PREP 2020-21 FAQs
Reminder, all PREP classes will be online for the next school year. PREP is for students in Grades 1-6. Due to the changes in the public schools moving to online for September, we will begin PREP in October. During September, we will make arrangements for safe pickup of all books and materials necessary for completion of the PREP curriculum. We have included a list of FAQs below. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please contact Katie at nativitybvmprep@gmail.com. Our goal this year is to remain connected and offer flexibility while keeping the students on-track with their faith formation.
How do I register for PREP?
Registration is online. You will receive a confirmation email once you have registered. Payments can be made online or sent/dropped off to the Rectory. If you need to pay in installments or make other payment arrangements, contact Katie at nativitybvmprep@gmail.com. Payments will also be accepted at Book Pickup dates in September.
Why is PREP online this year?
We carefully considered the necessary steps in order to run an in-person program and decided that the risks involved in bringing students, volunteers and families together from at least 10 schools were too high. The necessary cleaning procedures as well as social distancing requirements were also daunting. We also decided that holding online classes at certain scheduled times would be difficult for families and volunteers.
What does “online PREP” look like?
We have adapted and extended our current homeschool program to make it more robust in content as well as easier to follow and stay on track for families. The lessons will be set up as a slideshow on Google Slides, which walks through each lesson in the book. There will be short videos and an online test for each chapter. Here is a sample lesson (it makes more sense when you have the book in front of you!). The lessons are done on your own schedule.
How long will lessons take?
The lessons are designed to be completed in under 25 minutes. There are additional activities (coloring, writing prayers etc) in each chapter as well as a reading about a Saint. If your child does not enjoy coloring or the other creative activities, you can skip these activities. The chapter test NEEDS to be completed for each chapter.
How is the calendar structured?
Each month, beginning in October, will consist of THREE chapters (one Unit) that need to be completed by the last day of that month. It is completely up to you how you complete the chapters (all at once or spread out). Again, each chapter is designed to take 25 minutes or less. The month’s lessons will be available in the beginning of each month from October through May. There are 7 Units in each book.
Will there be additional activities?
Throughout the school year, we will offer opportunities for family faith formation. Depending on the restrictions, we hope to be able to hold some of these in-person while also providing ways to attend/view online. These will include Rosary, Stations of the Cross, Advent etc.
Can we take this year off of PREP and return next year when it is in person?
If you do not complete the online PREP year and wish to return, you will have to complete the missed grade’s curriculum. We are doing everything possible to make this year as seamless and flexible as possible. Please contact us if you have any issues with the online material and we will work with you so that you do not miss this year.
Why have costs for PREP remained the same even though it is being offered online?
Building this new program has involved significant staffing costs on our end this summer. This is not a canned program that we have purchased (there are none available). Each lesson for each chapter for each grade has been designed by us to ensure we are meeting the Archdiocesan curriculum requirements as well as being user friendly. This is over 125 lessons including selecting videos, designing slides and creating tests. And online lessons are also being created for the 2nd grade Sacraments (First Reconciliation and First Communion) and 6th Grade Sacrament (Confirmation in fall of 7th Grade).
Is there financial assistance available for PREP?
Yes! We continue to offer payment plans and financial assistance for PREP fees. If you are interested in learning more about either, check the box on the registration form and we will work with you. If you have already registered, we have not made payment arrangements yet but you will be contacted in the next couple weeks. No one is ever turned away from PREP because they cannot pay the tuition.
How do I register for PREP?
Registration is online. You will receive a confirmation email once you have registered. Payments can be made online or sent/dropped off to the Rectory. If you need to pay in installments or make other payment arrangements, contact Katie at nativitybvmprep@gmail.com. Payments will also be accepted at Book Pickup dates in September.
Why is PREP online this year?
We carefully considered the necessary steps in order to run an in-person program and decided that the risks involved in bringing students, volunteers and families together from at least 10 schools were too high. The necessary cleaning procedures as well as social distancing requirements were also daunting. We also decided that holding online classes at certain scheduled times would be difficult for families and volunteers.
What does “online PREP” look like?
We have adapted and extended our current homeschool program to make it more robust in content as well as easier to follow and stay on track for families. The lessons will be set up as a slideshow on Google Slides, which walks through each lesson in the book. There will be short videos and an online test for each chapter. Here is a sample lesson (it makes more sense when you have the book in front of you!). The lessons are done on your own schedule.
How long will lessons take?
The lessons are designed to be completed in under 25 minutes. There are additional activities (coloring, writing prayers etc) in each chapter as well as a reading about a Saint. If your child does not enjoy coloring or the other creative activities, you can skip these activities. The chapter test NEEDS to be completed for each chapter.
How is the calendar structured?
Each month, beginning in October, will consist of THREE chapters (one Unit) that need to be completed by the last day of that month. It is completely up to you how you complete the chapters (all at once or spread out). Again, each chapter is designed to take 25 minutes or less. The month’s lessons will be available in the beginning of each month from October through May. There are 7 Units in each book.
Will there be additional activities?
Throughout the school year, we will offer opportunities for family faith formation. Depending on the restrictions, we hope to be able to hold some of these in-person while also providing ways to attend/view online. These will include Rosary, Stations of the Cross, Advent etc.
Can we take this year off of PREP and return next year when it is in person?
If you do not complete the online PREP year and wish to return, you will have to complete the missed grade’s curriculum. We are doing everything possible to make this year as seamless and flexible as possible. Please contact us if you have any issues with the online material and we will work with you so that you do not miss this year.
Why have costs for PREP remained the same even though it is being offered online?
Building this new program has involved significant staffing costs on our end this summer. This is not a canned program that we have purchased (there are none available). Each lesson for each chapter for each grade has been designed by us to ensure we are meeting the Archdiocesan curriculum requirements as well as being user friendly. This is over 125 lessons including selecting videos, designing slides and creating tests. And online lessons are also being created for the 2nd grade Sacraments (First Reconciliation and First Communion) and 6th Grade Sacrament (Confirmation in fall of 7th Grade).
Is there financial assistance available for PREP?
Yes! We continue to offer payment plans and financial assistance for PREP fees. If you are interested in learning more about either, check the box on the registration form and we will work with you. If you have already registered, we have not made payment arrangements yet but you will be contacted in the next couple weeks. No one is ever turned away from PREP because they cannot pay the tuition.