A relatively new ministry, Special Education PREP serves our parish when needed.  The ministry has four working components -- student, family, classroom aide and teacher.  All PREP classes meet once a week during the school year.  Special Education PREP students are in PREP classes for the main presentation by the teacher.  Then, when appropriate, the student and aide go to a quiet area to review or clarify the class lessons and work on tests.

The purpose of Special Education PREP is to help students learn as much about their Catholic Faith as the individual can comprehend.  The aide helps keep parents involved by updating them on classroom lessons, activities and homework.

A goal of Special Education PREP is to enlist more aide volunteers at this time so they can learn about the program.  This is a one-on-one working situation.  Although the need for aids may not be known until the year's PREP program gets underway, it is important that our Director of Religious Education, Marianne Kane have names of people who would work in the program.

Our Special Education PREP ministry is similar to other school programs, because its purpose is to help any student understand their classroom lessons.  Pat said her message to all parents is, if your family has a child with any learning disability, and you want the child enrolled in St. Patrick PREP, please contact her before classes begin this fall, so special arrangements can be made for the benefit of the student.

If you desire to be an aide in the Special Education PREP ministry, the only requirement is a basic knowledge of the Catholic faith and a willingness to serve.  For further information about how you can become involved in this stewardship of time and talent, or to enroll a student, call Marianne at the office on weekdays at (610) 444-2214.