Religious Education General Information

Calendar: 2007-2008
Summer Programs
R.E. Classes – June 17th – September 9th
Harmony Camp (Pre-K) – July 16-20
U.U. Palooza – August 11–12

Sunday School Year
September
Water Communion Service – 9th
R.E. Classes begin  – 16th
Children’s Chapel– 30th
October
Trick or Treat  – UNICEF
November
Guest at Your Table
Inter-generation Service – 18th
December
Children’s Chapel – 30th
February
Children’s Art Show
Mystery Pal
March
Mystery Pal Breakfast
Youth Service – 2nd
Spring Service – 23rd
April
Regular R.E. Classes End
May
2008 Mini-Mester Begins
June
Transition Service – 8th

Teachers - What Does A Typical Sunday Look Like?

Greetings Friends, thank you for your interest and passion in our children and youth program. Your work with these young people will enable them to confidently find their path and beliefs in the midst of a crazy world. To make our Religious Education Program run smoothly, here are a few things that will be helpful.

General Info for all:

1. There are first aid kits in each of the rooms fully stocked and ready to go.
2. The Religious Education Committee has created an easy attendance sheet for you to use to keep track of the children and adults with you. Please quickly fill it out and give it to the Sunday Superintendent when they come around during the Offertory. They will also let you know when the service is ending.
3. If someone asks if a child of a different age can make an exception and go into another age group’s class, tell them that the Religious Education Children’s Committee official policy is that such a switch cannot be made until they consult with the teaching team of both classes involved. The teaching teams will consult with the DRE for input. Exceptions are made but many need to be in on the decision.
4. Please help us clean up at the end of the day. Take out the trash, clean up supplies, do a quick sweep of the floor if it is really messy. Feel free to recruit a couple of parent volunteers to help you as they come to pick up their children.

I. Nursery (infants and near walkers)

1. Susan Singley is our Nursery Coordinator and Nancy Terry is the assistant.
2. Volunteers and Staff should have the room set up very early since the program runs from 9:00 AM each Sunday.
3. The nursery is open for ages 0-5 from 9-11 AM and then for ages 0-2 at 11:00 AM.
4. The nursery closes every Sunday at 12:30 so that the staff have an opportunity to clean up after worship.
5. Goldfish crackers are the standby nursery snack and supplied by the church to have on hand.

II. Pre-K & Kindergarten

1. Please take time before the service to set up your room so that you can go to the beginning of worship with the other preschoolers. It is good for the preschoolers to see their teacher present in worship.
2. Many classes allow children to come in early to hang out in the classroom from 10:45 to 11:00 when worship begins. However, this is not encouraged in the preschool room because the children need too much teacher attention. Please feel confident to tell parents that their children need to stay with them until after the Story for All Ages.
3. If you wish to take children out to play in the play yard, please coordinate with the workers of the Nursery.

III. 1st & 2nd/3rd, 4th, & 5th (ages 5-10 in 2 unique classes)

1. Please come and set up early. We are allowing children to come to the classrooms early so that they have an opportunity to hang out with their friends.
2. At 11:00, take any children with you to worship. Everybody goes! It is good for the teachers to go as well to set a good example.

IV. UU Explorers (6th-8th grade, ages 11-13)
This class begins at 11:00 AM and runs to Noon. They will go to worship occasionally but do not attend the first part of the worship service.

V. YRUU (9th-12th grade, ages 14-18)
YRUU’s meet during worship and other times during the year for UUCF related activities and projects.

Sunday Superintendent - Outline of Duties - 2007/2008

Goal: To make sure all people involved in Religious Education feel welcome and involved.

How Sunday Superintendent’s carry out this goal:
1. By greeting newcomers and orienting them to Lifespan Religious Education.
2. By being available to teachers and classes in the need of assistance.
3. By gathering data necessary for us to have an effective program.

Specifics:
1. Arrive by 10:30 on your scheduled Sunday.
2. Wear your nametag and the button that identifies you as a Superintendent.
3. Station yourself by the Religious Education table. Make sure that the greeter at the visitor station knows who you are so they can refer people to you. This occurs from 10:30-10:55.
4. Orient yourself to the following so that you can answer any questions:

a. The adult Religious Education booklet and sign-in book.
b. The children/youth prospectus.
c. The registration Form
d. The children’s nametags.
e. The map of classes for Sunday Morning.
f. Any fliers or announcements about special events or upcoming holidays.

5. At 10:55, go around to the classrooms and make sure the teachers have arrived.
6. At 10:55, help the teachers round up the students to go to worship. Encourage them to sit with their parents or friends. If they do not have anyone to sit with, help them find a peer.
7. Once the story for all ages if over, walk back with the group to be sure everyone knows what class they are to go to. Make sure each class has a teacher and at least one assistant. If a class is shorthanded, see if you can find some help.
8. Go to worship.
9. Once the offertory begins, sneak out of worship and go to each class to let them know that the worship service is almost over. Collect their attendance/reimbursement forms and put them in the bottom cloth basket in Michele’s office.
10. Help teachers if needed.

Useful Links
Joseph Priestly District Website
UUA National Website
UUA Teacher Development
UUA Resources for Families
UUA High School Aged Youth Site