Hanover High Council

2/10

2012-02-09T22:42:00.006-05:00

Agenda: 2/10/2012

Approval of Minutes
Reports
TestPreparation Motion
ClassWithdrawal Motion
Notes & NewBusiness

“We Athenians make decisions for ourselves, or at least participate in the full discussion of them: for we do not regard debate as a barrier to effective action, but as a necessary condition for acting wisely.” ~Pericles

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

[Mod]: I’d like to welcome Chief Robinson today. We arelooking for volunteers for open house next week.
[Treas]:

Motion: I move toallocate $135 to Student Activities for Winter Carnival.

Debatecloses.

Motionpasses.

[DSB]: We met last Tuesday and passed the budget without the1:1 initiative, but we’ll be looking into that later.
[Sec]: Junior and Senior Alternates can vote.
[Admin]: We’ve been looking at the goals of the Test ReturnsMotion and we will bring an alternate motion today that attempts to accomplishthe same goals.
[OEC]: We’re working on putting together the Council video forelections. Please send in available pictures or interviews.
[SA]: Winter Carnival is next week [later postponed until2/17]. Please volunteer to help.
[SL]: We’re reviewing responses to the survey we sent out tofreshmen parents. 56% of parents already had a child in HHS, 64% felt that theyunderstood the open campus policies, 81% sad they did not think their 9^thgrader had gone off campus yet this year, 43% did not know what ‘academicschedule-up’ meant, but 32% said that they would do it. 84% felt no pressure togive open campus privileges to their 9^th grader when they became asophomore. 60% though giving open campus to freshmen might compromise theiracademic experience. 63% said they thought their freshmen would be betterprepared for sophomore year with open campus, 55% would not give their freshmenopen campus starting second semester.
[COI]: Course evaluations are being done but we’ll discusswith Curric. We also discussed how March Intensive participation will be marked ona report card – SP, NP, or UP.
[Dmitry]: After talking with several people, I decided toremove the self-reporting piece from the motion and hopefully we can bring thatas a separate motion in the future.

3. Test Returns Motion

Motion: I move to fail the original Test Returns Motion.

[Admin]: Someteachers did not like the idea, and felt this is not Council’s jurisdiction andthis would probably be vetoed anyways. Instead we endorse the Test PreparationMotion.

Clarifying questions:

Why would thisnot be in our jurisdiction?

This deals with the curriculum and hopefully the TPM wouldwork more effectively.

How does thischange things from the original motion?

This might prevent scheduling conflicts, and is stillrelatively forceful.

Have we gottenany student feedback on this issue.

No, just informally. But we’ve talked with students and moststudents support this motion and its goals.

Does thismotion include final exams?

Debate:

Motion: I move to table this motion.

[Rachel]: Ithink we need to discuss this more with the staff.

Debate closes.

Motion (to table) passes.

Let’s fail this, the TPM is a better alternative for bothparties. We can’t give into a minority of teachers, but we have to bediplomatic with this as well.

Debate closes.

Motion (to fail the TRM) fails.

4. Test Preparation Motion

Moved to after agenda item #5.

5. Robert’s Rules Modification Motion

Motion: I move to amend the bylaws to allow a speaker to speak andthen close debate directly afterwards.

[Rachel]: Thisprovides the speaker the ability to give background on why he/she wants toclose debate.

Clarifying questions:

So you have tomove to close debate and then you’re able to speak?

Debate:

If it isunclear why the speaker is closing debate, debate should not be closed at all.Also, this gives unfair weight to a single speaker’s comments, especially ifdebate is closed immediately afterwards.
This would shutdown even more discussion on ‘no-brainers.’

Debate closes.

Motion fails.

Meetingadjourns.

2/3

2012-02-02T20:03:00.000-05:00

Agenda: 2/3/2012

Approval of Minutes
Reports
Test Returns Motion
Test Preparation Motion
Robert's Rules Modification Motion
Notes & New Business

“Change is not a destination, just as hope is not a strategy.” ~Rudy Giuliani

CouncilMinutes 1/27/2012

1. Reports

[Mod]: I’d like to welcome Officer Fleury, our newestcommunity member.

Motion: I move to approve Chief Robinson as a community member.

Motionpasses.

[Sec]: No alternates can vote today.
[Admin]: We’re not bringing the Test Returns Motion today. Wesent out a survey to the staff, and the science department did not think it wasCouncil’s place to be doing this. They say it infringes on their intellectualproperty. Many teachers gave positive feedback, but there was a lot ofhostility towards Council in general. We will be bringing something else backnext week.
[Curric]: We’ve incorporated Council’s changes into the Codeof Conduct, still getting feedback on that.
[OEC]: We’re working on a new way to start the Councilelection process – maybe a presentation with a video or something like that.
[SA]: We’re firming up the roster for Winter Carnival. Pleasesign people up to participate.
[SL]: We’re awaiting survey results from freshmen parentsabout open campus. We’re also collecting data about how often freshmen utilizethe cafeteria.
[Jacob]: Environmental Club/Outing Club is hosting a concerttonight.

2. Test Returns Motion

Coming next week.

3. Robert’s Rules Modification Motion

Rachel is not here today. Again, this will come back nextweek.

4. Honor Code Restitution Amendment

[Dmitry]: Actually I would just like this to be a discussion.Starting with the Code of Conduct, I’ve been thinking about and discussing thisidea of restitution and how it would fit in at HHS. Restitution looks at thebasic need behind the problem and focuses on solutions. The most our school can do is to createconditions for self-evaluation. This concept would send out a message saying“we're not always perfect.” It asks students to think about their actions and theconsequences of such. My future motion would give the opportunity forrestitution to all students. Students would be asked to agree to the “socialcontract,” essentially the honor code. This acknowledges the reasons behind theinappropriate behavior, and if passed, this would include a reflection sheetwith important questions for the students to think about and answer.Restorative efforts show excellent academic and behavioral improvements.
Clarifying Questions:

o Would this be on top of any disciplinary policies already inplace? Have you talked with Mr. Seibel or Mr. Smith about this?

§ Our school would determine so called ‘bottom line’ incidentsand work from there. I have not talked with them yet, that would happenafterwards.

o Do students suggest their own punishments?

§ Students would decide what they need to do, but at the sametime understand the needs of the administration. This is centered on theindividual, not the administration.

o This is just a chance for the student to be involved in thediscussion about what they need to do to make things right?

§ Yes.

o Does self-reporting make the handbook null and void?

§ The student mayreceive a lesser consequence, it would be up to the administration.

o Is this optional for the student?

§ Yes.

o What if the student think he’s done nothing wrong.

§ Again, students may opt in, so it’s their choice.

o So students are able to self report their actions, andhopefully get a lesser consequence?

§ Yes.

o Would this require use to rework the Code of Conduct and thehandbook, or would this fit in?

§ We would have to figure this out later – we might have to lookat our handbook ad decide bottom line consequences.

o Does the school have the responsibility to report theseincidents to the police? Is this legal?

§ The school is not mandated to suspend the student. Through theMemorandum of Understanding, so it would depend, but there are many cases whenwe don’t have the responsibility to report the incident to the police.

o Some Code of Conduct consequences would not apply?

§ In some circumstances, yes.

Meetingadjourns.

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

Test ReturnsMotion:I move to require teachers to give back tests to students and let students keepthem after they’ve been taken.

TestPreparation Motion: I move that students' graded tests and quizzes be madeavailable as study tools for cumulative tests and final exams. The assessmentsmay either be returned to the student permanently or made available during adedicated x-period preceding each cumulative assessment. Additional reviews ofgraded tests may be arranged as necessary between teachers and their students.

1/27

2012-01-25T07:44:00.000-05:00

Agenda: 1/27/2012

Approval of Minutes
Reports
Test Returns Motion
Robert's Rules Modification Motion
Honor Code Restitution Amendment
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

2012-01-11T08:28:00.000-05:00

Agenda: 1/13/2012

Approval of Minutes

Reports

School Start Time Motion

Mission Statement Discussion

Test Returns Motion

Robert's Rules Modification Motion

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

CouncilMinutes 1/6/2012

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

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

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

· [Sec]: Senior alternate can vote.

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

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

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

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

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

o We will address this next week.

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

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

· [Henry]: I am happy to be back at HHS and I would like toencourage 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, administrationand the Dresden School Board with reviewing the implementation of a delayedstart time of school due to the overwhelming health, academic social and benefitson both students and teachers.

o [Ethan]: Teenagers have different sleep cycles, they tend togo to sleep and wake up later. It’s been shown that a delayed start time notonly increases sleep in the morning, sleep is increased on both ends. GPAs andSAT scores tend to increase, while car crash incidents tend to decrease. Mentalhealth increases as, and use of illegal substances tends to decrease as well. Ihave also laid out a plan to work out the bus schedules without affecting theother schools.

· Clarifying Questions:

o Where are these facts coming from?

§ Ms. Stevenson has my bibliography; the facts come reputablesources.

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

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

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

§ 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; thiswould 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 alsoimportant to note that student attitudes improve dramatically as well. Thismotion seems very beneficial.

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

Debatecloses.

Motionpasses.

4. Mt. Greylock Questions

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

and changes, and the Code of Conduct.

Meetingadjourns.

1/6

2012-01-04T07:48:00.000-05:00

Agenda: 1/6/2012

Approval of Minutes
Reports
School Start Time Motion
Mission Statement Motion
Robert's Rules Modification Motion
Notes & New Business

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

CouncilMinutes 12/16/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

3. Open Executive Session Motion

Motion: I move to enter executive session.

Debatecloses.

Motionpasses.

--ContentsConfidential—

4. Close Executive Session Motion

Motion: I move to close executive session.

Debatecloses.

Motionpasses.

Meetingadjourns.

12/16

2011-12-14T18:36:00.000-05:00

Agenda 12/16/2011

Approval of Minutes
Reports
Open Executive Session Motion
Close Executive Session Motion
Robert's Rules Modification Motion
Notes & New Business

“If you think Council is stupid…you’rewrong.” ~Carl Tischbein

CouncilMinutes 12/9/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

· [Mod]: Mt. Greylock students are now visiting January 6^th.Admin should be working on organizing the Martin Luther King assembly.

· [DSB]: DSB Meeting on Tuesday the 6^thof this month.

· [PR]: A Council update in the Broadside is forthcoming.

· [Admin]: We’re still researching the test returns motion.

· [Curric]: The CCCC will be coming to the DSB this Tuesday,we’ll be looking at it today.

· [SA]: We’ll be discussing Winter Carnival next week, pleasebring suggestions for activities!

· [SL]: We are looking through some historical documents to evaluateopen campus, we will also be doing more research. Food vending machines will becoming soon.

3. CCCC

· Motion: I move that Council endorse the DEC-approved Co-CurricularCode of Conduct.

o [Melanie]: The creation of this document has been a longprocess, with the original goal being to create equal guidelines betweenextra-curricular activities. This is also supposed to promote truth-telling.

· Significant Changes & Questions:

o The Dean ofStudents may rely on the filing of police charges to make decisions.

§ We’re not going crazy here, this is just because it can take awhile for the legal formalities to go through – we want to be able to makedecisions in a speedier manner. But we’re not going to take advantage of this. Also schools operate under lower legalstandards then the rest of the world.

o The administration may assign a stricter punishment based onsevere misconduct.

o if there is no offense within 18 months, the violation may beconsidered a first offense.

o Punishments may include removal from 20% of TOTAL publicperformances.

§ How do we know number of games in finals/end-of-season games?How will this be calculated?

o Student leadership positions can be restored by the Dean ofStudents.

o Students will be punished for accepting transportation otherthan school-provided transportation without proper permission.

o Council is currently considered an activity under the code.

§ Is Council a co-curricular activity? Should it be subject tothe jurisdiction of the code?

Meetingadjourns.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CouncilMinutes 12/12/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. CCCC

· Motion: I move to amend the motion so that the document title would bethe “Code of Conduct” and the following paragraph would be added to the firstsection of the code:

The Council is“the governance body at Hanover High School, representative of the students andstaff” and Council members are therefore subject to the Council Bylaws inaddition to these guidelines; the Council Executive, the Council ExecutiveCommittee, and the Organizational Engineering Committee (OEC), in concert withthe Dean of Students develops and enforces the standards and penalties applicableto the “The Council.”

o [Melanie]: This amendment make it such that Council is nolonger considered a co-curricular activity. It would also ensure that Councilmembers would be subject to the minimum guidelines of the code, but Councilwould still have the power to do follow up with its own decision-makingprocess.

· Clarifying Questions:

o This would just state the Code is the baseline for punishment,correct? And our Council process is an additive to the code?

§ Yes.

o Based on what we discussed two weeks ago, what defines Councilleadership?

§ The code will state that only the Council executives andcommittee chairs are consideredleadership.

· Discussion:

o This will really clarify the code for the board, it’s goodprogress. It will also give the board a opportunity to look over the Councilbylaws recently.

o The changes are good in general, except the name might be alittle confusing as to who it applies.

o This amendment is redundant, clubs and activities are alreadygiven the opportunity to enforce their own consequences.

o This is great because Council can still make its own decisionsfreely.

o What would the order be? Would the code’s punishments comefirst? Or would Council’s?

§ It would be great for everyone to meet first, but the Code’s punishmentswould happen first.

o Although not the best, this version is the best we have right now.

Debatecloses.

Motion(amendment) passes.

Debatecloses.

Motionpasses.

Meetingadjourns.

12/9

2011-12-08T21:57:00.001-05:00

Agenda: 12/9/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

3. CCCC

4. Robert’s RulesModification Motion

5. Notes & NewBusiness

“There is nothing so powerful as thetruth, and often nothing so strange.” ~DanielWebster

CouncilMinutes 12/2/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

· [A-Mod]: Mt. Greylock students will be visiting us a week fromtoday (later changed) and they are looking at HHS and our democratic school. Weare looking for shadowees to host them when they come.

· [DSB]: We talked about the principle search committee, as wellas school climate and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey.

· [Sec]: No alternates can vote.

· [SA]: Flannel dress up day later this month.

· [SL]: Looking at the freshmen off campus motion.

· [Curric]: CCCC coming next week, we’ll be discussingleadership today.

· [Dmitry]: Talent show tonight, benefits MI Scholarship Fund.

3. Search Committee Rep Selection

· Principle Search Committee Student Reps:

o Rowan Dunfey & Krista Brown.

4. Council Leadership Discussion

· We need to discuss whether all Council members are consideredleadership or if only leadership is considered leaders. We should figure outhow these roles play into the CCCC. Right now, OEC deals with this.

· Admin: We don’t really like either option, but if we had tochoose one, we would say only Council leadership should be consideredleadership. We really don’t think judging Council members on the same criterionas athletic teams is right, we are a governmental body and should have adifferent set of rules.

· OEC: Only Council leadership should be considered leadership.The code would take care of the removalof a Council Officer, but then OEC could manage disciplinary actions forCouncil members (including leadership that had already been demoted by the code).

· Student Activities: We think OEC should be controlling this,but only Council leadership should be considered leadership.

· Student Life: We thought in the same ways as the othercommittees, Council leadership should be considered leadership.

Meetingadjourns.

12/2

2011-11-26T11:59:00.001-05:00

Agenda: 12/2/2011

Approval of Minutes
Reports
Search Committee Rep Selection
Council Leadership Discussion
Robert's Rules Modification Motion
Notes & New Business

“Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tiredof doing the hard work you already did.” ~Newt Gingrich

CouncilMinutes 12/2/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

· [Mod]: Thanks for being on time today! We are thinking aboutmoving back to the auditorium until we find a better meeting time/place. Also,we will be forming a hiring committee and we will be needing two studentrepresentatives.

· [A-Mod]: Please keep side conversations to a minimum.

· [Sec]: The sound clip of last meting’s ethics discussion is onthe website. Senior, junior and freshmen alternates may vote.

· [DSB]: DSB meeting next Tuesday.

· [Curric]: We are reviewing the revised CCCC in conjunctionwith the DEC.

· [SA]: Quidditch will be on the 29^th. Make sure youdress up.

· [SL]: Food vending machines should be up and running after Thanksgivingbreak. We’ve also come up with a tentative plan to get freshmen more involvedin school activities.

· [COI]: COI has spoken in opposition to the CG switchinitiative. We also discussed future enrollment projection numbers, they were alittle lower than expected.

3. Freshmen Off Campus Motion

· Discussion (on the amendment to broaden the motion to all ofoff-campus):

Debatecloses.

Motion(amendment) passes.

· Discussion (on the amended motion):

o Would the administration veto this motion if it was passed?

§ Yes.

o We shouldn’t let the administrations’ opinions impact our owndecisions: there is a veto override policy in place if needed.

o Remember that expanding open campus could risk it foreveryone, since there are many opponents of the policy as it stands.

o This motion could work because parents still have the ultimateauthority, they do not have to sign their students’ permission forms.

· Motion: I move to refer this motion to Student Life.

o [Rachel]: We need more info, feedback and time.

· Clarifying Questions:

o Wasn’t this brought last meeting?

§ Yes, it was.

· Discussion:

o There were extensive studies done in the past showingcommunity support for off campus that should be considered.

o Being a Student Life rep, I think we definitely need todiscuss more in committee.

Debatecloses.

Motion(referral) passes.

4. Notes & New Business

· [Catherine]: We were discussing resisting arrest in Healthclass, and my CG/Health class wanted some clarification on school policy. Ifyou were at a party, but we not violating the law, could you be subjected toschool punishments?

o No. You will not be punished for simply being at a partyunless you have participated in illegal activity.

· [Ethan]: Let’s discuss changing the start time of school to8:30 or 9:00. There have been many studies showing the positive effects ofschool starting later.

o This is unnecessary. Students just need to learn to managetheir time better. Think about the summer time: it will be very hot outside,and in the winter, we will still being going to school when it’s dark outside.

o This idea would coincide nicely with a lot of studies done onteen health.

o It might be a good idea to refer this to committee.

o Ethan had a very good presentation for our Civitas class, heshould make that presentation for Council – it’s good info.

Discussioncloses.

· Motion: I move to allocate$200 to the Alternative Energy Club.

o [Ben Stallman]: Student Activities has reviewed this moneyallocation and has brought it back with a reduced, yet still significant,amount of money. We have met with them and they have agreed to do somefundraising. We think this is a really great cause.

· Clarifying Questions:

o How much money do we have in the co-curricular fund?

§ Around $950.

o What would the money be used for?

§ The AEC presented a plan on 9/23 which outlined theirspending.

· Discussion:

o None.

Debatecloses.

Motionpasses.

· Motion: I move to amend Robert’s Rules so that a Council member mayspeak and then close debate immediately following his/her comment.

o [Rachel]: I think it would make more sense if Council members areable to explain why they would like to close debate.

· Point ofInformation: This would have to be a bylaw revision, since there is aclause concerning this in part XI of the Bylaws. This would count as a Bylawnotification and this motion would have to come back next week.

· Motion: I move that we change the consequence from the loss of opencampus privileges to a four week schedule up for failing to meet the academicrequirements.

o The current consequence for failing two classes is the loss ofopen campus privileges the following semester. Because this is difficult toenforce, this motion would make more sense.

· Discussion:

o This motion sounds great and meets the original intent, butmakes it stronger.

Debatecloses.

Motionpasses.

Meetingadjourns.

11/18

2011-11-09T07:33:00.001-05:00

Agenda: 11/18/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

3. Freshmen OffCampus Motion

4. Notes & NewBusiness

“Keep smiling – it makes people wonderwhat you’re up to.” ~Author Unknown

CouncilMinutes 11/4/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

· [Mod]: Welcome to Abidjan Walker, former Council member, andto Professor Donovan, who will be discussing ethics with us later.

· [PR]: The 2012 Presidential Election is one year away, soplease be cognizant.

· [Treas]: We received a thank you note from the EnvironmentalClub.

· [SA]: Quidditch on Tuesday.

· [SL]: Looking at food vending machines and getting freshmeninvolved in activities.

· [Curric]: Going over some of the CCCC changes recommended bythe DEC.

· [COI]: I’ve published a memorandum about yesterday’s vote onthe 1:1 tech initiative. Yesterday, COI voted to pursue the initiative,hopefully to have it ready by the 2013-2014 school year. I opposed theinitiative based on input from the Council and the student body. Forinformation, please contact me (Dmitry).

3. Freshmen Off Campus Motion

Motion:I move to table this motion until afteragenda item #4 (Ethics Discussion).

Debatecloses.

Motionpasses.

4. Ethics Discussion With Aina Donovan

· Ethics stuff.

· See Carl or the website for more details.

Meetingadjourns.

11/4

2011-11-04T20:13:00.002-04:00

Agenda: 11/4/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

3. Freshmen OffCampus Motion

4. EthicsDiscussion With Aina Donovan

5. Notes & NewBusiness

“A person without a sense of humor islike a wagon without

springs – jolted by every pebble in theroad.” ~Henry Ward Beecher

CouncilMinutes 10/28/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

· [Mod]: Hopefully second semester we will be moving Council toMonday, 7^th period, but this is still in the works. Next Friday wewill be able to talk with an ethics professor from Dartmouth, Aina Donovan. Asa result, we will be meeting in the auditorium next Friday. Please get yourlunch before Council. Staff, please join into the crowd! Also, remember thatCouncil members need to make sure that recycling gets done in their CommonGrounds.

· [A-Mod]: I’ve sat in on Admin and OEC meetings so far, withmore to come. Again, we’re still looking at how and where Council meets eachweek.

· [DSB]: Remember that Council members should be attending atleast one board meeting! Last week we discussed class sizes and reviewed theDresden Athletic Funding Committee findings about proportions. We also approvedthe MI options for this year. I also informed them of the letter on the opinionboard letter.

· [PR]: Definitely check out the MI options before next week!Also be sure you’re communicating effectively with your Common Grounds. A newBroadside issue is out today, and we’re looking for feedback on the Councilbulletin board.

· [Sec]: Junioralternate may vote. There’s also an article coming from Ms. Addante aboutdemocracy and the HHS Council. Please pick up a copy!

· [Curric]: We’re looking at the CCCC since it’s back from legalcounsel. We’re also talking about what defines leadership at Council.

· [OEC]: All of our new reps are here, we’re also reviewing thebylaws now.

· [SA]: Please sign up for quidditch! Monday is Halloweendress-up day.

· [SL]: We’re looking at both Common Ground and food vending machines.

· [COI]: We’ve passed a budget for the new school year. We’ll bevoting on whether or not to pursue the 1:1 initiative this Thursday, so please give me feedback!

3. Dance Guidelines Motion

· Clarifying Questions

o How does theDean makes decisions about who will be admitted?

§ His best judgment.

· Discussion

o This wouldensure a reasonable conversation with the Dean of Students before the danceactually takes place.

o Giving theadministration more power in this case is a good thing.

Debatecloses.

Motionpasses.

4. Notes & New Business

· Let’s talk a little about 1:1 technology.

o We have otherproblems around the school that should be fixed first.

o I don’t thinkthe majority of students are in favor of this.

· Motion: I move that freshmen be allowed to go to the Co-op secondsemester.

o [WalterMosenthal]: It seems unfair that upperclassmen can go off campus but freshmencan’t. I also think that freshmen should have the same freedom as the otherclasses.

· Discussion

o Besidesfreshman rights, I’d like to see more reasons for this motion.

o Upperclassmenneed to consider what they would have wanted as a freshman.

o We discuss thismotion every year, and we hardly make much progress. There haven’t been anyreasons for not letting freshmen go off campus.

o This would behard to enforce for just the Co-op, so we grant general off campus privilegesto freshmen instead.

· Motion: I move to refer this motion to student life.

o [Rachel]: More,deeper research is needed.

· Clarifying Questions

o What newinformation are you hoping to obtain?

§ More feedback from parents and middle school advisors.

o What do middleschool teachers have to do with this?

§ These teachers could tell if students are ready forprivileges.

· Discussion

o Thoroughresearch would be great, brining this to committee would bring it further.

o This is a gooddiscussion to have right now in Council. If this went to SL now, we wouldn’tknow what this body thinks anyways.

o Researchwouldn’t be necessary.

Debatecloses.

Motion(to refer to SL) fails.

o We haven’tpassed this in the past to help with the transition to high school, keepingthem in school the first year would be beneficial. Any change could risk opencampus privileges for everyone.

o This motionwould give unfair business to the Co-op. Open campus in general for freshmenwould be a better solution since we can’t track the freshmen.

· Motion: I move to amend this motion to allow freshmen off campussecond semester.

o [Ethan]: All high school students should haveequal rights.

o This makes themotion more clean and efficient, more research would be good.

o This would takeaway a lot of business from the cafeteria, which could cause problems for otherstudents as well.

o A thank you toWalter for having the courage to bring this motion!

Meetingadjourns.

10/28

2011-10-27T17:25:00.004-04:00

Agenda: 10/28/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

3. DanceGuidelines Motion

4. Notes & NewBusiness

“Political courage is not politicalsuicide.” ~Arnold Schwarzenegger

CouncilMinutes 10/21/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

· [Mod]: We really need to work on attendance! Be here on time.Also, let’s calm down about the CCCC, everything is being taken care of.

· [Sec]: Senior,sophomore and freshmen alternates may vote.

· [Exec]: Robert’s Rules are used to make meetings go smoother,not as weapons.

· [SL]: We’retalking about CG Switch, getting more information from CGSC, etc.

· [SA]: We are planning quidditch, sign-ups begin on October 31^st.

· [OEC]: Our new Council members are Ethan Gorman, Lazlo Bardos,and Susanna Penfield. We’ve also set the freshmen CC free, they’re looking forstaff advisors.

· [Curric]: We’re taking another look at the CCCC, working withothers.

3. Test Returns Motion

· Discussion:

o Over the past few years, we’ve been hesitant to pass biggermotions. Don’t be afraid of what’s going to happen in the administration,either pass/fail a motion based on its ideas and its impact on your constituents.

· Motion: I move to amend the original motion to read: “I move that allgraded tests and quizzes be kept in a locked file cabinet in the correspondingresource centers where students may sign them out and review them in theresource center.”

o [B]: I think this would please both sides because it wouldprovide access to students’ tests and it would also provide test security.

Motionoverruled by moderator, not in the spirit of the original motion.

o I know many kids that would like to see their tests and be ableto keep them permanently, it’s frustrating from a student’s point of view. Butwe also do have to keep test security in mind. I don’t see why science teacherscan’t modify their tests like other teachers do.

o Teachers shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to test theirstudents.

o It’s a teacher’s right to do as they wish with their tests.

o It would not be that difficult for teachers to modify tests,and it would keep the material more relevant for each class. It can bedetrimental to a student’s education when some teachers will not modify theirtests.

· Motion: I move to amend this motion to include a written agreementsigned by the student, his/her guardian and the teacher, stating that “thistest is private material and may be used only by the student for the purposesof studying, review and other pre-approved academic actions.”

o [James Harvard]: This keeps the original intent of the motion,to let students study from their tests, yet adds a layer of responsibility.

· Clarifying questions

o Would any violation of this be a violation of the academichonor code?

§ Yes.

· Discussion

o This isn’t even necessary.

o I think the whole thing should just be referred to Curric. Ithink it’s offensive to say that teachers are lazy, and students DO cheat.

o Students have already agreed to this with the academicintegrity policy, so this could help enforce it, but this change might beunnecessary.

o Even when teachers say tests are available, they’re reallynot. Many students can’t study during the school day.

o Nobody said teachers were lazy. Students are here to learn. Ina work setting, it’s acceptable to take shortcuts to make your job easier, butnot if it affects a student’s education. However, the amendment adds morestudent responsibility to the mix.

o Compromise is really important here, this would be a goodsolution.

· Motion: I move to refer this motion (including theamendment) to the Curriculum committee.

o [Gabe]: This is obviously an important issue, I think committeescould work this out better.

· Discussion:

o I agree with this referral, but I think Admin may be a bettercommittee since Curric is so busy lately.

· Motion: To move to amend the amendment to refer thismotion to the Admin committee

Debate(on amendment to amendment) closes.

Motion(to amend amendment passes) passes.

Debate(on modified referral) closes.

Motion(to refer to Admin) passes.

4. Notes & New Business

· [Ms. Addante]: Just FYI, there is a Dresden Athletic FundingUpdate Review Committee which is actually looking at many of the same issuesCouncil talked about a few weeks ago.

· Motion: I move tochange the handbook policy concerning dances to read “HHS Students may bringguests to HHS dances. Guests will be required to show a high school ID and maybe required to give their name, address and telephone numbers to the adult atthe ticket table. All other guests must get prior permission from the dean ofstudents.

o [Ms. Stevenson]: We’ve had problems with HHS alumni and othercollege guests trying to gain entry the night of the dance. Some priornotification may be beneficial.

Meetingadjourns.

10/21

2011-10-20T18:49:00.004-04:00

Agenda: 10/21/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

3. Test ReturnsMotion

4. Notes & NewBusiness

“A problem well stated is a problem halfsolved.” ~Charles F. Kettering

CouncilMinutes 10/7/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

· [Mod]: We’re still looking for suggestions concerning meetinglocations/setup.

· [A-Mod]: Feel free to come to Exec on Wednesdays to presentany agenda items.

· [DSB]: There will be a interview about NEASC on CATV.

· [Sec]: Junior& sophomore alternates may vote.

· [SL]: Feedbackon food vending machines would be helpful.

· [SA]: Possible money allocation next week.

· [OEC]: New/tuition members will be joining us next week.

· [COI]: Approved school-wide goals, we also reviewed MIoptions.

· [Exec]: We had some good CG discussion last week, we can getthrough some confusion with Robert’s Rules etc. It’s also great to have variedviewpoints.

3. Extended Study Hours Discussion

· [Jennie]: ESH is new this year. It provides a place for HWafter school, but let’s talk about ways to get the word out.

· How late is ESH open?

o Until 4:00.

· Why does it exist?

o In the past, parents have wondered about a program like this,where there is supervision and assistance for students’ homework.

· Can students be required to attend?

o It would be good to see teachers require/encourage the use ofthis program, but we don’t want it to become a detention.

· We should definitely look into holding this in a betterlocation. Combining the library and ESH programs might be a good idea.

· The library would be effective, maybe with a few morecomputers.

4. Robert’s Rules Customization Motion

· [Rachel]: This is actually a bylaw notification for a bylawrevision coming next week, but here is a general idea of what will be coming:

o Striking only speaking once during a debate/discussion

o Remove the ability to call order of the day

o Remove the ability to call an informal poll

o Add the ability to have a 15 second authorship speech forclosing debate.

5. Athletic Function Motion

· Motion: I move to form an ad-hoc committee toreassess the athletic activity fee to free up funds and to ensure greater efficiencyin the allocation of funds process.

o [Ethan]: Whether or not you agree with my ideas, this wouldsimply create a committee to gather more information.

· Clarifying questions:

o Will this be coming back to Council afterwards?

§ Yes

o How will members be chosen? Have you talked to Mr. Jacksonyet?

§ Volunteer basis. We have not yet talked about working withother existing committees.

o Have you consulted with the athletic advisory committee?

§ Not yet. They have a lot of things on their plate right now.

· [Mod]: Proposal rejected. Right now, we will wait until theAAC has met to form this committee.

· Motion: I move to reconsider the moderator’sdecision.

o [Carl]: Right now, we’re just forming a committee. This wouldbe harmless to approve now.

· Clarifying questions:

o So this issue would have to wait two months until AAC?

§ Yes, this would be postponed until the AAC has met.

· Discussion:

o It would be advantageous to create this ad-hoc committee now.

o This isn’t that urgent, we could take our time with this.

o This is not that big of a deal: just because it’s an ad hoccommittee doesn’t mean they can’t communicate with the AAC.

o If we already have an AAC, this committee would be redundant.

· Question of Privilege: Stop talking! It’s distracting

Debate(on appeal) closes.

Motion(to appeal) fails.

Motion(to form ad hoc committee) overruled by moderator.

6. 1:1 Technology Discussion

· Ms. Murray will bring this next week.

7. Notes & New Business

· Motion: I move torequire teachers to give back tests to students and let students keep themafter they’ve been taken.

o [Carl]: Several teachers give back test for a few minutes,then take it away and lock it up in a file cabinet. This makes studyinginconvenient, especially if students have to find time before and after schoolon short notice. The purpose of school is to let students learn, not to maketeachers jobs easier. Let students see their own mistakes!

· Clarifying questions:

o Would this apply to midterms or finals?

§ No.

· Discussion:

o This motion seems very logical, maybe a contract showingstudents’ responsibility of their own tests would be beneficial as well.

o This is not an issue that can be resolved individually, we nota larger policies. Teachers can modify their tests if they want to protectacademic integrity. The fear of cheating is getting in the way of learning.

o Test security is notisolated to HHS, only small parts of the NECAPS are released each year. It iscommon practice in education for teachers to reuse tests. This implies that teachers are lazy.

o The issue here is test security, sometimes changing tests isdifficult.

Meetingadjourns.

10/7

2011-10-07T18:23:00.003-04:00

Agenda: 10/7/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

3. Extended StudyHours Discussion

4. Robert’s RulesCustomization Motion

5. AthleticFunding Motion

6. 1:1 TechnologyDiscussion

7. Notes & NewBusiness

“I have notfailed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” ~Thomas Edison

CouncilMinutes 9/30/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

· [Mod]: Just FYI, although the executive officer can advise themoderator on whether or not an amendment is within the spirit of the motion,it’s ultimately up to the moderator. I have decided that Rachel’s amendment tothe CG motion is not within the spirit of James’ original motion.

· [Treas]: Composting training next Friday during ActivityPeriod.

· [Sec]: Junior alternate may vote.

· [DSB]: We looked at child restraint guidelines and goals forthe coming year. I spoke out against a 1:1 technology suggestion.

· [Curric]: Discussed survey with Mr. Bill/NEASC committees.

· [SA]: Pep rally went very well, now we’re working on Quidditch.

· [SL]: Wednesday Schedule Motion will work out with the buses,we’re also working on food vending machines.

3. Common Ground Switch Motion

· Motion: I move to refer the Common Ground SwitchMotion to Student Life.

o [Jennie]: Weshouldn’t be deciding this in Council while COI is evaluating Common Ground. Wecan have SL representatives working with others to work this out a littlebetter first.

· Clarifying Questions:

o What will SL bedoing with us that we can’t do?

§ We can have more people involved, SL would link everythingtogether as they gather more information.

o What happenedto the survey?

§ It was an informal poll and we don’t have the results yetanyways.

· Discussion:

o Let’s not worryabout this getting lost in committee, committees can be timely and productive.

o It generallytakes over two weeks to get an answer from a committee, nothing that we can’tdo ourselves right now. Let’s strike this down and just either pass or fail theoriginal motion.

o There arealready two committees working on this, SL could make this too complicated.

o COI will not beproviding an answer! It was only a year-long goal to look at this issue.

· Motion: I move to postpone the CG Switch Motion until we have had timeto gather and analyze results from COI.

o [Ethan]: Thiswould give us time to get more information from COI.

· Clarifying Questions:

o Would thispostpone the entire discussion?

§ Yes, until after we get results from COI.

· Discussion:

o This was the mainidea of the referral, but this would work better.

o This will takelonger than the original referral. This would not be one of COI’s priorities,so let’s let SL handle this instead.

o This is a bigissue, COI should take as much time as they’d like to figure this out.

o We should notpostpone or refer this, let’s vote on the original motion.

o Again, therewill NOT be any definitive results coming from COI!

o Our minds aremade up, let’s just vote on this!

o Many times weare frustrated with the US Government because they get nothing done, but thesystem is designed that way! Let’s take our time.

Debate closes.

Motion (to postpone) fails.

· Back tooriginal motion to refer the CG Switch Motion to Student Life.

Debatecloses.

Motion(to refer) passes.

4. Wednesday Schedule Motion

· Motion: I move to shift the start of 5^thperiod on Wednesdays five minutes, therefore ending the school day at 2:00.

o [Dan G]: Thismotion is coming back to Council from Student Life. We looked at the issue andgot the OK from the bus companies, so we should be all set to go with this.

Debatecloses.

Motionpasses.

Meetingadjourns.

9/30

2011-09-30T12:46:00.004-04:00

Agenda: 9/30/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

3. Common GroundSwitch Motion

4. WednesdaySchedule Motion

5. Violent ImagesMotion

6. Extended StudyHours Discussion

7. Notes & NewBusiness

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

CouncilMinutes 9/23/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

· [Mod]: Welcome freshmen! Reminder that 9^th graderscannot vote. Also, a big welcome to Jim Mitchell, former Council moderator.

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

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

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 torefer 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.

Debatecloses.

Motionpasses.

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

· [PR]: The first edition of the Broadside is coming out, so youcan 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 nextSaturday.

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

· [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 freshmenclass committee.

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

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

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

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

3. Common Ground Switch Motion

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

o [James W]: Common Ground currently gives 2 whole CG periods toget 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 highschool. Just because you switch CGs, it does not mean that you cannot befriends with your old friends. Sometimesthe 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 thenice/comforting atmosphere of CG.

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

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 betterreal-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 thesame 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 amendthe Common Ground Switch Motion so that Common Grounds would be switched everytwo years.

o [Rachel]: This provides the balance we are looking for: it canbe 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 upbeing 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 originallyintended.

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

Meetingadjourns.

9/23

2011-09-22T21:34:00.003-04:00

Agenda: 9/23/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

3. Common GroundSwitch Motion

4. Violent ImagesMotion

5. Extended StudyHours Discussion

6. Notes & NewBusiness

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

CouncilMinutes 9/16/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

· [Mod]: Please get here on time (or early)! We’re in theauditorium 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 curriculumsurvey.

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

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

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

3. Footlighters Motion

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

4. Notes & New Business

· Discussion: 100-pointGPA system.

o [Rachel]: Thisfailed last year, but this still has benefits – it is much more accurate anddeserves a second look.

o There’s alreadyso much inherent accuracy in teacher’s grading, the 4-point GPA represents thisbetter.

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

o This wouldcause more grade-grubbing.

o The currentsystem is more universal, used by colleges.

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

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

o This couldencourage cheating.

Orderof the day.

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

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

o Is thisfeasible from an administrative point of view?

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

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

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

· Motion: I move to referthe Wednesday Schedule Motion to Student Life.

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

o We could justpass this now.

Debatecloses.

Referralpasses.

· What is the status of the Google Doc with information aboutmotions?

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

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

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

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

o It’s not necessarilyright, but times have changed.

o We, as aCouncil, passed the dance guidelines. Therefore we need to enforce andencourage them.

o Schoolsponsored events should not encourage this inappropriateness.

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

Meetingadjourns.

9/16

2011-09-15T20:59:00.001-04:00

Agenda: 9/16/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

3. FootlightersMotion

4. Notes & NewBusiness

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

CouncilMinutes 9/9/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

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

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

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

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

· [Sec]: Senior alternate can vote. Let me know if you’re notgetting emails or you’re going to be absent. Please check the Council websitefor errors.

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

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

· [COI]: Discussed teacher evaluations.

3. Ad hoc Committees

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

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

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

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

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

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

· WellnessCommittee: Claudia Noonan, Hannah Nice.

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

· Drug UseCommittee: Mike Dinulos, James Washington, Claudia Noonan, KatherineBradley, Ms. Addante

· EnvironmentalImpact 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 andexciting.

o Consistency would be good.

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

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

· Discussion

o Who has jurisdiction?

§ Both Council and CG Steering Committee.

Debatecloses.

Motionpasses.

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

o [Carl]: I’d recommend referring this to committee, but that’sfor 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.

Debatecloses.

Motionpasses.

· Motion: I move to createand 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.

Debatecloses.

Motionpasses.

Meetingadjourns.

9/9

2011-09-08T07:51:00.001-04:00

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

2011-09-03T20:03:00.003-04:00

Agenda: 9/2/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

3. CompostingMotion

4. J-Comm & CCRep. Selections

5. Committees

6. Notes & NewBusiness

“Failure isnot an option. Everyone has to succeed.” ~ArnoldSchwarzenegger

CouncilMinutes 6/10/2011

1. Money Allocation

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

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

· Is this too much money to give away?

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

Debatecloses.

Motionpasses.

CouncilRetreat: Meeting Summary 8/29/2011

1. Jim Mitchell Speaks To Council

· Has served a lot on Council, School Board. Actively involvedin 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 thefounding of the Hanover High School Council in 1974.

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

· Issues when Jim was at Hanover High School:

o Should smokingbe 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 awedgie.

o Should condommachines be made available on campus?

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

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

2. Informal Discussion On Composting

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

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

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

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

Debatecloses.

3. Choosing Committee Chairs

· Delayed until official meeting, not enough members present.

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

Meetingadjourns.

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

Composting Motion:

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

6/10

2011-06-24T13:36:00.001-04:00

Agenda: 6/10/2011

1.          Approval of Minutes
2.         Reports
3.          Graduation Colors Motion
4.         Committee Sessions
5.         Notes & New Business

It’s time to raise the bar higher, or lower if you’re doing the limbo.” ~Tre Cool

Council Minutes 6/3/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

· [Mod]: Please put your chairs away.

· [A-Mod]: Short meeting next week, please get here on time!

· [Treasurer]: We have some money allocations coming up.

· [DSB]: Discussed goals for the coming year.

· [PR]: Talk to your Common Grounds and classmates about what’s happening in Council. Keep them informed!

· [Exec]: Welcome alumni!

· [Sec]: No alternates may vote. New members, let me know if you’ll be absent. If you haven’t gotten emails, let me know! Also, we have a new website, so check it out. URL is on the minutes.

· [DSB]: Discussed new leadership, reviewed draft goals for the coming year, reviewed athletic committee recommendations, and reviewed enrichment grants.

· [Curric]: CCCC is on staff agenda for next Wednesday.

· [SA]: Preparing for yearbook dedication/class day activities.

· [SL]: No response about food vending machines, still working on it.

· [Suicide Awareness]: New student bulletin “HHS Herald”. It’s posted around the school.

· [Scott]: Next Friday is the Council picnic. 5:00 at Huntley Meadows.

· [COI]: Will be talking about 2-day review motion. Discussions about potential monetary opportunities.

3. Bylaw Revision: PR Position Adjustment

· Motion: I move to strike sub-point H from the PR Person’s responsibilities as outlined in the Council bylaws.

o [Gabe]: HHS Life and Times blog no longer operates, this would keep the bylaws up-to-date.

Debate Closes.

Motion Passes.

4. Bylaw Revision: Leadership Requirements.

· Motion: I move to modify Article 5, Officers, to require each officer have at least one year of experience on Council and to require the moderator to have at least two years of Council experience.

o [Scout]: Leadership should have Council experience, because experience is key in fully understanding how Council runs. The Moderator must preside over meetings and would have a much grander knowledge of Council with two years of experience.

· Discussion

o Excludes people, discourages. Gives the wrong message.

o Plenty of people who are mature, would be good leaders without the would-be-required experience.

o Experience doesn’t guarantee good leadership/work ethic.

o Limits others, prevent new perspectives.

o Already have a discerning body, made good decisions in the past.

o There’s a lot more to understand under the surface, experience would be beneficial.

o Members are elected to lead, plenty of opportunity to lead in meetings.

o This would make it too exclusive.

o Leadership is the ‘public face’ of Council

Debate Closes.

Motion Fails.

5. March Intensive Motion

· Motion: I move that March Intensive be added as a regular program in the Student Handbook and that it continues as a regular component of the school curriculum, with each student’s participation grade marked on his or her Secondary School Report.

o [Jennie]: Staff recently passed motion with same accountability, this would show student support for MI.

· Questions/clarifications:

o Staff passed motion only with some accountability for participation.

o Just being added to the Student Handbook, NOT Program of Studies.

o Participation would not be factored into GPA.

o Will come back to Council later with final accountability system.

Debate Closes.

Motion Passes.

Meeting Adjourns.

6/3

2011-06-02T19:25:00.000-04:00

Agenda: 6/3/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

3. Bylaw Revision: PR Position Adjustment

4. Bylaw Revision: Leadership Requirements

5. March Intensive Motion

6. Graduation Colors Motion

7. Notes & New Business

“I’m here and I’m ready. They’re not. Bring it.” ~Charlie Sheen (who else?)

Council Minutes 5/27/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

· [Mod]: Looking forward to next year, congrats to everyone who was elected.

· [Sec]: Senior and sophomore alternates may vote.

· [DSB]: Discussed new leadership, reviewed draft goals for the coming year, reviewed athletic committee recommendations, and reviewed enrichment grants.

· [Curric]: CCCC headed to staff, two-day review motion coming back today.

3. Bylaw Notifications

· Strike the responsibility to update the ‘HHS Life and Times’ blog from PR’s duties – ‘HHS Life and Times’ blog no longer exists.

· Change leadership experience requirements to require one year of Council experience for all officers, two years experience for moderator.

4. Committee Selections

5. Two-Day Review Motion

· Motion: I move that any class administering a midterm/final exam be required to provide two days of review.

o People who sign up for harder classes know what they’re signing up for, they should expect less review for material.

o Students should talk to individual teachers.

o Let’s do this before end of the year, we’ll have to clarify with admin.

o Look at the handbook. Was this passed before and lost in revision process?

o Let’s look at what we’re trying to accomplish, base decision on that.

Debate Closes.

Motion Passes.

6. Goal Setting

· More committee work.

· Improved school safety/climate.

· Spreading the word of what Council does. TALK TALK TALK!

· Push the envelope – get it out there! Include non-Council members.

· Include more technology in Council!

· Have food at Council meetings.

· Improve CG announcements

· Introduce ‘Council Fridays’ – talk with other students in history class.

· Don’t worry about jurisdiction issues, just do it!

· Increase community member/parent attendance.

· Worry about making people mad. Don’t increase miscommunication.

· Have Council rep read Council CG announcements.

· Have a Council open house (food?)

· Connect with Class Committee more

· Don’t lose sight of fact that we’re a governing body.

Meeting Adjourns.

Additional info:

• Council website: https://sites.google.com/a/hanovernorwichschools.org/hhs-council/

• Council blog: http://hanoverhighcouncil.blogspot.com/

5/27

2011-05-29T16:46:00.003-04:00

Agenda: 5/27/2011

   1. Approval of Minutes
   2. Reports
   3. Bylaw Notifications (2)
   4. Committee Selections
   5. Two-Day Review Motion
   6. Goal Setting
   7. Notes & New Business

“The road to success is always under construction.” ~Lily Tomlin

Council Minutes 5/20/2011

1. Approval of Minutes

2. Reports

· [Mod]: A big welcome to all! Everyone can vote today.

· [A-Mod]: Please talk right into the mic, so everyone can hear you.

· [DSB]: DSB Meeting on Tuesday, both old and new leadership will be there to give a presentation of what we’ve done this year.

· [PR]: Excited to pass on this position, although I would love to do it again! Good luck to all those running.

· [Admin]: We organized the binder.

· [SL]: Met with Mr. Smith, sent an email to Mr. Brush about food vending machines.

· [Dmitry]: If you’re interested in being on the Suicide Awareness Committee, see me or Mr. Seibel.

3. Leadership Elections

· Moderator: Jacob Kornfeld

· A-Mod: Jennie Frishtick

· Treasurer: Krista Brown

· Secretary: Carl Tischbein

· DSB Rep: Rachel Finlayson

· PR Rep: Gabe Brison-Trezise

Meeting Adjourns.

5/20

2011-05-23T22:46:00.000-04:00

Agenda: 5/20/11
1.    Approve Minutes
2.    Reports
3.    Leadership Elections
4.    Notes & New Business

Council Minutes 5/13/11

“Courage is the power to let go of the familiar.”
                        - Raymond Lindquist

1.    Approval of Minutes
2.    Reports
ο    [Mod]: Welcome 8th graders! We've got a crazy meeting ahead!
ο    [A-Mod]: We're going to table agenda item 3 to ensure we get through the important business of this meeting.
o    Motion: I move to table agenda item number 3 to after item 7.
Debate Closes
Motion Passes
ο
ο    [Secretary]: Senior and Staff alternates can vote.
ο    [Curric]: Talked about the next steps for the CC Code, taking it to Staff on June 8th.

3.    Co-Curricular Code Revisions
ο    Changes
o    1st change: Students should be aware that by participating in any HHS co-curricular activity students are automatically required to adhere to this document.
o    2nd change: The Dean's office will impose all consequences.
ο    Motion: I move to make these changes to the Co-Curricular Code.
Debate Closes
Motion Passes

4.    Tom Hanlon Voting
ο    Final 7 Nominees
o    Bonnie Stebbins
o    Ms. Doyle
o    Rachel Finlayson
o    Scout Wallace
o    Mr. Cochran
o    Katie Williamson
o    Abidjan Walker

5.    Leadership Nominations
ο    Know what your motives are for accepting a nomination
ο    Nominations are closed after this week, but you can always strike your name from any list
ο    See Final Nomination List
6.    Executive Election
ο    Every other year we evaluate the Executive of Council, position opened May 4th, Ms. Ceplikas was the only applicant.
ο    Motion: I move to elect Ms. Ceplikas as the Council Executive.
Motion Passes

7.    Notes and New Business
ο    [Emily N]: If you need new binders for your positions, let me know!
ο    New Council Introductions
ο    Exam Review Sessions Motion
o    Should be worked out between students and teachers
o    Teacher agendas are set, don't always leave time for review
ο    Motion: I move to refer this motion to Curric.
o    [Krista]: They could do a good job figuring it out.
o    This is unnecessary, we can make this decision now
o    Committee referrals don't have to take a long time, we can continue it next year
o    We can't just slam this through to the staff, should talk about it
Debate Closes
Motion Passes
ο    Bylaws Motion: I move to add two revisions to the bylaws.
o    [Rachel]: 1. Article VII, Point A #8 and #9, 2. Article 5, Point B

Article VII: Committees
A. General Rules of Operation
8. Each committee must keep a record of motions, separate from
Council meeting minutes, in hard copy and online-posted on Council web
page. This record must Include motion, date, maker of motion, and any
amendments as well as whether or not the amendments passed. Context
for the original motion and following amendments are also important to
record.
9. At the close of the Council year, new chairs of committees must
meet with the former chair of their committee in order to discuss a)
accomplishments of the past year, b) goals of the coming year, c)
challenges faced and solutions found. These three points should also
be written in a letter and archived in that committee's binder. In
addition, that same letter should be posted on the Council blog under
the section of said committee so as to be preserved.

Article 5: Officers
B. Assistant Moderator
5. Oversee or facilitate the Council Committee web pages. Ensure each
page includes:
a) chair/chairs,
b) current members
c) time/place of meeting
d) Committee responsibilities
e) Committees' meeting notes
f) Action the committee has taken to date

Debate Closes
Motion Passes

Meeting Adjourns

Thanks for a great year everyone! I'm going to miss you! :)
- Your Secretary,
Katie Williamson