Getting Started

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...

Sample Church School Calendar

Sample Confession Schedule

Code of Conduct

The Department of Christian Education encourages church schools to have behavioral expectations to fit the needs of your church school. The following is a sample code of conduct from a large church school.

You may download a PDF printable copy here.

You may download an MS Word Version here to customize for your use.

Saint George Orthodox Cathedral

Church
School

Code Of Conduct

“Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example

in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)

Introduction:

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.

In order for us to accomplish this, we must first recognize God as our Father. In addition, we must realize that, within each of us, the Holy Spirit dwells (1 Corinthians 6:19). Once we accept this, we MUST treat every person accordingly. Keeping all of this in mind, we believe that each student and each teacher is entitled to the following:

· To work in pleasant and orderly surroundings.

· To be free from insulting or abusive treatment from others.

· To have an atmosphere that encourages learning and personal growth.

Therefore, The Youth Of Saint George Cathedral Are Expected To:

· Assume responsibility for their learning and act respectfully both in, and outside, the classroom setting.

· Respect and not break, damage or deface Cathedral property, building, grounds, materials and furnishings.

· Be responsible at all times for books and school materials.

· Respect the personal property and school materials of others.

· Respect the rights of fellow students without teasing or name calling.

· Use language that is free from vulgarity, disrespect and profanity.

· Be honest in their words and deeds.

· Act in a manner that does not disrupt learning.

Prior To Opening Prayer:

· The students, and their parents, are responsible for being on time for the beginning of
Church
School.

· The students, and their parents, agree that the students will come to
Church
School every Sunday, prepared to pray and to learn.

· The students, and their parents, agree that the students will come to
Church
School dressed in modest, clean, neat and respectful attire, keeping in mind that they are coming to “God’s House.”

· All students from Grade 2 and up are expected to fast for Holy Communion.

During
Church
School:

· The students will respect their teachers, each other and all Church property.

· The students will not bring toys or electronic games or equipment from home into the classroom or the Cathedral.

· There will be no gum chewing or eating candy in the classroom or during the Divine Liturgy.

During Divine Liturgy:

· The students will attend Divine Liturgy with humility and reverence as is due the House of God.

· The students will not speak excessively during Divine Liturgy, nor will there be any “fooling around” allowed.

· Students are not allowed to “come and go” during Divine Liturgy. This is especially the case during the reading of the Scriptures and the sermon, all Entrances, during the recitation of the Creed and Lord’s Prayer, during the Anaphora and the Consecration and during Communion.

· No student is to leave the Divine Liturgy after Communion unless a note is received from the parents prior to Opening Prayer.

· Holy Bread (Prosphora) has that name for a reason. Each student will take one piece only, both after Communion and after venerating the Cross. At no time, will playing with, or crumbling the Prospohra, be tolerated.

· Parents are expected to, at all times, be an example to their children.

After Divine Liturgy:

· Following the Dismissal and the veneration of the Cross, the students are the responsibility of their parents, not the
Church
School staff.

· No student is allowed in any of the classrooms, unless accompanied by the Superintendent, their teacher, or their parent(s).

· No student is allowed to use the property of
St. George Nursery School under any circumstances.

Administration Of The Code Of Conduct

Enforcement of the Code of Conduct is expected to help every child learn the importance of proper behavior to maintain the respectful community and the sanctity of the Cathedral that is valued so much here. Attention to the conditions described here is the responsibility of all staff members. All students, and their parents, agree to abide by this Code and any deviation from it will result in appropriate consequences. These consequences will be administered in a fair, firm and consistent manner, keeping in mind that Christian behavior is expected of all members of St. George Cathedral.

Level Of Consequences For Inappropriate Behavior

· 1^st Occurance: Teacher/student Conversation

· 2^nd Occurance: Superintendent Notification ^*

· 3^rd Occurance: Notification of the Pastor ⁺

^* May result in parent notification, at the discretion of the Superintendent

⁺ Will result in parent notification in addition to loss of privileges in all extra-curricular activities, i.e., serving in the Altar, participating in Teen Soyo, etc. The length of time that the student will not be allowed to participate in extra-curricular activities will be at the discretion of the Pastor, after consultation with the Superintendent.

Sample Church School Calendar

Download the Sample Church School Calendar in PDF format

St. George Church School

Saint George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna Street

Worcester, Ma 01604

“ Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven .”

(Matthew 19:14)

2004-2005

CHURCH SCHOOL CALENDAR

September 8 The Nativity of the Theotokos

12 Church School Classes Begin

14 Elevation of the Cross

17-18 Teachers’ Training Weekend

October 2 Ed Day Crestwood, New York

November 4-7 Orthodox Institute at the Village

15 Advent Begins

21 Presentation of the Theotokos

21 Parent’s Day Open House

Decembe r 4 Feast of St. Barbara 6 Feast of St. Nicholas

25 The Nativity of Christ

26 No Classes

January 2 Classes resume

6 Epiphany (The Baptism of Christ)

14-17 Winter Camp

February 2 The Presentation of the Lord

March 13 Forgiveness Sunday

14 Great Lent Begins

20 Sunday of Orthodoxy: No Classes All children should be in Divine Liturgy by 10 AM . Any child wishing o be in the Procession of Icons should notify Mrs. Kourey

April 22 Lenten Sleepover: More details to follow

23 Lazarus Saturday Activities to be announced 24 No Classes Palm Sunday

Holy Week begins—All parents are encouraged to bring their children

to as many services as possible this week

29 Great and Holy Friday All children are invited to spend the day in church to prepare it for Easter Sunday. Father Michael is more than happy to send a letter to your child’s school to excuse them for the day.

9 AM Great Friday Morning Service

3 PM Great Friday Vespers (Taking Down From the Cross)

4 PM The Vigil at the Tomb Begins

7 PM Great Friday Evening (The Lamentation) In the past,

the Church School Children were invited to be in the procession.

I hope we will be asked again this year. I will keep you updated.

10 PM Teen SOYO sleeps over in the church to keep the Vigil at the

Tomb of Christ

30 Holy Saturday -- Divine Liturgy at 10 a.m.

May 1 11 AM Agape Vespers: Easter Egg Hunt for the Church School

Children

8 Mother’s Day

14 Second Grade: Sacrament of Penance-Beginning with Vespers at 5 PM

22 Last Day of Classes Graduation and Awards Ceremony following Divine Liturgy

Annual Cookout to follow

NOTICE: The Church School follows the calendar for the Ecclesiastical Year---NOT the secular school calendar.

Sample Confession Schedule

Click here to download a printable PDF version.

Confession Schedule

2004-2005

Date

Class

Date

Class

September 12

Open

January 30

Grade 8

September19

Grade 3

February 6

Grade 9

September 26

Grade 4

February 13

Grade 10

October 3

Grade 5

February 20

Open

October 10

Open

February 27

Grades 11 & 12

October 17

Grade 6

March 6

Open

October 24

Grade 7

March 13

Open

October 31

Grade 8

March 20

Sunday of Orthodoxy

November 7

Grade 9

April 3

Grade 3

November 21

April 10

Grade 4

November 28

Open

April 17

Grade 5

December 5

Grades 11 & 12

April 24

Palm Sunday

December 12

Grade 3

May 1

Pascha

December 19

Grade 4

May 8

Grade 6

December 26

Open

May 15

Grade 7

January 2

Grade 5

May 22

Grade 8

January 9

Grade 6

January 16

Open

January 23

Grade 7