Sister Mary Agnes and I are the gatekeepers at 7:45 in the morning when the students come into school. Though they know 7:45 is the time the doors open, there is regularly a substantial gathering there. They are clearly eager to come into school and do so like a pride of lions after prey, if not moderated.

We always let “the littles in first” for obvious reasons. Then we sometimes bring to the front those with band instruments, dioramas, birthday treats or other awkward items. Sometimes it would be girls first, sometimes odd grades, other times anyone with an “R” in their name. The goal - to get them in gradually without injuring anyone. 

We’ve taken a new approach at “moderation at the door”. In recent days, I asked the crowd if they know what “civility" is. Courtesy was one of the few answers, and it was a fine one. I replied, “Yes, it looks like no one running over each other, not pushing, letting littler ones in first.” So we’ve been trying, “You may come in civilly” lately. It is beginning to work well, even for the 4-year-old who almost takes me out when she comes through the door as soon as it cracks open. She knows she always gets to come in first as “a little”. She’s the cutest thing that ever ran me over! Even the little ones seem to grasp what civility means. In general, we are stiving to use fewer words and ask kids to figure out what that means for them in this situation. Engaging the mind respects the human person and helps bring them along in wisdom and grace.

Civility. It involves noticing others and adjusting one’s behavior to work well together. That’s part of what the Lord asks of us as Christians, and one of our goals as a school. May we generalize it to more and more parts of life. 

Sister Mary Michael, C.K.