​SAINT JUDE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION


Safety policy for children registered in the St. Jude Religious Education Program


Since the St. Jude school closed, the Religious Education office and classrooms are located on the second floor of the school building. Drop-off and pick-up for all Religious Education students is on the second floor. Our responsibility for the safety of your children starts on the second floor. Since we will not utilize any spaces on the first floor, we kindly ask you to make sure that your children are not directed there.
 
Entry into the building will be through door # 1. Parents of all children are requested to bring their children to the second floor. Parents of the smaller children are requested to bring their children directly to the appropriate classrooms on the second floor. All pick-up for grades K – 8 will be in the children’s classrooms and the authorized pick-up person must sign the children out.
The doors at the top of the second floor will be locked and a dismissal card must be shown at pick-up time to be allowed to enter. After entry, proceed to the child’s classroom to sign them out.

The first floor will be a mixed use floor and children and adults who are not part of the Religious Education program will be on that floor. They will not be allowed on the second floor.

Observing these rules will allow us to provide a safe environment for your children that are in the Religious Education program.



 General Program Information

Children’s catechesis (K-9), which begins in the home, continues in the wider parish community in a more formalized setting. This catechesis incorporates doctrine, worship, scripture, and service presented at an age-appropriate level. All classes are held at St. Jude Parish in the school. Program Policies are reviewed at the beginning of each school year.
 
Our structured Religious Education program is Christ centered and the curriculum is based on the Diocese of Bridgeport’s Religion Curriculum Guidelines. Students are expected to be familiar with the stories of the faith and to know and understand the basic glossary of Catholic terms, prayers, liturgical symbols and gestures for their grade level. This BASIC PROGRAM of faith is a continuous program for Grades K thru Grade 9 (Confirmation). Children missing a grade level are required to make-up the missed grade with their family.
 
CHILDREN'S CATECHISIS SACRAMENT PROGRAM: Sacraments involve a personal relationship with Jesus and an active relationship with the parish community. Sacramental Catechesis and Celebration are the responsibility of the entire parish community. Suitable catechesis is to be given before the celebration of each sacrament. The Sacrament Catechesis should always involve the family. The Family is the Primary Catechist. First Reconciliation is celebrated in Grade 2.  First Eucharist is celebrated in Grade 3. Confirmation is celebrated in Grade 9.
 
SPECIAL NEEDS: This program is created to help our parish children with special needs. The children are assessed and a program is designed to fulfill their needs. Parent involvement is a must. St. Catherine Academy provides support and direction to parishes in the Diocese in developing an education plan for children with special needs.
 
VOLUNTEER POLICY: Our Religious Education Program is dependent on a volunteer network. We ask each family to sign up for three volunteer hours to help in the classroom. We ask Adults and high school teens to volunteer as Catechists. Please complete the registration form section for volunteering and support your Religious Education Program. Please see the over-all Religious Education Schedule, to make your selection. You may select any day or time that suits your schedule.
The volunteer section is on the Religious Education registration form. This form is completed annually so file updating can take place. We ask you to volunteer at this time.
 
 
SAFE ENVIRONMENT: Safe Environment – Help protect all of our children:
« Attend a 3 hour Virtus seminar “Protecting God’s Children”.
«Read The Diocese of Bridgeport Safe Environment Handbook 2015.
« Authorize a Background Check.
« Read and sign off on the “Executive Summary for Lay Volunteers”.
« All volunteers must comply.
 
 
Religious Education Office
All Confirmed Catholics are invited to share in the ministry of Religious Education
St. Jude Parish, 707 Monroe Turnpike, Monroe, CT 06468        
203-261-6788   religious.education@stjuderc.com