Program Policies
Safe Environment:
In union with the Diocesan policies to provide a safe environment for your children, all staff and volunteers who work with youth have had a background check and have received Safe Environment training. It is important that we create an environment of safety and respect that promotes learning and cooperation.
We ask that the following guidelines be followed:
Regular attendance is both encouraged and expected. If your child will be absent, please let his/her catechist know. If your child misses two classes without notification, we will call you. If your child has four consecutive absences, we will contact you to discuss whether your child will remain in the program.
No food or drink should be brought into the classroom.
No toys or games.
Children should not use the personal items located in the classroom desks. (those items are the personal property of the children attending St. Joseph’s Catholic School)
Shirts will not have offensive words or pictures.
Cell phones, iPad (or other tablets), or any other electronic devices are not allowed in the classroom. They must be completely stowed in a backpack, or placed in a basket during the class period. The catechist has the authority to take them away during class.
No fidget spinners or other “fidget” devices are allowed in the classroom, unless the child has a medical reason (provided by the parent) for such device.
Catechists have the authority to confiscate such devices.
Please make every effort to pick your children up on time. After class, children are to remain inside building or in the parking lot until their transportation arrives.
When attending Mass, we expect....
Single file lines in the hallways & in route to Church.
Practice reverence, including blessing self when entering and exiting the church, genuflecting when entering and exiting the pew, and avoiding personal conversations while in the church.
No running or loud voices in the hallways.
Inclement weather or pandemic response:
If the Stratford Public Schools cancel classes due to a storm, all evening CCD classes will be cancelled. When a storm occurs and the Public Schools have not cancelled their classes, please call the parish office to confirm that CCD classes have been cancelled.
If Stratford Public Schools cancel classes due to a pandemic or other health related emergency, all CCD classes will also be suspended. In the case of a long term emergency students are expected to bring home their text books and will receive instruction via e-mail as to what the next steps will be.
Medication:
By law, catechists and other volunteers are not permitted to dispense medication of any kind. We will not administer aspirins or cold remedies. Students may NOT bring aspirins, cold remedies including cough drops, or any other over–the–counter medicines to class.
Parent Participation : Parents are always welcome to visit their child’s class. Additionally, we are always looking for volunteers who may be interested in getting involved in various ways with our CCD program. If you are willing to assist in the program, please contact St. Joseph & St. Andrew Parish Office Phone: 715-687-2404 Email: stjstadre@outlook.com
Here are some ways you can help:
-catechist -catechist aide
-substitute teacher -provide classroom snacks
-chaperone for field trips/retreats -provide food for retreats
Mass Attendance: In order to properly connect religious education, sacramental preparation, and prayer to the Liturgy, students and parents should make every attempt to attend Mass each weekend. It is impossible to expect a parish religious education program to succeed if the central act of worship is ignored.
Class attendance cannot take the place of Mass.