Children who attend second grade at Donegal Primary School or third or fourth grade at Donegal Intermediate School can learn Bible stories and grow in their relationship with Jesus through Bible2School.

The school-day program will kick off on Thursday, Oct. 17, and will run through April. Second-graders will meet at RAISE28 (formerly REYS) and the third-grade class will meet at Faith Outreach Center. The program is still seeking a location for its fourth-grade class, which will begin in the second half of the year.

As Megan Adams, Bible2School director for Donegal, explained, the program provides an opportunity for children to hear the Word of God during their lunch period.

"The children are released from class, pick up their lunch in the cafeteria or pack a lunch and then are bused from their school to our program location," she said. "The children enjoy their lunch while also singing, learning about the Bible - second grade Old Testament, third grade New Testament - and doing a fun craft or activity. They are then bused back to school. The children are with us for one hour, which includes the transportation time to and from school."

Donegal has been hosting a Bible2School program since January of 2022, when it was offered only to second-graders. A third-grade class was added in January of 2023, and this school year, a fourth-grade class is planned for January 2025. The second- and third-grade classes meet on Thursdays. A day of the week for the fourth-grade program is still being determined.

A program like Bible2School fills an important role, Adams said. "(It) provides us with a wonderful opportunity to teach children and families in our school district," she shared. "Having the program during the school day allows children who can't attend after-school programs to still have the opportunity to learn about the love of Jesus."

It also offers a chance for children who may not regularly attend church to learn more about the Bible.

"Bible2School allows children to step away from the busy school day for one hour each week to enjoy crafts, songs, special time with friends, interactive lessons and learning about how much God loves you," Adams said. "The registration process is quick and easy, and the program does not cost anything for the students and families. We have a wonderful group of volunteers who are enthusiastic about the love of Jesus and truly enjoy teaching and spending time with the children in the program. Added bonus - we end each year with a pizza party."

Along with the school-year programming, Bible2School will participate in Mount Joy's annual Winterfest, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7, and will host an annual spring fundraiser at Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard in Mount Joy.

To learn more about Donegal's Bible2School program, visit https://donegal-pa.bible2school.com/our-program. Registration forms may be picked up in participants' school offices. Questions may be addressed to cmdirector@florincob.org.