Important Dates for Parents
There are a few dates that I would like you to put on your calendar now, so that you will be available to attend. These dates are of primary importance so that you can be prepared for special events, i.e. sacrament preparation, or participate with your child in long standing traditions of the Catholic faith.
Kindergarten – 5th Grade Program
Back to School Night - K-5th grade - Mon., Oct. 6 at either 4:15pm or 6:00pm or Wed., Oct. 8, at 6:00 pm Sign up to assist with program events throughout the year i.e. serve refreshments for events like Christmas pageant, Stations of the Cross soup and salad, help with First Communion retreat, sacrament receptions, classroom aides, office help, help with Christmas Pageant costumes. K-3rd Grade - Christmas Program Rehearsal – Saturday, Dec. 13 9:00am – 11:30 am - White Pine Canyon Church K-3rd Grade - Christmas Program – Sunday, Dec. 14 1:30pm – 3:30 pm - White Pine Canyon Church Stations of the Cross Led by – Grade 3-5 – Monday & Wednesday Evening Students Friday, March 27th - Old Town Chapel – 121 Park Avenue - 6:00 pm—includes soup & salad dinner Stations of the Cross Led by – Grade 3-5 - Monday Afternoon Students Friday, April 3rd - Old Town Chapel – 6:00 pm—includes soup & salad dinner
First Communion Program
Mandatory Parent Meeting on First Reconciliation candidates. - Parish Center English speaking families: Mon., Dec.1 during class OR Wed., Dec. 5 during class Spanish speaking families: Wed., Dec. 3 during class OR Wed. Dec. 10 during class Individual Student/Parent Conferences - 1st Reconciliation - Parish Center January 6th through January 29th, Times Scheduled Individually First Reconciliation - White Pine Canyon Church Session #1 :Tuesday, February 10, 2009 6:00pm to 7:30pm Session #2 :Tuesday, February 24, 2009 6:00pm to 7:30pm Mandatory Parent Meeting on 1st Eucharist for First Communion candidates. - Parish Center English speaking families: Mon. Jan. 26, 2009 or Wed. Jan. 28, 2009 during class time 6:30pm - 8:30pm, Spanish speaking families: Mon. Jan. 26, 2009 or Wed. Jan. 28, 2009 during class time 6:30pm - 8:30pm, First Communion Retreat for students – Sat., April 25, 2009 at 9:15am to Noon – Parish Center
First Communion Program (continued)
Individual Student/Parent Conferences - 1st Eucharist - Parish Center March 10th through March 26th, Time Scheduled Individually First Communion Ceremony of Lights—Spanish Families Meeting and Rehearsal—Friday, May 8, 2009 6:00—7:30 pm First Communion Mass Saturday May 2nd, English Students—Time to be determined Saturday May 9th, Spanish Students– Time to be determined
Middle School Program & Year 1 Confirmation
Middle School Socials: Movie Night, Friday, Oct. 24, 2008, Parish Center 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Skating Party, Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, Park City Ice Rink, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Tubing Party, Friday, Jan. 23, 2008, Gorgoza Tubing Park, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Stations of the Cross Led by – Middle School Students Friday, March 20th - Old Town Chapel - 121 Park Avenue– 6:00 pm includes light supper
Confirmation Program
General Parent Meeting: Sept. 28, 2008—5:00 to 6:00 pm. Spanish—Parish Center Sept. 28, 2008—6:45 to 7:45 p.m. English—Parish Center Confirmation Candidates: Confirmation classes will be held once a month beginning Sept. 28, 2008. Candidates are expected to attend the Sunday Teen Mass meeting at 5:15 p.m. in gathering space. Class will continue at the parish center where dinner will be provided. Class will conclude at approximately 8:45pm. See Confirmation schedule for more details. Confirmation Retreat & Rite of Calling Mass Saturday, March 29th, 10:30am to 6:30pm, Parish Center, Lunch and Snakes provided. Rite of Calling Mass will be held after the retreat at the 5:30pm Teen Mass. Parents and Sponsors (if available) are encouraged to attend the Mass. Parent Meeting - Regarding Confirmation Mass Sun. Mar. 8, 2009 - 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Spanish speaking Families Sun. Mar. 8, 2009 - 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. English speaking Families Confirmation Mass - To Be Determined by the Bishop of Salt Lake City – Spring 2009
General Information & Policies
REGISTRATION A registration form must be filled out for each family enrolling in religious education. Students are enrolled on a first come first served basis according to received date of the registration form. GENERAL EXPECTATIONS It is expected that each family become actively involved in the Saint 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. Parents are expected to review the Code of Conduct for Minors—Appendix E which can be found on the Salt Lake City Diocesan Website in the Promise to Protect and Pledge to Heal Safe Environment program and policy manual found at www.dioslc.org. CUSTODY ISSUES If parents are divorced or separated, the religious education program presumes that both parents have access to the children unless one parent can provide evidence that he or she has the sole right. If there are other custody arrangements, a copy of such agreement must be on file in the parish religious education office. “This parish catechetical program abides by the provisions of the Buckley Amendment with respect to the rights of non-custodial parents. In the absence of a court order to the contrary, we will provide the non-custodial parent with unofficial copies of records. If there is a court order specifying that ther is to be no information given, it is the responsibility of the custodial parent to provide the catechetical leader with an official copy of the court order.” TUITION Tuition is $50.00 per child and $125.00 per family of three or more children and is due by October 1 payable to Saint Mary’s of the Assumption Catholic Church LLC. The funds are used to purchase students’ texts, workbooks, art supplies and other materials used by students during the year. It also supplies teaching manuals and other resources used by the volunteer catechists to enrich their own background and to increase their teaching effectiveness. Spread out over the course of a year, religious education costs each family less than $2.00 per week per child. SACRAMENT FEES Students preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and First Communion will be charged a $35.00 for program materials. The Confirmation fee for Year 2 students is $65.00 and includes program materials, retreat materials and Sunday evening dinners.
SCHOLARSHIPS No one should remain away from religious education classes because of an inability to pay the full tuition. Pay what you can, or pay half the tuition now and the rest after the first of the year. Please contact Sandy Foley to request a scholarship or if you have any questions or concerns, at 649-9676. ABSENTEEISM It is helpful if you call the Religious Education Office at 649-9676 and leave word for your child’s catechist when he or she will be absent from class .If a child is absent for two consecutive weeks, with no contact from the parent, the religious education office with contact the family. DISCIPLINE POLICY “Reverence, Respect, Responsibility— All behavior should be guided by reverence for life, respect for self, others and property, and taking responsibility for one’s actions.” “Behavior standards should encourage self-discipline, create an atmosphere based on love, respect and cooperation, and provide a safe, positive and well-ordered environment.” (Pastoral Directives) The diocesan Safe Environment Program contains a full discussion of acceptable and unacceptable practices and should be used as a guiding document for the catechetical program. The following behaviors do not contribute to a safe, respectful Christian environment and will not be tolerated: • Causing physical harm (fighting, throwing objects, using drugs, weapons etc.) • Causing psychological harm (intimidation, threats, etc.) • Using a tone or gesture of disrespect or that is abusive (profanity, harassment, etc.) • Showing disrespect to property (vandalism, theft, etc.) • Demonstrating behavior that is out of control (being unreasonable, repeated violations, unwillingness to change.) • Harassing others (verbal abuse, bullying, inappropriate touching, etc.) • Being dishonest (lying, cheating, stealing etc.) When a student is disrespectful to a teacher, or disruptive to the class, we follow-up by: 1. Giving the student a verbal warning; 2. Separate the student from the situation within the classroom; 3. Separate the student from the classroom by sending the student to the office with their book; students may be asked to write an apology to the class and Catechist. 4. Second trip to the office, the student will be asked to write a letter to parents explaining why they were removed from the class; 5. Third trip to the office, the parents will be called in for a meeting with the teacher and director; 6. And lastly, if necessary, a parent will be asked to attend class with the child.
ATTENDANCE The total amount of class time for each K-5 student for the year is about 28 hours and grade 6 - Pre-Confirmation is about 18 hours. It represents only a small percentage of the child’s time in relation to school, sports and other activities. It means we need to accomplish a great deal in a short time. To miss a class is to miss the opportunity to remember and build on the previous class. Please make every effort to see that your child attends every class. Students enrolled in 2 year sacrament preparation classes are expected to attend all classes unless they are sick. Excessive absenteeism will cause a student to remain in the current year of preparation in the following year. ILLNESS/STUDENT MEDICATIONS In case of illness, the student should ask the catechist permission to leave the classroom. The student should report to the DRE or Coordinator and telephone home. Parents will be called if the child is too ill to telephone. Students will not be granted permission to leave the classroom and rive home unless permission has been granted by the parents via written notification in advance. No medications may be administered by catechists unless specific guidelines are provided by the parents in advance. HOLIDAYS St. Mary’s Religious Education Program will honor the major holidays of the Park City School District. The Religious Education Program may be in session on some days that the school is not in session, i.e. Teachers’ Work Days. Please refer to the Calendar if you have any questions. BAD WEATHER POLICY If the Park City School District cancels classes due to inclement weather, St. Mary’s Religious Education will also cancel classes. However, if a heavy snow begins in late afternoon, St. Mary’s will have KPCW (local Radio 91.1FM or 88.1FM) announce cancelled classes and you will also receive a call(s) from your students’ Catechist notifying you of cancelled classes. ACCIDENTS Any accident that occurs during the catechetical classes or is brought to the attention of the staff, must be reported to the DRE or Coordinator and the parents immediately. Catechists should fill out an accident report form for the DRE. DRUGS, ALCOHOL, TOBACCO It is illegal for any person under the age of 21 to furnish, possess or sell any controlled substance drugs or alcohol in the State of Utah. Tobacco possession or use in prohibited by law for persons under the age of 19. Any student caught in possession of or using any of the substances listed above may be expelled from the religious education program and may be subject to prosecution by the authorities. The Church acknowledges the seriousness of the drug problem among youth and desires to take a pastoral approach toward these issues. FIREAMRS, WEAPONS, CONTRABAND Students may not possess firearms or other weapons. Contraband includes weapons, illegal drug paraphernalia, or other items that could be dangerous to self or others or are prohibited by diocesan policy. If a catechist suspects that a person possess such an item, the catechist will notify the DRE or Coordinator immediately. For the protection of all, the parish maintain the right to search the person on site and to search the possessions of any student who is reasonably suspected of possession of dangerous items. In the case of such possession, the parents will be notified and the proper law enforcement authorities may be called.
CELL PHONES Students carrying cell phones should turn off the cell phones upon entering class. Parents can call the parish offices to contact their students in the event of an emergency. Catechists may remove cell phones and hold to the end of class if necessary. FIELD TRIPS & SOCIAL EVENTS Parents must complete and return a field trip and or consent forms. Telephone calls will not be permitted instead of written permission forms. Appropriate behavior as outlines in the parentstudent handbook is expected during the field trip or social event. The DRE, Coordinator and Catechists will arrange chaperones and drivers (if applicable) for the field trip or social event. HOW CAN PARENTS HELP IN THE PROGRAM It takes many gifts to enrich the religious education program. Please sign up in your students classroom to help in the program . Parents are expected to assist in the classroom. There are many opportunities such as parent helpers in the class room, office helpers, driving for field trips, assisting with refreshments or taking pictures at special events to name but a few areas. There will be sign up sheets available on the first day of class. Any questions, please call Sandy Foley at 649-9676. PARKING & BUILDING ENTRANCE/EXITS There is a separate parking lot located behind the parish center where you will find the West Entrance where all children should enter and exit the building. The traffic flow in this parking lot is one way. You enter this parking lot by driving through the main parking lot, passing the church on your right, until you come to one lane road which circles all the way around the church and leads to the parish center lot. DO NOT enter the main parking lot and turn right to enter this lot. You will be going against traffic and cause traffic jam. DISMISSAL The children in Grades K-2 must be picked up in their classrooms. Children in Grades 3 and above will be dismissed to the parish center parking lot. Older siblings, whom you feel are responsible, can pick up their younger brothers or sisters and escort them to the parking lot. A coordinator will be located at the exit to help children to their cars and direct traffic in the parking lot if necessary. Please be courteous and patient to these folks as they are looking out for the safety of your children. EARLY DEPARTURES Early departure is disruptive to the class and strongly discouraged. If you must pick up your child early, please locate the Coordinator, who will go to the classroom and bring your child to you. CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD This program is geared toward the children from Preschool (3 years old) through First grade and takes place during the 9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass. Beginning in February, those children who are preparing to receive First Communion should fully participate in the Mass and not be ex-