As you are aware, it is often hectic when everyone is dropping off or picking up their children from Religious Education classes. It is of utmost importance to ensure the safety of our children and their parents during this time. We are streamlining the traffic flow to support this effort and ask that you please adhere to the following:

Please move your vehicle only within designated areas. No parking signs and orange cones will be set up to guide drivers to their drop off/pick up zone. Additionally, there should be people directing traffic flow, but if there is not, you should still follow the standard flow. We envision a general loop from entrance to exit, in a single file.

Please park, preferably towards the middle and rear, and Walk UpTo Meet Your Child after class. The front rows are reserved for the teachers, who presumably will be the last to leave.

Please DO NOT CUT IN BETWEEN THE SIGNS OR CONES, even if it appears no one is there. Take the few moments to back up or wait (patiently!) if necessary, in order to conform to the flow.

Please drive slowly and with extreme care, particularly with inclement weather. It will be dark soon at pick up time and your cooperation is needed and appreciated.

CANCELATION OF CLASSES DUE TO WEATHER

General Policy:

No School – No Religious Education – Elementary grades 1 through 6

Exception: Junior and High School evening classes

If school has been cancelled there will be no Religious Education for Grades 1 through 6, but if the storm is over and roads are clear Junior and High School classes from 7 to 8 PM will be held.

Listen to WATD/WBZ for cancellations.

Religious Ed Rules!

During Religious Ed I agree to the following:

I WILL RESPECT OTHERS

I will listen while others are speaking.
I will use positive words and a positive tone.

I WILL STAY ON TASK

I will stay in my designated area.
I will participate in group discussions and/or activities.
I will stay focused on the material being covered.
I will follow the directions of youth ministers and core team members.

I WILL KEEP MY HANDS, FEET AND MATERIALS TO MYSELF

I will respect personal boundaries.
I will take turns and be courteous towards others.

I WILL ARRIVE TO CLASS ON TIME

I understand when class starts.
I will be at class, so we can start on time!

FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE RULES MAY RESULT IN:

Receiving a time-out during class.
Being asked to call your parents and sent home for the evening.
Being removed from the program.

ST. JOSEPH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION POLICY

2006-2007

Lord Jesus,
I give you my hands to do your work.
I give you my feet to go your way.
I give you my eyes to see as you do.
I give you my tongue to speak your words.
I give you my mind that you may think in me.
I give you my spirit that you may pray in me.
Above all, I give you my heart that you may love in me, your Father and all humankind.
I give you my whole self that you may grow in me, so that it is you, Lord Jesus,
Who live and work and pray in me. Amen.

The following is a quote from the Rite of Baptism.

God is the giver of all life, human and divine.
May He bless the parents of their children.
The father and mother will be the first teachers of their child in the ways of faith.
May they be also the best of teachers,
bearing witness to the faith by what they say and do,
in Christ Jesus our Lord.

St. Joseph's Family Faith Formation Program is here to assist you in the spiritual upbringing of your child through a unified, structured and spiritually formative curriculum. Our goal is to foster the total personal and spiritual growth of each young person. We are concerned about the whole child; his/her spiritual needs must be met throughout life. We are concerned in "promoting the growth of young and older adolescents; addressing their unique developmental, social and religious needs and nurturing the qualities necessary for positive development." (Renewing the Vision)

Attendance: It is expected that every registered student attend all classes throughout the year. If a child us unable to attend a class please call the Religious Education Office or send in a note explaining the absence. This will constitute an excused absence. If any student misses more than three unexcused absences this could necessitate a meeting with the teacher, the Director and/or Fr. Higgins to determine the continuation in the program.

Grades 2 & 10 are Sacramental years and mandate full participation and attendance.

Classes will begin promptly each week. Please arrive early so that prayer can begin on time. Children should be present for the entire length of the class. If it is necessary for an early dismissal of your child please notify the Director and accompany your child to the car.

Discipline: Teachers and staff members will do their best to affirm students for their positive attitudes and behavior. If, however, students become disciplinary problems, parents will be notified promptly. Improvement of the behavior would be expected in order to continue with the classroom setting.

Safety: The safety of your children is our first priority. All parents in Grades 1 through 6 must meet their child in the safety zone and accompany the child to the car. No one will be allowed to drive through and pick up their child at dismissal. This is not in the best interest of our children.