DI moms launch etiquette and manners program

Kindness, courtesy and respect are just three of the many qualities that Daniel Island residents Rindy Ryan and Allie Clay hope to bring to the community through their new business - Grace. Etiquette. Manners. (GEM), a local program for elementary and middle school kids that will focus on different aspects of character development.

“GEM’s goal is to provide instruction and practice for young people in developing respectful relationships and mannerly habits,” the website reads. “GEM offers a practical, hands on, modern approach to the teaching of manners and etiquette.”

Island locals and close friends, Ryan and Clay explained that they enrolled their oldest children in a traditional cotillion class last fall and felt that it was missing something.

“We found that it didn’t really fulfill what we hoped the children would get out of the program,” said Ryan. “So, during regular morning walks we began discussing what we could possibly do. Of course, we also talked to other moms on the island. We’re fortunate to have a lot of connections through the school with a lot of different moms who say, ‘we really need something like that here on Daniel Island.’ We kind-of decided to just go for it and the rest is history.”

Both having a background in teaching, Ryan an elementary school teacher and Clay a college-level biology professor, they felt confident in taking on the responsibility.

“I think we’re a good match for each other and for GEM,” said Clay. “She (Ryan) knows more about teaching that specific age, but we both are capable of developing curriculum and all of that. We were looking for something in life that felt meaningful, something that we really enjoyed and felt that there was a need for it.”

GEM offers courses for four age groups: grade 4, grade 5, grade 6 and grades 7-8. The curriculum for each course is organized using the same seven themes, but with different, age-appropriate content.

“As an example, under family, friends and relationships, for fourth grade one of the topics is being a guest at a friend’s house,” said Ryan. “Under the same theme for seventh and eighth, we’ll be talking about polite disagreement.”

The themes include first impressions, public courtesies, gifts and gratitude, table manners, friends, families and relationships, civility and citizenship, and ladies and gentlemen. Courses are $385 each.

“We want to include more modern components like social media etiquette, just basic character development that they, of course, get from their families, but it’s always good to get that from as many sources as possible,” said Clay. “Being a good citizen, being a good friend—that sort of thing… Really, they need more practice now than they used to because a lot of what used to be interactions, has been replaced by digital communication.”

When designing the schedule, Ryan explained that they envisioned something practical for busy parents and children.

“We deliberately planned the schedule so that the classes are monthly,” said Ryan. “I think a lot of families that are already highly programmed in extracurriculars are afraid if they choose this, they’ll have to give up something else. But in making it a monthly commitment instead of a weekly commitment, it’s easier to manage. We don’t want families to think of this as an either or option.”

To sign-up, visit GEM’s website, www.graceetiquettemanners.com. There is an option to pay when enrolling via PayPal or credit card. There is also an option to send a check. All classes for GEM will be held at The Island Park Room at Laura Alberts Tasteful Options on Island Park Drive.

Daniel Island Publishing

225 Seven Farms Drive
Unit 108
Daniel Island, SC 29492 

Office Number: 843-856-1999
Fax Number: 843-856-8555

 

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