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FAMILY INFORMATIONAL HANDBOOK 2014 2015 Parish School of Religion (P.S.R.)
FAMILY INFORMATIONAL
HANDBOOK
2014 2015
P a r i s h S c h o o l o f R e l i g i o n ( P . S . R . )
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Table of Contents: Important dates Page 2
Catechist list Page 4
ACRE Testing Page 5
Attendance Page 5
Conduct Page 5
Curriculum Page 5
Early Release from Class Page 6
Emergency Closings and Snow Days Page 6
Fast Direct System Page 6
God’s Own making Page 6
Inclusivity Page 7
Junior High Youth Group Page 7
Maintaining School Privacy Page 7
Parental Responsibilities Page 8
Parenting Plan Page 8
Prayer Page 8
Protecting God’s Children Page 8
Report Cards Page 8
Restroom/Water Breaks Page 9
Sacraments Page 9
Safety Page 9
Safe Touch Program Page 9
Service to the Community Page 9
Student Appearance Page 10
Tuition Page 11
Violence/Threat of Violence Page 11
Volunteer Form Page 12
Media Authorization (to be signed and returned) Page 13
Promise of Commitment (to be signed and returned) Page 14
Email: [email protected]
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Important Dates 2014-2015 PSR Calendar
Date Day of Week Event Time Location
August 9, 2014 Saturday Junior High Youth Group - 7th Grade RETREAT 2:00 - 5:00 pm Hall C
August 9, 2014 Saturday Junior High Youth Group 6:00 - 8:30 pm Hall C
August 28, 2014 Thursday NEW FAMILY meeting 6:30 - 7:30 pm Hall C
September 2 and 3, 2014 Tuesday and Wednesday 1st Day of PSR Classes 6:00 - 7:30 pm September 13, 2014 Saturday Junior High Youth Group 6:00 - 8:30 pm Hall C
September 14, 2014 Sunday PSR Family Mass 6:00 - 7:00 pm Church
September 17, 2014 Wednesday 1st Grade Parent night 6:00 - 7:30 pm Hall C
September 23, 2014 Tuesday 1st Grade Parent night 6:00 - 7:30 pm Hall C
September 28, 2014 Sunday PSR Fundraiser - Family Painting TBD Parish Center
October 7, 2014 Tuesday 7th Grade Trivia 6:00 - 7:30 pm Hall C
October 11, 2014 Saturday Junior High Youth Group 6:00 - 8:30 pm Hall C
October 14 and 15, 2014 Tuesday and Wednesday Living Rosary (families invited) 6:00 - 7:30 pm Church
October 21 and 22, 2014 Tuesday and Wednesday
End of 1st Trimester - Report Cards/Parent Teacher Conferences - NO class for students 6:00 - 7:30 pm
October 28 and 29, 2014 Tuesday and Wednesday 4th Grade Parent Night 6:00 - 7:30 pm Hall C
November 4 and 5, 2014 Tuesday and Wednesday 5th Grade Bible Blessing (Families invited) 6:00 - 7:30 pm Church
November 8, 2014 Saturday Junior High Youth Group 6:00 - 8:30 pm Hall C
November 11 and 12, 2014 Tuesday and Wednesday 6th grade Parent Night 6:00 - 7:30 pm Hall C
November 18, 2014 Tuesday Junior High MASS 6:00 -7:30 pm Church
November 25 and 26, 2014 Tuesday and Wednesday NO PSR - Thanksgiving Break
December 13, 2014 Saturday Junior High Youth Group 6:00 - 8:30 pm Hall C
December 16 and 17, 2014 Tuesday and Wednesday 3rd Grade Parent Night 6:00 - 7:30 pm Hall C
December 23 and 24, 2014 Tuesday and Wednesday NO PSR - Christmas Break December 30 and 31, 2014 Tuesday and Wednesday NO PSR - Christmas Break January 10, 2015 Saturday Junior High Youth Group 6:00 - 8:30 pm Hall C
January 27 and 28, 2015 Tuesday and Wednesday Grades 4-6 MASS (families invited) 6:00 - 7:30 pm Church
February 3 and 4, 2015 Tuesday and Wednesday 6th grade Parent Night 6:00 - 7:30 pm Hall C
February 14, 2015 Saturday Junior High Youth Group 6:00 - 8:30 pm Hall C
February 17 and 18, 2015 Tuesday and Wednesday
NO PSR - ATTEND Ash Wednesday Service (counts as PSR class)
February 18, 2015 Wednesday ASH WEDNESDAY - Attend Service
Church
March 10 and 11, 2015 Tuesday and Wednesday NO PSR - Spring Break March 14, 2015 Saturday Junior High Youth Group 6:00 - 8:30 pm Hall C
March 17, 2015 Tuesday 7th Grade - Alleluia Baskets 6:00 - 7:00 pm Hall C
March 24, 2015 Tuesday 7th Grade - Alleluia Baskets 6:00 -7:30 pm Hall C
March 28, 2015 Saturday PSR Fundraiser - ART and WINE TBD Parish Center
April 11, 2015 Saturday Junior High Youth Group 6:00 - 8:30 pm Hall C
May 5 and 6, 2015 Tuesday and Wednesday
Last Day of PSR Classes - May Crowning - families invited 6:00 -7:30 pm Church
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Important Dates for 2nd Grade
2014-2015
Date Day of Week Event Time Location
October 23, 2014 Thursday
1st Reconciliation Parent Meeting MANDATORY (childcare provided) 7:15 - 8:15 pm Church
November 8 and 9, 2014 Saturday and Sunday
2nd Grade Commissioning during Masses (child to attend 1 of the 4 masses) all masses Church
December 4 and 6, 2014 Thursday and Saturday
1st Reconciliation Celebration- Child to attend on Thursday evening or Saturday morning TBD Church
January 15, 2015 Thursday
1st Communion Parent Meeting MANDATORY (childcare provided) 7:00 - 8:00 pm Church
March 26, 2015 Thursday 1st Communion RETREAT MASS 7:00 - 8:00 pm Church
April 7 and 8, 2015 Tuesday and Wednesday Bread Baking 6:00 - 7:30 pm Hall C
April 13, 2015 Monday 1st Communion Pictures 5:30-8:00 pm Hall A and B
April 16, 2015 Thursday
1st Communion FAMILY Mass rehearsal (children who are participating the 5 pm, 8 am or 12 pm 1st communion mass) 7:00 - 8:00 pm Church
April 17, 2015 Friday 1st Communion 3 pm Mass Rehearsal (children only) 6:30 - 8:00 pm Hall A and B
April 18 and 19, 2015 Saturday and Sunday 1st Communion Weekend
Church
May 5 and 6, 2015 Tuesday and Wednesday
May Crowning - Grade 2 students to be honor guards: Wear first communion attire 6:00 - 7:30 pm Church
Important Dates for 8th Grade
2014-2015
Date Day of Week Event Time
September 16, 2014 Tuesday Usher Training 6:00 - 7:30 pm Church
September 30, 2014 Tuesday REAP Retreat - Mandatory 5:30 - 9:30 pm Parish Center
October 9, 2014 Thursday Sponsor/Candidate Prayer Service 7:00 - 8:00 pm Church and Hall C
November 15 and 16, 2014 Saturday and Sunday 8th grade Commissioning - all masses (child to attend 1 of the 4 masses) all masses Church
December 2, 2014 Tuesday Advent/Commitment Celebration (parents to attend) 6:00 - 7:30 PM Hall A and B
January 22, 2015 Thursday Confirmation Parent Meeting - Mandatory 7:00 - 8:00 pm Church
February 16, 2015 Monday 8th grade Retreat and Cathedral Tour 10:00 AM Parish Center
March 20-22, 2014 Friday-Sunday Luke 18 Retreat
Parish Center
March 31, 2014 Tuesday
Confirmation Packet DUE - ALL paperwork must be completed and turned in 6:00 - 7:30 pm
April 14, 2015 Tuesday Interviews with Clergy and Religious - Mandatory 6:00 - 7:30 pm Parish Center
April 21, 2015 Tuesday Reconciliation - Mandatory 6:00 - 7:30 pm Church
May 9, 2014 Saturday CONFIRMATION 1:30 pm Cathedral Basilica
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List of Catechists
First Last Name Grade Session
Joan Swofford 1st Tuesday
Jennifer Wyatt 1st Tuesday
Sharon Neuner 1st Wednesday
Catherine Ormsby 1st Wednesday
Patrick Fishbeck 2nd Tuesday and Wednesday
Kim Tomko 2nd Tuesday
Kathy Trueb 2nd Wednesday
Megan Kennedy 3rd Tuesday
Kathy Hicks 3rd Tuesday
Sylvia Kiphart 3rd Wednesday
Kathy Higgins 3rd Wednesday
Diane Golonka 3rd Wednesday
Sherry Huibonhoa 4th Tuesday
Jamie Osdieck 4th Tuesday
Diane Donnelly 4th Wednesday
Marilyn Winka 4th Wednesday
Marsia Ek 5th Tuesday
Marci Brunner 5th Tuesday
Marci Brunner 5th Tuesday
Lynn Crews 5th Wednesday
Sarah Wolf 5th Wednesday
Megan Golonka 6th Tuesday
Kathy Trueb 6th Tuesday
Barb Stettner 6th Wednesday
Mary Ellen Summers 6th Wednesday
Mark Lewandowski 7th Tuesday
Eric Tomko 7th Tuesday
Gretchen Elder 7th Tuesday
Theresa Reynolds 8th Tuesday
Deborah Meyer 8th Tuesday
Denise Hoehne 8th Tuesday
Terry Allen 8th Tuesday
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ACRE Testing Assessment of Catechesis Religious Education Assumption Parish School of Religion will be participating in the ACRE testing given annually throughout the Catholic schools and Catholic schools of religion. It measures common faith knowledge and addresses affective personal beliefs, attitudes, and practices of students in grades 5 and 8. The Archdiocese highly recommends the ACRE test because it allows the program to adjust curriculum and allows administration to understand what students believe about their faith. Only administration at Assumption will read the results. Never will a child’s name be seen on the results. The testing will occur in January of the school year. Parents will be notified prior to testing so that a concerted effort will be made to get student to class.
Attendance Students are expected to attend all classes and activities scheduled for them in PSR. Priority should be given to class attendance and/or the completion of class over extra-curricular activities. If illness or family emergencies keep a student from attending class, the PSR office or catechist should be informed. Absences and tardies are kept on file on the student’s permanent record. If a student is tardy, the parent should walk him/her into the PSR office. A volunteer parent will walk the student to the appropriate classroom.
Conduct Students in the Parish School of Religion are expected to exhibit Christian behavior. All students are expected to treat catechists (teachers of faith), volunteers and peers with respect. If a situation arises in which there is a discipline issue, the catechist will address it with the student. Every catechist has a classroom management plan that will be explained to students the first week of class. If the problem persists, the student will be sent to the director’s office. If there is a second visit to the office, parents will be notified and a plan of action agreed upon by parents and administration will be implemented. Should there be a third occurrence, student, parents and administration will meet and reach an agreement as to change in behavior before the student will be allowed back into the classroom. Parents are encouraged to contact the catechist and discuss an issue prior to contacting the director.
Curriculum Assumption PSR uses the Alive In Christ textbook for grades 1-6. It is published through Our Sunday Visitor publishing company. Parents are invited to use the website dedicated to the textbook: http://aliveinchrist.osv.com. The website offers many different opportunities in which both parents and students can strengthen their knowledge of our Catholic faith. In addition, the 2nd grade will use textbooks Call to Celebrate Reconciliation and Call to Celebrate Eucharist. These, too, are published by Our Sunday Visitor. Students receiving sacraments in grade 2 will be expected to pass a simple exam based on the sacrament and information gained from classroom experiences. The 7th & 8th grade will use various booklets from the Discovery series offered through St. Mary’s Press. In addition, 7th will be required to complete a project on the Catholic Social Justice Teaching. 7th grade is considered a pre-Confirmation class. 8th grade also us the Confirmed In The Spirit (Loyola publishing) textbook.
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Assumption PSR offers many different opportunities for spiritual growth including prayer services, liturgical season activities, family mass, and an addition mass offered for grade levels. Parents are encouraged to attend and participate in all activities.
Early Release from Class If there is a legitimate need for you to pick up your child/ren before class has been dismissed, parents/guardians need to come to the PSR office and sign out the child/ren. Parents will be asked to present a picture I.D. (state issued) and sign the early release book. The child/ren will then be escorted to you at the office. If there is a custody issue, a copy of the custody arrangement should be on file in the PSR office.
Emergency Closings and Snow Days Whenever Ft. Zumwalt school district cancels day classes because of inclement weather, Assumption PSR will also be cancelled that evening. Sometimes this is a great idea and other times it turns out a poor one. However, consistency of policy seems to help most people. If it becomes necessary to cancel classes during the course of the day, you will be notified using our OneCallNow system via telephone and/or Fast Direct system via email. IT IS IMPARATIVE TO KEEP FAMILY INFORMATION UPDATED IN THE FAST DIRECT PROGRAM. DO NOT CALL THE PARISH OFFICE. Along with the OneCallNow and Fast Direct systems, a notice of closure will be given to KSDK channel 5, posted on the assumptionpsr.com website, and the Religious Education office phone.
Fast Direct Program Assumption PSR will be utilizing the Fast Direct communication portal. This will be the main source of communicating with all parents for general information, meeting reminders, severe weather, etc.
God’s Own Making As with all education, the parents are the primary religious educators of their children for chastity. The PSR program assists parents in this role by providing children with the “God’s Own Making” program published by Sadlier Publishing. This is the only chastity education program approved by the Archdiocese. All PSR programs are required by the Archdiocese to include God’s Own Making in the curriculum. There is no physical information discussed in the classroom; the only information discussed will be the teaching by the Magisterium of the Church. Catechists will choose the most convenient time in their schedule to teach the
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classes. Parents will be notified at least one week ahead of time as to when the class will be taught. Information will be sent home to parents upon request. If a parents does not wish for their child to participate in the chastity education program, the DRE should be notified.
Inclusivity of PSR Our program strives to meet the learning needs of all students. Our Inclusion Coordinator, Dr. Meredith Gronski can assist your family as well as the PSR catechist to develop strategies, coordinate modifications and accommodations and ensure that all children feel accepted and are able to learn about our faith to the best of their ability. Dr. Gronski can be reached at [email protected]. You may also contact the PSR office with questions or concerns. In order to provide the best possible experience and opportunity for all children, we ask that you send a copy of the IEP modifications and accommodations upon registration for PSR. We will hold them in strict confidence. This will allow us to serve children so they may reach their upmost potential. .
Jr. High Youth Group
Assumption Religious Education offers a youth group to students in grades 7 & 8. This program is open to all 7 & 8 graders involved in Assumption Parish. Meeting dates are as follows: Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 8, Dec. 13, Jan. 10, Feb. 14, Mar. 14, and Apr. 11. The program is designed to be a spiritual and social gathering in which participants come to know and socialize with peers in their faith community.
Maintaining School Privacy The administration and staff understands that students/parents have access to technology that enables them to record, either visually or audibly, a student of the school or a member of the school staff. Out of respect for the students in our PSR, students and parents are not to publicly post any videos, pictures or audio recordings of students at PSR events unless the student/parent(s) have the express written permission from the school to do so. This includes, but is not limited to, online photo-sharing and posting videos to YouTube or similar applications. Additionally, in order to ensure the privacy of members of the school staff, students and parents are not to record a member of the school staff without the express permission of the staff member. As such, students and parents are prohibited from recording classroom lessons/discussions and are prohibited from photographing or videotaping teachers without the teachers’ permission. Likewise, students and parents shall not publicly post any videos, pictures or audio recordings of staff members unless the student/parent(s) have the express written permission from the school staff member. This includes, but is not limited to, online photo-sharing and posting videos to YouTube or similar applications.
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Parental Responsibilities Assumption PSR honors the parent responsibility of being first educators of their children. Our program is designed to assist parents in that responsibility. Parents are required to read through the chapter with the child/ren prior to the week of PSR unless child chooses to do so on their own. Students will come to class with knowledge of the chapter; the catechist will then increase that knowledge through various prayer, projects, activities, and other growth opportunities THIS IS NOT OPTIONAL – it is a requirement to participate in the PSR program. If your child is unable to attend PSR for the evening, please contact the catechist via email using the Fast Direct program. You may also contact the PSR office.
Parenting Plan If a legal parenting plan is issued by the state a copy must be on file in the PSR office.
Prayer Catholics use rote prayer to engage in prayer with God. If used only as habit with no prayerful motivation, it is not a good thing. Prayer is far more than merely saying a few words – it requires a complete and total commitment of will and a willingness to engage in genuine dialog with the Divine. By using prayer composed by someone else, we have access to wonders and truths of faith discovered or revealed to other people. Enclosed in this handbook are the grade level prayers/facts. In cooperation with our program, parents are asked to practice these prayers with their children. The prayers will also be a portion of the curriculum in the classroom. Many different forms of prayer will be introduced to the students throughout the school year.
Protecting God’s Children The Archdiocese of St. Louis provides the sexual-abuse prevention program "Protecting God's Children" to parishes, schools, and archdiocesan agencies. All archdiocesan employees and volunteers who work with children on a regular basis are mandated to attend a presentation of the program. For a schedule of classes follow the link: http://archstl.org/sep/page/protecting-gods-children. The class is approximately two hours and only needs to be attended once. Every parent is encouraged to participate in PSR; therefore should attend the program.
Report Cards It is in the home that is most influential in a child’s faith to lean to know, love and serve God. While we understand a child’s relationship with God cannot be graded, the catechist will express an objective judgment on the child’s understanding of material, attendance, attention/participation in class, assignments and behavior. Parent conferences with distribution of report cards will be held during regular sessions on October 21 & 22. Report cards will also be given to students on February 3 & 4, and the last day of class for the school year. Reports cards will be held in the PSR office for one month from the last day of
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PSR. It is the parent reasonability to make arrangements to pick up the final report card if the student should miss the last PSR class.
Restroom/Water Breaks PSR is 1.50 hours long. Please see that your child takes care of personal needs prior to leaving home. If students require special consideration, parents should contact the catechist.
Sacraments Any student not enrolled in the PSR program for two years, will not be eligible for Sacramental reception. Students will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the fall of the second grade. First Eucharist will be celebrated the following spring. Confirmation is celebrated at the Cathedral Basilica in the spring of 8th grade. Confirmation is a community program that includes peer collaboration and requires the student to be on campus for class. Any student who has not been baptized or received the Sacraments during the 2nd grade will be required to participate in an additional preparation period. After adequate preparation has been satisfied, the student will be eligible to participate in sacramental reception. Parents should contact the director in the Religious Ed office for further details.
Safe Touch Program Every grade (1-8) will be visited by a trained catechist who will present the Safe Touch Program. This will occur throughout the school year as schedules allow. This program is required by the Archdiocesan guidelines for a safe and healthy environment for our children. It is a school-based curriculum that contains practical, helpful information to help children protect themselves from dangers that exist today. We have information available that will explain the program to you, you need to call the office and request the information. As primary religious educators, you have the option of opting out of the program. If you choose to opt out, you will need to contact the Religious Ed office and request a form to be completed and signed by parents/guardians.
Safety The safety of every child in our program is of upmost importance. It is expected that students will respect catechists, administration and peers. Poor choices may result in the student being removed from the classroom. Some examples of poor choices may be: engaging in disruptive classroom behavior, being disrespectful toward adults or fellow students, using inappropriate language or gestures, or failing to follow the dress code for PSR.
Service to Community Working with the seven Social Justice teachings of our faith, our PSR program will be involved in a service project that allows students to experience the love that flows from giving time, talent, and treasure. Information will be given throughout the year when appropriate. Students who are in the junior high program are expected to concentrate on offering service to our church and community as part of the Confirmation process. Some opportunities will be provided within our program as they become available. It is primarily the family responsibility
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to research and participate in age appropriate experiences. Through this process, students will become aware of the positive affect they have in building a strong, faithful community called Church. All 8th grade Confirmation students are required to participate in a minimum three hours of ushering during one of the weekend Masses.
Student Appearance The following guidelines are designed to maintain a spirit of modesty and Catholic Christian atmosphere in the PSR program. These guidelines are very similar to those used and supported by the Fort Zumwalt School District. These guidelines were developed to clarify some issues that have occurred in the past. Students are expected to use good taste in maintaining a neat and clean appearance. A student’s appearance will be the responsibility of the individual and his/her parents/guardians within the following guidelines:
1. All students must wear shoes, boots, or other type of footwear. 2. Students shall not wear the following:
a. hats, bandanas, shower caps, or other non-therapeutic headgear inside the school building
b. tank tops, low cut muscle shirts, halter tops, midriffs, bustier, spaghetti straps, short shorts, sagging, backless apparel, and pajamas (flannel – knit) – undergarments cannot be exposed
c. clothing, stickers, insignias, colors that indicate membership in, affiliation with, or support of any gang or similar organization associated with violence, drugs, intimidation, or other criminal activity (including rebel flags and swastikas)
d. clothing or jewelry which promotes gambling, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and/or its products
e. clothing with sexually suggestive messages, messages that promote the occult, or messages of a vulgar nature
f. clothing with holes in inappropriate places g. jewelry and chains that may be used as a weapon or that present a safety
concern 3. Dress and grooming will not disrupt the teaching/learning process or cause undue
attention to an individual student. 4. Cell phone & pagers in off mode and out of sight. No text messages or picture
taking. If students do not abide by these guidelines, phone will be given to the office and parents may pick them up after class.
Any changes or additions to this handbook are at the discretion of the director. The director of religious education reserves the right to explore alternative formation education if students are unable to thrive in the traditional classroom setting.
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Tuition The Religious Education office is responsible for the utilities, stipends, salaries, supplies, textbooks and incidentals (such as retreat and additional sacramental preparation costs) that we incur in providing an excellent religious formation program. Because we are so heavily subsidized by the parish budget, we are one of the least expensive programs in St. Charles County. We understand there are many dynamics to family life and employment situations. The religious education of children is our primary goal. If your family is unable to pay the required tuition, please contact the PSR office. Each family will need to complete a form and return to the PSR office to be considered for subsidized tuition. To respect the privacy of our families, this is confidential; the information is not shared between parish offices.
Tuition for this year: If your tuition is $145/year, your payment schedule would be: ONE CHILD If your tuition is $275/year, your payment schedule would be: TWO CHILDREN
If your tuition is $365/year, your payment schedule would be: THREE OR MORE CHILDREN Important: Grades 2 and 8 have an additional mandatory $20 sacrament fee
Monthly, once yearly or bi-yearly payments are acceptable.
Violence/threat of violence Violence is inconsistent with the unity and peace which are essential to living the Catholic faith in community. Violence consists of words, gestures, and actions that result in or have the potential to result in hurt, fear, or injury. Violence will not be tolerated in PSR. All threats or potential threats should be reported immediately to the PSR office.
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Volunteer Form We rely on parents to help out with various needs throughout the school year. Please consider committing to (even) once a month and joining in our efforts to offer an excellent religious education experience for all of our students at Assumption. The only requirement is that you complete “Protecting God’s Children” which is offered throughout the Archdiocese including St. Charles County and Assumption Parish.
I WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER FOR: (Please check one or two) Room Parent Hear Prayers Teacher Helper Other (Driver for Projects, Assistant for Special Projects) Set up for PSR in church (arrive 20 minutes before class begins) Traffic flow volunteer Your name ________________________________Phone number _______________ I have taken Protecting God’s Children at:
Parish name ____________________________ Approximate date ________
Child/ren attends PSR on: Tuesday: Wednesday:
Tear this sheet out and return to your child’s catechist or the office. THANK YOU!
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Promise of Commitment
I/We as Parents/Guardians, promise to provide a religious environment (by example, prayer, and service) for our child/children, by participating at weekly Sunday Mass and by praying at home. In addition, I/We will attend required meetings, help our child/children
prepare for sacraments, review homework, and meet with catechists when requested. We understand the Parish School of Religion
(P.S.R.) is here to assist us as the primary faith educators of our child/children. We take this responsibility seriously and will fulfill the
promises we made at our child’s baptism.
Family Name:
Names of Children:
Signature of Parents/Guardians:
Date:
