Back to School Etiquette
As parents we tirelessly remind our children to be considerate and
respectful to others and to use proper manners. Manners and social skills
that children are expected to use at home, in public and for special
occasions need to be carried over into their days at school. Holding our
students and children accountable for good manners will give them the
skills they need to make new friends, compete for coveted spots on teams,
interview for college and eventually secure a good job. Before the first bell
rings, review these manners with your back-to-school children. Starting off
on the right foot makes for a great year for everyone!
Riding the Bus: Be considerate of the driver and other passengers.
Give a smile and friendly greeting when boarding the bus and a thank-you
as your student exists the bus. Positive attitudes are contagious. While
riding to and from school children should be expected to behave the same
way they would in their parents’ car. Kids should stay in their seat, keep
the bus clean, keep voices down and respect the other riders.
Greetings and Introductions: “What’s up Ms. P.!” does not cut it.
Before the first day of school practice with your child how to greet their
teacher and other students appropriately. When greeting or introducing
yourself to someone you should:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Smile and say Hello
Make eye contact
Speak up and speak clearly
Offer a firm handshake when meeting for the first time
The proper way for a student to greet a teacher is by the teacher’s last
name, not their first name. “Hello, Ms. Pranger” Not, “hello Ms. Paula”
Please, Thank you, Excuse Me and I’m Sorry: These words are
magic for a reason. Using these words at school will help your children
make friends, diffuse arguments, receive what they need, show respect for
others and stand out above their peers.
The Teacher Is In Charge: “You’re not the boss of me!” Once
children arrive at school their teachers are the adults in charge and they
are expected to listen to them. Teachers need the cooperation of all the
students to have a productive, educational and fun day for the class.
Pay Attention: When the teacher is teaching or classmates are sharing,
everyone needs to listen, sit up straight in their chair, participate and focus
on the task at hand. Talking, slouching over a desk, yawning, doodling
and a lack of participation is disrespectful to everyone.
Raise You Hand: After a summer of shouting outdoors all day and
competing for airtime the urge to blurt out can be difficult to control.
Remind your children that they need to raise their hand and be called on
before they can talk. Raising the hand reinforces taking turns, being
patient and being considerate of others. Practice this skill at home by not
allowing your child to interrupt you or others while talking.
Keep It Clean: Students are expected to help keep the classroom and
school clean. If they have a locker or desk it should be clean, tidy and
never written or drawn on. Trash belongs in the trashcan!
Lunchroom Manners: Eating should be an opportunity to connect with
friends and family while enjoying good food to fuel our bodies. Do not
allow the school cafeteria to be the undoing of good table manners. 1. The lunchroom is not the playground. Children need to abide by the
same table rules they use at home or in a restaurant.
2. When packing lunches include everything needed to encourage proper
dining skills. Include proper utensils, napkins and serve ware.
3. Be polite to the staff working in the cafeteria. Please, thank you and no
thank you are appropriate responses for a cafeteria line, not “Oh gross, I
hate mashed potatoes!”
4. Teach children to be kind and considerate to others sitting alone or
looking for a place to sit. Practice with them how to invite someone to sit
with their group or ask if they can join a table.
Teacher Gift Giving: It is appropriate and considerate to let teachers
know that you and your children appreciate all they do during the school
year. However, oftentimes we become bombarded at school with requests
for gifts or to donate money. Many parents are starting to agree that
school donations and gifts can become stressful and real budget breakers.
I am here to tell you it doesn’t need to be! With a little planning, you can
be prepared for each occasion to show appreciation for your children’s
teachers while keeping your budget and sanity on track.
1. Budget and plan for your donations and teacher gifts at the beginning of
the year. It is fair and appropriate to choose two or three gifts/donations
per child’s teacher.
2. Communicate your plan to the room mom at the beginning of the year.
Let her know what occasions you will provide for and how much or what
you are willing to contribute. Communicating your personal gift budget at
the beginning of the year allows everyone to plan ahead to ensure each
celebration is a success.
Effective communication skills, proper manners and consideration for
others are critical to all aspects of our lives including school. The best way
to have others respect you and your children is for you to show respect for
them. If we remind ourselves and teach our children every day to treat
others with respect and consideration our days together at school will be
fun filled, educational and full of cherished memories. Have a great school
year!
Paula Pranger is the President of Peachtree Etiquette, LLC ®. Ms.
Pranger is a certified etiquette and protocol instructor offering the most
comprehensive etiquette training available to children in Atlanta. Ms.
Pranger has taught has Primrose Schools and is part of the character
development curriculum offered at Alpharetta Christian Academy. For
information she may be reached at [email protected] or
go to www.PeachtreeEtiquette.com