About Our Manners Program
modern day manners
Children today are navigating a world where kindness and respect can sometimes feel less visible in everyday interactions. While common courtesies and basic manners were once a consistent part of family life, they are now being modeled less frequently at home, often due to the fast pace and pressures of modern life.
What was the MANNERS ARE FUN Program?
The Manners Are Fun Program was an interactive program on everyday manners for first graders. It was sponsored by the Thomas Duncan Hall, Inc., a not-for-profit corporation whose purpose is, in part, to develop educational programs that enhance civility, character, and citizenship in Greater Lafayette. For many years, first-graders in Tippecanoe County visited the Hall for the program. Unfortunately, the program came to a halt during 2020, when field trips were paused.
The program introduced first graders to everyday manners with an approach that was engaging, informative, and fun! Students spent a morning at Duncan Community Hall where the beautiful architecture and ambience of the building provided the perfect setting. They participated in three activity groups where they learned basic skills and acquired knowledge in setting the table, table manners, and meeting and greeting people. Afterwards, they practiced what they learned by eating a snack using chinaware and silverware on linen-covered tables. They sang a fun song on manners, and then returned to school, excited and enthusiastic about using good manners.
THE NEED
In 2001, members of the Thomas Duncan Community Hall Board wanted to offer particular kinds of educational programs to the Lafayette community. Concerned about the growing lack of civility in today’s world, they believed that programs promoting strong character, good manners, and responsible citizenship could have a meaningful impact—especially in the lives of children.
THE RESPONSE
The result was the Sarah Duncan Education Council, a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) corporation. Established in 2002, its purpose was "to assist in the development and implementation of education programs that enhance the civility, character, and citizenship in Greater Lafayette." The SDEC was a separate entity from Duncan Community Hall, but it presented most of its programs there. In many ways, the SDEC was complementing the original purposes of Duncan Community Hall which through its history, stands as a monument to good citizenship.
In 2005, the Thomas Duncan Community Hall and the Sarah Duncan Education Council were merged into a single corporation called the Thomas Duncan Hall, Inc.
SARAH DUNCAN
The name Sarah Duncan was chosen because Sarah was the beloved wife of Thomas Duncan, Thomas Duncan Hall’s great benefactor. It was largely due to her influence that Mr. Duncan left money at his death in 1928 for constructing the lovely Georgian style building, formerly known as Duncan Community Hall. Sarah was a life-long resident of Lafayette, a Duncan Community Hall Board member, and promoter of many good causes.
THE FIRST PROGRAM
The first program to be sponsored by the SDEC was an everyday manners program for first graders, entitled MANNERS ARE FUN! During the 2002-2003 school year, the program was offered to all the public and private schools in Tippecanoe County. 25 schools and over 1400 students participated.
CHARTER MEMBERS
Charter members of the Sarah Duncan Education Council were Mary Ann Combs, Marilynn Dammon, William Gettings, Jr., Robert Hockema, Charles Horner, David Poelstra, and David Williams.
Current program
The Sarah Duncan Education Committee is bringing manners back to Thomas Duncan Hall with the, Mind Your Manners Bootcamp! The program will run Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, June 10-12, 2025, 10am - 2pm. The same lesson plan will be covered each day, so please choose which day will work best for you. Tickets can be purchased at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mind-your-manners-bootcamp-tickets-1352043471419?aff=oddtdtcreator
The updated program will still cover introductions and table manners, including proper table settings, and will now also feature lessons on cell phone etiquette and responding to bullying with kindness and empathy. For more information, please contact us by phone or email. (765)-742-4788 or info@duncanhall.org
Some Comments about the Program
“The parents, teachers, and students were thrilled by this program! So much learning and fun took place.”
- Anne Marshall, First Grade Teacher, Mayflower Mill Elementary School
“I can honestly say that the manners presentation at Duncan Hall has been one of the most exciting and rewarding projects and experiences in my thirty-two years of teaching! How successful it was!”
- Marcia Weber, First Grade Teacher, Glen Acres Elementary School
“Thank you for teaching me how to set the table. I learned how much manners matter.”
- Emmalie Hodge, First Grader, Durgan Elementary School
“I think the kids thought manners were dull and boring, but after the program, they found out they can be fun too.”
- Laura Nelson, parent, Burnett Creek Elementary School
