Learning Option Guidelines for Faith Formation during Covid-19
Option A: Onsite, In-Person Faith Formation and Activities (See Option A: Guidelines for Onsite Faith Formation)
Option B: Virtual, Online, or At-Home (distance) Faith Formation and Activities (See Option B: Guidelines for Virtual Faith Formation)
Option C: Hybrid Approach, Combination Virtual, At-Home (distance) and In-Person Faith Formation and Activities
Option A: Onsite, In-Person Faith Formation Instruction and Activities
Per Minnesota Executive Order 20-81, face coverings are required at this time for all over the age of five (children, youth, parents/guardians, faith formation staff, and volunteers) during indoor activities. The Minnesota Department of Health provides further information on this requirement and legitimate exemptions.
use their given name (first and last) when signing into the on-line meeting.
All meetings must have parents’ written consent prior to connecting with minor(s). Consent must also be given for the recording of all on-line meetings, and minors must be informed that they will be recorded.
One-on-one meetings will be conducted by a safe environment certified adult and a parent should also be present during the meeting.
All meetings with minors must always be conducted by safe environment certified adults, and a parent/guardian should have access to the meeting. Exceptions may be granted by certified administrators/leaders for guest speakers who are not safe environment certified.
All meetings including minors, should have passwords and be private invitations, this may vary depending upon solution used (no publicly available links or meeting numbers; waiting rooms should be utilized when available).
All participants should be aware of their surroundings while on virtual meetings. Individuals should be in public spaces of their homes and avoid personal spaces, i.e. lying in bed.
All meeting date/times will be pre-scheduled at least 24 hours in advance.
The Faith Formation Director, catechist, or small group leaders of any on-line meeting with minors must create standards for effectively managing conversation and share these at the beginning of all sessions.
Virtual gatherings should take place between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
At-Home (distance) Faith Formation
As the primary educators and catechists of their children, accommodations will be made, and parish support given if parents and caregivers decide to do at-home faith formation this year rather than participate in any in-person/onsite activities.
Parents along with the Faith Formation Directors will provide materials and support for at-home Faith Formation. Parents will need to notify the Faith Formation Directors that they are doing Faith Formation at home.