Welcome Back (2022/23 School Year)

Hello families,

We look forward to welcoming everyone back to class beginning Sunday, October 2, 2022!  There are some exciting changes to our program this year for grades 1 through 5.  We are launching a new digital curriculum, Word of Life.  We will invite parents to join the Word of Life learning management system via email in mid-September.  Grades 6 through 8 will continue with Pflaum Gospel Weeklies this year.  Class schedules will be emailed to appropriate grades.  Important dates and information are outlined below.
 

· Sunday, September 25^th, faith formation kick-off with 11:30 am Mass followed by parish picnic at Bingham Park in Hawley.

· First Grade:  Sunday, October 2^nd at 10:00 am will be our first workshop in the parish hall.  Families meet monthly for Word of Life unit workshops on Sundays at 10:00 am (schedule emailed separately).  Families will complete the remaining unit chapters at home as family formation.

· Second Grade:  First class, Thursday, October 6^th, from 4:00 to 5:00 pm.  There will be a parent meeting on the first day of class in the parish hall.  Parents will meet on the first Thursday of each month during class for sacramental preparation (schedule emailed separately).

· Third Grade:  First class, Thursday, October 6^th, from 4:00 to 5:00 pm.  There will be a parent meeting on the first day of class in the parish hall.

· Fourth and Fifth Grades:  First class, Tuesday, October 4^th, from 4:00 to 5:00 pm.  There will be a parent meeting on the first day of class in the parish hall.

· Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grades:  First class, Sunday, October 2^nd, from 10:00 to 11:15 am.  Please note the eighth graders will have a mandatory Confirmation Retreat from Friday, October 21 through Sunday, October 23 at Spruce Lake Retreat Center.  Watch for further details via email and text.
 

· Communication:  Our primary form of communication with families will be via Flocknote, our email and text platform.  We will also send home a monthly faith formation bulletin and calendar.  Finally, you can find all parish information on our website:  https://queenofpeacehawley.com/; choose the faith formation tab for information specific to our program.

· Pick-up:  For the safety of your children, we ask that you meet your child at the white wrought iron gate of the parish center for pick-up.  We do not allow children to cross the parking lot to meet parents in their cars as this poses a safety hazard.  Students attending classes on Tuesday and Thursday should be picked up at 5:00 pm.  Students attending class on Sunday should be picked up at 11:15 am. 

· Attendance Policy:  We will return to our absentee policy this year.  Students will be excused from class by notification from parents.  We ask that absences be limited to no more than 5 per year.  If absences exceed 5, we will meet with parents to determine how to proceed with their family’s faith formation.

· Closures:  We follow Wallenpaupack School District’s cancellation policy.  If school is closed or after-school activities are canceled, faith formation classes will also be canceled.  If Sunday classes are canceled due to inclement weather, you will be notified via Flocknote.
 

Our goal is to provide a warm, faith-filled experience for your child.  We recognize that as parents, you are your child’s first and best teachers of the faith.  We are honored to partner with you in your child’s faith formation and encourage family participation by attending Mass, praying as a family, and sharing faith conversations.
 
Keeping you in our prayers,
Reverend Richard W. Beck, Pastor                                               Mary Kennedy, Director of Faith Formation