RE Volunteer Information

R.E. Teacher FAQ

1. When should I plan to arrive on Sunday?

Arrive to your class approximately 10 minutes prior to start time.

2. What preparation does the individual teacher need to do?

You will receive an email during the week, detailing the lesson and activities. Please read this ahead of time. Most supplies will already be in the room- in tubs-ready on Sunday. If you need additional supplies, you are welcome to go to the Craft Room to gather additional materials.

3. What time is class dismissed?

Class is dismissed at the end of the service. The RE Facilitator will notify teachers when the service has ended. Children and youth in grades 4 and up are free to leave by themselves. Children in grades 3 and under must wait for a parent/guardian to pick them up.

4. Who cleans what?

Please tidy up the room when you leave. Rooms are used for various purposes throughout the week, so please clear off the tables and put items back on the shelves. Anything that needs to go back to the craft room can be put in the bin labeled “Return to Craft Room”.

5. Do we provide snacks?

Due to the high level of allergies, we do not regularly provide snacks. There is a snack in the childcare room, as well as in the preschool room. Snacks will be provided by UCDSM staff.

6. What if I need a substitute?

It is your responsibility to find a substitute if the need arises. Please contact your team members first, if you are unable to find a substitute this way, please contact Director of Religious Education at dre@ucdsm.org or RE Assistant at reassistant@ucdsm.org.

7. What do I do about visitors?

Visitors arrive regularly at First Unitarian Church of Des Moines. Please use the half sheet registration for a visitor (located in the classroom notebook). Please turn this in to the RE Facilitator. Once a child/youth has been attending for a while, a regular registration form should be filled out.

8. What are our expectations for classroom behavior?

Sunday programming is not school, although the expectation that children and youth are safe, respectful and kind should be evident. Some things to try with a student who needs some assistance being safe, kind or respectful:

• Have the assistant take them for a walk & talk out of the classroom.
• Give them a job – either real, or not. Even sorting colored paper, putting pencils and pens in separate containers, etc.
• Some children will have special plans of action. Teachers/assistants will be communicated with in a way that honors both the volunteer and the child.
• The RE Facilitator and/or Director of Religious Education may be contacted if the need for more intervention arises.

9. How do I take attendance?

Attendance sheets will be located in individual tubs with other class supplies. Please take attendance at the beginning of class. The RE Facilitator will pick up attendance sheets during religious education class time.

10. How am I reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses?

There should not be a lot of out-of-pocket expenses, but if the need arises, please put your receipt, along with your first and last name in the Director of Religious Education’s mailbox. You will be reimbursed within a week.

11. How do I hear the sermon?

Sermons are available via podcast on the website.

12. What is the Classroom Notebook?

In each classroom tub, there is a Classroom Notebook. Included in this notebook are: extra name tags, Religious Education Brochures for visitors, RE Facilitator Schedule, copy of the Policy Regarding Responsible Behavior/ Child Sexual Abuse Prevention and Safety Policy, Visitor Half – Sheets, extra registration forms and Injury Report Forms.

13. Bathrooms?

Children in preschool – grade 1 should be escorted by the assistant teacher to the restrooms.

14. What are my responsibilities for between Sundays?

Prior to teaching, become familiar with your lesson plan. Following your Sunday teaching, communicate anything that you deem important with your teaching team members.

15. What is an RE Facilitator?

The RE Facilitator is the “Face for RE” along with the Director of Religious Education and RE Assistant. There are 8 RE Facilitators, rotating volunteer times throughout the month at both 9:30 and 11 am.

16. Background Checks?

Background checks will conducted every five years on volunteers working with children and youth. There are always two adults present in classrooms.

 

What Does an R.E. Class Team Teacher Do?

As an RE Class Team Teacher you:

• Commit to being in the classroom one - two Sundays per month, September through May. Usually you’ll lead the class one Sunday per month and assist another member of your team one Sunday per month.
• Learn and abide by the Child Sexual Abuse Prevention and Safety Policy. There is a copy available in the RE Office.
• Provide information for a Background Check as a part of the First Unitarian Safety Policy.
• Arrange to meet with your teaching team to plan your teaching schedule and go over the curriculum. Make a note of any unusual supplies you will need throughout the year. Ask the RE committee or the DRE to help get those supplies well in advance of the class date you will need them.

Sample Schedule:

R.E. Facilitator Duties

• Arrive a few minutes early and put on nametag.
• Announce your arrival to the Greeter, as they might have visiting families looking for tours or information. They will have those families connect up with you. You will want to let them know the general area that you will be located.
• Greeters have also been made aware of this, but either the RE Facilitator or Greeter will need to make sure that visiting children and youth fill out the ½ sheet registration form before they are able to attend a class. If a family starts coming regularly, we will then have them fill out the more comprehensive registration form. We want to at least have a contact for every single child we are responsible for during religious education time.
• If you see visiting families, please greet them, offer to give them a tour of the RE Classrooms following the service and assist them in helping their children find the appropriate RE Classrooms and also have them fill out the new visitor registration.
• After the children’s story during the service, escort the children from the service to the downstairs classrooms. Make sure that every child finds their appropriate classroom.
  •Check each classroom to make sure there are TWO adults in each room. For whatever reason, if there is a situation in which there are not two adults in a classroom, class cannot be held. Please use your best judgment in combining classrooms, or if you wish, you may step in as the assistant teacher so that class may be held.
• As you are checking on each classroom please
  
  • Remind them to take attendance-and collect attendance sheets. Take them upstairs and put them on my desk.
  • Ask if there is anything that they need-you may be running to the Craft room or kitchen as needed
• Provide assistance as needed to all classrooms
• When the service is DONE - please quickly go from classroom to classroom, notifying classrooms that the service is done and that parents should be arriving soon. Grades 5-9 are then released by teachers.
• Check both doors down stairs to make sure they are locked at noon. (Room 111 and south door)