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Post date: Feb 18, 2018 12:21:15 AM
Agenda 02.14.18.
Approval of Minutes
Reports
Exam Discussion
Notes and New Business
Council Minutes 02.07.18.
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” -Dr. Seuss
1. Approval of Minutes
2. Reports
Treasurer: Council fund = $6660. Co-curricular fund = $4400.
Secretary: Sophomore alternate can vote.
Admin: Talked about Cell Phone Motion being brought back.
SAC: Organized Winter Carnival teams.
I move to allocate up to $120 to UNICEF for a Common Ground sugar cookie decorating event.
UNICEF needs money for event to buy supplies and prizes.
Motion Passes
Abstentions: Wish Council had discussion on Council’s role of providing support for fundraisers.
4. Winter Carnival Money Allocation
I move to allocate up to $120 to Ms. Murray for Winter Carnival items.”
For Winter Carnival, need to buy 5 puzzles for about $13 dollars each which adds to $65 total. Need to buy other supplies for other events such as baking competition. Winter Carnival is all-school event where all students are encouraged to participate.
Motion Passes
When staff discussion motion, often talk about intent or motives of motion. Clarifying reasons help guide conversation in Council so amendments made are in spirit of motion. Intent statement with motion allows for all people discussing motion to understand motives during all approval stages.
Returning from Admin committee with a recommendation to pass.
Intent: The intent of this motion is to encourage the mutual respect between students and teachers and provide autonomy for both parties to improve the classroom environment with regards to use of electronic devices.
The use of electronic devices must not interfere with academics or constitute a threat to health and safety.
All electronic devices may only be used in class with the teacher’s permission. Staff has the authority to preemptively take any electronic devices during tests/exams or those that are not silenced and stored away in a bag, separate from the person. Electronic devices can be used in public spaces where students are allowed to congregate such as the atrium, the café, the library, or resource centers.
Electronic devices may be used in corridors; however, users should be aware of the current handbook rule which states that “Behavior in corridors and foyers which disrupts instruction or harms the school’s generally positive atmosphere will not be permitted.”
All electronic devices must be turned off or turned to mute during any form of safety or emergency drill or procedure.
Changes made: Last part of wording on cell phone use during emergency procedure is under Council’s jurisdiction. Replaced all wording of cell phones and pagers to all electronic devices to encompass technological materials such as Chromebooks, allowing teachers to confiscate any electronic devices that are distracting. Added wording to address Mr. Campbell’s concerns with wording.
Up to teacher’s discretion as to whether something counts as test or a quiz, which changes whether this language gives control over electronic devices for teachers or not.
Should include more specific wording to include examples that Mr. Campbell addressed in veto, such as allowing teachers to confiscate electronic devices for students who have had repeated offenses in use of electronic devices.
Test or quizzes is very specific. Having word “assessments” would allow for teacher to have more discretion.
I move to amend the motion to replace the words “tests/exams” with “assessments.”
Amendment Passes
I move to amend the sentence “Staff has the authority to preemptively take any electronic devices during tests/exams or those that are not silenced and stored away in a bag, separate from the person” to read “Staff only has the authority to preemptively take any electronic devices: during assessments; if they are not silenced and stored away in a bag, separate from the person; or in the case of a repeated past offense.”
New wording restricts autonomy of teachers in classrooms to select methods of electronic device use that are best for the specific environment of the class a specific teacher is teaching with a negative connotation.
Need strict wording to state what teachers have authority over and what they don’t have authority over, regardless of a positive or negative connotation.
First sentence of paragraph states that students can use electronic devices with teacher’s permission, which gives teachers some authority and independence in classroom. New wording advocates for students, which speaks to concern that originally led to motion being brought-- teacher’s preemptively confiscating cell phones without enough reason.
Amendment Passes
Abstention: Wanted to hear thoughts of teacher before closing debate.
As teacher, agree with wording. Strikes balance between what teachers want and what students are asking for.
Concern with wording that it could get confusing in section of what staff only has the authority to preemptively take-- one could interpret wording that staff can only take away electronic devices during assessments if electronic devices are not silenced and stored away in bag. Need more clear way to separate clauses.
I move to amend the sentence “Staff only has the authority to preemptively take any electronic devices: during assessments; if they are not silenced and stored away in a bag, separate from the person; or in the case of a repeated past offense.” to read “Staff only has the authority to preemptively take any electronic devices: 1. during assessments; 2. if they are not silenced and stored away in a bag, separate from the person; 3. or in the case of a repeated past offense.”
Amendment Passes
Wording allows for conversation between students and staff.
I move to amend the phrase “Staff only has the authority to preemptively take any electronic devices” to read “Staff only has the authority to preemptively take electronic devices.”
Amendment Passes
Would like to see follow up on motion to make sure teachers are not continuing for students to place phones into baskets or shoe holders unless in specific cases stated in motion from Admin committee.
Motion Passes
7. Meeting Adjourns
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