At St. John Church, we are happy to provide your child with ample educational programs and faith development resources. As a parent, there are some important things to bear in mind concerning the religious education of your child. We list these below.

• Your FAMILY Commitment
  • As a church, we are here to support and encourage the development of your children's, and ultimately, your family's growth in the Catholic faith. This cannot be done unless your family has decided to make a commitment to the faith. Oftentimes we hear of the strains placed on families today and allow these struggles to prevent us from coming to church on the weekends, from receiving the sacrament of reconciliation or in getting our children to their religious education classes.
  • As a church, please know that we are praying for all of our families. We are asking that you take the time to discuss this commitment to Christ and His Church with your entire family. We ask that you start fresh this year. Make faith development a priority. Ensure that your children are receiving proper religious instruction and that your entire family is coming to Mass each week. Surely this is where we draw our strength from. Allow Christ to manifest Himself in your family.
• Attendance Policy
  • Regular attendance is expected. Students are deprived of learning great lessons of our faith and of growing closer to Christ when absent. However, illnesses and emergencies arise. If you know in advance that your child will miss a class, please call the office at (410) 848-8443 or (Baltimore line) (410) 876-2248.
  • Children are expected to receive make-up work from their teacher upon returning and have it completed by the next class! All make-up work must be finished by the end of the year in order to be properly prepared for the next grade level.
• Calendars
  • Parents will receive a calendar from their child's teacher. The calendar tells what chapter is being covered each week. If a parent did not receive one after the first class, ask your child's teacher or call the Religious Ed office.
• Student Materials
  • All students are to supply themselves with a folder and pen or pencil each week! The folder is used to hold their book and any handouts from us to the parents. For this reason, we ask all parents to check their child's folder each week when they come home from classes.
• Take Home Work and Quizzes
  • Students may be given homework each week. (Example: praying a specific prayer at meal time with family or completing a page in their book.) This is an ideal time for your family to gather together and pray or discuss God and the Church. The one hour in class is not enough for your children to receive all that they need in the ir faith development. We believe these small tasks will be significant, as long as the parents are supportive. Small chapter quizzes will also be given to help reinforce the student's knowledge.
• Behavior
  • Christian behavior is expected from everyone; students and teachers. However, if a child is continually disruptive, he or she will be asked to go to the Religious Ed office. Students can be picked up when classes are over. While such behavior is not frequent, it does occur. Parental cooperation is appreciated.
  • If there is ever a problem with your child, their classroom, any classmate, or even their teacher, please promptly alert the Religious Education Staff so that we may assist in addressing the situation.
• Special Activities
  • During the year, children may be involved in special programs, field trips, prayer services, etc. We will send parents information on these types of events when the need arises.
• Arrivals, Departures and Safety
  • Two doors are used to enter and exit the building:
    • Side door of the school facing the Church.
    • Back door of the new school wing.
  • Students are not to be brought to class any earlier than 15 minutes before class. No supervision is available.
  • Please arrive on time, as lateness leads to disruption.
  • Parents of children in grades pre-school to 4th grade are to pick and drop off their children directly to and from the classroom.
  • Other students, 5th grade and older leave through the two available exit doors once they have been dismissed.
  • In order to make dismissal in the parking lot more safe, parents MUST use the BACK CHURCH PARKING LOT to wait for their older children.
  • All guests of children, parents picking up children early and all others must check in with the office before entering the classroom.
• Holy Days
  • If a Holy Day falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, children may be dismissed in order to attend Mass. However, parents must verbally inform their child's teacher of this request. Children should be picked up by their parents at the classroom door.