What is Junior Cotillion™

Junior Cotillion™ is a three year curriculum designed to give young people instruction and practice in the courtesies that make life more pleasant for them and those around them; to give them thorough training in standard ballroom dance; and to provide opportunities to practice and enjoy these skills at memorable parties, balls, dinners, and events, complete with decorations, refreshments, favors and prizes.

What life skills will my child learn in Junior Cotillion™?

The Year I program is offered to 5th-8th-grade boys and girls and consists of five, 1.5-hour classes,  and two Balls.  The curriculum includes the following; proper handshakes, table manners, proper introductions, door/coat/car etiquette, when to rise, thank you notes, RSVP, corsages and boutonnieres, telephone and digital etiquette, flag etiquette, how to ask and thank a partner for a dance, nametag etiquette, escort position, proper seating and more.  Young ladies and gentlemen will leave the program with the confidence and poise that comes from knowing the proper etiquette in any social situation.

General Class information:

Class/Dances - All instructional class/dances are dress-up affairs for which careful grooming is required. Hair should be neatly combed, fingernails clipped and clean, and shoes polished.

Ladies should wear age-appropriate, dresses or skirts and dress shoes preferred (ballet flats are acceptable). Gentlemen should wear long khaki pants, socks, dress shirt, tie and sports coat. Suits are fine. No gum chewing allowed! NO CELL PHONES PLEASE as this becomes a distraction during class. If a student needs to make a call they may use a chaperone, assistant or the Director's phone. Please, no Flip Flops or tennis shoes may be worn to class.

Prompt Arrival - We begin receiving students fifteen minutes early so that they may be seated by the beginning of class allowing us to begin and end on time.

Attendance is very important. However, if it is necessary for your child to miss a class, please have your student call my office.Please do not make the call for them unless they are ill, as this is part of social training. Please remind them to leave their full name and the class they attend. Please do not call on Sunday unless due to illness.

Chaperoning a Class- All Parents are invited to chaperone one class during the season. If you would like to chaperone, please sign up at the Parent Reception or email me. Chaperones who enjoy the season are invited to join our Advisory Board for the following season for Yr 2 or if they have a Legacy student. Please let me know. It is fun and not extremely time-consuming.

Student Booklets – instructional booklets are given to students at the first class. If the student is unable to attend the first class, they will receive their booklet at the next class. This is your opportunity to review material with your student. Class Challenge homework is not required but highly encouraged. If your student has lost their booklet, there will be a $4.00 charge to purchase a new one. Please notify me in advance so that a booklet will be available for them after the next class.

GRAND SPRING BALL is always a Black Tie Requested event held at the end of the season. Invitations and RSVP notes are provided to the students and sent home after the 5th class. Students are REQUIRED to write a formal RSVP. Instructions are given in class and are also in student booklets. (or see schedule page for information).

Ladies' Dress requirement: White, cream or light pastel dresses. The dress may be knee length, tea length (mid-calf) or the floor. Please, no strapless or backless dresses. When in doubt add shrug or sweater. Must wear white gloves to the Balls. FRESH FLOWER CORSAGES ARE PROVIDED.

Gentlemen Dress requirement: Tuxes preferred. Suits or dark jacket with Khaki pants are accepted, however, the student must wear WHITE shirt and tie. Bow ties are fine. BOUTONNIERES ARE PROVIDED.

WRITING CONTESTS
BEST MANNERED TEACHER ESSAY CONTEST-

Award presented at the Grand Spring Ball in March.

Be sure to encourage your student to enter next season. INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CONTEST MAY BE FOUND IN YOUR STUDENT BOOKLETS. Entries may be turned in at the March dance/class or mailed to: NLJC-Troup County Chapter, 102 Main Street, Suite 224, LaGrange, GA 30240.

"WHAT JUNIOR COTILLION MEANS TO ME"-National Student Essay Contest.

$500 scholarship to the winner. Entry must be postmarked no later than March 1st and sent to the NLJC Headquarters in Charlotte, NC. Information about the contest requirements may be found in NLJC Student Booklet.

Classes Available:

• Junior Cotillion Year I    (2:30-4:00 pm)
• Junior Cotillion Year II   (4:30-6:00 pm)