Page 23 - April 2022 Proof

Dear Reader,
Let’s pretend we’re at our favorite restaurant and we get carried away in conversation, but we’re not ready for our plate to be taken away. What are the nonverbal clues, the sign language, the secret codes spelled out through silverware? In other words, how do you get your server’s attention while staying engaged in the conversation?
Folks, I googled just this and there were 1,340,000 results. Do not fret, however, as I have distilled it here for all of you.
Dining etiquette involves not only proper use of your utensils while eating, but using them to signal information that makes dining pleasant for everyone. Servers appreciate knowing what you need from them and nonverbal signals are a small but significant part of civilized dining.
A well-trained server can understand when you are still working on your food or want you want your plate removed.
“There are two and only two signals to be sent and received through utensil placement. One is when you are pausing and the second
is when you are finished. There is no tradition anywhere that requires other signals. Attempting to do so only causes confusion,” according to etiquette enthusiast, Maura J Graber, site editor for Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia.
When taking a break, place your
fork and knife in the center of the plate with the tips facing each other forming an inverted (V). And when you are finished, the knife and fork go either straight up and down on the center of the plate with the handles resting on the rim, or pointing between 10 and 4 o’clock (see images below). In each case the tines of the fork should be facing up and the knife edge pointing in.
And that’s it!
Big Love,
Mrs. Abramovitz
By Claire Bauer, RCHS intern writer; courtesy photo
Every year, Earth Day takes place on April 22, but for the Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) Eco Club, the environment matters every day. The club, with a mission “to better educate our school on environmental issues and promote sustainability within the school and community through projects and fun activities,” is comprised of high school students who share a passion for the natural world and who are led by RCHS science teacher Jenny Wills.
“We [Eco Club] are focused on energy conservation and sustainability. I joined during the fall of my junior year because I have a great relationship with Ms. Wills, who was my freshman year honors biology teacher and sophomore year
AP environmental science teacher. She talked about Eco Club a lot, and since I
am very passionate about protecting our environment, I decided to join,” said Mason McGaffin, club member and Castle Pines community resident.
The club meets for about an hour after school each Wednesday, and works with students, staff and the community to make differences at a local level. The
club takes out the recycling bins found in classrooms throughout the school, hosts fundraisers, makes sustainability posters, and has implemented timed power adapters in classrooms to reduce the amount of energy used by the school.
“I’ve been in the club since my freshman year because I’ve always had an interest in the environment. It’s for a good cause and it’s a great way to meet new people who have similar interests. You can also even possibly letter and get volunteer hours from joining,” marketing manager and RCHS senior Elise Barton said. “Eco Week is the week of April 18-22, and we are planning a ton of fun environmental activities to celebrate. All students can get involved,” she continued.
Eco Club plans to host a sapling fundraiser
to offset paper usage as one of its Eco
Week celebrations. The club also offers announcements and tips to improve sustainability efforts and reduce carbon footprints on its Instagram page, @rcecoclub.
“If everyone joins, then little by little, it will make a difference,” McGaffin said.
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Students making a difference for Mother Earth
CastlePinesConnection.com
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April 2022