RATHDRUM - John Brown Elementary fourth-graders were talking in class Thursday, and their grades depended on it.

Students' table manners were put to the test when their guests came to the school for homemade pumpkin pie and punch in a formal Christmas setting. It was the culmination of their lesson on manners.

Among their guests were some folks the students didn't know - city officials - but they knew quite well, thank you, by the time the visitors left.

"Maybe we should introduce ourselves?" Jimmy Gardener, a student, offered a reporter who joined a conversation at one of the tables.

Jimmy excused himself from the table and introduced himself with a firm handshake and straight look into the visitor's eyes.

"Today we're working on manners with people who we're not familiar with," Jimmy said.

"We don't talk with our mouths open while we eat and we speak respectfully to one another. We treat others the way you want to be treated, not sloppily."

Rathdrum Mayor Vic Holmes was a guest at Jimmy's table.

"I'm having a nice, sit-down conversation and pie with my new fourth-grade friends," Holmes said.

Holmes said it never hurts adults to have a refresher course in manners, either.

"It's a good chance for us to brush up on our manners as well," he said. "We (as public officials) meet a lot of people. Manners are an important way we show people that we respect them."

Alexis Neblock, a student, said the lessons they've been learning on manners go far beyond "please" and "thank you."

"We've learned how to properly set a table," she said. "You don't want a messy table. You want people to have a smile on their face and come back."

Ron Sarrys, Rathdrum's recreation supervisor and another guest, said the program supplements what is taught in many homes.

"A lot of families are busy and it's something I've been trying to work on with my own kids," Sarrys said. "Even the tone at the table is important. We've had a great conversation about how some of the students help mom or dad prepare food."

Conversations with the students and their guests made the experience even more enjoyable.

Sarrys shared how his parents made sweet potato pie, whereas some other families traditionally serve pumpkin pie during the holidays.

Alexis shared how she's allowed to eat apples but not drink apple juice due to the high sugar content in some cases.

Teacher Fonda Stewart started her "Proud to be Polite" curriculum several years ago and it's now shared by the school's entire fourth-grade team, including teacher Kelly Chaney.

"Parents have been so thankful for it, so that keeps me going with it," Stewart said.

She said manners are a "lost art."

"I was taught manners where I went to school and I think that it needs to continue," she said. "In many cases, we don't sit down to dinner as a family and, when we do, it's a rushed affair."

What's the perfect topping to showing your manners during the dessert at the school?

"Students get bonus points if they get a thank you letter from their guests," Stewart said.