Way Cool Sunday School

WELCOME!

Thank you for choosing UUFNW for your family's place of worship and religious exploration!

Caring volunteer teachers and carefully chosen curricula introduce our young Unitarian Universalists to the stories, ideas and principles of our liberal religious tradition. Together, we create a place where we may make new friends and grow in a nurturing faith community. Our children get to explore UU ideas through many different modes of learning; such as art, music, experimentation, theatre and stories, and physical movement.

CLASSES

This year we plan to have 4 classes, plus Nursery and two Youth Groups. We will follow the Way Cool Sunday School model of generally two teaching Sundays, one Social Justice Sunday, and one Children's Chapel each month.

We will be using the new Unitarian Universalist Association online Curriculum in the classes for Preschool to Kindergarten, 1st to 3rd Grade, and 4th to 6th grade. The 7th to 9th Graders are the first in UUFNW history to gain the benefits of the acclaimed abstinence based/decision making sexuality program, Our Whole Lives (OWL).

Nursery Free Play

3's to Kindergarten Creating Home, UUA Online curriculum

Grades 1-3 Faithful Journeys, UUA Online curriculum

Grades 4-6 Toolbox of Faith, UUA Online Curriculum

Grades 7-9 Jr Youth Group/Our Whole Lives

Grades 10-12 Sr Youth Group/ Our Whole Lives

We will also offer classes for parents about nurturing spirituality in children, and will provide opportunities for families to participate together in social justice activities.

TEACHERS

We will also be trying a new method for teaching teams. Instead of three seasonal teams of two teachers each for each age group, we will have one team of 4 teachers for the whole year for each age group. We will also have 4 person teams for social action, special events, worship, and data management.

The health of our RE program depends on UUFNWers of high school age and older volunteering to teach Sunday morning RE classes and help run RE-related special events. Accordingly, all UUFNW parents/guardians are EXPECTED to play major roles in our congregation?s cooperative RE program, and other members and friends are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to do the same.

For those of you who have not taught a Sunday morning RE class before, please know the following:

• All teachers work as part of a team of at least four teachers.

• At least two teachers must be present at every class so that no one has to teach alone.

• Teachers utilize the online Unitarian Universalist Association user-friendly curricula.

• Two formal teacher planning workshops during the congregational year supplement ongoing support from the

RE Ministry and me.

If you are on the fence, or have any concerns or questions about RE, feel free to call any of the committee members listed below and they will listen and/or share with you their experiences working with our amazing children and youth:

We are excited by the opportunities for community our upcoming year will provide. There are many ways listed on the parent information form. We look forward to hearing from your family through this registration and throughout the year

Thank you,

Donna Renfro, Director of Religious Exploration Bdonna7568@aol.com, 732-513-8867,

and the Children and Youth Religious Exploration Ministry

CHILDREN AND YOUTH RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION MINISTRY

Patti Colombo, Co-Chair Jr. & Sr Youth liaison pavacolombo@optonline.net, 914-248-5017

Gina Smith, Curriculum and Teacher Development Ginasmith1@optonline.net, 914-329-3375

Maureen Hunter Treasurer/Attendance Records maureenhun@aol.com, 914-864-0525

OPEN, New Families, Liaison to Membership Committee

OPEN, Community/Special Events

OPEN, Co-Chair Social Action, with Co-Chair Gayle Hudson gaylehudson@optonline.net, 914-763-6154

OPEN, Communications

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

There are now so many choices competing for families' time on Sunday mornings.

At UUFNW that time is used to freely explore all facets of liberal religion and clarify the personal values that will guide and support children and youth to become more caring, compassionate, and justice-making individuals.

We encourage you to make every effort to have regular attendance at UUFNW be a priority in your lives. When families participate in a faith community their sense of belonging is enhanced and their identity as a family is strengthened. Here are some things you can do to help:

• Arrive on time and come regularly. This communicates to your children that you value religious exploration, and gives them a chance to develop friendships at UUFNW. Get to know other UUFNW families, and get together outside of Sunday mornings. Talk to your children about why you come, and what it means to you. We will have a recognition/reward program for attendance for children and youth this year.

• Stay Informed. Read the newsletter, especially the RE column. Read the weekly announcements. Read the parent emails from the DRE. Watch for flyers in the halls.

• Spend time together at UUFNW. Introduce yourself to your child's teachers; follow the activities of the class and discuss them with your child; attend all intergenerational worships together; participate in special family and intergen events; attend Adult Enrichment classes to strengthen your own knowledge of UU; communicate your thoughts, opinions and values to your children, and your UUFNW community.

• Parents are needed to help. In our cooperative program we share the responsibility for nurturing our children's spiritual growth. Everyone is required to participate. Please use the registration form to indicate your volunteer commitment for the current year.

• RE Family Contributions to UUFNW. All families are encouraged to become members of the fellowship. Being a member includes your support of the fellowship, in your time, your talents, and your treasure! Our fellowship barely exists or thrives from these contributions. We recommend each and every family give at least one week to the congregation each year, 40 hours of your time and talent, and one week's household or individual net income. If everyone did that we would thrive instead of exist! We will be having offerings during Children's Chapel this year also, so please help your children to remember to bring their contributions. Every family is expected to contribute or speak with the minister, Board President, DRE, or Finance Committee Chair about your situation. No family will ever be unwelcome due to financial reasons.

RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES

Guidelines based on our seven UU Principles

1. We believe that each and every person is important. Safety is our first concern! Children must remain in classrooms or supervised areas until picked up by parents, if 3rd grade or younger. All children and youth must be supervised at all times, by a willing adult or teen, including on the playground. Parents will be at UUFNW with their children, or notify the DRE or RE Chair in advance who is responsible.Treat everyone with respect.

2. We believe that all people should be treated fairly and kindly. Listen and follow directions. Use inside voices and walk while inside the buildings. Be polite. Take turns. Care about one another. Use caring language and behavior.

3. We believe that we should accept one another and keep on learning together. Make a commitment to regular attendance. Your friends and teachers depend upon you, and look forward to seeing you. Include everyone in activities and planning. Friends are welcome. Let them know our rules. Participate with enthusiasm.

4. We believe that each person must be free to search for what is true and right in life. Share your ideas and respect the ideas of others. Keep an open mind to new ideas.

5. We believe that all persons should have the right to speak out and have a vote about what concerns them. Express your opinions constructively. Listen to others opinions respectfully. Participate in and support the decisions of the group.

6. We believe in working for a peaceful, fair and free world. Ask for help when you need it. Do your best to get along with others and to be helpful. Only gentle play is appropriate at UUFNW. Be willing to listen to reminders about your behavior. Participate in the Fellowship?s social action projects, and bring your ideas.

7. We believe in caring for our planet earth, the home we share with all living things. Take good care of our meetinghouse. Help clean up. Put back whatever you use. Be careful with our space, furniture and materials. Respect the covered equipment and toys of The Little Garden Pre-School. Covered means they are off limits to us. Use only what you need. Recycle. Be gentle with the plants and animals. Do not climb trees.

PLAYGROUND GUIDELINES

We share the playground near the parking lot with The Little Garden Preschool. They have bought most of the equipment, which is designed for children 2-5 years old. Please respect the equipment, use it as it's supposed to be used, for the age it's intended, and put things back where they're stored. When using the back playground, stay within the fenced areas.