The St. Therese Faith Formation Office has always been committed to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our families, students and staff. We understand the continued and heightened concerns that COVID-19 has created for families and the larger community. We want to provide you the information you need to make the best decisions for yourself and your families.  Click here for our detailed Health and Safety Practices.

Sacrament Preparation

First Communion and Confirmation programs follow the recommendation of the Diocese that all students have at least two years of preparation classes in order to receive First Holy Communion or Confirmation.

Attendance

All students are expected to be consistent in attending FF. Attendance is taken and recorded in the FF office.

Students should be in their classrooms five minutes prior to class time, but not earlier than ten minutes before class. Habitual tardiness is a disservice to the teacher and other students.  

After four consecutive absences, a phone call will be made to the parent to inquire about continued involvement in the program. If, after four consecutive absences, there is no response from the parent, it will be assumed that the student will not return to the program. However, a child will not be removed from the attendance rolls until contact is made with the parent. No refund will be issued, as the textbook and necessary supplies have already been purchased.  We may assign homework to make up for lost time.

The parking lot is an extremely active place at arrival and departure times.  We appreciate your consideration in this matter.  Please park only in designated parking spaces.

Students in the 4th grade and below will be kept in their classrooms until a parent comes for them. These children should be picked up at their classroom and not allowed to wander the premises for their own protection and safety.  Older students will be dismissed to the parking lot or to the classroom of a younger sibling.  Children of catechists may go to their parent's classroom.

Conduct

We believe that it is important to help the children understand what it means to be a part of a Catholic Christian Community. We expect the children to be respectful in words and actions to one another as well as to their catechists and other adults.  Our goal in enforcing good conduct is to be respectful and considerate of each child.

The children will be told what sort of behavior is expected during the session time.  Should a student exhibit inappropriate behavior they will be given a warning, respectfully, from the catechist or co-catechist.  If the child continues to exhibit inappropriate behavior following 3-4 warnings, the child will be taken to the Faith Formation office.  One of the Faith Formation Staff will help him or her name the behavior and the child will be given quiet time away from the class.

When a student is sent to the office, a brief form with the student’s name and an explanation of the incident will be filled out by the staff member and kept on file. After a student is sent to the office the second time, the parent is notified by the staff, and a positive approach to solving the problem is discussed with the parent.

When a student is engaged in fighting or destructive behavior, the parent will be notified at the first offense.