Cherry Avenue Elementary School Hosts Formal Fine Dining Luncheon

Cherry Avenue Elementary School, part of the Sayville School District, recently welcomed students and community members for its second annual Formal Fine Dining Luncheon. Held as part of the school’s Back to Basics initiative, the event provided students with an opportunity to practice proper etiquette, table manners, and conversation skills in a formal dining setting.

The Cherry Avenue cafeteria was transformed into an elegant, restaurant-style space, complete with round tables, tablecloths, napkins, utensils, and china- inspired place settings. Students shared a three-course meal with special guests from throughout the Sayville community, including members of the Sayville School District administration and Board of Education, members of the PTA, local legislators, teachers, and Suffolk County police officers. Peer Leaders from Sayville High School volunteered as servers, helping create a welcoming atmosphere that encouraged meaningful conversation and connection among guests and students.

In preparation for the luncheon, fourth and fifth grade students in Cherry Avenue’s advanced S.T.R.E.T.C.H. program (Supplementary Teaching Resources for Educationally Talented Children) visited younger classrooms to teach etiquette lessons. Students learned the importance of saying “please” and “thank you,” properly using napkins and utensils, and engaging in polite conversation. The S.T.R.E.T.C.H. students also created conversation cards to help guide discussions at each table during the luncheon.

“Our Formal Fine Dining Luncheon is a wonderful example of how the Back-to-Basics initiative helps students build important life skills beyond the classroom,” Dr. Lisa Ihne, Cherry Avenue Elementary School, Principal, said. “From practicing proper etiquette to engaging in thoughtful conversation with members of our community, this experience gave our students the opportunity to develop confidence, respect, and meaningful social connections in a truly memorable setting.”

For more information on the Sayville Union Free School District, visit the district’s website at sayvilleschools.org. Happenings in the district can also be found on the district’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/saydistrictpr. #CaringAndLearning