St Thomas PSR Handbook
Parents and guardians of children enrolled in St. Thomas PSR are provided with this handbook containing information about the parish, organization of PSR, expectations of students, and the policies which guide our activities. While some policies may seem unnecessary for a one hour PSR program, our times and the litigious nature of our society dictate that policies for almost every imaginable circumstance be in place. It is our deepest hope that many of these policies will never have to be referred to.
The policies in this handbook may be clarified, amended or altered by the Director of Family Ministry when the need arises. All policies and guidelines will be reviewed each August, prior to the beginning of a new PSR school year. Parents/guardians will be notified in a timely manner of any changes made.
Parents should discuss the contents of this handbook with their child(ren), and return the enclosed form within two weeks.
If you ever have questions about anything in this handbook, please contact Kim Diaz, Director of Family Ministry at...
877-4146 (parish),
423-0397 (home), or TimberReader@aol.com (e-mail).
We Believe...
Parents are the first teachers of their children. Parents share with the catechists their responsibility to lead their children closer to God through Jesus, and to help their children develop a living, conscious, and active faith. Parents remain the first and foremost educators of their child(ren). Parents have a right and a duty to continue formation of their child(ren) at home while cooperating with the PSR program.
The curriculum used in the Parish School of Religion will be developed and conducted within the framework of the threefold purpose of Catechesis:
message, community and service.
All Christians, and catechists in particular, are called to participate in the catechetical ministry of the church by sharing their faith, proclaiming God’s message, developing community, leading people to worship and prayer, and motivating them to serve others.
The Role of Parents as Educators of the Faith
The Catechism of the Catholic Church has much to say about this topic:
#2221 The role of parents in education is of such importance that it is almost impossible to provide an adequate substitute.
#2222 Parents must regard their children as children of God and respect them as human persons. Showing themselves obedient to the will of the Father in heaven, they educate their children to fulfill God’s law.
#2223 Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children. They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested service are the rule. The home is well-suited for education in the virtues. This requires an apprenticeship in self-denial, sound judgment, and self-mastery -- the preconditions of all true freedom. Parents should teach their children to subordinate the “material and instinctual dimensions to interior and spiritual ones.” Parents have a grave responsibility to give good example to their children. By knowing how to acknowledge their own failings to their children, parents will be better able to guide and correct them.
#2225 ... Parents receive the responsibility and privilege of evangelizing their children. Parents should initiate their children at an early age into the mysteries of the faith of which they are the “first heralds” for their children
#2226 Education in the faith by the parents should begin in the child’s earliest years. This already happens when family members help one another to grow in faith by the witness of a Christian life in keeping with the Gospel. Family catechesis precedes, accompanies, and enriches other forms of instruction in the faith. Parents have a mission of teaching their children to pray and to discover their vocation as children of God. The parish is the Eucharistic community and the heart of the liturgical life of Christian families; it is a privileged place for the catechesis of children and parents.
#2227 Children in turn contribute to the growth in holiness of their parents. Each and everyone should be generous and tireless in forgiving one another for offenses, quarrels, injustices, and neglect. Mutual affection suggests this. The charity of Christ demands it.
#2228 Parents’ respect and affection are expressed by the care and attention they devote to bringing up their young children and providing for their physical and spiritual needs. As the children grow up, the same respect and devotion lead parents to educate them in the right use of their reason and freedom.
BE A FAMILY
“You are to be a family, to be that presence of Christ to each other.
God has sent the family to be His love.
Love each other tenderly as Jesus loves each one of you.
Jesus is always there to love, to share, to be the joy of our life.
Jesus’ love for us is unconditional, tender, forgiving, complete.
Just allow people to see Jesus in you, to see how you pray, to see how you lead a your life, to see how you deal with your family, to see how much peace is in your family.
Thoughtfulness is the beginning of great sanctity.
If you learn this art of being thoughtful, you will become more and more Christlike, for His heart was meek and he always thought of the needs of others.
If we also have that kind of thoughtfulness each other, our homes would really become the abode of God most high.
Mother Teresa of Calcutta
REGISTRATION
All students must register each year. Pre-registration will be held each May, while actual registration will take place each August. Information regarding the dates of registration and fees will be published in the parish bulletin. Registration packets will be available in the Gathering Area of the church.
Newly enrolling students must include a copy of their baptismal certificate if the baptism did not take place at St. Thomas Church in Decatur, IL.
FEES
Fees for grades 1- 8 are $25.00 per child, with a maximum of $75.00 per family. Fees for preschool and Kindergarten are $15.00 per child.
Fees usually accompany the completed registration form, but no child is denied PSR enrollment for financial reasons. Families needing to arrange payment plans may contact the Director of Family Ministry. All conversations and decisions regarding financial matters will be held in confidence.
SPECIAL RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
St. Thomas Parish will make every effort to provide Religious Education for
any child with special needs. Parents should request information from the
Director of Family Ministry.
ATTENDANCE
Each child is expected to attend all of the scheduled classes listed on the PSR calendar, unless ill. Consistent attendance is necessary for building a firm foundation in religious education. The content taught each year represents a step on a journey toward a deeper understanding of our religious beliefs and traditions. Every year is an important segment of our faith journey.
If for some reason a child is unable to attend a PSR class, please notify the catechist or Director of Family Ministry and arrange to make-up the lesson missed.
Because liturgies, prayer services, and reconciliation services are such an integral part of faith development, each student is expected to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, as well as Advent, Lent and PSR Reconciliation services. Full participation in the life of the parish is necessary to communicate a thorough understanding of the faith.
ARRIVAL
Students may enter the Parish-Community center from the north or south doors and proceed directly to their classrooms. Students should seat themselves and prepare to begin class. There should be no loitering in the hallways or restrooms before, during or after class.
Children should use the restroom before going to class.
TARDINESS
Tardiness is extremely disruptive to the classroom environment. Families are asked to make a special effort to get children to class on time.
SUPERVISION
No supervision is provided before or after class time. Students are not encouraged to arrive more than 5 minutes before class time. Students should be picked up promptly after class.
DISMISSAL
Students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m. Students are expected to leave to building in an orderly fashion. They may join parents in Angela Hall, or wait next to the building on the north side of the building. At no time should a student be running or engaged in horseplay in the parking area.
EARLY DISMISSAL
Students may not leave class early without a note from the parent/guardian.
It may be necessary to leave class early on occasion, but requesting to leave
class early should not become a habit.
CHILDREN OF SEPARATED/DIVORCED PARENTS
The Director of family Ministry will keep on file a written statement regarding the legal custody of children who are enrolled in the PSR program. The purpose of this statement is to inform the parish who may or may not take a child away from the parish grounds. This statement should be signed by the custodial parent.
This procedure will help guarantee that the child will not be dismissed to anyone but the custodial parent or to parties so designated by written consent of the custodial parent. It is the sole responsibility of the custodial parent to provide this documentation. All information provided will be kept confidential.
PSR CANCELLATION
If PSR classes need to be canceled due to weather or a problem in the building, the cancellation will be announced on WSOY am. In addition, a phone tree will be utilized to contact each family enrolled.
HOMEWORK
Homework assignments may be given at the discretion of the catechist. Each student is expected to give sufficient time to homework and lesson study during the week, even if there is no written assignment. This is especially important for students preparing to receive sacraments for the first time.
At each grade level, there exist a certain number of prayers or basic information that must be committed to memory. Parents are responsible for the child’s progress in this area. Parents are encouraged to pray the prayers as a family, thus making it easier for the child to memorize the prayers.
EVALUATION
Progress reports of student performance will be sent to parents at the discretion of the catechist. Children may be asked to take tests on material they have learned in class in order to assess the level of mastery of the subject area and to determine areas that require additional study.
Parents are encouraged to discuss the progress of their child(ren) with the catechist as the need arises; catechists will do the same with parents. In order to be certain that test information has been seen by parents, catechists may request that tests be signed an returned to class.
COMMUNICATION
Periodically, letters are sent to each family via the youngest child enrolled in the PSR program. Bulletin announcements are another form of communication used for general announcements regarding PSR. A monthly mailing to each family, including At Home With Our Faith, is yet another way in which information is conveyed to families.
Parents should feel free to contact a catechist of the Director of Family Ministry at any time.
RESPECT
A student’s behavior is to be consistent with the example given us in the person of Jesus. This behavior is expected at all times, and is to be extended to all persons. Behavior includes physical actions, speech, and manner toward others. Jesus teaches us to be loving, caring, and forgiving.
All materials provided for classrooms use, and all parish property are to be treated in a respectful manner before, during and after class. Parents will be held financially responsible for any willful damage incurred by their child.
DISCIPLINE
Ordinary discipline is handled by the catechist in the classroom. When a student’s behavior disrupts the class on a continual basis, the catechist will send the offending student to the Director of Family Ministry. One of several things may happen:
a. the student may be warned by the Director of Family Ministry and returned to class,
b. the student may remain with the Director of Family Ministry until the end of the class period,
c. The student’s parents may be notified of the student’s disruptive behavior.
Continual disruptive behavior will result in a conference with the student, the student’s parents/guardians, the catechist and the Director of Family Ministry.
MISSIONS
Part of the curriculum includes lessons to help students become aware of the responsibility for caring for those less fortunate than themselves. In light of this, children are encouraged to support outreach efforts to those in need.
Students may do this by contributing to the food basket located in the Gathering Area of the church, taking part in the annual Giving Tree project during Advent, and food collections activities during Lent. These outreach efforts, “missionary activity,” are directed toward our community.
All children also have the opportunity to become members of the Holy Childhood Association, an international organization for children who support other children in overseas mission fields through their prayers and contributions.
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
All students will remain on church property during regularly scheduled class time. Parents will be fully informed in advance of any activity that takes children away from church property or occurs outside the regularly scheduled class time. Permission/hold harmless slips will be provided for activities away from church property; each student participating must have a signed permission slip in order to participate.
SNACKS
A small snack is provided for each class, but it does not and is not meant to replace a good breakfast. Children in grades 2- 8 will have snack in the small kitchen from 11:00 - 11:15 a.m. after Mass. Pre-school - First Grade will have snacks at the discretion of their catechist. On Donut Sundays, regular classes will not be held. Students will have an opportunity to view and discuss videos related to the Catholic faith or participate in a service project.
GUM/CANDY
Students may not chew gum in the building. Students are not to bring food
or drink from home unless specifically requested to do so by the catechist.
These practices eliminate many janitorial problems.
MEDICATION
Medication will not be given during PSR time, and should not be brought to the building.
ACCIDENTS, ILLNESS & INJURIES
All student accidents, injuries or illness happening on parish property during PSR should be reported to the Director of Family Ministry immediately. Parents will be contacted immediately for determination of response and action.
SACRAMENT POLICY
The content taught at each grade level is important and needs to be taken seriously. There is always more to learn and understand regarding our Catholic Christian faith and the sacraments we celebrate. The sacraments of initiation invite us to a deepening relationship with God, and are a beginning and continuation of commitment to live a Catholic Christian life.
The religious education of each child is
an important dimension of the total learning experience of the child. The
celebration of the sacraments must be considered important to the faith
community and the family. Therefore, the child and his/her family must be
involved in the preparation process.
To celebrate a sacrament:
1. A child must be baptized. A child who has not been baptized and has reached the age of reason will be prepared for this sacrament using the process of Christian Initiation for Children.
2. A child should have a record of consistent attendance from grades K-8. Each year builds on the previous year, and all are necessary for the Christian formation of the child.
3. A child entering the sacramental preparation program of St. Thomas Parish, with the intent of receiving a sacrament during the year, must have received religious formation in a parochial school or religious education program of another parish.
4. Parents/guardians should be practicing their faith, serving as the primary teachers and role models for their children. Parents/guardians should take part in the child’s preparation for a sacrament as requested.
5. A child completing the eighth grade of religious instruction, with appropriate attendance, at St. Thomas Parish will be awarded a certificate of completion.
VOLUNTEERS
The PSR welcomes the assistance of parishioners who would like to volunteer as catechists, substitute teachers, aides, etc. Completion of a Volunteer Information packet is a pre-requisite for service as volunteer. Please contact the Director of Family Ministry for more information or to receive a packet.
MANDATED REPORTING
St. Thomas Parish complies with the Illinois Child Abuse Reporting law.
All catechists and staff, as mandated reporters, are required to report
situations of abuse or neglect to proper authorities.
In addition, state law mandates that law enforcement officials must be notified when a firearm is visible/present on Parish property. St. Thomas PSR will comply with this mandate.
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Sexual harassment of/by students will not be tolerated and will be subject to disciplinary action. A conference will be held with the student, catechist, student’s parents, and Director of Family Ministry.
SMOKING
St. Thomas PSR is in accord with the advice and direction of the Office for
Catholic Education, Diocese of Springfield-in-Illinois, and will comply as a
non-smoking environment.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY
Any student found smoking, or in the possession of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or participating in any way with drugs, alcohol, or tobacco while at PSR or a sponsored activity will be subject to disciplinary action.
Included in the above described categories are any harmless look-like drugs or medication brought to PSR, displayed, distributed or promoted as providing a specific effect or aid to improvement of skill or ability. Any such substance construed as abusive or dangerous in nature and which is observed as potentially harmful in essence or intent to the welfare of any student is prohibited, and the user, distributor or one in possession will be subject to disciplinary action.
WEAPON POLICY
An item viewed in the eyes of the Director as a weapon shall be confiscated, and the student will be subject to disciplinary action. A weapon could be any instrument, tool, device or bodily part that can cause bodily harm to an individual and/or cause damage to personal property.
GANGS
St. Thomas PSR will not tolerate the display of gang symbols, activities or the use of related language. Such displays will be subject to disciplinary action.
PROPERTY SEARCH
Property owned by the parish cannot be searched without notification or explanation with a reasonable cause to do so.
POLICE QUESTIONING AND APPREHENSION
When a student becomes involved with law enforcement officers, the officer is to be requested to confer with the student when s/he is not under the jurisdiction of the parish, if this can be arranged.
The following steps shall be taken to cooperate with the authorities:
a. The officer shall properly identify himlherself.
b. The parent(s) or guardian(s) shall be notified immediately and informed of the intent of the law enforcement authorities.
c. The student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) have/has a right to be present if the conference is held in the parish.
d. If the student’s parent(s) or guardian(s) cannot be located, authorities are not to confer with the student unless they produce a warrant.
e. If there is a warrant or if it is impossible for the parent(s) or guardian(s) to be present and they request it, the director should be a witness to the conference held in the parish.