BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH
152 W. 71 STREET; NEW YORK, NY 10023; 212-877-3111
[email protected]
JUNE 28, 2023
Dear Parents,            
After 2 years of a Home School Program and 1 year of alternating weeks of in person classes and home study, I am happy to say we will be back to weekly in person classes for all grades with a few weeks of included Home Study Lessons.

WE BEGIN ON CATECHETICAL SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER  17
Children attend, with their parents, the Family Mass at 10:00 a.m.  Classes begin at 11a.m. Children arriving after 11a.m. will be marked late. Please note our staggered dismissal times.
Kindergarten dismissal is at Noon. Basic A and First Communion dismiss at 12:15. Intermediate 1 dismisses at 12:15 from the 2^nd floor hallway. Intermediate 2, Intermediate 3, and Pre-Confirmation dismiss at 12:20 from the Cafeteria.  Confirmation class dismisses at 12:20 from the Library.

WHEN DO WE REGISTER?  REGISTER NOW!!
Registration deadline is AUGUST 31!  Classes fill up. We can only fit a given number of students in a room. Registration will be totally closed September 1- 17 and will reopen on Monday, September 18 for unfilled classes (Beginning September 18 forms must be in by Wednesdays for a Sunday start). Forms will not be accepted September 1 – September 17. It takes time to update the database, organize classes, have enough Catechists and Assistants and get class information out to parents. Late registrations may be difficult to accommodate.
HOW DO WE REGISTER?

1. COMPLETE THESE FORMS: 

1. 3-page Registration Form
2. Handbook Agreement Form
3.  Media Form if not previously filled out or for new students

2. ADD:

1. BAPTISM CERTIFICATE IF NOT PREVIOUSLY ON FILE IN THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION OFFICE OR FOR NEW STUDENTS
2.  FEE

3. PROCEDURES:

1. COMPLETELY AND CLEARLY fill out the registration forms. Incomplete and hard to read forms will delay your child’s registration and give us extra work.  Late registrations and incomplete forms delay the update of the database, the class lists, sending class placement notices, and adding additional classes and catechists if needed.
2. Please POSTAL MAIL OR DROP OFF AT THE RECTORY the completed forms and fee.

3. You will receive an email in September with your child’s class, name of Catechist, and additional instructions. No other acknowledgement or receipt of registration will be sent.
4. Your child will not be allowed in class on the first day if s/he is not registered by August 31.
5. The EMERGENCY CONTACT PERSON IS NOT THE CHILD’S PARENT. In the event of an emergency, this is the person we will call if the child’s parents cannot be reached.

4. PARENT HANDBOOK

1. CHILDREN MUST BE PICKED UP PROMPTLY AT DISMISSSAL.  A child not picked up promptly will require his/her parent to remain at the school during class time for subsequent weeks.    NO STUDENT WILL BE DISMISSED EARLY WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE FROM A PARENT AND THE STUDENT MUST BE PICKED UP FROM THE SCHOOL LOBBY BY A PARENT. STUDENTS (even older students) WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO LEAVE THE BUILDING EARLY ON THEIR OWN. SIBLINGS UNDER 18 YEARS OLD ARE NOT PERMITTED TO PICKUP YOUR CHILD. THIS IS FOR YOUR CHILD’S SAFETY.
2. Registration in our Sunday School program is a commitment to a program of study and a process of faith formation. Students are expected to attend class and complete class assignments. If a student must miss class, please email me and the Catechist before 10am and arrange with the Catechist to make up the missed class. Students must satisfactorily complete a grade level before moving on to the next grade.

      D. Be sure to keep the Sunday class calendar handy and refer to it each week.

6. CATECHISTS AND VOLUNTEERS
        It takes many volunteers to run a successful Religious Education Program. We cannot have classes without sufficient volunteers. Volunteers are needed in the following ways:
        - Catechists and Substitute Catechists for each class
        - Team members (at school door and in the building). We need several people for this!
           Pease consider this ministry for the safety of the children!

This program could not continue without the many people who give their time and energy to provide instruction for your children and assistance in the program organization. 
All our Catechists and Assistants are volunteers with family and professional obligations. They generously give their time each week to teach and supervise your children. We need to rebuild our weekly on-site program. We need your help. All who work with children follow a simple screening process according to the Archdiocesan requirements: a background check, information form, and an online or on-site training session (about 45 min). Please contact me if you can volunteer. 
I am thankful for the dedication of all our volunteers!
 
You are the first educators of your child. Our hope is, that through our partnership, we can assist you in the Religious Education of your child.
 
 MANY BLESSINGS,
 Tina Silvestro
Director of Religious Education