School counselor Sharon Tabor stands, smiling, before the group. She holds up a hand. Within 10 seconds, all noise ceases. Youngsters sit attentively.
Tabor briefly introduces the performance, a soap opera parody.
As a dozen peers put on the skit, the audience watches-no wiggling, giggling, or elbowing. Just once does a teacher appear within the youngsters' field of vision. He taps his finger to his lips while looking meaningfully at one student, who blushes and sits quietly for the remainder of the presentation. All this attentiveness and courtesy occurs just two weeks before winter break. On a Friday.