ELANCO Released Time is one of a number of programs sanctioned by the state of Pennsylvania. A state statute directs schools to dismiss students to attend religious instruction if requested by a parent. In the ELANCO School District, ELANCO Released Time operates programs for students in third through sixth grades attending New Holland and Blue Ball elementary schools. This year, the New Holland program will begin on Thursday, Sept. 7, and the Blue Ball program will begin on Thursday, Sept. 14.

Students at those schools will receive papers about the program shortly after the start of the school year. The ELANCO Released Time program uses a two-year sequential curriculum that begins with the establishment of God as Creator. The program establishes that humans are sinful and in need of a savior and that God provides a way to salvation through Jesus Christ. While both programs use the same overall curriculum, implementation may vary, but both generally include a Bible lesson, songs, prayer, listening time, and memorizing Bible verses.

New Holland Elementary School students who choose to take part will ride buses provided by local churches from the school to Petra Church, 565 Airport Road, New Holland, each Thursday at 2:15 p.m. Students at Blue Ball Elementary School are walked to nearby Blue Ball Mennonite Church, 143 Ewell Road, East Earl. "We leave the church to pick up the children at 2:05 p.m.," said Kevin Kirkpatrick, who oversees the Blue Ball program.

Students who take part in the New Holland program will be given the opportunity to earn points toward a week at Woodcrest Retreat in Ephrata, Greenview Bible Camp in Denver, or Tel Hai Camp & Retreat in Honey Brook. At the end of the spring session, the names of two students from each grade will be chosen to win a camp scholarship. In addition, the two students with the highest number of points for the whole year will receive scholarships.

The children in the Blue Ball program will also earn points each week for verse memorization and other accomplishments. The highest-scoring boy and girl in each class will receive a reward chosen by the class mentor. "We do have an ice cream party for parents to meet their children's mentors as well," said Kirkpatrick.

Both programs are in need of volunteers. Deb Reimers, who oversees the New Holland program, anticipates needing up to eight more adult volunteers for the more than 130 students who attend. Adults who would like to volunteer with the New Holland program may call 717-283-8921 or email drjr145@yahoo.com. New volunteer orientation will be held on Thursday, Aug. 31. Individuals who would like to learn more about the program may find "ELANCO Released Time - New Holland Released Time" on Facebook.

The Blue Ball program will hold a meeting on Sept. 7 at 2 p.m., at the Blue Ball Mennonite Church to prepare volunteer mentors for the year ahead. "We will go over some of the particulars on how we operate as a ministry and to help the mentors develop tools to effectively minister to elementary-age children with many needs," said Kirkpatrick. More information about the Blue Ball program may be found by searching for "Blue Ball ELANCO Release Time" on Facebook.