Religious Education And Christian Helping
Diocesan Safe Environment Program / Parental Notification Form
TO: Parents of St. Michael Catholic Church Religious Education Students
SUBJECT: Safe Environment Program
The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown has implemented a new program for the protection of our youth. The Protecting God’s Children ™ program will now be known as our Youth Protection Program. The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, adopted by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops in 2002, requires each parish or school to provide formation for children in areas of safety and the integrity of their person. This program is mandatory for all Parish Religious Education programs and Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Altoona-Johstown. The philosophy is to directly involve parents in the formation of their children. In addition to a classroom presentation of safety issues, adapted for grades 1, 5 and 9, parents will receive materials to help guide their own discussion with their children. We will cover the required lessons during our regularly scheduled January class times.
If you have any questions, please contact The Religious Education Office at 495-4873. You may request to review the specific content material. If you decide you do not desire your child to participate, there is a Parent Verification/Refusal form, which indicates that this mandated instruction is being offered, and that you choose not to have your child participate. This form is also required if your child is absent the day the instruction was given. You may visit the Protecting God’s Children™ program at www.virtus.org. to preview the information about the lessons.
Diocesan Safe Environment Program / Parental Notification Form
TO: Parents of St. Michael Catholic Church Religious Education Students
SUBJECT: Safe Environment Program
The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown has implemented a new program for the protection of our youth. The Protecting God’s Children ™ program will now be known as our Youth Protection Program. The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, adopted by the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops in 2002, requires each parish or school to provide formation for children in areas of safety and the integrity of their person. This program is mandatory for all Parish Religious Education programs and Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Altoona-Johstown. The philosophy is to directly involve parents in the formation of their children. In addition to a classroom presentation of safety issues, adapted for grades 1, 5 and 9, parents will receive materials to help guide their own discussion with their children. We will cover the required lessons during our regularly scheduled January class times.
If you have any questions, please contact The Religious Education Office at 495-4873. You may request to review the specific content material. If you decide you do not desire your child to participate, there is a Parent Verification/Refusal form, which indicates that this mandated instruction is being offered, and that you choose not to have your child participate. This form is also required if your child is absent the day the instruction was given. You may visit the Protecting God’s Children™ program at www.virtus.org. to preview the information about the lessons.
