The parent meetings are: (all meetings are in room 214 in the school unless otherwise notified) Meeting # 1: Tuesday, October 1st at 7:00 PM (you will receive all your books and materials for the year this night) #2: Monday, December 2nd at 7:00 PM #3: Monday, February 10th at 7:00 PM #4: Monday, April 7th at 7:00 PM May/June: Parents bring the children in to take objective exams at dates to be determined All meetings will be in Room 214 in the school unless you are otherwise notified. Our homeschool CCD program requires a commitment from parents to teach the faith at home on a regular basis (weekly) to their children. The children in the homeschool program follow the same curriculum as the children in the school and regular CCD program. Parents receive a teacher's edition that gives them a lesson plan for each chapter. Parents and children complete one chapter a week at home. Parents are required to attend 4 meetings a year with Mrs. Haggerty; parents bring the child's textbook so that we can determine whether or not the work is being completed at home. At the end of the school year, the children take a standardized religion exam and must turn in their completed textbooks.

SAMPLE MINUTES OF A TYPICAL MEETING Synopsis of 3rd Meeting for the year 1/28/2013: In attendance, 19 families 7 excused absence We discussed how far along in the books we were: most seem to be averaging chapter We discussed regular Mass attendance and how to make that easier for families. We discussed upcoming sacramental information for parents of 2nd graders and 5th graders. We discussed using the supplemental chapters in the book for Lent and Easter. I had a Lenten handout (about 15 pages long) with ideas for parents. It came from a book called "The Big Book of Catholic Ideas" We watched a video from the Alpha series called "Is there more to life than this?" It was very good and sparked some interesting discussion. One parent asked a question about how to teach a particular aspect of the faith when you don't agree with it. It led to some further discussion. I suggested that any time a church teaching doesn't sit right with you, or makes you question your faith, it is a good opportunity for you to step back and take some time and effort to study the issue. I suggested that a person take 6 months to a year to use proper Catholic sources to study the "bigger picture" of whatever the issue is (confession, homosexuality, etc.) And of course, anyone can call me to discuss a particular or private issue

“I don’t need confession, I just tell my sins to Jesus.” The People of God (another name for the Church) are not independent (that is an American value), but interdependent (a Christian value). No Catholic family (or individual) can succeed apart from communion with the church. Therefore, it is necessary for all Catholics to be a part of parish life. – BE the parish (it’s yours!). “I don’t need confession, I just tell my sins to Jesus.” The People of God (another name for the Church) are not independent (that is an American value), but interdependent (a Christian value). No Catholic family (or individual) can succeed apart from communion with the church. Therefore, it is necessary for all Catholics to be a part of parish life. – BE the parish (it’s yours!).

That means: Weekly Mass (no excuses!) Attend parish events, devotions and talks Go to confession regularly Serve the needy: Make a casserole! Make a “visit” to church, light a candle! Visit the chapel (adoration) Give your children a Catholic “culture”

Every chapter begins with “Family Time” This emphasizes the importance of family in forming the faith Formal learning in each chapter is in three teaching steps: Share: Chapter theme is introduced through prayer, sharing, story, or activity Hear and Believe: scripture story or excerpt from the liturgy explanation of its meaning doctrine (beliefs and teaching of the Catholic Church Sidebars: We Believe – a synopsis of what is being taught Faith Words – definitions children (we all) should know Response: Story that relates how one could act in response to what they just learned. Then, prayer response.

Teaching the lesson to your child: Briefly review the previous week’s chapter (just the highlights) Go through the lesson plan in the home program guide with your child Go through it step by step: note there are three main steps Share: (general theme of the chapter introduced in various ways: stories, activity, etc.) Hear & Believe: (learning through scripture, liturgy, doctrine) Respond: (child’s response to the teaching) Teaching the lesson to your child: Briefly review the previous week’s chapter (just the highlights) Go through the lesson plan in the home program guide with your child Go through it step by step: note there are three main steps Share: (general theme of the chapter introduced in various ways: stories, activity, etc.) Hear & Believe: (learning through scripture, liturgy, doctrine) Respond: (child’s response to the teaching)

Let your child do the activity at the end of the chapter (this will help you evaluate what your child has learned) -- Did your child learn the goals or the “focus” of the lesson?Pray together Chapter Review: fill in the blanks, etc. (answer key in your guide) Faith in Action: Practical things you can do with what you have learned Let your child do the activity at the end of the chapter (this will help you evaluate what your child has learned) -- Did your child learn the goals or the “focus” of the lesson?Pray together Chapter Review: fill in the blanks, etc. (answer key in your guide) Faith in Action: Practical things you can do with what you have learned

Other resources available under “Resources” Example: tour of a Catholic church: