St. Therese of Lisieux Religious Education                                                   
128 Cedar Street, Wayland, MI 49348
269-792-2138 ext. 27 or 616-717-8287 (cell)
Sttdre1@gmail.com


August 3, 2020
Dear RE Families & Students,
August is upon us and students are preparing to return to school in a few weeks or in a month’s time either on-line or classroom time: At this time your student(s) school has contacted you regarding doing lessons “face to face” or “on-line/internet” options for the 2020-2021 school year.   We also have been working with the Diocese, St. Therese School, WUS, Allegan Health Department and the CDC helping us to guide and instruct our students in their Faith formation and bringing them closer to Jesus and the Love that he gives us all.
We are looking for your input as to what you would be doing in the 2020-2021 Religious ED program:  Will you be sending your student (as long as we are still in phase 4) to the classroom to continue their formation, or would you prefer to do “home school/on-line” classes for your student?  The following are from the Diocese of Kalamazoo regarding your student(s) continuing their RE education/formation.
MODE 1:  IN-PERSON FACE-TO-FACE CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION

• Students meet in-person for instruction at the parish
• Curriculum is taught by RE Catechist for appropriate grade level to assist in accompanying students in encountering and falling in love with Jesus Christ.
• Implementation of all health practices (wearing masks, washing hands) and social distancing protocols will be required. 
• Supplies:  Each student will have their own supplies, i.e. pencils, textbooks, art supplies, etc.  There will be no exchanging of items from student to student.  The student will be required to bring to class and take home after class.
• There will be a common entry and exit – we may need to alternate on dismissal to practice the social distancing.  Parents will be required to answer three (3) questions prior to classes – a form will be given and will need to be signed by the parent.

1. Parents will meet in-person for instruction at the parish once a month, receiving a general lesson/catechesis and material to cover with their student.  Students will be required to turn in completed work over the course of the month.
2. Students meet in-person once during the month – material will be covered that student completed at home during the month (worksheets and other assessment pieces will be turned in during the in-person sessions to track progress).
3. Virtually from their home, using an on-line platform; students will cover the appropriate material for the month, doing their weekly classwork just as an in-person session.

• Students participate in a newly designed, totally virtual learning program for instructions at home, either designed by the parish or chosen from current on-line options.  The Diocese is currently evaluating on-line options.
• On-line virtual instruction will include weekly and periodic assessment pieces to ensure the student is covering the necessary work.
• We understand as well that internet and on-line learning is not available to everyone.  We have the option to “Zoom”, phone calls to relay instruction and pose guiding questions or we have weekly/monthly preprepared packets for students to pick-up and work with their families to return the following week/month.

Well we are striving to work with all protocols and guidelines implemented by the CDC, Health Department, Governor and the Diocese of Kalamazoo, we want to assure you that we are working to move forward with helping, guiding and instructing the formation of each of our students.  Parents always have been the first “Teachers” and the family is the “Domestic Church” we are here to help in any way possible during all transitions; if we go back to “Phase 3” or we are able to move forward to “Phase 5” (we are currently in “Phase 4”) we will adjust accordingly.  and We look forward to your input questions.  My door is always open to you – not just office hours, via cell phone, email sttdre1@gmail.com. Please contact me with your thoughts before Aug. 14, 2020.
St. Therese of Lisieux Religious Education is for each student and parent – we are here to protect and guide in their/your formation in the Faith, bringing you closer to the Love of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Serving with joy,
Liz Ryan, DRE

Religious Education is for students grades K–9th who attend Public schools.
1st through 9th grade are required to receive the Sacraments of First Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation.
Students who graduated from St. Therese of Lisieux School are required to attend 7th, 8th, and 9th grade to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
 

“Jesus does not look so much at the greatness of our actions, or even at their difficulty as at the Love with which we do them.” - St Therese of Lisieux