Mon Eve Religious Education Program

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are delighted to welcome you and your children to our Religious Education program. This Monday marks the beginning of a year of learning about Jesus, praying together, and growing as a parish family. We’re honored to walk with you.

Here are a few things to know: (Please read the entire email, scroll down.)

First Day Opportunity:

When you arrive, please pop by your child’s classroom to say hello to the catechist. While the kids are in class, I’ll be in the Parish Hall with a quick, welcoming overview of the year—and I’m happy to answer any questions.

• Grade K - Ms. Lillian Misner
• Grade 1 - Ms. Barbara Anzano
• Grade 2 - Ms. Mary Orsino
  
• Grade 3 - Ms. Heidi Wolf
  
• Grade 4 - Ms. Roseann Sierra
• Grade 5 - Mr. Alan Gomes
• Grade 6 - Mr. Stephen Mirabello
• Grade 7 - Ms. Eileen Lesch
• Grade 8 - Mr. Nicholas Felicione

• K–2: Parent/guardian walks child to the classroom and signs in with the catechist.
• 3–5: Parent may walk to the grade hallway or drop off at the entrance; students go directly to class.
• 6–8: Students may be dropped off at the main entrance and go to class independently.

Purpose: Keep children and parishioners safe, keep fire lanes clear. Please follow the cone pattern and volunteer directions.

Weekly:

• Park in marked spaces only.
• Do not block crosswalks or pull up along the building—fire lanes must remain clear.
• Walk with children, use crosswalks, and yield to pedestrians.
• Drive slowly.

• Come 5 minutes before dismissal: - 7:10 PM
  
  

• Enter at the 2 Center Main Church Doors
  
  

We end in the church so we can:

1. Pray as one family. A simple closing prayer keeps our focus on Jesus and sends us out with peace.

2. Reinforce learning. A one-sentence share from each grade helps kids remember—and lets parents hear what was taught.
   

   
   How We Do It

Where to Sit:
Sit in the pews marked by grade signs (K, 1, 2 … 8).

• Families with multiple children: sit in the section corresponding to the oldest child.
  

Release to Parents:

• When your child’s grade is called, the parents will walk to their child's section. For parents with multiple children, we dismiss in the order from oldest to youngest.

• Introduce yourself to the catechist, especially in the first few weeks.
• Students are released only to authorized adults on file.
• Grades K-2 are to be signed out at the pew.
• Grades 7–8 self-dismissal is allowed only with a written note to the office; otherwise, you are to meet in the pews like everyone else.
  
  

Church Etiquette

• Phones on silent; no food/drink, reverence to the tabernacle.

• Late arrivals are to go to the RE Office to obtain a pass. Please ring the doorbell for admittance.

• To support learning, safety, and reverence, early dismissals should be infrequent (e.g., medical appointments or emergencies). If early dismissals become frequent (more than [2] per semester), we’ll connect with you to adjust scheduling and support your child’s learning.
  
  

• If early dismissal is necessary, please notify us in advance using our preferred communication method (email) and then sign out at the RE Office. Children are released only to the parent on file. If you are authorizing someone else to pick up, please notify us in advance by email.
  
  

• For safety, please refrain from texting students during class about leaving early. Instead, contact the RE Office and ensure that carpool names are given.
  
  

• Early Dismissals in the Office are not accepted after 7:00 PM.
  
  
• Early Dismissal from the Church — Not Permitted (Here’s Why)
  For everyone’s safety and to maintain a prayerful and orderly atmosphere, we do not release students from inside the church during the closing prayer/sharing. This protects student safety and accountability: our headcounts, supervision ratios, and emergency procedures rely on a single, controlled release point.

• Running late: Meet your child in the Religious Education Office.

A smile! (Please refrain from bringing snacks or water bottles.)
We will provide a textbook and folder, pencils, crayons, and markers.
Bring the textbook and folder to class each week.

We value steady participation so children can grow week by week—especially in sacrament years. If your child will be absent or late, please notify us in advance by email. Make-ups are posted on the Parents Corner → At-Home Guide and should be completed when returning to class.

• Absence limit: Up to 2 absences per semester (9 weeks a semester)

• Fall Semester: Sept 29–Nov 28, 2025

• Winter Semester: Dec 1, 2025–Feb 27, 2026
  (built-in breaks: 2 weeks in December, 1 week in January, 1 week in February)

• Spring Semester: Mar 2–May 11, 2026
  (includes 2 weeks off for Easter)

• Mass Sign-in & Reflection: Children will sign in at the Narthex each weekend (first name + grade). Return to class. At home, please complete the Mass Journal together and return it to the next class. Helpful short videos for the week are on our Parents Corner Page.

Save the Date: Sacrament of Reconciliation & First Holy Communion Overview
Monday, October 27- 6:30 PM
Save the Date: Sacrament of Confirmation Overview
Monday, October 20 - 6:30 PM

Parents Corner Password:
ILUVMYCHURCH (Use all caps/case sensitive)

• Privacy & Safety: It’s password-protected (we serve minors), so class information and downloads remain within our parent community.

A one-stop hub on our parish website for all Religious Ed info: calendars, At-Home Guides (make-ups), Catholic Faith At-Home, meeting dates, forms, and videos, to name a few.

• Clarity, not clutter: One place to find the latest info instead of digging through old emails.

• Consistency: Every grade/family sees the same, up-to-date instructions.

• Timely make-ups: Absent work is posted there so kids stay on track.

• Always available: Works on phone or computer—no more lost papers.

Email: passociate@sienachurch.org
General: prep@sienachurch.org
Website: www.sienachurch.org
Phone: 732-938-5375
Location: 31 Asbury Road, Farmingdale, NJ 07727