St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish
Religious Education Program Policies and Guidelines 2008-2009
Becky Hart, CRE, Pre-K – 5th
(307) 637-4009
Office location:
Vicki Yeoman, CRE, 6th – 9th/Confirmation
635-9261, ext. 19
Office location:
Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 7 will meet
on Sunday mornings from
Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 9 meet on
Wednesday evenings from
Conformation Class
The
parish Religious Education Program exists to assist parents in their
responsibility to form their children in the Catholic Faith into which they
have been baptized. The parish, in cooperation with the parents, seeks to
inform the children through instruction, prayer, service, and Catholic moral
values. It is our privilege to be a part
of the faith formation of your child.
We, the family of St. Mary’s Cathedral in
St. Mary’s Parish Religious Education Program is operated under
the auspices of the Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Cheyenne, and Fr. Gary Ruzicka.
1
ENROLLMENT: St. Mary’s Religious Education Program is generally accorded or made available to students whose families are registered in the parish. The Pastor and the Religious Education staff will review exceptions to this general policy on an individual basis. In all cases, the availability of the program to families outside of the parish will be made only when the needs of St. Mary’s Parish have been adequately met.
REGISTRATION: Early registration
for the Religious Education Program will begin during the spring for all
previously enrolled students. Registration will be held in Hartmann Hall,
TUITION AND FEES: The full cost of tuition is expected at
the time of registration. The registration fee for each student participating
in our religious education program is used to cover the cost of materials and
supplies. The cost is $25.00 per student
or $60 (three or more children) per family before Sept 1, $35 per student and
$70 (three or more children) before September 1, and late registration after
September 2, $45 per student and $95 (three or more children). No one should
stay away because of financial reasons. If unforeseen financial difficulties
arise during the year, please contact the CRE immediately. No child will be
denied religious education due to the financial circumstances of the family.
Payment of the Religious Education tuition and/or Sacrament Program fees can be
made by personal check, money order, or cash at time of registration.
Confirmation and 7th grade fees are $125 and due by July 1st , $135 by September 1st , and $145 after September 2nd.
DROP - OFF AND PICK - UP: When dropping off and picking up your child(ren), please see that your child safely enters and exits
the building. The door on the
SOUTH side of the building will be unlocked ten minutes before class begins.
Please arrive no earlier than
CAUTION: PARKING – Only single car parking is allowed on
all streets around the school building.
We have been warned that tickets will be issued to violators. This is
very hazardous to small children crossing the street. Please be aware of children entering/leaving
cars. DO NOT park on sidewalks especially in
front of doors. This endangers the children’s safety should there be a need to
evacuate the building.
Please make arrangements with your child
to go to the cafeteria to wait for you to pick them up if you will be
late. All family members not assigned to
a classroom need to remain in the cafeteria during class hours. Please keep the hallways and stairways
clear.
STUDENT
BEHAVIOR/DISCIPLINE GUIDELINES: The same rules that govern our children's regular school classes
also govern their Religious Education classes. Religious Education is school.
It would be unfair to those who take instruction seriously if there were not
guidelines to keep all classrooms well ordered. We are confident that our
students can show courtesy, respect, and attention during Religious Education
classes.
The following procedure will be
implemented during Religious Education class sessions:
1) If a student is disruptive, the
catechist will address the issue in the classroom.
2) If the student does not cooperate, the student will then be
sent to the Religious Education office.
3) If this becomes a pattern, the parent
will be called to make an appointment to speak with the director and the
catechist. If the disruptive behavior continues, it may become necessary for
the director to remove the child from the program.
4) The director will provide alternative
approaches to Religious Education to the parent.
Students are expected to observe all rules
of courtesy, orderliness, and good manners towards teacher, fellow students,
and building property.
Please note that if there is any destruction of property, the offending child(ren)'s parent(s) will be called and it will be the family’s responsibility to make restitution.
We reserve the right to inspect all desks or other parish supplied areas. In addition, we reserve the right to inspect a participant's personal property when there is reasonable belief that the individual is violating the rules, regulations, and policies of St. Mary’s Religious Education Program.
Other than teacher directed items, games, cell phones, toys, radios, candy, gum, etc., are not to be brought to class. If these things are brought to class, they will be taken away by the teacher and can be picked up after class by THE PARENT. These items will be kept in the Religious Education office.
SCHOOL USE: The Religious Education program is the
second largest user of St. Mary’s School facilities in the parish. We use the school for 60 days for religion
classes, the RCIC program, and other activities and workshops. We can best show our appreciation by
supporting the school in their fund raising activities.
Snow days: Cancellation
due to bad weather will follow the Laramie County School District No.1
schedule. Wednesday evening classes will
NOT be held if school is closed that day.
If Religious Education classes have to be cancelled because of snow/ice storms that develop after the regular in session school day or early Sunday morning, you will be notified by phone, as soon as possible after the decision has been made. Your child's catechist or the CRE will contact you.
We must have Emergency Information on hand: an emergency number -
someone other than the parent or some way to contact a parent, e.g., pager/cell
phone. Please see that this information is current with the office. Please notify the office immediately of a
change in phone number, address, or emergency contact person.
ABSENTEE CODE: Please make sure that your child(ren) attends each and every
Religious Education class, arrives on time, and is ready to begin class
immediately. Since we meet a minimum of thirty (30) times and there is so much
material to be explored and learned, regular attendance is a requirement. All
work covered during the absence is expected to be made up. Please call your
CRE if your child is unable to attend regularly.
If absenteeism is noted to be a problem, a notice may be sent to
the parent indicating that a conference will be necessary with the parent,
catechist, child, and CRE. Excessive absenteeism may result in delay of the
receiving of a sacrament. Therefore, please save all absences for illness
or unforeseen emergencies. If your child must be absent, please call the
Religious Education Office Pre-K –5th Becky at 637-4009 or 6th
– 9th Vicki at 635-9261 before
EARLY DISMISSAL: Our limited schedule means that we must
make the most of every minute of class time. If for some reason your child(ren) needs to be dismissed
before the allotted time, the CRE and Catechist must be informed either with
a note or call. No child will be allowed to leave the building until a
parent/guardian contacts us to let us know a child needs to leave early. This
is to insure the safety and well-being of our students.
HOMEWORK: Religious Education homework is
important. Please see that your child completes homework assignments and SEE
THAT YOUR CHILD BRINGS BOTH COMPLETED ASSIGNMENTS and TEXTBOOK to class.
(Textbooks are sent home at the discretion of the individual catechist.
Homework may not be assigned after each class; homework assignments are given
at the discretion of the individual catechist.) Please encourage your child to
share the lessons with you. At times, homework assignments will require a
parent/guardian signature.
MEDICATION/HEALTH:
Except in extraordinary circumstances, which must be approved by the CRE, the
religious education program or personnel will not maintain or supervise the
taking of or administering of any type of medication. Please inform your
child’s teacher of any health concerns that may interfere with learning. Catechists take great care in giving the children occasional
treats or snacks. Since snacks will be
offered on special occasions, the teacher must have a written note of any food
allergies your child may have.
LITURGICAL EXPERIENCES: It is our assumption that the children
enrolled in our Religious Education Program attend Mass on a regular basis.
Regular Mass attendance is important, as being a part of the worshipping
community helps the student to see how religion and faith are part of daily
life. The students will participate in prayer services on a regular basis as
part of the Religious Education Program. This is not a substitute for or
in place of regular weekend Mass attendance.
It is expected that each family become actively involved in St.
Mary’s Religious Education Program and Parish in order to model a living,
conscious, and active Christian faith and to reinforce the values and attitudes
for living that faith.
It is assumed that families worship with the community of St.
Mary’s on a regular basis and there are many ways for family members to be involved
in the life of our parish, by volunteering for the various ministries,
activities and committees, and financial support of the parish through the
weekly and special collections. The family and their children also agree to act
in accordance with these values and attitudes.
RELIGIOUS STORE: St. Mary’s Religious Books & Gifts
Store is located in the parish office basement at
SHARING TIME, TALENT, AND TREASURE: Working with children is a special
ministry. There are many facets to this
ministry: aides and teachers in classrooms, artists, musicians, dancers,
building administration, etc. If there
is any talent or interest you might have to offer, please call Becky Hart at
637-4009 or Vicki Yeoman at 635-9261, ext. 19.