PP, you should have gotten an invitation. I know they went out. If you care about it, then one thing you could do is to call them directly and find out if there is a reason your child was not invited.

I agree with one of the earlier posters on the subject (not this thread) that in the end, kids probably don't really want to do this (I always maintained my son loves it, but if I really examine it, he likes seeing all his friends who were all forced to do it). Maybe we should all get together and start a new club: Capital Exploration, where once a month we get all our kids together in their play clothes and have a guide teach them about crawly creatures in the woods.

I am a Beauvoir parent. My 3rd gradeer has not yet received an invitation to participate in the Capitol Cotillion. I thought these went out to everyone in the class. Is it possible that we have been purposely excluded? Is there anyone we can contact to see why that would have happened?!

Anonymous wrote:I did Knickerbocker in NYC as a kid and it was ridiculous. I really object to the idea that these things teach "social graces". It taught us to dance badly with sweaty-palmed boys, that's about it.

I was one of those sweaty-palmed boys!! I was also one of those boys who would complain, disparage, and mock such a thing, though secretly found this to be a very enjoyable event, and in retrospect it taught me what is probably commonly referred to as "social graces." I have a young son who one day will probably also complain, disparage, and mock something like this Capital Cotillion, but I know better, and do hope an invitation will one day be forthcoming.

I did Knickerbocker in NYC as a kid and it was ridiculous. I really object to the idea that these things teach "social graces". It taught us to dance badly with sweaty-palmed boys, that's about it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:, picking up trash along the Potomac) instead of sending him to a program that will only instill feelings of superiority?

Picking up trash!!?? Whatever next?

Our family volunteered to pick up trash at a public park. The park looked wonderful afterward. Our children seemed to enjoy it, though I'm not altogether sure they understood they were doing a public service (both were under 8 at the time).

Back to the Cotillion, I agree that grace and manners should be taught at home. But I also agree that Cotillion, if it's possible to do it in an "unsuperior" way, certainly does seem like a charming way to reinforce such lessons from home.

Anonymous wrote:, picking up trash along the Potomac) instead of sending him to a program that will only instill feelings of superiority?

Picking up trash!!?? Whatever next?

I think that social graces such as those taught at cotillion are best taught at home. I'm speaking as a former debutante (yuck, I know) who only learned from "making my debut" how I was supposedly better than other people. It took me a long time to un-learn that lesson.

Anonymous wrote:Why not spend your time and money doing a service project with your son (making sandwiches for homeless people, picking up trash along the Potomac) instead of sending him to a program that will only instill feelings of superiority?

I'm not OP, and I'm not a Cotillion parent, but is there anything wrong with having as a goal to raise a well-rounded kid (to include not only volunteer activities, but social graces as well?).

Why not spend your time and money doing a service project with your son (making sandwiches for homeless people, picking up trash along the Potomac) instead of sending him to a program that will only instill feelings of superiority?

There should be other Beauvoir boys doing Capital Cotillion--as for Mrs. Simpsons, you need to be invited to that one by a current Mrs. Simpson's family. I know they are always anxious for more boys so if you know anyone who does it, you should ask them to recommend you--(they start at 4th grade though)
My daughter did Capital Cotillion this past year and loved it. She was not the type to enjoy dressing up or do anything formal or girlie but I'm so glad I signed her up because she had a great time and looked forward to it every month! So, I think you'll be happy either way. But Mrs. Simpson's doesn't start until 4th grade so you have another year to ask around. Good luck!

I have a strict policy against aiding and abetting Mrs. Simpson participants!

How can I find out more info on Mrs. Simpson's? Do you need to be invited to participate in the classes?

They still do cotillions?

1) You can assume DS was invited because he is a third grader at an independent school.

2) Not necessarily. Mrs. Simpson's is *gasp* more exclusive!

3) I'm not answering that question because it shouldn't matter.

4) Capital Cotillion is less strict, more casual, less exclusive (in a good way). Or, on the flip side, Mrs. Simpson's is stricter, more formal, and more exclusive (in a bad way).

5) I'm not answering that question because, again, it shouldn't matter. If your DS does Cotillion, I'm 97.3% sure that he won't be the butt of jokes simply because of his attendance. (Now, whether he might be the butt of jokes because of what he does there is another story...)

6) Sorry... my point, not yours. Why don't you just explain what CC is to your son and ask him if he wants to participate? If he does, great. If not, great.

Cheers.

My DS just received an invitation to participate in the Capital Cotillion.

I know there are a few stray references on this topic in this forum, but here are my questions:

1) Can I assume DS was invited because he was a Beauvoir student?

2) Should one from Mrs. Simpson's also be forthcoming?

3) Do most Beauvoir kids who participate go with Capital or Mrs. Simpson's?

4) Can you compare/contrast the two?

5) What percentage of Beauvoir 3rd grade boys actually participate. I think it's a lovely idea, but don't want DS to become the butt of too many jokes among his peers.