1/27

Agenda: 1/27/2012

1. Approval of Minutes
2. Reports
3. Test Returns Motion
4. Robert's Rules Modification Motion
5. Honor Code Restitution Amendment
6. Notes & New Business

“You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.” ~Winston Churchill

Council Minutes 1/13/2012

1.          Reports

·  [Mod]: Mt. Greylock loved visiting and learning about our school, we got some great feedback. Thanks for everyone’s help!

·  Motion: I move to approve Officer Fleury as a Council community representative.

Debate closes.

Motion passes.

·  [Sec]:  Freshman alternate may vote.

·  [DSB]: We met on Tuesday to ask questions about the budget. We also looked at enrollment numbers. We have another meeting here next Tuesday, it would be nice if you could come!

·  [PR]: Congratulations, I thought the MLK assembly went very well.

·  [Admin]: We sent out a survey to teachers concerning the Test Returns Motion.

·  [OEC]: We are looking at new ways of starting off the Council election process.

·  [SA]: Please sign up students for Winter Carnival events next Monday.

·  [SL]:  We’ll be sending out a survey to 9^th grade parents.

·  [James Harvard]: I met with the Acceptable Use Committee, we’re going over what school technology can be used for. We’re meeting next Tuesday after school in the lower computer lab.

·  [B Sachsse]: Why are we back in the auditorium?

o   We can have better discussion.

2.         Approval of Minutes

3.          School Start Time Motion

·  Motion: I move to amend the motion to read that Council charge Student Life, teachers, the Administration and the Dresden School Board with reviewing the implementation of a delayed start time of school due to the overwhelming health, academic social and benefits on both students and teachers.

o   [Ms. Stevenson]: Student Life was not originally included, it seems obvious that we should include ourselves in this discussion as well.

Debate closes.

Motion (amendment) passes.

Debate closes.

Motion passes.

4.         Mission Statement Discussion

·  [Ms. Eakin]: This originally came out of Admin, but we didn’t have to redo it when NEASC came around. We gathered information and wrote a draft of a revised mission statement. NEASC changed terms to Core Values, but we’re keeping it in the same format. Let’s look for changes concerning briefness, let’s also make sure the language is appropriate. We wanted to add a clause showing that HHS is a democratic school.

o   It was nicer when it wasn’t quite so brief.

o   Maybe we should add something about stewardship for the environment?

o   Stewardship for the environment is not appropriate for this document.

o   Maybe we could include something about being global citizens?

o   Maybe we should include the arts in this.

o   We might want to clarify ‘democratic high school,’ keep it more specific.

o   Some words are a little hard to understand.

5.         Guest Presentation by Robbi Ross, School for Ethics and Global Leadership in D.C.

Meeting adjourns.

1/13

Agenda: 1/13/2012

1. Approval of Minutes 
2. Reports 
3. School Start Time Motion 
4. Mission Statement Discussion 
5. Test Returns Motion 
6. Robert's Rules Modification Motion 
7. Notes & New Business

“The value of the majority lies not in the opportunity to wield great power,
but in the chance to use power to do great things.” ~John Boehner

Council Minutes 1/6/2012

1.          Approval of Minutes

2.         Reports

·      [Mod]: Staff members from Mt. Greylock are here visiting us today, they’re observing our school and its democratic operation.

·      [DSB]: We met two weeks ago and discussed the 1:1 technology initiative. I said that although the technology is great, I didn’t think it was needed, especially since so many people do not want taxes to be raised. Also these technologies could be distractions for students in class.

·      [Sec]: Senior alternate can vote.

·      [Admin]: We’re wrapping up plans for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day assembly.

·      [Curric]: We are going to look at NEASC survey results instead of creating our own.

·      [SA]: We’re planning Winter Carnival. Next Friday, the 13^th, will be Fancy Friday.

·      [SL]:  We drew up some survey questions for Freshmen parents concerning open campus.

·      [Mr. Smith]: Since we discussed CG in the beginning of the year, a CG committee has been formed and we are looking for one more student representative from Council.

o   We will address this next week.

·      [Mrs. Stevenson]: Do we have community members? I haven’t seen any.

o   [Ms. Gillespie]: I have to go through my emails but we will get going on it.

·      [Henry]: I am happy to be back at HHS and I would like to encourage students to investigate the School for Ethics and Global Leadership, where I was this past semester.

3.          School Start Time Motion

·      Motion: I move that the Council charge the teachers, administration and the Dresden School Board with reviewing the implementation of a delayed start time of school due to the overwhelming health, academic social and benefits on both students and teachers.

o   [Ethan]: Teenagers have different sleep cycles, they tend to go to sleep and wake up later. It’s been shown that a delayed start time not only increases sleep in the morning, sleep is increased on both ends. GPAs and SAT scores tend to increase, while car crash incidents tend to decrease. Mental health increases as, and use of illegal substances tends to decrease as well. I have also laid out a plan to work out the bus schedules without affecting the other schools.

·      Clarifying Questions:

o   Where are these facts coming from?

§  Ms. Stevenson has my bibliography; the facts come reputable sources.

o   Will the end time be moved back? Will Activity Period be cut?

§  Scheduling can and will be addressed, but right now the motion just charges other groups with investigating this matter.

o   Without changing the bus schedule, would this really help that much?

§  The bus schedule would probably end up being changed.

o   Would this affect after school activities?

§  This motion just lays the groundwork for the concept; this would be worked out later.

o   Have you considered adding a siesta to the school day instead?

§  No.

o   Have you polled any parents?

§  I’ve polled some parents and they support this idea.

·      Discussion:

o   [Dr. Bass]: These results are quite dramatic, and it’s also important to note that student attitudes improve dramatically as well. This motion seems very beneficial.

·      Motion: I move to table this discussion until next week so that we can talk with our visitors from Mt. Greylock.

Debate closes.

Motion passes.

4.         Mt. Greylock Questions

·      Questions and answers concerning the Council’s operation, recent motions

and changes, and the Code of Conduct.

Meeting adjourns.

1/6

Agenda: 1/6/2012

1. Approval of Minutes
2. Reports
3. School Start Time Motion
4. Mission Statement Motion
5. Robert's Rules Modification Motion
6. Notes & New Business

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” ~Albert Einstein

Council Minutes 12/16/2011

1.          Approval of Minutes

2.         Reports

3.          Open Executive Session Motion

• Motion: I move to enter executive session.

Debate closes.

Motion passes.

--Contents Confidential—

4.         Close Executive Session Motion

• Motion: I move to close executive session.

Debate closes.

Motion passes.

Meeting adjourns.