Here are ideas from Mary Ann Kourey from her experience as a Sunday Church School director:
August is the month I start things rolling.
Contact the Pastor. First I must tell you that I am in continuous contact with my priest, Fr. Michael Abdelahad and there is NOTHING that I do that is not passed by him first.
Registration. In August, I have our Church School registration form sent out with our weekly bulletin and give the parents about 2 weeks to send it back to me.
- The form that I use will be available to you to download.
- Please note, that the Baptismal name of each student is required as I have compiled a list of our Church School children’s names and their Baptismal names so that Fr. Michael can remember them on their Feast Day during Liturgy on Sunday.
- Also there is a space for any known allergies. This is important especially if you have a Nursery and Pre-School class where there are snacks given and also, if there are any children allergic to animals, (yes, our younger grades have brought in cats, Guinea Pig, etc. for class discussion about God’s creations).
- Fr. Michael will announce that the registration forms have gone out, when they are due back and the date that Church School will begin. At St.George, we always begin on the Sunday after Labor Day and end the Sunday before Memorial Day.
New College Students. I have announced that any student leaving for college is to contact me with their name, the name of the college they will be attending and their Email address (so Fr. Michael can keep in touch with them while they are away.).
- On Sunday August 22, after Divine Liturgy Fr. Michael will call each student up to the Solea and also mention the school that they will be attending and then bless them by reciting the “Prayer for a Child When He Begins School” which is in the Service Book on page 221. When Fr. Michael is done and each student venerates the Cross, the choir sings, “God Grant You Many Years!”
Code of Conduct. At St George, Worcester, we have also come up with a Student Code of Conduct.
- The form I use is available to you.
- This is given to any new families that are registering their children for Church School.
- A copy is posted outside of my office throughout the Church School year.
Confessions. Within the next week or two I will also set the Confession Schedule with Fr. Michael.
- Each class will have Confession two if not three times during the Church School year, starting with grade three all the way to twelfth grade.
- The second grade celebrates their first Sacrament of Penance in May after completing the curriculum, Making Things Right. I will go over that, in more detail in December.
Calendar. The Church School Calendar is completed, approved by Fr. Michael and then sent out with the weekly bulletin.
Book Order. After the deadline has passed for the return of the registration forms, I then send out my order for all of the curriculum books.
Staff Meeting. The last Sunday of August, we will be having our first Staff Meeting of the year. It will be at the end of Liturgy.
- If you plan to do this PLEASE make arrangements to have coffee and…. at the meeting so you don’t loose your teachers in Coffee Hour. And it really makes them feel appreciated when you do this for them.
- Make sure you begin and end the meeting with a prayer. I begin the meeting with “A Prayer Before Beginning a Task,” in the Red Prayer Book and end with the Prayer of St. Simeon.
- At this meeting the teachers will be given their class roster. It is also a good idea that you make notations on the roster if there is a child with a learning disability, if a parent or sibling is ill, or anything that may help the teacher know this child better.
- The information about the Creative Arts and Writing is also given out at this time.
- It is SO important that you have your priest join the Staff Meetings when he can. Fr. Michael will “drop in” and have coffee with us discuss any problems concerns, etc. I always have as my last item on the Staff Meeting agenda, “Ask Abouna.” Sometimes there are no problems or concerns to discuss with Fr. Michael, but Fr. Michael is one of our biggest fans and a great cheerleader for the Church School Staff and he is very vocal about that at out meetings!
- Make sure you impress upon the teachers the importance of standing when the priest enters the room. And this should also be taught to the children if a clergy member comes to visit them in their classroom.
Supplies. Also at this meeting I will have the teachers give me a list of supplies that they will need. This is excluding the curriculum texts.
- Included often: crayon, glue sticks, pens, etc.
- Or sometimes there is a special book or video. If their request is something outside the Archdiocese Curriculum, always have your priest look at the material for his approval BEFORE the teacher introduces it to the class.
Icon for Theme. This is the time to begin looking for the appropriate Icon to go with this year’s theme. And make sure each classroom has an Icon table with their Icon and Candle.
Altar Boys. I will also be notifying Fr. Michael of all the incoming fourth grade boys so that their names can be added to the Altar Boy teams. I also make sure that the appropriate Altar Boy robes are cleaned before we start the Church School year.
September. Looking forward to September, there is the “Commisioning of the Parish Beginning the Church School Year.” This will also be available to you soon.
The Saturday before the beginning of Church School. I pass out all of the new books and supplies and do a last minute check to make sure there are enough desks and chairs in each classroom.
And so another year begins!
God bless all of you!
Code of Conduct
Saint George Orthodox Cathedral and its Church School is a place where learning about God, His Disciples and all His good works occurs everywhere and at all times. Many children and adults come together here and spend many hours together. Our Parish presents these rules of behavior so that everyone can be free of distraction or discomfort, so that learning can take place. Since we have so many young people in one small place, the challenge is how to create and preserve an environment that promotes this learning and growth...
