Parish School of Religion (PSR) POLICY

PSR for parishioners in Pre-School, Elementary, Middle, and High School is held in St. Joseph Hall. All Elementary, Middle, and High School aged students who do not attend a parochial school are expected to participate in PSR or Home Study.

SUNDAY MORNING

Pre-School Sunday School

Pre-School Sunday School is held on Sunday mornings, during the 10:30 am Mass, throughout the school year. Sunday School is open to all children who qualify by age for Pre-School in the Triad School District. Registration is held after weekend Masses in August, with a fee charged to cover materials. Parents must accompany children to the class room and pick them up at the class room door afterward. Sunday School has a coordinator and catechists who work directly with the Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation. Parents who serve as coordinator or catechists will have their fees waived. All parents of children in the program are expected to volunteer as aides once a month, per the published schedule.

WEDNESDAY EVENING

Elementary, Middle School, and High School PSR

PSR for children in grades K-12 is held on Wednesday evenings. Due to the large number of elementary school participants, 2 sessions are offered for grades K-5. Children may attend Session 1 from 4:15-5:30 pm or Session 2 from 5:45-7:00 pm. The Middle School and High School PSR Sessions are held on Wednesday evenings from 7:15-8:30 pm. Registration is held after weekend Masses in August. A fee is charged to cover materials. Parents are to park in the upper church lot and escort their child/children down the steps and to their classroom door in a timely manner. Children should not enter the building by themselves. No one should use the circle drive parking lot or entrance except catechists and those who have difficulty with the stairs. Children should not enter their classroom until the catechist is present.

The PSR program has a Safety Phone Check policy. It is the responsibility of parents to notify the Parish Office if a child must be absent. You may leave a voice mail at 667-6571, Ext. 19, where the coordinators will be able to access your message. If you need to speak with someone, you may call Mrs. Marsha Chomko at 667-6571 Ext. 13, during the day, or at 667-6571 Ext. 16 on Wednesday evenings. Please do not leave PSR voice mail messages at these extensions. Leave your attendance messages at Ext. 19. If we are not notified of a child’s absence, a phone call will be made to the home to insure the child’s safety. Each student is expected to attend ALL PSR sessions as listed on the schedule.

Each PSR Session has a coordinator and grade level catechists. These persons work directly with the Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation. The coordinator will be available before and during PSR Sessions to take care of any questions or needs of parents or catechists. Parents who serve as coordinator or catechists will have their fees waived. Each family is expected to volunteer as an aide at least once per semester. You may sign up or we will assign your dates.

GIFT ASSEMBLIES

All Sunday School and PSR households, along with all parishioners of St. Jerome, are expected to register for and participate in all GIFT (Generations Inspiring Faith Together) Assemblies scheduled throughout the year. You may choose either the Wednesday evening or Sunday afternoon session for each offering, as Wednesday’s offering is repeated on Sunday. These assemblies are intergenerational and therefore children may not attend without a parent participant.

Changes in policy, schedule, etc. will be communicated through the Sunday Bulletin or parish mailings. In case of severe weather, we will follow the Triad School District closings.

The Pastoral Associate for Faith Formation is responsible for all faith formation processes. She may be reached at the Parish Office, 667-6571 Ext. 13 or through email at mmchomko@charter.net.