PIP
As the largest ministry in St. Jude parish, and in keeping with the spirit of true stewardship, we value our parents for the time, talent and treasure they share with us. The Parent Involvement Program (PIP) at St. Jude School was started in 1991 with a two-fold purpose.
First, it benefits the faculty and staff by providing an ample, consistent source of help for clerical projects, classroom project preparation, class parties, work crews, library assistants, scout leaders, field trip and dance chaperones, Grandparents Day, HASA, Athletic Association and dozens of other areas.
Second, and perhaps most important, it was formed to follow through on a Department of Education study that showed that students perform better in the classroom when their parents are involved in their school.
Catch the Spirit – We are all St. Jude School!!!! As a part of our enrollment, each family is required to actively participate in the PIP program. Participation involves volunteering 8 hours of time per enrolled student in grades K - 8, with a maximum of 20 hours per a family with 3 or more children. A minimum of 2 hours must be designated to one of the many HASA (Home and School events that are held and organized throughout the year.) Our mission includes our desire that students leave here with an understanding of the value of service. Our PIP program encourages our school families to help us to teach this trait and allows us to operate in a more cost-efficient manner. Thank you for being a part of our St. Jude School family and for the love of service you show to our community.
Policy Regarding PIP & Donations of Goods or Money
Every parent at St. Jude School is required to complete 8 hours of PIP volunteer time/child. Families with 3 or more children must complete 20 PIP hours. In certain circumstances, PIP hours will be given for donations of goods or money for the benefit of St. Jude School. In those instances, the exchange is usually 1 PIP hour/$10 donated. Unless otherwise arranged, families can earn a maximum of 5 hours/child in that manner.
St Jude School parents have traditionally responded to "PIP" by not only meeting the minimal required 8 hours per child, but by consistently surpassing a total of 10,000 volunteer hours per year!
SAFE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM
Effective July 1, 2020, the Diocese of Knoxville has implemented the CMG Connect platform to administer the Safe Environment Program, which replaces the former Safe Environment Program (VIRTUS “Protecting God’s Children). CMG connect is a new web-based platform that will assist us to ensure that all employees and volunteers who are in a position of trust with children and vulnerable adults within our schools and parishes are trained to recognize behavior patterns of potential abusers and provide pro-active measures for preventing abuse in any context.
“Safe Haven-It’s Up to You” is a three part video which provides vignettes of real-life situations to educate the viewer about methods of grooming, desensitization, bullying and neglect, all of which can lead to abuse. Each part of the video is immediately followed by a brief questionnaire to further develop understanding. Education is a key element of the Safe Environment program. All clergy, employees, contracted school personnel, volunteers, members of groups, and organizations over the age of 18, who work, volunteer or participate in any capacity are required to complete the Diocesan Safe Environment Training and a criminal background check before they may begin employment, volunteer, or participate with ministries, groups, and organizations. In addition, the mandatory renewal training must be completed every 5 years and a new background check submitted before the 5 year expiration of prior training.
The Diocese of Knoxville Safe Environment compliance training and renewal training is a condition of employment and for volunteer ministry in the Diocese of Knoxville.
The CMG Connect platform contains all three elements of the Diocese of Knoxville’s Safe Environment Program:
1. Annual review of the Diocese of Knoxville’s Policy and Procedures Relating to Sexual Misconduct
2. CMG Connect Safe Haven training program to be completed every 5 years
3. Criminal Background Check to be completed every 5 years In compliance with the Diocese of Knoxville’s Safe Environment Program, all affiliates require that volunteers and employees complete the following requirements prior to working and/or volunteering in a parish, school, The Paraclete or through Catholic Charities and/or St. Mary’s Legacy Clinic.
To register for the program, please go to https://knoxville.cmgconnect.org/ and create an account.
Please select an item below for specific instructions on how to register depending on the role you are fulfilling in your diocesan location:
• Employee with no financial responsibilities
• Employee with financial responsibilities/Priest/Deacon/Religious
• Volunteer with no financial responsibilities
• Financial Volunteer (Money counter, Bookkeeper, etc.)