Christian Release Time (CRT)
Do you want to make a significant impact in a Norristown student's life? Invest an hour of your time with your choice of 5th, 6th, 7th or 8th grade students. We are currently seeking volunteers for the following positions: group teachers, assistants, lunch & snacks coordinator and van drivers.
How Can I Help?
Volunteer teachers are always needed to be a positive influence with Released Time kids. It’s so easy! Volunteering is a great way to donate your time helping kids learn about God’s love, self-respect, personal responsiblity, service to others and skills for life & leadership. You don’t have to be a Bible scholar to teach these kids. There’s a curriculum already established to help you along the way. And, if you want to try it out volunteer to be an assistant. By assisting in a Released Time class you can get the feel of how it all works. Other ways of support is by becoming a monthly partner to help sponsor the CRT program.
Who teaches CRT classes?
Our teachers come from local churches. Our teaching staff include Pastors, retired school teachers, and others who love the Lord and desire to pass it on to children.
Volunteer teachers are always needed to be a positive influence with Released Time kids. It’s so easy! Volunteering is a great way to donate your time helping kids learn about God’s love, self-respect, personal responsiblity, service to others and skills for life & leadership. You don’t have to be a Bible scholar to teach these kids. There’s a curriculum already established to help you along the way. And, if you want to try it out volunteer to be an assistant. By assisting in a Released Time class you can get the feel of how it all works. Other ways of support is by becoming a monthly partner to help sponsor the CRT program.
Who teaches CRT classes?Our teachers come from local churches. Our teaching staff include Pastors, retired school teachers, and others who love the Lord and desire to pass it on to children.
What kind of training is needed to become involved as a Released Time teacher?
We will have you attend a new teachers orientation to go over the curriculum and methods of teaching. The best training is on the job training, so we recommend helping with a Released Time class for a semester or two until you feel ready to launch out on your own. To apply to be a Teacher or an assistant, please contact Brian Akamine at 610 279-5440 or email at brian@partnersforfamilies.com
We will have you attend a new teachers orientation to go over the curriculum and methods of teaching. The best training is on the job training, so we recommend helping with a Released Time class for a semester or two until you feel ready to launch out on your own. To apply to be a Teacher or an assistant, please contact Brian Akamine at 610 279-5440 or email at brian@partnersforfamilies.com
What is CRT?
The idea of releasing public school students for devotional religious study off school premises in the United States was first discussed in 1905 at a conference in New York City. The proposal was that public elementary schools should be closed one day a week in addition to Sunday so those parents who so desired could have their children attend religious instruction outside of the school building.However, it was not until Dr. William Wirt, an innovative educator and superintendent of the Gary, Indiana schools established a program in 1914 in which 619 students participated in off-campus religious education. Dr. Wirt believed that the church, home, playground, library, and school were all components in a child's education. The public school, however, had and still has no responsibility for teachers, curriculum, conduct, or achievement within the Released Time classes. Released Time grew and flourished. In 1922, for example, Released Time programs were active in 23 states. 40,000 students from 200 school districts were participating. By 1932, thirty States had active Released Time Programs in 400 communities with enrollment of 250,000 students. Ten years later, in 1942 participation reached 1.5 million students in 46 States. Released Time peaked in 1947 with 2 million students enrolled in 2,200 communities. During this time, favorable Released Time legislation was adopted by 12 States.Currently, it is estimated that there are over 1,000 Released Time Programs in operation today involving over 250,000 students in kindergarten through high school.
