We have decided to take a hybrid approach to Religious Education this year, with the possibility of going fully remote if necessary. While we are still working out the details, we are trying to simplify our programming as much as possible to make it as easy as we can for families to manage. Here are some changes:
First, we will be using a different curriculum that will allow us to group grades together. While this won't help families with big age ranges, for those with children close in age, there will be one lesson taught, rather than each child having their own lesson. We are hoping this will become a wonderful opportunity for family catechesis rather than individual lessons. (Please help us by completing the survey at the end so we can best accommodate families when we divide grades.)
Second, we plan to have small groups of children come once a month for in-person catechesis, prayer and faith sharing. The other weeks I will send lessons to be completed at home. Again, we are trying to simplify the lessons and make them fruitful for the family. If we find ourselves in a quarantine situation again, we would hold these gatherings on Zoom, but for now, we think it is important for the communities of children to come together in person, following all safety guidelines, of course. We will use the main hall and the church which will allow us to spread out in a larger space. Families who are uncomfortable with in-person meetings can opt to fully teach their children at home. Just let me know in the survey and we will support you in this option