Last Thursday we took our grandchildren for lunch at Buck’s A&W in Port Orchard. We had a schedule to keep in order to get our 6-year-old to afternoon kindergarten on time, and I had noticed a South Kitsap school bus in the parking lot and found the students inside lined up to begin ordering.

As we entered, I made eye contact with the gentleman in charge of the students. He immediately motioned to us to come to the front of the line.

After thanking the teacher (Donnell Nathan) and the students, we ordered and sat down to wait.

While waiting, I observed the students (who, as a vocal/instrumental group from Sedgwick Junior High, had performed that day at South Colby and Mullenix Ridge) place orders, visit with each other, select seats and wait.

The students’ behavior was exemplary and a joy to observe.

When Mr. Nathan noticed an infraction, he made eye contact with the student, gestured and the student made an immediate change in behavior.

I spoke to Sedgwick’s principal, Jay Vettars, sharing my observation and celebrating Mr. Nathan’s professionalism and his students’ favorable behavior.

My “good news” phone call seemed to be a surprise, because so many of the calls to the principal are complaints.

I appreciated our lunchtime experience as a restaurant patron, a citizen of South Kitsap and as a retired teacher who has accompanied many students on field trips.

I called the school to share my impressions and to ensure that Mr. Nathan and his students received my message.

Now I want to share this good news with all readers who are parents, grandparents, students, residents of and teachers in South Kitsap School District.

Wish you could have been there. You, too, would have been impressed.

SHARON DEMIANIW

Port Orchard