RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM PARENT-STUDENT HANDBOOK

Registration

 

Our normal registration period begins in May and ends on August 15th. For previously enrolled families, all registrations after Aug. 15th are assessed a late fee of $40. All registrations taken after the school year begins, including new registrations, are also assessed the same late fee.

 

Parents must provide Baptismal (and First Communion if applicable) certificates at the time of registration. If students received their sacraments here, this must be verified.

 

Students who transfer into our program must get an official transcript or report card from their previous parish and give us copies of all sacramental records (certificates) when registering.

 

The school office hours are 8:30-4:00pm Monday through Friday. Please note that the school office might have different summer hours. You may call (815) 722-8518 to set up a time.

 

Tuition and Fees

 

The tuition fee for religious education classes at St. Mary Nativity is $150.00 per child, and $20 for each additional child. All checks are to be made payable to St. Mary Nativity Church.

 

The tuition covers books, instructional materials and supplies for each student. This also includes music, audio-visual materials, and operational office expenses. Tuition is subject to change from year to year. Registration is considered incomplete if tuition expenses are not met.

 

·         Late Registration fee (after Aug. 15): an additional $40

·         Book replacement fee: $20

·         Sacrament Fees (paid separately at meetings): 1st Communion $25, Confirmation $50.

 

Class Schedule and Calendar

 

Religious Education classes are conducted on Mondays from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. There will be no supervision provided either before or after these times. Classes normally begin in mid-September and end in mid-May. Please check the calendar for exact dates.

 

Regular Mass Attendance

 

To help keep the 3rd commandment given to us by God Himself (“Remember to keep the Lord’s Day holy.”) this program will use your family’s participation at Sunday mass as a key element. The Sunday Mass is one of the most important aspects of our faith and we would like to make sure that all our students know that from the first day of class.

 

Each week your child will be asked to share what they remember about the Mass on Sunday with a simple question-answer sheet. They will be asked about the readings, the color of the vestments, the name of the priest, the name of the church, what did they learn, and more. Teachers might pass out an activity sheet in advance for their students to complete during or after the Mass. Students will be graded on their answers and this will be included on their report cards.

 

Program and Continuity

 

Although our Religious Education program begins in Kindergarten and continues to 8th grade, we all know that our instruction in the faith should never end there. Our parish has a Youth Ministry program for teens and young adults who understand the importance of their faith and would like to learn more. We expect all parents to understand this responsibility and show their interest by promoting this growth in knowledge and attending our Generations of Faith sessions.

 

Generations of Faith

 

Each school year we offer 3 sessions for the whole family to attend. As a parent, you understand the importance of your children learning about their faith, but at times you might forget about the importance for you to grow in your faith. For this reason, we have developed a program called Generations of Faith.  Both parents and their children are required to attend these sessions. We will have activities focused on the family and we will begin each session at 6:00pm. Families not in attendance are marked absent, just like missing class.

 

Stewardship and Sunday Envelopes (for St. Mary Nativity parishioners)

 

Stewardship entails using your time, talent and treasure in the care of God’s creation and in the building up of His Kingdom. All our parishioners will receive weekly envelopes at the start of each year. Using these envelopes each Sunday at mass is a great way to teach your children about responsibility in supporting your parish’s needs and the needs of others, especially those who are less fortunate.

 

Report Cards

 

Report cards are issued twice during the school year. Students will be graded on their knowledge of the mass, required prayers, homework, testing, conduct, and class participation. You will also see their attendance status for each semester.

 

 

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION

 

 

 First Communion and First Penance (for 2nd grade)

 

The Diocese of Joliet requires ALL students to receive a minimum of two years of sacramental preparation before they receive either their First Communion or Confirmation. Therefore, First Communion and First Penance preparation normally begins in 1st grade and these sacraments are received in 2nd grade. For specific dates check the calendar. 

 

Parents are expected to

 

·         Have submitted a copy of their child's baptismal certificate at registration.

·         Attend the First Communion meeting marked on your calendar. This meeting is mandatory and for parents only. You will relay this information to your children and assist them in meeting all the requirements listed below.  They can always ask questions to their teachers if they have any. Check the calendar for specific dates.

·         Attend weekly Mass

·         Attend the First Communion retreat with your child at St. Mary Nativity a week before the First Communion ceremony.

·         Attend the ceremony rehearsal with your child. At least, one parent should be present for all these activities.

 

Students preparing for these sacraments must meet the following requirements:

 

·         Be baptized and attend mass weekly with family.

·         Attend weekly Mass.

·         Attend RE classes on a consistent basis.

·         Know all their prayers and successfully pass the question/answer interview held in April.

·         Have completed all activities/homework assigned and distributed at the parent meeting.

·         Attend the retreat with their parents at St. Mary Nativity a week before the First Communion ceremony.

·         Attend the rehearsal with their parents/sponsors a few days before the ceremony.

 

First Communion and First Penance for older students (Grades 4-8)

 

If your son or daughter is "running behind schedule" in receiving his or her sacraments, namely First Communion and Penance, we have a special program designed for them, which will assist them in completing these sacraments. This is generally a two-year program, in which they complete the sacrament of Penance in the first year, and then in the following year, they make their First Communion.

 

Parents must attend the required meeting marked on the calendar. This meeting is mandatory and for parents only. You will relay this information to your children and assist them in meeting all the requirements described at the meeting.

 

Confirmation  (Grades 7-8)

 

The Diocese of Joliet requires ALL students to receive a minimum of two years of sacramental preparation before they are confirmed. Confirmation is conferred in 7th grade.  As a general rule, if a student was enrolled and has completed 6th grade here, they will be confirmed in the 7th grade. All others will be confirmed in 8th grade. Upon completion of the 8th grade, all students will receive their Confirmation certificates and transcripts.

 

We also have an Adult Confirmation program for high school students and young adults. Call 815-726-4031 and ask for our pastoral associate.

 

Parents of Confirmation students are expected to

 

·         Have submitted copies of their child's sacramental records at registration. (Baptism and First Communion)

·         Attend the Confirmation meeting marked on your calendar. This meeting is mandatory and for parents and students. Check the calendar for specific dates.

·         Sponsors also have a list of expectations, which will be discussed at the meeting.

 

Students preparing for Confirmation must meet the following requirements:

 

·         Attend the Confirmation meeting. (see calendar)

·         Attend their normal RE classes on Monday night and complete the 8th grade of the Religious Education program. 

·         Attend all Sunday Confirmation classes: 9:00-11:30 a.m. Classes begin with prayer in the school cafeteria and conclude with mass in the church.

·         Fill out the application to become a Candidate for Confirmation.

·         15 hours of community service before Christmas break.

·         Write a 2 page report on the life of a saint. This saint will become your confirmation name.

·         Write a one page letter to the Bishop, telling him why you want to be confirmed and explain why you are ready for this big step in your life.

·         Attend the last class with their sponsors. Both students and sponsors are required to attend. Sponsor Eligibility Forms are to be turned in at this meeting.

·         Attend the confirmation retreat.

·         Successfully pass the Confirmation interview held during class hours.

·         Attend the rehearsal with their parents/sponsors a few days before the ceremony.

 

 

Policies

 

Regular Class Attendance

 

The Diocese of Joliet requires that students receive at least 30 hours of religious instruction. That is why our students cannot miss more than 7 classes during the school year. Those students who have missed too many classes will be required to make-up those missed classes. They will have to complete a 30 page activity booklet or they will have to option to attend Vacation Bible School here at St. Mary Nativity during the summer.

 

Parents need to call the Religious Education Office whenever their child will not be in class. Call (815) 726-4073. You may also email the Director at dre.stmarynativity@yahoo.com. Phone calls will be made to your homes when we are not notified.

 

Dropping off your children

 

Please park across the street from the school—do not park by the gym doors. Cars moving by the front doors are dangerous. After you park across the street, you may cross the street with your children at the cross walk. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE should you stop your vehicle in the street (Broadway St.) and let your children out or into the car. The police can issue you a ticket in these cases.

 

Punctuality

 

Class time is a very precious commodity in a religious education program. Therefore, it is not only necessary that students attend each class, but it is also equally important that they be on time for class. The front doors will be locked after the 6:00pm bell. Students who arrive late can enter through the school office, where they will be marked as late. Every 3 tardies counts as a missed class.

 

Normal Dismissal

 

To avoid traffic in the hallways and stairwells, please note that there are two dismissal bells.

 

·         The first bell at 7:27pm is for grades 4-8 (the top floor). They will be brought down to the gym lobby one class at a time.  We ask that you stand outside the doors and your children will be released to you and only you. No students are allowed to leave unless you are standing there outside. For the safety of the children, we cannot allow them to wander alone through the parking lot or across the street, especially when it is dark outside. Please show your concern for safety and use the crosswalk.

 

·         The second bell is at 7:30pm. This is for grades K-3 (the first floor). Because of their age, we ask that you go to the classroom to get them. If you have a child who is dismissed earlier, you may have them wait for the second bell outside the classroom and bring their younger brother/sister down with them to you as long as you are waiting outside for them. 

 

·         Please be punctual for arrival and dismissal. We DO NOT offer day care or should be expected to baby sit your children. If in any case of an emergency, you should call the religious education office at 726-4073 to let us know your predicament.

 

Emergency School Closings

 

If it necessary to cancel RE classes because of bad weather conditions or other emergencies, the announcement will be made over the Joliet weather station WJOL 1340 AM and our parish Religious Education webpage www.stmarynativity.com.

 

If it is announced that the Joliet Public Schools (District 86) are closed due to hazardous weather conditions, our school is also closed. If you call the Religious Education office, you will hear a recorded message with updated information. Cancelled classes are made up at the end of the year.

 

Dress Code

 

Children should dress as for church or school. Appearance should be clean and neat. The following are NOT allowed:

·         bare feet, thighs, midriffs, backs or shoulders

·         spaghetti straps and mini-skirts

·         coats, jackets and hats may not be worn in class

·         t-shirts with un-Christian messages

·         jeans or belts with studs/spikes (they scrape the classroom chairs)

·         gang related clothing

Visitors

 

Children (friends, cousins, etc.) may visit classrooms, but must receive a visitor pass from the main office and an emergency form must be submitted and signed by a parent or guardian. Adults desiring to visit classrooms while Religious Education is in session must have completed diocesan and national requirements for safe environment, including participation in the Protecting God’s Children workshop, a criminal background check and written acknowledgement of familiarity with Diocesan policies and standards of appropriate behavior with children.

 

Conduct

 

The time students have for religious education is a precious commodity. Therefore, we request that parents make their children aware that good moral conduct and courteous behavior is expected toward their teachers, fellow students, and themselves. St. Mary Nativity day school materials, especially belongings inside desks, must not be used by religious education students.

 

Procedures for conduct problems:

·         1^st offense:      Catechist (teacher) speaks privately with the student.

·         2^nd offense:      Catechist contacts director of religious education and parent.

·         3^rd offense:      Director, catechist, parent and student have a conference.

 

Disrespect to catechists (teachers) and fellow students will not be tolerated. Repeated lack of respect may necessitate the parent to sit in class and monitor the child.

   

Text Books

 

Each student receives a religion textbook to keep and use both in class and at home. Parents have the responsibility of making sure their children bring this textbook and any handouts to class every Monday. The book replacement fee is $20. Students also receive a prayer book when they register here at St. Mary Nativity. This book includes common Catholic prayers they are required to memorize during the course of each grade. The replacement cost for these prayer books is $1.

 

Special Needs

 

·         Custody Issues: If parents are divorced or separated, the religious education program presumes that both parents have access to the children unless one parent can provide documentation that he or she has sole custody.

 

·         Medication: If a child is usually on a certain medication during the school week, they should continue to receive that medication if his/her behavior will be affected by missing it. The religious education program or personnel will not maintain, supervise the taking of, or administer medication. Parents must administer the medication prior to class or, if absolutely necessary, come to class to dispense it themselves.