Grace and Courtesy

For Parents & Teachers

Taken from the MEC handbook

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GRACE: Characterized by effortless beauty, kindness, and warmth
COURTESY: Similar to politeness but of a more voluntary, generous nature, actively meaning to be helpful
 
Montessori philosophy uses the phrase “Grace and Courtesy” to reflect the way in which we endeavor to engage in all of our interactions: with ourselves, with others, and with the environment in which we live. Grace and courtesy are not taught so much as modeled, and practiced, at every level of our work and play.
 
Imagine if every adult behaved in kind and courteous ways in our community, and all of our children absorbed that into themselves and then took it out into all of their relationships…. Grace and Courtesy is a tremendous vision, and one we work towards every day in our own hearts and behaviors. Thank you for being a part of this
vision.

Click HERE for more information and videos about how to incorporate grace and courtesy in the home.
 
Below are some guidelines to help foster grace and courtesy in ourselves and to model for our children.
 

• Please follow direct lines of communication; that is, speak to the person who can directly address your concerns, provide the information you seek, or offer the support you need;

• Clear, prompt, and open communication is essential. Our faculty and staff are available to discuss issues with you; however, the highest priority of our faculty and staff during school hours is the children.

• Please do not hesitate to contact the office for information and guidance and to schedule conferences with teachers or administration;

• Be mindful of the fact that our administrators do not have private business offices; hence, they must conduct school and district business in a small and highly trafficked area.

• Please walk and speak softly in the office;

• Greet people, child or adult, in a warm and friendly manner. While on campus, please refrain from using a cell phone (this need starts the moment you begin to turn your vehicle into the MEC drive);

• Walk and speak softly in all areas where children are working and concentrating;

• Please greet each other (child-parent, teacher-parent, teacher-child) when dropping off or picking up children in carline;

• Please do not use a cell phone while in carline. We have a lot of cars in a short amount of space and time to get through carline, and we need everyone to be focused and engaged in the process in order to guarantee the safety of our children;

• Use a respectful tone of voice when speaking to others;

• Suggest positive actions or resolutions;

• Listen attentively and with an open mind;

• Show appreciation and gratitude;

• Empathize with others;

• Support our environment by reducing, reusing, recycling;

• Clean up area after activity, event, or project.