The Family Life Program is part of our Religion Curriculum. Information will be sent home before the program is begun in the classroom. The letter below is a copy of last year's information.
TO: Parents
FROM: Vicky Quiray
Coordinator of Religious Education
DATE: March 2, 2010
Benziger’s Family Life Program reflects and reinforces a major priority in the Church today: the
preservation of the fundamental importance and sacredness of the family. By participating in this
program, your child will have an opportunity to develop the healthy attitudes and values of Catholic
Christian family life. You, too, can participate in the program by talking with your child about the
knowledge gained in class and reviewing his/her textbook.
The Benziger Family Life Program presents Catholic Christian family attitudes and values in language
that is clearly comprehensible to your child. Each year’s study builds on the previous year so that
your child will develop an understanding of the aspects of family life in a natural, progressive way,
learning the concepts and facts that are appropriate to his or her age and grade.
Your child will begin the Benziger Family Life Program within the next few weeks. As a parent, you
are your child’s main teacher, and you will want to maintain an awareness of what he or she is
learning. If you would like to preview the Benziger Family Life book, please contact the Religious
Education Office (713-774-4447, Ext. 124). The material of the Benziger Family Life Program is
organized and presented thematically, through the following five themes:
Family Living - The family is a person’s first community, and is the place where beliefs and goals are
developed, shared, and lived. Each family has its own history and traditions, handed down over
generations, and possesses unique and special qualities.
Personal Growth and Self-Understanding - The task of childhood is to grow and develop into
maturity and independence. Self-knowledge is crucial to the successful completion of this task. By
focusing on the learning process involved in setting goals and making good decisions, self-
knowledge can be expanded.
Respect for Life - An essential aspect of growth and maturity is learning to respect and honor all
people, including the elderly, the physically or developmentally disabled, and those who are less
fortunate. A sense of self-respect, based on informed conscience, underlies the ability to respect
others.
Catholic Christian Sexuality - Facts alone, however, are not enough. Young students need to
understand that Catholic Christians are called by God to use their sexuality in a responsible way to
rejoice in God’s gift of new life, respecting and caring for all life from the moment of conception.
Social Living - Being a member of God’s Family implies certain responsibilities. These include being
a good steward of God’s creation, caring for the community and the Church, responsible use of
money, responding with Christian love to the needs of others.
If you have any questions please call the RE office or talk to your child’s Religion teacher.
Family Life Parent Responsibility Acknowledgment
We acknowledge that as parents we are the primary educators of our children.
We will faithfully discuss and be responsible for the contents of each of the chapters in the Benziger
Family Life textbook.
We have read and understand the letter on the reverse side of this form.
Student Name _________________________________ Homeroom _________
Parent Signature _________________________________
Date _______ / _______ / 10
__________ I wish to preview the book before my student sees it
(If so, please contact the Religious Education Office
(713-774-4447, Ext. 124)
__________ I do not wish to preview the book before my student sees it
Please return to your child’s Religion teacher by Tuesday, March 9, 2010
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