BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH Religious Education Program 152 W. 71 Street New York, NY 10023 212-877-3111
Parish Religious Education Program
Parent Handbook 2022 - 2023
Director of Religious Education: Ms. Tina Silvestro
Table of Contents
Purpose and Overview of Parish Religious Education Program Pages 5-8
Archdiocesan Curriculum Guidelines Pre-School and Kindergarten Religious Education or Catechesis or the Good Shepherd Family Catechesis Religious Education for Children with Disabilities Preparation for the Reception of the Sacraments Responsibilities of Parents in regard to the Religious Education Program Responsibilities of the Child Enrolled in the Parish Religious Education Program
Registration and Placement Pages 9-10 Registration Procedure Child’s Placement in the Program Sessions Repetition of Grade Level Transfer to Another Program
Arrival, Lateness and Absences Pages 11-12 Arrival Walkers, Bicyclists Lateness Absences Notification Procedure for Absence Dismissal of an Individual before the End of the Day’s Session
Dismissal Page 13 Walkers, Bicyclists Early Dismissal of the Program
Communication with Parents Pages 14-15 Emergency Cancellations of Program Written Communications to Parents Rights of Non-Custodial Parent Individual Meetings with Catechists Use of Social Networking Sites by Religious Education Program Cell Phones Home Actions Essential to Religious Education Program Page 16 At-Home Activities Prayer at Home with the Child Mass Attendance and the Sacramental Life
Components of Religious Education Program Pages 17-18 Assessment Progress Reports Permanent Record Card Dress Code
Food Page 18
Behavior Management Pages 19-20 Bullying and Cyber-Bullying Vandalism Unacceptable Behavior
Medication and Medical Emergency Page 21 Medication Medical Condition of Child Medical Emergency Information
Safe Environment Page 22 Archdiocesan Children Protection Policy Safe Environment Training and Possibility for Parent Opt-Out Visits to Religious Education Program by Unauthorized Persons
Letter to Parents
Dear Parents, Your role as Catholic parents[1] is surely one of the most sacred, challenging and wonderful vocations that the Lord entrusts to His people. You brought your child[2] to be baptized thus providing the opportunity to begin life as a disciple of Jesus in the Church. As your child grows, you continue to nurture that spiritual life. You enable your child to live joyously in the Love of God made tangible by your own goodness and love. In the intimacy of family relationships, you teach the Catholic faith to your child every day by what you say and do – a profound and irreplaceable witness. We in the Parish Religious Education Program, have also been given a sacred role by the Lord – that of Catechist for your child. We welcome the opportunity to assist you in teaching your child to walk in the ways of faith. We pledge all the resources of our program to helping your child come to know and better understand the person of Jesus Christ who so loves him/her. We pledge to do all we can to help you instill Catholic beliefs and values so that your child may live in the joy of being Jesus’ disciple. Our experience has shown us that this is most effectively accomplished when the family and the parish work together. The parents place Jesus Christ and His teachings at the center of their family life –-through Sunday Mass, family prayer, and daily life as disciples of Jesus. The Religious Education Program teaches the Catholic life which the child is living at home and experiencing in the Parish. The Parishsupports and nurtures the parents and provides a “home-place” for the families who choose the Catholic way of life in a world that is increasingly lost without God and in need of the Truth that is Jesus. May God bless us in the work of Catholic Education which we carry on together in His name.
Rev. David E. Nolan Tina Silvestro Pastor Director of Religious Education
Purpose and Overview of Parish Religious Education Program
The purpose of the Parish Religious Education Program is to assist parents in the sacred responsibility entrusted to them at their child’s Baptism: to form and educate their children to become disciples of Jesus in the Catholic faith.An integral part of a true Catholic home life is the child’s attendance at Mass every Sunday and on the Holy Days of Obligation[3]. The Religious Education Program helps the child to understand, ever more deeply, the meaning of the Mass which the family regularly attends.
The six fundamental tasks of catechesis[4] which are entrusted to the Religious Education Program by the Catholic Church are:
to promote the knowledge of the faith,
to give moral formation,
to provide liturgical education,
to teach to pray,
to educate for community life,
to initiate into the missionary dimension.
The role of the Director[5] of Religious Education and the Catechists is to provide intellectual enlightenment about the Catholic life which the child is already living at home and in the parish community, and to foster the child’s faith development by accomplishing the fundamental tasks of catechesis in an age-appropriate way.
For every person, religious education nourishes our minds and spirits throughout our lives as we mature from childhood to adulthood into that image of Christ which God created us to become. First grade is not too soon to instill in our children the understanding that Confirmation is not the end of Religious Education. Rather it is the sacrament which brings about our spiritual maturation and opens us to life-long learning about the way of Life of Jesus’ disciples in the Catholic Church.
The Religious Education Program: an Eight-Year Sequential Program The essential Religious Education Program is an eight-year sequence of formation beginning with grade level 1 and continuing through grade level 8. All Catholic children of the parish who are not attending Catholic schools are expected to follow this 8-year program. Presently at Blessed Sacrament we have a 7-year sequence with Confirmation in grade 7. We are working toward adding an additional year beyond the grade 7 Confirmation year. The Religious Education Program consists in a minimum of 30 sessions, 90 minutes long, held between September and June plus 5 hours of family catechesis.
The Archdiocesan Curriculum Guidelines
The Archdiocesan Guidelines for Catechesis for Grades 1 through 6 and Grades 7 and 8 ensure a uniform presentation of the faith for each grade level and outline the content of the catechesis each child is taught at every grade level. These Guidelines are to be found on the Catechetical Office website: NYFaithformation.org. (Click on Resources and then select Catechetical Office Resources.)
Pre-School and Kindergarten Religious Education Enrollment in Pre-Kindergarten (4 years old) and Kindergarten is not required but is strongly encouraged. At Blessed Sacrament we are currently offering a Kindergarten Class.
Family Catechesis Each family in the Religious Education Program participates in a minimum of five hours of family catechesis offered between September and August. The Cardinal has directed all Religious Education Programs of the Archdiocese to offer this opportunity to its families in order to better assist and work with parents in forming their children in the Catholic faith.
Currently at Blessed Sacrament we offer Family Catechesis through our Family Days, weekly Flocknotes, and additional opportunities to be planned.
Religious Education for Children with Disabilities Because of a disability, a child may require an individualized program of instruction. This may be done in a small group, in a one-on-one setting or as part of the regular Religious Education session but with a personal assistant. In consultation with the parent, the Director and Catechist will design an approach to Religious Education that addresses the child’s needs.
Preparation for the Reception of the Sacraments Preparation for the reception of the Sacraments (i.e.first reception of the Eucharist and of Penance and Confirmation) is an integral part of the parish Religious Education Program. Each year, the child is taught in age-appropriate ways more about the meaning and importance of the sacraments for his/her life. In order to receive the Sacrament of First Communion, the child must have completed the 2-year First Communion preparation. Confirmation is received after the completion of the ongoing yearly curriculum when the child has fulfilled all grade level requirements. S/he must complete the Pre-Confirmation and Confirmation classes. For each Sacrament, the parish program provides an immediate preparation which has a strong family/parent dimension and which helps the child prepare spiritually to receive the Sacrament. This immediate preparation is required to receive the Sacrament and it is done in sessions separate from, and in addition to, the regular Religious Education Program. The immediate preparation program for each Sacrament consists in: at least 2 parent sessions particular to the Sacrament being received, a Day of Prayer for child and parent centered on the Sacrament being received, (TBD)
As part of Confirmation preparation, a program of service in the parish or local community is required. A list of additional assignments will be distributed in class and to parents. The required parent meetings will be held either in person or on zoom. In addition, rehearsals for the reception of the Sacrament will be scheduled.
Preparation for Sacraments for Children Who Have Disabilities The parish also offers sacramental preparation for children with disabilities. The parent should call the Religious Education office for more information and to register.
Responsibilities of Parents in regard to the Religious Education Program
Parents have the primary and sacred responsibility to form their children in the Catholic faith and they do so in the following ways:
teaching their child to live a moral life according to the values and teachings of Jesus Christ and the teachings, laws and norms of the Catholic Church, realizing that the primary way parents teach this is by living it themselves;
attending Mass each Sunday with their child, thus instilling in them the conviction that weekly Mass attendance is essential to being a Catholic;
participating fully with their child in the parent preparation for the first reception of Penance, for First Communion, and for Confirmation.
ensuring that their child receives the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) at least once a year;
preparing their child for participation in Religious Education by fostering an openness and positive attitude toward the religious education which the child will be receiving;
fulfilling the requirements outlined in the Parent Handbook;
ensuring that their child arrives on time for the Religious Education session each week;
participating in their child’s faith formation by making use of the parent/family materials and the Archdiocesan Guidelines for Catechesis;
praying at home with the child, including the prayers to be memorized;
assisting their child with assigned at-home activities as needed.
Attending the 5 hours a year of family catechesis given by the Religious Education Program.
Responsibilities of the Child enrolled in the Parish Religious Education Program
The obligations of children enrolled in the Program are:
living a moral life that reflects the values and teachings of Jesus Christ;
participating in the Parish Mass each Sunday;
receiving the Sacrament of Penance (Reconciliation) at least once a year;
following the teachings, laws, and norms of the Catholic Church;
attending the weekly Religious Education Sessions;
arriving on time each week for the Religious Education Session;
being well-prepared for each Religious Education session by having all assigned home projects completed satisfactorily;
memorizing all required prayers;
participating in class discussions and activities;
being attentive and respectful during sessions;
performing satisfactorily on assessments of the material taught in the sessions;
fulfilling all requirements of the Religious Education Program including appropriate dress.
Registration and Placement
The Parish Religious Education program offers religious education to all Catholic children who do not receive it in their school and whose families are enrolled in the parish as parishioners. When space allows, the Director may also try to accommodate in the program children whose families are registered in another parish, with the permission of both Pastors.
There is no discrimination on the basis of race, gender, national origin, disability conditions or family background.
Registration Procedure
Every parent must register their child for the Religious Education program every year. The registration procedure is as follows:
Register the child for Religious Education Program within time period specified by the parish.
Complete the Child Information Record and medical forms as needed and submit them to Director of Religious Education
If the child is new to the parish, present the Baptismal Certificate; the Director will make a copy to be kept with the child’s Information Record and return original to the parent.
Speak with the Director about any special needs the child has which could affect the child’s learning and well-being in the Religious Education sessions.
There is no fee for Religious Education. Donations are gratefully appreciated. If a textbook is lost or misplaced, a fee of $ 25 will be charged for a new book.
Child’s Placement in Religious Education Sessions
The final decision for each child’s placement in the Religious Education Program sessions is made by the Director of Religious Education.
For any child who has physical, mental or emotional disabilities, the Director in consultation with the parent will determine a program of religious education to effectively address these needs.
Any child who leaves the Religious Education Program (e.g. after receiving First Communion) and subsequently returns, will upon re-entering the program, be required to complete the curriculum of the grade levels missed using an assessment based on the Archdiocese Curriculum Guidelines.
For a child who is in third grade or older and has not had formal religious education, the Director will determine the most appropriate and effective way for the child to be taught the content of the faith, using the Archdiocesan Curriculum Guidelines as the norm.
Repetition of Grade Level
Repetition of Grade Level means that the child must repeat the grade level or the year’s curriculum. Great care should be taken in the home as well as in the program to help the child realize that repetition of the year’s curriculum is not a punishment but rather a means to help the child be as successful as possible.
The reasons for repetition of grade level are as follows:
1. Excessive absence: after 3 absences the parent will receive an official notification of the child’s absences and a request for a parent conference. If the absences continue beyond 5, this is grounds for retention. (See also section on “Absences.”)
2. Poor performance: if the child does poorly when assessed on the content of the textbook and the Archdiocesan Guidelines for Catechesis, remedial work will be required and organized by the Director. If the remedial work is not sufficient to enable the child to grasp the content, repetition of the grade level may be the best solution.
3. Excessive lateness: after 3 occurrences of late arrival, the parent will receive an official notification and a request for a parent conference. If the late arrivals continue beyond 6 occurrences, this is grounds for repetition of grade level.
Transfer to Another Program
When a parent must withdraw a child from the program, the parent should immediately inform the Director. The Director will send a copy of the child’s permanent record to the Religious Education Program to which the child is transferring.
Arrival, Lateness and Absences
Parents assume full responsibility for the transportation of their children to and from the parish site where Religious Education sessions take place.
Arrival
The Religious Education Sessions take place at the following times: Immediately after the 10:00 Family Mass (approximately 10:45am) until 12:15 or the assigned staggered dismissal time. Please see the Religious Education Calendar for the onsite class schedule.
Supervision of the children will be provided beginning at your child’s arrival in the classroom. If the Catechist is not yet in the classroom when you arrive, please wait until the Catechist arrives before leaving. No child or parent (except for our volunteers) should be in the school building before the end of the Family Mass. Arrival is from the Church to the school through the corridor at the front of the Church. Dismissal is from the School’s East Lobby Entrance on 70th Street. On arriving for Religious Education, the parent brings the child directly to the classroom.
Lateness
Punctuality is essential. Children who arrive late not only miss important information but also disrupt the entire Religious Education session. The child should arrive directly from the Family Mass.
If the child arrives late, he/she reports to the School’s East Lobby Entrance Team and from there will be brought to the session.
If the child arrives late for the Religious Education session more than 3 times during the year, this will result in required attendance at additional sessions to make-up material missed. If the child arrives late more than 6 times in the year, this can result in repeating the year. These make-up sessions will be determined by the Director. Absences The child’s regular attendance at the Religious Education sessions is very important to his/her whole life. These 30 sessions should take priority over all other after-school or weekend programs and activities.
Three absences will necessitate a conference between the Director and the parent.
Four absences will result in the child having to make up the sessions. The number of make-up sessions will be determined by the Director and will be based on the number necessary for the child to be adequately taught the content of the textbook and the Archdiocesan Guidelines for his/her grade level.
Six absences may result in the repetition of the grade level.
In the case of a long-term illness confirmed by a doctor’s report, the Director and parent should make arrangements for religious education at home
Notification Procedure for Absence When a child is to be absent from a program session, the parent must give the Director notification before the Religious Education Program begins. This should be done preferably in writing but a phone call is acceptable. If the parent has been unable to send a written communication before the absence, it must be given to the Religious Education Office no later than the following week. It must specify the date and reason for the absence and be signed by the parent. If the child is absent and the Director has not received previous notification, the Director will contact the parent. Remember that the parent or parent substitute must bring their child directly to the classroom.
Dismissal of an Individual before the End of the Day’s Session
If your child needs to be dismissed early, the request for this early dismissal should be given to the Director in writing by the parent prior to the scheduled session. This request should include:
- the name of the person picking up the child, - the designated date and time, - the reason, - the signature of the parent.
The parent must come to the School’s East Lobby Entrance to pick up and sign out the child. The Director or appropriate adult will go to the session and walk the child to the lobby to meet the parent. For security reasons, the parent may not go directly to the session area.
Dismissal
At the end of the Religious Education session every child is released to the care of their parent or parent substitute. The parent substitute must be the person designated in writing at registration on the Child Information Record. If someone other than the parent or parent substitute is to accompany the child on a given day, this change should be given in writing to the Director prior to the session in question.
A child will not be released to anyone under age 18.
A child will not be released to someone who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The staff of the Religious Education Program are not allowed to drive or walk children home.
The Director should be informed in writing by the custodial parent of the rights of the non-custodial parent as these pertain to the child’s participation in the program as well as to the child’s release from the program. A copy of the appropriate section of the custody papers should be attached to the written statement.
The method of dismissal is as follows: pick up your child from the classroom or other designated area. If you have children in different classrooms you must pick up each of them in his/her classroom. No child may remain on the parish premises after the Religious Education Program ends because supervision is not provided. The parent must instruct the child to report to the Director or the School’s East Lobby team member in the unforeseen event of not being picked up on time.
Early Dismissal of the Program
The Religious Education Program will not have an early dismissal unless it is noted in the calendar or it is necessitated by an emergency. Parents will be notified of the emergency closure of the program. (See section on Communication with Parents: Emergency Cancellations of Program)
Communication with Parents
Emergency Cancellations of Program
Parents will be notified of emergency cancellations of program (due to such emergencies as dangerous weather) via “Flocknote” if possible, a posting on our website if possible, and/or an announcement at the Family Mass.
In an emergency evacuation, the children will be taken to the following supervised “safe place” where parents can pick them up: onsite in the Church or offsite at Rutgers Presbyterian Church: 236 W. 73rd Street between Broadway and West End Ave.
Parents should have in place an emergency plan for those times when Religious Education must be cancelled due to weather.
Postponements and Rescheduled Events
Parents will be notified of events cancelled or rescheduled (such as parent or family meetings, sacrament rehearsals) via “Flocknote or email...
Written Communication to Parents
All individual written communications to parents will come from the Director in the following manner: flocknotes, or email, or postal mail. Rights of Non-custodial Parent
The Director should be informed in writing by the custodial parent of the rights of the non-custodial parent to receive duplicate sets of progress reports, invitations to religious education events, notices, calendars, etc. as these pertain to the child’s participation in the program. A copy of the appropriate section of the custody papers should be attached to the written statement.
Individual Meetings with Catechists
All communication between parent and Catechist regarding the faith formation or behavior of a child should be approved and arranged by the Director. Parents should not phone the Catechist. A Catechist may keep a child after the program session for reasons such as additional instruction, misbehavior, excessive absence or lateness but this can only take place with the permission of the parent and it must be organized by the Director. Use of Social Networking Sites by Religious Education Program Regarding the use of Social Networking Sites and all other electronic communication, the parish Religious Education Program follows the directives published by the Archdiocesan Safe-Environment Office (Nyfaithformation.org – Safe Environment Resources – Facebook and Child Protection). These include the following:
There may be no private direct communication with a minor. All communications must be through parents.
There may be no photographs or videos of minors posted without the written permission of the parent.
There may be no photographs or videos of religious education personnel posted without the individual’s written permission.
With regard to a group photo or video, written permission must be given for every person in the photo/video.
There may be no contact information, or other personal information, of a minor or of religious education personnel posted without the written permission of the parent or Catechist/Director.
The written permission for all the above must be given directly to the Religious Education Director.
Cell Phones
The use of cell phones and other electronic devices by the child is not permitted during the Religious Education session unless this is directed by the Catechist as part of the educational process. Cell phones brought into the place of the Religious Education session should be turned off and out of sight. Children in need of contacting a parent must ask the Catechist’s permission to place the call at a designated place.
Home Actions Essential to the Religious Education Program
At-Home Activities At-home activities reinforce learning and provide opportunities for independent study and creative thinking. They are an effective way for the child to internalize the religious education he/she has received so that it becomes “faith formation.” The parents can help their children by arranging a quiet, comfortable place for them to complete these assignments and by encouraging and helping the child as needed. The parent is strongly urged to participate in the online parent dimension of the child’s religious formation which is provided by the textbook company and follows the child’s lessons. At-home activities may be assigned in some sessions. The parent is expected to ensure that the child completes each at-home assignment and brings it to the Religious Education session.
Prayer at Home with the Child The parent is the primary educator in the faith for of the child and one of the most important ways to fulfill this responsibility is by praying with the child every day. Some important prayer practices to be done in the Catholic home are: - grace before meals, - prayers at the child’s bedtime, - blessing the child in the morning before he/she leaves for school by tracing the cross on the forehead and saying with the child the prayer to his/her guardian angel, - the family rosary prayed together regularly, - pictures and statues of Jesus and Mary in the home, - a family bible kept in a place of honor, with a passage or story read from it regularly, - recitation with the child of traditional Catholic prayers,
Mass Attendance and the Sacramental Life Children learn to live as Catholics above all by experiencing their parents living as Catholics. Regular weekly attendance at Sunday Mass is essential to being a practicing Catholic. Therefore, doing this together as a family is one of the most powerful ways in which the parent can form the child in the faith. Catholic living also includes regular reception of the Sacrament of Penance and the parent should insure that the child does so from an early age. The Religious Education Program explains to the children the meaning of the Catholic life of faith that they are living at home and experiencing in the parish community.
Components of the Religious Education Program
Assessment Assessment of the faith formation taking place in the child is done in order to facilitate further growth. However, It is important to be aware that the child’s faith, love for the Lord, moral living and commitment to the Church is not being assessed. What is being assessed is the child’s grasp of the knowledge that has been taught in the Religious Education Program. Each child is expected to master the contents of the textbook and the Archdiocesan Guidelines for Catechesis at the grade level in which he/she is enrolled. The child will be given regular assessments. based on the textbook lessons and on the Archdiocesan Curriculum Guidelines. The results of the assessments will be given to the parent. If the individual child needs additional help in learning and better understanding the concepts assessed, the Director will consult with the parents and the Catechist before deciding how this should be provided.
Progress Reports Progress reports reflect the child performance in the religious education setting, that is: - attendance at sessions, - participation in the sessions, - behavior and attitude during the sessions, - quality of at-home assignments, - memorization, - grasp of the content taught. Catechists prepare a progress report for each child twice yearly: in January and in May. These reports are given directly to the parent when s/he drops off or picks up the child from the classroom or by postal mail if necessary. Permanent Record A Permanent Record is kept in the Religious Education file for each child. It records the child’s successful completion of each grade level. If a child must transfer to another Religious Education program, a copy of this Permanent Record is sent to the Director of the new Program.
Dress Code
Children are required to wear modest clothing which reflects the dignity of the Religious Education Program in which they are participating. The exercise of good taste and proper, reasonable judgment on the part of the parent in overseeing the child’s choice of clothing, in itself, provides effective formation for the child.
With the approval of the Pastor, the Director has the final authority to determine the appropriateness or inappropriateness of the clothing worn. If a child violates the policy, the child is removed from the session and the parent is immediately called. The parent must bring alternative clothes for the child to change into so that he/she may return to the Religious Education session.
Food
No food is allowed during the Religious Education Program for the following reasons:
some children have medical restrictions or allergies to certain foods or ingredients;
the 30 sessions a year is already a very limited time allotment for the important work of imparting the faith to the children.
If a child needs snacks before the session begins, these must be eaten before the child arrives at the program.
Parties are not held during the Religious Education sessions.
Behavior Management
Catechists use behavior management (or “discipline”) appropriate to an educational environment as a necessary means for the Religious Education Program to accomplish its goals. The purpose of behavior management is to help the children develop self-control, self-respect, respect for others, and reverence for the Word of God which is being explained to them in these sessions.
Several infractions of rules of conduct will result in a call by the Director to the child’s parent in which the Director will describe the situation and work out a solution with the parent. If the infractions continue, the Director will organize a conference with the parent, the Catechist, the Director and the Pastor.
The Religious Education Program reserves to the Director, under the authority of the Pastor, the right to remove a child from the group session, either temporarily or permanently:
if the child’s behavior is seriously inhibiting the learning of others in the group;
if the child’s behavior is seriously inhibiting the safety or well-being of others in the group;
if temporary removal is used as a disciplinary measure for serious and persistent disruptive behavior.
Bullying and Cyber-bullying
Bullying includes but is not limited to: threatening physical harm, verbal abuse, intimidation, cyber-bullying. The Archdiocesan policy against bullying is followed. This policy states:
A safe and civil environment is necessary for children to learn and achieve Christian value. Harassment, intimidation, bullying, cyber-bullying (using technology to bully such as but not limited to: posting an inappropriate picture of a child on the Internet)and other violent behaviors will not be tolerated in a Religious Education Program environment. Any child who engages in this behavior may be asked to leave the religious education environment if this is seen to be in the best interest of the rest of the religious education community.
Vandalism
Vandalism, i.e. willfully damaging or destroying property, will not be tolerated. Vandalism must be paid for by the parent of the child who did it.
Accidental damage should be immediately reported to the Director.
Unacceptable Behavior
The following types of behavior are not allowed during the Religious Education Program.
Infractions which call for discipline by the Catechist are:
acting in a disrespectful manner toward the Catechist, other adults or children in the program,
speaking and interacting with other children inappropriately during the session,
leaving a session without permission,
using a cell phone during the session when not authorized by the Catechist,
doing something other than the work of the session,
violating the dress code,
eating in the Religious Education session.
Persistence in any of these behaviors after several corrective measures have been taken will place this behavior in the category below.
Infractions which call for immediate action by the Director and Pastor are:
possession of and /or trafficking in alcohol or other drugs,
leaving the Religious Education premises when child is supposed to be attending the session,
willful defiance of authority,
possession of weapons, such as knives, guns, or look-alikes,
defacing or damaging of parish property, vandalism, arson
bullying/cyber-bullying.
Persistence in any of these behaviors after corrective measures have been taken can result in the removal of the child from the Religious Education group sessions, either temporarily or permanently, depending on the recommendation of the Director and the decision of the Pastor.
Medication and Medical Emergency
Medication No medication of any kind (whether prescription or over-the-counter) will be administered to, or taken by, any child during the Religious Education Program.
In the event that a child has a condition for which emergency medication may be necessary, the parent must provide a written request and directives to the Religious Education Director.
Any emergency medication/medical device to be administered during the program according to the above directives must be brought by the parent to the Library (or other designated place) and should be administered there.
Medical Condition of Child
The parent should inform the Director about any child who has special medication needs, a medical condition which could flare up in the session, or a medical condition which could affect the teaching/learning environment (e.g. allergies, asthma, auditory or visual impairment, possibility of seizures, learning disability, hyperactivity, attention deficit disorder, need for the epi-pen). This information is strictly confidential and will be used with the utmost discretion. The Director will ensure that the Catechist is informed.
A course of action in case of a flare-up is determined by the parent at the time of registration and put in writing.
The Child Information Record, completed by the parent at registration, contains the names and contact information for the people who must be contacted in case of emergency.
Medical Emergency Information
In the case of any medical emergency, 911 will immediately be called without exception.
A Child Information Record along with appropriate Medical Forms is filled out by the parent and kept on file in the Parish Religious Education Office. The parent must be careful to keep the information in these forms current. Any changes to the forms are made in writing and signed by the parent.
Safe Environment
Archdiocesan Children Protection Policy
The Archdiocese of New York and Blessed Sacrament Church are committed to ensuring the personal safety of all children in the Religious Education Program. Therefore the parish and its Religious Education Program follow all the policies, directives and requirements of the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Office. These policies and programs are to be found on the Safe Environment web page which can be accessed through the Archdiocesan web site (Archny.org) and the Catechetical Office web site (nyfaithformation.org)
Safe Environment Training and Possibility for Parent Opt-Out
Each year, the Religious Education Program provides to each child the curriculum entitled Right, Safe and Good Relationships following the lesson plans provided by the Archdiocesan Safe Environment Office. (See Safe Environment Web site: Children’s Curriculum.) The dates for this training can be found on the Religious Education Program Calendar. Parents have the option to exempt their child from any session of the Safe Environment Training. If the Parent chooses to do so, they must complete and sign the Parent Opt-Out Form which they secure from the Religious Education Office.
Visits to Religious Education Program by Unauthorized Persons
For security reasons, no unauthorized persons are allowed in the area where the Religious Education sessions are taking place. Even parents and other family members may only go to the designated reception area until the program sessions are completed and the children are dismissed to the care of their parents.
PLEASE NOTE: DUE TO THE ONGOING COVID PANDEMIC THERE MAY BE SOME VARIATIONS OR CHANGES TO THE HANDBOOK PROVISIONS. COVID RECOMMENDATINS FROM THE CDC AND THE ARCHDIOCESE MUST BE FOLLOWED. PLEASE BE SURE TO READ AND NOTE THE COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM AND PARISH.
[1] For the sake of brevity, the word “parent” will be used to indicate the child’s primary caretaker, whether parent or guardian.
[2] For the sake of brevity, the word “child” will be used to indicate children and youth up to 8th grade.
[3] There are 6 Holy Days of Obligation (days when, in addition to Sunday, Catholics are required to attend Mass): Dec. 8 – the Immaculate Conception 40 days after Easter – the Ascension Dec. 25 – Christmas Aug. 15 – the Assumption Jan. 1 – Mary the Mother of God Nov. 1 – All Saints Day
[4] Catechesis is a Greek word used by Christians from the earliest centuries of the Church. It means Religious Instruction and Formation in the faith.
[5] For the sake of brevity, the title “Director” will be used to indicate both the Director and the Coordinator of Religious Education.