YOUTH WAIVERS

SAFE ENVIRONMENT

The Diocese of Phoenix mandates that Safe Environment training is given to every child in Catholic school and religious education programs. Age-appropriate Safe Environment Training will be integrated into a session and offered to the children and teens attending in the Fall. To receive a copy of the curriculum, or schedule separate training for your youth, please contact the Faith Formation Office.

I acknowledge that I'm aware of the importance our parish places on Safe Environment for minors; I acknowledge that I am aware of when that will take place for my youth; and I have the option to opt out of SET by not having my youth attend that night.

LIABILITY RELEASE

I request that St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church allow my youth to attend Faith Formation this school year. In consideration for my youth's participation, on behalf of myself, my youth, and our heirs, assigns, executors, and personal representatives, I hereby release, absolve, indemnify and agree to hold harmless St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Parish in Avondale, the Roman Catholic Church of the Diocese of Phoenix, and any and all of their officers, directors, agents, employees, representatives, volunteers, or sponsors from any and all liability for any and all injury that may arise out of participation in these activities.

I authorize the supervisor of the ministry or his/her designee to provide first aid or similar care in non-emergency situations and to seek emergency medical assistance when they deem it necessary, for which I will be financially responsible.

PHOTO RELEASE

I give permission to have photographs taken of my youth for the purpose of parish use. This may include use in parish publications, on parish social media or parish website(s). We will follow all Safe Environment guidelines with use of photographs of minors or vulnerable adults.

COVID-19 Health Waiver (2022-2023)

I give permission for my youth to attend St. Thomas Aquinas Ministries, realizing that there is some potential for injury and illness inherent in such all Parish activities. I acknowledge that Parish is using is good faith, reasonable efforts to implement the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Arizona Department of Education, and state and local health authorities in light of the unique needs and circumstances of the Parish community, and in order to allow for in-person learning while protecting students, teachers, administrators, and staff and helping slow the spread of COVID-19. While the CDC states that these efforts help lower the risk of COVID-19 exposure and spread during parish sessions and activities, they cannot eliminate all risk of exposure and transmission, and Parish cannot ensure my youth’s complete safety.

By allowing my youth to attend the Parish in person, therefore, I specifically acknowledge and assume the risks and hazards associated with my child’s participation in all parish activities, but not limited to, the risks associated with the novel COVID-19 virus. I understand that my child will be associating with, teachers, administrators, staff and other children and may contract COVID-19, and other viruses and diseases, through my child’s participation in activities at parish. I understand and voluntarily assume the risk that my child may acquire COVID-19, and that COVID-19 may subsequently be transmitted from my child to me, my family, and members of my household. I certify that my child is in good health and has no current issues that make it unsafe for my child to participate in Parish activities, which may not have a medical professional on staff. I will notify the Parish and not send my child to Parish or Parish functions if my child develops a fever or other symptoms of illness or tests positive for COVID-19.

TECHNOLOGY WAIVER (WHERE APPLICABLE)

For Life Teen (high-school ministry), we utilize group texting with GroupMe & emailing via Flocknote, both Safe Environment compliant tech platforms. We also make use of Zoom, Discord, and social media sites like Instagram. The technology platforms will allow us to minister to your youth effectively throughout the year. The technology platform will be used only to provide information related to the group/ministry, such as group meetings, reminders, event information and other updates. As a parent/guardian of a member of the program, you will have access to receive the same communication provided to your youth. If a virtual meeting will happen, you will be notified in advance when the meeting will occur. 

By clicking the box on the registration form, I am agreeing that I, as the parent/guardian, and my youth will use the technology platform appropriately. I understand any inappropriate use of the technology platform will cause a user to be removed from the group or lose its ability to access the platform.