See also...
The PREP Calendar for 2008-2009; Sacramental Preparation for information on First Eucharist, Reconciliation and RCIA; and Parish Policies for working with minors including PREP addenda.
Contact
Marisa Day,Director of Religious Education. E-mail: svreled@stvirgil.org
Jr. High Religious Education Program
Click on the headline to access the Junior High Religious Education Program
Kindergarten through Grade Five
Marisa Day
Religious Education
Office Telephone: 973-267-1366
Office E-Mail: svreled@yahoo.com
Parish Religious Education Program
St. Virgil Parish is entrusted with an educational vocation. PREP has been developed to assist families in nurturing within our children Christ-centered lives. It is in that sense that PREP means "preparation for life". The life-long process of growing in love and knowledge of God begins within the home, but is sustained within the faith community. Gifted individuals are called forth to instruct and share their faith with our children. As Christ taught in words and deeds, we, too, are challenged to do the same. If our words are to have meaning, they must be appropriate to the ages of our children. An atmosphere of love, forgiveness, joy, and peace allows the children to begin to experience the Good News of salvation, the saving power of God among us. The desire to praise and worship God is a natural result of coming to know God as Creator, Redeemer, Sanctifier. It is within this vision that they come to know themselves as gift and gifted by God who calls them to become his disciples within the home, Church, community and world. For registration information, please call (973) 267-1366.
Registration and Tuition
A family must be registered in St. Virgil Parish prior to their child/children being registered in PREP. Children being registered for Kindergarten must be 5 years of age by October 31. Baptismal certificates are required for new registrations in PREP.
The tuition for PREP is as follows:
1 child $80.00
each additional child $25.00
Tuition should be paid at the time of registration. Please bring it to the attention of the director if any difficulty exists in meeting the tuition. Tuition assistance is available. Arrangements can be made to make payments during the course of the PREP year.
Changes in family information
Please inform the office of any changes of phone, address, or other pertinent information as they occur.
Attendance
1. Please call 973-267-1366 before 9:30 AM on Sunday if your child/children will be absent from a class. You may call during the week if you know in advance that your child will be absent.
2. Please complete any missed class and homework assignments before the next session.
3. The director will need to consult with parents or adult guardians if any child misses more than three classes per PREP year.
Class Assignment and Schedule
Each child registered in PREP will be assigned to either Session A (PREP-A) or Session B (PREP-B). Each session will gather for 12 classes, which meet from 10:15-11:45 AM according to the PREP calendar. Please read PREP guidelines for specific arrival and dismissal instructions. Families will be notified of classroom assignments and calendar dates in late August.
PREP Liturgy and Regular Participation in Mass
The focus of PREP is the hand-in-hand relationship between religious education and eucharistic celebration. In addition to the 12 classes, both sessions will join together for eucharistic liturgies that will take place throughout the PREP year on the scheduled Sundays at 9:00 AM in the church. These liturgies are an integral part of the program. It is expected that PREP children also regularly attend weekly Mass with their families. PREP is not a substitute, but is, in fact, preparation for Mass. PREP arrival and dismissal times have been coordinated with the Mass schedule. If you are unable to attend the 9:00 Mass, PREP dismissal time allows attendance at the 12:00 Mass.
Childrenˇňs Liturgy of the Word (September -- May)
Children ages 4 through Grade 5 are invited to participate in Childrenˇňs Liturgy of the Word during the 9AM Liturgy. After the opening prayer, children are dismissed with catechists to the church meeting rooms for age appropriate Liturgy of the Word: scripture readings (Lectionary for Masses with Children), homily, and prayers of the faithful. The children return to the main assembly for the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Please check the weekly parish bulletin for specific dates.
Sacrament Preparation
Children enrolled in Grade 2 in 2006-2007 will celebrate the sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist in accordance with Diocesan guidelines. Children entering Grade 4 in the fall of 2006 will celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation in March, 2007. All families with children preparing to receive a sacrament during the 2006-2007 year will receive a family guide with specific guidelines and important dates.
Homework Activities
The PREP program calendar provides for a partnership of faith formation between a child’s home and parish. Children will gather for formal classroom instruction from 10:15AM – 11:45AM as indicated on the PREP calendar. Throughout the year, children will also have the opportunity to participate in music and art instruction (during class time) which complements the curriculum.
Homework has been assigned for Grades K-5. Families are encouraged to complete together the homework assignment. Catechists may elect to begin the homework assignment in class. If the assignment is already completed, families are encouraged to review the chapter and continue the faith discussion. In addition, children and families can continue the Sunday discussion at home by visiting the RCL website ˇV www.FaithFirst.com for interactive activities, games, and music. A lesson and homework schedule will be provided to families in the August mailing.
Inclement weather - Emergency closings
In the case of class cancellation due to a weather emergency, we will attempt to contact you by phone. A voice mail message will also be left on the PREP telephone line. When classes are not canceled, parents should use their best judgment concerning travel conditions.
Guidelines
Arrival
Classes begin at 10:15AM. Please use the entrance near the school library. Parents and guardians are asked to remain with their child(ren) until the Catechist has arrived for class. Children may not be left in an unsupervised classroom. All parents are encouraged to accompany their children inside the building.
Dismissal
Kindergarten through Grade 1
Children in Kindergarten through Grade 1 will not be dismissed into the hallways. Parents or adult guardians are asked to come into the classrooms to pick up their children. If an adult other than the parents or adult guardians is to pick up children, please notify the coordinator/director or the appropriate catechists.
Grade 2 through Grade 5
If possible, please arrange to meet your children in the school, rather than in the parking lot.
Gathering Time and Prayer
During each class children in Grades 1-5, along with their catechists, aides, the coordinator, and the director meet in the gym for fifteen minutes of prayer and discussion.
Prayer Requirements
Learning the traditional prayers and teachings of the Church is an essential element of PREP. Grade level requirements are as follows:
Kindergarten: The Sign of the Cross
Grade 1: The Hail Mary
Grade 2: The Lord´s Prayer, Act of Contrition
Grade 3: The Apostle´s Creed
Grade 4: The Ten Commandments, Act of Contrition
Grade 5: Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy
The learning of this material will begin in class, but needs to be continued at home. Please pray these prayers at meal or bed time with your child. When prayed together in this way, most children can learn them easily. These prayers can be found in your child´s text. Children will be assessed on their knowledge of the prayer with a written test (Grades 1-5) during Class 10.
Rainbow Covenant
Rainbow Covenant has been developed to foster within our children Christ-like attitudes and behaviors toward themselves and others. Each class formulates, under the direction of the catechist, a set of rules which allows the members of the class to follow Jesus with their heads, hands, and hearts during PREP time. Periodic rewards are given to the children throughout the PREP year to encourage appropriate behavior.
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