As the 2011-2012 church year approaches, I look forward to another exciting year in our religious education program! As teachers of religious education, we want to give our children the kinds of experiences that awaken curiosity and nurture questioning as they continue their individual journeys of spiritual development.

There will be lively group discussions in the classrooms and intergenerational activities which will contribute to the growth of each and every child. The 7^th-9^th grade youth will be making a Heritage trip to Boston in the spring of 2012, so they will be busy learning UU History and sponsoring money-raising projects for their big adventure. We hope the congregation will support this worthwhile endeavor.

It promises to be a good year with exceptional teachers, an enthusiastic RE Committee chaired by Elsbeth Fritz, and a solid curriculum. Please join us.

Nadine Tringali
Director of Religious Education

"Walking the Rainbow Path"

1. Respect all people. They have dignity and worth.
2. Offer fair and kind treatment to everyone.
3. Young and old together in community.
4. Grow and find your own truths.
5. Believe in your ideals and voice your vote.
6. Insist on Justice, Freedom and Peace.
7. Value the earth and the web of life.

Our church community is created and sustained through the energy and vitality of its participants.  The RE teachers and committee members are volunteers, who depend on adult support to maintain a well-rounded program.

In this spirit, registration of children into the RE Program is seen as a covenant in partnership between parents, children, the RE Committee and the church community as a whole.

We ask our families to complete a registration form each September to keep our files current.

NURSERY

The Nursery provides infants and toddlers up to one year of age with a warm, caring atmosphere in which to be creative, to hear stories, to play together, to just look around, or even to sleep. Care is provided from 9:30 until the end of service at noon. Childcare is available for older children in the Nursery before the service during the Adult Discussion groups.

(Meets in the Green Room)

Liaison: Nadine Tringali, DRE
Nursery staff: Marge Cunliffe, Avery Mayfield, Haley Mayfield, Chelsea Turner, Lillie Weidner

TWO'S & THREE'S

Friendship Finders

Friendship Finder's explores our principles with age appropriate and engaging activities on 18 UU themes that empower each child to feel comfortable and confident about coming to church.

(Meets in the Blue Room)

Liaison: Elsbeth Fritz
Teacher: Elsbeth Fritz
Classroom aide: Avery Mayfield

PRESCHOOL

Rainbow Seekers

Rainbow Seeker's explores the gems of our UU faith. Building on Friendship Finders we continue to explore our principles. Activities, rituals and structure are age appropriate to the growing child.

(Meets in the Yellow Room)

Liaison: Jane Meyer

Teachers: Annie Almquist, Holly Hanauer, Jesse Martin, Jane Meyer

Classroom aides: Mary Hammons

KINDERGARTEN – SECOND GRADES

Dr. Seuss and Unitarian Universalists

The stories of Dr. Seuss are wonderful resources. These stories are fun and engaging and give us a way to reflect, to talk about things that are part of our lives.

(Meets in the Red Room)

Liaison: Meg Calkins
Teachers: Meg Calkins, Alyssa Farnsworth, Tania Said Schuler, Nikki Winkle
Assistants: Steve Robert, John Taylor

THIRD – FIFTH GRADES

Holidays and Holy Days

Through this well-loved curriculum, we will celebrate the Holidays and Holy Days of many different religions and cultural traditions. From these experiences we will gain a deeper understanding of what is both unique and common to all people, while connecting ourselves to what is important on our journey as Unitarian Universalists.

(Meets in the Indigo Room)

Liaison: Susan Taylor
Teachers: Shonet Martin, Merissa Shafer, Susan Taylor

MIDDLE SCHOOL CLASS

Popcorn Theology & UU History

Popcorn Theology takes our youth's interest in learning through the visual arts and channels it into specific learning opportunities which examine issues of theological and ethical importance to our world. By using this visual medium to explore relevant issues, this curriculum seeks to help participants:

• examine how the choices we make affect our lives and the lives of others
• explore how concepts such as truth and meaning are related to perspective and point of view
• understand ways in which the right of conscience calls us to do what is right despite possible negative consequences
• consider ways in which our faith can help us understand our questions, seek answers, and deal with the trials of life
• learn about other faith traditions and their responses to important theological and ethical issues

We will also be studying UU History to prepare us for our Boston Bound Heritage Trip in June 2012.

(Meets in the Violet Room)

Liaison: Velvet Miller
Teachers: Mary Bradley, Kristina Denton, Carol Jenkins, Velvet Miller, Andrea Wolfe

HIGH SCHOOL CLASS

We will be exploring peace & social justice issues and neighboring faiths as a way to discover who we are and what we believe.

(Meets in the Orange Room)

Liaison: Markie Oliver
Teachers: Markie Oliver
Special Guest: Mary Bradley, Michael Mayfield, Eleanor Trawick

Chapel for children & youth will be held in the fellowship hall on special occasions.  In November and December we will be inviting musicians from our congregation to join us for “singing chapel” to learn and rehearse songs for our RE Winter Pageant on December 18.

Discipline Guidelines

The term discipline as used here refers to its original meaning – to teach. We service a group of young people with a range of ages, interests and personalities. For the teachers to develop a working relationship with the children in only 45 minutes, a few times a month, presents a special challenge. Parents can help by reviewing appropriate behavior expectations with their children and by informing the DRE and teachers of any special learning styles, or considerations regarding your child.

Looking to our principles and purposes; we affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person and promote acceptance of one another. In this spirit of community building, we aspire to discipline, to teach, and to expect behavior that respects self, peers and adults.

Our valued teachers volunteer their time to prepare and engage our children in discovery and learning. While, at times, any child may need redirection, occasional individuals require more than a reasonable amount of their teachers’ “re-directive’ energies. It is never in the child’s or the group’s best interest to permit disruptive behavior. In deference to our principles of respect for the interdependent web --- as it relates to the learning environment, the RE committee has developed the following guidelines:

When a child’s behavior needs redirection they will, with love and respect be:

• ‘Invited’ to sit (or stand) by the adult. (Proximity often helps)
• Given a helpful task and then reintegrated into the group.
• Offered the opportunity to read a book or draw.
• Escorted to sit with their parents for the remainder of the service/class time.
• Parents may be asked to come into the classroom.

We will always seek to determine and address any cause for discomfort that may be contributing to the child’s behavior. By informing the DRE of any special learning styles or considerations regarding your child, we can better meet their needs.

To Help Your Child Benefit the Most from Their Church Experience Consider . . .

• Being as consistent as possible in attendance. Familiarity is basic to a sense of belonging and ownership. A child’s comfort level and relationship to the community can be compromised as the group building process progresses without his or her consistent presence.
• The importance of your volunteer time in their classes. Your presence demonstrates that you feel RE is worthwhile, perhaps the most lasting and valuable message your children could receive.
• Providing continuity by incorporating some of our ritual forms.

Sunday Morning Routine
All youth will begin in the sanctuary with their parents. Following the hymn, Spirit of Life, classes will begin. On special occasions, children will begin in their classrooms so that we may hold chapel in the fellowship hall. Please check the “RE Welcome Board” in the RE wing (east entrance) to find out what is happening in RE each Sunday morning. Classes end at noon with snack served between 11:45 and 11:55.  Please take this time to enjoy coffee and conversation in the sanctuary.

Visiting families are encouraged to visit their child’s classroom teacher before the service between 10:30 and 10:45.

Student Pick-Up Policy
Parents of children in the Nursery, Preschool, and K – 2^nd must go to the classrooms to pick up their children. Please pick up your children in a timely manner, so that our teachers and aides can also enjoy coffee hour. Children and youth in all other classes will be allowed to leave their classrooms and find their parents within the church building when class is over. If someone other than a parent is to pick up a child after a church activity, please notify the teacher beforehand.

Social Action Projects, Special Events, and Intergenerational Activities
Throughout the year, Social Action projects are planned that involve all children and youth. To help end world hunger we have raised funds for Heifer International and also through the “Empty Bowl Project”. Some of our other projects have been to make baby crib quilts, valentine cards for the Caring Committee, activity bags for children in need, Jane Goodall’s Chimp Guardian Project, and Saving Endangered Animals through the World Wildlife Fund. Each year we also have great fun making home-made cat and dog treats as a fundraiser for a local animal rescue center.

In addition, Special Events are planned such as our RE Sunday & Open House, Goofy Olympics!, The Age of Reading Ceremony, Child Dedication, Teacher Appreciation Luncheon, Fall Festival, RE Family Potlucks, and Game Day!

Intergenerational Activities include special times together such as the Water Ceremony, Harvest Feast, Cookie and Milk Sunday, Santa Lucia, and the RE Winter Holiday Play.

Growing Up in Our UU Faith

Age of Reading Ceremony – 1^st Grade

We celebrate the "joy of reading".

Child Dedication Ceremony

Child Dedication Ceremonies are Unitarian Universalist celebrations for welcoming a baby or child into our community. This is an opportunity to dedicate ourselves and the child to a life of meaning and a search for his or her truths on the path to a religious or spiritual self. Please contact our Minister, Rev. Mary Moore for more information on planning a Dedication Ceremony.

Honoring our Graduates

In June we will have a ceremony during the service to honor our Graduates.

Coming of Age Ceremony – Youth Group

In the spring we will have an evening ceremony to celebrate the passage of our 5^th graders into middle school, and our eighth graders into senior high.

Bridging Ceremony – Youth Group

Each spring, we celebrate the passage of our seniors into adulthood. As we build a "bridge" between their role as a senior youth and their new identity as young adults, we recognize the achievements and contributions each have made to the world and our community and emphasize our ongoing support of our seniors as they make their own way in our complex world.