Parish School of Religion

2017 – 2018 Policies

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church

330 Moundville St., P.O. Box 116, Washington, LA 70589

Ph. 337-826-7396 Fax 337-826-0099

EXPECTATIONS: Students and parents/guardians should be living their Christian Catholic faith. Students enrolled in our CCD program are required to be registered members of the parish community. Students mustattend Mass at Immaculate Conception Church. Proof will be required of Mass attendance. If there is shared custody which prevents regular class or Mass attendance, please let us know in writing beforehand.

1. PARENT(S)/GUARDIANS: By enrolling your child, you agree to follow our church policies. Ensure child attends classes regularly and on time. Communicate any special needs/ circumstances.Be an active part of child’s learning. Please be patient if a class lesson goes a bit over an hour. An assessment will be given during the first day of class to see what your child already knows. In addition to the textbook and teacher’s instructions, the Diocese of Lafayette has expectations for each catechism year. The expectations can be found at Click on “Expectations for Each Grade” In the event that your child does attend a Mass at another Catholic Church, he or she will need to bring back a bulletin signed by the priest after Mass.

2. STUDENT(S): Show respect. Be cooperative. Actively participate. Attend class and Mass regularly and complete any assignments.Four tests will be administered during the year. Students must pass these and demonstrate proof of regular Mass attendance in order to advance to the next grade. Students must also master benchmarks designed for each grade level in order to pass. Remove hats or caps upon entering the building. Shorts are permitted but must be at least the length of school uniform requirements. No spaghetti straps, tube tops, or muscle shirts. Do not wear anything offensive or disrespectful. Cell phones/electronics are not to be used during class. Phones will be taken away and given to the parent/guardian after class. No weapons, tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs.

3. CATECHISTS: Prepare and teach designated curriculum. Be a Christian role model. Communicate regularly with and involve parents in the faith development of their child. Report any problems to the Director immediately.

4. SCHEDULE: Classes for grades 1st through 10th will be on Wednesday evenings from 6pm to 7pm beginning Wednesday, September 6, 2017. The Diocese of Lafayette requires 24 hours of completed catechesis each year. Therefore, a student who misses a class will be required to make up the missed work. A student who misses a Mass will be required to demonstrate proof of an extra Mass attended. Excessive absences are grounds for dismissal. Special circumstances should be specified to the Director of Religious Education in advance of the missed class. All First Communion and Confirmation candidates must start attending in September with the other students. If a student is getting close to making their Confirmation, that student must attend 10th grade in order to pass to the 11th grade and must meet all 11th grade requirements in order to receive Confirmation. 11th grade Confirmation classes will be on Tuesdays.

No class on these Wednesdays: November 22(Thanksgiving Break), December 20, 27, & January 3 (Christmas Break)

Class dates include all other Wednesdays as follows:

  • September 6, 13, 20, 27
  • October 4, 11, 18, 25
  • November 1, 8, 15, 29
  • December 6, 13
  • January 10, 17, 24, 31
  • February 7, 14, 21, 28
  • March 7, 14, 21, 28
  • April 4

5. COMMUNICATION: We are here to serve the religious education needs of our youth. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to share them with your child’s catechist, our program director, Ms. Betty Sparks, or Fr. Jared.

6. DROP OFF/PICK UP: Children can be dropped off no earlier than 5:45 PM and must be picked up no later than 7:15 PM. Due to the busy road between the church hall and the parking lot, we ask that when dropping off young children, you walk them across the street. At the end of class, parents should pick up their children from the side door as they exit. Parents are asked to walk small children across the street.

7. DISCIPLINE: If a child’s behavior disrupts the learning process, the following steps will be followed: 1) the catechist will send the child to the Director of Religious Education. 2) If the child continues to misbehave/ be disruptive, the director will speak with the parent/guardian. 3) When the child returns, and continues to disrupt or misbehave, the pastor will decide whether or not the child should be dismissed from the program. Disciplinary actions will be recorded by the director.

8. EMERGENCY CLASS CANCELLATION: If the public school was closed early due to bad weather and there is still a threat of bad weather in our area, then there will be no class that night. Catechists will call families by 4:00pm on Wednesday to inform them if class is cancelled.

9. FIRE SAFETY/DISASTER: A fire drill will be conducted each year. All students and staff will depart the facility, proceed toward the church and gather by grade level to be counted by their catechist.

10. HEALTH CONCERNS: If your Child(Ren) has any health concerns/medication that may need to be addressed, please submit these concerns to the director in writing. We do not want to embarrass the Child(Ren) in any way (for example: asthma, seizures,etc.)

11. CHILD ABUSE: By law and policy we are required to report suspected child abuse. Children shall participate in an age-appropriate Safe Environment awareness program as part of the curriculum on Wednesday, September 20thduring class time. If you do not want your child to attend, we need a written letter in advance from the parent/guardian opting out. If you opt out, you should keep your child home from class that evening.

RIGHT TO AMEND: Immaculate Conception reserves the right to amend these policies as necessary. Parents will be notified if changes are made.