We Heard You...
For those of you that took the time to fill out the parent feedback forms THANK YOU! We had 60 families return a feedback form! And, most people gave us a 4 out of 5 on all of the questions:
For those of you that took the time to fill out the parent feedback forms THANK YOU! We had 60 families return a feedback form! And, most people gave us a 4 out of 5 on all of the questions:
- Roughly half of our families spent between 0-30 minutes per week on assignments while the other half spent between 30-60 minutes per week. Which seems to be "just right" for most families.
- We had 35 families indicate they want to keep the program "as is" for next year and 24 families indicate they would be interested in switching to a liturgically-based curriculum that follows the weekly readings. This tells us that for at least next year, we will be keeping the same textbook and format. We may look at a liturgically-based program for 2020-2021 (as both Fr. Gene and I are excited about the possibility of tying what we learn in class to what we hear at Mass each week).
- 12 Families would like to see optional family-based social activities such as movie nights and community service options.
- 9 Families would like to see optional family-based scripture/reflection nights
- The comments consisted of a broad range of messages from "thank you" to "Grade 7 & 8 is too difficult" to "the quizzes are important don't take them away" to "thank you for taking away the quizzes - that will help" to "my kids missed weekly interaction with their class," etc. Several families gave thoughtful recommendations that we whole-heartedly took into consideration for next year's program.
So... based on the feedback, what will we be "tweaking" for next year?
The short answer is, not a lot. With our overall average a 4 out of 5, we think we are mostly heading in the right direction. Additionally, Fr. Gene is very happy that he gets to spend quality time interacting with the parents each month and the community seems to be embracing the new push towards Family Formation. However, I firmly believe that there is always room for improvement and I promise to always listen to comments and concerns to see where we can make things better for you and your family. Here are some of the things we are looking at "tweaking" based on your feedback:
The short answer is, not a lot. With our overall average a 4 out of 5, we think we are mostly heading in the right direction. Additionally, Fr. Gene is very happy that he gets to spend quality time interacting with the parents each month and the community seems to be embracing the new push towards Family Formation. However, I firmly believe that there is always room for improvement and I promise to always listen to comments and concerns to see where we can make things better for you and your family. Here are some of the things we are looking at "tweaking" based on your feedback:
- We would LOVE to bring back EDGE for grades 7 and 8. IF we have enough volunteers, we will once again offer EDGE! I loved this program and I know our kids do too. Now that we have a high school youth minister I feel that we can once again look into offering this highly-engaging program (if we can recruit a couple more parents willing to be small group leaders - no experience or planning necessary). Parents whose youngest child is in grades 7 and up would NOT be required to attend the parent session in Selbert Hall (although you are always welcome). Hopefully, this could reduce some of the overcrowding in Selbert hall, too - double win!
- We will look at possible alternative methods to verify a student is working on the "off weeks." Some of the parents want us to eliminate weekly quizzes but just as many were pretty adamant that they want to keep the quizzes, so we still have a decision to make. Please take a moment to read through the options and choose which you like the best:
How should we evaluate student progress to ensure work is completed and content is retained?
Same as this year - each session has a paper quiz that is turned in.
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Complete the online review after each session, which has fewer questions and is automatically emailed to the Formation office (we have done this successfully with the home-based program in past years).
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Complete a longer Unit Test at the end of every five chapters and turn it in - which means five tests per year.
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Have the class aide check the books each class to ensure all work is completed, and students turn in a signed paper indicating they read the material and completed all assignments (signed by student AND parent). Due to limited class time, this option only works if there is an aide in each class so the catechist can concentrate on the lesson.
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Have students take a mid-term test and a final test at the end of the program.
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3. We would also like to make the adult/parent session as engaging as possible so we would like your input on those sessions:
What would you like to see during the parent/adult only session:
Same as this year - teach us what we need to know to help our children complete the unit at home.
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Have a shortened teaching on the upcoming unit then let each table be their own small discipleship group to discuss the weekly Gospel (a video reflection and table questions would be provided to make sharing a breeze).
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Small group book study - we would choose a book on the faith such as Matthew Kelly's Rediscovering Jesus (or something similar) and each table would become their own small discipleshp group to discuss what they read since the last meeting (discussion questions would be provided to each table).
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4. We are looking into having some of our older teens offer child care to parents with children too young to be in the program. You could drop your child off then enjoy a relaxing parent/adult session. (This option will be contingent upon finding enough teens to staff a childcare room.)