St. Patrick's Religious Education Handbook & Registration Rev. William Foley, Pastor Rev. Michael Paris, Parochial Vicar Director of Religious Education Michelle Ilagan email: saintpatrickreled@gmail.com Administrative Staff Susan Petrocci & Kelly Weigand 4101 Norbeck Rd. Rockville, MD 20853 301-929- 9314 http://stpatricksmd.org
Statement of Purpose The Christian family is ordinarily the first experience of the Christian community and the primary environment for growth in faith. It is the place in which the word of God is received and from which it is extended. National Directory for Catechesis PARENTAL ROLE IN FAITH FORMATION: The Christian family is ordinarily the first experience of the Christian community and the primary environment for growth in faith. Instruction in our parish education program endeavors to provide our youth with the authentic teaching of the Catholic Faith, building on the "church of the home." This is the sure foundation of a genuine relationship with the Lord Jesus and His Church. Doctrine and Curriculum St. Patrick's uses textbooks approved by the Archdiocese of Washington. Copies of all grade level texts are available in the Religious Education office for your review. In compliance with the Archdiocesan Curriculum Guidelines, students in grades 3-8 will be given a standardized assessment in the beginning of the school year. The assessment will enable our program to be accountable not only to the Archdiocese, but also to you, the parents, ensuring that your child is well versed in age appropriate practices, faith language, and general knowledge of their Roman Catholic faith tradition. Knowing well that faith itself cannot be tested on paper, this assessment merely reflects religious education efforts and assists catechists in their lesson planning. Through our participation in this Archdiocesan initiative, we will be better able to assist our students and you, their parents, in your role as primary educators in the faith. In our continuing effort to create a safe environment for the children of St. Patrick, the Religious Education Program, implements the Circle of Grace Safe Environment Program. This program emphasizes personal dignity as a creation of God and the space that envelops us in His grace. A summary of the Key Concepts that are developmentally appropriate (that include topics of sexuality and internet safety in middle school) may be requested from the office. Religious Education is centered on developing the whole child's Catholic identity in relationship to God. In this respect, St. Patrick's offers a curriculum rich in the following experiences: Students are taught the Gospel truths and values of the Catholic Church rooted in scripture and communicated by the Magisterium and the creed. Students are nurtured in the sacramental life in the celebration of Holy Mass and Reconciliation. Students are immersed in different forms of prayer and liturgy that accentuate the seasons of the liturgical calendar. Students are introduced to a wide array of saints to be looked upon as role models for genuine Christian living. Students are steeped in Catholic traditions, signs, and symbols that encourage a pursuit to a deeper and lifelong friendship with God. St. Patrick Religious Education is a responsive learning community that strives to reach all students regardless of age, development, ability, and life circumstance. Please contact the Religious Education Office for more information on how we can accommodate your particular situation. "Persons who are non-verbal can receive the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation. They can show their spiritual understanding through gesture or respectful temperament." ADW Policies for Parish Catechesis 2013
Sacrament Preparation PREPARATION FOR SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION: Two consecutive years of preparation are required for the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation. First Communion preparation encompasses 1 st and 2 nd grades. Confirmation preparation encompasses 7 th and 8 th grades. STUDENTS ATTENDING CATHOLIC SCHOOL and preparing for Confirmation at St. Patrick s in the spring of 2014 must complete a registration form by October 1 st in order to receive RE Office mailings. Students preparing for First Communion must join the parish First Reconciliation and Communion Workshops. Private school students must complete all RE requirements for Confirmation as well as attend the Rite of Enrollment, Confirmation Retreat, and other special events. CHILDREN BEYOND THE AGE WHEN SACRAMENTS OF FIRST EUCHARIST AND/OR CONFIRMATION ARE NORMALLY RECEIVED: It is important to indicate on the registration form if your child has not received these sacraments. Your child will be placed in a special sacramental preparation class. Additionally, if your child has not been baptized, please indicate so on the form. Sacrament preparation entails 2 consecutive years of class preparation. The second year requires parents to attend special classes with the student. Dates to be determined. Attendance, School Closures, and Carpool Safety Calendar: St. Patrick's generally follows the Montgomery County Public School calendar. When the county schools have a scheduled early release day, St. Patrick's will have class. Please check the calendar on the back for specific Religious Education events and closures. Emergency Closing: Whenever MCPS schools close due to inclement weather or an emergency, our classes will be cancelled as well. Listen to WTOP (1500 AM, 820 AM and 103.5 FM) or visit wtopnews.com) for cancellations. Check St. Patrick s Website at http://stpatricksmd.org for weather related closings. Attendance: Attendance will be taken for each class. It is important that students attend class each week. Habitual absences or a total of three absences not due to illness will require additional homework to be submitted to the DRE. Early pick-up may also require makeup homework. We are unable to switch classes to accommodate other extracurricular activities. It is imperative that students arrive for class on time. Teachers may use their discretion to hold their class past the dismissal bell, if tardiness is a particular problem for a class. Parents are requested to call the office at 301-929-9314 if their child will be absent. Drop Off & Pick Up Policy: When driving in the parking lot at these busy times, please use caution and courtesy. Staff members do not stay outside to meet nor dismiss the students. Drop Off - As much as possible, parents must bring their children into the building through the side doors facing the school. There will be no staff members outside. Elementary students must proceed to the gym to meet their catechist. Elementary Pick up - Please pick-up your child/children directly from their classrooms. Middle School Pick up- It is preferred that students be met in the lobby at dismissal. Students should not cross into the parking lot to find their cars.. Please drive slowly and watch for students, especially in the winter months when the students are both coming and going in the dark. Students must wait along the sidewalk. Please instruct your child to wait in the lobby or office if they don't see your car immediately.
Behavior Policies In order to create a climate where students can learn and enjoy their time in the religious education classes, certain regulations are necessary. Our goal in setting these standards is to help the students develop a sense of respect, self-discipline, and responsibility to themselves and others. As always, Christ's love and compassion is the model we follow in addressing behavioral issues. Behavior standards are as follows: All students, as young Christians, are expected to show respect for all catechists, visitors to the classroom, Religious Education staff and other students. Students are expected to participate in classroom discussion, prayer and activities as determined by their catechist. Disruptive students will be sent to the Religious Education Office. Students are expected to show respect for school property. This includes not leaving trash on the floor or grounds, graffiti on tables/chairs in the classroom. Damage to classroom property must be replaced by student. Students should bring only necessary items to class. Do not bring cell phones, Ipods/MP3, video games, etc. Music and gaming devices brought to classroom, used in the bathrooms or hallways during class time will be held by the catechist/religious Education staff until the end of the class. A parent must come to claim the device from the office. If a student fails to meet the above expectations and his/her behavior disrupts the education process for themselves or others, the following actions will be taken: A verbal warning is given by the catechist in the classroom. If the student s behavior does not improve and he/she continues to be disruptive, the child may be sent out of the class to the Religious Education Office. Students will continue their class work in the office and when necessary, write a letter of apology to the catechist. Parents will be notified. In the event that a student is sent down to the office a second time, the director will speak to the parents to come up with a customized behavior plan. If necessary, a meeting between parents, DRE and student will be arranged to discuss the child s continuation in the program. ================================================================================= SAMPLE BEHAVIOR CONTRACT FOR GRADES 4-8 ST. PATRICK S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS Students will: Behave in a Christian manner at all times showing respect and being cooperative with adults, assistants, and other students. Actively participate in classroom activities and discussions, including prayer. Attend class regularly, and promptly. Complete all in class assignments and homework. Not be disrespectful to themselves or to any other person. Not use language that is rude, offensive, or inappropriate. Acknowledge with respect any priest visiting the classroom, by standing and greeting the priest. Leave all electronics at home. Your signature below indicates that you have read and will do your best to meet these expectations. Signature & Date
Registration Information 2014-2015 Registration forms and tuition are due in the Religious Education office no later than September 2, 2014. Classes are filled as registrations are received. Rather than waiting to schedule religious education around other activities, please make your child s faith formation a priority and schedule religious education classes first. All registrations submitted after September 2nd will be assessed a $25.00 late fee to cover additional shipping charges for textbooks and classroom materials. Registration forms received after September 15 th will be assessed a $50.00 late fee. COMPLETING THE REGISTRATION FORM: Fill out each form completely. Please indicate the grade your child will be in as well as the name of the school your child will attend in fall 2014. All students new to St. Patrick s Religious Education must submit a copy of the baptismal certificate with their registration. TUITION: Make your tuition check payable to St. Patrick s Religious Education according to the following schedule St. Patrick s Registered Parishioner Non-Registered Parishioner $125 for first child $200 for first child $ 25 for each additional child $ 25 for each additional child For registrations submitted after September 3 please include a $25 late fee. For registrations submitted after September 16 h, please include a $50 late fee. First Reconciliation & Communion Workshop Fee of $20: This fee covers additional costs for workshop materials. Confirmation Fee of $50: This fee covers additional costs incurred in 8th grade including the retreat venue, bus, robes, and other special materials and events. Seventh Grade Retreat Fee of $20: This fee allows us to cover in-house retreat expenses including lunch and other materials. Class Schedule 2014-2015 Grade Class Section Requirements K First Second Third Fourth Fifth Sixth Seventh Eighth Special Sacrament Preparation Wednesday 4:30 5:30 pm Wednesday 4:30 5:30 Monday 4:30 5:30 pm or Tuesday Evening 7:15 8:30 pm Tuesday Evening 7:15 8:30 pm Tuesday Evening 7:15 8:30 pm To be determined based upon enrollment This is the first of a two-year preparation for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. This is the second of a two-year program. Participation in 1 st grade religion class is required to enroll in 2 nd grade. This is the first of a two-year preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation. This is the second of a two-year program. Participation in 7 th grade religion class is required to enroll in 8 th grade. Baptism
Dates September 15-17 September 18 September 20 September 22 September 23 September 24 September 30 October 7 October 18 November 8 November 24-28 December 6 December 22 - January 4 January 10 January 19-20 February 16 February 18 March 7 March 15 March 24 April 6-10 April 14 April 18 May 9 May 11-13 Religious Education 2014-2015 Catechist In-Service Event New Family Orientation 7pm Catechist Retreat First Day of Monday Class First Day of Tuesday Class First Day of Wednesday Class Confirmation Parent Meeting 7:30pm 7th Grade Parent Meeting 7:30pm 8th Grade Rite of Enrollment Mass 9:30am Confirmation Retreat (whole day) RE CLOSED - Thanksgiving Break First Reconciliation Workshop and 2nd Grade Meeting (TBD) Christmas Break First Reconciliation (2nd grade) 10:30am RE Closed - MLK Holiday and MCPS Professional Day RE Closed - President's Day Ash Wednesday Mass 4:30pm 7th Grade Retreat (whole day) St. Patrick Family Day (Sunday) Seder (6th grade) 7:15pm Easter Break 7th Grade Parent-Student Encounter 7:15pm First Communion Workshop (TBD) First Communion 10:30am & 2:00pm Last Week of Class Children s Masses are held on every second Sunday of the month at 9:30am. The Religious Education Office reserves the right to make changes to this calendar as necessary. Notifications are sent through email, folder mail, and the weekly church bulletin. Confirmation Students in 7th and 8th grade will receive a separate calendar with additional required dates of attendance. *CALENDAR MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.