St. Michael the Archangel
Religious Education Program
Parent/Student Handbook
2015-2016
(Online Edition)
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to the St. Michael the Archangel Religious Education Program. We thank you for allowing us to be partners with you in the religious formation of your children. This program meets the basic level of religious instruction for children in elementary through Junior High.
The Catholic Church believes and professes that “The Christian home is the place where children receive the first proclamation of the faith.” For this reason, the family is richly called “the domestic church,” a community of grace and prayer, a school of human virtues and of Christian charity.
It is the parent’s right and role to pass their faith on to their children. Our role is to do all we can to support, assist, and encourage you as you model a Catholic Christian lifestyle for your family by your love, discipline, and example.
We, therefore, encourage you to make every effort to attend Mass as a family each Sunday, to maintain a Catholic Christian atmosphere in your home and to ensure that your children attend religious education classes weekly on a yearly basis. We also encourage parents and guardians to attend adult enrichment opportunities that may be offered annually.
In the handbook that follows you will find additional information that will facilitate your involvement in your child’s religious education. Please feel free to call the Religious Education office with questions or for further information.
We ask you to carefully read the material in this handbook. Together we can do the best we can to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment conducive to the religious formation of your child.
Sincerely,
Mr. Bart Hipes
Director of Religious Education
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission statement of the St. Michael the Archangel Religious Education Program in cooperation with our families and parish community, is committed to providing experience of faith and knowledge of God through teaching, witness, and service.
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Religious Education Classes:
Classes are offered to students of parishioners in the public schools or children of the parish who are being home-schooled in kindergarten through eighth grade.
Classes for grades kindergarten – 8 are held on Wednesday afternoons from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. Students are expected to be on time and go directly to the gymnasium. Students are not to enter classrooms unless an adult is present.
Administrative
Testing
Informal: Students in grades 1 through 8 are tested regularly on the content of their textbook. The objective of testing is to monitor student growth and the effectiveness of our Religious Education Program. Therefore, students are expected to review lessons at home on a regular basis every week. If a child does not fulfill grade level requirements, a meeting will be arranged with the parents, the catechist, and the Director of Religious Education to discuss the situation. The Director will decide if the child needs to repeat the year.
Progress Reports
Religious formation of the child takes place in the home, church, and in the class setting. Progress Reports for the Religious Education Program only reflect class performance (participation and testing) and homework. They are issued twice yearly, in January and May, to indicate the strengths and weaknesses that the students are demonstrating.
Textbooks
The Religious Education Program provides textbooks to all students enrolled in its class sessions for grades kindergarten through 8. This is done with the hope that this investment will be properly safeguarded. Textbooks will be distributed by the classroom catechist on the first day of classes; students are to write their name, and the name of their catechist on the front inside cover of the book where indicated. Textbooks are to be brought home and back to class weekly. If a textbook is lost, stolen, or damaged, a new one must be purchased immediately.
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Attendance and Tardiness
1. Faithful attendance to all scheduled sessions is expected. A courtesy call to the Religious Education Office is expected to explain the absence. (815-672-5911). If a phone call to the Religious Education Office is not received by 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, absences will be verified by the Director of Religious Education or his secretary.
2. Please have students arrive promptly. Tardiness is a distraction to both students and catechists. It also robs students of valuable instruction time.
3. Parents will be contacted if students are frequently absent or late, for information, as well as ways to determine resolution of the problem.
4. At the end of the catechetical year, students having perfect attendance (no days absent, or tardies), will be recognized and awarded for their effort.
Behavior
1. Students are expected to model their behavior after Jesus Christ who instituted two Great Commandments: “You should love the Lord Your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 11:27).
2. The following are some guidelines for behavior based upon these simple principles:
a. Students properly respect and obey adults in authority;
b. Students properly respect the personal space and personal property of others;
c. Behavior or language that intimidates, belittles, harasses (including harassment of a sexual nature) makes inappropriate references or physically harms oneself or others will result in disciplinary action.
3. In the event a student engages in inappropriate behavior any or all of the following may occur:
a. Parental notification of infraction;
b. Meeting between parents, Catechist and Director of Religious Education;
c. Parent attendance required at a subsequent program class;
d. Temporary removal of student from Religious Education Program;
e. Permanent removal of student from Religious Education Program.
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Communication
v Calendar:
A calendar of all class dates, holidays, and all events for religious education is posted on the website.
v Letter/Bulletin Announcement
Letters to parents by mail, flyers sent to parents through the students, and parish
bulletin announcements are important sources of ongoing communications. Please read all mail and flyers and consult the parish bulletin each week for relevant information.
v Cancellation of Classes/Events
In the event of inclement weather, cancellations will be announced on local radio
station (WSPL, 1250). If the schools in Streator are closed, or if they close during the school day due to inclement weather, it is understood that all Religious Education classes are cancelled as well.
v SchoolReach System
You will also receive an “automated” phone call from the SchoolReach System with information regarding any closures or any other important information.
In order for this system to work efficiently, please notify the Religious Education office (815-672-5911) if there are any changes to your home or cell phone numbers.
v Parent/Catechist Contact
Parents/Guardians are asked to introduce themselves to their child’s catechist early in the school year. You are invited to contact the catechist or the Religious Education Office with any questions that you may have at any time throughout the year.
v Parent Sessions
Parent meetings take place throughout the year for all parents whose children are preparing for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation. These meetings are mandatory and must be attended by at least one parent and the child.
SACRAMENTS
RECONCILIATION AND HOLY EUCHARIST
Any child who will be receiving the sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Eucharist this school year (2015-2016) must have an appropriate amount of religious education.
If the student has a significant amount of absences during the sacramental preparation year, he/she will not be eligible to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist.
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RECONCILIATION AND HOLY EUCHARIST, CONTINUED
All students are prepared in a classroom program for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Parent meetings are held to assist parents in the preparations of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. Sacramental preparation will be part of each class, but parents are expected to review the material.
Older Students/Communion Class
Students who missed the sacraments of Reconciliation and/or Holy Eucharist in the regular cycle can prepare to receive these sacraments in a special, older communion class that will occur immediately after regular religious education instruction. This special class will last approximately 30 minutes and will be conducted in a formal classroom setting. Dismissal for this class will be at 6:30 p.m. Siblings and parents are allowed to attend and observe. This instruction will begin immediately after Christmas vacation.
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation is received in the 8th grade. Those students receiving the sacrament of Confirmation should have already received an appropriate amount of religious education.
If the student has a significant amount of absences during the sacramental preparation year, he/she will not be eligible to receive the sacrament of Confirmation.
Since the scheduling of the date for this sacrament depends upon the Bishop’s schedule, the date will be announced when it has been determined. The students and parents are also required to attend a meeting so that they know what is involved in the preparation. Students must attend a Confirmation Retreat in preparation for reception of the sacrament. Exceptions can only be made by the Pastor. Attendance at Mass each week as well as religious education class is expected. Students preparing for Confirmation must also complete 7 hours each of parish service, neighborhood service, and larger community service.
Students will use a special Confirmation text for immediate preparation of the sacrament as their curriculum for 8th grade Confirmation.
Parent meetings are scheduled for each of the sacraments above. Every family is expected to have at least one parent or guardian and the child attend these meetings, as well as comply with all the established procedures. Exceptions need the approval of the Pastor.
Prayers
Prayer is a vital part of our spiritual life. Students should learn and become familiar with the appropriate prayers for their grade level. Your assistance in helping your child learn these prayers is highly encouraged.
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Safety
Medication
All medication prescription and non-prescription which a student brings to class must: a) Be accompanied with a note from the parent explaining what the medication is, the dosage and their permission. b) Be brought to the office to be distributed at the proper time. Students may not take medication on their own or carry it around with them.
Field Trips
If a field trip is planned for the Catechetical Program, a Diocesan form must be completed by the parent of every minor who will participate. Telephone calls will not be accepted in lieu of the written permission forms. All chaperones accompanying the children must have a completed background check mandated by the Diocese. No adult may participate in any event involving children if they have not completed this Background Check process. All parents are encouraged to complete this Check so they may help in any of our events. For more information concerning the Background Check, contact Mr. Bart Hipes (815-672-5911).
Transportation
Parents will assume the responsibility for the transportation of their children to and from the parish site where classes take place.
Fire Drill
At least once a semester a fire drill will be held, making use insofar as possible, of the procedures known to children from their public school drills.
Tornado Drill
At least once during the tornado season, a tornado drill will be held, making use insofar as possible, of the procedures known to children from their public school drills. A weather radio located in the Religious Education office alerts of storm and tornado watches/warnings.
Visitors
Visitors are not permitted in the classrooms or building during class time. In case of a necessity, a visitor must report to the office of the Director.
Volunteers
Any adult or high school age person may volunteer to assist in the Religious Education classes. Some catechists may request help from parents for certain activities or occasions. We greatly appreciate the assistance of these volunteers. All volunteers are required to undergo background checks as required by the Diocese of Peoria. This includes: Fingerprinting, CANTS check (DCSF background check), and attendance at a Safe Environment power point presentation. For more information, call the office, 815-672-5911.
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Arrival and Dismissal
Arrival
All students in grades kindergarten – 8 are to enter through the NORTH doors on the playground side of St. Michael the Archangel School and proceed to the St. Michael gymnasium.
Dismissal
School Lot:
Parents are expected to enter the WEST parking lot from the Bloomington Street entrance next to the gym. We ask that you park your car in this lot and wait for your students. No parents are allowed to park on Lundy Street south of the school.
The procedure will be as follows: The first two arriving cars are to park in the alley. Cars thereafter are to line up in the order in which they arrive on the lot, facing EAST. This alleviates problems of cars backed up on Bloomington St. All catechists and classroom aides are needed and expected to help monitor traffic at the end of class to ensure the safety of all students.
After the children are in their cars, a signal will be given for exiting through the alley. This will allow you to go either west back to Bloomington St., or east to Park St. No cars will be permitted in the parking lot east of the garage, except the cars of the catechists. This allows parents to stand and wait for their children without worrying about getting struck by a vehicle. Students will be dismissed through the north doors.
No student will be permitted to walk home, or ride their bikes, unless the parents have sent a note requesting permission.
Rectory Lot:
If parents park in the lot NORTH of the RECTORY, they must walk to the corner of Lundy and Park Streets, cross at the crosswalk to get their child, walk back to the corner, and return to their car.
Since there is no longer a painted crosswalk on the street between the two parking lots, parents must walk to the corner of Lundy and Park Streets. The local police department has asked that we follow this procedure so that a serious liability does not occur. A Streator police officer will assist students and parents in crossing at the Lundy and Park Street crosswalk.
Please be sure to inform anyone picking up your child of the procedures for both parking in the school lot and the rectory lot.