St. Leonard Religious Education Handbook 

St. Leonard Religious Education Center Phone (708) 795-5919

Office Hours
Tuesday through Friday  9:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M.

For appointments at other times, or to make sure that someone will be in the office, please call in advance.  Class hours are a hectic time.  If you should need to speak to Mrs. Gorss or Mr. Grolli at length about any concern, please call to set up an appointment.

Policies

Philosophy of Religious Education
The Elementary Religious Education Program (CCD - which stands for Confraternity of Christian Doctrine) of St. Leonard Parish celebrates God's presence among us by creating a Christian learning environment through the cooperative efforts of faculty, parents and students.  Realizing that parents are the primary religious educators of children, volunteer catechists and aides work to build a community of faith in which each child can better see and understand the action of God in out community and in the world. These goals are accomplished through faith-sharing, prayer and liturgy.

Priority for admissions
In the admission of students to religious education programs in the Archdiocese of Chicago, the order or priority shall be as follows:

1. Children of parishioners
   a.  children from families with children already enrolled
   b.  children now reaching school age
   c.  children transferring from the parish school
   d.  children from families newly moved to the parish
2. Children of non-parishioners
   a.  children from families with children already enrolled
   b.  children now reaching school age
   c.  other children seeking to enroll

Policy Statement
Our Religious Education Program is intended for faith formation and not just sacramental preparation.  The program is designed to have continuity from first through eighth grade.  Skipping of years in between sacraments does not allow for adequate faith formation.  It is difficult, if not impossible, for a child and teacher to make up for inadequate preparation.  Young people will be eligible for the Confirmation Program only if they have completed the previous two years (grades 6 & 7) in a religious education program.  Children will be eligible for the Reconciliation/Eucharist Program after they have completed one full year of religious education.

Policy on Non-discrimination
St. Leonard Parish Religious Education Program admits students of any sex, race, color, or national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded of made available to students in this religious education program.

General Expectations
It is expected that each family become actively involved in the St. Leonard Religious Education Program and parish in order to model a living, conscious and active Christian faith and to reinforce the values and attitudes for living that faith.  The family and their children also must act in accordance with these values and attitudes.  Failure of a family member to act in a truly Christian manner or cooperate fully with St. Leonard Parish, may lead to the removal or non-registration of the family member attending the Religious Education Program.

Classroom Policies

Good Conduct
Good Conduct, cooperation, attention and courtesy are expected during class time.  Students are reminded that the rooms and desks they use for class are shared with other children within the parish.  All are expected to respect the property of other students.  Any student who consistently disturbs a class or who continually fails to cooperate with the Catechist and other students within a class, shall be subject to the following procedures.

If there is no improvement, in fairness and justice to the Catechist and students in the class, the Religious Education Director reserves the right to ask the parents to provide an alternate form of religious education.

Attendance Policies

Promptness and attendance at all classes is expected.  Every class is important in the student's catechetical formation.

Case of Absence
When you know that your child will be absent for a particular class, please notify the Religious Education Office by phone or in writing in advance of the class.  The Office phone number is (708) 795-5919.

Tardiness
Classes will begin promptly at 8:30 A.M. and 10:30 A.M. on Saturday mornings.  Students are expected to be in their seat and ready for class. Repeated tardiness will have to be made up after class. Children must be picked up promptly after class as no one is here to babysit.

Make-up Work
A student who misses a class is expected to do Make-up work for the class missed.  The student, the student's parents, and the Catechist share responsibility of seeing that this work is completed as soon as possible.

Custody Issues
If parents are divorced or separated, the Religious Education Office presumes that both parents have access to the children unless one parent can provide evidence that he or she has the sole right.  If there are other custody arrangements, a copy of such agreement must be on file in the Parish Religious Education Office.

In Case of Frequent Absences
When a student has three or more absences within a given year, it may be necessary to schedule a conference with the parents.  Depending on the results of this conference, a student may be asked to repeat the same grade the following year.

The six classes immediately prior to the first reception of a sacrament should not be missed for any reason.  If a student must be absent from any class at this time because of illness or death in the family, he/she must meet with the Catechist to arrange to make up any missed work.

Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is unwanted and unwelcome sexual behavior which interferes with a person's life and/or creates an uncomfortable environment.  It includes a broad range of behavior including sexual remarks and jokes, suggestive looks and gestures, touching and other kinds of physical contact.

Sexual harassment by one employee of another, by an employee of a student, by a student of an employee, or by one student of another is unacceptable conduct.  Employees or students who engage in any type of sexual harassment, will be subject to appropriate discipline, including suspension and/or dismissal.

Entering Classrooms
Students may not enter a classroom before the Catechist arrives.  The doors to the classroom will remain closed until the Catechist has arrived and is ready for class.

Early Dismissal
Students will not be allowed to leave class early unless a note from the parents is sent to the Religious Education Office before class.  For the protection of the student, the person coming for the student must report to the office to pick up the student.  Catechists may not dismiss the student from class without receiving a prior approval from the office.

Guests
Students are not allowed to bring friends or relatives to class unless an agreement has been made with the Coordinator at least one full day prior to class.

Tuition Rates and Policy

Mass attendance will be monitored on a weekly basis for all parish families. All families will have the opportunity to join the St. Leonard parish community. To receive attending parishioner rates you must be a registered parishioner and attend Mass on a regular basis. Mass attendance will be reviewed four times a year. These reviews will take place on a quarterly basis.                        

Fr. McQuaid will determine each family's status. At this time, families that have not attended the required number of weekly Masses (9 out of 12) per quarter will be assessed $50 for every quarter not in compliance. Your attendance will strengthen our parish and the faith of each family.

Non-Attending Adjustment: additional $50 per quarter