The Community of St. Thomas Aquinas

CCD Policies

The Community of St. Thomas Aquinas Policies and Guidelines

Updated 7/19/2011

Registration:

Registered parishioners of St. Thomas who have students in public schools 1^st-11^th Grade and registered parishioners who have students in Catholic schools (2^nd Grade—First Eucharist) or (10^th and 11^th Grades—Confirmation) are welcomed.
Registrations and fees must be submitted in a LABELED, SEALED envelope either in the weekend collection or to the Administrative Assistant during Office hours.

Class schedule

Supplies are taken care of by the Office of Religious Education

Attendance policy:

We spend only about a day’s worth of time in class with your student(s) throughout the year. IT IS THE FAMILY’S RESPONSIBILITY TO SUPPORT THE LESSONS AT HOME AND MAKE SURE THAT THE STUDENT(S) ARE IN CLASS ON TIME.
If you know of an anticipated/unavoidable absence, please call the Office at 446-6201 and leave a message for Wade or e-mail mrrodrigue@yahoo.com. Make up work to be completed at home may be picked up from the Office starting the next day or will be given at the start of the next class. Attendance will be taken at the start of each class. If absences become excessive (past 2), the parents will be contacted by the CRE and/or pastor to discuss a possible remedy.

Discipline

Weapons

Language:

Fighting:

Smoking:

Drinking:

Leaving premises:

Safe Environment

All teachers and assistants have completed the Diocesan Safe Environment training and/or update before being allowed to work with students.
A Youth Volunteer Training for 9^th-11^th graders will be conducted at the start of each CCD year by a Diocesan trainer.
Circle of Grace/Safe Environment Lessons will be taught within the first two weeks.

Use of cell phones and electronic devices

All electronic devices must be silenced and put away of they will be confiscated until the end of class.

Dress Code

God created our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. Thus, our bodies are sacred, and so we must dress in a manner that recognizes our dignity and shows respect for ourselves and for others.
We must avoid distracting others in regards to modesty. It is the responsibility of parents to make sure that their children follow this dress code.
In general, the bodies of the boys and girls should be covered from the neck area to the knees with clothes that are clean and neat. The back of the torso and shoulders must always be covered. This means that “muscle shirts,” “spaghetti strap” tops, halter tops, and any sort of revealing blouses will not be allowed.
Pants and shorts are not to be overly baggy and are to be belted at the waist. In no case should the undergarment of any boy or girl be visible. Nor should skin tight clothing be worn above or below the waist.
Shorts and skirts must reach at least the top of the knee.

Food and gum in the classroom

Celebrations are allowed only when it’s whole group fellowship and will be provided in the Café.

Traffic flow, drop off and pick-up

All students should be dropped off directly in the Chapel. The CRE will wait with the students prior to and after class. Students should be picked up from the Café.

Continuing Education for teachers

Volunteer teachers are strongly encouraged to further their faith education through Fr. Joey’s semester courses as well as the Diocesan offerings.

Additional Ideas:

Suggestions for parents: monthly family newsletter
Mass attendance: MASS ATTENDANCE is a very important part of living out the message of our program. Families should attend weekly Mass with their students.
Praying with children—monthly family newsletter
Lifestyles that reflect Christian values—monthly family newsletter
Bible reading at home—monthly family newsletter