San Juan del Rio Catholic Church
Religious Education Policies
1718 State Road 13
Jacksonville, FL 32259
Sundays & Holy Days of Obligation - Religious Education is not a replacement for attending Mass. Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation are required of all Catholics. It is a mortal sin not to attend without just cause such as illness. Religious Education compliments the Mass experience for children and it truly is difficult to teach children who do not have an idea of what Mass is.
Placement - Your request for a particular session will try to be honored. Please understand that classes do fill up and we can only take so many students per teacher. NO REQUESTS for teachers or being with a friend will be honored. Placement is done in our computer database and we will not allow switching. NO REFUNDS will be given.
Sacrament of Confirmation – Required documents: 1) a copy of candidate’s baptismal record (if baptized at SJDR, please notify DRE); 2) proof of attendance in a Religious Education program last year. These documents are due the first day of class. There will be a MANDATORY meeting for all parents and candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Sacrament of Reconciliation/Sacrament of First Holy Eucharist – Required documents: 1) a copy of candidate’s baptismal record (if baptized at SJDR, please notify DRE); 2) proof of attendance in a Religious Education program last year. The documents are due the first day of class. Additional information about the Sacraments will be provided during the school year.
Parishioner Status – If you are currently a registered parishioner at San Juan del Rio, you should be receiving Stewardship Envelopes. These envelopes must be used on a regular basis. The amount you wish to contribute is your personal choice and is between you and God. Non-contributors will need to pay the non-parishioner rate. The envelope system is also used to determine eligibility of a parishioner for becoming a sponsor in the Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation.
Gate Closure – When picking up your child(ren), the gate to the school entrance may or may not be closed. All adults should wait outside the gated area until classes are dismissed. All adults who have not been cleared (fingerprinted/Protecting God’s Children class) will be asked to leave the school courtyard. The gate near the portable area should not be used as an entrance. The main gate, if closed, will be open after classes are dismissed. Children arriving late will need to see DRE or assistant to get into class if the gate is closed. Children who need to leave early should send a note of explanation for early dismissal to the DRE. No dismissals will be accepted for the last ten minutes of class. If you wish to have your child(ren) dismissed early from class it must be more than ten minutes until the end of class. The classes are only 1 hour and 15 minutes to 1 hour and 30 minutes. We ask that your child arrive on time and stay for the entire class. Their Religious Education should take priority over other activities.
Drop Off/Pick Up Policies – ALL SESSIONS
Drop Off: You may park and walk child(ren) to classroom or drop off in the designated area (see map).
Pick Up: All grade levels - park and pick up child(ren) from classroom. Children will not be released without a parent or guardian. If you wish to have someone other than the parent/guardian pick up your child, a note must be on file with the student’s teacher indicating who has permission to pick up your child. Click on this link for a pre-printed note.
ENTER AND EXIT through the Marywood side of the Church. Please wait outside the gated area (even if open) until the final dismissal bell has rung. No adults without clearance (fingerprint & PGC class) should be in the courtyard while classes are in progress. If the gate is opened by anyone without permission, your family can be dismissed from the Religious Education program for the year. We consider this very serious.
Class Cancellations – If severe weather is approaching, classes could be cancelled. Due to the large numbers of children, individual phone calls cannot be made. Please call the Religious Education office at 287-2801 for possible cancellations or try the web site at www.sjdrparish.org. We will do our best to post information on these medias, however, please realize that we may be without power during severe storms. (If St. John’s County Schools have cancelled activities due to severe weather, we will also cancel our classes.) Occasionally, classes can be cancelled for other activities that may need precedence. The DRE and pastor will make that determination and notices will be sent out with student’s prior class.
Behavior/Dress Code –
Behavior - We expect good behavior from students participating in Religious Education. Children who do not behave while on the property or in the classroom will be sent to the DRE. The DRE will determine on the first offense if the behavior can be resolved or warrants a call home. If a call is made to a parent/guardian, we expect a parent to talk with a child regarding their behavior (if a parent does not respond to a call/message that is still considered a first warning). If a second call is made concerning the behavior of a child, we will ask the parent to home school the student for the remainder of the year.
Dress Code – A child should be wearing appropriate shirts/shorts/slacks/footwear. Current dress trends allow for stomachs, chests, thighs, underclothing and such to be showing. This is not appropriate and will not be allowed. In addition, NO heelies will be allowed. If a child is not in appropriate dress, the child’s parent will be called and the child will not be allowed in a classroom until the dress has been corrected.
A parent has a right to disagree with any part of our program. However, a parent does not have a right to abuse the volunteers/teachers/students or any persons involved in this program. If this should occur, we will ask that you home school your child(ren) for the remainder of the year. As a Catholic community, we invite discussion for disagreements but they must be presented in a Christian way.
Cell Phone and Electronic Devices should remain at home. If there is a need to call home, phones are on the property in case of emergency. Any child using a device during class will be asked to turn it over to the teacher. A parent will need to pick up the device from the Director of Religious Education.
Attendance – Regular and prompt attendance at Religious Education classes is expected of all students. Lessons build one upon another and understanding of one concept is a necessity in learning the next. We expect children to participate at least 70% of the year in order to advance to the next grade level. Please be sure to ask your child's teacher for any missed work due to absence.
Children in Sacramental years will be expected to participate at a higher level. Confirmation candidates will be allowed to miss no more than 3 classes.
All grade levels - please provide a written explanation for an absence as a courtesy. Please choose the session which best fits your family needs. We expect that once the child is placed in a session that they will continue in that session for the entire year. We realize that personal situations can change and we can make adjustments for those who need to switch. Sports are not a valid reason for switching sessions.
Fire Safety and Disaster Preparations - Teachers are aware of evacuation plans in case of fire emergency. Fire procedures are explained on the first day of classes to students. In case of natural disaster (hurricanes, tornadoes) Catechists will be warned of approaching danger and emergency procedures will be followed.
Volunteers - All volunteers in our program must be fingerprinted through the diocese and attend a class called Protecting God's Children. This program is only able to exist due to the wonderful volunteers. We invite you to join us in this rewarding ministry to share your faith with our parish children. This is a wonderful way to also grow in your own faith. No experience needed. Other opportunities for volunteering are also available.
Right to Amend - These policies are primarily a means of communication. It is meant to provide you the parent/guardian, with helpful information on how we intend to go about our work. The San Juan del Rio Religious Education program reserves the right to amend these policies as necessary. Parents will be notified, if changes are made to any procedures or information contained in these policies.