Posted Dec 16, 2009
It was probably the quietest lunch hour at Nimitz Middle School all year. And probably the most refined.
Twenty-four sixth- through eighth-graders brandished their knowledge of silverware placement and dining procedures during a special luncheon Wednesday at Nimitz.
Conversation was hushed as the students sat at white tablecloth-covered tables with floral centerpieces and place cards, not far from the loud bustle of the school hallways and cafeteria.
The students, who were chosen based on grade-point average and leadership skills, were taught table manners and etiquette earlier in the week by representatives from Tulsa Public Schools’ child nutrition department. They then put their new skills to use Wednesday during a four-course lunch that consisted of tomato soup; Caesar salad; marinated chicken breast, duchess potatoes, green beans and a roll; and brownie a la mode for dessert.
“It is a reward. Really treat them like special ladies and gentlemen,” said Nimitz Principal Earlene Gathright.
Before the meal was served, child nutrition area manager Janet Anderson reminded the students that the luncheon was a treat.
“There’s no test, just enjoy yourselves,” Anderson said before serving the children their meals.
That didn’t keep some students from feeling a little pressure.
“I was kind of nervous, afraid I would mess up,” said eighth-grader Quartney Fields.
Darius Myles admitted being anxious about the luncheon, but was glad he had the opportunity to learn etiquette and table manners.
“I’m doing pretty good today,” the eighth-grader said. “It helps us know what we need to do so we don’t eat sloppy. I didn’t know how to eat right before I did it.”
Sixth-grader Sunasya Smith said knowing proper etiquette can be very beneficial.
“Without table manners you’d be burping and slurping,” Smith said. “They’d think you were disgusting and rude.”
Elementary schools have hosted the etiquette lessons and luncheons regularly, but Nimitz was one of the first middle schools to try the program, Anderson said.
The most widely learned lessons were about eating utensils.
“I didn’t know we had multiple forks and spoons for meals,” Myles said.
Neither did seventh-grader Sheria Snail.
“I learned there’s a lot more to eat with and different silverware,” Snail said. “There’s a dinner fork and a salad fork. And there’s a plate for your dinner roll when you go someplace fancy.”
The lesson was more than just preparing the students for Wednesday’s lunch, but preparing them for the future.
“The kids are going to go off into high school, have more banquets, like sports banquets, they’ll go on dates and prom,” Anderson said.
Gathright sees the benefits of the lesson even after graduation.
“One of our main goals is getting our kids college-bound,” she said, and teaching them how to sit and eat with proper manners is part of that. “It’s one of the elements getting our kids ready for college.”
Sara Plummer 581-8465 sara.plummer@tulsaworld.com
Date: Dec 10, 2009
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