Letter to all families

Dear Families,

As we begin the year together, we thought it would be beneficial to remind you of some of the policies, rules and procedures that help our Sunday School provide a safe and pleasing learning environment for your child.

Loving Discipline Policy

A positive loving approach to discipline is followed.  Our teachers use positive reinforcement, redirection and focus on the action rather than the child in order to build self-esteem and a healthy self-concept.  Physical and/or verbal punishment is not permitted. Children need to be familiarized with classroom expectations and acknowledge what is acceptable behavior.  In the event of negative behavior, the teacher(s) will attempt to rechannel their energies in a new direction or use a “time out.”  If a student refuses to adhere to classroom expectations, teachers are asked to send them to Molly Anderson or Carol Haenel in the Sunday School office.  If the unacceptable behavior continues, the Sunday School office may contact the parents.

If serious chronic discipline problems should persist, the Director of Children’s Ministry will confer with the parents and at that time may ask the parents to join the child in the classroom.  If problems continue unresolved, the child will be removed from the class and alternatives will be explored.

Attendance

At your child's baptism you agreed to: "FAITHFULLY BRING your child to the services of God's house …"

The Sunday School office will keep track of student absences. If a child is absent a total of SEVEN CONSECUTIVE Sundays, the child will be considered a non-attendee. Upon returning to Sunday School, the child or teacher will need to inform the Sunday School office of their return. Please call Molly at ext. 1201 or Carol at ext. 1212 if it would be helpful for us to know of any extenuating circumstances.

If your plans have changed and your child(ren) will not be attending Sunday School, it is vital for you to notify the Sunday School office at (480) 948-1234 ext. 1201 or ext. 1212. In this way, we will know if we have space available for new student registrations.

Dismissal

Children whose ages are 2-years old through kindergarten will NOT be DISMISSED until someone comes for them. First through sixth grade students ARE DISMISSED at the end of class time.

Please be certain you have selected a meeting place with your child. (If a child has NOT been picked up by 10:25 a.m. or 11:40 a.m., teachers are asked to bring your child to the Sunday School office.) Our teachers have children and families to join in worship. Please plan on picking up your child(ren) promptly. We thank you for your help and look forward to seeing you.

Visitors/Guests 

We welcome visitors and are happy to have your children share God's love with their friends. However, we do require that a visitor check in at the Sunday School office before going to class. We keep a visitor log to both know who is on our campus and for your child's safety.

Enrolling New Students

We have new students joining us throughout the year.  If a student is planning to attend Sunday School on a regular basis (not just visiting for a couple of weeks), they need to register. 

Offering

A free will offering is received each Sunday morning in the classroom.

Snacks

We will NOT be having snacks on Sunday mornings in 1st through 6th grades. There may be a special occasion where a treat could be provided, but these grade level students will not have snack sign-ups. 2-year old through Kindergarten classes will continue having a healthy, light NON-sugar snack. IT IS ESSENTIAL TO REMEMBER WE ARE A NUT AND NUT PRODUCT FREE AREA. We have several students with SEVERE allergies to nuts, nut oils and things that have been prepared in the same area as a nut product.  Please help us keep all of our children safe and healthy.

Changing Class Policy

It is our goal at La Casa de Cristo to provide a warm, welcoming and quality Christian learning environment in each of our Sunday School classrooms. The teacher/student ratio and room capacity are two major factors we consider and follow in both forming and adding to our existing Sunday School classes.

When a student is requesting to change from one Sunday School class to another, after they have initially registered and attended an assigned Sunday School class, we ask both parents and Sunday School staff to follow these guidelines:

1. Parents should first inquire as to the possibility of such a move by checking with the Sunday School office.  Teachers do NOT have the authority to make any recommendations about space availability in a class. 
2. If there was no mistake concerning Sunday School registration and class room placement on our part, WE REQUIRE THAT A STUDENT WAIT UNTIL THE 2ND SUNDAY AFTER SUNDAY SCHOOL BEGINS BEFORE CHANGING CLASSES.
3. The request to change Sunday School classes may be honored only if available space exists in the desired class category and time period.
4. Special requests cannot always be honored.  The Children’s Ministry Director and staff will address requests on an individual basis.

Thank you for entrusting your children to our care,

Molly Anderson
Director of Children's Ministry

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him. 
        Psalm 127:3