Student Council serves as a democratic method for all citizens of the school to have a say in the operation of the school.  Student Council allows every student's ideas to be heard.  Think about the Senators and Representatives who are elected by the American people to represent their views in our capital in Washington, D.C.  A Student Council representative, elected by their classmates, is like those Senators and Representatives.  It is the duty of the Student Council Representative to represent the views of their classmates at each Council meeting.
Our school has a Student Council to keep the students, principal and teachers informed of each others' ideas, needs and opinions.  The Student Council also makes sure that everyone in our school cooperates in the day-to-day responsibilities of being part of a school community, enjoys improvements and special activities, and works together on specific problems.  And, our Student Council gives students a chance to learn about the democratic process and about leadership.

TV Grams
Sponsored by Student Council.  Purchase a TV Gram to run for one week for birthdays, congratulations, etc.  Come to the Media Center and fill out the form and pay $1.00.
 

Student Council Executive Board

1.  The office President will be held by a sixth grade student.
2.  The office of Vice-President will be held by three representatives, one from each grade level, 4th, 5th, 6th.
3.  The offices of Secretary, Treasurer, and Public Relations can be held by a fifth or sixth grade student.

President:  "The Leader" 6th Grade Only
* Attends all meetings
* Plans and conducts the meetings
* Works hard to keep people active and involved
* Appoints people to various committees
* Works with the Advisor, the other Officers and the Principal

(3) Vice-Presidents - 6th, 5th, 4th: "The Movers"
* Attends all meetings
* Is the chief assistant to the President
* 6th Serves as President at meetings if the President is absent
* Heads important meetings/committees
* 5th and 6th Attends all PTA meetings as a Student Council Representative

Secretary: "The Recorder" - Must be able to type
* Attends all meetings
* Keeps the minutes of all meetings in a Student Council Log
* Keeps reports and all records
* Gives copy of minutes to Advisor, school secretary
* Updates PTA calendar for school (in front hallway)

Treasurer: "The Money Handler"
* Attends all meetings
* Handles all funds, keeps accurate records and receipts
* Reports on all money matters to the council
* Takes council recommendations to Principal and school secretary

Public Relations - The "Press Person"
* Attends all meetings
* Writes articles for school newsletter - 1 per month about what is going on in Student Council
* Handles all notices and letters
* Updates PTA calendar (in front hallway) with Secretary for school

    Once you have signed your agreement as a Student Council representative and have learned what a Student Council does, it is time to think about your duties as a representative.

    Take a minute to think about the word "representative".  It is a form of the word "represent", which means to act for another person or group of people who have elected you to do so.

    Your main responsibility, then, is always to act on behalf of those students who elected you.  This means that at every Student Council meeting you must vote the way your classmates - the ones who elected you - tell you they want you to vote.  You will find out how they want you to vote during class meetings when you discuss topics the Council is considering and hear their ideas.

    It is important to understand that your classmates will not always agree on certain issues.  For example, part of the class may want you to vote for a new menu in the cafeteria, while another part of the class may want you to vote against it.  When that happens, it is your responsibility as a representative to take a vote at a class meeting to find out the majority opinion of the class.

    The majority is when half of the group plus at least one student votes one way.  For example, if you have 26 students in your class and 14 vote to change the menu, the majority favors changing the menu.  Once you take a vote and find out that more students in your class want you to vote for the menu change than against it, you will know how to cast your vote at the next Student Council meeting.

    In addition to representing your classmates well, you must also remember to follow these other important rules:
 

• Attend all meetings
• Be on time
• Listen carefully and think about all ideas and discussions
• Take notes and keep good records so you can report to your class
• Speak up when you have an idea to present or a comment to make
• Finish all projects on time
• Report to your class regularly
• Listen to the concerns of students outside your class
• Learn and follow the rules of parliamentary procedure  (Some basic rules are listed in this handbook)
• Keep an open mind to new ideas
• Never make fun of others' ideas
• Use good manners and be honest