What will my child be doing during Religious Education (RE) class?

Our Leaves group is looking at finding ways to dig deeper into what it means to be in community with each other. This involves lots of different types of projects, from collaborative art and cooking, to in-depth discussions on current events or important issues facing their generation.

In the winter, they will participate in the Drawing Differences program, aimed at helping young people understand race and have tools for discussing it.

In addition to our regular RE class, during the fall of 2024, our 4th-6th graders are participating in the Our Whole Lives (OWL) program, offering a comprehensive sexuality education curriculum. You can read more about OWL here: https://www.fpmalden.org/owl/

What are expectations of children?

• Lessons are drop-in style, but we encourage regular attendance and active participation.
• At the start of the church year, children will work together to write a covenant about how they will work together, and the teachers will support them in following it.
• Children must stay with their teachers at all times. If they need to talk to a family member or go to the bathroom, they must check in with one of their teachers.

How should parents/caregivers support?

• If your child is new to Religious Education (RE) at First Parish in Malden, please accompany them to the room to fill out a visitor form. After you have come 2-3 times, we ask that all families register their child (link here). It’s free and doesn’t commit you to any particular attendance schedule, but it helps us have the information we need to keep your child safe.
• Please assist your child/ren in putting on their nametag when they arrive in the morning.
• All children must be checked out by an adult. After worship ends, please come pick up your child in the library. If you plan to go to an event after church and you would like childcare, you will need to walk them to the nursery and check them in there.