Each class rotates through two curricula. The ones highlighted in blue are what is being taught for the 2009-2010 church year.
Nursery (up to 3 years)
Staffed by Katie Dees and Eileen Driscoll
Children are supervised for free play time. Parents are welcome to stay if they wish.
Pre-K & Kindergarten
“Treasure Hunting” and “Chalice Children”
Children will use treasure hunting as a concrete way of learning the excitement of the search for the meaning of life. “Treasure Hunting” emphasizes UUism and our congregation as a community. “Chalice Children” explores the role of the church in our lives and gets the children to begin thinking about the big questions in life, such as, how did we get here and where are we going.
1st & 2nd grade
“Special Times” and “A Stepping Stone Year”
Teachers: Laurie Melniczek & Jeanne Henderson
“Special Times” acquaints the children with the Jewish and Christian heritages through celebration of Judeo-Christian holidays as well as other special times such as Thanksgiving, Shabbat/Sabbath and everybody’s birthday. “A Stepping Stone Year” is based on the premise that religion helps people find answers to important life questions. It provides an opportunity for the children to form ideas about how the world began and to begin formulating their own religious concepts and identities.
3rd & 4th grade
“Timeless Themes” and “Beginning UUism”
Teachers: Steve Kahn
“Timeless Themes” focuses on the Bible stories and how we can take these lessons and apply them to our daily lives. “Beginning UUism” enables the children to claim their religious identity as Unitarian Universalists through study of famous UUs as well as the 7 UU Principles and Purposes.
5th & 6th grade
“Neighboring Faiths” and “God Images”
Teachers: Cathy Stratoti & Kevin Donahue
“Neighboring Faiths” explores many of the world’s religions to give children an understanding of what each one believes and provides the opportunity to compare and contrast the belief system of these religions. “God Images” engage children in their own religious quest. It allows for personal decision making in the context of lively discussion and creative activity. God images derived from Judeo-Christian traditions, other world religions and science are presented.
7th through 9th grade
“Our Whole Lives” and “Coming of Age”
Teachers: Anne Rostosky, Mark Hart & Heather Hart
“Our Whole Lives” presents a comprehensive approach to human sexuality in an age-appropriate manner. Based firmly on the values of respect, responsibility, justice and inclusively, this curriculum helps young people apply these values to their behavior and provides them with information and skills they can use throughout life. The “Coming of Age” program is a “rite of passage.” It is the fellowship’s formal way of recognizing and celebrating our young people’s passage into adulthood. It is designed for youth who are interested in learning more about UUism and their own religious beliefs and in becoming members of our church. A Coming of Age Celebration will formally welcome candidates who have completed the program to honor their hard work and spiritual maturation. If they so choose, graduates may sign the membership book, becoming full members of our congregation.
