April 17, 2008

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We are conducting our registration process this spring to help with our fall planning.  We are continuing a Summer Session option for grades 3 – 6 this year, and we need to complete registration before the end of the school year.  While you may not know your families’ exact schedules for next year, it is less complicated in the fall to make changes rather than add a spot.  It will also offer you the opportunity to participate in the summer program as an option for Grades 3 -6; and helps us anticipate classrooms needs as our program continues to grow.

      As parents your role is crucial to imparting a faith and value system that they can rely on as they go through life.  Often, they learn most through our actions.  As a parish, we want to support you and them as they begin their faith journey.  While recognizing that you are pulled in many directions, we are asking that you make their religious formation a priority.  This begins with our coming together for Mass to worship God and support each other.  Religious Education seeks to deepen the faith knowledge that you share with them and seeks to connect their faith to everyday life.   We ask your help to make this an effective learning environment by attending worship services and classes, by being on time, and by having your children ready to participate.

      You and your children are an important part of our parish.  We seek to work with you in the faith formation of your children.  It works best when this is a combined effort of you, the teachers and our parish.  We need to hear from you as we go through the year!  Your input is important and helps us to be more effective.  Feel free to contact me at 908-874-3141 x 224 if you have any questions or concerns.

      This registration package contains registration information for the Religious Education Classes for Classes for 2008-2009.  Please carefully check all of the information on the forms, especially noting the class days and times as well as the new tuition information in this packet.  We cannot process your registration, or place your child in a class until we receive all the information we have requested.  You may return your completed packets:

      To the Religious Education Office at the Parish Center during the week

      In the box labeled registration in the coatroom in the Church, or

      Mailing them to the Religious Education Office.

SPECIAL NOTES:  In order to be fair to all families picking up packets, I will not begin processing registrations until Monday, May 19^th.  This way, parents picking up packets later in the week are not at a disadvantage.   Any forms received before Monday will be dated May 19^th. 

** Classes will be on a first come, first serve basis, so please register early if you have a preference!!**

Virtus training, fingerprinting & a Diocesan application must be completed & turned in before you can be a volunteer and work with/or be around any student.  Please see us for forms & information.

Please note the deadlines for information.  We will not review any registrations until after Monday, May 19 which will allow us the opportunity to plan our First Eucharist ceremonies and our closing classes.

Summer Program deadline is Monday, May 19.   If you are considering the Summer Program, please write “SUMMER PROGRAM” on the envelope, even if you only have one child attending summer and others in the fall classes.  Also please select a 2^nd and 3^rd choice.  At that point we will evaluate our enrollment in light of our classroom and space requirements.  If there is a need we will have a lottery for placement.

          If you have any questions about the schedule or the registration process, please call Monica or me and we would be happy to help you.

Jim Jungels

Director of Religious Education

P.S.  Please prayerfully consider helping in the program, especially as a teacher.  We can help with the teaching tools, but we need people of faith who love working with children.  Our children and our parish need you.  Please contact me to learn about what is involved.   

SEE CLASS SCHEDULE INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THIS PACKET.  THANKS!!

2008-2009 Religious Education Class Schedule

Summer School Requirements for Grade 3 – 6 (based on grades in the fall) which is a replacement of our year round program.   In order to participate

Sunday Classes: 

Grade 7 & 8:  We are asking that 7th and 8th grade attend on Tuesday evenings.

Home School:

Registration Package

Click to download forms

Registration Form      Volunteer Form       Photo Release Form

Contents:

You should have the following information in your packet: 

1.      Cover letter and general information.

2.      Family/Student information and Registration Form:

v      The top of each form contains family information, and the bottom of the form contains the information specific to each student.

v      Each form will have the information for 3 students; if you have 4 or more in our program, you will receive two forms.  Additional forms are also on our webpage at www.stjosephsparish.com, on the left under Religious Education Schedules.  Please check all preprinted information, and fill out and/or correct additional information as requested.  Current phone numbers & email addresses are important for communication throughout the school year.

v      In the class choice section, list your selections in order of preference (for example: 1^st Choice: Sunday, 10:45, 2^nd Choice: Thursday, 4:00, 3^rd Choice:  Home School)

v      If there is only one option that works for you family, please return the form by Monday, May 19^th for the best chance of getting your 1^st choice.

v      We hope to have all the forms processed, and classes scheduled by the end of the summer.

3.      Volunteer Form:

As always, adults are needed to make the program possible.  Please help in whatever way you can.  PLEASE NOTE:  Virtus training, fingerprinting & a Diocesan application must be completed & turned in before you can be a volunteer.  Please see us for forms & information.

4.      Permission Form - Photo Release Form:

We would like to be able to take photographs of special events, and even day to day activities.  Please let us know if we may use your child’s photo.

5.      Fee:

Please enclose your registration fee.  The front lists the fees for this year.  If you cannot pay the full amount now, please consider making installments.  If your family is unable to pay, please let us know.  No child will be denied Religious Education for financial reasons.  See above for late fee information.  Click here to see the registration fee schedule.

6.      For those registering for the summer program:  please write “SUMMER PROGRAM” on the outside of your envelope to help us identify and prepare our classes.  Please do this even if you are only enrolling one of your children in the summer program.

CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS

During the early part of the school year we will hold meetings to provide specific details to the families of children preparing for sacraments.  The specific dates for these meetings will be given out at a later date.  Here is some general information to keep in mind: 

v      First Reconciliation is typically celebrated one evening during Lent.

v      First Eucharist is usually celebrated in the spring, and the classes assigned to one of four Sunday Masses.

v      The Bishop’s office determines the date of Confirmation.  If Fr. Ray is the celebrant, it is usually held on a Saturday after Easter at the 4:45PM Mass.  If the Bishop is the celebrant, the Bishop’s office determines what time the Mass is held.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FEES 2008 - 2009

Tuition Fees:

**1 Child                      $100
**Additional Child        $100
**Family Cap              $200

Sacramental offering:  First Eucharist & Confirmation offering will help cover the expenses of special events & materials.  (This will be collected at a later time).

Grocery Card Fundraising Scrip:  The religious education program, as part of the greater St. Joseph Parish community, is asked to participate more actively in the grocery card fundraising program by purchasing $1,000 worth of scrip to be used at Shoprite or Pathmark during the course of the school year.  Grocery cards will be available using order forms through your child’s religious education class.  Grocery cards are also available following all Masses in the Gathering Space.  St. Joseph’s receives 5% from the sale of each card.  If every family purchased $1,000 in grocery cards during the course of the year, approximately $20,000 could be raised to help St. Joseph Parish.   Please carefully consider the purchase of the cards.  Participation in this program will help close the gap between tuition and the actual expenses per child.