MIDDLE SCHOOL: Grades 6 – 8 sessions meet on Mondays from 6:30-8:00 p.m. In the Parish Life Center. (PLC)
SOCIAL/SERVICE EVENTS: Event locations will vary and will be communicated to parent(s)/guardian.
PARENT EVENTS: We encourage parents to get involved by volunteering in various ways in the Middle School Youth program such as a Catechist, social and service event volunteer or a hall monitor during our sessions. This is a great opportunity to continue to model your faith as well as witness your child grow in faith and put it into action. At times some of our social events will be open to families. Communications will be communicated to parent(s)/guardians.
SAMPLE CURRICULUM:
EDGE Nights include a combination of large and small group discussion. Topics will be presented to educate about the Christian Catholic faith and challenge the student to grow in a relationship with Christ. There will be large and small group activities.
Social and Service Events keep the EDGE community connected and provide outreach opportunities.
SEPTEMBER (Kickoff Month)
EDGE Kick -Off Getting to Know You
EDGE Family Mass
Social Event – Bonfire & Rosary Night
OCTOBER
EDGE Night- Communion of Saints
EDGE Night- Communion of Saints Continued
Social Event -Saints & Sweets (Trunk or Treat with the Saints)
NOVEMBER
EDGE Night- Bible Basics
EDGE Night- 10 Commandments
Social/ Service Event- Friendsgiving and Craft
DECEMBER
EDGE Night- Advent/Reconciliation
EDGE Night- Mary, Mother of Jesus and Our Mother
Social/Service Event- Christmas Caroling
JANUARY
EDGE Night- Be Open With Your Talents
EDGE Yearly Retreat
EDGE Night- Trivia and Interactive Games
FEBRUARY
EDGE Night- Adoration Chapel and Reflection
EDGE Night-Works of Mercy
Social/Service Event- Mardi Gras Celebration
MARCH
EDGE Night- The Way of the Cross (Stations of the Cross)
EDGE Night- Divine Mercy Chaplet & Bonfire
Social/Service Event- Holy Fire
APRIL
EDGE Night- Sacraments
EDGE Night- Guest Speaker
Social/Service Event- End of Year Celebration
COMMUNICATION: Communication is very important to the Religious Education Program. The faith formation office hours are from 8:30am-4:00 pm Monday through Thursday and from 8:30 am -1:00 pm on Friday. Please direct your questions regarding Religious Education by calling (331)707-5369 . We welcome the opportunity to assist you in any way. Communicating with families will occur through various avenues, such as emails, flyers, church bulletin, and pulpit announcements.
CONDUCT & DISCIPLINE: Learning can best be fostered in an orderly and peaceful environment. This requires full cooperation of students with the catechist and high school mentors. Full cooperation includes: listening at appropriate times, participating willingly in discussions and activities, having bibles at required sessions, being respectful of the property in the classrooms we use, being dressed appropriately, reflecting modesty, respect and Christian values at all times; hats and coats are to be removed during sessions.
CELLPHONES: To avoid distractions and so that students may better focus during the EDGE sessions, we ask students to silence their phones. We offer a 5-7 minute break during our EDGE Nights, this is the only time that the student should be checking their phones. Recording or picture taking by students during sessions is prohibited. Please go over these points with your child/children. They will be reinforced at the first session.
ATTENDANCE: For more accurate record keeping, please contact Karen at 331-707-5382 or email karens@olmercy.com. to report an absence.
The EDGE program is not a Sacrament prep program. Topics will be presented to educate about the Christian Catholic faith and the student will be challenged to grow in a relationship with Christ and others. There will be large and small group activities. If your child misses a session there will be no make up assignments.
EARLY DISMISSAL: Please enter the building and speak to one of the building leaders at the front desk. No student will be allowed to leave the parish center unescorted.
LATE ARRIVAL:Students are welcome and encouraged to attend a session even if they are late. Please have your child enter the building and sign in with the building leader at the front desk.
ENTERING THE BUILDING: Students can be dropped off starting at 6:20pm. and enter the Parish Life Center (PLC) through Door B. Students will check in at the front desk for attendance with one of our building leaders and then proceed to the multipurpose room for further direction.
Please do not drop off students at the PLC earlier than 6:20pm, as volunteers will not be available for supervision.
DISMISSAL: At the end of the night (8:00 PM), we will dismiss students out of door C (side of building near the ramp). Parents are asked to form a car line along the sidewalk leading to the back of the parking lot. To ensure safety, students will wait on the sidewalk for their rides and should not cross into the parking lot. Orange cones will mark the loading zone—please pull up to the first cone to facilitate a smooth pickup.
WHEN TO STAY HOME: Please do not send your child to the EDGE program with any of the following symptoms: • Sore throat • Excessive coughing • Diarrhea or vomiting • Fever • Head lice • Undiagnosed rash, sore, or other skin condition • Any other contagious disease or symptom
SNACKS AND BREAKS: We offer a break during our sessions. An individual packaged snack along with water or lemonade will be provided at every EDGE Night. Break time is the only time where the students can check their phones if need be.
PHOTOS: The staff will take pictures of the session for the purpose of parent communication and program promotion. If you wish to have your child opt out of photos please specify at the time of registration/ permission forms.