WELCOME TO RE AT BUXMONT! We offer a safe and creative environment in which children and youth become compassionate, knowledgeable, and involved members of our spiritual community as well as of the world at large.To achieve this, our program provides opportunities for fellowship, free inquiry and expression, ethical and spiritual growth, and service for our communities. ABOUT THE CHILDREN’S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM We offer religious education for 2 year olds through 8th grade during the Sunday service at 10:15 AM. Nursery care is provided for younger children. Each class group is comprised of two school grades of children (i.e., 1st & 2nd graders), and uses a carefully selected curriculum. Our Whole Lives (OWL), a faith-based sexuality program for 7th & 8th graders and the Youth Group for high school youth meet on Sunday evenings. Teachers and assistants are volunteers from the congregation, some parents or guardians of children in the program and others not. CLASS TIMES Classes run one hour and fifteen minutes, beginning at 10:15 AM and ending promptly at 11:30 AM. This gives parents or guardians a few minutes to attend the coffee hour in the social area following the adult service before coming downstairs to pick up their children. Picking up your children promptly allows you to chat with their teachers and other families – and allows teachers to join their own families in the Social Hall. Please do not ask your young children to meet you outside or in the social hall. All children up to and including 4th graders should be picked up in the Religious Education space downstairs to assure their safety. REGISTRATION All students from nursery through high school youth group must be registered. This is important for insurance and medical reasons as well as to keep you informed about our great program. You do not have to be a member to register your child.RE Registration is ongoing throughout the year. There is a registration fee of $35 per child; if this poses a financial hardship please speak with the DRE as we want to include your family. Visiting forms are also available for visitors to the program. Visiting families are welcome to bring their children to the program while they “get acquainted” with it. Then, if the children are attending regularly, parents will be invited to register their children into the Program. WORSHIP We hope to help children develop an understanding of the concept of “sacred space” and the importance of taking time each week for dedication, introspection and celebration. Two Sundays each month, the children accompany their parents and attend the first 15 - 20 minutes of the adult service. A special story or program is usually featured at this time. Afterwards, children proceed to their classrooms downstairs. On the alternate Sundays, our children will gather in community downstairs for their own children’s worship service (which we call “Circle Time”) led by our Minister, our Director of Religious Education, or a member of the congregation. It is a time for lighting the chalice, music, stories and celebration. A children’s offering is received during classroom activities to support a social welfare project chosen by our children. HOW PARENTS AND GUARDIANS HELP Parents are Expected to Help: Join a teaching team. Help with a social action project. Join the Religious Education Board. The success of our program depends upon volunteers and their contributions. Let us know about your specific talents, skills, or interests. Bring Your Child Regularly: Facilitate a sense of community and enable your child to receive the accumulated effect of our planned curriculum. Take Interest in Your Child's Class: Visit. Read about what your child is learning today in the Order of Service. Acquaint yourself with your child's teachers so you can greet them, and thank them for their time and caring. Converse with your child about class. Share Your Beliefs and Church Activities with Your Child: It is important for your children to know some of your religious views and to be informed about your involvement with church. SAFETY AND SPECIAL NEEDS We take the safety of the children in our care during our Sunday programs and at special events seriously. We require all teachers, assistants, and staff members to sign a Code of Conduct and undergo a background checks. We also staff each classroom with two adults at all times, engage in regular fire drills, and maintain Allergy, Medical Condition, and Special Needs Alerts for teacher’s reference. In particular, if your child has a severe food allergy, please make sure you have filled out an Allergy Alert Form. We do not serve snack regularly. There may be some lessons which include food as an integral part of the plan for the morning, and we do offer special RE events which include food (Halloween Party, Family Breakfast, Easter Egg Hunt, etc.) Peanut products are not permitted. Donuts, vegetables, and beverages are available upstairs during coffee hour (please contribute to the donation basket for the donuts.)