Students at Morris Street School treated to fine dining

Elegant three-course meal leads to lesson in manners                

Learning table manners was made easy for students at Morris Street School who were treated to a three-course meal – complete with tablecloths and linen napkins – to experience dining etiquette this week.

On Wednesday, 24 fifth-grade students dined on chicken cordon bleu and gateau with chocolate mousse while learning about how to set a table and converse during a meal.

The event was sponsored by Sodexo, the district’s food service provider. Sodexo chef Scott Schweizer, who generally works out of Rogers Park Middle School, was on site to prepare food. Sodexo staff served the meals to the children restaurant style.

“The best way to learn and retain is to be interested,” said Sodexo manager Douglas Langridge. “Most important is educating them in what table manners really are. Good manners are important. You use them throughout your life.”

Before diving into a green salad with tomatoes served with dinner rolls, students watched a video on good and bad habits at the table. After the video, students put napkins on their laps and asked each other to (please) pass the salad dressing.

“The smaller fork on the right is used for salad, then there’s the entrée fork,” said Langridge. “You work from the left.”

Morris Street fifth-grade teacher Jennifer Strohmeyer said that students had anticipated the dining experience for weeks. Eight students from three classes were chosen based on academic progress and good behavior.

“It was something they had to earn,” said Strohmeyer, adding that the event was good exposure for students. “Parents are working and there’s sometimes not a lot of opportunity to experience this.”

Langridge said that generally students learn some table manners from their parents, but like Strohmeyer, recognized that in today’s busy world with both parents working, families need help.

“People expect kids to have manners,” he said. “Sometimes we have to teach them.”

The students, who laughed and talked to each other during the meal, obviously enjoyed the event and the food. But they also learned things they didn’t know before.

“I didn’t know you’re not supposed to put your elbows on the table,” said Stephanie Monroy.

Ayman Abdulmumin said he will now check himself to make sure he lifts his food to his mouth with his fork, rather than lowering his head to his plate. He also learned that slurping soup is a no-no. But the most fun part of the afternoon: “The food is really good,” Ayman said.

“Exquisite,” said his dining mate Gerard Rivadeneira. They both raved about the chicken and ham.

“I learned that you always have to have your napkin on your lap,” Gerard said.