Parents

From RE Guidelines:

Our Religious Education (RE) program is a cooperative effort. You, as parents, play a significant role in the religious education of young people. Your active participation is encouraged as we share this important responsibility

FAMILY EXPECTATIONS

Arrive on time and come regularly. Children develop a sense of belonging by attending regularly. Encourage your children to participate. Classrooms are safe and fun when all children are willing participants in class activities.

• Introduce yourself to your children’s teachers.
• When possible, let the teachers know if a child will be absent.
• All children third grade and under must be delivered to class and picked up by an adult.
• Be on time to pick up younger children. Pick-up is at 11:30.

Spend time together at church. Attend the 10 a.m. Worship Service regularly and make a special effort to be with your children at church family celebrations. Your presence and participation is appreciated. Our children learn to worship by worshiping with us.

Help with RE when asked, whenever possible. Religious education is a cooperative venture. All teachers are volunteers. We ask that you budget your time to include periodic teaching/aide experience at First Parish. There are additional opportunities to support the program. All families are encouraged to volunteer for jobs that help make the entire program run smoothly.

Register your children. We require the parent or guardian of children in our program to provide us with a completed registration form for all children and youth, to ensure that we have updated and correct contact information and emergency numbers. For those children whose parents are not regular church attendees, a sponsoring family will be identified. Those sponsors will act as a liaisons with the church—providing information on the child and ensuring that the child adheres to classroom behavior expectations or the youth group covenant.

Keep lines of communication open. The RE team is committed to providing you with as much information as possible about your child’s experience at church. Periodically letters will be mailed to your home or, if possible, e-mails sent to update you on general classroom activities, special events, or projects. Please read the weekly announcements to learn more about church and Sunday School happenings. We are better able to provide you with information if our database is accurate. Any changes in contact information may be sent to the RE Director at dre@firstparish.info.

In extreme weather conditions, the church may close. If you are concerned about coming to church, please check the First Parish Web site at www.firstparish.info or call the RE Office at (781) 648-3799, ext. 5, to hear a recorded message regarding closings.

Help sustain the church financially. We ask families to make a financial contribution to the church. Without the dedication of its participants, our program could not be the successful one that it is. Substantial church dollars are necessary to support it. We expect that families will financially support this and other programs of the church in a responsible way as they are able.

Attend parent meetings. Some meetings may be required, and they are designed to help you and your child. We know that you are the primary religious educators for your children. It is our responsibility to support you and your children as they make their way through the RE program at First Parish. In return, we ask for your support and your time.

Share your point of view. Let your children know your thoughts, opinions, and values. Talk with them about why you think it is important to be part of a religious community.

Review the safety policies and classroom behavior policies (below). We need your help in keeping our classrooms and church welcoming and safe. You will be asked to help your child behave appropriately while participating in church activities.

Please bring your child to church ready to learn and to engage in a positive way with other children and their teachers. A well-fed and rested child, dressed appropriately for movement (and for outdoor activities, should that be a part of their curriculum), will be most ready and able to participate and enjoy classes. Electronic games, handheld computer toys, musical headsets, and other gadgets that will isolate and/or distract the students from group activity should not be brought to church or class.

Because we strive to be a caring community and want to support the entire family as best we can, please inform the Minister, the RE Director, or a Lay Minister of any life-changing or -altering experiences that may affect your children and their church life. Information will be help in strictest confidentiality.