P.O. Box 858, 2300 Kimberton Rd. Kimberton, PA 19442 PH: 610-935-1261 FAX: 1-610-422-2570 Email: dre@stbasils.org www.stbasils.org 2014-2015 St. Basil the Great Parish Religious Education Program Handbook Class Schedule and Location Classes for levels K-6 are held in the school from 9:30-10:45 a.m. on Sunday mornings, September- May. Confirmation classes are held on Sunday mornings and Tuesday evenings. Please see the program and Confirmation calendars for more details. Admission All registered parishioners of any parish in APP210 (St. Ann, St. Basil, St. Joseph, St. Mary of the Assumption) may enroll their children in PREP. Please complete and return registration forms along with appropriate tuition to your home parish (your parish of registration.) Matriculation Registration of new students is held in the Religious Education Office on Sunday mornings in April, through the mail, or at other times by appointment. Tuition per family for the 2014-15 school year is as follows: 1 child = $130 2 children = $220 3 or more children = $300 *A late fee of $25.00 will be applied to all payments received after August 15, 2014.* Tuition covers all materials, supplies, and resources used in the program. Checks should be made payable to the home parish. You may also use Online Giving to pay tuition and fees: www.stbasils.org/parish-menu/online-giving Financial aid may be available for those families that can demonstrate a true need. The DRE in consultation with the Pastor makes decisions regarding financial aid.
2 Attendance Policy Thirty hours of religious instruction are required by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Frequent absence from class may necessitate having the child repeat the level the following year or complete the class curriculum in a home study program supervised by the parent/guardian during the summer. Our attendance policy therefore is: 1.) When a child misses a class, the parent should supervise completion of the missed lesson which should be returned to the child's catechist at the beginning of the next class. The parent/guardian is responsible to contact the catechist for make-up work. 2.) If long-term absence occurs due to illness or an unexpected situation, parents must contact the DRE to arrange a suitable way for their child to complete the necessary religious education requirements in order to be promoted to the next level. 3.) Children must meet attendance requirements, complete all of their assigned work and examinations before they may be promoted to the next level. 4.) Since the curriculum is graded and presented in developmental sequence, children may not arbitrarily skip levels. If children register with delayed or no previous religious instruction, they may or may not be placed in the same grade level that they are on in school. This matter must be discussed with the DRE prior to the start of classes. 5.) When a student misses four sessions, a letter will be sent home notifying the parents/guardians. (Appendix A) Make-up work will be required in order for the student to remain on track in their current class. Details on make-up work or make-up classes will be provided in said letter. Any special circumstances that may necessitate 4 or more absences during the PREP year must be discussed with the DRE prior to the start of classes. Parents must submit written notices for all student absences. In the case of children who are absent due to illness, kindly notify the office by 9:15 a.m. on Sundays, or 6:45 p.m. on Tuesdays. ARRIVAL Arrival and Dismissal Policies 1.) All students are to report to their assigned classrooms at the time of arrival. All students in levels K-2 must be signed in by a parent or other authorized adult. Children in levels 3-7 may be signed in or out at their parent s or teacher s discretion. 2.) The only doors that will be open are the ones at the gym end of the school building near the classrooms for school grades 1/2; at the bottom of the main staircase from the parking lot. 3.) Students should arrive on time (9:30 a.m.) since sessions begin promptly. Please do not enter the building or drop children off prior to 9:25 a.m., as there will not be adequate adult supervision. Lateness interferes with the lessons and is disruptive. At 9:45 a.m. all doors will be closed and locked.
3 4.) All late students (after 9:45 a.m.) must obtain a late slip at the Religious Education Office before proceeding to class. 5.) For reasons of security, all school doors will be kept closed and locked each morning. Any one arriving after 9:45 a.m. must use the school main entrance in the courtyard for admittance. Please ring the bell for admittance. Anyone not directly affiliated with PREP should make prior arrangements with the DRE to enter the building while PREP is in session. DISMISSAL 1.) Students must be picked up by a parent or other authorized adult from their classrooms at 10:45 a.m.; unless otherwise pre-arranged with the catechist or DRE in advance. Students in levels K-2 must be signed out by a parent or other authorized adult. 2.) Parents must park and walk to the school to pick up their children. For safety reasons please turn off your car while picking up your children. 3.) Students may not wait for late parents outside the building. If you are delayed, please kindly notify the office. Children will wait in the Religious Education Office. 4.) Early dismissals must be accompanied by a written note from the parent. Parents are to use the school main entrance and ring the bell for admittance to the building. Students needing to leave early must meet their parents at the Religious Education Office. Drop-Off Procedures Walking from church- All students walking from church to PREP classes should exercise caution while walking to the school. Please use the main staircase from the upper parking lot to access the school. Signs, cones and volunteers will help ensure the safety of our children. Car traffic flows one way DOWN the driveway between the convent and gym. Please stop near the stairway on the right before the gym. Please drop students off along the inside curb nearest the staircase. This area is marked by signs and volunteers are stationed here. Please leave the far lane of the driveway open for reasons of safety. *All PREP parents are required to assist one Sunday with outside supervision of arrival. Assignments will be made alphabetically and are available to view on the website at: www.stbasils.org/religious-education/prep/outside-volunteer-schedule Your cooperation is essential to ensure the safety of our children! Thank you! Emergency Closings Emergency Closings due to inclement weather or other reasons will be posted on the front page of www.stbasils.org. There will be a NotifyNow email sent to all families. Additionally, you can call the Religious Education Office at 610-935-1261 for a recorded message stating that classes have been cancelled.
4 Supervision of School Grounds during PREP Safety The main school building is locked and supervised by the DRE during PREP hours, from before arrival time until shortly after dismissal time, when PREP is in session (the PREP window ). These times are: Sunday mornings: 8:00-11:15 a.m. Tuesday evenings: 6:30-9 p.m. Access to school building during PREP To ensure the safety of all involved in the PREP program, especially the children attending PREP classes, access to the main building is restricted during the PREP window. Parents should not enter the building nor drop children off before class start time as there will not be adequate adult supervision for children prior to this. 15 minutes after the start of classes all doors will be closed and locked. PREP parents/guardians dropping off and picking up their children at arrival and dismissal are welcome to enter the building using the building entrance at the bottom of the staircase from the main church parking lot or the bus circle entrance. PREP parents/guardians wanting to enter the building at any other time during the PREP window should contact the DRE to make appropriate arrangements ahead of time and enter via the main entrance in the courtyard. PREP parents/guardians coming to bring forgotten articles or to relay messages should come to the main office; classes may not be disturbed for these reasons. PREP parents/guardians may not confer with a teacher or visit a classroom during PREP unless the DRE gives permission for such a visit. Visitors other than PREP parents/guardians including, without limitation, parish and school staff, families and volunteers ( Non-PREP Visitors ), who wish to enter the building during the PREP window must ring the bell at the main entrance located in the courtyard and identify themselves upon arrival. If at all possible, Non-PREP Visitors should make arrangements with the DRE to enter the building during the PREP window reasonably in advance of their proposed arrival time. Parish/School staff should not use their passes or keys to gain independent access to the school building during the PREP window, with the exception of the pastor and principal. Program Transfers In the event that a student will be leaving the parish, please notify the Religious Education Office. Student records will be forwarded to the new parish upon request. Students attending from outside the parish must provide a letter of permission from their pastor or DRE and pay the out-of-parish tuition rate.
5 Discipline Students are expected to show consideration and respect for their fellow students and teachers at all times. Families are expected to honor and support these policies. Catechists and the DRE reserve the right to remove disruptive students from the classroom. Parents will be called if disruptive behavior continues. Excessive disruptive behavior may result in the expulsion of the student from the program. The following discipline policies are in place during PREP at all times: No weapons, alcohol, drugs, or tobacco products are permitted on school property. No cell phones, ipods, or other electronic devices are to be brought into the school. No chewing gum, candy, food or drinks are allowed in the classrooms. No wheeled shoes (ie. Heely's) are allowed in the building. Students must maintain acceptable classroom behavior as established by each catechist. Students are expected to respect and obey the catechists and other staff at all times. Violent, threatening, or harassing behavior will not be tolerated. Grading System Students will be tested on all material covered in class. Weekly assignments will be given at each teacher's discretion and must be completed on time. Progress reports will be issued twice a year; after the Christmas break and at the end of the PREP session in May. Archdiocesan mid-term and year-end performance assessments will also be utilized. Progress reports are compiled from tests, homework, class work, class participation and attendance. Sacramental Preparation Students receive the Sacraments of First Penance and First Holy Communion in level 2. Confirmation in Spring 2015 will be received in level 7. Separate parent meetings will be held to review all sacramental requirements and expectations. Catholic Prayers and Teachings The religion guidelines of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia outline the traditional Catholic prayers that each level should learn. http://archdiocese-phl.org/catechetical/resources/resources.htm Homeschooling Catechesis describes the essential ministry of the Church through which the teachings of Christ have been passed on to believers throughout the ages Catechesis is an education in the faith of children, young people, and adults. (National Directory for Catechesis, no. 1). Home-based catechesis is understood as the work of Catholic parents/guardians who undertake the formal religious education of their own child(ren) for any length of time in their home. Home-based catechesis is a cooperative and collaborative effort between the parents and parish leadership. This relationship helps parents who choose hoe-based catechesis to be a part of the total catechetical effort of the parish and should not feel alone in this task. (National Directory for Catechesis, no. 61). Please refer to Homeschool Guidelines and Contract in Appendix D.
6 Religious Observance The objective of our program is to deepen our children s knowledge about the Catholic faith and to inspire them to live their lives in imitation of Jesus. Our ultimate aim is to encourage our students to PRACTICE their faith. Jesus tells his disciples very clearly in the Gospel, If you love me, you will keep my commandments (John 14:15). The third commandment obliges us to keep the Christian Sabbath day holy. This means that parents and students are TO ATTEND SUNDAY MASS EVERY WEEK; only serious illness or an inability to be physically present where Mass is being celebrated serve as adequate excuses. God gives us 16 hours every week; certainly we can give one hour in return. Regular reception of the Holy Eucharist serves as an important example and encourages our children to practice their faith and to grow into adults with a mature Catholic faith. Additional Expectations Please help to provide an atmosphere of prayer in your home by: attending Mass together as a family receiving the Sacraments regularly performing spiritual and corporal works of mercy Please reinforce the catechists' efforts by: arriving on time for class assisting your child with homework and class assignments participating in family liturgies and parish activities volunteering your time with the religious education program Please contribute regularly to the parish Sunday Offering. The DRE reserves the right to amend this handbook for just cause. In the event of any such amendment, parents will be given prompt notification of changes made. This handbook acts as an agreement between St. Basil the Great Parish and the parents and their children who participate in the Parish Religious Education Program. By enrolling your child into this program, you agree to support and abide by the provisions outlined in this handbook. Parents are encouraged to discuss these provisions with their children to ensure that all parties understand the requirements and obligations of their participation in the program. Program Director Contact Information: Mrs. Erin Gauntner, DRE Tel.: 610-935-1261 St. Basil the Great Parish Fax: 1-610-422-2570 2300 Kimberton Road Email: dre@stbasils.org P.O. Box 858 Kimberton, PA 19442-0858 www.stbasils.org/religious-education
Appendix A- Attendance Letter 2014 7
8 Appendix B- PREP Calendar 2014-15 St. Basil the Great PREP Calendar 2014-15 Sunday Classes 9:30-10:45 a.m. NO CLASSES September: 7, 14, 21, 28 October: 5, 12, 19, 26 November: 2, 9, 16, 23 Thanksgiving holiday 11/30 December: 7, 14, 21 Christmas holiday 12/28 January: 4, 11, 25 MLK Jr. Day holiday 1/18 February: 1, 8, 22 Presidents Day holiday 2/15 March: 1, 8, 15, 22 Palm Sunday 3/29 April: 12, 19, 26 Easter Sunday 4/5 May: 3 Final day of class First Semester September 3 September 5 September 6 September 7 September 21 October 5 October 15 October 26 November 15/16 November 30 December 21 December 28 (WED.) Confirmation parent/candidate mtg., 7 PM in the gym. (FRI.) PREP Open House 7-8:30 p.m. (SAT.) PREP Open House 12:30-2 p.m. First Day of PREP classes. Catechetical Sunday; Blessing of Catechists and Volunteers. Blessing of Pets; 1:00 pm in parish barking lot. (WED.) Parent meeting for First Reconciliation, 7 pm in the church. Mandatory for all first-time families. Mass of Presentation for First Holy Communion class, 11:00 am. Mass of Inscription for Confirmation Class, Sun. 5:00 PM. Bread for Life sale after all Masses. Thanksgiving holiday; NO CLASS. Christmas Program in gym. Christmas holiday; NO CLASS.
9 Second Semester January 4 January 18 February 9 February 15 March 11 March 30 April 5 April 25 April 22 April 26 April 29 May 2 May 3 PREP Classes resume, progress reports issued for 1st semester. MLK Jr. Day holiday ; NO CLASS. (MON.) First Reconciliation; 7:00 p.m. Presidents' Day Holiday; NO CLASS. (WED.) Parent meeting for First Communion, 7 pm in the gym. Palm Sunday; NO CLASS. K of C pancake breakfast, parish egg hunt. Easter Sunday; NO CLASS. (SAT.) First Holy Communion class retreat, 9-11:30 a.m. (WED.) Confirmation rehearsal, 3:45-5:30 p.m. in church (SUN.) Confirmation Mass 5:00 p.m. (WED.) Practice for First Holy Communion, 3:45-5:30 p.m. (SAT.) First Holy Communion Mass 10:00 a.m. Reception following in gym. (SUN.) Final session for all Confirmation candidates. Last day of PREP session. PREP progress reports issued for 2 nd semester. Parish May Procession at the 11:00 a.m. Mass. **Any updates or changes to this schedule will be posted to the PREP website, emailed to all families and announced in class.**
Appendix C- PREP Confirmation Calendar 2014-15 10
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Appendix D- Homeschool Guidelines and Contract 12
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