St. Patrick’s Religious Education Program

Director of Religious Education Sara Blauvelt Office Assistants Clarice Ewing Susan Petrocci Nancy Wagner

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE: (located in the Parish Center) 4101 Norbeck Road Rockville, Maryland 20853 301-929-9314 Office Hours: Monday through Wednesday: 12:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Curriculum St. Patrick's uses the Christ our Life series as the basis for its curriculum for grades kindergarten through eighth grade. This curriculum is written by the Sisters of Notre Dame of Charon, Ohio. The High School program uses Your Life in Christ: Foundations in Catholic Morality as its primary text. This curriculum is written by Ave Maria Press.

Both series are approved by the Archdiocese of Washington. Copies of all texts are available in the Religious Education office for your review.

Sacramental Preparation Preparation for First Reconciliation and First Eucharist is a two-year program encompassing 1st and 2nd grades. Both sacraments are received in 2nd grade. A Baptismal certificate must be on file in the Religious Education office for a child to receive these sacraments

Preparation for Confirmation is a two-year program spanning 7th and 8th grade. Students must attend 7th grade classes and complete Faith in Action projects to enroll in the 8th grade Confirmation class. If a student is new to the program, a Baptismal certificate must be on file in the Religious Education to receive this sacrament.

Children beyond the normal age when sacraments of First Eucharist and/or Confirmation are typically received will be placed in special sacrament preparation classes. Placement will be made as deemed appropriate by the Director after meeting the student and family. The program may be one or two years in duration.

Class Registration Registration for all Religious Education classes begins in May for the following school year. Students currently enrolled in the Religious Education program will bring home a registration form for the following year. Registration forms will also be available in the Religous Education office and in the back of the church beginning in May. To avoid a late fee, registration must be turned in by July 30th. Classes are filled as registrations are received. If your student has an option for class time and your schedule is limited, it is imperative that you register early.

Administrative Policies

Calendar: St. Patrick's follows the Montgomery County Public School calendar. When the county schools have a scheduled early release day, St. Patrick's will have class.

Emergency Closing: Whenever MCPS schools close due to inclement weather or an emergency, our classes will be cancelled as well. Listen to WTOP (1500 AM and 820 FM) for cancellations.

Attendance: Attendance will be taken for each class. It is important that students attend as many classes as possible. If a student misses a class, make-up work may be necessary. Parents are requested to call the office at 301-929-9314 if their child will be absent.

Promptness: It is imperative that students arrive for class on time. Teachers may use their discretion to hold their class past the dismissal bell, if tardiness is a particular problem for a class.

Evaluation: We strive to maintain classroom settings that are instructive as well as comfortable for all students. If a student has a behavorial or other classroom problem, parents will be contacted by phone or written report. A meeting with the Director or coordinator will follow, if necessary, to rectify the situation.