Barbara Hinkel's Etiquette and Cotillion Program

114 Hickory Point, McCormick SC 29835

Telephone (864) 391-8356

March 2009

Dear Reston Area Parents,

When my Cotillion Program for young people started nineteen years ago, little did I realize what it would grow into. Since that time, the program has been featured in The Washington Post, and other media. More importantly, I have been able work with close to 8400 terrific 6th, 7th and 8th grade and High School preteens and young adults.

My Level I course is designed to instill the basic rules of etiquette and teach students beginning steps for a variety of social dances. Basic ballroom Fox-trot, Waltz, Jitterbug/Swing and Cha-Cha steps are taught using popular music. Line Dances, such as: Electric Slide, Boot Scootin' Boogie, Tush Push, and LA Stomp are incorporated to make this portion of the course even more fun and practical for school dances. The etiquette material is age appropriate and presented in a fun way. The content has been thoroughly researched and tested. Level I etiquette subjects are: Receiving Lines; General Etiquette; Introductions, Greetings & Farewells; Dress; Responsibilities of a Lady/Gentleman When Out Socially; Correspondence Etiquette; Body Language for Social Success; and Table Manners. The General Etiquette lesson is a very important one. For me, it is the foundation of etiquette. When students understand that etiquette stems from consideration and sensitivity, integrity, loyalty, trustworthiness, compromise and respect; then they have learned the essence of a true lady and gentleman. The teaching method is approached from the point of view that for learning to sink in it has to be pleasurable. The course culminates in a two and a half hour cotillion dinner-dance at a local restaurant where all the etiquette and dance skills learned in the previous eight lessons are practiced. There is much excitement and fun at these dinners which are chaperoned by the parents, as are all lessons.

The course is best taken by 6th and 7th graders. Not only is this the right age for them to receive this type of training but also it provides an opportunity to practice in middle and high school. Class sizes are best about 36 to 40, equal numbers of boys and girls. With consideration for homework and reasonable bedtimes, the logical hour choices are normally 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., and 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. All the etiquette lesson material and dance steps taught in this course have been updated and incorporated into a handbook that is included in the course fees. It should serve them well for many years. The idea is not just to give information pertinent to their age group but that which will be useful for a long time. Student and parent feedback for this course has been wonderful.

Registration for Reston Fall 2009 6/7th Grade Level I course is underway. The minimum students for each class is 18 boys and 18 girls. Registration is taken on a first come, first served basis. No call-in registration. Class lists are made according to sex; boy - girl balance is extremely important! As soon as class minimums are reached, a registration package will be sent by regular post with class overviews along with the schedule and other pertinent information. The overview gives all logistical details and lets you know that the class is firm. Further registration will continue to the maximum numbers. The Parent's Meeting for Reston Level I students is on THURSDAY, 15 October in the multipurpose area of the Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation (NVHC) synagogue. At that meeting (7:00 to 8:30 p.m.), all your questions will be answered and final details made.

The Reston Fall 2009 Level I Schedule is: 18 (Sun), 22 (Thu), 25 (Sun) and 29 (Thus) October; and 5 (Thus), 8 (Sun), 12 (Thus) and 15 (Sun) November 2009. Class times are flexible and following is proposed: 4 to 5:30 p.m. on Sundays and 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays. The final dinner-dance for both classes is planned to be held at The Marriott Hotel (Fairfax) located at the east end of Fair Oaks Mall complex on Sunday 22 November. The times are 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Yours sincerely,

Barbara Hinkel

P.S. There are usually more students expressing interest in Level I than slots available. This year Reston Early Bird registration is low. Your registration will be handled in the priority it is received, and by sex. If you want to be in a class with others, let us know on the form.

P.S.S. If this doesn't work for you, check my web page: http://www.his.com/bmanerly for other locations and days.