1. Social Awareness and Refinement A Reflection on Manners & Politeness In Lasallian Schools

2. The Role of Politeness Imagine a Student in Our School… Strong transcript Strong extra-curriculars Strong faith Poor manners; socially awkward What does this young person need to take his/her rightful place in society?

3. The Purpose of Lasallian Schools …to provide a human and Christian education to the young… Intellectual development Spiritual development Social development (Rules of Christian Decorum and Civility)

4. DLS’ s Book on Politeness To function effectively in a variety of situations with a variety of people. Help students see the presence of God in all people. Help students see their call to be of service to others in need.

5. The Rules of Christian Decorum and Civility “The rules of politeness and civility are, for him, a manifestation of one’s manners which engages the moral reality as well as the spiritual reality of people.” (LS Themes, # 15 Pg. 145) “All our external actions … should always, through faith, possess and display the characteristics of virtue.” (DLS - Pg. 3)

6. Sample Section Headings The Eyes and Glances The Nose and Manner of Blowing Your Nose and Sneezing Speech and Pronunciation Yawning, Spitting, and Coughing* The Manner of Dressing and Undressing* How to Invite Others to Eat and How to Request and Receive Anything At Table Conversation and Laughter Games* How to Enter the House of the Person You Are Visiting* How to Act When You Join or Leave a Group How to Question, Inquire, Correct, and Give Your Opinion

7. Contemporary Response to De La Salle’s Book “We could sure use one of these books today!” (translation: Young people need to be taught good manners as much in 2003 as they did in 1700)

8. Sample Section Headings The Eyes and Glances The Nose and Manner of Blowing Your Nose and Sneezing Speech and Pronunciation Yawning, Spitting, and Coughing* The Manner of Dressing and Undressing* How to Invite Others to Eat and How to Request and Receive Anything At Table Conversation and Laughter Games* How to Act When You Join or Leave a Group How to Question, Inquire, Correct, and Give Your Opinion

9. The Essential 55 Rules for Discovering The Successful Student In Every Child

10. A Contemporary Politeness Book? Rule 2:Making Eye Contact Rule 3: Congratulating a Classmate* Rule 5: If you win, do not brag; if you lose, do not show anger. Rule 25: Greet visitors and make them feel welcome. Rule 33: When meeting new people, shake hands and repeat their names.* Rule 39: On a field trip, compliment the place you are visiting.* Rule 43: On escalators, stand to the right, walk to the left. Rule 52: Accept that you are going to make mistakes. Learn from them and move on.

11. Relevance to Today’s Schools What roles should manners and politeness play in Lasallian schools today? Are we successfully teaching our students appropriate manners and politeness? As trustees, how would we know that our school is being successful in this effort?