9/30

Agenda: 9/30/2011

1.          Approval of Minutes

2.         Reports

3.          Common Ground Switch Motion

4.         Wednesday Schedule Motion

5.         Violent Images Motion

6.         Extended Study Hours Discussion

7.          Notes & New Business

"You can't believe most of the quotes you read on the internet." ~Abraham Lincoln

Council Minutes 9/23/2011

1.          Approval of Minutes

2.         Reports

·      [Mod]: Welcome freshmen! Reminder that 9^th graders cannot vote. Also, a big welcome to Jim Mitchell, former Council moderator.

·      [Treas]: I’d like to recognize Brendan, who is bringing a money allocation.

o   [Brendan]: I move to allocate $850 to the alternative energy club.

o   Questions/Discussion:

§  How much money do we have right now?

·      We have $954 in the co-curricular fund right now.

·      The money we have now must last us until July 1^st.

§  Is the AEC planning any fundraising?

·      We are planning fundraising, but have not started yet.

§  What is the attendance of the club?

·      More than 40 members are currently signed up.

o   [Motion]: I move to refer the AEC money allocation to Student Activities.

o   Discussion:

§  Let’s refer this right away.

§  We should amend this motion so that it asks for less money.

Debate closes.

Motion passes.

·      [DSB]: DSB meeting next Tuesday in the Library at 7:00 PM.

·      [PR]: The first edition of the Broadside is coming out, so you can stay informed via the Council website or through articles in the Broadside.

·      [Sec]: Senior alternate may vote.

·      [SA]: Pep rally this Friday [changed to Thursday], dance next Saturday.

·      [SL]: Working on food vending machines and Wednesday Schedule Motion.

·      [Curric]: We’re talking about the Academic Integrity Policy, more work on the CCCC.

·      [Admin]: Admin members - please stay after the meeting.

·      [OEC]: Working on new/tuition student elections and freshmen class committee.

·      [COI]: Discussed school-wide goals including one that would assess how effective CG is.

·      [Brendan]: Homecoming t-shirts on sale next week in the atrium, $15.

·      [James H]: Parliamentary procedure being passed around.

·      [Melanie]: Footlighters Motion has been enacted, no more action is needed.

3.          Common Ground Switch Motion

·      [Motion]: I move that the student members of each Common Ground be moved to a new Common Ground every year in order to promote more inter-student bonding.

o   [James W]: Common Ground currently gives 2 whole CG periods to get to know each person. The current system lets you meet 28 other students. The proposed switch would cause you to meet 64 new students throughout high school. Just because you switch CGs, it does not mean that you cannot be friends with your old friends.  Sometimes the chemistry does not work out and you need to meet new people.

·      Clarifying Questions:

o   Has this motion been brought to the CG Steering Committee?

§  Eric Richardson/CG Steering Committee has been informed.

o   Is there a current process for students switching CGs.

§  We discourage this, we rarely switch students’ CGs.

·      Discussion:

o   I like the current atmosphere of CG, this would get rid of the nice/comforting atmosphere of CG.

o   Again, being with the same people for four years is comforting.

o   This motion would prepare us for a more real-world situation, making new friends, reaching out of your comfort zone.

o   Getting to know people you don’t like may be a better real-life lesson.

o   Classes change often, CGs are consistent. That’s nice.

o   CGs are lottery: some are fun and comfortable, others are not.

o   You can make new friends and keep your old ones, it’s win-win.

o   We could think about switching advisors, this may achieve the same goal.

o   Many people don’t know others’ names after three years.

o   We should give Common Ground time to get to know one another.

·      [Motion]: I move to amend the Common Ground Switch Motion so that Common Grounds would be switched every two years.

o   [Rachel]: This provides the balance we are looking for: it can be comfortable but still be switched up for those who don’t fit in.

·      Clarifying Questions

o   If this was switched every two years, some people could end up being in three different CGs. What exactly do you mean?

§  Everyone would be in the same CG for two consecutive years, then you would switch into another one (after sophomore year).

o   Why don’t we just switch the teachers every year?

§  This would be a different motion.

o   Is this amendment within the original spirit of the motion?

§  [James]: This does not represent what I had originally intended.

§  [Ms. Cep]: This is the original intent of the motion.

Meeting adjourns.

9/23

Agenda: 9/23/2011

1.          Approval of Minutes

2.         Reports

3.          Common Ground Switch Motion

4.         Violent Images Motion

5.         Extended Study Hours Discussion

6.         Notes & New Business

“As kids we’re not taught how to deal with success; we’re taught how to deal with failure. If at first you don’t 
succeed, try, try again. If at first you succeed, then what? ~Charlie Sheen

Council Minutes 9/16/2011

1.          Approval of Minutes

2.         Reports

·      [Mod]: Please get here on time (or early)! We’re in the auditorium next week. Also, hold the microphones close to your mouth.

·      [A-Mod]: Thanks to those who helped out at the open house.

·      [DSB]: DSB meeting next Tuesday in the Library at 7:00 PM.

·      [Sec]: No alternates may vote.

·      [Curric]: We’re working on the biannual school curriculum survey.

·      [SA]: Pep rally on 9/30, wear Marauder clothes!

·      [SL]: Working on food vending machines, discussed goals for the year.

·      [OEC]: Preparing new/tuition student elections, freshmen Class Committee.

3.          Footlighters Motion

·      [Melanie]: Let’s wait on this until we have more information. Looking into certificates and technicalities.

4.         Notes & New Business

·      Discussion: 100-point GPA system.

o   [Rachel]: This failed last year, but this still has benefits – it is much more accurate and deserves a second look.

o   There’s already so much inherent accuracy in teacher’s grading, the 4-point GPA represents this better.

o   One percentage is not that important, 4-point system portrays student ability fine.

o   This would cause more grade-grubbing.

o   The current system is more universal, used by colleges.

o   The 4-point system can be accurate to many decimal places.

o   Maybe we should have an A+ instead, that could achieve our goal.

o   This could encourage cheating.

Order of the day.

·      Motion: I move that 5^th period on Wednesdays start at 11:35 so that the school day ends at 2:00, making the break 20 minutes.

o   [Mr. Bourne]: Originally there was no break, Council added this break. With 5 minute passing time, it’s essentially a 5-minute break. Students are always late to 5^th period, this would make it possible to get lunches, etc.

o   Is this feasible from an administrative point of view?

§  We would have to look into the buses and after school programs.

o   Good to get rid of rules that are not followed/don’t work anymore.

o   Let’s figure out how this would be implemented before we pass it.

·      Motion: I move to refer the Wednesday Schedule Motion to Student Life.

o   This committee would bring it back in a reasonable amount of time, so let’s refer it.

o   We could just pass this now.

Debate closes.

Referral passes.

·      What is the status of the Google Doc with information about motions?

o   We are still working out permissions, this will be happening soon.

·      [Mr. Smith]: We have a dance coming up next month, but rules about suggestive dancing are unclear. Let’s discuss what should be taking place.

o   Let’s watch the YouTube video that was made a few years ago so we’re clear on the rules: {http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igruiZXBsH4}.

o   Some schools are much more strict about dancing, this is a big issue!

o   It’s not necessarily right, but times have changed.

o   We, as a Council, passed the dance guidelines. Therefore we need to enforce and encourage them.

o   School sponsored events should not encourage this inappropriateness.

o   We need to set a good example if we want to continue to have dances.

Meeting adjourns.

9/16

Agenda: 9/16/2011

1.          Approval of Minutes

2.         Reports

3.          Footlighters Motion

4.         Notes & New Business

“I love the truth. It’s the facts I’m not a fan of.” ~Stephen Colbert

Council Minutes 9/9/2011

1.          Approval of Minutes

2.         Reports

·      [Mod]: We need to set up our meetings better, be here on time to help set up! No doing HW during Council. Please plan your motion before you bring it to Council! I’d also like to recognize Mr. Bill.

o   [Mr. Bill]: NEASC evaluates our school. We would love more student representation! Please help gather students, this gives HHS its reputation.

·      [A-Mod]: Parent open house this Thursday, September 15^th. Be here at 5:15.

·      [PR]: Thanks for those who helped with the Civitas presentations.

·      [Sec]: Senior alternate can vote. Let me know if you’re not getting emails or you’re going to be absent. Please check the Council website for errors.

·      [Curric]: CCCC is still being reviewed. Will come back to Council soon.

·      [OEC]: Preparing new/tuition student elections, freshmen Class Committee.

·      [COI]: Discussed teacher evaluations.

3.          Ad hoc Committees

·      Nick Beard Opinion Board Committee: Rachel Finlayson, Gabe B-T, Ben Stallman, Eleanor Patten, Ricardo Addante, Catherine Collison, B Sachsse, Mr. Stallsmith.

·      Athletic Advisory Committee: James Washington, James Harvard, Ethan Winter, Fifi Walker, Chris Washington, Grace Croitoru, Jeffrey Li, Ben Stallman.

·      Historical Records Committee: Dmitry Steesy, Gabe B-T, Ms. Addante.

·      Technology Committee: Rowan Dunfey, Peter Bensen, Rachel Finlayson, James Harvard, Eleanor Patten, Claudia Noonan, Carl Tischbein.

·      Terms of Service Committee: Rowan Dunfey, Toby Reynolds, James Harvard, Rachel Finlayson, Carl Tischbein, Ms. Eakin.

·      Common Ground Steering Committee: Rachel Finlayson, Ethan Winter, Catherine Collison, Fifi Walker, Dmitry Steesy, Chris Washington, Grace Croitoru, Eleanor Patten, Brendan Barth, Jocelyn Schworak, Guys Lyons, Carl Tischbein.

·      Wellness Committee: Claudia Noonan, Hannah Nice.

·      March Intensive Committee: Ricardo Addante, Krista Brown, Fifi Walker, Melanie Subbiah, Mike Dinulos, Daniel Gorman.

·      Drug Use Committee: Mike Dinulos, James Washington, Claudia Noonan, Katherine Bradley, Ms. Addante

·      Environmental Impact Committee: Kelsey Smith, Melanie Subbiah

4.         Notes & New Business

·      [Catherine]: Let’s discuss the Common Ground Switch Dilemna

o   Don’t want to break up CG ‘families’.

o   Goes against the original intention of CG.

o   Change cold be a good thing here.

o   Can do fun activities each year with different people.

o   May encourage more people to get to know one another.

o   Let’s mix it up: it would make it more interesting and exciting.

o   Consistency would be good.

·      Motion: I move to charge the students on the CG Steering Committee to carry this CG Switch Discussion to that committee and report back to Council on the issue.

o   [Ms. Addante]: We should be having constant conversations and dialogue about this, make sure Common Ground is what we want it to be.

·      Discussion

o   Who has jurisdiction?

§  Both Council and CG Steering Committee.

Debate closes.

Motion passes.

·      Motion: I move to put clocks in both the boys’ and girls’ locker rooms.

o   [Carl]: I’d recommend referring this to committee, but that’s for Council decide. Otherwise, I think this is a no-brainer.

·      Discussion

o   Let’s just get this done or refer it to committee right away.

Debate closes.

Motion passes.

·      Motion: I move to create and keep a public Google Doc about motions and their statuses.

o   [Ms. Doyle]: No authorship speech.

·      Discussion

o   Let’s just get this done or refer it to committee right away.

Debate closes.

Motion passes.

Meeting adjourns.

9/9

 Agenda: 9/9/2011

1.          Approval of Minutes

2.         Reports

3.          Ad hoc Committees

4.         Notes & New Business

“Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” ~Will Rogers

Council Minutes 9/2/2011

1.          Approval of Minutes

2.         Reports

·      [Mod]: I’d like to recognize Mr. Jenisch.

o   [Mr. Jenisch]: Please help out the flood victims in Vermont by donating food for the food banks. In addition, please help make posters, hand out flyers, etc.

·      [DSB]: Discussed reports about air quality at RMS and HHS (it’s good!). RMS and HHS handbooks were both approved by the board.

·      [PR]: Volunteers needed for Civitas Council presentations.

·      [A-Mod]: September 15^th at 5:15 is the parent open house. Volunteers needed.

·      [Sec]: Freshman alternate may vote.

·      [Curric]: Reviewing the CCCC with the board, deciding on the next steps.

3.          Composting Motion

·      Motion: I move that Council members be trained to compost during an activity period and use this knowledge to train their Common Grounds.

o   [Krista & Rachel]: We have a woman that has worked with schools in the past. She is coming to train with the Environmental Club.

·      Isn’t this expensive? She normally comes 6 times per year, we have reduced the number of hours.

o   Council is not funding this anyways.

·      Will this only be open to Council and the Environmental Club?

o   Yes. Anybody else would be a distraction and is not needed.

·      No date set yet.

·      Not mandatory for Council members, yet highly encouraged.

·      Environmental Club members can train CGs without Council reps.

Debate closes.

Motion passes.

4.         J-Comm and CC Rep Selections

·      Class of 2012

o   J-Comm Reps: James Washington & Dan Gorman

o   Class Committee Liaison: Carl Tischbein

·      Class of 2013

o   J-Comm Reps: Katherine Bradley & Fifi Walker

o   Class Committee Liaison: Brendan Barth

·      Class of 2014

o   J-Comm Reps: Grace Croitoru & Hannah Nice

o   Class Committee Liaison: Hannah Nice

·      Class of 2015

o   J-Comm Reps: Gus Lyons, Ethan Winter

·      Staff

o   J-Comm Reps: Ms. Murray & Ms. Eakin

5.         Committee Chair Selections/Meeting Time & Place

·      Admin

o   Chairman: Rowan Dunfey

o   Meeting Time/Place: Tuesdays AP, Library Conference Room

·      Curric

o   Chairman: Melanie Subbiah

o   COI Rep: Dmitry Steesy

o   Meeting Time/Place: Fridays AP, Library Conference Room/Ms. Doyle’s Room

·      OEC

o   Chairman: Eleanor Patten

o   Meeting Time/Place: Mondays AP, Library Conference Room

·      Student Activities

o   Chairmen: Ben Stallman & Claudia Noonan

o   Meeting Time/Place: Fridays AP, Ms. Murray’s Room

·      Student Life

o   Chairmen: Dan Gorman & Katherine Bradley

o   Meeting Time/Place: Fridays AP, Guidance Office

6.         Notes and New Business

·      [Motion]: I move to have a certificate of recognition awarded to students who achieve honor roll while participating in a Footlighters production. This certificate would be similar to the ones awarded to students for achieving honor roll while participating in athletics.

o   [Melanie]: Drama has a similar time commitment to athletics, there is currently no recognition of this achievement.

·      Is this something Council should be doing?

Meeting adjourns.

9/2

Agenda: 9/2/2011

1.          Approval of Minutes

2.         Reports

3.          Composting Motion

4.         J-Comm & CC Rep. Selections

5.         Committees

6.         Notes & New Business

“Failure is not an option. Everyone has to succeed.” ~Arnold Schwarzenegger

Council Minutes 6/10/2011

1.          Money Allocation

·      Motion: I move to allocate $500 to the Spirit Club.

·      Purpose would be to create a non-profit school store for HHS-themed merchandise.

·      Is this too much money to give away?

·      Store will be self-sustaining, money needed as principle to order merchandise.

Debate closes.

Motion passes.

Council Retreat: Meeting Summary 8/29/2011

1.          Jim Mitchell Speaks To Council

·      Has served a lot on Council, School Board. Actively involved in HHS.

·      Secretaries ARE important – needed in business, everywhere. You can’t do anything without them.

·      Both Bob McCarthy and Tom Hanlon should be accredited with the founding of the Hanover High School Council in 1974.

·      As a Council member, you must be prepared to speak. You may have to speak in public settings, and preparation may not be possible. Again, be prepared!

·      Issues when Jim was at Hanover High School:

o   Should smoking be allowed on campus? What’s fair to both students and staff?

o   J-Comm. Although J-Comm was set up in ’78, it was utilized for the first time in ’85.

§  Lacrosse students were suspended for giving their coach a wedgie.

o   Should condom machines be made available on campus?

·      Council MUST have strong communication not only amongst its members, but with the community as well. Write letters to the paper. Inform the public!

·      Think not only about the present, but about the future as well. Try to help the future generations of students.

2.         Informal Discussion On Composting

·      [Rachel & Krista]: We need to pay the extra expense now and hire an educator to teach composting to Council members. We need to do this to minimize mistakes now and to keep it easy to run in the future.

·      Clarification: Council would not fund the education process. We’re only debating whether or not Council should be trained so that they can educate their common grounds.

·      Not a good use of time to educate during meeting, perhaps activity period?

·      We should gather students for a school-wide assembly!

Debate closes.

3.          Choosing Committee Chairs

·      Delayed until official meeting, not enough members present.

·      We should gather students for a school-wide assembly!

Meeting adjourns.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Composting Motion:

I move that Council members take part in the training session on composting.