REP Religious Education Program Parent Handbook & Policy Manual

Academic Year 2019-2020

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM

16 N. BROADWAY IRVINGTON, NY 10533 ccdicc@optonline.net

914-591-7740

Registration – Registration dates are published in the Parish Bulletin, announced via email and at the end of Mass. To register children, in the Religious Education Program you must:

• Complete the registration form with accurate and complete information about each child you would like to enroll;

• Parishioners (individuals that attend Mass at ICC on a routine basis) should be registered with the Parish, by filling out a Registration Form in the Main Rectory Office.

• Provide Special Dismissal Instructions (when applicable); • Payment of a registration fee (tuition); • Baptismal Certificate and First Communion Certificate

(when applicable); • Previous records if child attended a Religious Education

Program in a different parish; • Payment of Sacramental fees (when applicable);

• Volunteering – Our programs are successful because of the cooperation of each family in the Religious Education Program. We ask each family to consider volunteering their services to maintain and implement our many parish functions throughout the year. Such as: teaching, assisting Catechists, Hall Monitors, substitute teaching, Family Masses, helping at rehearsals, Advent, Christmas, Lenten, and Easter activities, Communion and Confirmation activities.

Tuition & Fees 2019-2020

Parishioner Rate Non-Parishioner Rate 1 child $360 $485

2 children $410 $535 3+ children $460 $585

First Communion Fee $60 Confirmation Fee $135

If a textbook is lost or stolen, there is a $20 replacement charge.

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Arrival/Dismissal Procedures - An orderly arrival time is essential to the start of a good class. Likewise, dismissal procedures are put in place to keep the students safe. In both cases, we ask that adults refrain from walking through the building without the approval of the CRE or REP Staff at the School entrance. First, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth graders should enter the school building by the main entrance and wait in the gymnasium until their respective teachers accompany them to their classrooms. The front doors will be locked ten minutes after the start of class for security purposes. Late arrivals will be noted. Successive tardiness and/or absences will be addressed by the CRE. For dismissal, children whose parents have noted that they are allowed to walk home (WALKERS) will be dismissed from the classroom. The remainder of the children will be escorted to the gymnasium where their parents will sign them out. Please do not remove your children from the line as they walk to the gym.

STUDENTS WILL REMAIN AT THEIR ASSIGNED TABLES IN THE GYM UNTIL THEY ARE SIGNED OUT AND LEAVE THE GYM TOGETHER WITH THE ADULT RESPONSIBLE FOR THEM. ABSOLUTELY NO RUNNING OR PLAYING IN THE GYM. THIS IS FOR SAFETY PURPOSES AND WILL BE ENFORCED!!!

Sixth, Seventh and Eighth graders will enter by the front entrance of the school building and wait in the foyer or gym until their respective teachers accompany them to their classrooms. The front doors will be locked ten minutes after the start of class for security purposes. Late arrivals will be noted. Successive tardiness and/or absences will be addressed by the CRE. At dismissal time, the Catechists will release those whose parents have noted that they are allowed to walk home. The rest will wait at the front of the building (weather permitting) until their parents or designated driver arrives to pick them up.

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Attendance – Your child’s regular attendance at Religious Education classes is very important. These classes should be a priority for you and your child. When a child is going to miss class due to illness or other reasons, a telephone call should be made to the Religious Education office on 591-7740 at least one hour before class, or an email should be sent to the CRE at ccdicc@optonline.net, so the classroom teacher can be informed. Unexcused absences from four or more classes could result in a student’s repeating the grade level. Communication will take place between the CRE and the parents when a child is consistently missing, coming late or leaving early from a class.

Cancellation of Classes/Events – In the event of inclement weather, cancellations will be announced via email. If public schools are closed or close during the school day due to inclement weather, it is understood that all Religious Education classes are cancelled as well. An email blast will go out through ccdicc@optonline.net via FLOCKNOTE.

Communications – Our main form of communication is via email and Flocknote. It is imperative that we have correct and up to date email addresses for parents. Also, please be sure we have the correct phone numbers for any emergency contacts. There will be a Parent Meeting in the beginning of the year that parent(s) are requested to attend. A calendar of all class dates, all catechist and parent meetings, special activities, Monthly Family Masses and all events for sacramental programs will be distributed at the Parent Meeting. Those children preparing for the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist and Confirmation will have individual group parent meetings as well. Our Sunday parish bulletin also contains special Religious Education news. Our website www.iccirvington.org has Class Pages set-up for each grade under the Religious Education tab. These pages will contain homework assignments and news items particular to the grade and program. The CRE can be contacted via email at ccdicc@optonline.net or via phone at 914-591-7740. Please feel free to contact REP with any issues or concerns.

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Role of the Student The obligation of the students enrolled in the Religious Education program is spiritual, academic and behavioral. A. Spiritual: • To participate in the Eucharistic Celebration of the Mass on all Saturday/Sundays & Holy Days of Obligation. • To participate in the assigned class Mass during the year. (Grades 1-8) • To lead a sacramental life, frequently receiving the Eucharist. • To try to follow the guidelines that tells Catholics how to love God and their neighbor. Those guidelines are: 1. The Ten Commandments 2. The Beatitudes 3. Corporal Works of Mercy 4. Spiritual Works of Mercy

B. Academic: • Weekly attendance at religious education classes (Under ordinary circumstances, an excess of 4 absences may be cause for repeating the grade.) • Proper preparation for class instruction. • Complete homework if assigned. • Participation in class discussions and activities. • Satisfactory completion of special assignments.

C. Behavioral: • It is expected that in the Religious Education Program the Gospel values of charity, kindness, honesty, respect, sharing, obedience to authority, etc. that are being learned in class should be lived.

• The Program Coordinator and pastor reserve the right to dismiss from the program any student, whom after initial correction, continues to be rude, disruptive, or in any way shows disrespect or continued lack of cooperation with the catechist. STUDENTS WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR

CONDUCT!! Discipline – Every student that attends the Religious Education Program is expected to RESPECT the Church, the School building, the Vic, the Parish grounds and most importantly your teachers and fellow students.

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Disruptive and disrespectful behavior, defacing the building or their contents and damaging property of any kind will not be tolerated. The behavior expected from students enrolled in the Religious Education Program is a combination of Christian values, common courtesy and safety considerations.

The following types of conduct are inappropriate: • Fighting and physical altercations; • Damage to property; • Bringing fireworks or weapons onto Parish grounds; • Defiance to staff; • Use of profanity; • Refusal to complete assignments or participate in class; • Leaving the building during the class without

permission; • Habitual tardiness and absenteeism; • Bullying or intimidating fellow students; • Inappropriate attire; • Cheating; • Gum chewing; • Wearing of hats or the hoods of hoodies during class; • Using electronic devices during class.

Vandalism and damage to property due to misconduct on the part of a student must be paid for by the parents of the student. Accidental damage should be reported to the CRE immediately.

Role of Parents/Guardians – The parent/guardian has the primary and sacred responsibility of educating their child in the faith. Immaculate Conception Parish’s Religious Education Program is established to assist them with this responsibility. Parents are the primary educators of their child’s faith; REP is here to support your efforts.

It is essential to the child’s growth and development in the Catholic faith that the parents/guardians practice our Faith at home. The effectiveness of any religious education program depends upon this.

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In class, the children learn that participating in the Eucharist on Sunday as a community of faith is one of our responsibilities as Catholic people. Therefore, children must attend weekly Sunday or Saturday Mass. The values of parents/guardians become the values of the child. The child receives a “mixed message” when what is taught by the Church is not experienced by the child in his/her family.

Mass Attendance - All REP children are expected to attend weekly Mass, and Mass on the Holy Days of Obligation. Each child will be given a box of envelopes to hand in at the Offertory from which we will track their attendance. These envelopes should be separate from the family’s donations. Any donations that are collected from the children in their envelopes will be used to support our Religious Education program. These donations, however, are voluntary. Our concern here is the spiritual development of your children where the Mass is an integral part of their Catholic education. Each week the REP Newsletter will post a theme or dedication for the Mass. The children are asked to write a prayer in support of that theme and place it in their envelope.

Fire Drills and Lockdowns – Fire drills are held twice a year, and Lockdown drills are held once, following the same safety rules as followed by the Irving Public School district; i.e. silence during the drill, filing out in a single line, and following the directions of the CRE and the teachers.

Lost and Found – All clothing, money, jewelry or any other articles of value that are turned in may be claimed at the Immaculate Conception Religious Education Office.

Transportation – Parents and Guardians assume the responsibility for the transportation of their children to and from the parish site where classes take place. If events take place off campus, parents are responsible for providing transportation for their children.

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Medical Emergency Procedures – If a minor accident occurs (accident or illness) to a student while attending religious education classes, the following steps will be taken:

• The catechist will report the accident or illness immediately to the CRE

• CRE will notify the parent. If a parent or guardian cannot be reached, the CRE will follow the instructions on the Registration Form;

• If there appears to be serious injuries, the CRE will immediately call 911or the local police/emergency rescue squad.

• No food or drink is allowed in the classrooms due to many children having food allergies. If your child has allergies of any type, please state them on the Registration form, so we can make the classroom teachers aware of this allergy.

• An accident report will be filled out if deemed necessary by the CRE.

Basic Curriculum & Objectives by Grade

(based on the Archdiocese of New York religious education model)

Grade 1: Children are introduced to God as the Creator of all things on earth and in heaven. They learn that God is all-loving, all-holy, all-powerful and all-knowing, and that humans respond to him with love and gratitude. Children are taught that each person is created in God’s image and has dignity and value. Students learn of their responsibility to respect life and care for themselves and other people and things God created.

Prayers: Sign of the Cross, Hail Mary and the Our Father.

Grade 2: This is the year that children prepare to receive the sacraments of Reconciliation (Penance) and First Eucharist (Holy Communion). They learn more about the life of Jesus and are invited to develop a close relationship with Him through the sacraments. They understand the gifts of free will and forgiveness through the sacrament of Penance and learn that frequent participation in the Holy Eucharist strengthens the life-long bond with Christ that began at their Baptism.

Prayers: the above prayers, the Glory Be and Act of Contrition. -7-

Grade 3: Building on their new relationship with Jesus through Reconciliation and Eucharist, children learn about living as part of a faith community. They study the seven sacraments of the Church and how God instituted them to bring his people closer to him.

Prayers: the above prayers, the Apostles Creed

Grade 4: The children study basic morality. They learn the lessons and rules Jesus gave his people to help them to be happy and contribute to the well-being of others. Students explore the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes as well as practice the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.

Prayers: the above prayers, the Beatitudes and the Ten Commandments, Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary

Grade 5: Acknowledging children’s growing ability to enter into relationships with others, students concentrate on deepening their personal relationship with Jesus. They study the Sacraments again, now from the perspective of people in a loving, respectful relationship with God.

Prayers: all the above, and an understanding of the Sacraments, Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary

Grade 6: Students encounter the mystery of God through his involvement with people in history. They study how God reveals himself through the Old and New Testaments. They learn about Jesus as the fulfillment of the promises of the Old Testament and the fulfillment of the longings of the human heart.

Prayers: all the above, and be familiar with The Old Testament.

Grades 7 & 8: Students explore the physical, sexual, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual growth they experience as adolescents. They address the challenges they face in developing and acting responsibly. They also prepare for and receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Prayers: all the above, and familiarity with the New Testament and beginning Confirmation preparation.

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Grade 7: The students look closely at the Gospels and study the Sacraments as expressions of their reciprocal relationship with Jesus. They learn about human sexuality as a gift from God.

Grade 8: Students explore how the choices they make affect relationships with one another and within communities. They study Church history and learn lessons of leadership and social responsibility. They also learn different ways to pray as part of the Catholic community and as individuals who give expression to their own hearts.

Homework – Homework will be assigned on a grade by grade basis. It will be given and explained to the students in class. It will also be posted with any links on the class pages on the church website (iccirvington.org) under the REP tab. Each grade will have their own Class Page. If a student is absent or leaves early, they are responsible for checking the website and completing missed assignments. Parents for the younger grades should be helping them.

Testing and Retention – There will be assessments at each grade level based upon academic development. This will involve formal testing, homework assignments or special projects. Home review, in the form of discussions concerning lessons learned, prayer and Mass attendance, is absolutely necessary. The objective of assessment is to monitor a student’s knowledge of the faith. If a child does not fulfill grade level requirements, a meeting will be arranged with the parents, the catechist and the CRE.

Progress Reports – Report Cards for the Religious Education Program reflect class performance only. They will be issued twice a year to indicate participation and areas for improvement. Sacramental Preparation – The policy of Immaculate Conception Parish and the Archdiocese of New York is that a young person who will prepare for any of the Sacraments (Reconciliation, Holy Eucharist, Confirmation) must have had a minimum of two years of consecutive Religious Education immediately before receiving a Sacrament.

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Reconciliation – Parents should be involved in the preparation of their child for this Sacrament. Preparation of the Sacrament of Reconciliation starts at the Second Grade level. Requirements are participation in the Rite of Commitment mass, weekly second grade curriculum in a classroom taught by a catechist, a Reconciliation program that helps children learn what it means to share Jesus’ greatest gift, Himself, know they are forgiven, and understand that they belong to the community of Jesus and mandatory Sunday liturgy attendance. A Parent Guidebook will be distributed.

Holy Eucharist – Catechesis for First Holy Communion is conducted separately from introductory catechesis for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Parents should be involved in the preparation of their child for this Sacrament. As above for Reconciliation, two minimum years of previous religious education classes, already have had their first Penance, a Second Grade curriculum covered weekly in class by a catechist.

A First Eucharist program that helps explain the Eucharist, familiarizes them with the main events of Jesus’ life, helps them to participate more meaningfully in the action of Mass, and to receive Christ’s Body and Blood in communion in an informed and reverent manner, and mandatory Sunday/Saturday liturgy attendance. A Parent Guidebook will be distributed.

Confirmation - As the primary educators of their children, parents along with sponsors are to be intimately involved in catechesis for Confirmation. Requirements for this Sacrament are eight years prior religious education classes; and:

• Participation in the Rite of Enrollment; • Weekly attendance at Religious Education classes; • Participation in class discussions and activities; • Day of Retreat; • Confirmation Name (Saint’s name) – essay on the life of

their Saint whose name they picked; • Letter to Bishop requesting to be Confirmed and why;

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• Christian Community Service of 30 hours that will encompass 15 hours of service to an 8th grade project and to parish activities. The remaining 15 hours are chosen by the candidate on a personal basis.

• Parent Meetings • Mandatory attendance at Sunday/Saturday Liturgy and

Holy Days of Obligation; • Periodic participation in the Rite of Reconciliation; • Passing Confirmation Exam & Interview with Pastor

Safe Environment - The Archdiocese of New York has instituted a Safe Environment Program for all Catechists and students. All employees, Catechists, and regular volunteers working with children are required to complete a background check and training through the Safe Environment program. Children are also instructed in all areas of safety for themselves. No visitors are allowed in the school building. Parents, guardians or authorized adults are only permitted in the gym area for dismissal.

In case of a major emergency, a lock-down will be put into place. A Crisis Management Plan goes into effect at once. The safety of your child/children is of utmost concern.

Special Religious Education – Is a ministry that responds to the religious and spiritual needs of persons with a physical, mental or emotional disability which impairs their participation in group instruction. In consultation with the parents, the CRE will appropriately place each child in a program that will service their special needs and further encourage spiritual growth, if possible. Let’s pray for each other as we participate in your child’s Faith formation. WE ARE HERE FOR YOU AND FOR THEM!! Please feel free to contact the REP with any questions or concerns.

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For the Garden of your Daily Living

Plant three rows of Peas

Peace of mind Peace of heart Peace of Soul

Plant four rows of Squash

Squash gossip Squash indifference Squash grumbling Squash selfishness

Plant four rows of Lettuce

Lettuce bee faithful Lettuce bee kind

Lettuce bee patient Lettuce really love one another

No garden is complete without turnips

Turnip for meetings Turnip for service

Turnip to help one another

To conclude our garden must have thyme Thyme for each other

Thyme for friends Thyme for family.

Immaculate Conception REP