Immaculate Conception’s Faith Formation Program is structured to provide catechetical instruction in the Catholic faith to all parish children and those who are attending non-Catholic schools.  Parents, by word and example teach their children from birth throughout life.

PARENTAL EXPECTATIONS 
At your child’s baptism, you, as parents, agreed to undertake the responsibility of providing for your child’s Christian formation.  Christian principles learned in the classroom and in the home make sense only if they are practiced regularly.  Attendance at Mass is an integral part of the Religious Education Program, and you are encouraged to attend Mass regularly as a family. 

• Attend Mass every Sunday and on Holy Days of Obligation.
• All families with children attending the Religious Education Program should be registered members of Immaculate Conception and have an updated Registration Form on file with the rectory office. 
• Children are expected to come to class on time and be prepared with homework (if assigned), textbooks and pencils.  (There will be an extra charge to replace lost books.)  If your child misses class, it is your responsibility to check with his/her teacher for the work missed. 
• Arrive on time to pick up your children when class has ended.  Students must remain in the hall until you pick them up. 
• Review with your children their lessons.  Ask questions and make sure the assignment is completed. 
• If your child has been baptized, please make sure we have a copy of his/her baptismal certificate.  If our child has not been baptized, please call the rectory, 301-884-3123, to make necessary arrangements to have it done.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS 

• Attend Mass every Sunday and every Holy Day of Obligation with your family. 
• Pray regularly on your own and with your family. 
• Attend all classes, arriving on time, prepared with homework assignment (if assigned), with textbook and pencil for class work. 
• If a student is absent, he/she must make up the assignment. 
• Students must follow class rules and show respect for the teacher and fellow students. 
• Misconduct in class will result in disciplinary action.

Children with special learning needs will be handled in a manner conductive to their abilities and with utmost care and respect.  Our goal is to help the family and child come to know Jesus and God’s love for all.  

DISCIPLINE POLICIES  
Every person is worthy of being treated with care and respect befitting one made in the image and likeness of God, both student and catechist; therefore, classroom behavior needs to be characterized by genuine Christian care, mutual respect, and honesty.  Disruptive behavior prevents learning for the whole class and can be frustrating for the catechist who is volunteering his/her time and for the other students.  

Any problems of discipline will be handled by Deacon Bill Kyte (DRE), catechists, parents and students.  First offenses will be taken care of by the catechists.  When a child misbehaves in class, the catechist will fill out a Disciplinary Action form which will be signed by the catechist, the student and the student’s parent/guardian.  This form will be kept on file only for the remainder of the school year.  After three (3) write-ups, the child will be asked to leave the program for the remainder of the school year.   With three write-ups necessary, hopefully the problem will be able to be handled without the child having to leave the Religious Education program.  

NEW POLICY:   Excessive tardiness – is disruptive to the class and we stress that every attempt be made to arrive for class on time.   Three (3) late occurrences will be marked as one (1) absence.

PROGRESS REPORTS 
To encourage student accomplishment and accountability for learning, students will be monitored and tested throughout the year.  Areas assessed include:  

• Attendance 
• Behavior and positive attitude 
• Class participation 
• Prayers and memorization 
• Homework (if it is assigned) 
• Grasp of content or knowledge of Doctrine (See Diocesan Guidelines.)

If a student does not satisfactorily meet the above criteria, the catechist will contact the parent and a conference will be held.  A productive year will result in advancement to the next level.  A student who fails to meet the learning objectives will be required to work with a parent during the summer to complete all work and the student will be re-assessed in August.  If competency is achieved, the student will be promoted to the next level.  Failure to demonstrate competency on the August re-assessment for the previous school year will result in the student repeating the level.  

Our purpose is not to fail, retain, or punish students, but rather to ensure that each child is receiving the knowledge necessary for them to become mature followers of Jesus Christ and active members of the Catholic Church.  Progress reports are distributed twice a year.  Parents are asked to sign the bottom section of the report and return it to the catechist.

DROP OFF/PICK UP 
In order to ensure the safety of all students before and after Faith Formation classes, parental cooperation is necessary.  

• Parents: Dropping students off- 

1. Grades K thru 5 Parents—When bringing your child to the Faith Formation Parish Center, please park first, enter the Parish Center and take them directly to their classroom.
2. Grades 6 thru 8 Parents—When bringing your child to the Faith Formation Parish Center, please park and allow your child to enter the Parish Center and report directly to their classroom.

• Parents: Picking students up-

1. Grades K thru 8 Parents—Please pick your child up from the Hall entrance way—no exceptions.

***Parents must pick up their own child from inside the building.  We will no longer allow sending them out of the Hall without a parent.***
 

• Faith Formation Teachers: 

1. ​​​​​​​Grades K thru 5 Faith Formation Teachers—At the end of class please line up the children and escort them to the entrance of the Parish Center to meet their parents.Grades K thru 5 Faith Formation Teachers
2. Grades 6 thru 8 Faith Formation Teachers—At the end of class please have your students meet their parents at the inside of entrance of the Parish Center.  No student is allowed to leave without their parent—no exceptions.Grades 6 thru 8 Faith Formation Teachers

Any questions, please see Deacon Bill, DRE .
 

ATTENDANCE POLICY  
In order for the students to proceed to the next level, attendance at all Faith Formation classes is required.  If unable to attend class, notify your child’s teacher to let them know so you may find out what your child needs to make up before the next class session.  Notification should be made as soon as possible.  Missing three (3) or more classes will result in a meeting with the child, parents and the DRE.  (Special circumstances and situations will be taken into consideration.)  Please have your child bring an absentee note to the next class after being absent.

CLASS CANCELLATION NOTIFICATION 
​If Faith Formation classes need to be cancelled, please follow the following methods: 

• You may call 240-230-3167 and listen to the recorded message.  
• Check Immaculate Conception’s website (ICChurchmd.org).   A notice will be there.   
• ​Check your email account for the address we have on file.   This is WHY it is important that you give us an email address that you can check on weekends.   This includes all catechists and parents.