Several sixth grade boys at Indian Lake Middle School are becoming “Guys In Ties.”
School Psychologist Case Manager Jacob Dodds and sixth-grade teacher Chris Burden are teaming up to offer the voluntary lunch club twice a month for any interested sixth-grader.
Dodds said the idea is to help create respectful young men who are productive members of society, who care about others and who represent themselves well. He explained that the essence of Guys in Ties is “my name, my word, my respect.”
“It’s all about how you represent yourself and your family. How you give people your word and commit to doing something.
“It’s how you owe people honestly and how you give respect to anyone, even if you disagree with them.”
Friday’s lunch meeting theme was about learning to look the part. The group discussed the etiquette of what to wear and when. Participants either brought in a tie from home or practiced with one that Dodds and Burden brought.
Guys in Ties will continue working on the perfect windsor knots, while also delving deeper into the theme in the coming months.
“How to treat women — not only girlfriends, but mothers, grandmothers, primary caregivers and more. How to eat with manners — those are other topics we will work on,” Dodds adds.
Dodds said ILMS is developing a similar program for interested girls, but at this time, any young lady who would like to participate is welcome.
The Guys In Ties are looking for speakers from the community. Contact Dodds at doddsj or Chris Burden at burdenc for more information.