or a wedding or a dance are diverse 12

18 activities that affect the kind of clothing we would choose to wear. Sports teams, schools (not just private), restaurants, job environments usually require a certain dress code because of what/whom they represent. In other words, a variety of types of clothing fits a variety of occasions and activities. We are asking that you use good judgment in dressing appropriately especially when you attend Mass, reflecting the respect you have for the celebration of the Eucharist where we meet and receive Jesus, the Son of God. Prayer Services Parents and students are invited to participate in our special prayer services during the year. Parents are notified via a special invitation and the monthly newsletter of the date, place, and time of each of our prayer services. All prayer services are held in Morrissey Hall. Please see the class schedule in the front of the book for dates and times. Special Sacraments Sometimes parents bring to us older children who are in need of receiving sacraments. Older children entering our program needing sacramental preparation are placed in whatever academic grade they are in school. During that year, additional 13

19 classes will be held for the preparation of Reconciliation and First Eucharist. We call these students members of our Special Sacrament Program. Sacramental Preparation All students must faithfully participate in formal religious education classes the year prior to and the year of (usually Grade 2) preparation for Sacraments of First Eucharist and First Reconciliation. Older students (beyond Grade 2) who have not received these Sacraments (Special Sacraments Students) must also attend classes one full year prior to their Sacramental preparation year. On occasion there may be special circumstances that alter the situation. Reconciliation In accordance with the directives of the Archdiocese of Chicago, students are prepared for Reconciliation prior to the reception of First Eucharist. This basic introduction is done in the first semester of 2 nd grade. Parents are involved in this preparation for Reconciliation. Students in grades 3-8 also have the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the year. 14

20 First Eucharist In conjunction with the faculty and administration of St. Cletus School, the Religious Education Office coordinates a program to help parents prepare their children for First Eucharist. This preparation takes place in the second semester of 2 nd grade. Parents are involved in the preparation of First Eucharist. The children s faith is first learned in the home. Parents participating in the weekly celebration of the Eucharist set the best example of how important this sacrament is. Continued preparation for this sacrament is attendance and participation in class, on their retreat day, and of course, the celebration of Reconciliation. Confirmation The Confirmation Program at St. Cletus is a two-year program, encompassing 7 th & 8 th grade students. Confirmation candidates study their faith in both small and large group settings, participate in special experiences of Christian community through discussion and prayer, and live out the call of Christian service through various opportunities. Students must have continued enrollment in our program, or have been in another parish RE program to enter our Confirmation Program. Catechist Enrichment Program The Catechists form an active small Christian community within our parish. These adults of all ages are trained by the Religious Education staff and conduct the Religious Education classes for the non-parochial 15

21 school children of St. Cletus Parish. Catechists have an excellent opportunity to share their faith with one another at planning sessions, professional meetings, and spiritual enrichment sessions. Early Childhood Religious Development Program The Early Childhood Sunday Program offers children ages 3 to 5 the opportunity to develop religiously at their own level. Early childhood classes foster the faith of young children within the context of their family experience. All classes meet during the 9:30 AM Sunday Mass, on the same schedule as the Religious Education Program. This program is a separate program with a different fee structure than the Religious Education or Confirmation Programs. Children explore their God-given senses as a 3-year-old, learn about Jesus and His life, and learn they are a reflection of God s love as 4 year olds. By age 5, they have been exposed to basic prayers and beliefs of the Catholic Church. The Early Childhood Development Program is based on Seeds, published by Pflaum for 3-, 4-, and Promise for 5-year-olds. Special Events include a Christmas Nativity Play and a Walk Through Holy Week, along with large group sessions. 16

22 Contact Mary Ellen Staelgraeve at (708) for more information on the Early Childhood program. 17

23 Policies and Information Grades 1 8 Non-Discrimination Policy The St. Cletus Religious Education Program is operated under the auspices of the Catholic Bishop of Chicago, a Corporation sole, in the Archdiocese of Chicago. St. Cletus admits students of any race, color, sex, and national and ethnic origin to all rights and privileges accorded or made available to students in this Religious Education Program. St. Cletus Religious Education does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, handicap, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its policies, supplementary programs or any other program-based function. General Expectations It is expected that each family become actively involved in St. Cletus Religious Education Program and Parish in order to model a living, conscious and active Christian faith and to reinforce the values and attitudes for living that faith. The family and their children also agree to act in accordance with these values and attitudes. 18

24 Enrollment Policies Enrollment in the Religious Education Program is open to any child of a family registered in St. Cletus Parish, who is in grades 1 8. Registration of New Families The grade level of a student entering the program will be left to the sole discretion of the Director of Religious Education (DRE) in dialogue with the parents or child s guardian. Registration Fees The tuition, book, and supply fee for school year is $ for one child, $ for two children, and $ for three or more children in one family. For children in 2 nd Grade, a $50.00 sacramental fee will be charged. For 8 th grade Confirmation students, a $75 sacramental fee will be charged. A three- payment installment plan is available with billing in November, January and March. In cases of financial hardship, a family s contribution will be determined on an individual basis through dialogue with the pastor and the director. 19

25 Registration forms are mailed out to all current families. A non-refundable deposit is required at time of registration. Registration information and forms are available on-line. Class Size Ideal class size is between 12 and 15 students. On occasion the class size may vary. Abused and Neglected Children Religious Education personnel are required to conform to the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (P.A ). Copies of the brochure regarding child abuse published by the Department of Children and Family Services have been distributed to all personnel working with children and are available in the Religious Education Office. All catechists and adult volunteers in our program are mandated by the Archdiocese to have an application on file, a completed background check, and attendance at a Protecting God s Children (Virtus) Training Session Certificate in their file. 20

26 Classroom Policies Classes in the St. Cletus Religious Education Program will be taught in conformity with the teachings of the Church as presented in the General Directory for Catechesis, in Sharing the Light of Faith, the National Catechetical Directory of the United States, and in accordance with the policies and guidelines for Religious Education Programs within the Archdiocese of Chicago. Conduct Good conduct, cooperation, attention, and courtesy are expected during class time. Any student who constantly disturbs a class and who continually fails to cooperate with the catechist and other students within a class, shall be subject to the following procedures: 1 st incident - Catechist will speak privately with the child. 2 nd incident - Catechist will inform the DRE and contact the parent. 3 rd incident - Student, Catechist, parent and DRE will have a conference regarding the situation. On occasion, a Catechist will find it necessary to remove a student from class. In this situation, the DRE will conduct a conference about the situation and enter a 21

27 contract with the student. It is our desire to come to a just and agreeable solution for all concerned. If there is no improvement, in fairness and justice to the Catechist and students in the class, the DRE reserves the right to ask the parents to provide an alternate form of religious education outside of the regular class. Students in the Religious Education classes are reminded that the rooms and desks they use for class are shared with other children within the parish. All are expected to respect the property of the school and other students. Parents are responsible for any damage to or theft of St. Cletus property. Arrival Time Attendance at Mass is essential for all grade levels. Seventh and eighth grade students are to go to the church narthex and check in with their catechists in time for the 11:00 AM Mass. Students are encouraged to sit with their families or catechist. After Mass, go immediately to your classroom. Please be on time so that the entire class can begin promptly. Tardy students do disrupt the entire class. Students in Grades 1-6 are to arrive to their scheduled class no earlier than Sunday, 9:00 AM or Monday, 5:45 PM. 22

28 Tardiness Students who are late must obtain a Tardy Slip from the assistant in the R.E. office. Catechists will not admit a late student without a Tardy Slip. The Tardy Slip is for the safety and security of the students. Sunday students arriving at 9:20 AM or later must enter through the front flagpole entrance, ring bell #3 and report to the Religious Education Office for a Tardy Slip. The back doors will be locked at 9:20 AM for security purposes. Monday students arriving at 6:05 PM or later must enter through the flagpole door and ring bell #3. Students must report to the Religious Education Office for a Tardy Slip before going to the classroom. Security All doors to the building will be locked 10 minutes after classes begin. Please use the flagpole door of the building (east door) to gain entrance during class time, or to conduct business during the week. You will need to press the #3 on the box on the side wall of the building and wait for the buzzer to ring. 23

29 Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures On Sunday mornings, children in Grades 1-6 should be dropped off and picked up on 54 th Street. Please line up single file down 54 th Street. It is very dangerous to use the front doors on Sunday with the Mass schedule and filled lot. PLEASE USE THE BACK DOORS AS YOUR ENTRANCE AND EXIT DOORS. Junior High Students should be dropped off, or enter with their family near the Church s front entrance. Students may be picked up in the main parking lot after class at 1:00pm. On Monday evenings, children in Grades 1-6 should be dropped off and picked up in front of the school building near the gym doors (parking lot side.) Cars should park or wait in the parking spaces provided on the lot. Please DO NOT PARK AND BLOCK FIRE LANES! Closing Time The doors are locked on Sunday and Monday 10 minutes after class begins. You MUST use the buzzer system at the flagpole door to gain entrance. If you are able, please walk your child to your car from the sidewalk. 24

30 Classes FOR Grades 1-6 end at 10:45 AM on Sunday and at 7:30 PM on Monday. Please wait in the lobby to pick up your children on time. Students are expected to share with the catechists the responsibility for cleaning and straightening up the classroom. Students in Grades 7&8 will dismiss at 1:00 PM on Sunday afternoon. Early Dismissal Students ARE NOT allowed to leave class early without written permission from the parent. In case of an emergency, a note from the parents specifying the requested time of dismissal and reason for early dismissal must be brought to the Religious Education Office before the class. This note will be approved by the DRE and sent with the student or attendance clerks to the student s Catechist. The Catechist will send the student to the Office for dismissal. For the protection of the student, the person coming for the student must also report to the Office. Catechists are not allowed to dismiss students from class without receiving written permission from the Religious Education office. All students MUST report to the office to be picked up by the parent. This is a required student safety procedure. 25

31 In Case Of Absence When you know that your child will be absent for a particular class, please notify the Religious Education Office by phone (708/ ) or in writing in advance of the class. All absences on the day of class are to be reported to the Religious Education office by phone (708/ ) prior to the beginning of class. Please be prepared to give the child s name, grade, room number, and Catechist name, plus the reason for the absence and who is reporting the absence. During class time, attendance clerks are on duty and will call you if your child is absent and there has been no advance call. Absence Policy: Students in grades 1-6: Any student who misses more than 4 classes will be given make up work to do with their parents. If further absences continue, you will be contacted by the RE Director to determine options. If the absence is due to a serious medical condition or an emergency situation, please contact the Director of Religious Education to set up an appointment to discuss the matter. Each situation will be addressed individually. 26

32 We want to once again remind you that the junior high classes are expected to attend the 11:00 Mass either with their classmates or with their parents. Jr. High students are expected to attend Mass, all classes and activities, including their retreat day and only 2 absences are allowed. If for some reason your child misses more than 2 classes, it is expected that you would meet with the Director and come up with a plan of action so that your child can catch up with the required make up work. Make-Up Work A student missing a class is expected to do make-up work for the class missed. The student, the student s parents, and the Catechist share the responsibility for getting make-up work completed as soon as possible. In order to be cost efficient, we will try to use contact rather than paper mailings. Please also check the parish website for information and updates. Mail correspondence will be sent to those families without an address. You may always call the office for additional assistance. 27

33 General Information Emergency Closing Information The Religious Education Center uses the computerized Emergency Closing Center to relay information about class cancellation. These announcements can be heard on the following stations: AM Radio FM Radio TV Stations WMAQ 670 WBBM B96 WFLD Ch. 32 WGN 720 WBBM 780 When a cancellation has been made, the Catechists will be notified, and they will attempt to call the parents of the oldest child in each family in their classroom. Or you may wish to call Emergency School Closing Information at 1 (900) There is a $.95 charge for the call. You will receive information as to whether class is open, closed, or no information given. Closings will also be announced on our phone answering machine provided we have power and on the parish website at 28

34 Change of Information Please notify the Religious Education Office if you should move, change your telephone number, address, or leave the Program. Lost and Found If your child loses an article, please check with the Religious Education office or call (708) Electronic Devices Please do not bring cell phones, IPods, or other electronic devices to class. If for some reason your child needs to call you, he or she can come to the Office to use our phones. Our class time is very short and we do not want to add distractions during class time. If a student is found to be using an electronic device during class time, it will be confiscated and returned only to his or her parents. Please cooperate in supporting this policy. Right to Amend This Handbook may be amended at any time. Prompt notification will be given to parents from the Director of Religious Education. 29

35 Bible School The office for Religious Education sponsors a Catholic Bible School Program for children 4 years of age through Grade 3. The program is scheduled for one week during the month of June. 30

36 Dear Parent, This is your copy of the Parent Handbook for the St. Cletus Parish Religious Education program for the school year. Please keep this booklet handy for phone numbers and reference. In order that you might better understand the philosophy and requirements of our program, we ask that you and your child/children thoroughly read this booklet. Please sign, along with your child/children and return the lower portion of the page to your child s catechist, indicating that you have read and accepted the policies. Thank you for letting us partner with you in the faith formation of your children. We trust in God s blessings throughout the year. Sincerely, Mrs. Paulette Bolton Director of Parish Catechesis/Formation I/We have read and do accept the policies in this booklet. Mother/Guardian Signature Father/Guardian Signature Student s Signature and Grade: Date: 31

37 Prayer of Blessing: Parents of Their Children Father; Inexhaustible source of life and author of all good, we bless you and we thank you for brightening our communion of love by your gift of children. Grant that our children will find in the life of this family such inspiration that they will strive always for what is right and good and one day, by your grace, reach their home in heaven. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen (Said while making the Sign of the Cross) May the Lord Jesus, who loved children, bless us and keep us in his love, now and forever. Amen. Book of Blessings 32