Welcome to a new year in CCD here at Our Lady of Good Help Parish. All our catechists are looking forward with you and your children to our religious education program this year.

All students should be registered by September 21, 2008. Click the link below for the registration form or pick one up at church.

Our policy regarding absenteeism is as follows:

• If your child is going to be absent from class we ask that you call the teacher to inform them or leave a message in the parish office at 568-5272 at least one hour ahead of class.
  
  
• We will be placing "courtesy calls" 15 minutes after class starts to the home of any child absent without prior notification to either the teacher or the parish office.
  
  
• Excessive absences will result in your child having to repeat that level before going on to the next level. Excessive absence is defined as more than 7 for grades 1-6 or more than 4 for grades 7-10.

We also ask that parents talk to their children about CCD and about how important it is to their spiritual and moral development as Christian Catholics. We ask that you encourage them to try their best and take the classes seriously. We ask that you remind them to respect themselves, other student and, especially, their teachers. We will also be reminding them of this frequently.

Please note that the times for classes have changed again this year. Sunday morning classes are now 9:10 to 10:10 am. Monday evening classes are 6:30 to 7:30 pm for grade 6 and 6:30 to 8:00 pm for grades 7, 8, 9, and 10.

Each level will be expected to study for and pass the tests that are given in class. If your child has a special learning or behavioral disability, please inform the teacher ahead of time.

Parent involvement is encouraged whenever possible. Parents are asked to stop in and meet teachers at the first class of the year. The dates for the first classes are September 28th for grades 1-5, September 29th for grade 6 and October 6 for grades 7, 8 and Confirmation I and II. The purpose of the parent-teacher meeting is to have the teachers meet each parent and for the parent to know what the teacher's objectives are for the year.

Please use caution when driving in and out of the parking lot. There are many children being dropped off and they dart in and out very quickly. Please drive carefully to avoid tragedy. Parents, do not let children run between cars in the lot.

Finally, regarding snow days:

• If the town of Burrillville cancels school for the day, CCD is automatically canceled.
  
  
• If you think that traveling is too hazardous, then please rely on your own judgment.
  
  
• If your child attends a Sunday morning class, a teacher will notify you at home of any cancellation.
  
  
• Cancellations will also be posted on Channel 10 WJAR TV.

We thank you for your cooperation in all these matters and wish you and your family a blessed year.

In Jesus,
Pat Ducharme, DRE