Religious Education Program
Policy Statement

(revised May, 2008)

Annual Basis
Registration is to be made each year regardless of student's previous enrollment.

Fee For Parish Families, paid before May 25, 2008. An annual Tuition Fee of $25.00 per student, $50.00 for two students with a maximum $75.00 per family is expected of families registered in Saint Mary's Parish. Parent's Parish Support Envelope Number must be listed for identification and verification with parish records.

Fees paid after May 25, 2008 The Tuition fee will be: $35.00 per student, $70.00 for two students maximum $105.00 per family.

There will be a book fee of $10.00 for each student.

Non-Parishioner Registration Children of non-parishioners will be accepted if classroom space is available in September. The fee for non-parishioners is $70.00 per student, plus a $10 book fee before May 25, 2008. The fee after May 25, 2008 will be $80.00. A letter of recommendation must be submitted each year from the Pastor of the family's parish. Parishioners of St. Mary's may sponsor a child whose parents are not registered members if that parishioner agrees to assume responsibility for the requirements of the program.

Fee Payment Payment of fees is expected at the time of registration. If family financial circumstances prevent payment, the Pastor must be contacted for approval of a waiver.  If the cost is a problem paid at one time, you may obtain permission from the Pastor to pay in increments.

Textbooks Textbooks are the property of each student. They should be brought home each week for study and must be brought to class for every session. Replacement cost for lost books is listed on Student Class Schedule. This expense is to be assumed by parents.

Homework Assignments Homework assignments are to be expected each week and are to be completed responsibly.  Absent students are obliged to submit assignments each week.  Student's name should be placed on each paper and submitted to Catechist at start of session. Parents are expected to become familiar with student's textbook and course of study.

Attendance/Absences It is the student's responsibility to sign in on the Classroom Attendance Sheet upon arrival for each session. Absence from class is to be accounted for by a telephone call from parents. Three consecutive and unaccounted for absences will warrant removal of the student's name from the register.

Promotion Promotion to a higher level will depend upon attendance and/or satisfactory completion of textbook and homework assignments. If more than half of the regularly scheduled sessions are missed, summer make-up work is required for promotion. Unusual situations will be determined by the discretion of the Pastor and Director of Religious Education.

Assignment to a Sacramental Program requires one immediately previous year of enrollment in a Religious Education Program or Parochial School.

Assignments to Level 9 and to the Confirmation Program require the completion of a Summer Review Test that is to be submitted prior to July 15th.

Early Dismissal Parents who wish early dismissal from class for a student must personally come to the office before the student will be dismissed from class. The student should advise Catechist at the start of class that he/she will be leaving early. Students will not be allowed to wait for parents in lobby or parking lot.

Parking Lot Safety Conditions In order to prevent accidents and ease the traffic congestion, it is imperative that parents refrain from waiting in their vehicles in the fire lane at dismissal time. Students in Levels 1-8 must be instructed to wait in their classrooms until a parent can come to accompany them to the car which should be parked in a properly designated parking space. No one should park in front of the Rectory Garage or in the Handicap parking areas.

Conduct Christian conduct, attitude and dress are expected of all students. Hats and coats should be removed upon entering the classroom. Refreshments shall not be brought into the classroom by students without the permission of the Catechist. On occasion, Catechists will offer refreshments to students. If this poses a physical problem for student, Catechist should be advised. Personal property that proves to be distracting to the class will be confiscated by the Catechist and returned at the end of the class unless it poses a safety concern. Care must be taken to avoid unnecessary accidents to fellow students. Running, pushing and shoving are not permitted.

Vandalism Parish facilities and the property of all who participate here are to be respected. Destruction shall be corrected by the offender or his/her family.

Respect For Staff Respect for all staff members is of the utmost importance. Disruption of classroom time because of discipline problems cannot be tolerated. Continued misbehavior will result in exclusion from the formal class. In this event, parents will be given full responsibility for textbook instruction with support and advice available from our office.

Visitors Visitors and/or parents are requested to refrain from entering the classroom area while classes are in session in order to prevent distraction. If it is necessary to see a child during class time, parents are asked to make request at the office. Only staff members or parents waiting to see the D.R.E. are allowed in lobbies while classes are in session. On Sunday mornings parents can wait for children in the auditorium.

Classroom Visitors Children who are not registered in the program are not allowed to accompany students to class. Exception will be made only once and this guest privilege can only be granted by the Catechist. The guest must sign the Attendance Sheet. Students should not bring friends to wait in the lobby while classes are in session.

Illness In case of a student's illness, a call will be placed to the family while attempts are made to make the student as comfortable as possible. In the event of extreme emergency, the student will be transported to the Mercy Hospital. It is important that parents advise of telephone number changes and offer emergency telephone numbers.

Schedules Regular Classroom and Sacrament Program Schedules will be issued to each student in September. Information will also be posted in the Parish Bulletin. In case of inclement weather, Catechists will telephone students to notify of cancellation. It is important to keep Catechist updated on phone number changes and E-mail changes.

Worship It is expected that parents will attend Mass with their children on a regular basis.

Sacrament Preparation Programs Preparation for the reception of sacraments will require the presence of parents at special sessions which will be designated in the program booklets.

Parochial School Candidates Students who attend a parochial school are encouraged - but not required - to attend regularly scheduled classroom sessions. They are required to attend special sessions of these programs as outlined in the program booklets. It is the policy of Saint Mary's Parish and that of the Springfield Diocese that all students celebrate the sacraments in the parish of their registration and not in the parish of their school affiliation.

Confirmation Community Service All candidates for Confirmation are expected to complete a designated amount of volunteer community service. This can be completed during the summer preceding Confirmation provided the project is approved by the Pastor or Director of Religious Education.

INFORMATION TO ALL PARENTS
The Religious Education Program is staffed by a group of volunteers who generously give of their time and talent in service to our parish families. They are not necessarily professional teachers. It is to be noted that Catechists are the secondary teachers of the children. Parents are the primary source of faith development.

Parents who would like to make comment concerning the parish's approach to education are welcome to contact the Pastor, the Director of Religious Education, or the Religious Education Commission of the Parish Council.

Parishioners who wish to serve on the staff are invited to meet with the Pastor or the Director of Religious Education to discuss the possibility.

Back to the Director of Religious Ed.

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St Mary's Parish Community
840 Page Blvd. Springfield, MA 01104  413-739-0456

E-Mail: stmary@the-spa.com

 

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Last modified December, 2004