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Registration
You must be registered parishioners of Our Lady Star of the Sea.
Re-registration is required each year. Annual registration takes place each year during May and June. There is a late fee after June 30. (Late fee does not apply to new registrations).

Tuition
A fee is required to help cover the cost of educating a child in the Religious Education Program. Cost of textbooks and any materials used by the students is included in this fee. Special financial arrangements can be made upon request.

Transfers
Students transferring from a Catholic school or another Religious Ed. Program are required to show written evidence of attendance. Parents of older children without previous background in religious education should contact the Director of Rel. Ed. Students transferring out of our program should notify the Rel. Ed. office.

Class Schedule
Our program provides weekly classes, sacramental preparation, retreats, and service opportunities. In addition, we sponsor the annual Halloween Parade and party and the Christmas Pageant. Fundraisers include two pancake breakfasts and a Gertrude Hawk candy sale.

All classes are held at the Parish Center, meeting on an every-other-week basis. Grades Pre-K through 5 meet on Sunday mornings from 8:45 a.m. to 10:15 am. Grades 6-8 (middle school) and grades 9 and 10 (high school) meet on Sunday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Mass Attendance
A vital part of each student's spiritual life and growth as a Catholic is regular participation in the sacraments of the Church. All students are expected to attend Mass and participate in the liturgy each Sunday or Saturday evening as well as on holy days of obligation. Those who have received the Sacrament of Reconciliation are encouraged to continue to receive this sacrament regularly.

Mass times at Star of the Sea are: 5:00 p.m. on Saturday evening; 8:30 am, 10:30 am and 12:00 noon on Sundays.

The 10:30 am Mass on Sunday is considered the Family Liturgy especially for our Rel. Ed. Students. Following their regular class the children are expected to attend the 10:30 Mass with their family.

Each class will celebrate a special Class Mass during the year. Students will be required to attend Mass with their class for their special Mass.

Children's Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) is celebrated several times throughout the year. Children in grades K -- 3 who wish to participate are dismissed from the Mass to hear the Word proclaimed at their level by trained adults. The children return to Mass during the presentation of gifts.

Communication
Parents will be kept informed of activities and events by way of phone calls from the class phone parent, memos from the Religious Ed office via their folder or this website, periodic newsletters, and the parish bulletin. We welcome your comments and suggestions at any time. Please feel free to communicate your questions or concerns with your child's catechist or contact the religious education office.

Child Abuse
Child abuse is of serious concern. Consistent with diocesan policy and local legal codes, parish catechetical staff has a moral and legal duty to comply with the law to ensure the welfare of a child. Pursuant to state law, we are required to report suspected child abuse. As mandated by the US Catholic Conference of Catholic Bishops, all employees and volunteers working with children must complete a criminal background check and attend the Virtus seminar, Protecting God's Children. All staff members and catechists are required to sign an acknowledgment that they have read and understand the ethical and personal conduct policy for the Diocese of Paterson.

PRACTICAL MATTERS
Absences: Regular attendance is vital for progress in the Rel. Ed. Program. Please call us if your children will not be at class. It is the parents' responsibility to see that the child makes up the material missed.

Inclement Weather: In the case of bad weather and the need to cancel class, you will receive a call from your class phone parent. You can also check the message on our homepage or on the office phone (973) 663-0124. Please do not assume that canceling the morning classes means the evening classes will be canceled as well. We will look at each situation separately.

Dismissal: Grades Pre-K to five Sunday mornings -- parents will pick up child from classroom at 10:15 and bring to church for Mass.

Medication: We are not allowed to dispense medication of any kind.

Contacting Us During Class Hours: If you need to get a message to your child while we are in session at Star of the Sea, please call (973) 663-0124, ext. 2.
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Privacy Statement

All information that is obtained in either paper or in electronic form is kept strictly confidential.
We do not disseminate any information to any third parties for any reason.
All information obtained is solely for use within the religious education program.
If you have any concerns addressed by this policy please contact the program director.