Our Lady of Fatima

OUR LADY OF FATIMA

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

2017-2018

Grade 5

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Religious Education Office Contact Information...... 2

A Message from Father Reggie...... 3

Letter from Director, Kathleen Rooney...... 4

Class Schedule/Opening Dates...... 5

Registration Information

Policies for Grades 1 – 5...... -8

Policies for Grades 6 – 8-10

Sacramental Preparation ……………………………………………………………………………….11-13

Curriculum for Grades Pre-K through 5...... 14

Calendar for Grades 1 through 5...... 15

Calendar for Sunday Classes...... 16

Curriculum for Grades 6 through 8...... 17

Calendar 6th Grade Morning...... 18-19

Calendar 6th Grade Evening...... 20-21

Preparing for Confirmation...... 22

Calendar 7th Grade Morning...... 23-24

Calendar 7th Grade Evening...... 25-26

Calendar 8th Grade Morning...... 27-28

Calendar 8th Grade Evening...... 29-30

Christmas Sing-Along...... 31

Christmas Pageant...... 32

Home-School Testing Calendar and Policies...... 33-34

Study Guides...... 35-40

Office of Religious Education

Our Lady of Fatima Parish

225 Danbury Road

Wilton, Connecticut 06897

(203) 762-9080

Rev. Reginald D. Norman

Pastor

Mrs. Kathleen Rooney

Director, Religious Education

Mrs. Stella Yee

Administrative Assistant

Mrs. Lisa Sallese

Assistant Bookkeeper

Website: /parish-life/education

Office Email:

Fax No. (203) 762-1735

Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Youth Ministry Email:

Gr. 1-8

Gr. 9-12

(In the event the school is closed and the front doors are locked, please call us or press the white button on the intercom box located on the left side of the front door.)

A Message from Father Reggie

May 20, 2017

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We have just celebrated the sacrament of First Eucharist and are busily preparing for Confirmation. Our Religious Education office is also working on implementing our online registration form. We are so blessed to have dedicated professionals who work so hard on behalf of the children in our faith community. We are also in the process of reviewing some of our other sacramental preparation material.

Our staff is stretched and we need your help in the following ways:

Please make sure your child arrives on time, has done any homework and is prepared.
Please bring your child to church to reinforce what they are learning in their sessions.
Please remind your child that the Catechist is a volunteer who is doing this out of love for them and the faith. They deserve the respect that a teacher would get.
Please leave all cell phones and other electronics with you and if they are needed remind them they are not to be used during class.

Some of you may have noticed we had an increase in fees and a parishioner rate now added. This is necessitated as we will be losing a whole grade of students as we have moved the grade for confirmation back one year. In addition, the parish must subsidize any fees that are left uncovered by our program and it is not fair to parishioners to be charged more than those who do not support the parish.

We have also received several complaints about late fees? Really. Your fees are due prior to the class starting and it is not fair that our staff must continually ask for these fees to educate your children. Currently we have over $7,000 in outstanding fees and we will not place or give priority in a class to those with outstanding fees.

We are always looking for ways to improve our program. If you have suggestions, please let us know. In addition, we really want to provide a program for the parents while their children are in formation. If you are interested in a program like this, please let us know. Lastly, our Parish is involved in a program called “Formed”. It is an exciting way for all of us to grow deeper in faith. Please go to the church website if you are interested in participating in this free program.

As always, we thank you for partnering with us to educate your children. I pray that we will all grow closer to God through this program. May God continue to bless you all.

In service,

Fr. Reginald D. Norman

May 2017

Dear Parents,

It is with great joy that the Religious Education Staff welcomes you to the 2017-18 school year. We have watched many of your children grow in their faith over the years and we hope to continue to foster the love of our Catholic faith to all who come to us.

We recognize that you as parents are the primary educators in the faith. Please know that your example has such an impact on the spiritual life of your children. Attending Mass each weekend, praying together in your home, and living our faith in the events of everyday life speak powerful words to our young, impressionable boys and girls. What a gift to be God’s instrument in leading them on this earth to be the best disciple they can be!

Our door is always open, so please feel free to come and visit us with your concerns, comments, or suggestions.

Let us together work joyfully for our awesome God as we encourage our children to grow closer to Him each day of their lives.

May our Lord bless your families abundantly and keep you wrapped in his love.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Rooney

CLASS SCHEDULE

2017-2018

OPENING DATES

Grades 1-5: Monday Sept. 18 – 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday Sept. 19 – 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday Sept. 20 – 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Pre-K and K:Sunday, Sept. 24 – 9:00 a.m.

Grades 6-8: Sunday, Sept. 24

Morning Classes – 9:00 to 10:15 a.m.

Evening Classes – 5:30 to 6:45 p.m.

NOTE: We follow the Wilton Public School calendar. If school is not in session OR if there is early dismissal (even ten minutes early), then there are no Religious Education classes.

We are an after-school activity on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, so

if after-school activities are cancelled, there are NO Religious Education classes.

Sunday classes are rarely cancelled. If there is a question about classes being held, please check the radio station WEBE 108and/or TV Channel 12.

REGISTRATION is now ONLINE.

The link is:

The system will indicate the number of available spots for each day/grade/time. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, so once these spots are filled, that day/grade/time is CLOSED. Upon completion, you will receive an email confirmation of your selection. However, spots are NOTCONFIRMED until payment is received and all tests and make up work for grades missed are completed. New registrations cannot be accepted for those with outstanding balances from last year (2016-17).

Acceptance of Religious Education registration is conditional upon having your Parish registration on filein the Parish Office. It is assumed you will have demonstrated financial support to Our Lady of Fatima Church in the amount of $400 (minimum) per family, per year. For any exceptions due to financial difficulty, please communicate with Father Reggie.

2017-18 TUITION FEES

IN PARISH:BEFORE 7/1/17AFTER 7/1/17

1 Child$210$260

2 Children$260$310

3 Children$310$360

OUT OF PARISH:BEFORE 7/1/17AFTER 7/1/17

1 Child$260$310

2 Children$310$360

3 Children$360$410

Sacrament Materials Fee

$75.00 for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist

$85.00 for Confirmation

Replacement Book Fee:

$20.00 Workbook; $12.00 Sacrament Book

POLICIES

GRADES 1 - 5

ATTENDANCE

Attendance at Religious Education classes is important for faith formation. Please recognize the gifts of time, preparation, and generosity that our dedicated volunteer catechists offer in order to bring the good news to our parish children.

Any student in grades 1 through 5 who misses more than six(6) scheduled Religious Education classes will be required to do make-up work prior to registering for the next school year.

Attendance is taken in the classroom at the beginning of class. Please make every effort to get your child to class on time. We do not call home if your child is absent. It is your child’s/children’s responsibility to complete all assigned readings, homework, and tests.

CONDUCT

Please encourage your sons and daughters to be respectful and courteous at all times to both their teachers and their classmates. If a child has a behavior problem or is disruptive in class, he/she will be warned by the teacher. For a second occurrence, the child will be sent to the Religious Education office and parents will be called. The third time there is a problem, you will be asked to sit in class with your child or home-school him/her for the remainder of the year.

The Religious Education office takes bullying very seriously and has a zero tolerance for such behavior. The office recognizes that everyone has the right to learn in a safe environment.

The use of cell phones or any electronic device is prohibited during class time. If a child is seen using such a device, the teacher will collect it until the end of the class.

ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday Classes

Please drop off and pick up your children at the REAR of the school only. Students will be dismissed at 5:00 p.m. from the rear door of the school onto the playground. In the interest of safety, your child will not be dismissed early from class without a note signed by a parent or guardian who must then come to the classroom to pick up your child.

We ask that you pick up your children promptly at 5:00 p.m. from the playground area and escort them to your cars. The children are instructed not to go into the parking lot, but to wait for the person who is bringing them home to get them on the playground and walk them to the car.

Please abide by the traffic-pattern signs from the church entrance to the church parking lot. Stay to the right as you go around the church to the parking lot. Park your car in the allotted spaces, and walk up to the playground to pick up your child. Please DO NOT park in front of the garages or in front of the St. Vincent de Paul statue, and DO NOT drive up or down the driveway from the school as this puts the children in danger! We appreciate everyone abiding by these procedures so that the safety of our children will not be compromised.

Any time the Miller, Driscoll, or Cider Mill children are dismissed prior to the scheduled dismissal time (even if it’s only ten minutes), Religious Education classes for students affected by the early dismissal are automatically cancelled. For example, at one time the Miller/Driscoll students were dismissed early so there were no classes for them, but classes were held for Cider Mill students.

We are an after-school activity on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, so if after-school activities held at the schools in Wilton are cancelled; there will be NO Religious Education classes.

In the event of inclement weather, please come into the school to pick up your child.

SNACKS

Before class, snacks will be available for sale until 3:55 p.m. The cost

ofsnacks is 50 centseach.

POLICIES

GRADES 6 - 8

ATTENDANCE

Any student in grades 6 and 7 who misses more thanthree (3) scheduled Religious Education classes will be required to complete additional assignments before registering for the next year. These assignments will be distributed at the conclusion of classes.

Students in grade 8 who miss more thantwo (2) scheduled classeswill be required to complete an additional assignment by April 10, 2018 to be eligible for Confirmation.

CONDUCT

We are very grateful for the men and women who have volunteered the gifts of their time and talent to our parish children. Please encourage your sons and daughters to be respectful and courteous at all times to both their teachers and their classmates.

If a child has a behavior problem or is disruptive in class, he/she will be warned by the teacher. For a second occurrence, the child will be sent to the Religious Education office and parents will be called. The third time there is a problem you will be asked to sit in class with your child or home-school him/her for the remainder of the year.

The Religious Education office takes bullying very seriously and has zero tolerance for such behavior. The office recognizes that everyone has the right to learn in a safe environment.

The use of cell phones or any electronic device is prohibited during class time. Any such device will be collected by the catechist at the beginning of class and returned to the student at the end of class.

ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL

Please drop off and pick up your child at the front door of OLF School. For safety reasons, no student will be allowed to leave via the back entrance. A signed note is required for any child who needs to be dismissed early from class. In addition, a parent/guardian must come to the classroom to pick up the child. We appreciate your promptness both at the beginning and at the end of class.

Sunday classes are rarely cancelled. If there is a question about classes being held, please check the radio station WEBE 108 and/or TV Channel 12.

TESTING

Students in Grades 6, 7, and 8 will be tested as per syllabus. All tests must be passed and all assignments completed by April 10, 2018 before your child/children can be registered for the following year.

NOTE: Study guides for these tests are located at the back of the book.

IF YOUR CHILD CANNOT ATTEND ON THE DAY OF THE TEST, HE/SHE MUST CALL THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE THE TEST WITHIN ONE WEEK OF THE TESTING DATE.

SACRAMENTAL PREPARATION

2017 - 2018

SCHEDULE

(NOTE: IF YOUR CHILD WAS NOT BAPTIZED AT OUR LADY OF FATIMA CHURCH, A COPY OF HIS/HER BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED.)

SECOND GRADE

FIRST RECONCILIATION MEETINGS

Monday, October 23, 2017 – 7:30 p.m., OLF Church - PARENTS ONLY

Following a brief meeting, parents will be invited to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Sunday, December 3, 2017 – 10:30 a.m., OLF School Gym

PARENTS AND FIRST RECONCILIATION STUDENTS

January 8, 9, 10, 2018 – Children’s Reconciliation books will be checked for completion and they will be asked to say the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Glory Be, the Act of Contrition, and the Sign of the Cross by the Religious Education staff.

Children will receive the sacrament of Reconciliation on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at either the 9:30 a.m. or the 11:00 a.m. ceremony in Church.

FIRST EUCHARIST MEETINGS

Sunday, February 25, 2018 – 10:30 a.m., OLF School Gym

PARENTS AND FIRST COMMUNION STUDENTS

Monday, March 19, 2018 – 7:30 p.m., OLF Church - PARENTS ONLY

Banner Kits and First Communion ceremony seating charts will be distributed at this meeting.

March 19, 20, 21, 2018 – Children’s books will be checked for completion and they will be quizzed on their comprehension of the sacrament by the Religious Education staff.

First Eucharist is scheduled for two Saturdays:

May 5, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Rehearsal for the May 5, 9:30 ceremony will be on Thursday, May 3, 4:00 to

4:45 p.m. and for the 12:00 ceremony from 5:00 to 5:45 p.m. in the Church.

May 12, 2018 at 9:30 a.m.

Rehearsal for the May 12, 9:30 ceremony will be on Thursday, May 10, 4:00 to 4:45 p.m. in the Church.

EIGHTH GRADE

CONFIRMATION PREPARATION

Wednesday, September 13, 2017 –7:00 p.m. Parent/Candidate Meeting,

OLF CHURCH

NOTE:If the Confirmation candidate was not baptized at OLF or did not receive his/her First Holy Communion at OLF, a copy of his/her baptismal certificate is required.

Sunday, January 7, 2018 – Saint Report Due

Monday, February 5, 2018 – 7:30 p.m. Sponsor/Candidate Meeting – OLF Church

Sunday, February 25, 2018 - Service Report Due

Sponsor Certificate must be obtained from Parish of sponsor and submitted

WITHIN 6 MONTHS of Confirmation Date.

Confirmation Retreat (more details will be provided)

Penance Service (dates to be determined)

***CONFIRMATION DATES—you will be informed of the dates upon receipt of notification from the Bishop’s Office***

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CURRICULUM

GRADES PRE-K THROUGH 5

PRE-K

Pre-K students are introduced to God’s loving care as they experience His presence through stories, music, sharing, and art.

KINDERGARTEN---GOD LOVES US

The Kindergarten curriculum celebrates God’s love through a discovery of all the good God has created. Children are introduced to the Holy Spirit and are encouraged to pray and be kind to one another. Mary is presented as the one who always said “Yes” to God.

GRADE ONE---GOD IS GOOD

The First Grade curriculum provides the foundation for the children’s spiritual growth and the development of their knowledge of the Catholic faith. Through learning of God’s goodness as Creator and Savior, and the love of Jesus, the students are called upon to respond to God in prayer and friendship.

GRADE TWO---GOD CARES FOR US

The Second Grade program introduces the children to Jesus’ loving forgiveness which results in the peace of the sacrament of Reconciliation. The Eucharist is seen as a sacrament of nourishment, unity, and God’s great love for us. Children learn the parts of the Mass and how we participate.

GRADE THREE---WE BELIEVE

Students in Grade Three are led to understand that they are members of a family of believers, the Church. The curriculum presents basic Catholic beliefs, as expressed in the Creed.

GRADE FOUR---GOD GUIDES US

The Fourth Grade program helps the children view the Commandments and the Beatitudes as God-given guidelines for living a good life, pleasing to God. Students are encouraged to respond with faith and love by keeping God’s commands.

GRADE FIVE---WE WORSHIP

The Fifth Grade curriculum is designed to help the students understand that God has given us a share in divine life. By focusing on the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, children are enabled to celebrate these encounters with Christ and deepen their understanding throughliturgy. The subjects of abortion and morality are presented in an age-appropriate manner in one chapter of the text.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CALENDAR

2017-2018

GRADES 1 - 5 (4:00-5:00 p.m.)

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY

Sept.181920

252627

Oct. 2 3 4 9 (No Class) 10 11

161718

232425

3031

Nov. 1

6(No Class) 7(No Class) 8 (No Class)

131415

20(No Class)21(No Class)22(No Class)