Nativity

2015-2016
2371 w. Carson St.
Torrance Ca 90501
Phone: (310)320-6673
E-mail: Nativityre@att.net
Website: Nativityre.org

"The Religious Education Program of Nativity,

strives to fulfill the Catechetical needs of
the Children and Youth of our Parish,
Evangelizing them as they begin
their life long journey of faith.
The Staff Catechists and volunteers
Teach, share and embrace the ongoing
mission of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Program Information:
PASTOR:

Rev. Hung Tran

(310) 328-2776

DIRECTOR OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION:

Bertha Melendres

(310) 320-6673

OFFICE HOURS: Monday & Wednesday 9:00am-12:00pm

Tuesday & Thursday. 4:00pm-7:00pm
CLASS SCHEDULE:

Registrations/ Fees:

Tuesdays (English)
Thursday (Spanish)

5:30pm-6:30pm
5:30pm-6:30pm

PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Nativity Parish Religious Education Program has an open registration policy for students K8 to prepare for the sacraments of Reconciliation and Communion as well as continue
learning about our faith.
Parish registration forms are to be on file or filled out at the time of registration
Mandatory that we have a copy of the Baptismal Certificate at Registration.
o Registration Fee : A $25.00 minimum is due at registration.
Communion 1:
$75.00
Comm. 2
$100.00
Kinder & CFF
$25.00
Family fee :
$200.00

Requirements:

All families are required to attend Mass every Saturday or Sunday.

Parents must complete 5 hrs. Of Service to the program and the

Parish Festival. (We need parents to help us with the security during
the year.)Or pay a $25.00 fee to waive that responsibility .
Parents are asked to attend 5 of the Parent Faith Formation classes. ( see Calendar)

Parents are responsible for teaching the prayers to their children.

Attend parent meetings. (1 for first year, 2 second year)

PARENT FAITH FORMATION CLASSES: (PFF)

Three Important Goals:

1. To help parents in their role as the main educators of the faith. So they can learn and be better
equipped to share their faith with their own children.
2. Since most parents have not had any formal faith formation since they were confirmed, it
seemed important to include this criteria in our program.
3. We are striving to present our students with a program that relates to all aspect of their lives
and not just a compartmentalized religion class that they have to complete so they can make
their parents happy and get first Communion.
Classes will be offered at Chapel from 5:30-6:30pm
Parents must attend 5 of the classes.

Attendance:
Faithful attendance to all scheduled sessions is expected. A phone call to the Religious Ed.
Office is expected to explain the absence (310-320-6673) or a note to the catechist is accepted.
No more than 5 excused absences are permitted for the year.
Please have students arrive promptly to class. Tardiness is a distraction to both students and
catechists and robs students of valuable instruction time. 3 tardies will count as one
absence for the year.

Behavior: Students are expected to model their behavior after Jesus Christ who instituted two

Great Commandments: "You shall love the Lord Your God with all your heart, and with all
your soul, and with all you strength, and with all your mind; and you shall love your
neighbor as yourself." (Luke 11:27).
A. No student is allowed to bring personal electronics, sports equipment, headphones,
weapons, lighter, or matches to class. PLEASE NO BALLS, HEALIES OR SKATEBOARDS.
B. No student is allowed in the classroom until the catechist or volunteer lets them in. There is
no running in the hallways or playing around the stairways. Students may not use the
bathrooms without permission from their catechist.
C. Students have to respect others property such as books, pencils etc. We share classrooms
with students of the Nativity School. Therefore we must be considerate and respect their
desks and personal belongings.

Behavior that will result in discipline action:

Injury to another person; Bullying or Harassing,

Defiance of Religious Education authorized personnel
Use or possession of unlawful substances or items.
Damage to school or church property.

In the event a student engages in inappropriate behavior, any or

all of the following may occur:
A.
B.
C.
D.

Student is sent to RE office

Parental notification of infraction.
Meeting between parents, Catechist, Program Director
Temporary or Permanent removal of student from Religious
Education program.

Arrival and Dismissal Procedure:

ARRIVAL:

1. Please enter through gate on Madrid (Train Tracks) drive across the school yard to let off
students and exit through Alley Gate (leading to Acacia or Sonoma)
2. No parking allowed in school yard.(Only for teachers)
3. Students are not allowed to be in the classrooms until the catechist or someone from
personnel comes..
4. DO NOT PARK IN THE ALLEY, THIS IS AN EMERGENCY ZONE AND YOU
WILL BE TICKETED.
DISMISSAL: The Safety of your child is our priority, and we want them to be safe especially
during the dismissal process, when things get a little hectic. We want this process to
be fast and easy for everyone. WE ASK THAT YOU PLEASE LISTEN TO OUR
STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS WHEN INSTRUCTED.
The Catechist/Teacher or volunteer will walk class to the designated area.
Parents are welcome to wait outside or in their vehicles.
If your son/ daughter is walking home, he/she will need to have a permission form on file
with the program. And let Catechist know when he/she leaves.
o

STUDENTS WILL BE TAKEN TO THE OFFICE 15 MINUTES AFTER CLASS IS DISMISSED

Please help us make these procedures as safe and easy as possible for all.

EARLY DISMISSAL : A signed note should be given to the catechist at the beginning of class or the

Program Director should be notified. The parent or guardian may go to the RE office to pick up the
student.

Guests

Students are not allowed to bring guests to class. Parents who wish to visit a class must make prior
arrangements with the teacher and the Director.

EARTHQUAKE/FIRE POLICIES:

In the event of major earthquake or disaster, your child will be held on the parish grounds or taken
to a local evacuation center as directed by the authorities and only be released to parent/guardian or
those adults listed on the Registration forms.

Student Information:

The Religious Education Office keeps records of a confidential nature.

Non-Custodial Parents: The RE program abides by the provisions of the law with
respect to the rights of non-custodial parents.

Student Safety Policies for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles:

Nativity R.E. Program abides by all mandates from the Archdiocese of Los
Angeles. These include: Virtus Educatio n Program, fingerprinting and
background checks for all volunteers and staff.

Teaching Touching Safety:

The L.A. Archdiocese mandates that all programs help children and teens to learn how to
protect themselves from sexual predators. At Nativity Religious Education we have adopted the
program called Teaching Touching Safety. Students are encouraged to participate in this
class. A permission slip is required to be a part of this training.

THE SACRAMENTS OF RECONCILIATION AND FIRST HOLY

COMMUNION. Nativity R.E. program abides the rules and requirements of the Los Angeles
Archdioceses. The process for the Sacraments is a Two year program. (Kindergarten is not
counted as a year) All of the sacraments will be celebrated at Nativity Catholic Church.

Students Must: Know the following prayers:

Communion 1:

1. Sign of the Cross

3. Hail Mary

Communion 2: Above prayers and:

2. Our Father
4. Glory Be.

1. Act of Contrition
3. 7 Sacraments

2. 10 Commandments
4. Guardian Angel

Attend a 1/2 day Retreat here at the school.

Pass a written test.

Use of Parish Grounds and Facilities:

The facilities and grounds of our parish are used by the school as well as numerous ministries
and organizations. It is essential that all who participate in Religious Education exercise the
greatest amount of respect for the facilities that we share, so that all may have maximum use and
enjoyment of the gifts God has bestowed.

Right to Amend:
The Pastor and Director of Religious Education reserve the right to amend these guidelines at any
time for any appropriate reason. Prompt notification of any changes made to this Handbook or any
guidelines will be made in writing to all that are registered in the sacramental program.