What started as an idea by Sacred Heart School’s development director, Tina Lavorato, is now an after-school class for students ranging from grades K-8.

“I was thrilled to hear about the etiquette class,” Perez said. “They learn better, take it more seriously when they hear [instruction on proper manners] in a formal setting, compared to at home where [the environment] is more relaxed.”

The class has been such a success, with almost 100 students participating, that the school is planning to offer advanced etiquette classes each quarter during the 2010-11 academic year. Dean and Guice said most of the feedback they receive on the development of children’s manners is through the parents.

“The kids go home and tell their parents and siblings about the class once they understand what etiquette is, what is expected and how to make someone else feel comfortable,” Guice said. She said she maintains consistency in the content taught to students in different age groups, but her approach slightly differs.

“My approach is more hands-on for K-2 grade students...with the older kids I don’t have to be,” Guice said. For those inclined to become acquainted with etiquette for formal introductions, job interviews and social gatherings, a good way to start is to read about it. Both free tips and paid lessons on etiquette can be found online, while bookstores and local libraries have plenty of offerings for specific situations.

“The library has its own section on etiquette,” said Benjamin Macbean, a librarian at the John Steinbeck branch of the Salinas Public Library.

ix-year-old Colton Amaral rocked a chair back and forth, accidentally knocking down a few books from a nearby shelf. Guice chose him as her assistant in demonstrating a proper handshake and introduction.

Initially, Amaral was shy, so Guice asked him to repeat after her while shaking hands, “Hi, my name is Colton, nice to meet you.”

After mastering his introduction and handshake, Amaral firmly shook a girl’s hand, and she giggled.

Older Children Quieter

Earlier that week, seven poised sixth- to eighth-grade students gathered around a table inside the school’s library, each with a bread-and-butter plate, drink, utensils and napkins over their laps.

A fork was placed neatly at each student’s left-hand side. An easy way to remember where a fork goes, Guice said as she walked around the table, is to memorize “fork has four letters, left has four letters.”

The students sat up straight, listened attentively and chewed carrots and bread quietly as Guice went on. “Knife has five letters, spoon has five letters, drink has five letters,” she said. “They are always going to be on the right-hand side.”

Seventh-grader Makayla Wiggins raised her hand and politely asked, “Are we allowed to drink?”

Guice chuckled, then said, “Of course.”

Wiggins said later, “It’s nice to know the rules about etiquette, like the salt and pepper rule.”

Before learning that the salt and pepper stay together, Wiggins used to only pass the salt if she was asked for the salt at the dinner table.

Toward the end of the session, the students placed their napkins on the left-hand side of their plates. The only two boys who were present at the table were instructed to walk to their right. As the girls stood up, the boys — two brothers —learned to gently pull their chairs out, then push the chairs back to the table after the girls stepped aside.
The boys’ mother, Jonabel Perez, walked through the library’s door as the session ended. She said she had been looking for a class for a long time and did not find one until Lavorato e-mailed parents.