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Contact Us
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Cheryl Splintervictimassistancemadisondiocese.orgVictim Assistance Coordinator
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Diocese of Madison Implements New Children's Program for Fall of 2018
Beginning in the Fall of 2018, the Diocese of Madison will be using the "Circle of Grace" program for the children's component of our Safe Environment efforts. This replaces the "Valuing God's Gifts in Ourselves and Others" program formerly used in our diocese. This new program, used by many Catholic dioceses throughout the U.S., addresses some of the new challenges which have arisen to confront our children in the past 15 years, such as those presented by the internet.
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"Circle of Grace" Program for Children and Young People
Safe Environment Education for Children
All catechetical programs for children in the Diocese of Madison - both those in our Catholic schools and those in our parish religious education programs - are required each year to present the lessons that are found in the "Circle of Grace" program. These age-appropriate lessons are aimed at helping young people better understand their dignity and worth as children of God and navigate some of the dangers our culture throws at them.
The Circle of Grace curriculum is available here for printing, distribution, and use within the Diocese of Madison for those Principals and DRE's responsible for disseminating the curriculum to the local teachers. If you are unaware of the password, please contact: ose@straphael.org
In the fall of 2018, parishes and schools may choose to present these lessons on whatever schedule best fits their own needs, so long as they are presented before Thanksgiving Day. (Any exceptions to this must be approved in advance with the diocesan Director of Safe Environment at ose@straphael.org.)
Notes to Those in Parishes and Schools Who Administer Circle of Grace
Four weeks prior to presenting these lessons, please provide grade-specific lesson plans to each adult who will be leading the classes. NOTE: This program is age specific; DO NOT COMBINE GRADES.At least two weeks before your parish or school presents these lessons, provide to the parents of each of the children in your program the parent letter introducing the program, commonly asked questions document and the opt-out forms available here.
Following the conclusion of your children's curriculum classes, please complete the Children's Program Follow Up Report, directions are found here. The report will be completed online by clicking on the link to the Madison Diocesan Data Hub found here. Please complete this report in a timely manner to assist the Office of Safe Environment to fulfill its audit requirements. Any and all "Opt-Outs" should also be included on the report. (any absent student from class should be marked as an "Opt-Out without form.") Please keep the Opt-Out forms in your records.
Broken link? Please tell us about it at ose@straphael.org