About Weekday Religious Education (WRE)
Board Members
FAQ
Weekday Religious Education(WRE) is a inter-denominational group of churches, business leaders, and community members in Shenandoah County who are coming together to provide faith-based education in our public schools. WRE sponsors programs in the public schools, with parental or guardian written permission, to release students to go to off-campus facilities for Biblical instruction.
Each week students explore a story from the Bible. Students are prayed with and encouraged during their release time experience. Students from other localities have shared, this is their “safe” place and their WRE class day is their favorite day of the week. This program has been shown to be effective in reducing school bullying and provides an environment where our students receive the spiritual and emotional support that can’t be provided during the typical school day.
The primary goal of SCWREA is to provide elementary age children with services the public schools cannot provide; Bible-based spiritual guidance which is necessary for the development of the whole child. Weekday Religious Education has provided continuous Biblical education in Virginia since 1929.
The principles of released time for WRE were set forth by the U.S. Supreme Court in the Zorach v Clauson case . The decision provides the continuing legal guidelines under which WRE is conducted.
By law, WRE classes are held at off-campus sites. Students are bused to the WRE classrooms (America on Parade for Honey Run students, Woodstock Nazarene Church for WWR students, and Strasburg Presbyterian Church for Sandy Hook students.) The Bible is the primary text and the curriculum provides basic Christian teachings, not favoring any one denominational tradition.
The following themes are available:
Grade 2– Old Testament, Ten Commandments, Christmas, and Easter
Grade 3– Old Testament, Jesus’ Early life and ministry, Christmas and Easter
Grade 4– Jesus’ Teachings, Early Church, and Holy Week.
Grade 5- Faith in Action: The Teachings of Jesus, Christmas, Easter
- Supplements and enriches religious instruction that the child might receive at home or in a church.
- Helps children see the relevancy of the Bible for everyday living.
- Helps children develop the realization that God is our Father, that Jesus is our friend and Savior, and that the Holy Spirit is our guide.
- Helps students grow in ability to read, understand, and apply the truths of scripture.
- Helps each child grow in understanding his or her uniqueness in the kingdom of God.
- Provides and enhances character education for all participating children.
SCWREA is supported by donations from churches, civic organizations, businesses, and individuals. Together they are providing Biblical instruction to students in the three public elementary schools in Shenandoah County. No tax money is being used.