Religious Education (K-8th)
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John Domingojdomingosjavb.orgDirector of Religious Education -
Colleen Fickelcfickelsjavb.orgAdministrative Assistant, Religious Education Registration
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'How can they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? -Romans 10:14-15
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2023-2024 registration is open
We serve between 350 - 400 students for both sessions and for online homeschool. In-person classes are dependent on volunteers. We need to have a better understanding of the number of students we can serve before we assign classes. With this in mind, we are urging parents who are interested in registering their children for in-person Religious Education to register early. This will help determine which grades can stand on their own and those which may need to be combined with other grades. Your help would be much appreciated!
Catechists and other Volunteers always needed: Give the Gift of Time and Talent
The foundation of our Children's Religious Education Program cannot happen without the stewardship gifts of time and talent so generously shared by our catechetical and formation team members. If you would like more information, please contact John Domingo at [email protected].
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“Parents have the first responsibility for the education of their children. They bear witness to this responsibility first by creating a home where tenderness, forgiveness, respect, fidelity, and disinterested service are the rule.” (CCC 2223)
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FAQ's for K-8 Religious Education
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We offer online registration from July to September 30 at sjavb.org. Payment can be made with PayPal or credit card. Forms are available to print at sjavb.org, then mail or drop off (exact cash and check only) to the parish office at 1968 Sandbridge Road, VB 23456. Forms are available at the church office during office hours - Monday-Thursday from 9-4 pm (closed 12-1pm for lunch) and Fridays 9-12 pm.
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YES. Families must be registered with our parish and have a Parish ID (envelope number) prior to enrolling children in religious education classes. A registration packet may be picked up at the Welcome Desk at weekend Masses, parish office or online at sjavb.org.
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Also called a “Family ID number”, this is the 1-5 digit number your family was assigned when you registered with the parish. The number can be found on your parish envelopes or by calling the parish office at 757.426.2180.
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Discounts apply for early registration and payment is expected at the time of registration. Electronic payments need to be made through our website link. Exact cash and check payments can be made diectly to the Parish Office. Make checks payable to "St. John the Apostle" note: Religious Education. If you have a concern about this, please contact John Domingo at [email protected]. The registration fee is waived for Catechists and reduced for Aides.
The fee is per family - all children inclusive
July 13-Aug 14 - $80
Aug 15 - September 14 - $100
After September 15 - $150
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In -person classes are held October through April and are offered on Sundays from 12:45-2:00 pm and Mondays from 6:15-7:30 pm. We also offer a Homeschool program for 1st, 3rd – 8th. Classes are held at the SJA school.
Class assignments for students are given on a first come first serve basis. We will email classroom assignments to the email address on the registration form. The Religious Education schedule will be at sjavb.org.
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ONLINE HOMESCHOOL OPTION (First Grade, Third Grade through Eighth Grade)
For the past few years, St. John the Apostle has offered an online homeschool option (First Grade, Third Grade through Eighth Grade) through My Catholic Faith Delivered. My Catholic Faith Delivered (MCFD) has the entire "Faith and Life" Series from Ignatius Press available for individual and classroom use.
Fast Facts:
- The online program is completely self-taught with a schedule determined by the family. There are some families who are able to finish the program within a short amount of time while others choose to spread out the classes throughout the school year.
- You can access the program online anywhere. We have at least four families who are using the program while they are stationed overseas in Europe.
- The online program actually has the entire program (Student & Activity Books) with embedded videos, games, and assessments. There is no need to have the actual student and activity books.
- While a student can progress on their own, parents can choose to be with their children as they learn. Parents will learn just as much as their children.
- The Director of Religious Education can check on the progress of each student and knows what chapters have been completed, grades for assessments, etc. Since this may be a popular option this year, there will be a concerted effort to make sure that each family is progressing well through the program.
To choose this option, please register online and click on "homeschool". The registration fee - all children inclusive - can be paid online. We will obtain the necessary purchases from MCFD, and parents will be informed by email from them as to the log-in information. Homeschool families will be notified in the September/October timeframe for the start of the School Year.
Since Second Grade is traditionally focused on sacramental preparation for First Penance and First Communion, families with students preparing for these sacraments should expect in-person classes.
Students in the following grade levels have the option of home instruction via an online program using the same textbook series (Faith & Life) that we use: 1st, 3rd – 8th grade. Families should pay the regular registration fee and a portion of that fee will be used to set up the online access provided by MyCatholicFaithDelivered.com. The DRE will have the ability to check up on individual students and their progress in work. Students in second grade or those preparing for the sacraments (i.e. Baptism, First Penance, First Communion) should be enrolled in an in-person class – there will be no option for online instruction due to the work that needs to be done. Any other specific questions about homeschooling should be directed to the DRE.
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Children of Light
Children of Light was created a number of years ago by a parishioner concerned about the spiritual preparation of children in the parish who experience a variety of special needs (i.e. physical, emotional, intellectual, etc.). “Children of Light” operates as a ministry in our Religious Education program by helping children mainstream into regular classes or receive individualized attention.
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Coordinator
Rachel Lapham has worked with children for over 30 years. This passion began in her teenage years working with children as a volunteer and continued as a kindergarten teacher and later a coordinator for the US Navy’s Children and Youth Program. Desiring more, she pursued her Bachelor of Arts in Child Studies degree . Rachel continued her education after getting married and having children and holds a Master of Special Education degree and is a Board Certified and Licensed Behavior Analyst. Rachel has worked in home, clinical, and school-based settings providing therapeutic services for many children and young adults ages 2-21.
In addition to her lifelong career working with children, Rachel and her husband Rich have 6 children of their own. Their son AJ was diagnosed with autism at age 5 after they observed a lack of verbal communication and behavioral challenges. Rachel has spent much of her adult life promoting the development and encouragement of children with special needs and ensuring their access to the world around them. Additionally, she holds a special place in her heart to advocate for military families with special needs children as her husband recently retired from the Navy. Rachel knows first-hand the challenges of including her special needs son in a faith community. She is passionate about helping and supporting other families to fully participate and be engaged in their parish. Please feel free to reach out to her with any questions at [email protected].
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Sacramental Preparation
If your child has been baptized, is at least 7 years of age, and is ready to prepare to receive their First Reconciliation & First Holy Communion, please visit our Sacramental Preparation page for more information about the Parish program.
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