Dear Parents,

Welcome to the Religious Education Program! Posted online are Registration Forms for your children for the 2009-2010 school year for grades Pre-K through 12. The sooner you register, the better your chances are to have the session you want. Please print and mail or drop off your registration form at the Parish Office by July 15; registrations received after this date will incur a $30 late fee.

Registration Procedures

• RETURNING STUDENTS: Please use the registration forms that were mailed to you.
• NEW STUDENTS: Please use the blank form below to register new students in PreK - 8:
  
  
  •  RE Registration Form 2009-10 - Prek thru 8th Grade
  •  RE Change Request Form
  
  Please use the blank form below to register new students in Youth Group (grades 9-12):
  
  
  •  RE Registration Form 2009-10 - 9th thru 12th Grade
  
  
• Registration is on a FIRST COME FIRST SERVE basis, and the lower grades fill up quickly.
• Cell Phone Numbers: Please provide or update your cell phone number. There have been occasional instances when the parents of sick children could not be reached because cell numbers were unavailable.
• E-Mail Addresses: E-mail will be the primary means of communication throughout the year. We will not process your registration form if an e-mail address is not provided. If you do not have e-mail access, please note this on the form.
• Learning Disabilities or Behavioral Disorders: In the best interest of your child, please list any learning disabilities or behavioral disorders. We have some wonderful volunteers who have experience working with children with special needs. Please register your child for Wednesdays at 4:15 p.m. to take advantage of this extra assistance for your child.
• Volunteer: Parents who serve as a Catechist or Aide during the upcoming year receive PRIORITY selection of their children’s class session day and time. If interested, please complete the enclosed Volunteer Form. If you have already completed a form, thank you! We will contact you to confirm that your volunteer day and time is still available (i.e., still needs a catechist or aide).
  
  
  •  RE Volunteer Registration Form 2009-10
  
  
• Sacramental Grades (1st & 2nd, 7th & 8th): Preparation for reception of the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation is a two-year process. Therefore, students must complete first and second grade Religious Education classes before receiving Holy Communion. Likewise, students must complete seventh and eighth grade classes before receiving Confirmation. The sacraments are a tremendous grace from God, which necessitate a thorough understanding of the Faith. If you have a second grade or eighth grade child who did not attend Religious Education classes or a Catholic school last year, than your child will need to enroll in first or seventh grade this year.
• Pre-Kindergarten: Please note that there is only one option for Pre-K students. It is Tuesday at 4:15 p.m. and has a maximum enrollment of ten students. Register early for this one!
• Baptismal Certificates: Baptismal Certificates will be placed in the parish family files for every child enrolled; if you have not done so in previous years, please enclose a copy of the Baptismal Certificate with the registration form, but do not delay applying for this reason. If necessary, register first, and turn the certificate in later.
• Registration Fee: The registration fee remains the same, but a late fee of $30 will be charged if received after July 15th. Please make all checks payable to Our Lady of Hope Church.
  • $150 for one child
  • $200 for two children
  • $250 for three or more children
• Class Session Notification: You will be notified by mail of your child’s assigned class session no later than August 31, 2009.
• Religious Education Classes will begin Tuesday, September 8, 2009, and Wednesday, September 9, 2009. Mark your calendar!
• Youth Group for grades 9-12 will begin in September, 2009. Rising Ninth Graders must register and attend Youth Group at least until they receive Confirmation this fall. If you have a child in grades 9-12 there should be a Youth Group Registration form enclosed. Please complete both sides of this form.

If you have any questions, please call the Religious Education Office at 703-433-6777.

May God bless you,

Cathy Plummer
Director of Religious Education