Parish Education is an integral part of the Church’s mission to go and make disciples of all nations.  The work of preparing God’s people to carry out this mission and to “be prepared to give an answer to the reason for your hope” is shared by the preaching of His truth in the worship and the training that is conducted in parish education (Sunday School, Bible class, special training courses, etc.). 

Parish education differs from secular education in terms of its higher calling.  Every opportunity to reinforce the Christian story should be employed to teach and equip God’s people.

In keeping with the goal of incorporating the Christian faith into all aspects of our lives as believers, the Parish Education facilities are to be planned to serve also as a Parochial Lutheran school.  Schools have traditionally been a very important part of the Church, as evidenced by the fact that the Lutheran Church operates the largest Protestant parochial school system in the United States.  While financially it is not probable that a parochial school will be a part of the immediate future, it should be considered in the design of the facilities for future development.

The Parish Education component of the program is comprised of the following:

§   2.1          Nursery

§   2.2          Classroom Facilities

§   2.3          Parish Education Administration

The nursery serves children from birth to age 3.  It typically is staffed during worship services but occasionally serves during other meetings including night time meetings. 

The primary area includes a room for infant care and a second room for toddlers.  An infant sleep room should open directly to the Infant Nursery.  A toilet is provided in the nursery suite.

Typical staffing includes two staff members for each nursery room.

Occ.

SF/Per.

NSF

No.
Rms.

NSF
Total

Subtotal

2.1

Nursery

2.11

Nursery-Infants

6

38

228

1

228

2.12

Nursery-Toddlers

6

38

228

1

228

2.13

Nursery-Infant sleep area

6

15

90

1

90

2.14

Nursery-Toilet

100

1

100

Subtotal:

646

The nursery should be accessible yet secure.  It should be relatively close to the Narthex of the Sanctuary for drop off by parents attending worship, yet isolated enough that sound from the nursery is not transmitted into the Sanctuary. 

Consideration should be given to the functionality of a single point of entry into the nursery suite for positive control.  This door would likely be to the Toddler Nursery, with the Infant Nursery access being made through the Toddler area.

Natural light.  Windows with shades/blinds.

Doors to have vision panel (except door to toilet).  No direct access is to be provided from nursery to the exterior of the building.

Door to corridor should be two halves.

Floor:

Carpet.

Walls:

Drywall.

Ceiling:

Acoustic.

Toy bins and storage.

Bulletin board.

Pager charging station.

AV/TV:

Yes.

Computer:

No

Telephone:

Yes.

Copy/Fax:

No.

Intercom:

Connectivity to Toddler Nursery.

Panic:

Panic button that rings in Parish Hall, Church Office, and Usher Station.

3-rocking chairs.

2-Changing tables.

2-waste baskets.

Pagers

The nursery should be accessible yet secure.  It should be relatively close to the Narthex of the Sanctuary for drop off by parents attending worship, yet isolated enough that sound from the nursery is not easily transmitted into the Sanctuary. 

Natural light.  Windows with shades/blinds.

Doors to have vision panel.  No direct access is to be provided to the exterior of the building.

Floor:

Carpet.

Walls:

Drywall.  Doors (except toilet) to have vision panel, and door to corridor should be able to be open on top. 

Ceiling:

Acoustic.

Toy bins and storage.

1-White marker board.

AV/TV:

Convenience outlets each wall.

Computer:

No

Telephone:

Yes.

Copy/Fax:

No.

Intercom:

Connectivity to superintendent’s office.

Panic:

Panic button that rings in Parish Hall, Church Office, and Usher Station.

3-rocking chairs.

Changing table.

2-waste baskets.

TV/AV entertainment center.

TV.

DVD/VCR.

Pagers.

The nursery should be accessible yet secure.  It should be relatively close to the Narthex of the Sanctuary for drop off by parents attending worship, yet isolated enough that sound from the nursery is not easily transmitted into the Sanctuary. 

Natural light.  Windows with shades/blinds.

Doors to have vision panel.  No direct access is to be provided to the exterior of the building.

Provide acoustic isolation.

Floor:

Carpet.

Walls:

Drywall.  Doors (except toilet) to have vision panel, and door to corridor should be able to be open on top. 

Ceiling:

Acoustic.

Storage bins.

AV/TV:

No.

Computer:

No

Telephone:

No.

Copy/Fax:

No.

Intercom:

No.

Panic:

No.

4-baby beds.

Changing table.

1-waste basket.

No direct access is to be provided to the exterior of the building or to the corridor.

Floor:

Ceramic tile.

Walls:

Ceramic tile.

Ceiling:

Acoustic.

Note:

Water closet to be sized for young children.

Supplies/linen storage.

Mirror.

AV/TV:

No.

Computer:

No

Telephone:

No.

Copy/Fax:

No.

Intercom:

No.

Panic:

No.

Stool.

None.

Classrooms through 12^th grade shall be designed to meet classroom standards for parochial schools and may double as classrooms for a school in the future. 

Classrooms are to include space for twelve students and two teachers. 

A dedicated toilet shall be provided for each classroom through 2^nd grade.

Safety and security are of paramount importance.

Consideration should be made to incorporate high quality movable/accordian partitions between groups of two to three classrooms to provide larger areas as needed.

Occ.

SF/Per.

NSF

No.
Rms.

NSF
Total

Subtotal

2.2

Classrooms

2.21

Classroom - 2 yrs-2nd Grade

12

30

360

7

2,520

2.22

In-Suite Toilet

100

7

700

2.23

Classroom - 3rd Grade-8th Grade

12

25

300

6

1,800