Reston/NVHC ETIQUETTE CLASSES UPDATE

The Reston/NVHC Class is full for boys and has room for 4 more girls. We will continue to recruit girls until we have a match.in numbers. Chaprerone Duty Schedules and Social Rosters are in the mail.

For those already enrolled and wanting to know what the next step is you may expedite the process by skipping down to the section “WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?” That section will give a summary of what to do after receiving the confirmation package. It contains:

Five Documents for Level I.
When you receive them please keep them as they will be needed. They are:
1) Overview - confirms class and your participation. Provides logistics of class location, dates, times, dress codes, expectations of students and parents, etc.
2) Schedule - what etiquette lesson and dance steps are taught at each lesson,
3) Chaperone Duty Sheet - what is expected of chaperones,
4) Chaperone Duty Schedule - schedule of parent chaperone duty dates. (you will get a chance to request your date)
5) Social Roster - listing of names, addresses and telephone numbers for both student and parent use.

The Overview, Schedule and Chaperone Duties are included with this package. With the schedule in hand you can now better select the possible lessons you would like to chaperone.

Requesting Chaperone Dates.
(Q) How is the schedule made up?
(A) At the bottom of the Overview is a cut off/photocopy form for requesting chaperone duty dates. In the five blank spaces all you need do is put the date e.g. 10/22, 11/17 or "dinner." Your chaperone duty requests are taken in the order mailed. First come, first served. We then fill in with those that have indicated no specific class or have not responded. Similarly, the first six couples are chosen for the dinner-dance. The others go on an alternates wait list to replace dinner-dance chaperones if needed.
Each family has nine opportunities to satisfy their one (per student) obligation to chaperone, at one of the eight lessons or at the dinner-dance. At each regular lesson there will be 4 to 5 chaperones. Each family need send only one representative to chaperone a regular lesson although others may attend if desired. A chaperone does not have to be mom or dad. Chaperones can be grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. or even older siblings that took Barbara's course before. If you have two students in a class, two of the five dates requested will be picked in the order requested (dependant upon its availability). At the dinner-dance, there are two chaperones at a table with 6 to 8 students, so if you request the dinner-dance we need you to sign up as a twosome. Again we don't mind who the chaperones are.

To help keep classes organized and separate it is important your student's name is indicated on the chaperone request, especially if they have a different last name and which class they are enrolled in, i.e. CGS Early, GHS Late, Reston/NVHC, etc. Please also put down the those individual's) name(s) who will be chaperoning. The chaperone schedule will have the name(s) of the chaperones.

(Q) What if my partner cannot make the dinner-dance, but I would like to?
(A) To chaperone the dinner-dance we need a second person so either another student's parent is in the same situation and would like to go with you or a family member or friend would like to substitute for your partner. We don't mind but please indicate who the TWO chaperones would be. Otherwise you are welcome to attend as a single guest.
(Q) What if you can do any lesson and don't mind which one you chaperone?
(A) Ideally, send in the form saying just that.
(Q) What if you forget or don't want to be bothered signing up at this time?
(A) We will fill you in as a family wherever we need you around the others who made specific requests.

Chaperone Duty Schedule. Around mid September we will publish the Chaperone Duty Schedule and Social Roster. One reason to be that late is to give a chance for everyone to request dates and the dynamics of the classes. The schedule is not etched in stone. However, chaperones for at least the first two to three lessons and the dinner-dance will be verbally or email confirmed as we need the logistics for those occasions to be in place before classes start.

Upon receiving the chaperone schedule, if you find that your assigned date is or becomes inconvenient, please take the initiative to find a replacement. And, let Barbara know at the Parents' Meeting or call in those changes to her as they occur later. Please do not call us in SC as Barbara will be on site in Virginia. Her cell phone is: 864-602-9638.

Social Roster. The social roster is made up from data you have supplied and consists of the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the students and their parents/guardians in the class. The home number listed must be one that you and your student can receive phone calls or messages from fellow students. Please review everything for inadvertent errors and let us know of any corrections that need to be made. A preliminary roster of students is included in this package and the final Social Roster will be sent mid to late September.

Making Payments. Payment info and instructions are part of the Class Overview. Please, either pay the remainder in one lump sum, or, just follow the schedule of two payments indicated. However, complete fees need be mailed no later than 15 SEPTEMBER. At that point, if fees have not been paid and we have not been communicated with, we will have to go to our class wait lists for your replacement.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

This is your confirmation package to let you know your student is definitely enrolled in a specific class.

Your next step is to submit your request for chaperone duty and to make your second payment. Then, have a fantastic family summer!

In September, the chaperone duty schedule and social roster will be sent to you. For those so choosing the third and final payment is due on 15 September 2009.

On Thursday, 15 October we shall meet at NVHC for the Parents' Meeting. Times 7 to 8:30 p.m. We will go over the five documents and answer any questions you may have. Please bring all of them to the meeting. At that meeting, you will also be given a letter for the dinner dance and an entrée order form. The letter contains instructions for you and your student(s) as to what to do when you arrive and at the dinner. Included will also a form for you to make your choice of entree. This form is to be used for all parent chaperones, too. Please return these to Barbara by the first lesson.

Note: Every parent and their guests, including older and younger siblings of the student, are invited to the dinner-dance. This is, subject to seating availability (usually not a problem), timely response (getting order in to Mrs. H), and prompt payment and using the form to select one of the fixed price meals. Designated parent chaperones sit with students at the student tables. All other parents and guests sit at guest tables. If you indicated a desire to chaperone the dinner-dance, please check the chaperone schedule to see if in fact you are down to do so. If you are then, fill out the upper portion of the dinner-dance order form. If not, fill out the lower portion, which is for the guests of the evening.

Thanks for your cooperation and we will see you at the Parents Meeting,

Barbara and Ron Hinkel