Preview of Autumn Events
“Offline and Dine”—A Thursday Dinner Series
The “Concert-Goer” I & II
A Saturday Museum Excursion: “The Getty”
Nature Hike—- “Wandern”
A Huntington Tea Party
Travel Manners: A Visit to the Queen Mary
“Offline and Dine”—A Thursday Dinner Series
What: A monthly event to bring middle school boys and girls together—away from their screen time—so they can ease into inter-related activities revolving around a four-course meal. This course is intended as a supplement to or replacement of cotillion. At a four-course dinner, the children, seated male / female, male / female learn the social graces at the table and indulge “being fancy” without parents in the room, a delight to even the roughest children. Basically, it’s kids’ “night out on the town”.
The evening starts with a welcome toast of Martinelli’s apple cider—the meet-and-greet. Each menu is designed to present dining challenges for any child, such as eating peas or spaghetti. Four courses: soup, pasta, main, dessert.
The School of Civility makes a fun game of talking (to the person) on one’s left, then on one’s right, per course, etc. We kick it off by girls choosing conversation topics from a hat and starting with a boy to their left and so it alternates per course.
Between the main and dessert is a Family Feud-style game; questions are based on topics chosen from the hat—how well did they explore their conversation topics and how much have they retained? Girls and boys face their conversation partners from the table. The Final Answer Round is for group responses to questions that touch upon table manners, such as what one does with one’s silver between courses, or what one does with one’s napkin when leaving briefly from the table (for the bathroom, assumedly).
Bountiful prizes will be awarded, in accord with the American obsession to reward children at every turn (we relent).
Dessert course completes the evening and is, like the course, light in manner (elbows accepted on the table at times).
When: Dates include September 26, October 24, November 21, December 12, 2019. 5:00-7:30 pm.
Where: Locations include private homes in Los Feliz, Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, and Hancock Park.
Price - $146.00 per session (Buying all four dinners is highly encouraged, as one would do cotillion or any other practice, like karate or soccer.)
Package Price = $584.00
Martinellis "Meet and Greet" for Dinner of 10 children, September, 2016
The “Concert-Goer” Series I, 7-10 year olds
What: A two-part concert series prepares conditions to behave in an adult setting and to interact with fellow attendees in public. Children learn how to sit through a performance well-behaved, whether they like the performance or not (it happens to us all). After the concert is a dessert social where expressing critical appreciation is emphasized.When: September 28, 2019, 11:00 am, October 12, 2019, 11:00 am, Dec 7, 2019, 11:00 am.
Where: Drop off at the Hollywood and Highland Station to be transported by the metro to learn travel manners.
Price: $126 per concert
The “Concert-Goer” Series II, Middle-School Children (ages 11-14)
What: A two-part concert series where children learn how to behave in an adult setting and to interact with fellow attendees in public. Children learn how to sit through a performance well-behaved, whether they like the performance or not (it happens to us all). Playing classical music to children boosts their concentration and self-discipline, and improves their general listening and social skills. After the concert, the Dean hosts a dessert social wherein expressing critical appreciation is emphasized. Students will attend a program such as the Green Umbrella
When: October 6, November 7, December 6, 2019 at 8 pm
Where: Parents will drop students off Disney Hall at 7:30 pm.
Price: $168
A Saturday Museum Excursion: “The Getty”
What: Reinforcing the mission of the School of Civility to engage social interaction in the field, children begin with a meet and greet with their peers, honing the art of small-talk conversation and introductions. They navigate through some key exhibition rooms, then enjoy lunch, where we practice table manners. Afterwards, students tour the gardens, make one more sweep through the exhibition room before a dessert on the terrace. Dessert always includes little delights which kids may not otherwise know how to eat, like brownies (take a small piece and eat, like bread).
When: October 5th, November 9th, December 7th, 2019
Where: Meet at the Getty Museum Uber Drop off point, where the faculty will meet the students. At 9:30 am. Pickup at 3:00 pm.
Total Cost: $149
NATURE HIKE: “WANDERN”
What: A light nature walk that teaches trail etiquette. Students will embark on a hike to Griffith Park, Eaton Canyon Natural Park, El Matador State Beach, Temescal Canyon Trail, and conclude with a picnic lunch, learning how to handle finger foods.
Where: Meet at the Fern Dell Trail heard to begin the ascent to Griffith Observatory for a 2.6 mile hike round trip. At the top of the hike, step inside the Griffith Observatory and check out some scientific exhibits. We then return to the base of the mountain. You can exercise your mind and your body on this outing to Griffith Park. Refreshments and water will be provided.
When: October 20th, December 8th, 2019 9;00-3:00 pm
Where: Parents drop off students at the Fern Dell Trail in Griffith Park.
Total Cost: $125
TRAVEL MANNERS: A VISIT TO THE QUEEN MARY
What: An excursion from Los Angeles to the Queen Mary in Long Beach. Children will participate in a hybrid educational experience. First, they will be welcomed with refreshments; next, a meet and greet with the ship's crew, then they will tour the ship while learning the history behind it. A scavenger hunt to find some of the ships treasures will conclude the visit. The lesson will encourage cooperation among fellow travelers while on-the-go. Children will bring a change of outfit for luncheon, and learn tipping and hotel etiquette.
When: October 19th, November 17th, December 17, 2019
Where: We will have two offerings of the series: The first meet at the Metro Transit rail station in Culver City at 8:00 am, then take Metro Transit, to Long Beach. The journey may seem long and arduous, it may seem like a long day and students get cranky: However, the goal for the student is to remain well-behaved and in good spirits, despite any challenges they may face during the journey.
The second offering will have students meeting at the Glendale Station for an 8:00 am drop off. We will then board the Metro Train bound for Long Beach. We will leave Long Beach at 4:00 pm
Where: We will have two offerings of the series: The first meet at the Metro Transit rail station in Culver City at 8:00 am, then take Metro Transit, to Long Beach. The journey may seem long and arduous, it may seem like a long day and students get cranky: However, the goal for the student is to remain well-behaved and in good spirits, despite any challenges they may face during the journey.
The second offering will have students meeting at the Glendale Station for an 8:00 am drop off. We will then board the Metro Train bound for Long Beach. We will leave Long Beach at 4:00
Total Cost: $169
A Huntington Tea Party
What: Students will learn how to navigate public transportation using the Metro Transit to arrive at the Huntington Museum and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, CA where children will be able to peruse the extensive library and explore the botanical gardens holding many varieties of plants. Once they have had a fulfilled day we will stop for tea and dessert at a restaurant there were you will have a view of the gardens while sipping on tea.
When: October 3rd, November 3rd, December 8, 2019
Where: Meet at 8:00 am Hollywood & Highland Metro Station. Return late afternoon for a 6 pm pick-up.
Total Cost: $150
